Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/96



track, that has yet been tried, may be inferred with a good degree of certainty, what those portions are, which have either repelled the efforts of the traveler, the trader, and the trapper; or deterred them, by their very appearance, from attempting to break in upon the secrecy of their gloomy and forbiding solitudes. With a very few exceptions, in this whole vast scope of territory, lying immediately beyond the Rocky Mountains, extending West several hundred miles, and to an uncertain distance North and South, there can never locate any civilized society. Their inhabitants will be like those in the Deserts of Arabia, and in the Sahara of Africa. The climate of California, like that of Oregon, is much milder than in the same latitudes, any where East of the Rocky Mountains. In fact, it is in every respect, very similar to the climate of Oregon; excepting only, that it is warmer in proportion to its difference in latitude, and is dryer: there being not so much rain, during the winter season, and scarcely any during the summer. It is very mild; ice seldom ever being seen in the valleys, or snow, except upon the mountains. The extremes of heat and cold, are not great; nor is the climate subject to any great and sudden changes. The atmosphere is so pure, that whole beeves will remain sweet and good, in the open air without salt, at any season of the year, for three or four days at a time. The nights are quite cool, during the whole yar; and sickness of any kind, is scarcely known or thought of. Nearly all the products of temperate climates, except Indian Corn, flourish here. Oats and clover grow spontaneously, in almost every part of the Province. The vine flourishes as well, perhaps, in California, as in any othe portion of the world; and its fruits are the finest, and decidedly the most delicious, that we have ever tasted. There are many large vinyards in different parts of the country, from which several thousand barrels of wine are annually made. Many of the tropical fruits come to perfection here. The prickly pear is cultivated for its fruit. The peach and pear do well; but the apple is not so fine as in the United States. In the Southern part of California, irrigation is necessary, to the production of wheat and garden vegetables; but in the North, this is seldom the case; the late winter rains being sufficient to perfect the harvest. But a small portion of the Province is yet in cultivation; the Spaniards, who comprise the chief population, being engaged principally, in rearing and herding cattle and horses; for which, both the climate and country are peculiarly adapted. Many individuals own several