Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-04-21
RAILROADS

point near Stockton to Vlsalla at the head OF
the valley. About thirty miles are in opera
ton and its early completion is confidently
expected. Farmers ale anticipating a rise in
the value of their lands, when this enterprise
is accomplished. The people of SAM Diego
are much elated over the prospect OF their
thus becoming the western terminus OF the
Texas Pacific road. They fancy they can
see an immense city rising up in the future,
and have given vent to their enthusiasm in
grand celebration. The Southern Pacific
new built from San Jose to Gilroy will be
extended to some point on the Texas line,
thus forming another through overland route
to San Francisco, The California and Ore
gon road is being rapidly pushed forward,
which will eventually connect with the third
continental highway-the Northern Pacific.
The California Pacific is the title of shorter
route from Sacramento to San Francisco via.
Vallejo, instead of Oakland the terminus of
the Central. The new route will be more d.
rect and passengers will be transported from
Vallejo 10 the city by steamers down the bay.
There are several other routes in prospect.
The people fthe Pacific Coast are fully alive
to the advantages to be derived from these
great throughfares. Each city and town is
stirring to secure lines that will contribute to
their prosperity the citizens are wideawake,
and within a few years iron bands will encir-
Gle the whole Pacific Slope.
BEET SUGAR.
The experiment of manufacturing sugar
from beets has successfully demonstrated
that this branch of industry can be made a
ports nearly 10000, 900 pounds of sugar an
nually. at q cost of several millions of dollars.
This is quite a sum to pay for one article
alone. If she can manufacture her own su-
gar, allowing that it cannot be produced any
cheaper. it will be great saving. This sum
which is now sent out of the State every year
would remain here and contribute to her
wealth. The State would also be benefited
by giving employment to several thousand
laborers, which number whuld increase as the
business became more extensive. The soil is
well suited to the culture OF beets, the yield
heavy, and the quality of the sugar is excel
lent. Companies have been formed in Alvara-
do, San Jose and Sacramento. The former
10 the pioneer company and their mill has
been in opration for some time. The area
devoted to their cultivation is to be increased
several hundredacres this year, which speaks
well for the new enterprise. Competition is
not to he feared because the demand is I'M
limited and near at hand. Every thing indi-
profitable business.
THE POPULATION
ties. They have focked here from every
part Of the globe, influenced by the great in
dQcements that are offered to all alike-the
rich and the poor. All classes mingle togeth-
er in the race for fortune, each one intent on
making "pile." Since the rebellion closed
many Southerners have settled here in prefer
ence to remaining in the Sunny South They
still cling to their own ideas regarding the
causes OF the slate unpleasantness. A few,
however, acknowledge that their side was in
the wrong, and think that the result is for the
best. Outside of their political views they
are excellent citizens; they are noted for their
hospitality and are far from being mean
There is one place up the valley that is COM
posed of Southerners entirely, called the AL
ALBANIA Settlement. Every one has title and
is addressed as such; either a Major, Colonel
or Captain. Politics are very quiet among
the farmers. Southerners are SO numerous
that the Democratic party is in the ascenden-
cy. In the cities it is more interesting. The
Republicans propose to nominate Mayor
Shelby of San Francisco as candidate
against Haight the present Governor. am
not posted enough to give you the probable
result of the campaign. / must speak of
THE CLIMATE
before closing. 1t has been delightful as far
as my experience goes. There is no Winter
here; snow never falls except in the noun
tains. The months that constitute the winter
IN Maine are the season for plantingland SOW
ing BY the time that Eastern gardens are
all planted the crops here will be ready for
harvesting. In the country around San Fran
cisco the climate is much more affected bv
the trade winds than in the interior. Roses
bloom in the open air the entire year. Com
ing into such a climate from the severity of
down east winter the traveller can but appre
cia.e its value. As its merits become more wide
Unknown those people in the States tho can af.
ford the luxury will pass the winter months
in this magnificent climate Truly Yours,
ii. S. Il.
MERGED Co. CAL, April I'd 1871.
Several weeks since fifteen barrels of
.,,t;sLay ,yara sa;zad a, tho dane. -. IN