The hydraulic press., 1859-12-03
HOME CHANCES.


tiles she longs for lie at her feet unobseryed
And so her unquet children, the adventurous
Caifornians, who have crossed oceans and
continents to attain the new Canaan on the
Pacific, are still looking elsewhere for ad-
vantages and opportunities which are scat
tered thckly around them. Like the early
voyagers to America, they 60 from country
to country in search of an imaginary Ell Do
rado, unconscious of the true one beneath
them. Many of them have so long followed
the delusive search for mineral wealth-so
welded themselves to the idea of suddenly
acquiring riches by delving in the earth
that they are utterly averse to the slower but
surer methods of fortune making which are
always so numerous in a new country. Of
ten as they have been disappointed by the
ignis .tdtuus of mining adventure. they are
still ready to rush off in the direction of any
new prospect, no matter how limited, and
risk another heart -sickening defeat in their
wild battle with life.
We do not wish to preach sermon on
| the old text which says-"A rolling stone
gathers no moss" We have all been rolling
stones, or else we should not be here to- day;
but now that we ere here there is nothing
! better in reserve for the most of us than
just to stay here. If we must hunt for
gold, in its crude condition and by painful
| bendings over the earth and cravings into
it, let US hunt here. Without meaning to
disparage the claims of any other mineral
region, we assert, without fear of successful
contradiction, that the mines of California
are to-day unparalleled, and offer greater in
| ducements to persevering labor than all 9TH
ers on the globe An immense extent of
auriferous ground lies yet unoccupied, in
localities where all facilities for the develop
ment of its treasures can be readily pro-
cured Every week, nearly, the interior
press chronicles discoveries of new deposits
which, if found outside of the State, would
attract crowds of adventurers and especial
correspondents"
But we desire to direct attention to other
home chances than those Of mining. More
than ten years of familiar experience regard
ing the latter, will not permit US to commend
mining, to- any except the hardest men, as a
steady pursuit. For the majority who acork
at it, it is precarious, anxious, unwhole-
some occupation, and does not insure them
adequate reward. They would be more
happy and prosperous had they never stuck
ifornia, and especially the mountain region1
needs more producers-a larger class of
wealth creators and home builders-,a great
er variety of industrial pursuits for the en-
ployment of capital and attraction of popu-
lation. There is fine field right here in the
mountains for energetic persons to embark
in many enterprises that will pay better than
mining, eventually if not Immediately, to
say nothing of their being less toilsome and
injurious to health. Already the successful
cultivation of the soil has been commenced,
but not nearly on scale up to the demand
for farm and garden products. The grape
and hop culture, designed to prove highly
remunerative, and to which the soil of the
mining regions is admirably adapted, have
barely been inaugurated. Few persons have
yet planted large apple orchards, the profits
from which, judging from the large con-
sumption of imported apples at round prices,
would surpass the nett yields of all but the
richest mining claims Mutton and wool
growing, also, has yet to be entered upon as
it should be. 1t is known that California
wool commands preference in eastern mar
kets; that in the home market there is great
demand for mutton and that the mountain
pasturage and climate are exactly fitted for
the healthy raising of sheep. Here, then, is
a splendid home chance. Another may be
found in the cultivation of alfalfa and grass
on our red hill-sides, for pasturage and hay
making; another in the establishment of
dairies, to supply the mining communities
with sweet, new butter instead of that ran
cid substitute they now consume; and still
another in the rearing of poultry and sale
of eggs. All these enterprises, and many
others that we have not space to mention,
inclading number Of trades. could be made
to afford profitable occupation to thousands
of men and women right here in Nevada
county. And they will surely be entered
upon, but we fear not by the old residents
who came at an early day and have earned
the best right to them. New corners will
arrive in our midst with more reasonable
expectations, and seize all these opportuni-
ties; and years hence we may expect to hear
impoverished pioneers signing for the good
chances of 1882 just as they now long for
those of ten years ago.
PECK Il CoLEY.-This old established firm