The Placer herald., 1863-10-03
Agriculture in Washoe

A general impression prevails among those
unacquanted with this Territory that it is sterile
and unprodnctve throughout its entire limits
AS a general rule we admit that thus far in our
history but little headway has been made in cul-
tivating the soil. and the existence of a vast
quantity of desert and barren tracts of land
But at the same time we have some oases in the
desert--some rich and fertile valleys and hill
sides, which by the dint of industry have been
made to team with the most luXuriant vegeta-
ton. Let those unacquainted with our valleys
pay visit to the different localities of this Ter
ritOry where the soil is TILED with even greater
profit to the owner in many instances than our
mining operations. and their eyes will be opened
on this subject. We will here call attention to
few of these localities. About four miles from
Dayton. on the east side Of the Carson is a farm
of twelve hundred acres, all inclosed with sub
stantial fence of nine miles in length This farm
is owned by Mr.. VIM. Gee. Mr.. Gee has about
two hundred acres in cultivation. all of which
was planted this year. year ago this whole
farm was wilderness not single stroke having
been done towards its cultivation and improve
ment. The results of this first harvest are eight
hundred bushels of barley, two hundred bushels
of the finest wheat. and seventy-five tons Of hay.
There are also besides these products, seventy
five acres OF corn and the same number of acres
of potatoes growing. And besides selling corn
daily throughout this fall, Mr.. Gee will realize
three hundred bushels after its maturity for
housing. There are many bushels of fine looking
popcorn among it. And as to the watermeons
there is no end to them. They are "thick as au-
tumnal leaves in Vaambrosa's vale" -strewing
the earth from one end Of the field to the other,
so that one could almost walk upon them across
the entire farm. without soiling his shoes with
dirty earth Five thousand of these delicious
melons cover the earth. now ripe and ready for
the use oftht amateur. They seem to invite us to
pitch in"-they seem to say, 'come and quench
your thirst in my sweet and roseate pulp" Or,
the foliage being now dead and gone, military
man might be reminded of as many thousand
cannon balls scattered over the field of battle, or
piled up in heaps waiting for use Anybody
who will visit this hourshng farm will be amply
repaid the time and trouble The luxurious
growth of everything planted is astonishing
Here you will see turnips measuring three feet
around; bects weighing eighteen pounds, ETC.
The owner Of this farm has also the credit of
first Introducing bees into this territory He has
seven bechivcs in his garden all thriving well.
There are over a hundred head of cattle on this
farm and two hundred chickens Mr. Gee will
clear. this year, from twenty-five TO thirty thou
sand dollars over and above his expenses, from
the proceeds of this farm alone. When we con-
slider that this is as yet but an experiment. and
the first year of cultivation these results are not
only extraordinary but really astounding. 1t will
doubtless have the effect to stimulate others to
invest in the same line Of useful vocation. And
let it be remembered that these effects have been
produced by the natural richness of the soil, with
out irrigation and without the least artificial aid
save the stirring or the earth We will hereafter
give some further account of the ranches on the
Carson river.