New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-07-11
A GOLDEN VALLEY.
ro,rp ruporCU SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

HINTS FOR ToURIsIs-sCENERY OF THE KERN
RIVER GORGE-HUNTING AND FISHING ON
KERN LAKE-BAKERsFIELD-RIC LAND AND
POOR FARMING-THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY.
fPRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUsBl
BAKERSFIELD, Kern Co., Cal, March 2S.-Ba-
keIsed lies on what is called Kern Island largo tract
of extraordinary rich suval land abundanty watered
by the Kern River which flows about and past n into Kern
Lake. after emerging from Tho mountains through ro
mantle pass within sight Of the town. This pass, as well
Kern Lake. hear Berstadt is soon to VISIT at the
instance Of Gen. Beale the Of the TETON Rancho,
near here early to into the mountains yet
or should be tempted to preccde Mr. Bierstadt; ior
the headwaters Of the Kern said to contain some
scenery equal the Yosemite in grandeur anu stupehd
GUS proportions, aud very little known except 10
a few hunters and frontiersmen. The distance from
Bakersville Is not great, as the railroad Is
TO be here tho LIST OF oeptemDer'
No doubt by next year road will be made over which
tourists can conveniently visit what believe, from
descriptions have heard down here very remarkable
region. Moreover, along the Sierra foot9ils ior inc
whole distance from abreast OF Visala 10 oppos''o
Bakersfield there extends forest OF the great Seqnod-
the Big Tree OF CALIFORNIA; belt Of this timber nearly
$50 miles long by about ten wide, which contains trees
said TO be larger than the largest In the Maposa
and Calaveras groves. One tree was measured ana
found TO be I3 feet In diameterso was assured by inc
person who measured it, the owner OF sawnill In this
timber region told this my hope that the saw
mill owners would spare these great trees lie repned'
We have TO spare them for they too big Tor us 10
handle We the smaller specimens but one OF
these big fellows be cut down or sawed Win any
tools which we can use"
THE HUNTERS PARADISE.
Tho slope OF the Sierra from yisaa down TO Bakers
field vi now that the region is easily accessible 10
tourists for the first time generally known, and
do not doubt IL will next year be ono OF tho great
haunts travellers this State. For, aside from the
mountain scenery to persons fond OF hunting ana nsh
ing Kern River and Kern and Buena Vista Lakes oner
greater attractions than perhaps any part OF the United
States The river abounds in large trout the lakes and
the slough or strait which unites them are also ned
with fish, and abound with wild life OF almost every
kind Ducks geese, cranes swans, and snipe swarm on
and near the In the tue reeds far out In the
lake you find perched high, watching for
fish and ducks otter and beaver, the first IN large
numbers arc shot by neighboring spOrtsmen, and
in tho mountains which surround these sIakes,
at little distance the California lon the grizzly and
cinnamon bears. the wildcat "a formidable little BEAST,
antelope deer and fox are to be found by those VINO
care to look for them. On the Mohave Desert-whch Is
80 far from being desert that 1t Is covered with uxur
ant vegetation only called desert because n is
without running streams Of watergeat herds Of ante
lone are grazing at this time and the young are ire
quenty caught with the lasso by Mexicans. All this,
with the grand and scenery of the Kern River and
the country adjoining will form no slight indueement 10
travellers indeed advise every man who comes over
here for four or weeks to give at least two weeks to
this Southern country and he VIII regret th' he mas hot
three times the time to give it,
THE CHARMS OF BAKERSFIELD.
You will hear in Francisco, doubt as did, that
IL wild country in which every one goes armed ana
where You may with very little trouble lose your lie OF
your purse But isnot true Contrary to the advice
Of friends brought arms with me; found every
body civil and my precious person and property per-
a ,.sa 81 hafal lint ria
hear is be remeded this Summer Until it is no one
should bring ladies there, for the accommodations
are OF the rudest traveller in this part OF Southern
California will do well provide himself with pair OF
good blankets in San Francisco then he Is independent
for with these and Oyercoat he can sleep on the
yerandah OF store the ground If 1t is necessary
and he need not fear catching cold. Bakers
field ia a new town-it has decidedly
frontier look 1t salready however, the center OF
important commerce with the mining country OF Hayi
lah and owens River, which makes market Tor all the
products the country about Bakersfield Inc railroad
will very largely increase its trade and make IT, 40
not doubt one OF larger cities Of the state within
two or three years. 1t has magnificent natural adyan-
tages in the large Of deep and fertile soil which sur
rounds IT, and in its abundant water for irrigation Its
climate hot in summer frosts are very slight In WIN
ter all the semitropcal fruits as the almond, orange
and olive will flourish here cotton, tobacco, and hops
have been successfully cultivated; and the soil bears
with irrigation two grain crops per year FOR they SOW
wheat in December, which ripens in May; and follow
this with corn which grows IS feet HIGH and natures
before the season closes
PRODUCTIONS AND POPULATION.
Imme nse tracts Of fertile land, with abundant water
for irrigation lie here awaiting settlement and occupa-
ton as public railroad lands body OF San Fran
cisco capitalists have bought up 10000 of swamp
land" including most Of the town Of Bakersfield and
Kern Island and found here agent Of this Company
Nam Ifaaft
Notwithstanding to plant 200 Of cotton this
Spring. on ground made ready last Fall for that use. He
Intends also TO plant for oil, and to try the
opium poppy and madden. The latter East Indians be-
eye, can be prontably grown here. One hundred and
twenty OF cotton yielded here $50 pounds Of clean
cotton Though the town appears to the eye
TO lie in a vast plain, the river almost rapidly
mirace AID Bakersfield has important water power,
which will help it to become manufacturing place. 1t
has already o large gristmill The dearness Of
lumber has been serious disadvantage
fifty dollars per thousand Is tho usual
price, and even at thsrate just now be bought
The only saw-ml lies 30 miles away In the
alns and transportation Is difficult and dear. But the
railroad WILL in part remedy this difficulty; and canal
is projected by which logs can be foated down to the
town and sawed there The machinery OF mill for
this purpose is the way, hear. 1t mistake
think, grow exclusively wheat barley, or corn on
the land about Bakersfield. The farmers plead that they
get high prices for all the grain they raise which is true
enough but they could make more money by raising
cotton and the sub-tropca fruits However. most Of
the present settlers poor, and their first aim is to
raise enough to feed their families and stock" More
over fencing stuff has been too dear and without fences
it is too great O risk TO plant valuable trees
long there is trespass law. Bakersfield and the
surrounding country offer considerable advantages to
persons familiar with cotton planting. Good cotton
lands within reach Of water may be obtained for 50 90
per acre, and have doubt considerable immigra-
ton from the cotton planting States win here,
within two three years. At present there is but