The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-07-13
FROM CALIFORNIA,

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yet in labor they resemble the joys of
Paradise-there is no intermission; one
crop is scarcely consumed: yea, gathered
into the granaries, when preparations
are made for another; toll through the
winter and freeze through the summer is
the programme.
The States West of the Sierras offer
pleasure and comparative ease to their
inhabitants and q livelihood is gained
here with less severe toll than in any
other part of America, if not in the
world. From the signs of the times the
day of great prosperity is at hand for
the Pacific States the great achievement
of the age is completed and months of
travel is reduced to days.
California, from her direct communi.
cations with the Eastern States, will pro-
gress very rapidly, but as,this is the age
of improvement, all will eagerly seek a
share in the benefits arising from the
Continental Railroad.
California possesses the two requisites
which constitute the wealth and progress
of any country-the soil and climate.
The vast amount of grain produced
during the last four years, is proof
enough that her soil yields bountifully
The wheat crops of counties are estima-
ted by millions The valleys are so well
adapted to the use of agricultural imple-
ments, that few men can accomplish
much; the hard labor which cannot be
accomplished in the rolling timbered
lands of the Atlantic States, by machin-
cry, is here entirely obviated by the even
soil. One great advantage the soil of
California possesses is that the land is
sown only the alternate years; the grain
becomes so ripe that there is seed enough
left on the ground for the coming crop,
and the expense of plowing and sowing
is saved, which surely is great advan-
tage over the Eastern States.
The soil produces cotton of good
quality and quantities sufficient to repay
fully the expense and labor; true the
fields are not extensive like the cotton
fields of the South generally were, yet
the matter is tested sufficiently to prove
there is wealth in the cultivation of the
"weed," and though cotton may never
become king" Of California, it will be a
loyal subject. The next source of wealth
is the cultivation of Rice; the tula lands
are adapted to the cultivation of. the
plant, and much less amounts of money
will render them tillable, than were ex-
pended in the Southern States. The
cultivation Of grain, cotton and rice GER
tainly will make California the leading
State of America.
| While the agricultural interests of the
Pacific States is great,t manufacturing
prospects are very lattering. The val
leys are permeated by numerous streams,
that are fed by perpetual SHOWS, and are
capable Of supplying the most extensive
manufactures with the requisite power.
Again, the labor can be obtained at rea.
sonable prices indeed, if the China i'm
migration continues at the same ratio as
during the past six months, the wages of
the laboring classes may fall as low as
the English standard. There is capital
enough, material enough, and enterprise
enc ugh to make the West equal to any
country.
The soil and mineral resources Of the
Pacific coast are very great but the salu-
brious climate is the attractive feature.
The thermometer may rise to 1889 du-
ring the day, yet one hour after sunset
the temperature is pleasant and sleep is
refreshing. The short hours do not
come and find the weary laborer suffer
ing from heat and wishing morning was
at hand Indeed there is grandeur
about the nights of this climate that sur
passes description, and stretches even
the imagination,
The growing season continues during
the whole year, and the sowing season
lasts long; for instance, the wheat season
commences in September and continues
till February, and the wheat that was in
the granaries last December has produc,
ed another crop which is now white fol
the harvest a
This latitude combines the advantages
of the Temperate and the torrid zones
all the fruit Of the temperate and many
of the tropical fruits are grown here
California is the land Of the vine; :
country abounding in Injuries; beneath
her genial sun the almond tree blooms
and fourishes the fig tree putteth fortf
her leaves and yields her fruit thrice il
season; her streams, pure as the snow
of heaven, flow from the mountain sum
mits while birds Of gorgeous plumag
, perch on the branches Of the gigantic
| trees that overhang the glitterin!
streams.
California's wealth is not Confined t
J the surface; her mountains are richly in
laid with gold; from the deep recesse
: of the earth the rich metals are obtained
a while over the mills that crush them han
!, fruits that rival the apples II the garde
:, Of Hesperides.
Westward the star Of Empire move;