Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-17

streams in the lower canons will cease run
ming about July l, but water can be brought
by fumes from the perennial supplies in the
upper canons, if the extent and permanence
OF the working shall be assured.
The approach to these mines is overland
from Ensenada, distance of about 60 miles,
or from San Diego overland. From San
Diego the National City and Otay railway
runs distance of about 20 miles to the
boundary line at Tia Juana, where is To-
Gated small town on each side of the line,
including both nationalities. From the
terminus of the National City and Otay-a at
Tia Juana the mining district can be
reached over roads which are said to afford
easier travel than the roads from the shore
at Ensenada. The Custom House facilities
at Tia Juana are also such that this method
of approach seems to be preferred by the
parties going into the mines.
Ensenada is place of few hundred in
habitants, and has no extensive supplies,
everything hitherto having been sent from
San Diego, which must, for some time at
least, be regarded as the base of operations.
THE PRESENCE OF GOLD
in this district has long been known, and it
has in times past been extensively worked.
Even previous to the present development,
Mexicans have found steady employment in
been regarded as legitimate industry. An
other thing concerning the recent develop
nlents worth noting Is that all reports agree
in observing that, in addition 10 the gold,
there are considerable deposits OF silver and
copper, which are not unlikely to prove
even more valuable and of greater import
ance than the most precious metal. Reduc-
ton facilities for milling ore are already
provided at National City on the bay of San
Diego. The reduction works established
some little time ago have recently, be-
fore this gold discovery of the Santa
Clara valley, more than doubled their
working capacity, making these extensions
upon the strength of other ores found both
in Lower California aud in San Bernardino
Mountains in Southern California 1t is ex-
pected by those familiar with this territory
that the present gold fever will undoubtedly
lead to good deal of prospecting work, not
only sosth of the Mexican line, but also in
Southern California, the mountain districts
of which are similar to those of the penin-
sula.
The climate of Ensenada, on the coast is
very similar to that of some portions of
Florida, being somewhat warmer than that
at San Diego. Back in the country, how
ever, where the mining operations are con-
Quoted, the land reaches so much greater
S4CNdb1Ou tude d oOueM COlOer TEN perdLure
obtains, the nights being cold, and frost and
snow being the usual aeeompaniments of the
winter season.
AGRICULTURAL WEALTH.
Lower California has been reputed a
desert on account of the character of the
southern half of the peninsula, and the
failure of attempts to plant colonies in that
sterile portion. The mountainous character
OF the northern district concealed its agri-
cultural wealth from mere spectators, and
it required the actual explorations and sur
veys made by the International Company
10 reveal the extent and value of this sec
ton. Its character is totally different from
that farther south. 1t is more mountainous
than Upper California, and therefore has a
less proportion Of arabic lands, but it has |
numerous valleys as rich as the best in !
Upper California. with as large an average
as San Diego or San Bernardino |
county, and as large a number, in propor- |
ton, OF streams available for irrigation.
Grain crops are grown as successfully |
without irrigation in the valley of Northern |
Lower California as in those counties. This |