Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-10-22
WYOMING,

desert alkan region. 10 relehse you from u
very monotonous, tiresome journey, desire
you TO step over from the westerly part of
Wyoming, across Utah, and nearly the en-.
tire length of Nevada, distance of some
nine hundred and fifty miles, all of which,
with slight exceptions, is continuation of
alkali soil The general surface of the
country passed over is good-many broad
valleys, skirted with hills. Even through
this desert were numerous little towns, some
showing thrift. But the land is dry and
barren, the soil 80 strong with alkali that
passengers in iourneying over the road suffer
from its effects by soreness of eyes, nose and
lips. Through this vast desert region, as in
all the western slope, they have no summer
rains, and the continued rays of the sun
take up the moisture of the winter storms,
80 that the streams at this season are dry or
extremely low. Before passing this section,
/ would call your attention to
OGDEN,
the dividing point between Union and Cen
tral Pacific roads. Here all passengers
change, leaving Union and taking Central
cars. Here, too, is the branch road TO Salt
Lake City. Ogden is a place of railroad
notoriety, aud in making the change of cars
the scene is lively and somewhat confusing.
We now proceed with our journey. From
the westerly part of Nevada we strike
THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS,
and are making the ascent. The mountains
are ed with green timber, much of
which is fine. We are soon in the mining
sections, where, by the work of man and
water, large tracts have been worked, and
are still being worked. Brakes and flowers
are running in every conceivable direction to
assist in washing out the precious metal. On
the western slope of the Nevada mountains
the scenery is fine and grand At some
points the cars wind around the spur Of the
mountain, with the canyons extending back
between the mountains two thousand feet
below The descent down the mountains is
rapid. In few hours we are at the foot
hills and here one is forcibly impressed with
the extensiveness of mining. Hills are made
here, aud valleys filled up there. On leaving
the foot hills we are at once on the borders
of Sacramento valley, and soon after reach
THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO,
distant from Omaha seventeen hundred and
seventy-six miles; running time, ninetyfour
hours. At this place we stop to visit friends,
and are now enjoying the hospitalities
of brother and his family at their Cali
fornia home. On our arrival we found he
CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR
in session, and thinking this favorable OPP
portunity to learn of the industries of the
Golden State, we gave it our early atten-
ton. The fair ground (called the park is
one mile from the city. 1t was fitted up by
the state and is now controlled by state
society. Its grounds are ample and com
modious, with double track, and an am
phitheater to accommodate ten thousand
persons. The exhibitions are divided-all
stock, tools and farm machinery being ex-
hibted at the park, while all the balance,
including floral hall, art gallery, fine arts,
fruits and vegetables, dairying, etc., are
shown at a large pavilion in the city. Thus
a much larger amount of ticket money is
obtained, as the pavilion is visited mainly
in the evening. Admission--season tickets,
$500; single admission TO either park or
pavilion, fifty cents. In addition to the
common class of exhibits they add military
drill, review and sham fght-prize pigeon
shooting, archery by ladies, horse running
as well as trottiug, all of which tends to
keep up the desired excitement to satisfy
the California demand. The show of
blooded stock, including cattle, horses and
sheep was OF the best quality. The exhi-
bitors show they have spared no pains in
making their selections. Finer animals of
the Shorthorns or the Jerseys ! never saw.
found Vermont was quoted as a fine stock
producing state, and saw what the state
might be proud to know, that one of the
finest animals was of the Griswold herd and
some of the best sheep are from Vermont.
Shorthorns and Jerseys were the principal
l. A..
and as a rule, of larger size than Vermont
horses. The show of French and Spanish
merino sheep was of superior quality, de-
monstraJing that there had been both skill
and care in breeding. Last, but not least
were the Angola goats, which are attract
ing attention at present. They are evi.
IDENTIFY a delicate species, long open fine
wool. They are said TO shear from five to
six pounds Of very superior wool, used in
the manufacture of some grades of silk
One notable feature in the exhibition OF
stock was the discipline which it was under
when those large, blooded animals, Short
horns aud Jerseys, were brought out on eXhi
tion, they would put themselves into posi-
ton as ii on dress-parade, aud there remair
until bid to go. The fair continued one
week, and each day there were two or more
race In ,h;s ,yere nina horses 70 start ri,
trot ,,s ,rnn hv a hnrso - nvned in San Fran
49, oo,,ada Sa''ta CIaus :" IN ,hrao stra;ah
Loa,r III oIs . 90 . oi ,rho iast 20
ea'' ,ha a,,ardauoa , 80 was va verv large at wbicl
limo the sham Ggbt hv tba militia tnol
place. The show at the pavilion was no
unlike what might be made at any state iaii
except IN It's display OF tropical traits ant
plants. Grapes IN proiusion, apples, pear
and peaches In abundance, hgs' common
lemons and oranges were not uhirequeh,
All the departments were well representeo
Having given an account oil some OF th
features of the fair, VIII say word oil
THE CRY ANp 1rs srRnouxpISGs.
1t Is located on the east bank oil the Sacr'
mento river Inc buildings are mostly OH
or two stories, and have brick walls; those
a late date are OF wood and larger In siz
The streets are broad, well fenced and DO
dered with shade trees. IL contains SON
elegant buildings, including the state cap
tol and county buildings Population
twenty-five thousand. The city is mon
ment TO her people for energy and perseve
ance, despite the ravages OF hre and Hoo
They have not only raised the ground son
. ten feet on which the main part OF the eli
4 stands, but they have also built ten miles
.x.tl 10 Nlxl la .