The record-union., 1892-07-21
SIERRA AND PLUMAS.
Counties That Are Rich in Agricult-
ural Resources.
What Was Done in Ten Years by
Young Man of Energy and Enter
prise-Good Opportunities.

[RECoRD-UNIoN's Travelling Correspondent.l
QUINCY, Cal, July 1s.-After having
seen so many who think there are no
chances left in California for poor man,
the writer was greatly pleased the other
day in Sierra Valley to notice a marked
instance of successful accumulation at
farming.
Ten years since young man came to
the valley without means and began
work on farm. 1t was soon discovered
that he had no time for anything else
and his services commanded an extra
price. AS fast as he earned hundred
dollars he loaned it out, and at the end of
four years his wages and the interest
they had earned amounted to $1,000. In
the meantime he had established SO good
a name that he was able to take adyan-
tage Of an excellent opportunity TO buy
fine dairy ranch on reasonable terms.
His mother had taught him the secret of
making fine butter OF good keeping quail
1tleS, and he was acIe to get favorable
contracts from large consumers. When
his own supply was short he filled some
OF these with butter bought of his neigh
bors, whose make was not so uniformly
good as to enable them to secure con-
tracts Oh their own account.
Some time since he put in an engine
and separator, and says that he now
makes ten pounds Of butter from the
milk that formerly made seven. AS he
was always careful in his methods, L do
not think this statement was made from
careful comparison of results, but was
intended 10 convey the idea tnat there
was a great gain. HIS next move will
be to purchase foundation herd from
some family Of Short-horns noted as pro-
ducers Of butter. AS he already has
more personal property than enough 10
pay Oft all the Indebtedness on a ranch
worth easily $1,000, the young man is in
a good position to make wise invest
ment of that kind.
His success was not because he had a
better chance than others or more natural
capacity. l saw one ranch OF $40 acres
with fair buildings and fences, offered at
$1,000. 1t was less than Government
price for the land, with value of improve
ments added. 1t needed someone with
the health and capital to bring more
OF the land under cultivation, and TO
bring in ditch of water to irrigate al
falta. 1t IS easily capable of being made
TO pay good interest on $500 Nor is
this the only similar chance. Again
there are hundreds OF just as capable men
as cur friend who has succeeded so well.
who have worked hard most OF the time
for the past ten years, earned a great deal
OF money and are no better OF than they
were then. This man had relf-respect
and desire for the esteem of others, and
had neither time nor money to waste.
With accumulated capital, established
credit and business experience he is in
position to make the next $4,000 easier
than he has made the first 81, 900.
After leaving Sierra Valley the writer
passed down the Middle Fork of the
Yuba through tine body of timber, with
here and there a very prosperous dairy
ranch. At townsville he found the severe
losses from fire only partially restored.
and much solicitude as to the continued
activity of the great PlumaS- Eureka
mine that has been the mainstay of the
town for forty years. Extensive pros
pecting is being done at the Little Jami-
son, and 1t is to be hoped that it may be
to the town what the Eureka has been,
American alley has a few thousand
acres of land especially adapted to garden
vegetables. The present market Is linn
tied to the demands of surrounding
mines. but the advent OF a railroad will
encourage large production in this line,
and the quality is such as to command
especial attention in market. Dairving is
the leading industry OF the valley at
present, and its prosperous mines,
mountain climate, pure, cold water and
trout hShlng would make it quite a favor
1te summer resort If more accessible.
FROM the rank and IuXurlant growth of
mint IN this locality, it seems advisable
to try and interest some of those skilled
in that industry in Wayne County, New
ork, to investigate the possibilities of
this section. Indications are that Ameri-
can Valley has the ideal conditions for
the successful prosecution Of the mint
business.
Quincy, the county seat of Plumas, is in
this valley. and is a pleasant town with
good accommodations for the travelling
public. FRANK $. CHAPLIN.