The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-11-24

valleys whereon the snow doubtles lin
gered till late in June, leaving the soil
saturated like vet sponge for a month
later; and there are swampy meadows
whereon the coarse grass grows thick to
a hight of several feet; while beds of del
icate Towering plant-, sheltered by the
tall forests, maintain their vitality on the
mountain slopes till late in August; tut
he passes out of the region of Evergreens
into that Of Oaks as be desce nds to level
OF some 5000 feet above the ocean, aud
green valleys, luxuriant meadows, and
mountain. glades of towering plants still
living. salute him no longer The Oaks
gradually become sparse and scattered; !;
their dark foliage contrasts strongly
with the dun, dead, berbsge beneath
between them; as he descends to the
plains, the Oaks vanish or become
like angels visits, while broad expanse
Of dried up pasture-range vies with occa-
sional strips of Wheat or Barley stube
in evencing the protracsed fercenes Of
the Summer drouth His vision sweeps
over miles after niles Of stubble and range
whereon no sign of vegetable hic-not e.
sen a green weed-is presented; he sees
seveneig bths OF the water courses atso-
lutely, intensely dry, while the residue
are reduced from rivers to scaDty brooks,
frog, brooks to tiny riyulet.; and he mur-
nurs to bim,eif-"Is hiS the American
TALLY! 1t looks more like Sahara or
Cobb"
Ye; this, ike most ha-ty judgments, is
very unsound oBe. These slopes, these
wales, now so dead and oheerless, are but
resting from t4cir annual aud ever sue
ce,sful etfo;s 10 contribute bouutifully to
the susteBapce and comfort OF Maa-
Suu mer - their season OF torpor. as Win
terls ouIs. Dead as these wheat fields how
nos sTFesr, the stubble is thick aud
stout. aud II, Indications are more than
justified ty the harvest they have this year
yielded. THE California State Register
gives the following as the officially return
ed Wheat yield OF the State for the last
three years:
Years. Total Acres in Wheat TotaIProduct
le56 l7l,S69 3,s1g O32
1857 I64,642 3,2U54s4
1858 ls6.46I 356s 669
Giving as the aggregate Of three years
growth of Wheat, 1868 lS5 bush
els from 522,9 acres, or more than
twenty bushels per acre. an confident
that the aggregate yield Of the Atlantic
States 'or those same three years did not
exceed ten bu-hels per -eeded acre. The
average yield OF Barley throughout the
State, according to these returns, is about
taeLty FIVE bushels. and of Oats some
thing over thirty bushels, per seeded acre.
| know the majority will say These are
but moderate crops;" and 30 they may be
If compared With what mi ht be grown,
and IN particular instances are grown;
but if compared with the actual average
yield of small grain thrOus shout the At
laDilc States, they are large indeed.
CalifoTnia-thoog b very jItte of herSoi
and produces good crops OF Indian Corn,
oaing to the eooness of her Sum c.er
nj ht> aud the want Of sea,oDable rains
-DoE grows her own bread, and may
easily grow far more. Estimating her
population at Half Million, her last
years crop exceeded seven bushels per
head. which is an ample allowance; and
this years crop is still better, with lar
ger area Sown.
But, while only 756, 73i acres in all of
the soil of this State were cultivated last
year (Which still shows an Increase on
any former ycsrl. there were 1853, 1I3
acres OF iDclosed land-with OF course a
much larger area of uonclosed--devoted
to grazing. Cattle growing, was the
cbisf employment Of the Calilornians of
other daSy, aud cattle growing, next after
mining. L. the chief business of the Cali
foruisns of 1859. There are compare
lively few farms yet established, while
ronciteS abound on every ride. A corral
into which to drive his wild herd when
use or seeurity is in question. and field
or two in which to pasture his u.ilcb COWS
and working cattle, are often all Of the
r0nche TIA: is iEclosed; tbs herd is simply
branded with the owner s rlark and turn
ed out to range where they will, being
looked after occasionally by mounted
ramcierO, whose bor-e is trained to dex-
terity in running among or around them.
Stables for horses | have seen; but such
thing as an honest, straight out barn
has not blessed my eyes 10 connection
with any fsrm since left civilized Kan
sas-if even there A Californian would
as soon think of cutting bay for the susie
nance of bis family as that of his herd
10 fact. Winter is, after Spring, his cattle &
best season that in which they can best
take care of themselves with regard to
food. From August to November IS their
hardest time. But the berbage which
rendered the hills and plains one vast
flower garden 10 Spring il, though dead
and dry u, tnder, still nutritious; its myr-
lad flowers have given place to seeds
which have the qualities of grain; and, if
the range be broad enough, cattle which
have naugbt to DO hnt forage coatrige to
exc out pretty fair living. Bat it were
were absurd to suppose that single crop
or Iaud h. nan Afford acre for acre