Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/148

Rh extensive plains of California, laying far South, that it can never be taken to them to make enclosures for farms; and much of the country where it grows, is so exceedingly broken, that it will be difficult to take it out for any purpose. But from many parts of this extensive tract of timber, immense quantities can and will be taken out in lumber for all purposes, and used in many distant parts of the province; and by way of the Sacramento, it may be taken into the Bay of San Francisco, and from thence wherever wanted.

The Sacramento Valley, which probably contains about ten thousand square miles, is nearly or quite, one-third timbered and one-half suitable for cultivation. Much of the soil is very fertile.

From the Bay of San Francisco to Monte Rey, and between the California Mountains and the Coast, including the Valley of St. Wakine, covering an area of near twenty thousand square miles, there is not more than one-tenth of the country timbered; but nearly one half is fit for tillage, with some very productive lands.

From Monte Rey to the Lower Puebla, embracing the Southern portion of Northern or Upper California, there is, perhaps, not more than one-hundredth part of the land timbered, and one-twentieth, suitable for cultivation; but there is a much greater portion good for grazing.

The Sacramento and St. Wakine Valleys, furnish much of the largest body of good country in California. Indeed from the health of this country, which is good beyond all doubt; from the great mildness of the climate; the fertility of much of its soil, and the great commercial advantages it will have, by means of the noble Bay of San Francisco; it must, at no distant day, become a very desirable, if not the most desirable country on the Continent.

When it is recollected, as we have herefore stated, that over a large portion of Upper California, fresh meat will keep good, hung in the open air, at any season of the year, for several days together, without salt; there can be no doubt of the great purity of the atmosphere, and consequent health of the country.

Most of the Northern portion of the Province has a sufficienty of good water power; but in the South, the supply is less abundant: and in some parts, it is very deficient.

When this Province shall have been settled, by an industrious and enterprising population, disposed to avail themselves of all the advantages which Nature has so bountifully spread out, over this country; it will be