Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-06
California Agriculture.

We have received pamphlet containing
the official report of the Fourth Annual Fair,
Cattle and Industrial Exhibition Of the Cali
forna State Agricultural Society.
The report of the visiting committee on
farms, orchards vineyards, &c, is very inter-
esting, and discloses q marvellous progress
in all the branches Of culture, greater even
than the fertile West has ever shown. The
committe speak Of genealogical garden,
three miles from Sacramento. which embra-
ces sixty-fve acres. 1t is watered by means
Of a ten horsepower steam pump, which
throws ten thousand gallons per hour. 1t
is stocked with thirteen thousand pear trees,
in one hundred and eighty varieties, fifteen
thousand apples, in one hundred and sixty
varieties, twelve thousand cherries, seven
teen thousand peaches, and other fruits III
like proportion. 1t contains thlrty-slx thou
sand ornamental, forest, and timber trees,
ten thousand ornamental shrubs, twelve
thousand roses, and three large green houses,
which are stocked with thirty thousand spe-
cimens, comprising some very rare plants
The committee visited u snug compact lit
tie farm of only eight thousand acres III ex-
tent. The proprietor of this estate has four
Thousand head of cattle and two hundred
horses and mules. His stock is ofthe choicest
breeds. A few miles further on the commit
tee entered upon a farm OF SIX thousand
acres. This farm employs twenty wagons,
| fifty ploughs, twenty-five harrows, two
eight-hurse power threshing machines, four
hay presses, and other implements and ma
chimes, corresponding in number and variety
| with those enumerated.
The committee speak in the warmest and
most enthusiastic terms OF the extent and
promise of the vineyards Of California, and
anticipate from this source alone, IN the pro-
uuction of wines, an increase nearly equal
ling the gold crop. The California wine will
soon be a staple in all our markets. They
mention several vineyards which contain
| from three thousand to fifteen thousand vines.
The committe say: 1.-The agriculturist and
| horticulturist from sterile New England,
| who lives one-third Of the year iii o snow
bank and the balance in hard toll to rid his
fields of trees, stumps, and stones, here has
nothing to do but to turn the furrow, plant
his seed, and in due time sure and album
dant crop follows"
California contains seventy-sercn million
acres suitable for agricultural and grazing pur-
poses. There are already under cultivation
| five hundred and seventy-nine thousand
acres-this estimate was made for ISL
California is represented as being the garden
of the world, possessing remarkable fertility
and climate which for eyenness OF tempcra-
ture, salubrity, and health, is unsurpassed.
The average crop of wheat in California is
some thirty bushels per acre, which is a
much higher average than in the wheat dis
trcts of the West. The average crop OF bar
ley is thirty five bushels. Beets, carrots, and
turnips grow to unheard of dimensions and
yield amazing crops All fruit products, e.
pecially the grape in all its varieties, grow and
mature to great perfection and IN great album
dance The wines produced in California
an acre will yield twelve hundred gallons
are pronounced by the committee to be fully
equal to the best wines Of Europe, and some
specimens to be far superior to the best
French wines. For grazing country and
dairy products California would seem to be
unsurpassed. Horses and cattle flourish as
they do nowhere else.