Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1908-04-03
madOr County
Descriptive Article

Amador county comprises an area Of
s square miles. 1t lies on the wes-
ru slope of Sierra Nevada mountains,
d embraces within its territory all
e diversity of valley, foothill, and
gh mountainous lands.
Climate. The climate Of the popu-
as portions Of The county is as genial
d healthful as can be found anywhere
California. AS climate is one of the
5st valuable assets of this favored
Ute in attracting population, Amador
.nds second to no county in this re-
rd. IL should, and no doubt will in
ne, when its climatic advantages are
pre- thoroughly understood and APP
eciated, become q health resort not
ly for those in less favored states,
t for the residents of other parts Of
,lifornia. The temperature alone the
ntral portion rarely falls below 30
grees above zero in winter, and as
rely rises to 100 degrees in the sum-
er. Snow seldom falls in the settled
ytricts, aud never remains on the
pund for more than few hours. OF
hrse, in the high mountain regions
eastern Amador the snowfall is very
hvy-which is characteristic of the
tire Sierra Nevada range. The sum
Er season is Away accompanied with
bl nights; permitting of sound, re-
|shing slumber Fogs are rare, cy-
ines are unknown, thunderstorms are
requent.
Jaold Mining.-The county, although
In in other sources Of wealth, com
fatively untouched, is noted prin-
bally for her quartz mines. The
bpest gold mines in America are To-
led here. The Kennedy mine is now
king gold in liberal quantities from
brtz extracted from q depth of over
20 feet below the surface, with every
LEGATION that the pay-ore extends to
huch greater depth. Since the dis
Fery of gold. the county has contrib
bd fully 500, 100000 to the worlds
bply of the precious metal. The
hes are still yielding at the rate Of
but two million dollars annually.
hrly all of this wealth is produced by
hit or ten mines operating on what
kalled the mother lode, " stretching
lar across the county in northeast
" direction a distance of twenty
les. The mines aggregate between
and 500 stamps, and furnish en-
|yment for over 1000 miners. This
Iustry is still in its infancy. The
Explored territory, even along the
lin gold belt, is far in excess of the
bund that has actually been worked
brospected. The county offers to-
hone of the most inviting fields to
found anywhere in the world for the
Iestment of capital in the fascinating
Einess of gold mining, not alone along
| mother lode, but also in the almost
touched mineralized country of the
It belt, some ten or twelve miles from
main lode.
Besides gold, we have copper, de-
Pits of pottery, coal, marble, slate,
estone, granite, and soapstone or
t-all uudeveloped.
Agricultural Capabilities The agri-
burial possibilities equal. if not excel,
mineral riches. The valley lands
produce anything that can be
Iwn in the most favored sections.
khe foothill lands all kinds OF decid-
Is fruits thrive: also all kinds Of
1etable are raised where irrigation
Practicable along the numerous water
Irses. Further up in the mountains,
n altitude OF 2000 to $500 feet, the
is admirably adapted for apples
potatoes. A ready market for
by times the quantity now raised of
Re commodities can be found lin the
ious mining towns.
rape culture and winemaking are
pming important industries, both
grapes and wine commanding
per price than the product of the
Hand.
and is cheap compared with other
lornia lands. Improved farms may
lsecured for One-fourth the price
bent in some places. Unimproved
Rs can be had from 50 to $40 per
y. 1t does not require Il fortune to
a small rancn. There is room for
.rgc addition to our agricultural pop
ion. Vast tracts now devoted to
lie ranges might be made the homes
hundreds OF prosperous farmers.
mador has populasion of less than
In Thrpp fOurths Of this is cOncpn-