The Nevada Democrat., 1859-08-24
WHOLE NO. sO7.
s@t~ IFrom the Hydraulic Prssa.l -.as
MOUNTAIN AGRTCUITURE.

The question Of agricultural and grazing ca
pacity Of the mountain regions of this State 10
one OF much Importance, for upon the abun-
dnnt existence Of such capacity will depend the
continued settlement and genuine prosperity Of
very large area. The adaptability of the
foot bills to tilags and pasturage has long been
known, aud we are beginning TO have more
adequate acquaintance with the elevated couH-
try lying above them. The worth of the noun
tain valleys and hill-sides for horticultural, po-
mologcal and grazing purposes is already
practically appreciated by many. New that
we see number of the mountain towns sup
piled with fruit and vegetables produced In
their own vicinity aud 10 their very midst-now
that We see extensive vineyards being planted,
and apple orchards set out-and visitors to
Eastern homes nocking eagerly back to the In.
comparable climate Of eur lofty ridges-ws
grow hopeful and bolieve that ultimately the
mineral regions OF California will be as blest as
any others, instead Of being pointed to as NOR
ally the worst part Of the State--in which light
some even yet view them For the fixed abodes
Of humanity no mountain country on earth is
so admirably fitted. II the Swiss can live aud
prosper, and make noble history amidst the
rugged and wintry Alps. why cannot the Anglo
Saxon do as much, with moro true pleasure 10
himself while he Is about II, 10 the valleys and
on the slopes of the Sierra Eevadaf - -
In Switzerland the ground Is cultivated In
terraces with southern exposure, which are
all walled up on the lower side with stone and
lime These terraces are commonly from ten
TO fifty feet wide, and incline at a considerable
angle. They ascend up the side Of mountain
writes recent traveller, from Eve hundred 20
eight hundred feet, and are reached by stone
steps, up which the manure aud every thing else
Is carried in baskets. These terraced lands,
when good, can seldom be had for less than
49,
pally employed for the grape culture. The
vines are kept low aud trained to stakes about
four feet high. Six or eight hundred gallons
OF wine Ia the usual product per acre This
wine is the common beverage OF the country.
aud 0els when new for from twenty to thirty
cents gallon. Lands not terraced are used
for pasturage, and though only used about
three months 10 the year and scemingly lying
at an angle of forty-fvc degrees, command
from $l00 to $500 per acre, These pasture
lands lie clese to the line Of perpetual snow
and are accessible to herds and herdsmen only
by steep and circultous paths.
How would the Swiss exult 10 the superior
advantages afforded by the mountains OF Call
foina Here the arabic land is abundant,
cheap and prolific, needs no costly terracing
and walling, and below the line OF winter SHOWS
eau be cultivated for various purposes all
through the year. The vine yields double, or
more than double, what il does In any other
country, and wine Is made of quality so ex.
cellent that II Is already In demand for eKpor.
tation. The pasturage for sheep is extensive
and lasting, and for cattle during the summer
season very rich and easy OF access. Above all
we have climate which rivals that of the
plains OF Italy. These facts warTaat the belief
that II every gold field was exhausted. there
would stlll be In the Sierra Nevada attractions
sufficient TO draw thousands In search OF homes,
and advantages great enough TO hold them hero
oontented.