The Shasta courier., 1861-12-07
Farming in California.

We have published good deal about far
ming recently in the COURIER, and have tried
as far as lay in our power, to call practical
attention to certain branches of agriculture,
too much neglected in this State. We have
been gratifed to observe that some of the
suggestions submitted, were received fayora-
bly, by the press af the State, and we did in
dulge the hope that we were doing some
good. A few days ago, however, we were
spoken to in relation to these matters by a
well informed gentleman, who said that our
remarks were all well enough, but were di-
rected to the discussion of ma tiers not fair
ly before the farmers of the State, for that it
would be needful to persuade that worthy
class of our citizens to habits of industry
and economy, before directing their atten-
ton to new branches of agriculture. Said
he, " are you aware that one half of the
butter consumed on the farms of Shasta
county is brought from New York % On
expressing doubt of this humiliating fact,
he assured us of its truth, based upon his
personal knowledge. Is this really so (? Ii
it is, and subsequent inquiry has gone far
to establish its truth, it is time wasted to talk
about what are the most remunerative crops
raised in this State, until it is clearly estab-
lished that any kind will be raised.
Of course; without care and industry, nc
ayocation of life will pay much. Farming
is remunerative here or elsewhere if con
Quoted on these principles. Without them,
it will not pay anywhere. No man can tell
aud no figures can estimate, the amount Of
LOSSES to the wealth of this State, and its in.
habitants from the habits of idleness, engen
dered by a California life. Take the in
stance of stockraisiaf Every winter, the
lesson of hay saving aid shelter for stock
as means to prevent it. frdlEaying, is re
taught, and every following summer is for
gotten. The approaching winter will show
the loss of larger number of cattle from
the idleness and neglect of the owners than
any preceding season, and still this lesson,
we fear, will not be learned by our farming
population. No system of farming any
lcl CstfA NC ouCSScsiui hhSlS ti4CSc tiib
are neglected These are the first lessons,
and till they are taught and adopted, we
may expect to hear the remark that g farm
ing in California is played out,n as if that
avocation by which all men live could be
s'played out" There is too little farming
and too much ranching' in California. 1t
is curious to observe the changed habits and
department of the farmers of California af-
ter their arrival here. Instead of conduct
ing the business as it is done in the East, be
concludes that he must approximate as near
as may be, to what might be known as the
.sSpanish" plan. Instead of the neat tidy,
trim farm we see in the East, we have a
California .ranch," with its half starved
cattle pnd vagabond horses. and general un-
tidiness. Horses are not horses any longer,
but become " caviare''-we are not sure Of
the term-on which the rancho places about
sixty pounds of leather and wood, well
'isinched" on with cables and straps enough
to hold a first class brig. Lots become, by
the same easy transposition, corrals. We
shall see the day when the American plan
of farming will be adopted in California. and
ranches, ranqueros, co'vals, &C.. shall cease
to be.