The weekly union record., 1864-05-28
Progress and Change in the Foothills

Progress and Change in the Foothills.
1t was the opinion of great many of the
early pioneers of this State, that when the
mines we're worked out, the mountainous parts
would relapse iuto its primeval wilderness
Experience has shown that that impression
was a wrong one. 1t is true that the rude
cabin Of the miner is gradually disappearing !;
but then the family cottage, with all its plea
sing associations is taking It's place. The last
few years has witnessed a greater change in
the Foothills in this respect than any other
portion Of the State. The agricultural part of
the State has always been devoted to that
branch Of Industry, whilst in the more eeva-
ted portions Of the State, known by way of
distinction as ''the mountains" farming, as a
general thing, from the nature of the climate,
probably cannot be carried on successfully on
an extensive scale, but here in the foothills, as
the mines give out, people engage in other
individual pursuits. Ground formerly passed
over without attracting notice, has been re-
Gently found, by careful cultivation to "blos.
som like the rose" Every.available spot that
is susceptible Of cultivation, and where water
for domestic purposes, aud for irrigation can
be obtained, has been or is being rapidly taken
up. A person cannot now go far in any d.
rection in this section without coming across
garden where grows the mellow apple, the
luscious peach, or the juicy grape. We should
judge from the quantity of peaches and other
fruit that was dried aud preserved last year,
that the importation of such articles into this
State will soon cease.
The cultivation of the grape is already
great source of profitable industry, and promi-
ses hereafter to be greater one. 1t is gene
rally conceded that the foothills" are peculi-
arly well adopted TO the growth of the grape.
1t is thought that the business cannot be over
done, as the grape can be converted into wine,
and that people will prefer the pure juice of
the grape to an adulterated article made up of
various chemical compoundo as it is well
known that nearly all the imported stuff mis-
called wine, partakes of this description.
The gathering of pitch and the manufac-
ture Of turpentine is a new and important in
dustrial pursuit, especially so 10 this county,
and everything indicates that those who are
engaged in that branch of business are and will
be successful.
Stock raising is also an important element
in this section. In the earlier days Of Ameri
can immigration, the southern counties of the
State almost wholly supplied the mining coun-
ties with cattle, aud were therefore called the
"cow counties" But now every county in the
State is in some measure "cow county" So
it is with sheep. Seven years ago scarcely
sheep was 10 be seen as high up as the mines,
bat now the b!eatiug of sheep is heard on ma
ny hill side. Whilst there has been changes
in the occupation of the people, there has also
/ been changes of moral nature In places
where formerly the monte table was well at
/ tended, where bronzed miners were won't to
dance with Mexican senoritas 10 the tones Of
discordant music, where dissipation and revel-
~ held supreme sway, there now reigns a
quetuess and stiffness supposed to be cbarac-
teristic OF a New England village, and if the
glittering ore is not to be had as easy now as
10 former days, we have advantages that did
/ not exist then, which compensa,eS rs in great
measure for the comparative scarcity of that
precious metal The uecessaries and even the
uxuries of life are cheaper aud more abundant
Lovely woman with her refining influence
I has appeared on the scene. Things 10 general
have approximated more to an Atlantic stan-
dsri in everything that renders people COM
Portable and We might say in all that is eleva-
ting. We look forward with the pleasing
hope. that the mineral region will continue to
be the abode of 40 enterprising and intelligent
people.
10 the meantime. as public journalists. it is
a matter OF pleasure and duty Tor Us to chroui-
Gle the resources of California. whether latent
or developed.