Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1868-04-25
Stockton, CAL, Dec. l8rh, 1867.

STOCKTON, CAL. Dec lSlh, 1867.
JOhn Il. Staniy, ESq.-Dear Sir: In
reply to your inquiry, take great pleas
ure in giving you, for the information Of
our friends in the South, such facts in re-
laliOn 10 The farming interests Of CalIfor-
MIA as possess.
have been engaged in actual farming
operations in this State for the past six
teen years-the facts and figures ] shall
give you such as have been drawn from
my own experience, and wherever there
may be doubt upon any question. !
shall so calculate as TO throw that doubt
against The farmer.
Our friends in the South musI remem-
Der tha! where not otherwise stated, all
figures may state represent so much
gold and silver coin-the precious metals
being the only currency we have in Cali
fornia.
The arabic lands Immediately around
The city OF San Francisco, and within q
few hours travel of that metropolis, are
cut up into small farms-are highly i'm
proved as orchards, vineyards, market
gardens, ETC., and command a high price
per acre-S2O 10 slO0. These lands
are out Of the questloE FOR immigrants.
San joaquin YaHey.-ln the valley Of
the San joaquin, where | reside, there
are now from 100000 10 100000 acres
OF rich prairie lands uncuIUvaled. These
lands are situated on. or IN the immediate
vicinity Of the San Joaquin River. This
river is navigable to Stockton, and for
some distance above al all seasons Of the
year, and these lands can be reached from
San Francisco By steamboat and wagon,
from twelve 10 fourteen hours.
Part OF these lands are still the proper
iy Of the Government and portion have
been reduced TO private ownership.
According 10 locality and quality of
soil, these lands can be bought from indi.
viduaI owners at prices vary from 5
10 SIS per acre. Such as is stII public
land can be Pre-emrted at 81 25 per acre
in gtcenbacks, OF serled upon as a home
stead and utle grslulously obtained after
FIVE years actual residence.
Climate -The climate OF This valley is
unsurpassed for comfort and heal hfJl-
ness; We have no cold weather, AMI but
lnIle Of what is known in the Soulh as
warm weather. The only change in our
seasons is from the We, to the dry-lhe
former commencing generally in October
or November, and continuing until April.
During this period We have no more rain
than falls in North Carolina ia the ssme
month. In the summer-IhsI il, from
Nav 10 Noyember-we have no rain.
Our friends in The east will bear this fact
in mind. as it has material influence up
on farming operations. la harvest mne
we have no fear Of damage 10 oar crop
from shower, or Ils destruction bv a
storm; we lose no l.b0r on account of
rainy days; We can dispense with barns
and cribs; our crop can remain in tie
field in sacks until sold, and ILefe are
many other advantages which will readily
suggest themselves TO any practical farmer.
There is no country 10 The world where
a man can live more exempt from disease
than in this; there j. none where be can
more rstionslIy enjoy life, and think
that can demonstrate that industry and
energy can be and are as amply rewarded
for their efforts here as IN any known
part Of the habitable globe.
Cost Of Putting in Hkeal Crop