New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-08-25

Chase is yet unexplored, and nothEg can there
lore be said in regard 10 its probable adaptation 10
agriculture; but the general character of the Rocky
Mountains points 70 thedac that between the email
Amount Of level country its elevation and the arid
nature Of its climate, adequate farming lands cam
not be found TO sustyin those engaged in mining.
Its valleys are few, narrow but fertile demanding
rri,,stion Old residents OF Utah ars of opinion
that as soon there is general development OF
The mineral wealth Of the Rocky Mountains, there
must be u dependence upon the agriculture OF the
Valley for supplies. This will also
doubtless prove TO be the case with the eastern
slope of the Rocky Mountains; AMI for the same
reason there will always exist like dependence By
tho western slope of the Mountains the aericul-
ture of California
EVILS TO BIT AVOIDED.
In the land and agricultural systems OF Califo'-
MA two prominent evils exist, which, if allowed TO
continue, must greatly weaken, and eventually de-
stroy the agricultural production Of the State
These are the exhaustion Of the SOIL and the need
Of proper distribution Of ownership in the lands.
In regard TO the former Of these evils, Mr. Hittel
says;
1.-THE farmers generally nre anrcus to n'ks as much
money possible without regard 70 Tie hiule welfare
Of me baud Some Of them not permanent esuels
81 tie State and intend 10 leave Il " soon rs tey c..
get certain uumnr VI dollars tefe,bar. p.Lers a.
farming land tie title II which is N dispute. snd as
lley feel uncertain ihort is ownership, Iaey are id
feront as to its exhaustion Many c! rSem come from
Tie Western Scs vAcre tic laid had Dot, pe. en' to
their slpn become POor and a. rotation oil crops
had never been recessity wthIH their experience
they have never adopted it,
S,tah nf att
remedy.
Large landed estates with their ilseparnblc bane-
ful system of cultivation, have proved smother
fruitful evil in California. Small esta,es inte!h-
gently cultivated, as we nave seer in tho eastern
.ales, have often been the OF restoring The
soil y hero restoration Was practicable, and vLers
IL could not be. as is ;lecase in 'ho vicinity OF our
National Capital, it remains as a warning sGd az
example for all times and places. In California.
where the ;lmate iayorB q much greater annual
yield, these estates will admit OF still greater sub
division. But unfortunately tie large grants Of
land made ~ tie Mexican Government were re-
20 nizcd b. our OWE government in it's treaty stp-
uatons, entered into when lie Agricultural value
Of California could not have been foreseen.
ExTENT OF THE MEXICAN GRANTS.
OF these grants, siys Mr.. Hitcl theTe are sl3,
covering total OF nearly ten millions Of acres.
OF these claims $50, covering about three million
acres, have been finally rejected, aud number are
a, yet undecided The grants were for large traces
called renchos intended to be used chiefly or exclr
svey fos pnstursge aid The average size was about
Il, go acres, or three square miles.
IL these large landed estates had been s,rveyed
ty tc owncrs and sold IN small sic,s ~ reasonable
prices the evils here pointed oat might have beer
esscned but contrary policy has been pursued,
ior ~ these gratis the best agricultural aAd
in the State tsir future value. because Of Iher Inn
tied extent is regarded as very great aud present
ASKING Prices arc governed 20 great extent by THIS
speculative value. Indeed the uncertainty Of land
.cs has been tho greatest obstacle to the permit
uent and healthy settlement of the State. Tho
American farmer very justly -ouses,o settle oil land
in ANY other capacity than az the owner Of Al I'M
II .mn.cled lee simple, aud the result is felt IA the
migratory and unsettled habits Of ia people, and
the unstable character o: ia business.
Tie uncertainty Of land tides hero referred to,
arises from Il recognition Of the Mexican grants
IL our treaty with IcHico. When grant IL con-
frncd, the lands embraced within il are Withdrawn
from market hopeless 70 the ti!ier OF the soil, tx
,ep al prices which the preson; pToG.s Of asricai-
lure viii not justify.
THB LAND sYSTRI.
The lands not covered b.; recognized Mexican
grants are: First, those 20 which c-im has been
nade under these grants, but Which have been de-
orlnned invalid. Second, those which arc claimed
under taeso grants, but undetermined. Third, the
swamp OF tale lands owned by the State OF Caliior-
la under the legislation Of Congress. Fourth,
hose granted to tho State for School purposes by
Congress, aud nov sold by the Stato FOR g. IS per
acre. tiith, mining lands Deserved from sale as
mining landh, bat which haze been exhausted OF
their mineral wealth. Sixth, mining lands reserved
from sole, unexhaOeted.
In order theta question 30 important 10 the inter
sss Of the State and vial 10 the welfare Of those
who may adopt il al their future homes, as title
may be duly considered brei description of each
of these several classes Of lands may not Le without
value
First, then, the lands from invalid Mexican
3laims belong 20 the general government Tho
policy obtains ia California as well rs
u other States, and should be opplied and pnswery-
nely adhered to IL Ire disposal Of these lands. l.
gives the lands to actual secrs not TO spoclsators
n small quantities for cultivation not 10 be ga.hor-
81 in masses FOR future sales Thus policy will PIE
serve the soil rom deterioration, and it will give
stability to the moving population, md, as oonse-
lucnec, 10 tho general business of California.
Second, the lands claimed under grant not vet
determined. The unfortunate treaty stpulatons
which recognized the validity OF these grants must
be flifhfnllN rccnrlld lint lnuhfs ,hnnlI n. .li..