Year: 1867

CRASBERRIEs IN C2LIFoRSIA.-A correspondent
of the Union writing from Concow, Butte county,
said lately:


would ike to know whether or no there are
any cranberry plants in the State, or seed
thought perhaps the State Agricultural society
might have some, or could furnish them by some
means. | have been trying for some tive or three
years TO obtain the article, and have not been able
as vet to get any. am sure they will do well here
in this State, and they are very productive and
very remunerative. Then why not encourage their
cultivation? There are thousands of acres in the
mountain valleys that are fit for no other purpose
land that is low, wet swampy and cold wiihal.


saw put all such land into cranberries ii will pay
as well as any other branch Of industry. Then
why not encourage it


whereupon the San Francisco Bulletin replies as
follows.


For the information of the writer and the public
generally We would state that cranberry roots have
been imported from the Eastern States for several
wears. George +. Sylvester, scotsman in this
city. imported large quantity of roots in 1864,
which we're sold 10 parties living IN the country
adjacent TO the Bay Another large lot was i'm
ported by him in 1855 and similarly disposed of,
portion being sold to purchasers of the previous lot
The demand falling of, and he receiving no nfor-
nation as to their successful bearing, no further
importations were made by him. During 1865 he
received several thousand native cranberry roots
from Puget Sound. which were also disposed of to
farmers. but he has not heard how they succeeded.
OF some thirty thousand plants sold by him he is
of only one lot that grown in California.
These were planted in a sand marsh near Bolinas
Bay and, when seen by Sylvester last year, seemed
to be thrifty plants. No care had been taken of
them by the owner. so that they were qnite over
grown by weeds, and so far had produced no ber-
rles. 1t seems strange that out of many healthy
plants, set out in various localities, no knowledge
is TO be had as to their success in growing. II is,
however. possible
been the result as at Bolinas Bay. and in the
absence Of fruit-bearing no public report has been
made. Cranberres do 50 well in the New England
States along the sea coast, and are so profitable
crop that it is of great Importance 10 successfully
grow them in California. There are large tracts OF
suitable soil along the sea coast, and the climate
should be favorable 10 their cultivation. As mat
ter Of public interest, parties who have set out
Cranberry roots should make the result of their
experiment known.


Now, We have just this to say about the produc-
tiveness of the soil of Butte county. From expert
mcnts already made, it has been proven that every
thing necessary for the sustenance of man-every
fruit and flower ind digenous to the tropics can be
cultivated proitably here. This is no boasting,
but well attested truth. III hat is wanted is the
healthful plant or germ, and the intelligent labor
TO cultivate it. At Bidwell's Bar, nine miles
ABOVE tl> on tne fiVef there Is al orange Tree, as
fourishing any that eyer grew in Louisiana
either of the Indies. Strange it may sound to
those unaware of the fact, in the heat of summer,
a few hours travel, after meridian will carry man
from snow bank to this identical tree, before
the down going of the sun, where he can rest his
wearied limbs underneath its outrageous boughs.
IN intelligent lady acquaintance of ours has read
of an insect in South America that, when dissolu-
ton approaches, burrows itself in the earth, and
from its body springs lovely flower. This lady,
believing this flower forms the connecting link be-
tween the vegetable and the animal kingdom
thinks of importing a cargo of these insects to
Butte, strong is her faith in the wonderful prop
eres of its soil and the salubrity of its climate.
In connection with this subject will state fact
which none will deny, and that is vegetables and
fruits g. own in the interior, mountain counties,
have better flavor than those grown in the marsh
lands near the coast. The why and the wherefore
leave to those better versed in the properties of
the soil aud the influences of climate than are.
But this much we do know, there is no disputing
the fact.