Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-12-28
Mtseell
WONDERS 0F CA11EnI

WONDERS OF CALIFORNIA.
correspondent of the New York Even
ing Post, dating Napa Valley, California
says:
Borax lake is about one hundred mile,
north Of San Francisco, only one mile lonc
and half mile wide. 1t is crater of an ex.
tinot volcano, or at least presents that appear.
ance. There is no other Of the kind save in
Thibet. Before the discovery OF Borax Lake
in California, there were but two sources OF
supply Of borax to meet the demand of the
world-that of Ihibet, and that of a firm in
Liverpool, who manufacture the article by a
chemical process.
The earth is strongly impregnated with
borate of soda b-borate, strictly speaking.
1t is subjected TO lixivation, and the saturat-
ed water is slowly evaporated in heated boil
ers until the octohedral crystals are formed.
In the sediment are iodine, siloic acid, silci-
cate OF lime and alumina the frs. is likely
to prove valuable. Al the present time
about four thousand pounds of borax is OBJ
tanned daily; ten to fifteen tons will be the
daily yield on the completion Of the works.
The supply may be regarded as illimitable.
and sufficient for the demands of the world.
1t is constantly forming, and soon there will
be no borax in use in the arts and in medi-
cine save that which the Golden State will
furnish.
A hill about 600 Feet high separates Borax
Lake from the sulphur banks. The view
from the pass over that hill is one of surpri-
sing beauty and grandeur. A loftly mount.
ain, the Uncle Sam, in front, sections of clear
lake, like two silver arms, embracing the bo.
rax peninsula, and the ti1y mineral lake itself.
raH ha
could metallic mirror, are but few Of the
attractions of this charming spot. There is
no human habitation in sight save the works
of the borax Company, but cattle are brows-
ing on the salt meadows adj accent to the lake,
and on Its borders are swine feasting on the
Larvae of fly, which is found on the margin,
forming an organized belt yard or more
wide, and above foot in depth The only
other inhabitsnt Of these waters is a leech,-
II is hardly necessary to add that the spe-
cifc gravity OF the lake renders it impossible
that a man should be drowned in its healing
waters--healing the ulcers of animals that
are driven in for that purpose.
The sulphur banks are on TIE margin Of
Clear Lake; an extensive deposit--the depo-
sition being still in progress. Extensive
works for sublimat.ng the element have Just
been completed Sulphur is poured out from
re,orts, in constant streams, into boxes hold
ing 200 pounds each, afording to the borAx
company, at a trifing expen,e, daily sup
ply of 100 such boxes, if they see fl to draw
on their birthstone bank to that extent.
But for Chinese labor, neither borax nor
sulphur could be obtained. White laborers
could not be induced TO undertake the labor.
However as Cinnamon get what they consider
good wages, the needful supply is always on
hand. Professor Oxly's experience in mining
is highly suggestive as to a mans need OF a
Sabbath. He says he has seen, at Washoe,
enough Of working seven days in a week on
seven days wages, to demonstrate that only
five days product is the result and although
HIS Chinese laboTers are engaged by the
month, and are quite willing to work every
day in the month, he, for pure economical
and physiological considerations, gives them
seventh day rest, the Christian Sabbath.