Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-12-18

state. During this entire time the
ground IS thoroughly saturated with
moisture. Ihs rainy period Gov
ers tie whole or the growing
season IN California. AT tie end OF the
rslny season grains aad grasses are
ready Tor tins harvest, frults and
grapes are beginning 10 rlpen. Now
follows the dry seasoa, embracing the
months OF July, August and seplem-
Der, and under . cloudless sky crops
are harvested and stored away, and
fruits mature aud acquire the delicious
navor Tor which they Are noted. The
dry season Is just ~ much OF . neees-
sIty as IS the wet, for only under
these conditions can perfect grain and
fruit Dc grown.
siskiyos County.
sisklyon IL one of the extreme north
ern counties OF the state. IL has the
distinction OF having the most elevated
county of the state. Its surface IL
mountainous and often quite rugged.
The Two great mountain ranges of the
state, Coast range aud tho Sierra range.
meet IN this county, while the outlying
ranges of the Sierra Nevada are in the
southeastern portion. The whole coun-
try about here 10 interpreted with
small productive valleys. In the
northeastern part OF the county
lie lava beds, although the
lava beds. OF local Incian depreda-
ton history. are across the state line TO
the north. All Of the conpsry Of this
northeastern portion - . high plateau,
part of which Is called the Central
Basin. IL has large beds OF lava di
vld-d by volcanic peaks. This plateau
Is from $500 to 1000 feet above the
sea level. having steep mountains ris-
Ing stiIl 10000 feet higher.
Wonderful Water Power.
slskiyon is one of the best watered
counties IN California. The Klamoth.
Shasta, Scott, Trinity and Salmon
rivers md their sources in the
mountains Of Siskiyon county and
their streams furnish water power
which would turn the machinery of
half dozen states. Two great rivers
start toward the ocean from Slskiyon,
the klsmoth and the Sacra-
mento, thus making il the divide
between two divergent watersheds.
The chief agricultural lands Of Siski-
yon are the Shasta and Scott valleys.
Scott valley is forty miles wide, and Is
largely under cultivation. ShastA val
ley IS a lava plain containing few fer
tile spots. There are q few smaller
valleys OF good farming land. all of
which produce large crops OF grain
and vegetables and the harder fruits,
such Is are grown in the middle states.
Mining for Gold.
One Of tbe leading industries of Siski-
yon 1t present 10 miuing. Every stream
and gulch in the southern and west
ern portion contains gold aud quartz.
Placer, hydraulic and deep channel
mining are carried on extensively In
numerous localities. Much placer
mining il done in the old fashion way,
and good results are Obtained.
There are also mines Of iron,
coal, copper, cinuabar, marble,
stone, onyx, etc. The Klamath
river is mined nearly ito whole length
of $50 miles by means Of wing dams
with current wheels to work the der
ricks. pumps and electric lights, while
huge dip wheels raise water for the
sluices. The county has inexhaustible
resources of rich gold-bearing quartz,
as yet scarcely touched.
The climate 10 more like that OF the
middle states, but not 90 severe in win
ter. The weather In summer is warm,
with cool nights The snow falls on
the mountains to great depth, and in
the valleys from twelve to fifteen
inches and remains on the ground
from eight to twelve weeks. At Fort