MICROFILMED 1984 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - BERKELEY GENERAL LIBRARY BERKELEY, CA 94720 COOPERATIVE PRESERVATION MICROFILMING PROJECT THE RESEARCH LIBRARIES GROUP, INC. Funded by THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES THE ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION Reproductions may not be made without permission. THE PRINTING MASTER FROM WHICH THIS REPRODUCTION WAS MADE IS HELD BY THE MAIN LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY, CA 94720 FOR ADDITIONAL REPRODUCTION REQUEST MASTER NEGATIVE NUMBER @G_(( 0 Lg: [933- 19(6 2. a Ea od site. > Qali€oraca - ok te + PLACE : Washington F ge CALL ¥5- MASTER . 2 No. H3& NEG. NO. 6(0 NH re , lugene Voldemar, 1833-l51%. sport on the physical and agricultural features of the state of California, with a = discussion of the present and future of cotton production in the state; also, remarks on cotton ® culture in ew Mexico, Utah, Arizona, and Mexico. By BE. i. Hilgard ... Washington, Govt. printing office, 1884. iz,138 p. fold.map. 30cm. YTLA8E Tov Tugun cro ONATON SR main card. At head of title: Department of the interior, Census office. ~ YL Hilgard Lo) QS ® > - - : AS 1 rb nn ® —-— ( (Continued on next card) { ! "FILMED AND PROCESSED BY LIBRARY PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY, CA 94720 "JOB NO. 0|9 Q 2 —————. ¢ ome 12 814 REDUCTION RATIO | of; DOCUMENT DOCUMENT | ThE BANCROFT LIBRARY I 1.0 hee fs lias 3.2 li22 122 me he I 1 ce es = = iz lat nes lad MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS-1963-A LLL EY I rd The Retake of Preceding Frame HB. wr. “EE ILGARD, Px. D PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE IN THE UNIVERSITY oF CALIFORNIA, SPECIAL AGEN a da 3d kew i elt RY . Original Defective DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, CENSUS OFFICE. — FRANCIS A. WALKER, Superintendent, CHAS. W. SEATON, Superintendent, Appointed April 1, 1879; resigned November 3, 1881. Appointed November 4, 1881. REPORT YSICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES STATH OF CALIFORNIA, WITH A DISCUSSION OF THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF COTTON PRODUCTION IN THE STATE; ALSO, REMARKS ON COTTON CULTURE IN NEW MEXICO, UTAH, ARIZONA, AND MEXICO. i J BY Lg "Ww. HEILGARD, Px. D, *Zimuny UF AGRICULTU.L "~ UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SPECIAL AGENT. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1884. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page. INTRODUCTORY LETTER....c.ceccecscaccccasnnecancccaanncsaccesnnses-s a ae SRR SRE REE SRR See ue SERRE v LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. cccvvveeenn-- Creer saa ae Sea sen EY CS ARRAY SER SERRE Ces aY sae TIER NESE KERR SRR Re suns sun vii-ix TABULATED RESULTS OF THE ENUMERATION cccce cece canons anacancncs sacs sans de ARERR Ee ERR RRR TREE wee a Wensen os 14 Table showing Area, Population, Tilled Land, and Leading Crops. .........ccccceceocaaccocee- ARR RAE RE Ce ea a 3,4 PART I. PIYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. ..c.caee cone cenacnnn cannes swore ve on Outline of the Physical Geography of the State Topography and Drainage Geology Temperature Rainfall and Irrigation .......cceciceceereccncrnacaccanes Bove hae a Re sR Agricultural Regions The Great Valley of California The Sacramento Valley Soils of the Sacramento Valley cccececeneeaeeacaceeicencenncncccccccanes CeCe enna Seema we eas San Joaquin Valley Tulare Basin San Joaquin Basin Soils of San Joaquin Valley Alluvial or Lowland Soils Upland or Bench Soils Tule Lands The Foot-Hills of the Sierra and Northern Coast Range The Foot-Hills of the Sierra The Auriferous Belt, or Foot-Hills Proper.......... .cc.... hd eR A ARSE ARES GEASS nS Spee The Granitic Region . cccc eeu ieeaaee coeeceec een cmeenneeeennccceessaccnanecaccccsconsenen IERIE yy Region of Lava Beds The Coast Range Foot-Hills Soils of the Foot-Hills The Southern Region Los Angeles and San Bernardino Plains San Diego Region... occiioaeeecace cocaine ceceesaaseccecoccstcesr ecaesaonsocosss ners anne occoos Soils of the Coast Range Division.......c.ccceciecncecncacncccccccecee A MN Er Pr Hydrography ......cccceeeeecencncnancannee Sub nea EIR US SESS eRe SRS HONS . The Desert Region . .....ccceceeuacneiiecacs coneccccnncacccccocee . SEMEL REE MEA SSR SAREE sas SEN CRY AREAS Be LY : The Coast Range Region ......cccciccee ceeniereecenrenncnnccccceccencccccccnacccce toes cs save nse ERE Lassen ASRS Es SOY The Bay Country The Coast Region South of the Bay Country The CORSE .cvvvevennmmraancce acces coscsasssscsnssssssssenssesnsessssssss canons saws soso Smsu snus. sevens aves SuSs San Ramon and Livermore Valleys ......cc.cccecececccacececcec ccna cece connes saumay ses sevens SSSA Y sts Bens Ye. Santa Clara Valley...c.cccceeriecenscecaccccccccacconanccacees sins spent eva VRE SERA SE NER Saas sees Ess Salinas Valley «cc. .cceveeenncesacceecaseccccccecnnsensonccessoncnecacanncnnccs Seven semmAS SHEE SERS RASS SARE shes Other Valleys -c.. cecceeceeennsnnsannnnsennccsocmnssemnnssoncssecsccscnesssosnssnascnsoss cocces eis rw ER Pony STs Character of Soils of the South Coast Region .........cccceceecccncccccece. tteuses SURENI LEREES RRS HES SURE sum SRY The Coast Region North of the Bay Country .......ceceeceeececccccccrcccecccecannaacccccccccncr once: sess tunes venus Redwood Belt..ooeeeeeicoccccececonrsccaccacccaccecnssnccscccccscescs + ings seamen serny rumen anus even sane sunnEL suns Agricultural Features of the North Coast Region Sierra Nevada Mountain Region ..c.c.. cccecceceiacncecnncccccecccccaceccccnen. cecesecesssssass canna sancss aenns mans anne Broken Region of the Western Slope... .......ccceeeeeciecccerarecrnnnncncaiccccccccccoees “aren ne esos Teas RIG REE The Eastern Slope The Lava-Beds Region . .......ccoeeaeeaccemeeatennaaenncccececcececcncaatonncoccocnes rs uen asuR se bE Ue be weNs Sans Alkali Soils and Irrigation Waters of California A AER on Bn. ini SIT i iv TABLE OF CONTENTS. COTTON CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA ..ccccceevenncesacascconcsscesnnssancssscccesssncessnnacscccncscccccten History ...cooemeececcncaceonancacans seve esensass wees NR a sess sess sevees Meneses vey iYe cece ssnsnsennnns sors Method Of CUIUI® .cuueeeceeeecesennesnennnsssscascscses semnsasssssscssosetrenssssass sare ree eee ennnanantasnes ness nes Cost of Production ....c. ceceeeceeecececancancaacccnccacnes meses senan Conclusions TABLE OF CHEMICAL ANALYSES OF SOILS AND SUBSOILS .....ccce--.-- demos desenssenuinn vans renuns Seen. mann sen 3 TABLE OF HUMUS DETERMINATION ....ccccee cece sccececececncs saneocesasccceccct soncconce MECHANICAL COMPOSITION OF SOILS...... EAA LE tr SUN isa ee ssnn seven sennns anny suns ven Smsevvanses sonnsnne TABLE OF MECHANICAL ANALYSES OF SOILS AND SUBSOILS ...cc.ccone- eee ea ep parapet RT ET TTT REF EERE EEE ES Adhd did PART II. Southern and Desert Region ......ccceeeiameneanaraacccncccrcrcnnccens eee Seema ae . Coast Range Region (south of San Pablo Bay) Coast Range Region (north of San Pablo Bay) a Higher Foot-Hills (over 2,000 feet) and Sierra Mountain Regions ..... CARRERE a Gevawuee Cees Ses neu 2 REFERENCE TABLE OF CORRESPONDENTS cece. cccceecccecsonnmes sconce cnnnnsanss acne cosnce Cea EeY Pa REECE Aes ARR eds vane eee aaRaEE SEES EET Ser evens suns reenve« 129,130 CoTTON CULTURE IN NEW MEXICO, UTAH, AND ARIZONA ...c..ccoeveee Gree sessment cE REPORT ON THE CULTURE OF COTTON IN THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO .. See MAP. AGRICULTURAL Mar oF CALIFORNIA CEES SEES SEEEES SEES EES SEEN BEES ESSE CASS SES SES SEES ERAS uns semmcs ance ones see cs2 ees snus INTRODUCTORY LETTER. The state of California has until recently been considered simply as a great mining country by the people of the states east of the Rocky mountains, and comparatively little thought or attention has been given to any other capabilities it might possess. The state has, however, risen rapidly in agricultural importance, and her mining enterprises are being overshadowed by the immense farming industries, to which the exceptionally genial climate and fertile soils of her broad valleys and foot-hills are so admirably adapted. It has, therefore, been thought advisable to give it a more extended description than would seem warranted by the small amount of cotton that has been produced within her borders; the more so as the state is but slightly represented in the special investigations of the Tenth Census. FRANCIS A. WALKER. v gancroft Loree LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, June 1, 1883. To the SUPERINTENDENT OF CENSUS. DEAR SIR: I transmit herewith a report on the agricultural features and cotton production of the state of California, including descriptions of the individual counties, as well as of the regions; the result of the joint labors of Dr. R. H. Loughridge and myself. Among the states included in the reports on cotton production California stands in a peculiar position, and at first sight the insignificant number of bales of the staple produced within the census year would hardly seem to entitle the state to be counted among, those deserving a detailed description in this connection. Asa matter of fact, however, this condition of things must properly be accounted as temporary and accidental ; for cotton has been successfully grown within the state all the way from the Mexican boundary to Shasta county, and the staple produced has, on the whole, proved to be of peculiar excellence. The restricted area now given to its cultivation is the concurrent result of many causes, chief among which is the distance from any but a home market, which venders competition with the Gulf states in any other sphere impracticable. In the absence of cotton-mills, the home market has been restricted to the amount consumed by the woolen-mills within the state for the manufacture of mixed fabrics. Again, the predominance acquired at the outset by the culture of wheat and other food crops, and, in later years, by the culture of the grape and certain other fruits of which California has almost 'a monopoly in the United States, naturally tended to keep down the culture of a staple in the production of which there is such formidable competition by the Gulf states on the one hand and by India on the other. Since, however, the production for the home market has steadily been maintained and has proved profitable, it is legitimate to infer that whenever, by the establishment of cotton factories on the coast, the local demand shall increase, cotton production will do the same. There are, however, other causes that tend to commend cotton culture to the California farmer, viz, its relations to the peculiarities of the soil and climate, especially of the great valley. These points are discussed in detail under the proper heads in the body of this report, and they are sufficiently strong to render it probable that cotton culture will rapidly increase hereafter in the state. The compilation of reliable descriptions of the several regions and counties of California has been beset with unusual difficulties. In the case of other states we have in most cases had the basis of a state survey, or of somewhat extensive personal explorations made under the auspices of the Census Office. In the case of California, the latter source has, for cogent reasons, been restricted to three short excursions made by myself to the southern and northern portions of the great valley and one by Mr. Herman Partsch to the region of the Salinas valley. The volumes of the California state survey are almost totally barren of information on agricultural topics, and even that relating to the topographical features can be utilized mainly as furnishing links in the chain of broader evidence. In this respect the report unfortunately does not stand alone among those of state surveys; but in consequence of the stoppage of the work in 1872 probably much of the practical matter has thus far remained unpublished. Since my arrival in the state (1875) I have vainly endeavored to revive at least the agricultural portion of the survey; but the failure to obtain from the legislature any funds applicable to field-work has compelled me to remain content with such information as could be obtained through correspondence and from specimens of soils. rocks, ete., transmitted by interested persons, for examination and report by the agricultural department of the vii 655 viil LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. University of California, under a small provision made therefor by the university. In the course of time this work has furnished important information regarding the composition of the soils of the state; but little of a systematic character could be done until, upon the request of the Superintendent of Census, the authorities of the Central Pacific railroad, under the initiative of the late B. B. Redding, then in charge of its land-office, detailed an intelligent engineer, Mr. N. J. Willson, to collect soil specimens from the several stations on the main lines in the great valley from Redding to Bakersfield, and thence through Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties to Yuma. These specimens, numbering about 350, and the notes accompanying them at least from the southern division, have been the source of a great deal of important information, as will be seen from the abstracts added to the descriptions of the southern valley counties. Mr. Willson’s notes from the northern part of his route were unfortunately not received. Of these specimens, and of others collected by myself and Mr. Partsch, twelve representative ones were selected for analysis, the work being done at the expense of the Census Office. Subsequently a larger number were analyzed, in the course of the regular work of the agricultural department of the university, in time for introduction into this report. A number of other soils, with accompanying reports on the regions of their occurrence, were also received, in response to a circular issued by a commission informally constituted in advance of expected legislative action on the representation of California at the Paris exhibition of 1879. The legislative support was refused, and the reports, seme of which were quite lengthy and exhaustive, remained unused until now. Abstracts of them have been added to the descriptions of the counties concerned. Apart from these direct sources of information, such publications heretofore made as include descriptions of the whole or parts of the state—Dbooks, pamphlets descriptive of counties, and newspaper articles—have been drawn upon, and doubtful or irrelevant statements have been carefully eliminated as far as possible. This work has been a matter of no little difficulty and patient research, and has almost wholly fallen to the part of Dr. Loughridge. It is not a little singular how few of these descriptions, purporting to give the agricultural features for the benefit of possible settlers, do actually convey a definite idea of the country described. In the great majority of cases the writers deal largely in generalities concerning the results of farming operations, leaving the aspect of the country, the kinds of soil and their several areas of occurrence, and other inatters of first interest, to mere conjecture or inference; a practice in which, as I have reason to know, California writers do not stand alone. To gather the natural facts from the mass of miscellaneous statements and combine them into a connected picture is often arduous work, and cannot always be successful in the absence of some personal knowledge. Still, such as they are, the descriptions hereinafter given will probably convey a better and more generally correct conception of the features of California than has heretofore been given to the public. Prominent among the sources of information drawn upon are the following published works : The Natural Wealth of California, by T. F. Cronise. 1868. The Resources of California, by Theo. S. Hittell. 1874. California As It Is, by seventy leading editors and authors. Published by the San Francisco Call Company. 1882. Report of the Geological Survey of California, by J. D. Whitney. Geology. 1865. The above are works of a general character, covering to a greater or less extent the entire state. The following treat only of special parts or topics: =. Reports of the State Engineer (William Hammond Hall) on drainage, improvement of rivers, the flow of mining detritus, and the irrigation of the plains. Sacramento, 1880. This is a most important document, from which the greater part of the data regarding the rivers and irrigation in the San Joaquin valley and in the Los Angeles region is derived and is largely literally copied. Important data regarding the soil areas in the latter region has also been directly furnished from the state engineer's office for the agricultural map. Reports of the Agricultural Department of the University of California for 1877, 1879, 1880, and 1882. From these is extracted nearly all the matter relating to the character and composition of soils, alkali soils, and irrigation waters. Report on the Climatic and Agricultural Features and the Agricultural Practice and Needs of the Arid Regions of the Pacific Slope, by E. W. Hilgard, T. OC. Jones, and R. W. Furnas; made under the direction of the Commissioner of Agriculture, 1882. The portions of this report relating to climate, irrigation, and other general topics have, to a considerable extent, been recast for the present one. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. For the tables of rainfall and temperatures we are largely indebted to theobservations made under the auspices of the Central Pacific railroad, which have been conveniently tabulated by the Pacific Rural Press. Besides the above, numerous locally published ‘county descriptions” have been utilized, as also letters from correspondents found in the columns of the Pacific Rural Press, the San Francisco Bulletin, and other transient publications and county papers. Special points have also been elucidated by direct correspondence and verbal inquiry. It is, of course, almost impossible to give credit separately to all these numerous sources, and it has only been done where literal extracts have been made. For the soil map accompanying this report the first basis has been the altitude map by Mr. Henry Gannett, 1877. Its outlines have, however, been materially modified at many points for our purposes from information obtained from detailed maps of some of the counties, as well as from personal observation. These county maps, for the inspection of sets of which we are indebted to the California Immigration Association and the Grangers’ Bank, of San Francisco, have supplied many valuable data. The maps of the geological survey have also been fully utilized. ’ The arrangement of subjects in this report is substantially the same as in those preceding it, viz: first the tables of population and production, which in this case show less of actual cotton production than of the great variety of crops grown; next, a general summary of the physico-geographical and climatic features, followed by the general description of the agricultural regions and history and discussion of cotton production in California, forming Part I. Part II includes the descriptions of counties, while the cultural details, usually placed under Part III, are here included under the discussion terminating Part I, in which connection they are most readily understood. All of which is respectfully submitted. E. W. HILGARD. 657 42 ¢ P—VOL. IT . ~ TABULATED RESULTS OF THE ENUMERATION. AREA, POPULATION, TILLED LAND, AND LEADING CROPS. CTE a TEE ~ Ce . TABULATED RESULTS OF THE ENUMERATION. AREA, POPULATION, TILLED LAND, AND LEADING CROPS OF CALIFORNIA. POPULATION. TILLED LAND. ACREAGE AND PRODUCTION OF LEADING CROPS. | Barley. | Corn. ine Average per Acres per square mile. square mile. Per cent. of Acres.| Bushels. Acres, Bushels. Acres. | swine pee The State o on [3 I [2 6, 602, 102 1,832, 4 29, 017, 707 |586, 350 | 12,463,561 | 71,781 |1, 993, 325 1, 341, 271 |: GREAT VALLEY REGION. | | | | | | i 304, 677 7 127,189 | 2,244,770 | 23,288 | 516,474 | 1,325 | 31,210 653, 016 261,381 | 4,537,504 | 39,030 899,538 | 851 15735 110, 839 28,134 | 359,967 | 11,057 | 218,458 | 603 | 12,220 171, 856 74,338 | "1,205,883 | 14,830 , 365,086 | 1,596 | 28,935 278, 983 115,369 | 2,086,550 | 18,320 | 519,479 | 714 | 10,090 278, 596 .3 | 107,588 | 2,042,533 | 32,222 | 671,493 | 443 | 16,685 304, 627 44,123 | 804,031 | 30,547 | 650,448 | 3,928 | 149,550 | 460, 342 201,461 | 3,529,511 | 32,660 | 796,409 | 2,333 | 68,800 | 417,511 172,445 | 1,642,802 | 19,659 | 312,882 | 378 | 13,655 277, 689 67,975 | 296,308 | 10,181 | 88,036 15, 715 291, 087 20,474 | 190,923 | 9,504 , 118,527 10, 053 200, 650 28,131 | 371,081 | 3,661 69,200 46, 255 61,497 ; 6, 887 85,682 | 6,151 | 119,571 35, 046 3, 811, 370 , 255,495 | 19, 398, 235 251, 928 | 5, 245, 621 454, 039 | 6, 267 99,610 | 6,762 87,303 | 1,590 84,250 | 1,386,228 | 14,067 | 201,838 24 750 304 3,235| 543, 10,632 | 82 665 1,751 | 183,547 | 5594 | 68,275 | 160 | 4,879 1, 360 20,777 | 1,137 22,011 13 414 2, 386 48,323 | 3,201 | 101,054 40, 695 807 16,256 | 1,926 47,204 | 206 | 7,296 4,055 62,824 | 2,558 4,018, 24 37 337 4,476 | 1,314 26,239 | 30 720 i | RED eco ecinnnonns , 111, 521 1,825, 270, 38,002 666, 564 | 1,739 | SBOUTHERN REGION. . i Los Angeles ....c..cuaee- 316, 042 | 38,823 405,708 | 22,771 San Bernardino...... PE, 45, 582 82, 563 774 San Diego ........... ti , 60, 650 45,330 | 440 srianataskole 422,274 533, 601 | 23,985 COAST RANGE REGION. South of the bay region. San Francisce ..... -... “ 2,298 349 | 3, 500 osisanses “ San Mateo ...... A » 73, 986 219,084 | 16,705 | 349,644 1,380 Contra Costa ........ cas 232, 794 1,267, 016 19,674 | 501, 880 1,360 | 1,260 200, 360 620,758 | 89,075 | 1,213,820 37,578 ne 166, 184 648,055 | 29,613 | 716,860 10,301 260 40, 205 291,040 | 5,045 176,804 43,873 934 168, 862 779,286 | 35,426 825,550 488 | 14,078 3,363 | 88,362 90, 500 837, 271 | 10, 469 192, 462 209 6,720 | 41 846 177, 508 173,531 | 0,658 205, 869 458 | 13,503 937 108, 749 265, 955 | 13, 598 245,667 | 3,167 | 128,796 24 330 81,107 113,497 | 28,171 551,280 | 9,121 | 148,485 40 300 1,342, 733 5, 215, 502 208, 683 4,063,345 | 16,874] 402,058 | 15,757 | 332,661 21,357 | 36.8 55,520 | 1,499 | 37,554 26, 987 178,954 | 117.7] 39,820 742,123 | 1,126 256,007 | 5, | 68,685 81,045 | 96.4] 33,653 611,445 | 5753 | 130,844 1,664 2 | 22,250 3,564 | 35.1] 8,206 173,842] 4,551 | 124,300, 755 10,243 } 58, 164 15.3 8,899 166,666 | 3,544 101,829 | 884; 20,526 80, 288 480) 19] 10m 14,18 14, 220 30 980 3,626 | 0,025 | 18.4] 3,437 84,532 20620 94,848| 624 16,313 8817 354,785 Del Norte...........-. wos 10,678 | 6.9 56 | 99 | 54 1,50 | 42; 1,710 200] 4,830 | DOAL .unesesessonne 462,617 | 20.7| 07,835 1,849,208 | 20,170 | 747,132 | 9,960 250,357 | 17,087 | 571,644 E—— Sm — 661 ee ge J \ he - 4 COTTON PRODU CTION IN CALIFORNIA. | : AREA, POPULATION, TILLED LAND, AND LEADING CROPS OF CALIFORNIA—Continued. : i : POPULATION. TILLED LAND. ACREAGE AND PRODUCTION OF LEADING CROPS. el oem ——— mem ————————— Nine: | tw | | yards. Contin. | g £2 . 5 ; Wheat Barley. | Corn. Oats. a &o gs - | = 3 £5 1°53! 2 g8 | A HE RE ~ ed be | & © rE 5 |! S S Acres. | Bushels. | Acres. Bushels. | Acres. | Bushels. | Acres. |Bushels. Acres. ow = ' Fx . AGRIC | 8 I.1 { RAIL MAL io i 3 : OF Wo u! / } ' : ! v x v | CALIFORNI. ’ ! 4 4 A 4 i ' - i Aki SE % i COMPILED FROM MANY SOURCES BY i ~ N v . - . RH.ILOUGHRIDGE, Pu. D. SPECIAL AGENT UNDER DIRECTION OF 1 - - . ’ . FUG.W.HILGARD, Pu.D. SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE OF COTTON PRODUCTION" 1883 t - i gos Scale A LT OUNDVALLEY, | | “A no Bee} \ Ft . LEGEND ; 7 Tule ond Mursk Lands i ! a | | Alluvial Lands : | Great Valley PR) Paminent Adobe Lands | Fa i { TT Lawes Footllls of the Sines aud Sothern Gost Rug —— {Altitude below 2000 feet ) i i ! Upper Foothills or Broken Lands (2000 to 4000 feet | | Seria Region + . i {oast Range I | Cluet Valleys of Count Fangs and Laster slope of Sura i E 4 a | Es | Redwood Lads of Goust Runge (Desert Lands 0 |e ES | : = = . i j oO i 0 | O | 1 oll ¥ sp sm pmb eum on my tm ns gs io ! F 1 wind j : o ! - Z oz Ey i 1 rs { n 1 Cd N . ’ _ RE r - a wy Hi pe R N 7 SS aid ! y i 1 ” 9! / & ; / | | ™ 3h r- r ¢ ' Fo ae i 4 . er ae To Sqn Bernardino Ho Lo} . A we! 3 o =f Nissen re J Bite | i i 2 wii. : i , w 7 ‘ - $a TPet¥IL Fat « fgder » AL \ dr Jd a y ‘ 2 0 - 5 ‘hm # Cav & ' by a ¢ 17g L CLEAR A. : : Oo ¥ ~ : : : hd > Ss of S b we | wy Ta tr! 2 A £ A o L : ; v I ALL) SL ~ oo Fram : / 2 L dA v Si = ome 3N dS cE ee Shosecrn ello 3 ~ on. we Fhoprizi it " 47 [7 5 Ft FOorovidle.. = Hr" zs i ; or Rr Lar gre / ed “a rt -* y/ py + a, i of BGreg j a Te i LY. 3 rt et ‘ages =, J N . n © iA 0 pra 5 Magleviily : mT < Retake of Preceding Frame SF Farrer ani rnd.” AGRICULTURNL MAP OF CALIFORNIA COMPU ED FROM MANY SOURCES BY BRiiob GH GE, Pa. bD SPLOIAL AGENT UNDER DIRE TION OF GOW HTL GARD Pub SEERA AGENT IN CHARGE OF COTTON PRODUCTION 1885. Diyonaeent Adobe Lanes Poser Foortulin of he Seg on cand Santhoan Comes Tonge CAI de Below ZOO fee pet Foch lis co Broken Lond 2000000 5000 eet Sieve Reson a — ein ; ate De RIEU LLP HAL MAL a a Ee -¥ o wan : buns EI an, hd Terie ry yd PET - = i AW WEA = a —-—— aad - = —— : i hand; (1 8gneias a —- AS 7g i . — i ————— Retake of Preceding Frame —— —— ————— 1] T————————— 1 ) \ } \ \ ———— i ——— 7 on in 4 7 A UN tl FH 0 AN PM MA 2 Ar OER 1S A TIMI m— rar — a — ‘ | ' i { i , ' » ’ . } | & . - ” Fa 3 ” \ - < y pl » > ~ Ni - : } - » ; \ ~ : + : I: ' \ - { Sh y . . r ' ~ i 8 X ~ : 2 \ § — — oe — i so ——————— - y 0 A i - —— ——— - ate aoe er rit . a i er em PS tt Yr tr ae A FS A sa ner eA —— Sm ars A io HSH HR aR a a —— T— — 2we. | Buip25>2. jo 2>e32y OUTLINE OF THE PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. * The state of California lies between the parallels of 320 30” and 42° north latitude, thus stretching through nine and a half degrees of latitude, corresponding to the difference on the Atlantic coast between Edisto inlet, South Carolina, and cape Cod, Massachusetts. Its northern third lies between 120° and 1240 26’ west longitude, the most westerly point being cape Mendocino, whence the coast trends southeastward, with a westerly convexity, toward San Diego bay. Between the extreme northwest and southeast corners the direct distance is 775 miles. The maximum width (between point Concepcion and the north end of the Amargosa range in Nevada) is 235 miles, and the minimum width (between the Golden Gate and the southern end of lake Tahoe) 148 miles. The total area of the state is 158,360 square miles. Its land area alone is 155,980 square miles, being second only to Texas among the states and territories as now defined. It is obvious that on this vast area the diversity of climates and of soils must be very great, and that only a very general outlining of these can be attempted within the limits of this report. TOPOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE.—The climates of the several portions of the state are so directly dependent upon its topographical features that an outline of these must, of necessity, precede any other discussion. The two prominent features, extending through nearly the entire length of the state, are the snow-capped range of the Sierra Nevada on the eastern border and the low Coast range, or rather belt of ranges, bordering the sea-coast on the west. Between the two lies the great valley of California, drained from the northward by the Sacramento, and from the southward by the San Joaquin river; and these, uniting near the middle of the length of the valley, pass westward through the narrow strait of Carquines into San Francisco bay, and thence through the Golden Gate into the Pacific ocean. These two rivers receive nearly all their water from the Sierra Nevada, the streams flowing landward from the Coast range being insignificant. The main drainage of the Coast range is to seaward through many small rivers bordered by fertile valleys. The immediate coast is mostly abrupt and rocky, and frequently mountainous. The maximum width of the great valley occurs opposite the outlet of the rivers, and in its southern portion, near the south end of Tulare lake, where it is over 60 miles. In its middle part the distance between the foot-hills of the. two ranges averages about 40 miles; but to the northward these ranges gradually converge, the Coast range widening and becoming higher, while the Sierra narrows and, as a whole, becomes lower, though rising locally into the Lassen peaks, and culminating, as it merges into the coast ranges, in the great volcanic mass of Shasta. Northwestward the Siskiyou mountains form a cross range of considerable elevation, an effectual natural barrier between California and Oregon, while northeastward lies the barren ¢lava-bed” plateau, with its numerous lakes. The great valley, may be considered as terminating northward at Red Bluff, Tehama county, although more or less valley land, but of a different character, occurs along the Sacramento river as far north as Redding, Shasta county. Southward the termination is much more definite, the Coast range and the Sierra being cross-connected, in a graceful sweep around Buena Vista and Kern lakes, by the Tejon range, beyond which to the eastward lies the great arid plateau of the Mojave desert. This range continues southward into the ranges of San Fernando, San Gabriel, and San Bernardino, all of which are often comprehended under the general but somewhat indefinite name of Sierra Madre, also applied far to the southward to the mountains representing the continental divide; but it would be better to comprehend the whole under the name of the San Bernardino range. Southward of this range lies the valley or plain of southern California, most of which is within the county of Los Angeles, with an outlier in the southwestern corner of San Bernardino, and is partly screened from the direct impact of the coast winds by a low coast range, the Santa Ana mountains, which is, however, traversed by the country drainage from the higher ranges. Toward San Diego county this coast range divides into a broad belt, dotted with smaller ranges and interspersed with valleys and table-lands, about 30 miles wide from the coast inland,to the Mexican boundary. - { 655 8, I WEE RIE x COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Northward of the San Bernardino range lie the great Mojave and Colorado deserts, mostly high barren plateau lands, intersected by short abrupt mountain ranges, devoid of streams, and largely composed of sandy and ¢ alkali ” soils incapable of reclamation. To the northwest from the desert region numerous short water-courses descend from the steep eastward slope of the Sierra; but, although they create some fertile valleys adapted to agriculture, their volume is very small compared to the drainage of the western slope. GEOLOGY.—Broadly speaking, the coast ranges of California consist of Tertiary and Cretaceous strata (mostly sandstones and calcareous clay shales), almost everywhere greatly disturbed, folded, and frequently highly metamorphosed, and traversed by dikes of eruptive rocks and upheaval-axes. ; In the portion north of San Francisco these are frequently covered by tufaceous and scoriaceous or crystalline lava-flows, emanating trom distinct volcanic vents now extinct. In contrast to the Coast range, the Sierra Nevada has in general a central axis of granitic or other rocks (occasionally traversed by volcanic vents), on the flanks of which lie more or less crystalline and metamorphic slates or schists of Pal@ozoic, Triassic, and Jurassic age with edges upturned at a high angle or sometimes vertical. Abutting against this, the proverbial ¢ bed-rock?” of the California miners, there lie on the eastern border of the great valley strata of marine deposits, mostly of the Tertiary, but northward of Folsom, Sacramento county, also of the Cretaceous age, which are but slightly disturbed, and into which the rivers flowing from the caiions of the Sierra have cut their immediate valleys, flanked by bluffs from 40 to 70 feet high. From Tuolumne county northward, on the lower foot-hills, appear immense gravel beds, mostly gold-bearing, and these are partly overlaid by eruptive or volcanic outflows and tufaceous rocks, also accounted as belonging to the Tertiary age. In the northern portion of the Sierra region the eruptive rocks become more and more prominent, covering an enormous area (* the lava- bed”) in the northeastern part of the state, and, as in the Cascade range in Oregon, forming the body of the comparatively low range upon which the volcanic cone of mount Shasta is superimposed. Apart from the Cretaceous and Tertiary beds on the borders of the great valley, there are withinthe valley terraces and bench-marks showing the existence in Quaternary times of a great fresh-water lake, which was subsequently drained by the erosion or breaking, first of the strait of Carquines, and ultimately of that of the Golden Gate. Prior to the latter event the drainage of the great valley passed through the Santa Clara and Pajaro valleys into the bay of Monterey. Borings in the interior valley disclose materials varying from fine silts to sands and gravels, evidently deposited in the ancient lake. The latest surface deposits are,in the San Joaquin valley, mostly sandy, in the Sacramento valley more commonly clayey (* adobe”), corresponding to the composition of the coast ranges themselves, which in their interior southern portion show sandy materials wore prevalently, while in the middle division clay shales are predominant, and form correspondingly heavy soils. : Since the agricultural features of California depend much more upon the topography than upon any details of geological structure, a more extended discussion of the latter would be out of place here. So far as relevant to the objects of this report they will be referred to in the regional and county descriptions. WiInDs.—The prevalent winds on the California coast are from the west, the influence of the Pacific ocean thus producing a climate in which the extremes of both heat and cold belonging to the several latitudes are tempered, so that on San Francisco bay and southward to Monterey the difference between the average temperatures of summer and winter is only from 6 to 10 degrees. This equalizing effect is partly cut off from the interior valley by the Coast range, which also intercepts a portion of the moisture carried by these winds; the remainder is condensed mainly on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, thus producing the arid continental climate of the interior plateau of Nevada. In the great interior valley the general direction of these winds is changed to ¢ up- valley”, that is, to a little west of south in the Sacramento valley and slightly west of north in that of the San Joaquin; a heavy westerly breeze blowing in, as a rule, through the joint outlet of both valleys, the straits-of Carquines. North of cape Mendocino the direction of the prevailing currents is more from north of west, but south of the cape the direction is due west or slightly south of west, forming the ‘summer trade winds ”, which set in regularly some time in May and continue, with but an occasional interruption by a *norther”, until October, laden with moisture from the warm, high seas. Insummer these winds strike the cpld Alaskan ocean current, which comes to the surface and sets in-shore off central California, producing dense fogs, which during the summer mozths frequently cover the coast country for twenty out of twenty-four hours for weeks together. Beyond a slight drizzle, however, no water falls ; and as the fog banks drift against and up the slopes of the Coast range they dissolve quickly before the intense heat and dryness of the summer atmosphere in the great valley beyond. The moisture absorbed by the soil of the coast belt from these fogs goes far, however, toward maintaining the growth of the hardier herbaceous as well as of woody plants, no less than that of weeds, during the season of drought. From May to October, both inclusive, south winds are very rare, but during the winter months they prevail largely, and bring the rains upon which the success or the failure of crops depend. The winter rain-storms are usually heralded by heavy weather in Oregon or in the Shasta region, whence the rain wind works backward, so to speak, until it exhausts itself in the southern part of the San Joaquin valley, where the San Fernando range seems to form a partial weather divide, leaving the Los Angeles region more or less independent of the changes to the northward. Sometimes the rain-storm works chiefly down the coast, leaving the great valley almost dry, in which case Los PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. J Angeles and San Diego usually get a fair proportion of its benefit. Sometimes prolonged and severe storms cover the entire state and extend far into British Columbia and Arizona. As thunder and lightning rarely form a part of the atmospheric disturbance, the rain usually falls gently and continuously, rather than in torrents, and thus chiefly soaks into the ground. Sometimes a fierce south wind drives it for a day or two, and then generally there comes a change; the wind gradually veers to the westward, then more rapidly to northwest and north, and with a heavy shower the sky clears suddenly and a * norther” sets in; though not ordinarily bringing a very low thermometer, it often feels bitingly and penetratingly cold, because of its velocity and dryness, which cause rapid evaporation. Before the ‘“norther” the surface moisture quickly disappears, muddy roads become as rough as if- frozen, and compact ground cracks after a few days. Any long prevalence of this wind is looked upon with dread at all seasons, on account of the waste of moisture which it involves even when cold. In autumn and in spring, when its temperature is higher, the young grain often withers before it, and from May to September (when it is fortunately of rare occurrence) it sometimes becomes a veritable simoon, like the breath of a hot furnace, shriveling up the grain when in milk and sometimes almost curing the standing crops into hay. To the seaward of the Coast range the ‘ norther » is rarely of long duration, three days being its ordinary limit; but in the great valley, and especially in the valley of the San Joaquin, it is both more frequent and persistent, occasionally blighting in a week all the hopes of the grain-grower not able to resort to irrigation, and even drying the fruit on the trees. East winds are only of brief and local occurrence, being ordinarily cut off by the mountain ranges in their north and south course. They are usually the precursors of a ¢southwester”, with rain. Outside of the mountains the velocity of the wind rarely becomes so great as to endanger any well-constructed windmills, which are therefore very generally in use as a motive power, especially for pumping water. In the abserice of electrical disturbance hurricanes and tornadoes” are scarcely known, save in the high Sierras, where local summer thunder-storms, sometimes accompanied by cloud-bursts, may be observed among the high peaks, in curious contrast to the unclouded brightness of the sky overhanging the valley. TEMPERATURE.—The prominent characteristic of the California coast in respect to temperature is its remarkable temperateness as compared with points similarly located on the Atlantic coast. Taking stations at or near the extreme and middle points of corresponding latitude on both coasts, the comparison stands thus: CALIFORNIA COAST. | ATLANTIC COAST. Stations. S oY, Winter. Year. H Stations. | Summer. Winter. | Year. i Degrees. | Degrees. | Degrees. Degrees. | Degrees. | Camp Lincoln ; , 47.2 | 53.9 !| Boston, Massachusetts LT 28.1 | 48.4 San Francisco . 0 | 50.1 | 55.2 | Cape Charles, Virginia .3 | 35.8 56.0 54.1 | 62.1 Edisto, South Carolina 0 | 46.6 ' 64.5 | | | It will be noted that while the annual averages of corresponding points on the two coasts are not very widely different, the temperatures of summer and those of winter are very much farther apart on the eastern coast than on the western, and quite as strikingly so in the northern as in the southern portion of the respective regions. This exemption from extremes of temperature constitutes one of the great attractions of the Pacific coast. In the interior, notably in the great valley, the seasons show greater extremes of temperature, but the greater range of the thermometer is largely offset by the fact that the dryness of the atmosphere renders the changes much less sensible than is the case in the moister air of the coast. It is thus at San Francisco, which presents the extreme of the coast climate on acconnt of its peninsular position and the access of the sea air through the Golden Gate, those familiar with the climate making a careful distinction between the sunny and the shady side of the streets in walking; and bay windows of necessity take the place of porticoes or porches, which would rarely be available save in the middle of the day, while in the interior porticoes are universal, and camping out under a tree all night may be indulged in with impunity by any one during the dry season. The table on page 10 shows more in detail the difference between the coast climates on the one hand and those of the interior on the other, it being understood that in the measure in which the valleys are screened from the immediate access of the sea air and summer fogs their climate approaches in character that of the great valley 667 Ny ———_. I... s.sl peep all e LT lr EK 0 Pa A AO AE RIE wr a ER COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. WESTERN OR COAST DIVISION. | I GENERAL AVERAGE. i | | | vation. * Summer. Winter. | i i i | | | I Degrees. | Degrees. | Degrees. i Degrees. | 59.5 1.2, 58.9 | 58.2 47.0 | | 74.7 58.8 COAST LEGION, NORTH. Camp Lincoln* Fort IIumboldt* Camp Wright* Napa ...... RE IE iin | 70.3 49.3 | San Francisco* San Francisco 58.0 50.1 Oakland . Alameda | 67.8 52.2 | Martinez Contra Costa 70.1 48.9 | San José Santa Clara 66. 7 49.5 | Santa Cruz Santa Cruz | ; 62.9 50.5 | 59.7 50.2 | Salinas 60. 6 50.8 | Soledad (interior) 66.9 48.8 Santa Barbara t Santa Barbara | 67.9 : 54. 1 Los Angeles Los Angeles 73.2 55.6 Monterey* 1874-'6-"7 . INTERIOR VALLEY. Riverside (R. de Jurupa)* 74.2 53.2 Colton 965 | 80.1 50.2 San Diego* 64 69.7 54.1 ! INTERIOR AND EASTERN DIVISIONS. F 7 NORTHERN SIERRA AND LAVA BEDS. | Fort Jones * | 71.1 | Fort Bidwell * ; | | 71.1 | 32.3 GREAT VALLEY (SACRAMENTO DIVISION). i 81.6 | 47.3 10 80.8, 47.5 10 | 787 49.5 10 || 7.8 | 48.2 | n| m1, 454 1 60.9 82.7 2 | ] 1880 1 61.1 27.7 3 1871 1874-'80 23 0 725 48.2 . 1872-'74 9 |} B.2 47.8 ; 1879 79.1 49.0 9 1874 | 841 51.8 ; . 1878 | 83.8 45.9 ; 1874 86.2 48.7 1875 282 Somner ; 415 8 9 292 5 6 7 * From Smithsonian tables, compiled to December, 1870, from many sources, and represent calendar years. t From record by Dr. L. N. Dimmick, Santa Barbara, January, 1871, to December, 1878. All other tables are from observations of the Central Pacific railroad, published in the Pacific Rural Press, January, 1883. They represent season years (from July 1 to June 30). As to the change in temperature in ascending the Sierra from the valley, the following statement 18 made by Mr. B. B. Redding in a paper read before the California Academy of Sciences in 1878: (a) It has been found that the foot-hills of the Sierra up to the height of about 2,500 feet have approximately the same temperature as places in the valley lying in the same latitude. It has also been found that with increased elevation there is an increase of rainfall eet those places in the valley having the same latitude, as, for instance, Sacramento, with an elevation above the sea of 30 feet, has an annua mean temperature of 60.5° and an average rainfall of 18.8 inches, while Colfax, with au elevation of 2,421 feet, has an annual mean temperature of 60.1° and an annual rainfall of 42.7 inches. This uniformity of temperature and increase of rainfall appears to be the law throughout the whole extent of the foot-hills of the Sierra, with this variation as relates to temperature, viz, that as the latitude Beptensee the temperature of the valley is continued to a greater elevation. To illustrate, approximately, if the temperature of Redding, at the northern end of the valley, is continued to the height of 2,000 feet, then the temperature of Sacramento, in the center of the valley, would be continued up to 2,500 feet, and that of Sumner, at the extrema soathern end of the valley, to 3,000 fect. It is curious to note that, as appears from Mr. Redding’s statement, the lowest temperatures thus far observed at the two opposite ends of the valley, Redding and Sumuer, are the same, viz, 27°. a Pacific Rural Press, January 18, 1879. 668 PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 11 It will be noted that in the southern region the difference between the summer means or between winter means, as well as between the annual means, is quite small when Santa Barbara and San Diego, both lying immediately on the coast, are compared. At Los Angeles, 20 miles inland, ali these means are notably higher; still farther inland, and with increasing elevation, the summer mean rises, while the winter mean falls at Riverside, as well as more strikingly at Colton although at the latter point the annual mean is almost the same as at Los Angeles. To convey an easily intelligible idea of some of the climatic differences indicated in the table, it may be stated that while in the great valley a few inches of snow cover the ground for a short time nearly every winter as far south as Sacramento, and snow flurries are occasionally seen even at the upper end of the San Joaquin valley, snow has fallen in the streets of San Francisco only once since the American occupation to such a depth as to allow of snowballing (which during a few hours created a state of anarchy), and only a few times has enough fallen to whiten the ground for a few minutes or hours. Hence the heliotrope, fuchsia, calla lily, and similar plants endure year after year in the open air, while at a corresponding latitude in the interior they require some winter protection. Lemon and orange trees never suffer from frost on the bay, but their fruit also rarely ripens, save in favored localities. In the interior these trees more frequently suffer from frost, but the high summer temperature matures the fruit some weeks earlier than even in the southern coast region. Cotton would, as a rule, be frost-killed in the great valley in November, while on the coast it might endure through several mild winters; but within reach of the summer fogs of the coast it fails to attain a greater height than eight or ten inches the first season, and sometimes can scarcely succeed in coming to bloom before October. Subtropical trees, which in the cotton states grow rapidly and luxuriantly, such as the crape myrtle, Paulownia, Catalpa, Mimosa (Julibrissin), and others, either grow very slowly or remain mere shrubs in the coast climate, while in the interior they develop as in the Gulf states. The vine flourishes near San Francisco, but fails to mature its fruit; yet it yields abundant and choice crops near San José, where the immediate access of the coast fogs is intercepted by a range of hills. It is thus obvious that, with the varying topography, the change in the direction of a valley or a mountain range, the occurrence of a gap or of a high peak in the same permitting or intercepting communication with the coast on the one hand or with the interior on the other, there exist innumerable local climates, ¢ thermal belts,” sheltered nooks, and exposed locations, each of which has its peculiar adaptations apart from soil, and the recognition and utilization of these adaptations require knowledge and good judgment and count heavily in the scale for or against success in agriculture in California. RAINFALL.—AS regards the rainfall, the prominent peculiarity throughout the state is the practically rainless summer. While it is true that rain has been known to fall in every month in the year, the average amount of precipitation during the three summer months is less than one inch in the greater portion of the state, and less than two inches even in the most favored part, viz, the counties just north of San Francisco bay. Frequently not a drop of rajn falls in the interior valley and the southern region from the middle of May to November, and as the agricultural system of California is based upon the expectation of this dry weather summer rains are not even desired by the farmers at large. Northward, in the mountainous and plateau regions adjoining Oregon, the season of drought becomes shorter, as is also the case in the high Sierras, and thus there is a gradual transition toward the familiar régime of summer rains and occasional thunder-storms which prevails in Oregon and Washington west of the Cascade range. Since the growing season, in the case of unirrigated lands at least, thus practically lies between November and June, and each harvest is essentially governed by the rains occurring within these limits, it is the universal and unconscious practice to count the rainfall by “seasons” instead of by calendar years; hence the current estimate of local rainfall-averages in California differs not immaterially from that of the usual meteoroiogical tables, in which the paramount distinction between the agriculturally “dry” and “ wet” seasons is more or less obliterated. The data hereinafter given are therefore, as a rule, ‘“seasonal” and not ‘“annual”, and are largely those of the observations conducted along its lines by the Central and Southern Pacific railroad. The mean annual rainfall of the greater (middle and southern) part of the state is less than 20 inches, the northern limit of that region lying between Sacramento and Marysville, in the great valley; while on the Sierra the region of rainfall between 20 and 26 inches extends as far south as the heads of King’s and Kern rivers, farnishing the waters upon which depends the irrigation of the San Joaquin valley ; thence southward the rain-gauge rapidly descends to 8 and 4 inches aud less in the Kern valley, the Mojave desert, and the basin of Nevada. A rapid decrease of rainfall is observed in the great interior valley. From 42 inches at Redding, at the northern end of the valley, and 24 inches at Red Blaff, 24 miles to the southward, the annual mean falls te about 19 inches at Sacramento and to 16 at Stockton. Thence southward the rainfall descends to a mean of only 10 inches at Merced, 7 at Fresno, and 4 at Bakersfield, near the southern end of the San Joaquin valley, separated only by the Tehachapi mountains from the western margin of the Mojave desert, in which the rainfall is still less. Along the coast proper cape Mendocino bears the reputation of a kind of weather divide. Mariners expect a change of weather whenever they round this cape, and on land it marks the region where the character of vegetation begins to change rapidly from that of southern or middle California toward that of Oregon. At and immediately north of the cape the rainfall reaches an annual mean of 40 inches. A short distance southward, at point Arenas, the annual fall is 26 inches ; and from 23 to 21 inches in the region of San Francisco, it falls to 16 inches at Monterey and Santa Barbara, 12 at Los Angeles, and 9 at San Diego. 669 mmm. APR ON Mg ne Ea 2, RN ik rE a 12 Northward of cape Mendocino the rainfall increases rapidly, of the state. Inland from the coast the increase is less rapid, but the rainfall rises at to as much as 108 inches in some years. range slightly farther south than in the great valley, counties of Sonoma, Napa, and Marin. includes the western Santa Clara valley, from 13 to 16 inches fall annually. Ascending the Sierra from the great valley there is ar the records of the railroad, may be estimated at 1 inch for every 100 to 150 feet of ascent. The following tables show more in detail the rainfa mainly from the observations made under the auspices for * seasons” reaching from July to June, inclusive. Southward the region Southward of San Francisco again COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Il averages for representative points, of the Central and Southern Pacific railroad, and are given The data derived from the Smithsonian tables are marked Ly an asterisk, and refer to ordinary annual instead of seasonal means: WESTERN OR COAST DIVISION. rising to over 70 inches in the northwestern corner points in the Shasta region of rainfall exceeding 20 inches extends in the Coast so as to include all but the most southerly portions of the a region of more abundant rainfall Santa Cruz mountains, Monterey bay, and the lower Salinas valley, where apid increase of rainfall, which, from data furnished by the data being derived Station. COAST RANGE, NORTH. Camp Lincoln* Fort Humboldt* Camp Wright* COAST RANG, MIDDLE. San Francisco* Oakland Martinez San José Santa Cruz Monterey* Salinas Soledad (interior) Santa Barbarat Los Angeles ...oooniniioniiiiiinnnnnnanaann. INTERIOR VALLEY. Riverside (R. de Jurupa)* Colton San Diege* . Del Norte © Humboldt San Francisco | Alameda Contra Costa .....ccocntnvens vos Santa Clara SONA CYUZ enn cunisnsrsnasns Santa Barbara ..o.evvene--. RE FE Los Angeles Eleva. op obser. Average. | Years tion. | “vation. | Inches. Inches. | 73.4 | 35.9 | 43.9 95 | 130 . 14 01, 1877-'78 1877-'78 1877-78 1880-81 1877-'78 1877-'78 1877-78 1875-'76 1877-7 1875-7 1876-'77 1881-'82 1881-'82 1876-77 1878-'79 NORTHERN SIERRA AND LAVA BEDS. Fort Jones* Fort Bidwell* GREAT VALLEY (SACRAMENTO DIVISION). Redding Red Bluff Marysville Sacramento Anburn Siskiyou | Modoc Stanislaus Merced 202 | 282 415 | 1877-'78 1877-'78 1873-'74 1875-'76 1875-'76 1880-81 1871-'72 1871-72 1875-"7 1875-'76 1877-7 1880-'81 1877-78 1874-'75 1876-'77 1876-'77 1876-"77 1876-"77 1876-"77 1876-77 1876-'77 1876-"77 1878-'79 1878-'79 1878-'79 * From Smithsonian tables, compiled to December, 1870, from many sources, and represent calendar years. { From the records of Shaw, Bowers, and Tebbetts, Santa Barbara, from 1867 to 1868. All other tables are from observations of the Central Pacific railroad, published in the Pacific Rural Press, (from July 1 to June 30). 670 January, 1883. They represent season yesra PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 13 Were the rainfalls of 20 inches and less distributed over the whole or even the greater part of an ordinary season of the temperate zone, it would be altogether inadequate for the growing of cereal or other usual crops of that zone; but since in California nearly the whole of it usually falls within six months (November and April inclusive), and by far the greater part within the three winter months, during which a ¢ growing temperature” for all the hardier crops commonly prevails, it becomes perfectly feasible to mature grain and other field crops before the setting in of the rainless summer, provided only that the aggregate of moisture has been adequate and its distribution reasonably favorable. The grain sown into the dust of a summer-fallowed field begins to sprout with the first rain, and thenceforward grows more or less slowly, but continuously, through the winter; it is ready to head at the first setting in of warm weather, from the end of March to May, according to latitude, and becomes ready for the reaper from the end of May to the end of June. Once harvested, the grain may be left in the field for several months, thrashed or unthrashed, without fear of rain or thunder-storms. As a matter of course, the grain-grower may also, at bis option, sow his grain at any time after the beginning of the rains, and good crops are sometimes obtained from sowings made late in February. Usually, however, the late-sown grain is cut for hay when in the milk, in April and May, for since meadows can form no part of the agricultural system, except where irrigation is feasible, the hay grasses commonly grown in the eastern states are available only to a limited extent, and wheat barley, and oats take their place. Again, there is no strict distinction or limit between fall and spring grain, sien the sowing season extends from October to February. Thus the winter months are a very busy season for the farmer in California, as he has to watch his opportunity for putting in his crop between rains. The time between laying-by and harvest is nearly filled up by gardening and haying operations. The latter are occasionally interrupted by one or two light showers, rarely enough to injure the quality of the hay. Protracted rainy spells or thunder- storms, calling for hasty gathering of the cut grain into shocks, are unknown in harvest time, as are also sprouted or spoiled grain, except when the sacked grain is left out in the fields so late as to catch the first autumn rains. It will thus be seen that midsummer finds the California grain-grower comparatively at leisure. But while the culture of hardy plants of rapid development was the first and most obvious expedient resorted to by the American settlers in order to utilize the fertile soils of the region of rainless summers, that of selecting culture plants adapted to arid climates was the one naturally suggesting itself to the missionary padres, who brought with them from the Mediterranean region of Europe the vine, the fig, the olive, the citrus fruits, as well as from the adjacent portions of Mexico the culture of cotton, to which, however, but little attention was given by them, the growing of wool being better adapted to the temper of their native laborers. And as they relied largely on irrigation? for the success of their annual crops, it was only in very extreme cases that a deficient rainfall so affected their interests as to give the fact a place in their records. Variation and periodicity of rainfall—While the means of rainfall given above will not vary widely when any large numbers of years are taken together, the variations from one year to another are often sufficiently great to tempt many to invest heavily in putting in crops on the chances of a favorable season, which would bring a fortune at one venture, but sometimes results in a total loss, and eonsequent ruin to the investor. Such cases of agricultural gambling were at one time not uncommon in the San Joaquin valley especially, the turning point of profit or loss being a single light shower at the critical time or the occurrence of a norther for a day or two. Much ingenuity has been spentin trying to forecast the weather for the season in time to determine the chances of success ; but it will generally be found that the oldest citizen, if he is candid, will be far more reserved in his opinions than later comers. However steady and reliable the summer climate may be, that of a California winter is most difficult to forecast from day to day and from week to week; and, while there are certain rules that are ordinarily counted apon, the cases where “all signs fail” are very frequent and surprises are abundant. A discussion of the ybservations made from 1849 to 1877, by Dr. G. I. Becker, late of the University of California, and now of the United States geological survey, seems to indicate as probable a cycle of thirteen years between extreme minima or drought years, and some data I have since obtained from the records of the missions seem to confirm still further this conclusion. The first minimum within the time of the American occupation of California occurred in the season of 1850-’51, when the rainfall at San Francisco (where the mean is 23} inches) was only 7.4, while it had amounted to 33.1 the year before ; the second minimum occurred in 1863-64, when the rainfall at San Francisco was 10.1 inches ; and the third was the season of 1876-'77, with 10 inches. The next succeeding season of minimum would be that of 1839-90. 671 14 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. 3 es PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 15 Becker, exhibits these facts, as also the probabilities deduced for the intervening : Irrigation in Cali soi : fhe : . n in California.—Si ar of the curves representing the observations: (a) s region as defined wg Po a a I ay | g : to : : : | npr b> pron = jos oon (a), viz, a region having a rainfall of 20 inches and less, and within - h i : 8, as a rule, dependent upon irrigation, a discussion of the g 1 ; i "” eis: | must of necessity precede any detailed presentation of the agricultural feat pe a pestupecronn cre As has been before noted, th i i EAL ee | : S , the peculiar mode of distributi : aint: Probabili- | trom November to May, and during the prevalence of : bn ES nenily ) fing a of a growing temperature for the hardier field crops, such as , < | Seasons. Rainfall. hi y . . oa. S|. eriod. rears ( ere a 1 } 1 1 p the oS S |0N8, Ra d 0 C¢ t e 2 mn th The following table, given by Dr. vears. from a discussion of the nature Observations, periodicity, and probabilities of rainfall, San Francisco. ST Te drought, at least in th rm sat, : e more northern part of the region of sc i : | ; o) ka . ’ scanty rainfall. v 4 : {hee ae pmen | wow! 1] mee] the evaporation is greater, a larger supply of water i anty re infall In the warmer southern portions, where BELTED oo. cessiiianiner] | MR40 MOLES | M7 nm | 20:5 s portions have a scantier rainfall. H By water is necessary to insure crops; but, as the tables show, thes 1852-53 | unue | 1863-66 | 20.93 m | ze | i southward, and all. Hence the necessity for irrigation becomes rapidly greater JSInNe ve rll noi al] Boa | s ard, and finally absolute, at least in the valleys. The lands lyi apidly greater as we advance 1854-155 © 23.08 1867-08 38.84 | 28.30 | 1 the westward, are agriculturaily favored by a greater prectoiaation, 1 ee nigh ranges, and especially to rise oe | ni ano © mosngatugy ht the Immedinte coast, us well 4s the footiil 8 : , w to the condensation of moisture by such 1555-"57 les 18070 oy | 19.30 | | the plain of the great valley -hills of the Sierra, is less dependent upon irrigation than 1857-'58 | ones | 1870-71 | HW 19.60 | Th ag : A sia e commanding importance of Shaasil vt iS skorts 1858-59 | oog2 1871-72 0 SRTL 25.00 | g importance of the subject of irrigation i i i islativ . : . n the state Y; win has 1850-60 31.22 | 1872-73 18.02 | 28.20 | it legislative attention, but no general measures toward ascertaining of California hay 7epeatedly seeared for 1860-61 19.72 1873-4 23.98 28. 50 : adapted to irrigati ak inp aS x g the resources of the state in ‘ater i 2 s wi Ty anil 3 hee Eo Ws taken prior to the year 1878, when an act was passed provilling for aay oe a 1862-6: | 162 a6, 01 | | 19.00 ehfiucer,wiose duties were defined to be, ¢‘ under the direction of the governor obi PRointment of |. he ui i of the irrigation of the plains, the condition and capacity of governor, to investigate the problems 308.15 | 07.88 | 30%63" | improvement of the navigation of rivers.” A SL of the great drainage lines of the state, and the 10. 00 . JS A succeedlin i * the ¢ i : : ey . _—__—_ reporting upon ¢ the question of the flow of débris am Porn tae act imposes the duty of inquiring into and pn i hydraulic mines into the stre: ; fe vasas wai wgricultural lands ; , aie . 3 8 o the streams, and the , Similar tables for Sacramento and Stockton exhibit the same general features. Lis Betw Las by fue ov op dibs thereon”, Fatditie ininrgito : : : . ] een {8 J wm . . wmerofi, esq., of San Francisco, it appears in the records of the early explorersat no abl direct] is 1880 the work on both of these important branches of inquiry was actively ] aving been extraordinarily severe, the able direction of Mr. William Hammond Hall as state engineer, and in Janu: as actively prosecuted under . ale v . a . . R a & er, ana 4 arv . 4 . a period of twelve years between legislature, then in session, his first report, a highly important do : ” ol Te A a no data have been found) is also given are taken from this report. Unfortunately the & it ti mens, Most of the numerical data hereinafter able causes the period may vary 1 s increasi + drrdts : : ately, the agitation in regard to the minin Shr i : p ) 3 has ne phny irritated the public mind ever since the passage ot the act providing fo Ba etdon Sj impound the tailings of the hydraulic mi 1, . r the building of dams t isu Us . hii : S illic mines. has ov : : Siok necipt S to ence of this definite periodicity, the forecast, even to this extent, caused a curtailment of the appropriation a Shatoned the irrigation problem for the past two years, and would be of immense service to agrienlture in California, since the nature of the crops, as well as their treatment, The prominent point brought out it : i : ni bz that Inanch.of the work, . . » ". C . 2 » : / ! 1 . y ry 1 . y — A] “ could, in a measure, be adapted to the circumstances of these “lean years”. Still, the portion of the valley lying the irrepressible contlict Wines the provi i itigation that has vexed the courts for several years past is > :w . » . . . . . . ! OVIS SN 4 » TT . i. » south of Stockton will always be a region of predominant irrigation, while in the northern portion a proper and requirements of agriculture in a teil : SR of the common law on the subject of riparian rights, and the . . . . . . . . . I y v 3 wi oat ri : . intelligent co-adaptation of crops and soils can render agriculture more or less independent of’ that necessity. As owner is entitled to the undiminished i Irrigation. The declaration of the former hat every ripation the matter now stands, it is estimated that in the southern portion of Sun Joaquin county one goad crop out of three of the users of water-power) strikes at th e of the stream (intended evidently for the safeguarding of the interests . . . . . » . » . . ’ ~ a ) Py" « 3 » . . . may be made without irrigation, while south of Merced one in five 1s about all that can be counted on In the thoroughly incompatible with such ee ne pi foundation of the use of water for irrigation purposes, and is undulating uplands bordering the foot-hills. Other things being equal, much of course depends upon the nature yet this law has been invoked again Sr Y erefore, with the very existence of agriculture in the arid region; ’ . ’ . . 3 . o . . Ce . | 90% alitsrsia v 0k :, er. ’ and depth of soil, the perfection and depth of tillage, and the practice of after-cultivation as against broadcasting: of the streams from those Shove them a n Sap by sipation owners claiming the undiminished volume To guard against the effects of northers, and to prevent all avoidable evaporation of the precious moisture, it is state have be dd y y Whe myl'y intending to use it freely on their own lands. The ¢ ; i TS 1 J : 6)! : 1ave been embarrassed by the conflict of the acknowledged fi i i 10 Conrts of the the universal practice to roll the grain-fields as late as it can be done without injury to the growing grain. On equities of the cases before them. Decisions lat 1 eden ound ion of Alnetiesn Gril Jaw with the matiifese sandy soils this can hardly Le overdone; but on clay soils, should they Le too wet when rolled, the effect will be is not in this respect applicable in irrigatio re however, distinctly affirm that the common-law doctrine » TL TON * whe 1Q A111 . PY. I we a 3 S l 18¢ 1 A1STIricts. the exact reverse of w hat is desired, and great Injury often results. : : The control of water now used in irrieation ditches in California i It is the general estimate that whenever the rains have been adequate to make the moisture from above meet “prior appropriation ”, in pursuance of ny 8 alifornia is almost altogether based upon the right of o oq » _ . . 3 * DUC ' 3 ve : . . . that rising from below, a crop may be secured if the season be reasonably favorable; and since, other things being promotion of irrigation enterprises, but li J ediey than law; a method not without its merits in respect to the . . . » » . . . . i ’ MT & 3 PTO QS : . . . . . ’ equal, the depth at which moisture is found at the end of the dry season will depend upon the amount ot rainfall the appropriator to carry the wat oy to [3 So SO abuse n forestalling, since it places it within the power of during the previous season, it makes a material difference whether a droughty season has been preceded by a wet who, under the common law are entitled = Which Xie 1g Tutoresied 10 tie doichions evel of FINGAL oer; . O~ - . . 2 2 . . . ‘ « Tr 83 3 o tow ’ ’ one (as was the case In 1850-231), or whether a scant rainfall preceded a deficient one. In the middle portion of the not for irrigation. The toroutaliin g, by ni 3 9 » much water as they require for household and stock, but valley the summer’s drought will reach on untilled y O) ans o e pre-emption, homestead, or timber privileges, of all the Inches. | Inches. From information kindly furnished me hy H. II. Bt California that the year 1505 is known as «1 afio del hambre” (the year of the famine), the drought h and nearly the same account is given of the year 1817. It will be chserved that these dates indicate themselves, and that the interval from the last-mentioned date to 1877 (for whose drought years as yet divisible by the same number. It is quite intelligible {hat as the result of several concurrent and vari between such limits as twelve and thirteen. Should further observations contirm the exist ) : : soils to the depth of from 3 to J feet, according to the nature of water-supply from springs available during the dry s ag in (Tali : the soil, and this mass has to be remoistened fully to that depth to give promise of success for field crops. When such pre-emptors of 160 acres are, as a : tte a is n California created 4 situation in which uany on the contrary, the surface has been kept in a state of good tilth during the summer (‘summer fallowed ”), the adjacent lands without paying Hen ge oy of faoh, “nds of all they survey,” since no one can occupy the moisture will be found at a much less depth, the remoistening by the fall rains will be proportionally more rapid, of large tracts, Spanish and Mexican ora oy il hon r supply; and this is still more emphatically true of ORECIS OPI. Me grants, etc., which were usually selected originally because commanding water and the chances for a crop will be materially increased from that cause alone. In the extreme south of the San Joaquin valley the annual rainfall rarely moistens the soil to a greater depth 1% is difficult to foresee Bow the ni Iai e he many claims or rights acquir » this Ree : hpi ghts acquired under this system in California ¢an now he than 2 or 3 feet, and in digging or boring wells in districts not irrigated the materials are found dry as dust to the adjusted in accordance with the public interest without : depth of 40 feet and even more. At the first beginning of irrigation this entire mass has to be moistened before rights ”; but it will obviously become la, Ai : fi 3 : 0 She VWrenching of what it is usual to consider * vested moisture will permanently remain within reach of the tap-roots of plants, and a very large amount of water 18 the water available for irrigation to pablic Rie i oii Sates Hlilate right of eminent domain in condemning therefore at first required; but gradually the ground fills up, the water-table, and with it the plane of sensible greatest number. In framing these ROR Ly - wig regalations- as will lume to the greatest good of the moisture, rises more or less rapidly, the effect becoming perceptible at the distance of many miles in the porous soils raluable and productive than that which is BE hae Big be frsetten that irrigated land is much more 1 1 a » c irrl 11 NO . INE : . . ’ nu n 1e acerde S : 3 SOAS Q y r :s of i Phin, "pl Mundy the amount of water annually needed for irrigation becomes a small part of that exemption from the risks and failures involved in the i of wi iid > > we seasons, not only because of its needed during the first years. : the worl : r TE : ib irrigated land even in the “ humid” Be of rei a——" d, but also because of the important part taken by the solids dissolved or suspended 1m the irrigati pi g 5 : gation water in a See my article on the soils and agricul ; : Tet fete ee e : agriculture of California, by E. W. Hilgard, i . : og ne 43 © P—VOL. TI , by E. W. Hilgard, in the report of the department for 1878, p. 478. "io CE I TH Me... 672 a See Bulletin No. 31 of the University of California, February, 1878. 16 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. increasing and maintaining the fertility of the soil. The irrigator is exempted from the necessity of supplying manure to restore the soil ingredients withdrawn by his crops to an extent varying in different localities, but always taking the form of a very tangible balance in his favor, in some cases (as in that of the valley of the Nile for ages past) amounting to a complete relief from all consideration of the question of the maintenance of fertility, which is intruding itself more and more urgently into the .aleulations of American farmers and threateningly confronts every tiiler of the soil in the Old World. These considerations justify the adoption of a much smaller unit for the farm in irrigation districts, the more complete and systematic utilization of the soil’s powers enabling a smaller area to subserve the needs of a family. The unit of 80 acres, as suggested by Major Powell, instead of the usual 160, is certainly amply large in soils of any reasonably adequate native fertility; for in the irrigated colonies of southern California 20-acre lots are the usual homestead units on which industrious families make a fair living. In these points of view may also be found a partial answer to the question frequently asked, what inducement is there for the settler to occupy the regions laboring, apparently, under so mary natural disadvantages, when so much fertile land remains unoccupied in more favored regions? From an abstract point of view the question seems difficult to answer, but concretely the explanation lies in the fact that human nature will take risks where there isa reasonable chance of success, as is the case in humid climates ; whereas in the arid regions, success being impossible without irrigation, but becoming a certainty with it, farming becomes a much more safe, satisfactory, and paying occupation. If, on the other hand, we inquire why it is that the abundant water supply of the humid regions is not utilized with the same view of reducing the success of crops to a certainty, instead of risking the disastrous failures that afflict them from time to time in the occurrence of drouglts, we can but point to that same principle of human nature which renders gambling so dangerously attractive and drives the ¢ prospector » to continue in the search for new mines, rather than to settle down to the working of those he has already discovered. Aside, however, from these considerations, the treelessness of irrigation countries is in itself not a slight advantage to the settler of small means, since it relieves him from the necessity of incurring the great expense and delay of ¢ making a clearing”; an operation often involving in humid climates an expenditure altogether out of proportion with the productive value of the land. In the great valley of California, as in the prairies of the West, the plow can be put into the land without any preliminaries; but there is no heavy sod, necessitating the use of correspondingly heavy draft, the first plowing being nearly as easy as the later ones. In climates having a long growing season so far as temperature is concerned, the effects of irrigation on actual production are almost startling. Thus, in the southern part of California, as well as in western Arizona, crops may be started at whatever season suits the convenience of the grower, except two months in the year; and this holds true for market gardens as far north as San Francisco, where vegetables of nearly all kinds can be had in the market almost throughout the year. In Tulare and Kern counties five cuts of alfalfa have been taken off the same field in a single season and ten tons of its hay made; of sorghum, Egyptian corn, and pearl millet, when cut for forage, with irrigation, three heavy cuts per acre have been made—an enormous yield, which, of course, could be maintained only on a very strong soil, or, later, by the aid of manure. But irrigation enables the farmer to impart to the penny a nimbleness unheard of in regions dependent upon the seasons alone. The investment of a certain amount of money in land and manure can be “turned over ” twice in the season, or even ottener in a region of long summers. There is no reason why the same could not be done in the southern states; but, as a matter of fact, it is done only where irrigation is compulsory. "The main irrigable area in the state is the great interior valley, embracing altogether about 30,000 square > miles. Of this area about 11,300 square miles belong to the San Joaquin valley from the Cosumnes river to the "Tejon mountains, a maximum length of 260 miles by from 30 to 60 miles in width. It is here, as well as in the southern region (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and San Diego), that the irrigation question assumes the character of a vital problem, a conditio sine qua non. In the Sacramento valley irrigation is but little resorted to on the east side of the river, where, on the contrary, the mining débris problem agitates the public mind, and mining ditches furnish the supply of irrigation water chiefly to the foot-hill lands and mountain plateaus; while on the west side, in the counties of Yolo, Solano, and Colusa, irrigation is again prominent, though not so vital as in the San Joaquin valley, on account of the greater annual rainfall. Irrigation in the San J oaquin valley is thus far practicaliy confined to that portion lying east of the trough and traversed by the rivers issuing from the Sierra Nevada. The total of the dry plain lands of this “east side ” embraces an area of 7,687 square miles, of which about 69 per cent. may be assumed to be irrigable from the current water-sapply of the streams. Since the trough of the valley lics much nearer the Coast range, in fact, touches the foot-hills at Buena Vista slough, in Kern county, the area of the ¢ west side ? is very much smaller, viz, about 2,689 square miles. As Mr. Hall says: e, on the west side, may be classed as non-irrigable land, not only on account of the absence of a sufficient water-supply, but by reason of the general unfitness of the soil for cultivation by irrigation. The sources of supply for irrigation are Tulare lake, the San Joaquin river, and the small streams of the Coast range. According to the analysis of its waters, Tulare lake is altogether unfit, either as 2 source or cven as i reservoir of irrigation waters, on account of its alkalinity, as stated more in detail farther on. The small intermittent creeks flowing from the Coast range are but little to be relied upon in this connection, the more as the porosity of the 674 . All south of Tulare lake and a large portion north of the lak PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 17 formations in that region renders storage very pr ious wp es \ge very precarious. Supposing King’s and t ¢ aquin river wo a, Slinas > 5h, Fi Irtigable lands of the west oo Fi, eS - I - 4 bi Na by a s Mpls the grand total of lands irrigable from sources adjacent to the lai po > nel al on ie in higher reservoirs) about 6,000 square miles, or 3,840,000 ot or he I s only about 188,000 acres, or about 5 per cent., are estitotod po Teng at Bt Artesian water is to a limi X ah od of Ban > sd extent already used for irrigation in the San Joaquin valley I te A 2 oan obtained from the wells, but a considerable number wh water that i Ty or as ian Jot 1 ern Hver at least. Of late such wells, yielding abundant streams, h > a en Sms “ nee Zon wes troubled with alkali, which they will help to subdue. The | oil, or a ayes y yet been approximately ascertained, and it is very important Tr pe OE ag bn 8 irrigated from Cache creek aggregate about 13,400 acres h ri es ter on e lands of the plain, but the amount of irrigated Youll in the f Shite te i Toute) Yoru i ar the great valley) may be taken at about 9,000 acres » foot-hills of the resi ion Of Cathe 2 Pa iy rosin on the west side of the Sacramento valley, no Dupotisng an ay an Is ri oom e Coast range except through winter storage, which has not thus fa on era PigCa Boge small tracts of irrigated land are found from San Francisco hi iy Ee a Mom potiiwar g Santa Barbara. In the Salinas valley it is not convenient, becaus pr Tr an tTYey ont theta 0 tmtares and fair crops are made without it. Farther South it i ne Ae nmany of hentai valleys, very generally so in the valley of Santa Barbara, and thence ro ¥ outs isles 8 I Si the maximum proportion of irrigated lands is ronshiod the t on iy iy ernardino reaching nearly 85,000 acres, and but little land ao ts The amount of water available for irrigation , nat of lon can be very largely increased by wint ge i i rus 5 ars oon He aie onas, os pocorn of evaporation, being wasteful. Ty Sas o ho diversion een i rdly be resorted to for some time to come, or until the Waker iin e practice of irrigati ing i len i iy fone Saolingls ¥ far the most prevalent in California, but to a limited extent, in distri a al yial shige om e tn es is alone relied upon; and still more limited is the pranties of ey TN dnsperhey "Dibe outles, which has come into use mainly for orchards and vi : mi A ph very limited, and can thus be made to do a much higher “duty?” th A A 5 uy : on 220 to 850 per acre) limits its application to crops of high ov yay i os rey pire, ry 9 stems varies greatly, not only according to the nature of the il aus Sa Bh, San to the time that has elapsed since the beginning of irrigati 5 4 St wi, MH ; [o the San Joaquin valley, whose porous soils are RTT ii oy a SE &avoally Demuth by ye fag which in their natural state show no trace of moisture Mi : 2 einwor dl Souiob jas : Ai fen all this dry mass requires to be saturated, and an enormous co a p A A Ra ditios the quantity that after a few years will be found amply a STR ond, Livia jot eolrse, not only sinks vertically, but also drains sideways y gas " Ay sont 31 Joely) 5) uy at increasing distances from the ditch and irrigated land firs oi unnecessary and even injurious ta ed : Sin : gstons Sn en ue vier with crops, a certain moderate allowance only fnsares the oy thes asus dl Lim edany Ride ist nw result of the natural instinct to supplement amply the deficienci : Aeorstand: ply ciencies left by nature, but its disadvantages are coming to be more and more be broadly said that it varies fro i m as little as 50 acres per second-foot i 500 : pe J oi valley to over 500 acres in the colonies of the southern or poo a Ys Rely Souien dsiriots of Lae Son ones BICVLTURAL REGIONS OF CALIFORNIA.—In most of the states Co p e agricultural divisions are naturally based upon differences of s n eol 1 C 1 fi 1 . I C li i Vv the sever] reolosi : 8, arising in the main from the to i y g i elliot oy ay ly ote Ta of Se A reniently considered under the fi i oe Jew 116 several extent intervening, of course, between the several areas here Us following heads, transition zones of greater or less 1. Region of the great valley, with hi It is subdivided into: ) high summer temperature, intensely dry atmosphere, and no summer fogs A. The Sacramento valley, with fi . rom 20 to 40 inches rai a Saas ce a light snowfall i ’ : rainfall ; little irriga : a ova in Jen the temperature falling as low as 260, and frost in —— There is commonly \ prevalent winds ¢ up valley ” are from somewhat west of south mpeTaites 4 Bight fr seven In a few cases embraced within the present series of oil and surface conformation arising from 675 a i. Ll SELES Er dt EERE TNT ON lms COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Snow is rarely seen in the valiey. The are usually cool, especially in the The prevalent 1& with from 4 to 16 inches of rainfall. mento valley, but the nights all field crops, and more or less for all others. BL. The San Joaquin valley, summer temperature is higher than in the Sacra upper part. Irrigation is needed for the safety of winds are “up valley?, i. e., from somewhat west of north. o. Foot-hill region of the Sierra Nevada and of the northern coast range up to 2,500 feet olevation. The rainfall is greater than at corresponding points in the valley, increasing at the rate of one inch for from 100 to 150 feet ascent. The summer temperature is about the same as in the valiey; the winters are somewhat colder, yet in sheltered locations frosts are very light. 3. Semi-tropical or southern region.—This region consists of the counties of Los Angeles, San Diego, and part of San Bernardino. The rainfall is from 13.6 to 9 inches, and irrigation is indispensable for almost all cultures. Frosts are rare, permitting the culture of semi-tropical fruits in the open air despite an occasional cutting-back in severe seasons. The prevailing summer winds are southwest, and fogs are rare. . 4. Arid platead climate, or Southern desert region, With from 8 to 4 inches rainfall and less—very variable, and some years almost none. This region embraces the Mojave and Colorado deserts, and is largely an irreclaimable sand and alkali desert, but has some fertile valleys, yielding well when irrigated; such as Owen's valley, Inyo county. 5. The coast region, having cool summers g, even superficially, and warm winters, the ground rarely freezing save in the most northerly portions. Cool and moist westerly winds are predominant. This region is subdivided as follows: A. Region north of the bay country, embracing— (a.) Region near cape Mendocino and north of it, with from 32 to 80 inches of rainfall, northwesterly winds, occasional summer showers and thunder-storms, and snow often lying several days in the valleys. This is a transition to the Oregon climate. (b.) Region south of cape Mendocino to the bay country, with from 20 to 32 inches of rainfall. B. Region of San Francisco bay southward to Santa Cruz, with from 20 to 95 inches of rainfall and steady westerly summer winds and fogs; practically no summer showers, and no large-scale irrigation. Snow reaches the valleys only exceptionally, but light frosts occur for several weeks in winter as a rule. C. Region south of the bay country from Monterey to Los Angeles, with from 9 to 16 inches of rainfall, and summer winds somewhat south of west, carrying fewer fogs than in the San Francisco region. Irrigation ordinarily is needed for field crops. Snow occurs only on the mountains, and frosts are rare. 6. Mountain region of the Sierra Nevada and northern California.—Summer and winter is well defined, and snow lies during several months in the higher regious to great depths, and with very severe cold. The rainfall ranges from 20 inches at the south to 100 inches at the north. A. Lava-bed region of northeastern California, with from 20 to B. Arid region of the eastern slope of the Sierra. C. High Sierra, a region of fir and pine forests and pasturage. 29 inches of rainfall. THE GREAT VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA. e-third) of the agricultural lands of the state, and the Coast range on the west, the general m the Tejon mountains, on the south, to while its width varies from over 60 to alley of California, embracing a large proportion (on ills of the Sierra Nevada on the east northwest and southeast. Its length fro Red Bluff, on the north, where the valley proper terminates, is about 400 miles, somewhat less than 40 miles. Its total area is about 17,200 square miles. Since the drainage is toward a point lying about three-fifths of its length from the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers unite at the head of Suisun bay, the general slope of t that direction lengthwise. A cross-section will, in general, show the great (especially in the San Joaquin valley), with a gentle talus-like slope towarc the Coast range mostly falls off rather abruptly into the valley, or into the tr of the washing down of material from the long and elev ated western slope of the practically all the drainage slope from whic These talus lands constitute an upland plain—for such afions of the foot-hills have cut valleys varying in ming shallower as the trough of the main ri varying from less than a quarter of d these timber belts form landmarks i o another. In the San J oaquin div alley rolling slopes come down to the bottoms proper. wrt of its course, bordered by fresh-water marshes, 1 to the level of the “plains”, which on a large scale to a considerable extent he great v is included between the foot-h direction of its axis being nearly hh the waters of the valley are derived, whi range is insignificant. the rivers emerging from the ¢ eastern margin of the valley, but beco lateral valleys are mostly quite narrow, and more. They are usually timbered, an plain that are mostly visible from one tributary t bordered by abrupt bluffs; in the Sacramento V In both valleys the main channel is, for a pa the land rises gradually to the eastwar From these while on the small scale they are or gently rolling surface, 676 Tr ————msatvams— southern end, where the he surface is of course in drainage trough to lie westward of the axis 1 it from the foot-hills of the Sierra, while ough itself. This is the natural result Sierra, which also at present furnishes le the drainage from the Coast it appears to the eye—into which depth from 40 to 140 feet at the vers is approached. These a mile to (rarely) as much as one mile n the otherwise commonly treeless ision the lateral valleys are mostly or “tule lands”, have a level dotted with the singular rounded PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 19 hillocks, popularly knownas ¢“h ¢ og-wallows”, from 10 to 30 feet in di oe Lo J y eet in diameter and from 1 to 2 fi igh, which: y 8 nll hoi ; ot Dredisely under what conditions it is difficult to explain Spr rh Wry Saniy axial “trough”, which a long scallops toward the valley, and the tracts seem to diminish in ii = a a a : Ta doy on Seok; but they do not always bear any definite relation to the prese : . a pa Sn SI , and even on the rolling foot-hill lands themselves, constituting an pr ol wo a xmas quite costly to remove ; the more as their material is usually somewhat a ee yen g loves soil, and their leveling involves the baring of the subsoil. In " i op RE fy Et D ) A wan as to render the land valueless for ordinary cnltivation They al hey I PE : y caline soils, and one may often see them bearing good grain crops while : gH a consequence of differences ) 3 Thioa with alkali and the grain is dying. Oddly enaugh, in i et wimg Snes bit 0 onlay oe of the soil in the two locations, prudisaly the Bini iy ' . } re, imply any definit "soil i ” carter on hid 8 m hei Lay a% ite character of soil in general, although locally the e flood plains or tule lands of the str : eams are commonly border i WL y bordered by more or less inter fupres a TIA 5 ono) amount of soluble salts or ¢ alkali”, which, or a TT a me DE nl oh ey us hi a less with successful cultivation wiles special Renin: By a - Le a > Aa 3 a Bo Somiglimes found on the higher lands, especially in the San J is es a accumulation. A discussion of this subject is given in the appendix to The larger streams 5 alley a im? te sa Hg have two periods of flood : one, caused directly by the winter rai A Julia hattar oreo” Doorn an ind anuary ; the other, caused by the melting of the snows in the Str Srhss any he pres head Piha o] a ihe es fmpostons from the irrigator’s point of view, since it rn gemovLe Sihost » In March and Apri ,its duration and degree varyi rindi : water i eams heading in the foot-hills are, of course, only of limited fe yr Poa nl aan. x Orlamsan peu in \ portance to the irrigator so long as their he marsh or tul i ule lands of both valleys will be considered jointly after the description of the higher lands THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY. The length of the Sacramento valley from i 4 de agli of she) ) y fr its extreme head, a few miles above Red , 7y to as ig ir San Josep Lonuty, is abont 160 miles. From a width of mE " Yi a a i Sent the Tehama line, 3 miles from the head, and then sudden] " be MEA 2 is : of about 40 miles or a little over. Northwest of Woodland Po oa) 1yofved fool lands projecting into the plain from the Coast 7ange to NS . bE gain to its maximum width of 60 miles opposite Suisun bay. ; The area is In the upper, n i Wa 0 ASN Rofo of the valley the streams enter at short intervals and squarely from either side hana an i os we ay from deep, narrow, and rugged caifions cut into the Java-bed ok . En Sv come alles in 4 Le o stony, treeless country at the foot before reaching the fertile ali y . a. abe Bris quite narrow and distinctly defined from the red and usually 00 or less oh “ I 08 thadigher Jin,» Hid 5b iatelass almost throughout, and is a heavy grain-growing region dia WL 3 si 4 But Seas the foot-hills on either side are less abrupt, Ad a belt of undulating SE ab un im i h iz op yellow loam soils, borders the eastern side of the valley, sometim o TASES Sean sto ths dv oL e valley proper, and then again forming rather an abrupt trace on ee se nn rg there intervenes between the latter and the red border as a belt f wn a y Wi igh " the eastern side are mostly black (when wet), underlaid by a whisk Salcassons Lasi Dare. A Dil Xe “ g Cg to 4 feet. In most cases these adobe lands are very productive and RENE Ons IB AY - side, in Colusa county, the adobe belt is even wider than on the east, but oy “indy cultivated are those of oo sun as ee Bl asny Haprighsten WIR Slit mas hens hs os op ; gh (: great productiveness Tr ii al suid zo Sh by the intermittent tributaries from the Coast range, oo the red oi, is teas Of DR Ya The drainage in thi i i | ren ri ge Bs Jottion the valley is of an exceptional character. On the west side the Coust ran Soo aoa the rs ing y » Sas of flood or of heavy rains, but during the greater part of the Soa i aS A Al Yo . Yu e east side the Sacramento receives no tributaries, the Sierra drainage Deine rate , Jub emerges into the plain near Oroville, and thence for more than 50 Tiles n Pu pte in the valley, gradually converging toward the Sacramento river Li between these two rivers, which are i 3 ig ip Ty ra fe 0% Sy So river, then slopes off gently toward the Sacramento river, as YT an a Py ow ee Jas oe o her a rom the base of the foot-hills. 677 . —— a, L 20 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. p i ifestly the i i iree to the central trough is manifestly t i ion of Feather river from its direct course hi AR Vile The cause of this Se mass of the Marysville Buttes”, which here appears in mid-v ep I 2 ga oats Wk SRETER SO with their foot-hills, occupy an area of about 4 by 12 miles, a i he 4 4 viralively abundant rainfall and only a limited need for irrigation, d : p Bien Be, ! BE > mati -alley is the “débris question”, the final adjustment of whic p a dofinite ope eh nn pe wh we rs and those of the hydraulic miners has hardly yet approached the phase o 34 Ais wa wg on of Marysville, once known as the city of ie fin . A to defend a It ch hei ) ssive stre at he instinctively looks for the cannon tht i= Si Jotoes % Sook BY in. mers of the inhabiion i a aes is) esed a= S I LOE the annually increasing floods. Outside the walls, Thre Bi on bean pis al ss . Tuleh and clear stream, stretches a sandy and gravelly waste, through w ic Seen wap i and dirty loneliness. Nothing can be more eloquent of the EN ouait own y es hs en evil Fo nts of which can hardly be realized Ly those who have not seen w inal disp yt ji - be agin. and down to the American river, but few of the foot-hill streams reach he Yan Below dhe Yule % iil e. Their waters are partially utilized for irrigation near the foot-hi 9] y ihe os gs ” He which this region is noted succeed well without its aid. An analysis of the lain a rar ahaa, Yuba county, from the rolling upland belt, in which the valleys of t 1e neighbor : | ely wi i SA pe. productiveness but liable to overflow, lies in the fork of the Sacramento A byon ay Fivers: itis largely protected by levees along the banks of the rivers. PL ay A : ican river and across the Cosumnes and the Mokelumne tothe a ve as ; 6 Ta i Sa of je oa gvislen of reddish soil running in from the foot-hills. This is one of the Bog prodnerim Paihia wy wri of the entire valley, the soil being mostly a dun-colored loam, varying ib i : Ci ” Re Dy tilled Besides grain, which occupies the greatest breadth of land, vineyar Sandal oe wis pA jig — which is here and there dotted with oaks, while the horizon 18 Rig 1 oh a oo dhe Waler-courses. Irrigation increases as we advance southward, but » oy oA y the timber belts 2 on ie cultures, although this might beneficially be done to the full extent of he pe . i. k Hi ay Jags \doubtedly be whenever the now predominant grain production shall he Supers Jad 4 ra, 3 a a | The direct distance from the foot-hills to the mouth of the Mopslalise ne bau niles va ‘ ee 4 ater Sorcion of this distance its valley is so depressed below the general lev 9 4 y 2 ahs és, miles, and for t 16 glen * waters must be tapped within the foot-hills. The distance between v S pb Me hk i a a the channel is bordered by rich alluvial bottom lands lying above ordinary floods. As walt mile 5 AN 2 — AR He ditayte nn Woodusiage s EH Hilo sen belt encompassing the junction of fe i in 5% i Oppose fie Sean of Yolo al Solano counties, the soils of which are of pre-eminent ny i % hig o he Se 1) In ? atural sediments of the Sacramento river with those carried by the streams p i L bas is offs 3 Coast range (of which Cache and Putah Sh ae i uh, a hg a is giv 0 in table). The plain 18 J pi Sn 8 L980 SEY in 3 a the SH is thickly settled, and is largely occupied by undula 5 orchards and vineyards. to spre a See analyses on page 22. PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 21 Irrigation is not general, chiefly on account of the limited water supply, which is dependent mainly npon the limited volume carried by Cache and Putah creeks, but partly and increasingly upon shallow wells sunk into the water-bearing gravel which underlies the region. This fact and the great depth of soil renders grain crops measurably independent of irrigation. Cache and Putah creeks, not being supplied by winter snows or forest-clad ranges, are intermittent streams, carrying in the winter season formidable floods, which then partly find their way across the country to the trough of the Sacramento, while they become insignificant during the dry season, or even between the rains which drain rapidly from the steep slopes of the Coast range. Nearly one-half of the drainage of Cache creek is received into Clear lake, which thus to some extent serves as a regulator of its flow. Irom the lake the creek passes through a caiion about 30 miles in length, receiving two large tributaries from the north before it enters the head of Capay valley. The latter is about 18 miles long and 1 or 2 miles wide, and has a considerable area of irrigable though somewhat heavy land. On entering upon the Sacramento plains the creek widens out into a channel from 500 to 1,000 feet in width with low banks and decreased grade, and before reaching the>town of Cacheville is confined between vertical banks from 20 to 25 feet high and from 100 to 150 feet apart, which condition it maintains for several miles; but on approaching the lowland of the Yolo basin the banks drop away, and the stream is free to spread out in a broad delta, seeking the lowest part of the basin, and emptying into the Sacramento river through Cache slough. Soils of the Sacramento valley. The soils of the Sacramento valley are as yet but very inadequately represented by the subjoined analyses, the material on hand being too limited to allow of selecting representative samples advisedly. Nos. 563 and 110 are probably of-wide applicability, and Nos. 517 and 561, taken together, may also probably be ‘taken as fairly representative of the loam of the east side of the valley. Of the true “adobe” of the valley no analyses have thus far been made. No. 563. Sediment soil from near the banks of the Sacramento river, on the Rancho Chico, General Bidwell's land, Butte county. A gray or dun powdery loam, with but little coarse sand, very easily tilled, and the same to a depth of several feet; is well timbered with white oak (Q. lobata), ash, and sycamore, with abundance of grape-vines, and is very productive in cultivation. Depth taken, 12 inches. No. 561. Dark “adobe” loan soil from the Rancho Chico, about a mile east irom the spot where No. 563 was taken. Dark tinted and moderately heavy, so that after drying it can still be crushed between the fingers; taken to the depth of 12 inches, becoming paler colored below that depth ; originally treeless, bearing a growth of sunflowers and alfilerilla. This soil is not as regularly or as highly productive as the river land. No. 517. Reddish soil from near Bigg’s Station, Dutte county: a clay loam, brownish dun in color when dry and brownish black when wet. The dry lumps are hard to crush between the fingers, but soften quickly on contact with water. This soil occupies a level belt, lightly timbered with oaks, to the eastward of the adobe belt of this region. Between the two there usually intervenes a streak of whitish soil, from which there is a gradual transition to the true adobe. Depth taken, 12 inches. No. 656. ¢ Slickens,” or fine mining débris deposit, from Yuba river, Yuba county, sent by the secretary of the “débris committee” of the city of San Francisco. Light yellowish gray, partly in powder, partly in chalky lumps, easily crushed, very light, and scarcely palpable, emitting a strong clay odor when breathed upon or when wet. No. 1004. ¢ Slickens” sediment from Alger’s bend, Feather river, Butte county, furnished by Mr. Julian Le Conte, of the United States river and harbor survey. A compict, yellowish-brown lump, somewhat heavier than No. 556, which can be crushed between the fingers with little difficulty to an altogether impalpable powder, and emits a strong clay odor when breathed upon or dampened. The deposit is stated to have been from 6 to 8 feet in thickness in the bed of the river, which upon drying forms wide gaping sun-cracks, allowing a man to walk between the blocks on a base of sand. When deposited it must have been almost in a gelatinous condition. No.10. Sediment soil from the farm of Mr. Daniel Flint, on the Sacramento river, a few miles below Sacramento city, Sacramento county, deposited during high water, and said to exert a remarkable effect in increasing the productiveness of the land, especially clay land, upon which it may be brought. It is a light, buif-colored silt, almost impalpable when rubbed between the fingers, and without sand or gravel. Depth taken, 12 inches. No. 110. Soil of Putah valley, near Dixon, Solano county, sent by J. M. Dudley, from the ‘middle land” of the plain, on the slopes of the swales, about 3 feet above the lowest land. Depth taken, 12 inches. No. 499. Red upland loam soil from near Wheatland, Yuba county. A stiffish, glaringly orange-red loam, forming the soil of the undulating uplands stretching from the foot-hills several miles into the valley, and but little above the general level of the latter; it tills easily when taken in the right moisture condition, but plows very cloddy when either too wet or too dry. This soil is chiefly given to pasture and wheat growing, and yields from fifteen te twenty and sometimes twenty-five bushels of fall or winter-sown grain in good years, and in poor ones from eleven to thirteen bushels per acre, but never altogether fails. It responds very kindly to summer fallowing, and in its natural condition has almost only herbaceous vegetation, with some scattered poison-oak bushes. int BESS a cr eT = Ag 2. i id | § NP RT MEI Nal ria A wr — TI Lats SF II 7. TER - 2 22 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Soils of the Sceramento valley region. ; | SACRAMENTO (1 \x0 COUNTY. YUBA COUNTY. BUTTE COUNTY. YUBA COUNTY. BUTTE COUNTY.| ~~ COUNTY. er... a el viickiue® ¥ ai wh | Sacramento | srownish-Joam!] *Shickens” | Slickens "| gedimentsoil, Putah valley | Red.loam soll, Rune rr. '| Black loam soil, boil Biggs Sta. from Yuba selina, 3 | Sasrawents soil, mtiale Wheatland.* | nel x i) y | Rancho Chico. | tion, f river. i v | RY i | a aE i a ee ast | | WN No. 10. No. 110. No. 499. No. 563. | No. 561. | Noor. | No. = | So : a Wi : — aE jr se 7% : 161. 029 55. 283 67.334 78. 89. 502 Insoluble matter. ........ceccceeve- 70. 764 73. 444 159. lat) 62. 304 os. id 68.018 72. pd 75.240 ) 69. 062 i wt 69.923 | 1 71. 005 " nd Table Silica «oevreenneraonenrnnns - 3a 3.160 TT 4.750 3.071 8.03 4 iis | oil 3b A 0.652 | 0.305 0.453 0.267 0.300 353 45% ou Do shih in | 0.077 | 0.221 | 0.113 0.025 | 0.124 0.065 | ’ Po Sone ee 1.444 | 2,909 | 1.460 | 0.794 | 0.521 0.901 770 | wg ee 2.217 1 042 2.174 I 0.866 | 0.768 1.249 2.285 | 3 ~ MANERA «co vvemmeannrnemsresennns 2.2 . 178 } 5 | wi pik Yrs oxide of manganese ........ 0.015 0.025 | i I in | : is | i Ge! 494 »eroxi SRR or ionsansrinion 5. 804 9.342 | 585 |! 582 | . | so Sw Da pam | 10. 397 | 13.038 | 12. 045 | 10.390 | 14.229 | | " fa i ats UMIDA. cccveeccncencccocnnsonnens . A ne : : i 0.064 | 0.076 | 0.07 | Phosphoric acid ......oveeeeenen--- 0. 087 | 0. 095 | wil a | oe es id Sulphuric acid . ......ccovemnneennns | 0.030 0.068 | 0. Sal | , od vii Hi | wii Water and organic matter......... 5.351 | ’ 1» Wo, 8 6.701 | ing 5.7 L 3 SHR | L L ta > = = Bowl | on | 99.498 99.765 || 100.115 | 99. 848 | ose) save] Weis OtR] concer rnncrnnnrcnnrenn, N | Eo he enemas a meee re | I III IIIS IIE a a ee en —— === eens a vo. | | LIBE Yuri insane | vba rasmeradeThh [omens | 1.709 | 0. 466 TO eeiacaiae: oo rrseoer | ee oderl bi cavguiiraneasn essa sarrstun 0.562 | 0.336 BE as sors A a bit ERR Hygroscopic moisture ...........-- 6. 84 i — | SHE | He inion | PHC iis dure vianrin] absorbed at ...ceeeeececennnareens | 11.5C.° 13 C.° | iE «No. 499 is — a foot-hills soil, lying in the edge of the plain, and is introduced here for comparison with the valley soils proper. 0. ” 1 isti ils i te and, in some cases, a generous supply of lime, The common characteristic of all these soils is an adequate and, " i AL ney i ilabili ( ] al atly enhances their pow ich insures the availability of the plant-food they contain, grea ; ; 3: w ns and retaining humus, and renders them easily tillable, i io lores Smenpiof yt 7 i i i ter, ¢ rizes to a greater or less extent : tl »ontain. This feature, as will be seen hereafter, characterizes » ; : ley from Redding to Bakersfield, and it is with constant reference to it that their agricultural qualities ] i acr : a ico—the amount of pota Ase a in he oa o the Tancho Olse ea oi he donee, san Qafcionsy Bork mis we ph at a partial derivation from the bs aa % dntniiin ogous mess ios SUR, a large ae. 3 ay on Diese) Stadion as Rhyne Rica rots suomi? fay 3 Tol bes Sonne wp i fertilizers will evidently be the first thing needful to restore productiveness. Nos. 6536 and 1004 may becon sidered as fairly representative of the composition of the finestmna brought down from the hydraulic mines by the Feather and the Yuba rivers and deposited in their back or slack waters. fe Sr : ; seal A comparison of their composition with that of the above soils shows _ ey Sorc Sidr very wider ia Sus oe i " ients, ¢ i PS the community of their origin. eir potash perc ge is low, yet not [0 ingredients, as might be foreseen from t pot RO Took i i ave. while lower than in the Sacramento allu y g than that of some good soils. The lime percentage, Ww ; xin : of ic aci i large, is only a little below the average oi the a . and the supply of phosphoric acid, while not ’ : SS act, ay De p these ¢ slickens?” soils shall have been subjecte Spi, despors a Mise ive i .al alluvial soils they may become equally productive. As j same agencies that have been active in the natural alluvial so hey J i os vet they lack a high essential of all agriculturally valuable soils, viz, the humus or guile a Hs physical Hi well as chemical action is so important to the welfare of plants that popular bel g . iv 50i re also know that, practically, . otors that contribute to the productiveness of soils, we also KI y y hey SATS Re, bar to profitable culture. Under the climatic conditions of the i i yl 4 Sl a my years PE 8 i. Aieahility i atura * things. The process may be bastene Tat 5 ‘e this disability in the natural course of things 3y be Ea 3 LL Ba oid green crops can be grown on the material ; and this will, in general, be the most importan « ’ . ilen ” : -ard the reclamation of tracts covered by ¢slickens”. i : ferent a > a Hans necessary to advert to the fact that the material of the débris brought ig i Sitio Abas and at different times may vary indefinitely, from cobble-stones, through gravel and sand, 650 terial, or ¢slickens”, ET ———————————— PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 23 matter, graphically designated as * slickens”, and, according to the sources from which the latter come, the chemical composition will also vary locally. Moreover, when a coat of moderately sandy material is deposited on adobe land, the intermixture of the two by the plow may oftentimes result in a material improvement in consequence of the removal of the extreme mechanical intractableness of the clay land. In other cases a local deposit may be exceptionally rich in some important ingredient, and may thus serve directly as a fertilizer when applied to cultivated land. Analysis No. 10 shows a case in point, in which a deposit on the banks of the Sacramento river is so rich in phosphoric acid as to be available as a fertilizer on the adjacent alluvial lands. Some of the effects observed may also, it is true, be due to the improvement of the mechanical condition. Tt cannot, therefore, be surprising that the testimony as to the local effects of ¢ slickens” on land overrun by it should vary considerably, according to the circumstances of the case. Cobble-stones and gravel will in every case be considered an unmitigated detriment. A moderate coat of sand spread on an adobe tract may be welcomed at first, but its repetition will naturally be objected to, and a deposit of any considerable thickness will effectually spoil the land forever. So also a moderate coat of ¢ slickens ” will, on the low and heavy lands on which it is mest widely deposited, be at first a benefit, as it will improve the tilling qualities of the land, and, finding a sufficiency of humus in the soil, its fineness will cause it to be promptly acted upon and utilized as a source of plant-food. But whenever the deposit is repeated, the advantage diminishes, and finally changes to a very positive detriment so soon as the ¢ slickens” becomes the predominant ingredient of the cultivated soil, while a thick deposit coming at once will, for the time being, and usually for many years to come, deprive the farmer of the profitable use of his land, albeit it may become profitable to his children or his grandchildren. Such I consider to be the impartial view of the ¢ slickens” question, independently of the obstruction of channels and consequent overflows, the consideration of which lies outside of the province of this report. THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY. The division of the great valley traversed by the San Joaquin and its tributaries constitutes about three-fifths of the whole, its area from the southern end to the Calaveras river, a distance of about 240 miles, being about 11,000 square miles. Its prominent topographical feature, as against the Sacramento valley, is the lake basin formed in its southern half by a low water-divide which traverses the valley in the southern part of Fresno county, by which the waters of King’s river are thrown southward into Tulare lake. Northward of this divide the San Joaquin river enters the valley, and, traversing it, turns northward on reaching the trough, receiving thereafter directly the entire drainage of the Sierra. The valley is thus subdivided into the southern or Tulare basin and the San Joaquin basin proper. At present this cross ridge is intersected near its western end by Cole slough and other channels, through which the surplus waters of Tulare lake or King’s river can tind their way into the San J oaquin. Previous to the formation of this outlet the entire upper valley was evidently for some time a shallow lake, of which Kern, Buena Vista, and Tulare lakes, with their bordering tule swamps, are the remnants. The main tributaries of this basin, heading in the Sierra itself, are the Kern, Kaweah, and King’s rivers, which carry running water throughout the year. Besides these there are numerous water-courses, of more or less intermittent character, heading in the foot-hills and reaching the main trough only in time of flood or not at all, such as Posey, White, Tule, and Deer creeks, which can therefore be relied on for irrigation to a limited extentonly. These water-courses are bordered. by moist lands, which do not require as much water as the higher plains. The streams of the Tulare basin enter the valley from the Sierra caiions in remarkably shallow channels, but then cut deeper ways into the plains proper, again approaching the general surface as they near the trough, whichlies about two-thirds of the way to the Coast range. The streams descending from the latter are of the most intermittent character, the slopes of the range being steep and bare of forest; so that the land drains the more rapidly, as it is mostly very sandy. Hence the Coast range streams mostly lose themselves before reaching the trough, and are in any case available for irrigation only locally and to a limited extent unless stored. This character of the Coast range drainage is also the same northward in the San Joaquin basin. The streams flowing from the Sierra, on the contrary, there lie in deeply-cut channels for many miles out from the mountains, and do not approach the level of the plain until shortly before reaching the trough, when they turn northward. The Tulare basin. The Tulare basin is terminated on the south by the amphitheater of the Tejon and Tehachapi mountains, which rise from the valley with rather a gentle slope of good grazing lands, but are destitute of timber, as seen from the -alley. Conforming in shape to that of the base of the mountains, but separated from the latter by a slightly sloping plain from 8 to 10 miles wide, lies the V-shaped trough of lowland in which Kern and Buena Vista lakes form sheets of water, at present rapidly decreasing, disconnected from one another by the lowering of the water- level by evaporation. From the same cause these waters are very sensibly alkaline, and, of nourse, increasingly so as the evaporation progresses, the same characteristic being imparted to the shore-lands left by the receding 381 Ta ee ee ee = ps et 24 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. waters. At the western end of the trough, Buena Vista slough connects (or connected) the lake of that name with the southern end of Tulare lake. This slough at one point touches the base of a projecting spur of the Coast range, but below or northward of that point it is bordered by a broad belt of tule lands to the head of Tulare lake. Within the angle of the V mentioned lies what is known as Kern island, being mainly the delta of Kern river included between its ancient and modern channels, the former of which led directly into Kern lake, while the latter strikes Buena Vista slough. Kern river, after leaving its precipitous cafion, flows mostly between gravelly bluffs of 100 or 200 feet high before reaching the valley proper. At this point it has been wont to spread in divers channels, seeking an outlet into the lakes, the distance from its present outlet to the mouth of the caiion being about 40 miles. From about 5 miles below the latter its bed is composed of shifting quicksands, varying in width from 150 to 800 feet. The banks are low, sandy, and unstable, and the land slopes rapidly away from them, offering great facilities for irrigation. Hence there is no other river in the state from which so many canals and ditches have been made to divert the water, their excessive multiplication giving rise to great waste of water. The higher lands bordering the eastern foot-hills, as well as the higher parts of the plains lands farther out in the valley, have not as vet been irrigated. Details in regard to the alkaline character of some of these lands are given in the discussion following the regional descriptions. As a whole, they are highly productive, and have proved especially well adapted to the cultivation of cotton, though at present they are chiefly devoted to the culture of cereals and alfalfa. The lands lying westward of Buena Vista slough and Tulare lake are reported to be very sandy, and few attempts at cultivation have as yet been made. Northward from the region irrigated from Kern river the sandy loam soils of the plains are but little cultivated as yet, but locally the foot-hill streams are utilized, and Tule river especially serves to irrigate a small but fertile district. The Kaweah river, like the Kern, forms its delta far in advance of it, without reaching the great drainage trough, to which, indeed, it has not at present any definite channel. It begins to spread immediately after leaving its rocky cafion within the foot-hills, and loses a considerable portion of its waters in the beds of sand, gravel, and light alluvium with which it has built up the plain for many square miles in front of its point of emergence from the mountains. From the cafion to Tulare lake this river is 39 miles in length, falling, in that distance, from an elevation of 520 feet to that of the lake, viz, 190 feet above tide-water. In the upper portion of its course the grade is at times as much as 30 feet per mile, alternated with comparatively flat and swampy tracts, heavily overgrown with oaks and underbrush; but near the lake the plain falls only 2 or 3 feet per mile, and, without irrigation, is dry and barren. Down this sloping delta plain the Kaweah flood-waters find their way through eight or ten channels, whose beds are upon deep beds of sand, and are occasionally lost altogether in some swampy tract, the waters partially emerging below into another channel under another name. About half-way down the plain, from Cross creek on the extreme northwest to Outside creek on the southeast, the width of the delta is about 18 miles; but these channels approach cach other lower down and enter the lake only 10 miles apart. This, the Visalia region of Tulare county, is to a large extent heavily timbered with white oak (Q. lobata), and is the one wooded district of the San J oaquin valley ; for elsewhere a few oaks, scattered widely apart, are all that is usually seen, and these are away from the main channels of the streams. The soils of the region vary considerably, from that of the sandy plains to a rich alluvial deposit, most of which contains some alkali, especially near the streams, but not usually enough to interfere with successful cultivation. From the numerous creeks irrigating ditches traverse the delta plain in every direction, leaving but little water unused, save in times of flood. A belt of very strongly alkaline land about 2 miles wide borders the Visalia district on the west and northwest, but the impregnation becomes less as King’s river is approached. King’s river, both from its location with reference to the adjoining country and from the volume and purity of its water, is one of the most important irrigation rivers of the state. Where it leaves the foot-hills all the water flows in a single channel, but in its passage through the adjacent «Centerville bottoms?” its waters divide into several channels for a distance of 14 miles, and then again unite and remain confined to a single deep and tortuous channel the bed of which is from 20 to 65 feet below the surface of the adjacent plains. Practically, this portion of the river has no valley or bottom lands, the high bluffs encroaching generally upon the margin of the river. Here and there the bluffs recede, and the river is fringed with a narrow belt of alluvial land, covered with a scanty growth of oaks and vines. This condition is maintained to the head of Cole slough, where its waters are again divided, the greater part passing northward through the slough, and the rest along the old river channels, spreading into a delta-like swamp between Tulare lake and the San Joaquin river. . King’s river has not a single perennial tributary from the foot-hills to Tulare lake, a distance of about 62 miles. South of King’s river, and included between it and the tule lands bordering Tulare lake, lies the Mussel Slough country, so noted for its fertility, and which is irrigated by many ditches from the river, aggregating about 120 miles in 1880. The soil of the Mussel Slough country is mainly a light alluvial loam of great depth, evidently quite distinct from the soils of the higher plains. North of King’s river its waters, taken from near its point of exit from the mountains, pass through numerous ditches (aggregating about 120 miles) to the plains of Fresno, lying considerably higher than the Mussel Slough country and possessing a very different soil—largely a whitish and very calcareous silt, quite unlike the plains soil of Tulare and Kern, but also yielding abundant returns when u82 PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 25 irrigated. The Fresno plains are gently rolling, almost exempt from alkali, and in spring present the appearance of a carpet of flowers. Near the foot-hills the red-clay soil of the latter has been mingled by the streams with the sand of the plains, making what is there called ¢ red adobe”. None of these streams cross the railroad, the plains to the westward being without any permanent channels and falling off gently into the long belt of tales” that stretches between Tulare lake and the turn of the San Joaquin river. ; The San Joaquin basin. The San Joaquin river, on emerging from its caflon in the foot-hills, continues into the valley in a channel much depressed below the surface of the plains, and hence is, of all the rivers of the valley, the most difficult to draw upon for irrigation. For from 16 to 18 miles below the mouth of the caiion its water surlace lies from 75 to 200 feet below the rolling plains, which frequently fall off to it in perpendicular bluffs. Hence, although the land to the southward is fertile and irrigates well, but little has been done in that direction. * North of the river the foot-hills extend far down into the valley, and have a hard-pan subsoil, which sometimes lies almost bare and would not irrigate well. About midway to the trough, however, the soils are lighter and better suited to farming, and the river is more easily approached from either side, the plains being only 35 or 50 feet above the bed. To the southward the soils are mostly deep and rather sandy; but northward they are Jeavier, and their irrigation (water taken fon: the Chowchilla canal) requires great skill to prevent injury from excessive flooding, and are largely underlaid by a sandy and wholly impervious hard-pan. On the west side of the river the lands irrigated by the San Joaquin and King’s River canal are very variable. Tor 35 miles from the great bend the land below ic is for seven] rile a black, alkaline adobe, underlaid by a not wholly impervious, marly hard-pan, difficult to irrigate and till; ut between Firebaugh’s and Hills ferries there are along the river large areas of sandy alluvial loam, readily irri tated and quite productive. Ski 3 The Fresno river, or rather creek, about 12 miles north of the San Joaquin, is an intermittent stream, and about half-way to the trough is bordered by rough and rolling lands with an inferior soil. Below it passes Hough level land with a rich, sandy loam soil, and supplies a canal on the south side. : The Chowchilla, Mariposa, and Bear creeks, entering the plain from the foot-hills between the Fresno and Merced rivers, are intermittent streams, and flood the plain after heavy storms through numerous small channels from which some of the water finds its way into the trough, while most of it is absorbed in the pervious soils of the region bordering the latter. Around and south of Merced city, between Deadman’s and Bear creeks, there is a considerable body of black adobe lands, of which a narrow strip about 2 miles wide continues seethwestwand through Stanislaus county into San Joaquin, where this kind of soil is more characteristically developed. Northward of Merced city a wide tract of “hog-wallows ” comes in from the foot-hills, and is an excellent wheat soil in its level portions; but midway to the Merced river this tract rises into a foot-hills ridge, with a gravelly clay soil, that extends far out into the valley, and is of inferior quality. Toward the Merced river te soil again becomes lighter and productive, and is irri gated by a canal from the river. The Merced river heads among the highest ranges of the Sierra, and, after traversing the Yosemite valley passes to the edge of the plain through a deep, rocky cafion with a water-fall at its outlet. Thence its valles runs to the trough in nearly a straight line sonthwestward for 36 miles, but within it the river winds on a very tortuous course between abrupt bluffs as much as 3 miles apart and from 40 to 80 feet in height 8 miles below the falls, and thence narrows down within the next 8 miles to about 1 mile from bluff to bluff. These bluffs become still Ls contracted and less sharply defined as they approach the level of the plains on nearing the trough of the San oaquin. The wide lozenge-shaped bottom, terminating 16 miles below the cafion, is an important agricultural region, and is of especial interest in having been the sole locality of cotton-planting in the state for a number of years. The soil is a dark, sandy loam of great productiveness when supplied with moisture. At times of flood the water spreads from the main channels over the valley, frequently shifting its course permanently, cutting away large soil areas and covering them with coarse gravel. The soil is almost everywhere underlaid by such gravel at varying depths sometimes coming close to the surface. Some levees have been constructed to prevent overflow and shifting i it thus becomes necessary to irrigate the lands so protected. All the cotton grown here has, therefore, had the aid of irrigation. ’ A The country between the Merced and the Tuolumne rivers is’ quite rolling near the foot-hills, the soil being generally sandy, resembling somewhat that of the Tulare plains, but on the whole less productive ; on the other hand, the rainfall being greater, much grain is grown here without irrigation. : The Tuolumne river comes from the mountains through a most forbidding caiion, below which it is closely flanked by foot-hills, merging into rolling lands, and then into a plain lying from 50 to 80 feet above its water surface for 20 miles below the cafion. Thence the plain falls off toward the trough of the valley, so that the banks are only from 15 to 25 feet in height. For 30 out of the 42 miles of the river’s course it is bordered by plains sufficiently even in surface to admit of irrigation on the large scale to advantage, having soils particularly adapted to its practice; and since in its habitual water volume the Tuolumne stands first among the rivers of the San Joaquin valley its importance as a source of irrigation is very great, although thus far it has been but little utilized, the reason being that its bottom lands are very limited, and costly works are required to bring the water upon the high plains. 683 i pry ym Y COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Between the Tuolumne and the Stanislaus the soil gradually changes from its very sandy character near the former river to a dark and more substantial loam of high productiveness. On leaving the foot-hills, the Stanislaus river lies in a deep and generally narrow trough from 100 to 150 feet below the plains, its bottom being very narrow, rarely exceeding a few hundred yards, but having an excellent soil. In its lower course its slope is much less than that of the adjacent plains, so that within 10 miles of its mouth it lies but 40 or 50 feet below the plains level. Its immediate channel here is so narrow as to be altogether inadequate to carry the flood discharge, and hence the bottom is periodically overflowed. The soil of the plains adjacent to the Stanislaus is excellently adapted to irrigation, but the great depth of the river channel below the surface renders it necessary to locate the heads of irrigating ditches some distance up the cafion, and this is a costly undertaking, Hence irrigation is practiced on but, a limited scale thus far; but in the deep, light loams a large amount of grain is grown without irrigation, and with comparatively few failures. North of the Stanislaus to French Camp slough the land continues sandy, and is largely unproductive without North of the slough, to and beyond the Calaveras river, lies the region of black adobe lands that ve and densely-settled portions of the valley. Its surface is gently undulating, and is sparsely dotted with oaks. On the border of the tules, as well as at some other points, there arc more or less interrupted belts of alkali land, mostly with a hog-wallow ” surface. The soil does not appear to differ materially from that of the adjacent lands, and by proper treatment it can doubtless be brought under profitable cultivation. (a) The Calaveras river does not head high enough in the mountains to be perennial in its flow, the direct distance being about 25 miles from its point of emergence from the foot-hills to its junction with the San Joaquin river. At Bellota the stream forks, one channel, Mormon slough, passing westward through Stockton, the other, diverging to the northward, entering the San Joaquin about 5 miles northwest of Stockton. Mormon slough is now the principal channel, and carries water when the northern branch is dry. In extreme floods both these channels are incapable of carrying the volume of water, and at such times the plains are extensively overflowed from the numerous side streams that put out from the main channels at weak points in their banks. Before reaching the valley the water of the Calaveras is repeatedly used for mining purposes, and is always highly charged with fine sand and sediment; hence it is considered especially valuable when used in the irrigation of the heavier soils, the sandy sediment rendering the adobe more mellow and tractable. irrigation. constitutesoneof the most producti Soils of the San Joaquin Valley. As stated, the soils of the southern part of the great valley, even to the alluvial ones, are predominantly sandy, except in the main trough of the San Joaquin river; the gand being in most cases coarse. Exceptional in these respects are the fine silt soils of Fresno and the black adobe of southeastern Merced. In the descriptions and tables given below the soils are segregated into upland or plains and lowland soils for convenience of consideration, but it must be admitted that the distinction is, of necessity, often somewhat arbitrary. Again, the two first mentioned (adobe soil and subsoil from Stockton) are much more closely related to the soils of Sacramento valley than to those of the San Joaquin, the characteristic sandy soils beginning some miles to the southward of the city of Stockton. True black adobe is, nevertheless, found again near and eastward of Merced city. A.— Alluvial or lowland soils. No. 6. Black adobe soil from S. 43, Weber grant, near Stockton, now the property of D. A. Learned, of San Joaquin county. This soil is dark-colored, very adhesive when wet, but in drying it cracks open at times to the depth of several feet. The sample was taken to the depth of 12 inches, the soil remaining the same. Its thickness varies from 6 inches to 4 feet, the latter coming nearest its average depth. The main body of this land lies between French the north, extending 2 miles beyond the latter; westward Camp slough on the sonth and the Calaveras river on i reaches to the alkali lands bordering the tules, while its eastward limit is not well defined, but lies at least 10 miles to the eastward of Stockton. The wheat product of this soil, when fresh, averages between 15 and 20 bushels per acre for five to eight years, and then decreases, but can be brought up by summer fallow and good cultivation. No. 7. Hard-pan subsoil of No. 6, found underlying the black adobe in the lower ground at varying depths and of varying thickness, from 6 inches to several feet. This is a yellowish or whitish-gray, moderately coherent mass, more or less porous, which effervesces with acids, leaving a loose mass of sand and silt. No. 195. Valley soil from a valley 2 miles south of the Merced river, Merced county, on the Hopeton and Merced road, through which the Farmers’ ditch passes. This soil is a blackish-brown loam, easily tilled, and fairly representative of the soils of the smaller valleys of this as well as of the Dry Creek region. No. 198. Bottom soil of Merced river from J. A. Grade’s cotton plantation, near Hopeton, Merced county; a dark-colored, light loam soil, varying in depth from 18 inches to 5 feet, according to location, usually underlaid by gravel, which undulates more or less in subterranean ridges. Its chief natural growth is the California sunflower, which grows very luxuriantly, with some oaks and cottonwood on the lower ground. The bottom here is about 4 miles garding this region and the general subject. om a See article on alkali soils on page 63 for some details re PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 27 wide from bl and i . Paepomn ae 1 hip my 5 9 Sua by numerous sloughs, as well as by gravel ridges. This soil in good seasons y s of seed-cotton per acre, and a large body of i i > . ’ arge body of it constitu : ‘ Bugler ig where cotton has been successfully grown for many os Hs the Suong, Gils, a) No. 570. ¢ y lobe” soi hy 3 . iB * wh GDH OF 12 Bo Dy from the lower land in the Eisen vineyard, near Fresno, Fresno county, taken to cxoupt With very Wot ’ Th J To h, only moderately heavy, with much coarse sand intermixed, and ily tilled Rll reins dh id SOL Juss i considered representative of the more substantial soils formed by the : vig g's an Joaquin rivers i sha - ‘SQ. S fd . : ridges with very sandy soils. 1 vers in the shallow valleys, separated by divides of *sand-hill” No. 701. “Dr ” soil from a v . . : ad 7 bop pon fe 0 valley on Sisson, Wallace & Cos land, 6 miles northeast from Visalia. Tulare and, This soil is chief SD : 34a black, heavy soil, occurring in the smaller valleys among the * hog-wallow ” tu deara 3 0 : . N ore with long grass during the growing season, and, like the ¢ adobe” dlsawhod is often ny oy ith Hy . : 78 Season, It has usually at a depth varying from 6 to 18 inches a subsoil of heavy res : Sk po bi hE of os ore, or “black gravel”; hence it is commonly ill-drained and ter . le of it is cultivated. ; i tae 4 : : . nlite When: vetlaiined. The analysis was made to determine its value for permanent No. 585. ¢ Wire-grass soil? fr 3 Wa a soil”? from wooded flats 2 miles west of Visalia, Tulare county. The soil is a gray or Teoma) te y a loam, characterized by a growth of wire-grass (Scirpus) and more or less of alkali Os Naativiion Cat J It Sy fhllolel with oak. In low places occasionally a little alkali is visio y § nough of it in the 1: owl : do produuiive, | # and to prevent the growing of cereals or other crops, and it is highly No. 579. Alluvial il fr y lle. i Eig fhe Jon in fon near Grangeville, in the Mussel Slough country, Tulare county, and fairly a ox ¢ ass 0 soils, yielding 46 bushels of wheat per acre. The soil is quite light and easily oe oo a Bag of color for from 18 to 24 inches. Sample taken to the depth of 12 inches ds cig NO. . re ; wads . i . - ADE, y boui Sa% Seon) The banks of Tulare lake, near its southeast corner, from overflowed land Bighteen an as 2 +7 is tract is inclosed by a levee, and lies below the high-water mark of the lake hence. The hh Pe Lo Ber Yu but at the time of taking the sample the water was half a mile dom . § getation that started after it was laid dry was ¢ wild sley ”, fi la salt-grass, and tule. The surfac : ) wild parsley”, followed later by wire-grass . e at the present time show al i indicat; vi : Nowevers+ at? s no salt, and but little indication of alkali. Grai on il “gen ll hep hot weather comes, even though the ground be moist. Garden vegetables look a tor flicitrst Ng meme i jr dis. Jn sampling the soil at the time stated it was found to be baked quite hard 5 83 ! at line down to 20 inches, to which depth it w i The soil as received is a i ) ich depth it was taken, it was “boggy and soft” somewhat bluish-gray clayey sediment ini ; Bat : tsk cirestes ’ ls ! containing : avel : : intermixed. Its reaction is alkaline, though not sharply so. i Sigoaddeslior mall grovel sndihells B.—Upland or bench soils. No. 193. il 1) i wh aes Tous or po the i logiallen” tract 5 miles north of Merced city, Merced county, near Huffman’s ) arm; rownish loam, rather close and coherent when dry t Wien gin; eal y , en dry. Sample taken to the depth chs % Phos ivisasly of the sume character for 3 feet. The surface of this land lies in gentle swells i oe Mlb aenien fle “lngalon flicks not very deeply impressed, and therefore not interfering materially g eve sh land, and almost disappearing after a few years’ tillag 3 \¢ioon to 30 bushels per acre in fair years on fresh oa SEMAN Teva paar No. 704. Fre ¥ il 1 ites | wi L Bus ghiin soil from Mr. White's place, Central colony, about 2 miles south of Fresno city, Fresno iid 4 ER by te, hswlu atiy soil, changing little to the depth of 2 feet or more, then aeadualy g > 8 7, sometimes underlaid at a depth of from 13 to 3 feet b : gy enhng diate Sly, samch Ries , o 3 feet by a sheet of calcareous hard-pan, from 8 y seems to be merely the subsoil cemented by lime. I i it i necessary to break through this hard i glue [ADKINS Bene: ie : s hard-pan in order to enable the roots to reach istur Thi il i i SRSSRLT UNAR SR Th he s to reach moisture. This soil is said to be se C y lying to the southward and west 1 ing’s ri Suny spies tr | stward toward King’s river and the San Joaquin e east : passes into the reddish and ¢sand-hill” soi i Rin, Tooplllls (See soil No. 570, from the Eisen vineyard.) SIs dd Upc SUSHAS COARSER) 0. 536. : ln : ‘ Cu : J De Plutus soil, Sen midway bastween Outside creek and the Sierra foot-hills east of Visalia Tum So. Doge 4 fase, 12 inches, with apparently little change for several feet. The tract is quite Sve, i do Fins: ys i docs well when irrigated, but has thus far been taken into cultivation less freely i oe Hy Yolier | i Greek It B il to be a fair sample of the plains” proper of this part of the San : yi § color, quite light and sandy, and not altogether promising i ar. : i a a growth of wild flowers, which testifies to its Iroduetive en : App Ie eRY No. 573. T' ins 80i i i ¢ wk. 3 : Duar Jains wi To You Be crows of Cross creek, on the Visalia and Hanford road, Tulare Y, 2 . is soil resembles the preceding, but is of Tayi i SOUS, 1gken 10 EE Buches depit 5 em g, of a more grayish tint when dry and y & sult of its proximity to the creek, which, howev i Solver 0loioi Whe | 2 Teall o , which, however, rarely carries water, so that t hardly be accounted an alluvial one. There are decided indications of alkali in the lower DOCH Sih he 9 685 LR I pA —_ RRR xv, -, BS TRL ETN EE 23 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. is more clearly perceptible where the soil has been cultivated with irrigation, as is the case within a mile or two in spring-time bears a luxuriant growth of bright farther to the west. The country is altogether treeless, but flowers. No. 700. Salt-grass soil, forming a belt on the western edge of the county; a yellowish gray, fine sandy soil, nearly the same in character to to 12 inches. * Much salt-grass, and but little herbaceous vegetation beside. much as 40 bushels of corn to the acre. It has been but little cultivated thus far, being chiefly pastured. Alluvial or lowland soils of the San Joaquin region. | | SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY. | MERCED COUNTY. DITCH. Hard-pan, | | i Black adobe pra of | Valley soil. ! Bottom soil, S01. adobe. No. 198. I No.6. | No.7. | No.195. | | | | | 73.120 Insoluble matter 3 72. 038 | GL. 903 | : Jah Soluble silica 0.396 | 0.248 0.479 | 0. 404 1.927 | 8.502 Brown oxide of manganese i 0.056 | 0.034 Peroxide of iron 5.672 Alumina Phosphoric acid 3 0.324 | Sulphurio acid v 0. 056 | Carbonic acid 6.229 Water and organic matter 4.860 101.078 | 100.184 !! Available inorganic Available phosphoric acid Hygroscopic moisture absorbed at | | fi : | NEAR STOCKTON. | FARMERS NgARHOPETON. { | | § Merced river. | 71.002 | 0.560 0.094 | 1.316 -. Magnesia 1.640 | 2 700 | L621 | 0.547 || 0. 036 | 9.078 | 6.252 | 5. 3: 5.090 | FRESNO COUNTY. TULARE COUNTY. | NEAR FRESNO. NEAR VISALIA. || Brown adobe, | “Dry bog” “4 Wire-grass” | soil. Eisen soil, * hog- } vineyard. | wallows. | A No. 701. |! 67.519 | 4.259 ba. 778 | 0. 562 0.657 | 2.509 0.753 | 0.066 | 5.599 | 12.395 | 0.074 | 0.145 | 0.083 | 4.495 | | 66.470 4.950 99. 206 | No. 585. 71.420 1.224 0. 677 3.043 0. 087 0. 030 5. 823 7.137 0.239 0. 655 NEAR Mussel slough. No. 579. 79.518) 00 737 3.219% 0.700 0. 286 1.246 1.578 0.018 4.030 6.578 0. 069 Upland or bench soils of the San Joaquin region. GRANGEVILLE. Alluvial soil, i plains east of Buena Vista slough, Kern a depth of several feet. Sample taken When irrigated, this soil produces as | “Dry bog " soil, "Tulare lake. | | | so 77. 67.34 1.06 0.84 6.51 3.96 0. 04 | 7.97 Loam soil, ‘‘hog- | ! orth of Merced. | | MERCED COUNTY. ' FRESNO COUNTY. il Central colony, Plainssoil, Outside | ” 3 | | wallows ”’, 5 miles | Fresno plains soil. | creek. | i | No. 193. Insoluble matter 80. 328 } 84. 673 | Soluble silica 4.345 0.347 0.058 |! 0.508 |, 0. 588 0.016 |: 4.772 || 6.165 0.023 Magnesia Brown oxide of manganese Peroxide of iron Alumina Phosphoric acid Sulphuric acid Carbonic acid Water and organic matter......ee.--..- PERE ry Available inorganic Available phosphoric acid Hygzroscopic moisture. .....coeeeeereaaracececrececnnnnnncoccoeses | Plains T TULARE COUNTY. t KERN COUNTY. i i} cree. No. 573. | Salt-grass soil, Soll, Crocs | Buona Vista slough. No. 700. 66. 079 3.378 |! } 60. 457 ! 1.817 | 0.436 4.307 | 1.585 |! 0.078 | 6.041 8.602 0.138 | 0.263 2.533 |! © 87.060 poo LL 0.492 0. 306 1.198 1. 069 686 PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 29 A glance over the preceding tables of soils of the San Joaquin valley shows at once that, like those of ths Sacramento division, they nearly all agree in having a large percentage of lime; in only one case as little as half of one per cent., in most cases over and ranging as high as 3 per cent. All these soils, except the Stockton adobe, are of a rather sandy or light character, which places them the more distinctly in the class of calcareous soils; and this accounts for the extraordinary thriftiness, when placed under irrigation, of even such as do not show high percentages of phosphates and potash. Thus, in No. 193 (Merced hog- wallow soil) the potash percentage is quite low for California, while that of phosphoric acid is exceedingly low; yet these soils have yielded from 16 to 25 bushels of wheat per acre forseveral years consecutively. They will doubtless, however, soon require the use of bone-meal for the maintenance of production. The same deficiency of phosphoric acid occurs in the bottom soil No. 195, also from northern Merced. Almost throughout, the percentage of phosphoric acid in the soils of the San Joaquin valley is ouly moderately high, many falling below one-tenth of one per cent. and only two rising above two-tenths. These latter are Nos. 585 and 77, both alkaline soils, in which probably the soluble phosphates have accumulated near the surface (from which the sample was taken), doubtless, in part at least, at the expense of the surrounding uplands. It follows, that while in the lowlands that are more or less impregnated with alkali both potash and phosphates are comparatively abundant and will not require replacement for a long time to come, in the uplands the phosphates will be the first to become exhausted, when bone-meal and superphosphates will come into heavy demand. On the other hand, the use of lime as a fertilizer will scarcely ever be called for in the San Joaquin valley, and potash manures will not be needed for a long time to come, even in the uplands, and never in the lowlands. It is important to note this corroboration of the opinion expressed in a previous report («) as to the superior value of the “alkali soils” when once properly reclaimed and cultivated with a view to the repression of the ‘rise of the alkali” to the surface; for we find that, with the worthless or injurious excess of salts, there is almost always associated a large supply of soluble or at least available plant-food, which will render these soils remarkably durable and thrifty. ~, Tor the discussion of the measures and precautions needed for the reclamation of alkali soils the reader is referred to pages 63 to 73. There is another point shown in these analyses worthy of note. The traveler on the San Joaquin plains will, during the dry season, imagine that the gray dusty soil of the plains is destitute of, or at best very poor in, humus or vegetable mold. The figures given in the table show that this is far from being the case, for even the white soil of the Fresno plains shows six-tenths of 1 per cent. of humus, and that of the sandy Tulare plains 1 per cent. and over. It is here again the lime, so abundant in these soils, that helps to retain the humus, despite the prolonged action of the hot summer's sun. Of the soils examined, two only are really deficient in humus, viz, No. 193, the Merced hog-wallow, and No. 700, the salt-grass soil of Kern. In the case of the latter the alkali present dissolves the humus and allows it to be washed away into the sandy subsoil below, and this happens more or less in all alkali soils containing much carbonate of soda. It is therefore doubly important that this ingredient should be gotten rid of by the use of gypsum when such soils are put under cultivation, especially with irrigation. In the case of the Merced hog-wallow soil, the poverty in humus is obviously attributable to its ¢ hard-pan’ nature, through which, in its natural condition, the mold remains on the surface, and is “ burnt out” by the sun during ‘the dry season. The thriftiness of such soils would doubtless be very much increased by plowing unde: some green Crops. As to retentiveness of moisture, there are but two soils in the list that fall below the limit usually decmed desirable. One of these is the white plains soil south of Fresno (No. 704), and the other is the salt-grass soil (No. 700) from Kern. The latter is-notably deficient both in humus and clay, and what moisture it does retain is probably partly due to the alkali present. In the Fresno soil, considering the amount of alumina shown in the analysis and the humus present, the moisture absorption is unexpectedly low and in urgent need of being raised by means of green-manuring. It will also be especially advisable that, wherever the crast of hard-pan underlies the soil at a depth of less than three feet, that impervious layer should be broken up or through, in order to enable the roots to seek for moisture at the depths allowed them by this very easily penetrable and deep soil. This great depth of soil, which is observable more or less over the whole of the San Joaquin valley, is of the atmnost importance with respect to the permanence of productiveness ; for the soils being mostly very pervious and loose, and the water-table, even where irrigation is practiced, quite low, the plant is enabled to draw for its food upon a much greater mass of soil than would be the case where the latter is heavier and perhaps richer in plant- food but less easily penetrated by the roots than are sandy soils. In the case of the San Joaquin soils, moreover, examination shows that much of the sand is not quartz, but pulverized rock still in process of decomposition and soil formation. Soil No. 77, from the land left by the recession of Tulare lake, presents a peculiar phase of the ‘ alkali soil” question, which is discussed more in detail on page 69. The results of the mechanical analysis, given on page 83, show this soil to be within the limit of moderately clayey ones, and, considering the large amount of lime present and the uniform a Report of the California College of Agriculture, 1879, page 35. om at ER BIL WARN 5 2 TE ERI TE 30 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. distribution of sediments, it ought to till well. The chemical analysis, so far as the chief ingredients of mineral plant-food are concerned, shows the general composition of the soil to be excellent. The amounts of potash and phosphoric acid are equal to those of the most productive soils of the Yazoo bottom, and the large percentage of lime should insure thriftiness. But it is evident, from its alkaline reaction and the large percentage of soda shown in the analysis, that it contains enough of true « alkali” to interfere seriously with tillage as well as with the welfare At the same time the solution formed by hydrochloric acid showed the want of aeration in giving an of vegetation. inferences are corroborated by the observations made by the owner of the tract, indication of iron protoxide. These1 that wheat made some fine ears on the upper part of the levee, where, of course, the rain had washed out some of ended that the land be given a full the alkali, and where also the air had free access. It was therefore recomm dressing of plaster to neutralize the carbonate of soda, and that it be well and deeply fallowed; but a subsequent investigation having shown that the water of Tulare lake is not available for irrigation on account of an excessive percentage of alkali of similar character, the reclamation project was for the time abandoned. Considering the great native fertility of this soil, the reclamation of the wide belt of similar land that surrounds the lake and is constantly widening by its recession, would be a matter of great importance to the state, and is well worthy of further experiment. Success is, of course, dependent on the command of an adequate supply of irrigation water, but whether from King’s river or from artesian wells is a question for future determination. Taking all the evidence of possible productiveness in this portion of the great valley, the importance of utilizing fully and economically the water resources of the adjacent mountains cannot easily be overestimated. TULE LANDS. This is the name applied in California to all lands, whether littoral or inland, bearing as an important ingredient of its vegetation the tule or rush, which, of course, varies in kind according to location near to or remote from saline tide-water. In the coast marshes the tule is prevalently the rush properly so called (Scirpus lacustris), while the tule of the fresh-water marshes in the upper portion of the delta of the Sacramento and the San Joaquin, as well as in the upper portions of the courses of these rivers, consists largely of other species, notably the cat-tail rash (Typha). All these lands are, of course, subject to overflow, and need protection by levees. The surface of the marsh lands is covered with a matted mass of roots from one foot to several feet in depth, in all stages of decay, the lower portion being in a peaty condition, and sometimes available for the manufacture of peat. Occasionally this mass is afloat, so as to rise and fall more or less with the water; in most cases, however, a solid sediment soil of high productiveness underlies the roots at a moderate depth. The prevalently bold and rocky coast of California presents but few and small marsh areas outside of the great valley and bay regions. On San Francisco and San Pablo bays the tule lands do not differ materially from the salt and brackish marshes elsewhere, and their reclamation is effected by similar methods. Passing Carquines straits, however, we come upon a wide expanse of marsh in which the water is fresh, or only slightly brackish in the lower portion. These tule lands constitute here the delta of the two great rivers of the valley, whose numerous sloughs and creeks form an intricate network of meandering channels, through which only a practiced native can find his way to a definite point. They form a large body to the northward of Suisun bay, and then, after narrowing for 10 miles to a width of 3 or 4 miles, they expand to a broad belt, which covers the western part of San Joaquin and Sacramento counties, and thence continues northward along the Sacramento river far into Colusa county. To the southward they form only narrow and interrupted belts along the San J oaquin river until we reach the basin of the upper valley, where long belts of tule lands, 5 or 6 miles in width, extend northwestward and southeastward from Tulare lake, and also form a broad rim around that lake itself. The tule lands of the Sacramento valley differ in several important points from those of the Tulare basin and of the San Joaquin valley generally. The latter are mostly strongly tainted with alkali, and on that account are somewhat dificult of reclamation, although of high fertility when reclaimed. The more abundant rainfalls and drainage of the Sacramento valley practically obviate this difficulty in the case of the northern tules, the sole question being that of drainage and the exclusion of overflows. The soil of the Sacramento valley tules, when reclaimed, is mo with the fine river sediment, resembling so closely the soils of the adobe belts, now create the presumption that the latter indicate the areas over which tule swamps extended in ancient times. At high stages of water in winter and spring the tule areas are, as a rule, submerged to varying depths, the exception being the singular ¢ float-land”, of which tracts sometimes several acres in extent rise and fall with the water occasionally as much as 3 and even 4 feet, serving at times as a place of refuge for cattle. In such spots the matted mass of tule roots and decayed stems is found to Le from 8 to 12 feet in thickness, with no solid bottom, but simply water immediately beneath. They are chiefly found in the lower portion of the San J oaquin delta. Where the round rush or tule (Scirpus lacustris) chiefly prevails solid ground is commonly found immediately ‘weneath the mass of tule roots at a depth varying from ‘18 to 24 inches, and sometimes even more. In the dry climate of the region these roots decay very slowly, hence, where of great thickness, they are frequently set on fire during the dry season; their ash serves to still further enrich the underlying soil while at the same time 683 stly of the character of adobe, mingled more or less largely above overflow, as to PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES 31 e 1 a S 0 1 1 1 9 1 ’ C 9 ¢ [¢ i i i this ash the first season and t “e it tr i a an N trodden in and the ground compacted by sheep, and in favorabl els oar f g ha acl ed the enormous yield of 80 bushels per acre ic sults could not fail to excite great interest in the recla iC he been fives in Josey and draining large tracts, especially in Se vy ature ure of these lands renders irrigation unn ; i overflow be excluded, and 0 y : GfiosSATY, sain cfops on them are ® ide rs hp Fi anon) best in seasons when, from want of moisture crops yoni " ¥ 18 Sometimes experienced in levee building from the lack of material of Senin suffic eig to resist the buoyant pressure of th i J e water, which will not P purpose, but has occasionally floated the loves bodily down A De TIREY the (Tl dr Rien vs me lie i or os gL sine for cultivation the tule lands serve dur 5 » and more or less at all times, but i i i nota a . 3 Ss especially during winter, a . on ( sae md ein which often commit severe depreda oe br : oe a fe 0 flemile water-fowl II I horton portions of the northern tules that have been eA Tr Eh ; Vis Ready, Sherman Beornar. YP rasa ol the Sacramento, viz, Union, Roberts, Staten Bede Ie ‘ By an, a ndrus. On these nearly e y tle *I, hough an cultivated : and ; ; y every product adapted t i i We be tn oy b expectation, human health on reclaimed tules is I Aug A Sete e some points, notably on Suisun bay : i tter than on the and the road-bed of a : y on Suisun bay, there appears to be “nob » branch of the Central Pacific railroad crossing this marsh has bob I Pips, S ag; n disappeared The following description is from Mr. Sherman Day, formerly of Bacon island: of the tule lands, and much capital has quin and Sacramento counties. Since the ing the dry season as an eligible’ pasture dwt Pyaitand tis Machu Sian subnowa depth, perhaps from 7 to 10 feet, 8 y y hard sandy bottom would be reached { SOTSNY wales : \ ached at from 24 to 28 feet fi oo! bo at of he Sartce: but in rainy seasons it stands within from 1 to Ls ae i round bulrush land is characterized by th Se] sobis EN tfiiko heey s : y the large woody or corky roots diffused th rus ef ja Sen yeslay dls jag roots, there are sometimes the st’ll larger roots of the pond eg oa hes Salles Serva YA 20d glasngt 5 Safer i 3 vk Sy of the corky roots. The seepage water is usually about 3 foet below the oe f hie gay of a toaper Sati fe el op 20 wo soil Sut known. Furrows are run in this 4 or 5 inches deep, and bie Sw he BEvSfsiel frei zonis the re and burned down very evenly to the depth of the fi i a BH fadisure. Tiss the heavy tule roots and checks the growth of ee D The rr —— 2. WE PT shssous ws 4 be ok or it ie ddan in by bands of sheep. The ashes leach about enough the Jou fe See rineipal function the first Er. Sl ayuTar oan 4 Year seems to be as a mulch to shade the soi i ; A ade the soil during the early growth Jee plant ol thestedd, rst roots take hold of the black soil, the blackbirds pull ) 8 sown under the ashes are usually very abundant, having seatesly any ttn Spite jum Bs oe the : . Sometimes g The coarse bulrush and underlyi ying sods make b it float-lands decompose more readily. g e but little but at 10 feet the hard bottom is not reached, only progress toward decomposition by mere exposure to the atmosphere; the > ; The tule lands of the upper San Joaquin valley ha bites stated, on account of their which, however, doe y i i oi y] ow War, us wr pest So Bernas the Siarjeles and name of adobe. Much of the land now being laid yun ) exuberant native fertility, as is s is gi Se hs Musson are Inkess.of V, as is shown by the analysis give ¢ 2 ), be made practically productive only by the neutralization and partial ES To alngs 3» S000 Ry ve bo as yet been reclaimed to any great extent, partly, as acter. e soils mostly contain a large amount of coarse sand ha ’ Small tracts so reclai y - insti i aimed have fully justified in their production the presumption created Ly the analysis. The THE FOOT-HILLS OF THE SIERRA AND NORTHERN COAST RANGE. The western slope of the Si e Sierra Nevada mountai WL a ains embraces a belt of country falling in i SS tagenrat de Massa, Neuwadio less than 500 feet at the border of the great Sinai A Sl x ; rom 90 to 70 miles on the , y 7a doadhin, aa va ! ) ( e north and center, but becoming very tks uel y b Deseo i Deli madinys along the foot of the mountains, and from 4,000 a ey 000 Js i eristics of the Sierra range in its hi i niu, paverstss 0 of g ge in its high, mountainous, and extre y < Ys gh 5 Norstope usalbad as a subdivision of that mountain region, The ants 0 | a ue ithe WL vl o. “ i feet down to that of the great valley, is distinct in its topogra x i file STi Xen , is that to which the designation of Sierra foot-hills has been given lic I ay Wa the ae Sinan Yonifiiiey around the head of the Sacramento sally in Tehama count 8 1ge Joot-hills, which, from similarity of soil, may dered a Y maton Shs fous of Got tang Joo ii ’ larity of soil, may be considered as continuing in a ese -hills of 70 I ttl foot-hills of the two ranges of mountains are estimated to cover an area of The Sierra belt has a wi : ab - : width varying from 30 to 40 mi about 11,700 square miles » J 1 we 11 AE her ae a ; . YTS DAITOW, HA0ally GOL g niles from Shasta southward to Mariposa county, and thence is miles, widening in Kern ‘minati i i SAFO: loupiy ’ g , and terminating, with the Sierra, against the (Coast range near 689 Eat ee mea SNe ERE Smut rs ar A a..’- Sa SY et gt EG OR EL wim g | i “ | § IEE 7 xe A RL REN 32 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. The following counties and parts of counties are included in the belt of Sierra foot-hills: The middle arts of Shasta, most of Tehama, eastern parts of Butte and of Yuba, the western parts of Sierra, Tuolumne, and Mariposa, small strips along the eastern edge of ard from Mariposa through Fresno, Tulare, and Tejon pass. and southern p Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus, and a narrow belt southw Kern. The fooe-hills of the Coast range occupy a broad region in the western part of Shasta and Tehama counties varying in width from 10 to 40 miles; but in the western part of Colusa county it suddenly contracts, and southward to Cache creek, in Yolo county, its width varies from 6 to 10 miles, and often less, while still southward to the bay the hills occur as outliers to the Coast range. While more or less adapted to all the products grown in the v growing region, and probably will be still more noted in the future, including, very successful culture of the vine. alley, the foot-hills are now noted as a fruit- especially in its northern part, the THE FOOT-HILLS OF THE SIERRA. would pass from the Sacramento points: 3 miles east of Chico and the foot-hills and the great valley theastward to the following principal 10 miles east of Marysville to Rocklin, Placer county, ly following the county-lines, via Knight's ferry and A line marking the separation between river, north of Red Bluff, in Tehama county, sou and a short distance west of Oroville, Butte county ; Folsom, Sacramento county, and thence southeastward, near Merced Falls, to Fresno county. This region is watered by many streams, th great valley, joined by many small tributaries from the region its or valleys between the hills, they have, as a rule, but little bot to floods during the rainy season, these lands ave often not available for farming purposes. been more fully described on pages 19 to 21. The foot-hills of the Sierra are properly divided into three separ topographical and lithological as well as in their agricultural features. north, a granitic region adjoining this and also on the extreme south of the foot-hills, and a cent region, the real foot-hills of the eastern side of the state. These subdivisions are best described separately. TIE AURIFEROUS BELT, OR FOOT-HILLS ion of the Sierra is known as the gold belt PROPER.—The foot-hill regi of the state, for here most of the mining operations have been carried on and the greater part of the metal has been obtained that has given to the state itsp rominence in this regard. . The gold-bearing rocks comprise a belt of from 10 to 95 miles in width, reaching from Butte county southeastward into Mariposa, and embracing metamorphic slates and sandstones. North of the belt these rocks are covered by lava beds and other volcanic material. : gold region, beyond Mariposa county, e granite as we go toward the Tejon. he south and a constant incre and descending lower down its flan in about the latitude of Owen's lake.— much broken, and very sparsely populated; the western is ted to cultivation, contains nearly all of the population. read before the California Academy of at cross it from east to west in their course from the mountains to the elf. Cutting their way, as they do, in narrow caiions tom land, and even then, because of their liability These streams have ate and distinct regions, differing in their These are a barren lava-bed region on the ral or auriferous the slates almost cease to form a continuous belt, and In fact, there is a gradual decrease in the width of the ase in the amount of metamorphism displayed, the ks, while the crest of the mountains Report Geological Survey of California. In the extreme southern portion of the they are more and more encroached on by th tion proper from the north toward t granite occupying a larger portion of the mass of the Sierra becomes more and more elevated, its culminating point being The eastern part of the region is well timbered, thinly timbered, but, being less broken and better adap The following description is taken from a paper by B. B. Redding, esq., auriferous forma Sciences : At the northern end of the valley, chrysolepis, and Douglasii, of the California oaks ; of pines, only and chamisal (ddenostoma fasiculata). (a) This is the characteristic a at an elevation of 500 feet above the sea, are found Quercus lobata, Sonomensis, Wislizeni, the nut or digger pine (Pinus Sabiniana) ; the buckeye (Lsculus Californica); rboreal vegetation throughout these 350 miles. Its presence ased rainfall over the valley and similarity of temperature to that of the valley. Our pasture oak (Quercus lobata) but always on moist land or near river courses, proving that it demands, in addition to temperature, the increased moisture. In the southern end of the valley this vegetation prevails at higher elevations, because it there finds the proper temperature and moisture. Wherever on the foot-hills any of the trees named constitute the predominant arboreal vegetation, it is evidence that the temperature is the same as that of the valley, and that plants that can be successfully grown in the valley can be grown to as high an elevation on the hills as these trees abound. If one tree were to be taken as the evidence of this uniformity of temperature, it would be Sabin’s (the nut or digger) pine. It is never seen in the valley or on the hills below an elevation of abour 400 feet. It is not found at a higher elevation than that in which the temperature is the same as that of the valley. Itisnever found in groves, but singly among other trees; yet it prevails throughout these 350 miles of foot-hills. While the vegetation is more dense on the hills at the northern end of the valley, due to increased precipitation, there are alsolocal differences, where there is similarity of soil, due to exposure. Throughout all the lower hills the greatest number of trees is found on astern, northeastern, and northern hills, which necessarily are more moist and cool. The southern aspects contain less £ the sun and to the full force of the prevailing winds. everywhere shows incre is found at lower elevations in the valley, gently sloping e trees, because exposed to the direct rays o ns, tomentosa) and the manzanita (Arctostaphylos Andersoni, punge hould be added, in the northern portion especially, the latter more particularly a To these 8 notably C. crassifolius, cuneatus, and thyrsiflorus, several species of chaparral (Ceanothus, where it is so abundant as to serve for fencing). 690 to the ‘southward, PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 33 Every agricultural product st that can be grown in th i these foot-hills. Ordinaril grown in the valley, includiug the semi-tropi i : , arily the lan . emi-tropical fruits, c: ’t its western face of the Sierra the n Sua Ligh ag 2 the trees found upon it, and tires as go ny a Jus] Dallay in These lands are found to h ‘ oil or barted down, are fapidly replaced aon ue Whale ! ave all of the requisites for y replaced by a new growth of the i oii the Jade of the vallov, WN ; quisites for the successful growth of orch: i same kinds. ] v. None of the muny theotic orchards. Fruit trees thrive he having ample rainfall se ; y theories advanced as to the cause of i tier upon them than em to b irolv sat : e of the trecless i : artificial aid on lands that i e entirely satisfactory, but experience has demonstrated th sondition of many blaios 10 Pairing ands that in a natural condition are covered with trees. ®l that orchards grow best and thrive with less . ’ ! The increasing ex i ports of small f) S as strawbherr and their superior size and quality oY awe blackberries, and raspberries, from the vicinity of of the valley. The peaches of ir oh 3 4 : region is better adapted to their culture than any ben ? vousne and Auburn, ‘ gg : a have a stall reputation for fla i ret found on the level I: size, taste, and keeping qualities t P r flavor and size. The v evel lands o the best imported fr : e apples of Nevada and G stow Los Angeles. The vine ar st imported from Oregon. The Oroville or and (reorgetown are equal in . grows with lnxuriance and b ville oranges have been prono 2 of Coloma have more thy and bears abundantly wherever it has b p unced equal to the best of ) an a local reputation. Pe A » has been planted throughout all thi i from the earthy taste that . : . Persons competent to judge assert that wine fi 1s region. The wines y tas characterizes much of the wi ge assert that wine from grapes grow . : is to be made in California as li he wine of the flat land of the valleys. : grow on the foat-lils'is fres 8 light as that from the Rhi valleys. They also express the beli i the foot-hills, where sno - : e Rhine and as free from alcoh Y 25h exploss the holief elit if over Whi w falls : iis A : cohol, the ora . : . the valleys develop thre IW Iii a) Torun fn the ground a few weeks each SOUND be = oy . Hs Geom in the higher elevations of atter in the grape, which, by ferme ee nat e long summers and great he In Butte county ‘ : : by fermentation, is converted into ale greatheat of nty the line separati CR : o separating the foot- Tr , : being not only undulating, but broken nd i OL he great valley is well defined, the surface of the former eastward the soil is sai — arren, and with an abundance of bowlders. F e s said t y : volvivivie § > owlders. F . . mostly destitute of trees po x i and volcanic in character. All of the lands of the in r the first 8 or 9 miles In Yuba county the and on the hills barren, those of the valleys being best suited fo ho RR red and gravelly, a county the country near the valley is at first rolling As or cultivation. brushy to the eastward. The soils of the west 4 li Yelling, but it becomes more and more hilly, rocky, : adapted to fruit trees and vines. TI » western part are chiefly red and pebbly clays, and on the low a il wo bu into Placer, where they are the et Ee red lands reach across Nevada county, interspersed id i Pon hy pesos ain Boilon p os i ing soil on the broken hill country from the foot of the Si E mrapisie lands, In the counties soutl 1 th 1e timber growth is white, live, and black oaks buel ph Dh bepor J y: 3S S nward t e same oeneral fi « 7 « Dy sKeve, and chaparrs 1 : Sh ou oy : S¢ : eatures are seen: : or aparral. an oak erowth. ris A » are seen: a low, rolling ¢ ' : > Sin into " 2 A ard . 9 n countr S a oy Yip Le a reddish or ie urn more heavily timbered hills toward the Sierra Wo, ig eyo wid ‘ oY EARZLIR le ‘ 3 Li 2 MN de Lumbering is the chief ro lm ever, only in the valleys or on the low hills of the in The wir ig timber growth the following an je eastern part of these counties, and as a matter of yan of fhe belt. The timber belt of Mount o bl act from a letter of a correspondent of the San Francisco Bulletir une fhe . - of Mount Diablo paralle ok : in 1s given: straggling oaks on the bluffs, which on, CIB ges on the Stanislaus river, 40 miles east of Stockton, 1 Birey a larger size and become more numerous, es : : 0 150 feet above the water. As the rock-bound surface ’ : . Fo y the appeutance of sight, vutil soncling Clits on USySipeciully in Somessed locations, where deposits of soil Have alias Tes these trees attain digger or nut pine begins t » 18 there an average of over one acre of well-timbered surf: nade. Inuoiplace within : gins to appear, interspersed among tl ; 1 ered surface to the square mile. At Chi ) of mountains, near the middl ng the oaks. The surrounding hills hav . : . nese Camp the e and rounded top of whi . g hills have before this begun to as ; Columbia, 16 miles, there i p of which this tree may clearly be disti : ? gun to assume the magnitude hie , there is no materi ance i gl y be distinguished in the dist: > : 2 occasional appearance of Sabin’s pine 18] nage in the sylvan vegetation, except an Herasinn Shedivanes Pron Chinese Campo upper foot-hills of the Sierra, 60 ules The ; By be considered the starting-point of the great pile 2 t a Pine growth, with an is in patches; to the northwest it extends Da om east limit of this range is said to terminate at Yosemite ”y I y Meh OXIeN vast 10 the commencing at an altitude of 4,000 feet, th 2 regon. Besides the pines, cedars occupy a prominent po wy 5 elo which fle timber black oak is interspersed in mod , they gradually increase in numbers, till in s position in he syiva of tls bel; persed in moderate quantities among other trees ’ ome spots they have precedence of all others. Th . prominent feature in the t opogra ‘ of JVircoDhed lle ond ie g : pny of Amador, Calaveras, and Tuolumne counties is the occurr Delt: tava dows from the Sierra te $ well as deposits of other volcanic material, the remains of ae Ober river, has a length of about 30 oy Fegan, . Table mountain, rising some 2,000 feet above Tse Te ; : 8, its flat top being from 1,20 : : lsians county y there is a vast . ’ g m 1, 0 to 1 800 feet d ) accumulation of calca : wide. At Texas Flat, T : > ¥ reous tufa formed . , Tuolumne empty ing into the Stanisl v med over the auriferous gr: i 3 J 41 S ns » . . . . ” av , ¢ ¢ tufa are found the bones ora: hide It rises In picturesque cavernous cliffs oe gtoast al J gu : eth not only of tl coral reefs. In this horse and othe : y ie mastodon, elephant, and ‘ OF to : us I mamma ‘ ’ ant, and other gigantic In Mariposa So i ler with land and fresh-water shells Bigantic aoiwals, bat also of the e foot-hill region is n i ils 1 done. a af Slug : arrow and its hills i : Be Sl of the hills is a reddish clay, while the valleys are Sl i dillsbie, hongh but little farming is NITIC REGION.—A be ani : : 1th a dark loam. southward through Butte Yabo 2 2 granite having a width of about 10 miles reaches from F : of Sacramento, near Fols a : Y po "iy and Placer counties into El Dorado county and the north thar ie ] . evada county especially this . rtheastern corne the chief belt passi : y especially this rock is very ab : or assing a little east of Grass s 9 ery abundant, outcropping in larg large masses and in weathered Hof Seen vill, northward by San Juan, to Feather river Pgh ag . 1 N lV 0 TS te v . MT & ‘ y 1 is broken into the rounded hills charact § ig to sangy and gravelly lands, while the surface of th Phe granite appears occasionally in s le eristic of granitic regions. Southward in other counties f: one RN dali $ I 4 as 1: S ar S Still southward from Mio Fy . bells, and outcrops among the slates and metamorphic we f the ; lg . 8 e limit of the foot-hills it i as is of the foot hill sla es ok . -hills it is the prev . ao j S. ate, which, with its occasional capping of Tertiary sands ] 1 ev ailing rock, with a bordering narrow belt of with send g y sandstone, gives to it a brok : > eto sand and gravel, ’ a broken character, its valleys being covered REGION OF LAVA ; | BEDS.—The lava -@ ; : county, reaching also far northward a beds cover nearly the entire foot-hill region north of Feather riv across the Sierra region to the Oregon li i oF 11ver, Butte g ine, their western limit being the 691 “Shasta county, between Cow and Bear creeks, the hard lava gives DAE RA 34 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Sacramento river. The region is described on page 62 as a subdivision of the Sierra mountain region. The lava the plains below being also covered with volcanic beds are said to terminate not far from the river in abrupt edges, fragments. The streams have cut their way through the lava, in gorges some 200 feet deep, into the Cretaceous beds that underlie it. The surface of the lava bed is usually destitute of vegetation and of soil of any depth. In place to a broad plain of volcanic ashes, which and, as yet, hardly eroded into canons. is said to be almost destitute of trees and bare of herbage, ation, though some of the streams have a little fertile Very little of the entire lava region is suitable for cultiv bottom land. ; In Tuolumne and adjoining countie prominent feature of those counties. They s there are other tablelands and hills of basaltic lava, which form a are described in connection with the Sierra mountain region. THE FOOT-HILLS OF THE COAST RANGE. Assuming the Sacramento river to be the dividing line between the foot-hills of the Sierra and those of the Coast range in Shasta and Tehama counties, we find the latter region occupying a large area in the southwestern and western portions of those counties, the maximum width in Shasta being about 35 miles. Its surface is rolling and broken, interspersed with many small valleys, and is but sparsely timbered. These hills are too broken for cultivation, and the farms lie chiefly in the valleys. The soil is mainly a red and gravelly loam, and when under cultivation yields good crops of grain. The higher valleys are mostly devoted to grazing purposes. This region is well watered by many streams, which, rising on the Coast mountains, flow eastward into the Sacramento river. In Colusa county the foot-hills become more and more broken toward the foot of the Coast range, and are partly covered with an oak growth and partly with laurel, manzanita, and chaparral. The cultivable land lies chiefly in the several valleys among the hills, viz, Indian, Bear, and Cortina, with lengths of from 10 to 30 miles and widths of from 2 to 5 miles. Their soils, largely red and gravelly loams, are partly under cultivation.- In the southern part of Colusa county the region flattens out, but in Yolo county it rises into a belt of low, rolling hills, which reach eastward to within 3 miles of the railroad and southward to Cache creek, and even beyond, to within a few miles of Woodland. Its width is about 4 miles, and its soils are mostly dark and gravelly, with tracts of red lands. Fairview valley, on the west, a ** hollow” some 2 or 3 miles wide, separates it from the Coast range. On the south of Cache creek the foot-hills become a very narrow belt, reaching to and a little beyond Vacaville, Solano county, and embracing a region south of Putah creek known as the “Vacaville fruit belt”. Southward still to Suisun bay there are but a few low, isolated hills to mark the termination of the belt. : The Vacaville fruit belt is about 12 miles long and from 1 to 3 miles wide, embracing Vacaville and Pleasant valleys and foot-hills, and is limited on the south by the Montezuma hills. These valleys open out into the Sacramento valley, and their soils are chiefly dark loams, with some adobe around the town of Vacaville. A portion of the region is in what is known as the thermal belt of the Coast range, lying a few hundred feet above the plains and above frost limits. The hills are partly timbered with scattered oaks, buckeye, etc., and where not too steep are, with the valleys, very largely under cultivation. Soils of the foot-hills. The following analyses have thus far been made of soils of the foot-hill region adjoining the great valley. While no systematic exploration of the region has made it possible to select the samples advisedly and systematically, vet it is probable that the main features of the “red soils” are represented within the list: : No. 559. Red loam soil from near Redding station, Shasta county, collected by Mr. N. J. Willson, of the Central Pacific railroad. This is a moderately heavy red-clay loam, with some gravel and but little coarse sand, which probably is somewhat heavy in tillage unless when just in the right condition. No notes regarding this soil have reached me, but it is stated to be the representative soil of the region around Redding. No. 705. Red chaparral soil from a few miles west of Anderson, Shasta county; sent by Mr. George A. Moore, of Anderson, who states that this land is covered with a dense thicket of chaparral (Ceanothus) and poison-oak, with some small oaks and other brush. Depth taken, 12 inches. This soil is.of a deep orange-red tint, and is quite heavy and cloddy when dry. The lumps cannot be crushed with the finger, but soften readily with water, and then show a considerable amount of coarse sand to be present. No. 706. Subsoil of the above, taken from 12 to 24 inches depth; similar in aspect to the soil, but more clayey and less tractable, the clods also softening when wet. Mr. Moore says that “about 4 feet from the surface there is such a compact mass of clay and gravel that water does not penetrate over 15 inches from the surface”. No. 499. Red upland loam soil from near Wheatland, Yuba county; a stiffish, glaringly orange-red loam, forming the soil of the undulating uplands and stretching from the foot-hills several miles into the valley, and but little above the general level of the latter. This soil tills easily when taken in the right moisture condition, but plows very cloddy when either too wet or too dry. It is chiefly given to pasture and wheat-growing, and yields from 15 to 20 and sometimes 25 bushels of fall or winter-sown grain in good years, and in poor ones from 11 to 13 bushels per acre, but never altogether fails. It responds very kindly to summer fallowing, and in its natural condition has little else than herbaceous vegetation, with some scattered poison-oak bushes. No. 51. Red surface soil from the foot-hills near Auburn, Placer county, taken 12 inches deep; sent by Mr. N. S. Prosser, of Auburn. Original vegetation, oak (©. Douglasii), pine, and chaparral. This is a fair sample of 692 PHYSICO-GLEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 35 the red soil of acer mines i¢ i pi) 2 he n oes hes, Thin seems to contain a small amount of gold everywhere, and has been washed 1 sca ‘er since the tirst discovery of gold in Californi is of 8 : ornia. It is of a dark orange color, r: ri i tillage and pulverulent when dry, formi | har Hy . ry, forming a very fine reddish dust of i A \ considerable repute. It contai En yy epute. contains throughout te, more or less deco "all si i i y 8 mposed, of all sizes, and is us i ! rag ) ually underlaid by the same os ho , wiv depth, rarely less than several feet, unless lying on steep slopes 2 HR No. . Red loam i | i , a ( soil from the foot-hill slopes near Lagrange, Stanislaus county. Vegetati Ct timber (mainly blue and white oaks), with little or no underbrush json- a EC 1 save some poison-oak; also grass and flowers 8 rate vy, glaringly orange-red loam, tilling : : : y ora ; well unless when very wet, contai i y and is not much in cultivation, save i i ts dial A i en : ) ¢ in gardens in this neigh 1; 4 v frui 3 a ghborhood; makes fine vegetables an: fruits. Sample No. 191. Red foot-hills soi < i OT 2 ” Joe po hen FRomiles nor of Merced Falls, on the Lagrange road, Merced county ; depth 1 . avy brownish red-clay soil considerably mix i , tion : : ed with gravel. The natural v ati is grass and scattered ¢Dblue” oaks, chi ” . ; ion , chiefly pastured at present, but capabl i : e of Io or iN ¢) 3 3 when! per acre in good seasons and with good tillage. J Nw 0. 196. Red grav il fr i Ta Fog Qrseany sot) Shou the rolling ‘“ hog-wallow” country about eleven miles north of Merced city, on TS ply yon 0 oom) : A represents a rolling tract of foot-hill country extending sonthwosiwd ; S » . . 3 . . - * . ; Ta hal ya 2 a ly attening out, terminating near the railroad between Atwater and Merced SE ie io o the iilltops, is deeply scored into “hog-wallow ” mounds, separated by a maze of a ey fea fia fas 9 and sometimes with cobble-stones. In low, undrained places of this tract lies the a A f wa No. 1, from Tulare county (see pages 27, 28), may be taken as representing the best oat 3 . 2 an at Blealivaieh at present; but on the flanks of the ridgy tract lie lands like g i . o/ « . 193, pages 27, 28) where grain-culture is very success : Is NII ] y 28) g ture is very successful. The country is treeless and Soils of the foot-hills region. SHASTA COUNTY y Prac STAN : y NTY. UBA COUNTY. LACER STANISLAUS | COUNTY. COUNTY. MERCED COUNTY. NEAR NEAR | NEAR ELEVEN | WHEATLAND. AUBURN. LAGRANGE. MERCED FALLS. (LILES NORTH | | OF MERCED. | REDDING STA- 5 . B TION. NEAR ANDERSON. NEAR | . R iL. Red chaparral Red chaparrs | y To ii ” ren A 2 ed soil soil. | i . Red-loam soil. Hea fonthilis ; Red foots Red foot dlls Hog wall OW 3 oll. i soil. No. 559. No. 705. | . 706. No. 499. No. 51. No. 190. | Fo. i 63.384 | 5.480 | 63. 104 | 78.789 { : SE fining | 55.02 4.710 3.803 Jras19 75.852 79.078 0.417 | arr] I 4.506 5. 544 0.052 | ih 2.29, 0.352 | 0.375 0. 205 Wi | Gi ! 0.035 | ; | 0.126 | 0.125 0.111 288 0. 327 1.021 | ) 1.544 | 0. 351 0. 394 0.207 fii 351 X. Brown oxide of manganese 0 ol | 3 wo i 0.471 1 0.720 | 0. 840 0.361 Peroxide of i an ¢ +029 | 0.018 0.031 | : aia E01: + evicnmnescnssnnns k 7.705 6.263 | 5.811 . oa 4 Wi 0. 033 is X | Z Phosphoric acid .............. | a5 14.448 17.434 6.283 97 | 9. 864 8.804 | : oe Ee 8.047 0.064 0.043 0.091 | 0. 067 | : -001 . 067 | 0.053 | I C a | . i 0.074 0. 043 0.019 0. 362 0.221 0.082 . 680 . j . Of | . { i 3. 644 | . 3. 766 : 5. 060 4.143 } 6s. 864 6.904 }82.502 : | o » $77. 858 } 84.022 99, 614 | 100.731 | © 100.570 0.715 0.712 0.758 0.448 | 0. 467 0.533 5.421 6.1'4 4. 967 15C.0 15C.0 15 C.0 Available inorganic ............... | Hygroscopic moisture absorbed at The above analyses show that the soi i le y ran flor 2 JREiyes Show iid the soils of the foot-hills are more variable in their composition than would be icra) seat 1k Je " Rank oF eh Woeatanes viz: a high orange-red tint, arising from the presence of . of finely diffused iron oxide (ferric hydrate), and a texture varyi a ET I : y ), and a texture varying from that of : Y, with more or less of rolled gravel, at ti i a oy Rh ag: ; g , at times to such extent as to impede ‘ ely packed as to render cultivation un i i age, and op j ; profitable. Their cap: bi Hohe is in all cases fair and adequate, and in some cases high. “DUTY HE Li Roan} Hoy 9 las i aly Jdeqnaie for ow heavy soils as in the case of those from Shasta county. In thatfrom g , and should be supplied where thriftiness is desired, and the s: : aE Wine evi and should be sap f s 18 desired, and the same would be advantageous ¥ he lime percentage increases, being high i i i i, g ases, being high in the region froin Wheatland to ge, but again comparatively low in the foot-hills : i es wags ; I y -hills and hog-wallow ridges of Merced county. iddle region to fruit, and especially to gr: i da i : eg » specially to grape culture, is doubtless connected with . ) potash is only moderate, and in some cases low for s i i yoo ) : ’ ases low for such heavy soils, as in Nos. 499 and the case of the soil from Redding, the higher potash supply offsets, in a measure, the deficiency in lime. 693 ter a EE TY re EAE rik Ear Si py ——— = en. 3 i —_—_— RTI SA — ~ WE TPL ES TANT 36 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. As to the supply of phosphates, it is on the average quite low, being deficient especially in the Redding soil, and likewise, considering its heaviness, in the Anderson soil. In the latter case the use of bone-meal, recommended by me to Mr. George A. Moore, has resulted iu a surprising improvement of production, thus proving the: correctness of the indication furnished by analysis. The soil in its natural state failed altogether to produce remunerative crops, scarcely giving back the seed sown—¢about one and a half tons of hay on six acres, and potatoes at the rate of about one-tenth of the bulk planted”, as stated by Mr. Moore. The use of lime would doubtless still further help the thriftiness of this soil. From the small amount of humus shown in the anal s a subsoil rather than the arable soil itself, and it may be In the sample analyzed the phosphates are d uence of the presence of so much lime res will be desirable in that region. est of the foot-hill soils thus far examined, having a large supply of phosphoric acid, with plenty of lime, a fair supply of potash, and a high percentage of humus. The analysis shows good reason for the high estimate in which this region is held for the production of fruits, grapes, ete. The soil from the Lagrange foot-hills is not quite equal to it, but still it is a high-grade soil. That from near Merced Falls, No. 191, ranks somewhat lower, being very gravelly and having a smaller supply of both lime and phosphates, while the soil of the “hog-wallow?” ridge, No. 196, ranks still lower, on account of a deficiency in potash. To the southward, in Fresno and Tulare counties, lime is again on the increase, as is indicated by the character of the valley soils and the occurrence of limestone in the foot-hills themselves; but no analyses of soils from these southern foot-hills have as yet been made. It is thus evident that there foot-hill lands, and that, while the gre ysis of the Wheatland soil it seems probable that the that in the latter the phosphates would eficient, but the productiveness would, and the greater lightness of the sample represent show a higher percentage. for the time being, be maintained, in conseq soil. Before long, however, phosphate manu The soil from Auburn is altogether the b are considerable differences and alternations in the character and value of the ater portion is probably of fair to high quality, especially for fruit culture, there are tracts requiring manures from the very outset. Such can doubtless be recognized by an attentive observer from their vegetation. But my own observations, as well as the reports thus far received, are not sufficiently extended to determine what are the characteristic plants of each. In view of the great uniformity of these soils to a depth of 15 inches or more, and their usually somewhat stiff character, deep and thorough tillage is indicated as of especial importance in their cultivation. Soils of the foot-hill valleys.—As even the apparently uniform red soil of the foot-hills varies not inconsiderably, the same must be true to even a greater extent as regards the individual valleys within the region traversing belts of widely varying rocks. While it is true that the rivers of the Sierras most frequently emerge from the hilly country through narrow gorges or cafions, yet not inconsiderable areas of valley lands exist among the foot-hills. The following analyses were made originally with a view to a comparison between the original soil of a valley and the slum, or “slickens”, that has overrun the same; but they are equally interesting as showing the wide divergence of the soil of individual valleys from the general average, whether of the foot-hills or the great valley itself: No. 67. Mining slum soil, sent by Mr. J. Taylor, of Mount Pleasant, near Chinese Camp, Tuolumne county, December 16, 1877. The soil is a fine, cinnamon-colored sediment, deposited from the washings of the hydraulic gold mines of Chinese Camp and Montezuma. Some of the lumps in the soil were very hard to pulverize, yet most of them yielded to pressure between the fingers. No. 68. Valley adobe soil, sent by Mr. J. Taylor, o soil, now underlying the «mining slum ” soil (No. 67) at a depth o f Mount Pleasant, December, 1877. This is a black, clayey f 2 feet, and was quite fertile. Soils of the foot-hill valleys, Tuolumne county. { Mining Valley | slum soil. adobe soil. | : | No. 67. No. 68. 72.98 56.61 | 0.19 0.19 0.21 0.14 1.19 0.68 2.32 13.74 Magnesia 0.08 Prown oxide of manganese 0.08 Ferric oxide 9.30 | Alumina 10.55 | v.48 ! |" Phosphoric acid 0.08 | Sulphuric acid 0.03 0.01 Organic matter and water 0.07 Available inorgani 1 PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 37 The slum material is rather poor in the two most i i : acid, and it wi wld ost important ingredients of plant-food, pota i is as yet dn pogo a sy refractory in tillage for some time. In Wan and ion Hnuceglons objection after having Deel td eeming feature, the large percentage of lime, will enable it to overcome this No. 88 is a very remarkable : Yop Yegeniio growth for some tiie. Cam soil dint ra boson SS in more than one point of view. On the whole, it is not dissimilar to the axonpt us vogurds the hums y © » as regards the essential ingredients of plant-food it is no richer than the latter Tat i SOE Le 5 ae hehe: the nitrogen and proportion of available plant-food. For the Llite Plies & Wah call or han the slum soil, but ultimately both would be about equally durable, while eas of ign i respect. The unique feature of the adobe in this case is the extraordinar ails ve probly 4 1 dl ee ams all cultivable soils that have come under my notice heretofore Both wise oF tiie adobe. bean Sb far oe ially from the same original source, but the magnesian rock-powder Nas in the he analests a ae po eomilesed by atmospheric action as to render its base soluble in the acid ased in A comparison of this ¢ Sl pos the magnesia has doubtless remained in the insoluble part. Wiens. song Sodio m hs sediment with those previously discussed (pages 27-29) shows that there must S elimont of he SAAT sgriemlium) value of the sediments coming from different valleys; for if the general slam coming from some of Wi rich, despite the incoming of such materials as the one last described, the to any moderate extent, when by ar aordinary richness, and a benefit to any lands covered by it uselons for tha pirpose of the am y the floods of gravel that render the richest materials practically The sediment No. 67 now covers th igi i ey 1e original soil, No. 68, to a depth at which the latter is practically out of THE SOUTHERN REGION. The territory embraced in this division i territory division includes porti 3 i 3 i gi i in all a little more than 15,000 square he A Hn Dhan The region subdivi ally i vidi nl lier hr ey Supers ino 2 division embracing the Los Angeles and San Bernardino plains, the gg oem Cael, a a division embracing the rolling hills, mesas, and interspersed v | " are bordered e: y i i fora A eis d eastward by the high and rugged mountains of the Sierra Madre, The promine a 3 ion i i is ent Sate theseuilien region is the San Bernardino range of mountains, which, rising suddenl ol 2 Jevition 08 in 4,000 to 6,000 feet above the sea, separates the coast belt from the i ¥ Yi Jo . 1e Sierra Nevada mountains, in Kern county, it trends southeastward he Prossndy divi Lessin am LRN the northerly one continuing nearly to the Colorado river and gradually fallin Begioviy ot) he oii ies 4 aciite range; bending southward, and, with a diminished height, passing out oo Hhestais io Ng i ay a8 : i is Rios. altogether treeless and uninhabitable, has a width varying from fev § iles, and forms an almost unbroken barri i 3 peat Geseny on hs east and the agricultural valleys of the coast region A o the westw % i ing inal : as i 3 i the mountains decline in altitude toward the coast, and are interspersed with ws sa i a 24 $ and penetrated to a distance of 75 miles eastward from the coast by the broad * RUrleq UT Redion hae 8 the Los Angeles and San Bernardino plains. The higher mountains, those that lie We Lik Bun, bern 2 range, are partly timbered with oak, cedar, pine, and fir, while the lower ranges are Hoy bie Sain om a opes and caiions being covered with a chaparral. This division is watered by EORIO% Hains devi Westny i dato fe ocean, mostly without any great length. Of these the San Gabriel and Santa y geles plain, and the San Jacinto and San Diego rivers, in San Diego county, are the largest 9 . LOS ANGELES AND SAN BERNARDINO PLAINS. The large agricultur: i ing i Sues ie —— gion reaching inland from the coast, and bounded on the north by the high Sierra SAIS Or Sn ar men a range, on the west by the Sierra Santa Monica and others, and on the east DIL stm aun Dy " Hine ¥ a 2D by the Santa Ana mountains, covers an area of nearly 2,000 square miles. Its SSeanialung dhe cops i ous 4 2 n i though broke. by some mesa lands and hills. Northward it reaches about bo a Sania din ap oy | Co 0 t e mountains, whence it extends eastward for 40 miles in a belt of from 5 to 20 bo ond ah, wi ea i Nardin valley, and westward into the San Fernando valley, its entire length east ev 5 bony 2 ht 2 i Iz iy ided properly into several large valley regions: the San Fernando valley he dr J ited ] ig 1e coast and Los Angeles plain by the Santa Monica mountains; the Los Angeles hehe ee 5, hd Ie ) I e const from the latter mountains southeastward and inland to the high ranges, and ‘ abriel valley; and the San Bernardino valley, forming the eastern extension Bg a Se op 1 "NE parated from the coast on the south by the Santa Ana range of mountains 695 a — ee Ee mn a i Sate SA - To Ra Ty 38 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. n area of about 200 square miles, and has a length of 16 and a width of tat h a gap into the Los Angeles plain. It is watered 12 mile beco ning €e w on the ea whe i open throug . very narro t st, re it 5 0 : : inf 8 hh The by he Tr eS ot other streams from the mountains disappearing before reaching far into the v A Oo 5 i 7 ctus, the soil being very sandy. i i iv a heavy growth of brush and ca ’ yo surface is rolling, and on the north of the river there is avy g A A i I Along the river there are alluvial loams, while the lands of the rest o OT on ol northwest and light on the south, with alfilerilla, clover, Sages ion ka a ) lands are under cultivation, the chief crop being Sot gen) } or a Ma an pe i is us divide the Los Angeles # : A a a “moist” 1 1 levated from 5 to SO feet above the sea, interspersed plain, the former embracing a belt of low and ‘moist a oe dot ssi a Ta ? . . ~~ " e C A i i land for 15 or 20 miles. w sandy ridges, and reaching In : ‘ a ke Sr he lains, and valleys on each side of the prominent headland that sep Se i 5 ge Le d sl is covered with a low and dense growth of sumac. The surface o e Polio ay SS LE wid -e broken, with low ridges d San Pedro bays. The seawar Er ee aig ie - rises inland, and is mostly undulating northward to the hills, Where it hecamey TO yy Lo a or tablelands. Along the northern border of the plains the Sierra 2 e on wi sipitously ik the south to a smooth, sloping plateau from 1 to 5 miles wide, whic wi a A song the base of the mountains through Los Angeles om an i ¢ ne : ! » . . - i * i e S ' 300 fe p nd is evidently composed 0 ; om 100 to 300 feet per mile, anc : : a8 a iy ho es yes. From the Los Angeles river to the line separating the two counties ho ry Spivie 8 pis Ay huis of red loam, compact and deep, containing considerable gar WR yr SE the leading characteristics. In Los Angele ) 8 ay granitic sa sravel, and bowlders are the leading : 03 Al on Bann Do he ys ft rl - vertically to a lower bench, along the rim of which large springs burst f t ; iu Dy valley, with no perceptible division separating it fone ey y : i y nd sveamore along the streams The country is without timber growth, except some willow, cottonwood, oa 3 gamer 2 vi py osm: Eo ion i . diversified in its agricultural features a ands, se » region is greatly diversified in its ag | featur 3s thosoh hd : both dark and red in color, occurring ii irregular tracts, large and 3 av * . ) YO The mesa or tablelands are chiefly red clayey loams, more or well as in large bodies west and southeast of many places bre . 0 in general it slopes directly to the interior proper. and sumac on the plains. varieties of sandy, gravelly, and clayey loams, small, and gradually passing one into the other. QS -, gravelly, : sometimes rocky near 11 lark loams, usually reddish, predominate. These loams are sandy, ges a, and ny a yy 8 ah igor while i 2 tions they are usually heavy, anc S88 i i » tracts, while in the lower portio ¢ 3 the hills and upon the higher ts, § pot tiousihon ate us true adobe, a large body of which lies in the La Paense Vv ley ou Eo ns bia ; i . atures is the coast plain or * alkali land: gion, ; Hpies An Oni itis nast, RERTRIGS £0) me i tate encineer’s office, this region extends from : ; wording to the records in the state eng 0, southern coast of the county. According ersoilien DE of%; he St) south of Los Angeles south to the coast, and southeast along the shore nenly ie b Ding i 4 n 2S wn oR - tative iy oot - ridees ’ 2 pv ath of from 6 to $ miles. The surface is partly flat, partly rising ito low sandy i 8 huis She wh ao y le s or swales of alkali lands proper. The soil is usually a mouse-colored or Solin 1 iy 8 IE by y V4 7 N IN ) « . SEs sali FPIRR - > “2 w He ot : A small scales of mica; it has little vegetation beyond the alkali grass” ( Sri : ) ithe bow RE | ; rac effects » alkali. ac not produce well unless special means are adopted to counte ae the effects o edt ower Pore i F the state, its moist lands needing no nriga a g larg i i » state, its moist 1a g ! in i sorn-growing region of this part of the , plain is the corn-g i ions of the ¢ y ably on the San SR a number of other tracts of alkali land in the higher portions of the county, not ably 0 ¢ ere are . : no iel riv t of Los Angeles, and on the north of the Santa Ana mountains. ; tele ota CR IE l oO th orth is the San Bernardino range of mountains, having an altitude o ardino valley.—On the nort Be a \ av i TR Salus } oe east a low range of clay hills, having for their summit the divide of tl y 2 i SD io 7400 Bets i ills; and the west a high mesa, forming the wes vn on the south a low range of clay and granite hills; and on : gens vn phn Pe Lote creek. The surface of the valley presents a gently undulating or level plain, g o- a (NSLE soma ; x : 3 3 3 ry Le yr . v % Pills from the Santa Ana river, and in places is studded with trees. The soil is a gy ‘ oy i Lyi Gif in the center of the valley, becoming more and more sandy as the hills are appro . sti 3 a id to produce and on other plateaus or mesas is red and clayey in character and of great depth. These lands are said to p as much as 35 bushels of wheat per acre, and are pre-eminently adapted to fruit-growing. THE SAN DIEGO REGION. nty was difficult of access and little known to the gone :» No systematic or even somewhat full description of the interior region has thus Rr heen gin opin ony Pulte ag what follows is compiled {from many sources and cursory statements not always agreeing i can publication, and what Jy of the Los Angeles plains is, along the coast through San Diego county, rol hg i ae i hay ed with mesa lands and valleys, and is almost entirely treeless, comparatively litt sof ha SGIewHL og Ds iti A Be Inland the surface becomes more and more broken and hilly for about 30 files , i an with ” elevation of about 3,000 feet, lies to westward of the high San Jacinto range. 696 .Until quite lately all but the coast of San Diego cou { PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 39 mountain d.vision is about 40 miles in width, though varying very greatly, and is a continuation southward of the Santa Ana mountains. It contains extensive tracts of good farming lands in the valley like table-lands that are inclosed between the main mountain ridges and is said to be the best ‘agricultural portion of San Diego county. Wheat, barley, oranges, grapes, ete., are among the products. Along the San Diego river there are narrow valleys that are among the best farming tracts of the county. Of these Cajon valley is perhaps the most noted, and may be taken as a type of the others. Itis about 14 miles east of the city of San Diego, and, as its name indicates, has the appearance of a great basin 5 miles long and 4 miles wide, walled in on three sides by mountains, northward by rolling land, from which the San Diego river escapes through a narrow caiion. The surface of this valley is comparatively level, and treeless except along the river, where there is a growth of cottonwood, sycamore, and willow. The soil is a sandy, gravelly loam, largely under cultivation. A descriptive pamphlet issued by the San Diego chamber of commerce says of the county : The following is the picture presented to nine-tenths of the visitors who approach this county by way of the coast: Hard, gravelly table-lands, either barren or clad with a dreary black brush; rolling hills of gravel, bristling with cactus and cobble-stones; stony slopes, scarred with gullies and washes; no trees, no streams, no springs; the general barrenness relieved only by a few choice little valleys and a few tracts of good table-land. Looking inland, the visitor sees only swell after swell of bare hills looming through a dreamy haze and terminating in a high range of dark blue mountains on the east. The farming land, however, lies scattered in a thousand shapes all over a tract about 100 miles long and 70 wide, the greater part miles away from the coast, and visible only after many days’ travel. Beginning at a point along the southern line of the county some 25 or 30 miles from the coast, and running back to the crest of the mountains bordering the desert, thence north to Temecula, is a belt upon which the rainfall is nearly always double, often triple, that of the country along the lower coast. Along this belt lie Valle de las Viejas, Cuyamaca rancho, the Julean hills and valleys, the Santa Ysabel, Mesa Grande, Warner's rancho, Guejito, Bear valley, Panma, Smith’s mountain, and smaller valleys too numerous to mention, with some large tracts along its edge partaking somewhat of its general nature, such as the Santa Maria, San Bernardo, Rincon del Diablo, etc. Upon the main part of this belt crops are as absolute a certainty as in any part of the east, and though subject to many of the causes that shorten crops in the east, such as unfavorable weather for ‘‘stooling” or “filling”, ete., they never suffer from drought. All through this section fruit is raised in perfection without a particle of irrigation. * * * Tlie average altitude of this belt is about 3,000 feet, and it covers about one-third of the country west of the desert. Near Temecula this belt divides, one branch running off toward the high mountains on the east, the other bending off to the west, leaving the great plains of Temecula and San Jacinto, with all their rich lands, subject to the general uncertainty of the rainfall of all southern California. These plains often have as heavy a rainfall as the above-mentioned belt, but, as about once in three years they fall short, they cannot be included within it. The eastern branch of this rain-belt runs into a country in which bare, rugged, and dreary hills are the general rule, though there are a few fine little spots, such as Oak Grove, Bladen, and Aguauga, and some large valleys like the Coahuila. A section of this western rain-belt, embracing Fall Brook, the greater part of Santa Margarita and Santa Rosa, running all the way to the coast at Las Flores and Forster City, and really including within its limits the Vallecito de Temecula, Monserrate, and the whole San Luis River valley above Monserrate, along with Paimousa and mount Fairview, has less rain than the main belt, but in the driest years the precipitation has never fallen below 73 inches. Fully three-fourths of the arable laud in the county is alluvial, either washed from the ancient streams or lakes or from the hills, and free from rock or clay immediately below the surface; and on three-fourths of the rest the rock or hard-pan is too far below the surface to do any injury. The adobe, or California clay soil, one of the richest and strongest in the world, but one that requires much water at just the right times, is here comparatively rare, most of the soil being alluvial and very loose. Timber is abundant throughout the river bottoms and in the mountains, willow, cottonwood, and sycamore prevailing on the former. Soils of the southern region. The lands of the inland valleys and mesas are characterized mostly by soils containing a large amount of gravel and coarse sand of a brownish or reddish tint. They are cominonly distinguished into lands of the first bench, or bottom lands of the streams; lands of the second bench, forming either at the present time or originally a system of terraces elevated from 135 to 25 feet above the bottom lands, and still readily irrigable from the headwaters of the streams; and, finally, the mesa lands, lying at higher elevations and with no definite relation to the present drainage system, and not ordinarily conveniently irrigable from the streams, but dependent upon sources of supply lying high up in the cafions. Of course these distinctions are not absolutely maintainable, the second benches and lower mesa lands passing inte each other imperceptibly, especially on the upper portions of the streams, while again, in the lower portions of the same, the second bench lands often lie high enough to be classed as mesas. On the slopes of the mesa lands the soil of the latter and that of the bench lands are frequently commingled. It is to be regretted that none of the important soils of the “cienegas” have as yet even reached the collection of the College of Agriculture. Of those of the coast, only a few samples from the swales impregnated with alkali have been received, and these have been examined in respect to alkali only, as hereafter noted. The teddish-gray soils of the San Bernardino valley are represented in the table of analyses on page 40 by the soil and subsoil from the neighborhood of Pomona. ; ; OU7 Re 3 rh 0 < a a ranch, in the San Gabriel valley.” |i | Kg iy pon NE Te REPEC IT nr A 40 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. No. 130. Surface soil of the second bench of the San Gabriel valley, Los Angeles county, taken from Alhambra «A fair sample of the heavier class of soils pear San Gabriel, December, 1877, by Mr. J. De Barth Shorb. : Color, dun or brownish gray, showing at once a good deal of small gravel and coarse sand. This soil lies higher than that on which the older orange orchards of the valley are planted, but the tree seems to thrive equally well on it when given sufficient moisture. Nos. 382 and 381. Soil and subsoil from Pomona colony, Los Angeles county; taken respectively to the depths of 12 inches and from 12 to 32 fiches. The soil and subsoil scarcely differ in appearance, and are a reddish at rather sandy loam, easily tilled; natural vegetation, alfilerilla, clover and malva (A. borealis), and some * Poona (Astragalus Menziesit); produces about 25 bushels of wheat and 10 tons of alfalfa hay per acre when irrigated, an is well adapted to cereals and fruits. No. 47. Surface soil of mesa land, such Diego county. This sample was taken by describes it: The change of tint from surface average from widely separate places, but with the same kind of soil. is very retentive, and is of a clayey nature. ; ] i is esa” soil the > valley s he San Diego, Sweetwater ‘The orange, lemon, and olive seem better adapted to this ‘‘red mesa soil than to the best valley soils of the San go, § ) Otay, or Tia Juana rivers, a larger growth and earlier fruiting being invariable on the mesa. All the northern fruits, except perliusy the ee . : ry y 1 ‘ O 1 ‘ ’ r aste i fg cherry and plum, are produced on it in the greatest perfection, the flavor of the apple and peach exceeding any I have tasted in northern Try { , are : California or in the east. The soil is of a light reddish-brown tint, rather coherent, and apparently some ER soil No. 130, which it otherwise greatly resembles, containing, likewise, a considerable amount of visible gravel. No. 506. Bottom soil from the Colorado river between El Rio and Yuma stations, San Diego county; a silty, pulverulent soil of a light buff tint, dry lumps but little coherent, changes color but little in wetting, but uname slightly plastic, showing some clay to be present. Unchanged to the depth of several feet; samples Ga inches depth. This soil bears a heavy growth of mesquite trees, in low places arrow-weed, and on the rio i e a great deal of creosote plant (Larrea Mexicana). Cultivation has not as yet been attempted here, but has been very successful lower down. as forms the larger part of the arable land in the southern part of San Mr. F. A. Kimball, of National ranch, San Diego county, who thus soil to subsoil occurs at depths varying from 11 to 25 inches, and the sample sent represents the The underlying subsoil varies in thickness from 2 to 10 feet or more, what heavier in working than Soils of the southern region. SAN DIEGO COUNTY. Los ANGELES COUNTY. POMONA COLONY. ; 1 » . . oi | Soil of San Gabriel Soil of mesa land. om So valley. ; ; olo | : Low mesa soil. Subsoil. Insoluble matter Soluble silica Potash | Soda Lime. ..... eres tems ANSEL SERN HARASS TSMR ORL Magnesia Brown oxide of manganese Peroxide of iron Alumina Phosphoric acid Sulphuric acid Carbonic ACHA. .o.veeeeeeenrranrrenssoeresanaacisearanccacarnnnes Water and organic matter | Total Available inorganic Available phosphoric acid .......oeiinniieeriinimaerinns nnn it sia | Hygroscopic moisture 50a | ro absorbed at 5C. 5C. 2.370 While the first bench or bottom lands were the first cultivated and rendered highly productive by irrigation, the second bench lands seem to be scarcely inferior to the former for fruit production, at least, when properly irrigated. No. 130 was selected as a representative soil of this kind. Its potash percentage is rather low, but it hes a good supply of phosphoric acid and lime, and its easy tillage and great depth, offsetting its somew hat low retentiveness of moisture, render it a very desirable soil. It is to be regretted that no analyses of mesa soil from Y ion are as yet available for comparison. oe Les Alsons judging from the great similarity of appearance, be taken as representative of a large area of similar lands in the San Bernardino valley. The soil and subsoil are a good deal alike in composition. 698 PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 41 Both have a large supply of potash and lime, as well as magnesia, and both are poor in phosphoric acid, the soil even being remarkably deficient, and the supply apparently increasing with the depth. The supply of humus is very small, and its increase seems to be among the first needs of the soil. It must not be forgotten, however, that the surface soil in these dry regions is really of less importance than the subsoil, in which the roots must remain in order to be secure from the drought and heat. Evidently such land, while capable of high yields at first, will soon need phosphate fertilizers for continued productiveness. i The mesa soil from San Diego is of excellent composition in all respects but that of being somewhat deficient in humus, a fault easily remedied in cultivation. It is richer in both potash and phosphoric acid than the Los Angeles soil, but its smaller proportion of lime detracts somewhat from its advantage over the other. Considering its great depth and its large supply of plant-food, it is certainly of high promise, and would amply repay any reasonable expense incurred in its irrigation. Where convenient, this soil, especially where it is of the heavier kind, would be benefited by a moderate application of lime or marl. The soil of the Colorado river bottom is certainly a highly productive one, easily worked, and not liable in case of overflows to suffer from wet, being quite light, notwithstanding its large percentage of alumina shown by analysis. It is a highly calcareous soil, containing, as it does, over 16 per cent. of carbonate of lime, partly in concretions, but mostly in a finely pulverulent form. Its potash percentage is very high; yet there seems to be no trouble from alkali, as the soda percentage is quite small. Its supply of phosphoric acid is fair, though not large for a bottom soil ; the humus percentage is likewise small for a lowland soil, yet adequate. It is therefore likely that whenever the water of the Colorado river shall be made available for irrigation these bottom lands will yield rich returns for cultivation. It is worthy of remark that in this case the whole percentage of phosphoric acid is extracted with the humus, showing that it is entirely in the available form. Alkali soils of the Coast belt.—The level or gently undulating region lying adjacent to the coast, as before mentioned, possesses a dark-tinted loam soil, characterized by a large proportion of glistening mica scales. The higher portions of these lands are free from excess of soluble salts, but the lower lands or ¢‘swales” intervening, and running usually down to the sea-shore, show more or less ¢ alkali”, and will not grow some crops at all on that account. Three samples of soil of this character have been sent for examination, with the results given below: Salty soil from the coast flat between Anaheim and the shore, sent by Mr. Charles D. Ellis, of Anaheim ; said to be fairly representative of the above tract, which is flat, and appears to be underlaid by brackish water at a depth varying from 4 to 6 feet. In low spots it is often covered with a white crust, and seeds fail to germinate there. The soil is a dark-colored sandy and micaceous loam, with a well- marked saline taste. Qualitative analysis showed simply the ingredients of sea-water. There is therefore no antidote or remedy but those usually applied to coast marshes, and the term ¢‘ alkali” is improperly applied in this case. Alkali soil from near Corvallis, Los Angeles county, sent by Mr. S. G. Baker, secretary, on behalf of ‘New River Grange”, December 6, 1876. This soil is reported as occurring in streaks over a considerable district. ‘Nothing seems to grow on it except salt grass. Common mallows and corn will vegetate on it, but not mature. Fruit trees rot at the roots, and willows at the bark. Beets seem to thrive when irrigated, but when not irrigated grow very small, though much sweeter than when irrigated. It appears to be the earliest of our soils to get dry. 1 have subsoiled it 2 feet deep with little benefit. * * * A small patch, highly manured with cow manure, has been greatly improved. Another small patch, coated 4 inches deep with sand, will grow good corn.” Brackish water is found at the depth of 10 feet, and a plentiful supply of good artesian water at 450 feet. ‘‘In most cases the land lies well for drainage.” The soil as received is of a mouse color ; a light, sandy loam, glistening with particles of mica (as seems to be very generally the case in that region). It yielded to water 1.62 per cent. of saline matter, which, in 100 parts, consisted of— Per cent. ‘Chloride of sodium (common salt) Sulphate of sodium ((ilauber’s salt) Carbonate of sodium (sal soda) Sulphate of potassium Phosphate of calcium (bone phosphate) The amount of soluble salts in this case is very high, but probably represents the worst cf its kind, taken from near the surface. "The neutralization of the sodic carbonate by means of gypsum would doubtless afford partial relief at once. Alkali soil from Westminster colony, Los Angeles county, sent in April, 1877, by Mr. W. G. McPherson, as chairman of a committee on alkali soils appointed by Westminster grange. A dark gray, rather sandy soil, glistening with particles of mica scattered throughout the mass. The letter accompanying this sample makes the following statements in regard to it: ‘This soil is taken from Westminster, Los Angeles county, about 5 miles from the ocean, and near the center of a tract of about 30,000 acres now occupied by farmers; and there is no farm of forty acres but has some of this kind of soil, or something similar. * * * Tbe sample sent is of medium strength, varying from it both weaker and stronger. * * * It is a little too strong for barley, but beets will grow on it under favorable circumstances. The subsoil is apparently the same, only growing looser (sandier) downward to the depth of from 4 to 10 feet, where tough blue clay is met with. Above this blue clay is permanent water (faintly brackish), and below it, at a depth varying from 60 to 200 feet, is a bountiful supply of pure artesian water. Now, if yon can give us a remedy that will render this soil available, you will be conferring a benefit upon a large number of people.” . The partial analysis of this soil yg as follows: Soluble salts in the soil, 0.54 per cent! These salts were composed, in 100 paris, of— Chloride of sodium (common salt) .., Carbonate of sodium (sal soda) Sulphate of potassium Carbonate of potassium (saleratus) nro py Se eats amt EE er SCS - TT ——— TA SC ——— — rT = : bor Tue wR gaa Ta tes Rie a Le — EN RE TI £0 A AR SR IY LE RAS BBE A IR 42 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA ‘ i ‘ : i tage i soda i alkali explains the energetic action of so small a percen hich percentage of carbonate of soda in this ka in en nN was neal that a dressing of 900 pounds of land plaster per acre should be given before rains or irrigation. The following report 1s eloquent as to the results: : RS : Shi : od GF A 4 J I took one-tenth of an acre of the sane soil from which the sample came, irrigated it, then sow 4 Dan bi 1 prob J Done : 3 ry Sy or 6 inches deep and sowed 35 pounds more, then harrowed and planted with corn. Whore he Yi ho ts ~ « ’ : ) gs | , : 'n, Q 3 est ground, it was the strongest in alkali; but w § X good stand of corn, although, being the lowest ground, as the ain se 18 noi & ol Eg i, more than half of the corn came up. I replanted, and only halt’ of that came up. Jn f 1 dow A a i ns a a y ¢ icorously, and has a good color. 1 think the failure on the drier part was caused by there not being : Ee on jr fe Ribs) iw wy : i ; since sh experience of the 2 . i y "his crop subs ly sd well; and since then muce P : : in contact with the gypsum. This crop subsequently ripene wel; ee She BOO Oe cies of he I Of course the presence of water to enable the chemical reaction to occur is absolutely ntial. oe. : if 1 (11 Y 0S A . application will, of course, vary under different circumstances, and especially according to the nearnes : : : eq. HYDROGRAPHY.—In view of the fact that the availability of the high i | hydr y S liscussion of these dependent upon 1ts topography and hy drography, a separate discuss ’ : >is BD toa te, Cy ; state engineer for 1878-79, is here introduced o nn The higher interior mountain range is drained by three principal streams, which reak 110 > bo Ee inde \ silent outlets to the sea; i. e., the Los Angeles, the San Gabriel, and the Santa Ana rivers. 'T hese are . ye Ee pe ’ y Go Ce : 7 : i : wnriee » whi A ioin them before reaching the Coast range, but in their further course to the sea they Rogers no 514 Ya ae “ So During the rainy season these streams and their tributaries are dangerous torrents, A oy oh gl er hl " ta inl ari volume and with great velocity, carrying a mass of bowlders and gravel far out into the valley. oh g et | y I'IsSC 1 aree d b, Se ts SE EE oostoe Mich: wor i : i 1d dwindle to nothing, but that their supply is maintained by springs v 1 as they rise, and during the summer would ¢ 8 ro: i minating the Santa | ica range, to the city; fron nahn A les river traverses the San Fernando valley, emerging through a gap terminating the Santa Many. A Td 3! > ye a oo all . \ asions does the water find its way entirel] i i i p shi ry 3 Vy mly upon rare occasions does § } y below the city the river bed is broad, shallow, and sandy, and only uj Sb I Te to the sea, but is absorbed by the thirsty sands. The streams that empty into the San erna alley dE J *e Nth - A ? o : “ reels Pe i : rapid fall and, on reaching the valley, spread out into broad washes, whose b posed g o « y , tt © ea : ov entelivare flood they flow entirely across the valley to the Los Angeles he r, but in inset fhe ase ee. iti 5. The I: irri df is river are confined chiefl) y vieinit) ; ) Be from sight in the porous channels. The lands irrigate d from th ig EA A A Uskitid Th water of San Gabriel river, except in flood, is seldom more than sutlicient to fill the Yo 2 2 as a v . f the i rail -. leaving the broad rocky be » stred i i * the canon and divert all the available supply, leaving } ea ae ‘hich head directly at the mouth of the caiion anc | euvingihie Mont 30 a et pi or 12 miles, when the water begins to reappear in the channel a short distance below the bridge o {het RA Ai : : i D i ar avi i pe 0] ( ATS } sed. 2 pri wint the river has two distinct and diverging channels trom 1 to 5 miles apart, having inde penden A f th #4 ame there are nuinerous springs, the water rising at a nuinber of points along thei course, i a x he Tee 0 he on : ) Ae : J v - foe t We 8S * os is derive Dy h ) dorian substratum of clay underlying the whole valley at a depth of a few feet. From these spring shiorsieuemtgitus juths ns S1sziinie alien. I ild and precipitous cafion over a bed of loose bowlders, in which the greater Thea river e 8 AT 2 tains through a wild and pre ous ci § : Wide ely 6 20 Moan 1e Santa Ana river emerges from the moun g a y lp x aaiatine Po of its volume is lost Wefore reaching the valley. A few miles lower down the water begins fo Tis buy ne Ny a ditch leavine a dry bed for 4 miles to the mouth of Warm creek, where the ie receives a fey HL which drain into the river. di os : PN { ith a succession of ciel > i i Thence > ast ri » the om lands are saturated with a suce gas, ak rv Bernardino basin. Thence to the Coast range the hott m ld ¢ ah on shaver er conatins Between the Coast range and the sea the river supplies water to several large canals ) wv LL « Tt « | out inte a broad hed of quicksand over 1,000 fect wide. : ‘ith reference to their system of irrigation. They often cover The cienegas of these two valley regions are an important feature with referenc 10 4mm ii TO Bigot weownts many acres of land each, and have a thin layer of peat or moss, sometimes several feet thick, o ¢ ay i A Sig « 1 S a LL] « : ic Teds : ' he Wg the free flow of its waters, and blind-drains and artesian wells have been ese io nom PLONReRs: wh dine | h i i i : stant reliable than that of the natural s ns The supply furnished by these springs is much more constant and relia § I SE A when irrigation is most needed, is probably greater than that from any other source. In the i ping ae oh of the plateau between Arroyo Seco and San Gabriel river, furnishing water for the irrigation of t io) ar- i oy hard ies Reon Vasa of the ‘ San Gabriel fruit belt”, there are no less than 18 distinct cienegas 1n a distance of 3 miles, eac g i vi rater irrigati ‘om 20 to 400 acres each. : ct oaqbl wales round and supplying water for irrigating fro sine alioh a HGRA A 8 In the ter of the city of Los Angeles, on each side of the river, on the lower bottoms, are cie qg : Tae voix iy y : ion fi the stream. West of the city, at the foot o J y the supply apparently coming in from other sources than the percolation from the tream. Be Oru 17 next the sea-coast, there are large cienegas covering several hundred acres, from which issues Be lo Ee a I i a large cienega, which supplies water for 440 acres; total volume, about 3 cubic feet per Second : Te Tus (vo are the largest of any in the southern country, and furnish the greater portion of the Shier Sop) o lane principal ones are near the town of San Bernardino, and cover an area of over 2 Wir eac I Srpusie y i ge cien i rom 25 to 30 cubic feet per second to the volume ol The st é Rie 005, dns shoe som shonosts, MAIR en Ic 2 - iw fist nible to estimate the duty done by each. In the coast valley there are rie inseparable is impossi eh. ln The streams and cienegas are so inseparable that 1 ito | - 3 : : ot used for irrigation. many large cienegas, which, aside from those of Bellona creek and the San i BER 0 Und ng Se toads iit inal : i 0 ird great source of water y for irrigation is derive i . Artesian wells.—The third great source of water supply for irrigati RR A AE NE A ap rai southern California is that running through the coast valley of Los Angeles, having a | gH OF A A ls he al explored, of from 22 to 12 miles, the total area being about 300 square miles. The rivers mentioned cr ine the fact that the wells having the strongest flow are adjacent to the channels of these streams seems 3RuieH SS at these wells is that which has disappeared from the streams above and Beselatil hokwas) aan BS i ssure by which it is forced agai surface through the outlets turnis 3 g S. ; lis} give the head or pressure by which it isforced again tothe surface t g Pr. x20 th Ai Sua from 50 to 530 feet, the nsual depth being from 150 to 200 feet. The number of wells De it a about 1.7 cubic feet per second ; some of them irrigate from 100 to 200 acres each, though awe iy ib i he a RR 38 go one. It is found that as the number of wells is increased the flow of all is diminished, Showing be & ; SD gy oo ye ron Some of the wells on the higher land have since gone dry or ceased to flow; others flow v only in spring time. 2s d by the rising of subterranean waters to the nding it, for which it is almost exclusively used agricultural lands of the region is entirely taken from the report of the eds are composed of bowlders, ; rs ly emerges from the wountains and sinks a Cienega is a Spanish term locally applied to a swampy or boggy ground cause surface. The word cienega always implies a spring and the marsh or moist land surrou in this section of country. 700 PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 43 been noticed in some parts, that, since the boring of so many wells, the level of the surface water in the adjacent country above has gradually lowered ; some of the cienegas on higher levels have also diminished in their flow. Flowing wells have also been obtained in other localities north of Los Angeles, and in the upper San Gabriel valley as well as in the San Bernardino basin. The depth at Pomona is about 160 feet, and the temperature of the water is 67°, winter and summer alike, while that of other wells in this southern region is but 62° F. A singular fact in connection with the Pomona wells is that by capping or uncapping any one of them the flow of the others is increased or diminished with regular pulsation. In the San Bernardino basin artesian wells are bored rather for domestic use and small garden irrigation than for general agricultural purposes. The area in which flowing wells have been obtained, as at present defined, is confined to about 30 square miles, within which are the large cienegas and sources of Warm creek. The natural gate, outlet, or. drainage of the valley is in its southernmost portion, where the Santa Ana river passes between two hills of limestone, or rather what was once apparently one hill, since cut through. At this point the “bed-rock” is near the surface, forming the valley of San Bernardino into a complete and large catchment basin for the water-shed of a very large area of country, the main channel of drainage being the Santa Ana river. The soil of the valley, as far as pierced by artesian borings, shows it to be mainly granitic in character, stratified by alternate layers of clay, evidently swept in from the country east and south. Borings to a depth of 150 and 200 feet frequently pierce a bed of vegetable mold, proving that the valley has been filled up by gradual erosion of the surrounding hills. The estimated number of wells is from 400 to 425, and their diameter from 2 to 8 inches, that of the greater number being 2 inches. The shallowest wells are 80 feet, the deepest flowing wells 380 feet, the average being about 160 feet. The deepest well in the valley is 410 feet, and has a diameter of 7 inches. Vegetable matter, consisting of decayed tule roots and pine wood, was brought up from the last 60 feet. THE DESERT REGION. The area included in the desert region is nearly 35,000 square miles, embracing the largest part of Inyo, the southeastern and northeastern corners of Kern and Los Angeles counties respectively, all of San Bernardino except the southwestern corner, and nearly all of the eastern half of San Diego county. This desert, known as the Colorado desert or basin, reaches far eastward into Arizona. On the west it abuts against the foot of the high Sierras, and on the south against that of the San Bernardino range of mountains, both rising thousands of feet above it. The larger part of its surface, as a plateau skirting the foot of the mountains, lies at an elevation of 2,000 feet above the sea, and is comparatively level, though broken frequently by isolated ‘short ranges and peaks rising a thousand feet or less above it. In its center there is a large area which is not more than 1,000 feet above the sea, and in Inyo county a still smaller region, known as Death’s valley, sinks to some hundreds of feet below the sea. Coahuila valley, or that portion of the desert included between the two prongs of the mountain range on the south, is mostly below 1,000 feet in elevation, a large portion sinking below the sea, Dry lake, near Dos Palmas station, on the Southern Pacific railroad, being said to be some 500 feet below this level. There are scarcely any streams through the desert, except along its border, where they flow from the adjoining mountains and soon disappear in the sands. Mojave river, which gives its name to the northern desert region, is.the largest stream, but after flowing from the San Bernardino mountains for a short distance out into the desert it suddenly disappears. The desert is described as a sandy barren waste, interspersed with salt lakes and alkali tracts, destitute of all timber growth except occasional tracts of yucca, small nut pines, and juniper. It is, especially on thie south, subject to very frequent and severe sand-storms, which not only cover the lands of the region with deep and shifting deposits of sand, but often blow through the passes, and, with their lighter sands, greatly annoy the people of the agricultural valleys on the west side of the mountains. A few miles southwest from Dos Palmas there is a broad valley, bounded by ranges of hills of hard-baked red clay, called the ‘Chocolate and Coyote mountains; and in this valley is the dry bed of a lake 40 miles in circumference, which is nearly 60 feet below the level of the sea. This great basin is separated from the dry beds of a number of creeks which appear to have once been connected with it by a level plain about 5 miles wide. Nearly in the center of this plain there is a lake of boiling mud, about half a mile in length by about 500 yards in width. In this curious caldron the thick grayish mud is constantly in motion, hissing and bubbling, with jets of boiling water and clouds of sulphurous vapor and steam bursting through the tenacious mud and rising high in the air, with reports often heard a considerable distance. The whole district around the lake appears to be underlaid with this mud, as it trembles under foot and subterranean noises are heard in all directions. Hot springs and sulphur deposits are numerous for many miles around this lake.— Natural Wealth of California. DEATH'S VALLEY.—The following is taken from Cronise’s Natural Wealth of California : This valley, according to observations made by a party of the United States boundary commission in 1861, is sunk 400 feet below the level of the sea, while but 70 miles west of it are clustered a number of the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada, many of which are from 12,000 to 15,000 feet in height. For 45 miles in length and 15 miles in width along its center it is a salt marsh with a thin layer of soil covering an unknown depth of soft gray mud, a large portiou of the basin being covered with an incrustation of salt and soda several inches thick. The surface is usually so soft that a man cannot travel over it in winter without difficulty, it being impossible for animals at any season to cross it. With the exception of a few clumps of worthless shrubs near its borders, this plain is destitute of even the slightest traces of vegetation. The valley is encircled by a barren sage plain from 3 to 6 miles wide, which, beginning at the base of the mountains that surround it on every side but the south, slopes gently to its margin. A few mesquite trees grow among the sands at the head. The heat of the valley is fearful during the summer, ranging from 110 to 140 degrees during the day. When there is no breeze through the long cafion the air becomes so oppressive that respiration is painful and difficult. At a point about 30 miles north of Death’s valley the Amargosa river, a stream of small volume but great length, takes its rise, and, flowing southeast for more than 100 miles, makes a detour when far out on the Mojave desert, and, bending round to the northwest, runs in that direction about 40 miles, when, having reached the southern end of this arid plain, it finally disappears. 701 ETE r= ary aa 44 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Soils of the Mojave desert.— Ascending the mountains from Kern valley near Bakersfield through the pm pass, we emerge upon the western part of Mojave desert, a plain-like basin surrounded by Dountans and more Cy Sravarsed by rocky ridges. *In crossing this basin by rail during the dry season he pe Foetal : i ag ih i less aridity ich i i by the only tree-growth visible from tim , Viz, the idea of hopeless aridity, which is scarcely relieved SE TUCC: : ; ly named ¢cactus”), whose awkward branches, terminated by gid, yucca (here commonly but erroneous a res, imp: : i he landscape, and seem as uninviting g lance-shaped leaves, impart rather a weird aspect to t ) 2S naw SD 3 and sand that whirl about the train. But while it is true tha { prospector as the clouds of dust an out a i "thi i d beds seem to consign it to the true ‘desert lant 8, are portions of this region whose deep sand be t 1 a ns i vi 30i iderable native fertility, whose powers only ne giving very extensive tracts, having a soil of consi hee Dy i i and gardens. That this is so has repeatedly 8 of water to transform the desert into luxuriant fields an a am i i as available. This is not at present the case at the railroad s actual experiment at points where water was av aila : he Soliman hn i S01 r actual trial, but its appearance indicates a substan iave: hence the quality of the soil has not been tested by actua , bu 9 h ee 2 it is oN rh by sand drifts. It seems to be directly derived from the surrounding mountains, ; i i i f marginal bench. along the base of which such soils seem to form a kind o gi : tat NL i No 332. Surface soil of the Mojave desert, taken near Mojave station, Kern Sou) 3 by N.J : hy ia, of fs ci i > : i ws. A moderately heavy, dun-colored loam, with 3 coars Central Pacific railroad, to the depth of 12 inches. / el y, d ( i fle Sams ini ili : or rock frag 5; slightly effervescent with acid, somewhat sticky sand, containing siliceous and other rock fragments; s gh : ha | ; oo wd its coi little changed. It would evidently till quite readily, but no cultivation has been attempted thus fr, The vegetation is sage-brush, creosote plant, and a little grass. Soil from Mojave desert, Kern county. No. 332. | Insoluble matter 70. a) 508 | Soluble silica | 4.99) 0. 928 DOLASD over iene cecracens essen anese anaes i | ee ; 0.078 1.787 1.782 0. 026 5.478 9. 227 0. 056 0.012 0.456 | 3.903 | MAgnesidl..coeencieaninrian ane ceenee] | Brown oxide of manganese : | Peroxide of iron | | ANID. ceeeevnnuonsensessesssnnsssasnsscssnnsassnsens is Phosphoric acid | Sulphuric acid Carbonic acid | "Water and organic matter ........ceeeiieaaiiiiriaaanaes 99. 697 0.283 | 0.370 | 10. 759 15C.° Available inorganic ..... ....cecceiecenriniaeeioiianienans Hygroscopic moisture absorbed Ab ..cvvuereenrecenriirnnr eas ananassae The analysis of this soil shows clearly that it is not inferior in productive capacity to le of ie. ils.00 the which it greatly resembles, save in the scarcity of humus or vegetable matter. i» supp y olin 4 low, but not more so than in some very productiy e soils of the v py The scarcity of humus is the defect which it would be most needful to remedy, and this Polat 3 Jes zenidion by turning in a crop of alfalfa, which there could be no difficulty in growing where sigh i Wal » 2 are doubtless many tracts where even this defect does not exist, since they ae covered i : fidede Ib 0 small shrubs, under which grasses flourish in good seasons, giving pasture to sheep. i eign 5 2 lsto He ob important question, since the natural rainfall of about four inches, sometimes reduce ; 8 one 2 in Abs relied upon for any purpose. Only a detailed survey, however, can determine the tracts having > 8 against those overrun by arid sand. great valley, es, save potash is high, while that of phosphoric acid is THE COAST RANGE REGION. wd the sea-coast is, on the whole, a mountainous one, traversed by many more or less disconnected ranges, usually trending parallel to or at a small angle wih fe Shost Pon Mendocino county, inclusive, southward to the northern end of the San Bernardino HD Pp ; P mo exceed the height of 4,000 feet, and most of the hi Fhe? 2 52 Tein Dapeeen 0 3; ne A I ; od oe are very ge arren and largely treeless. ' ranges 2, 2, ny fe A ed = 8 ea with soil, and, in the moister portions of the region, susceptible of cultivation to their summits. These in most cases are at the present time occupied on cultivated lands lying in the numerous valleys interspersed between the ranges 702 The country lying between the great valley : and on the lower slog.es. ly as grazing grounds, the bulk of’ PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 45 THE BAY COUNTRY.—A somewhat detailed description can alone convey a good idea of the various sections of the Coast range; but there is one prominent feature requiring notice at the outset, viz, the break caused by the drainage outlets of the great valley, Suisun bay, Carquines straits, and the bays of San Pablo and San Francisco, with their final outlet through the ‘Golden Gate”. This “bay region” constitutes a climatic as well as a hydrographic and a topographic feature; for, insignificant as the break formed by the Golden Gate may seem, it modifies profoundly the climate of the country lying adjacent and opposite to it, not only by the influence of its cool tide-water, but as well by the correspondingly cool lower air-currents sweeping through it almost throughout the season, and carrying with them both the temperature and the moisture of the ocean, both modified by the cold Alaskan current. In summer the river of fog, a mile wide and from 600 to 1,500 feet high, may be seen flowing in steadily through the Gate in the afternoon, first submerging the city of San Francisco, and then broadening and sending off branches right and left up and down the bay, and toward evening reaching the opposite shore, where the Contra Costa range forms a barrier for a time. Eventually this is surmounted, and finally the cloudy ocean may reach as far as Mount Diablo, where it dissolves before the dry air of the great valley. The direct influence of this current extends about 10 miles each way on the opposite shore, causing an exceptionally low summer temperature, which fails to ripen the grape and the fig. On the western shore of the bay the ranges of the immediate coast form a barrier not surmounted by a considerable proportion of the summer fogs, under the lee of which a warmer summer temperature prevails on the bay-shore slopes of the counties of San Mateo and Marin, as well as on both shores of the southern portion of San Francisco bay toward San José. The cold currents strike across San Pablo bay into the lower part of Napa and Sonoma valleys, but are chiefly deflected so as to form a steady and sometimes hard “blow” through the straits of Carquines, beyond which they enter the great valley and form, as before stated, the regular ‘‘up-valley” winds of that region. \ The features of the immediate bay country are in many respects so peculiar that, although in the subdivisions according to rainfall (given on page 12) it is conjoined with a portion of the coast region lying northward and southward, continuity of description renders it desirable to consider the rest of the Coast range in divisions lying north and south of the bay country proper. The western shores of the bays near San Francisco, and around San Pablo bay to Petaluma creek, are rather abrupt, with but little valley land lying back of it in the broken country, in which mount Tamalpais forms the highest point and falls off southward to the “north head” of the Golden Gate. Around the outlets of Petaluma, Sonoma, and Napa creeks there is a considerable tract of marsh or “tule” land, but Mare island and Carquines straits fall off into rocky precipices, and on the Contra Costa shore the railroad winds laboriously along the base of low but rugged escarpments until it reaches the lower end of San Pablo bay. Here, back of the bold promontory that narrows the passage into San Francisco bay, begins the sloping plain and in part the marsh belt that skirts the eastern bay shore from San Pablo to San José, forming, with the corresponding plain lying south of San Francisco on the western shore, an important and thickly populated agricultural region. Opposite San Francisco this slope is about 3 miles wide, falling about 300 feet from the foot of the Contra Costa hills. Southward it widens to 7 or 8 miles on either shore, a tide-marsh belt of varying width skirting the bay shore, and the two belts, finally uniting at the lower end of the bay, form the broad and fertile Santa Clara valley, so noted for its charming climate and the production of fruit and wines. Here the summer fogs, having to surmount the high coast mountains, are much diminished both in frequency and in coolness, and the vine, fig, and almond attain great perfection. The soils of this bay coast are substantially of three kinds. Immediately along the shore lies a narrow strip of sandy land, sometimes sand drifts, which influence more or less the character of the adjacent marshes; most of the soils of the latter, however, are heavy, and when reclaimed are very productive. Inland ot these lies a broad belt of black, calcareous, and very fertile adobe or prairie soil, somewhat refractory in tillage, which toward the foot of the hills often becomes yellow and relatively poor. This adobe belt is interrupted by the sediment lands of the streams flowing from the Coast range to the bay, which are generally light and often of considerable width, although few of these streams are now of much importance, but the frequent shifting of their channels in past times has increased tie alluvial surface. These sediment lands, frequently, of course, passing gradually into the adobe proper, are noted for their productiveness, and furnish much of the market supplies of the two cities in fruits and vegetables, but are more especially noted for the high quality of brewing (Chevalier) barley produced on them. Sugar-beets likewise succeed well, but cotton fails to mature its bolls within reach of the coast fogs. The range skirting the eastern shore, commonly known as the Contra Costa range, though traversed by some abrupt caflons has largely rounded crests and summits and gentle slopes with deep and in part very productive soils, now largely used for grazing purposes only, but susceptible of cultivation to the top. Extensive plantations of eucalyptus trees are beginning to be made on this range, and succeed admirably. They originally had some redwood timber, and have now in the cafions and on the northern and castern slopes not inconsiderable bodies of live oak (Q.agrifolia), madrofia (Arbutus Menziesii), laurel (Umbelularia Californica),and buckeye (Aisculus Californica); on the banks of streams the Western alder (Alnus incana) and maple (Acer macrophylium), the buckthorn (Frangula Californica), with more or less undergrowth of hazel, poison-oak, bramble, and others, and much eagle fern (Pteris. aquilina). 702 -46 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Thermal belts.—Among the climatic peculiarities belonging more or less to the whole state, but more especially pronounced in the valleys opening toward the bay, is the occurrence of ‘thermal belts”, or minor regions exempt to a remarkable degree from theseverer frosts of winter, but more especially from the later ones of spring, which are so dangerous to fruit about the time of bloom. These usually occur between 100 and 800 feet above the valleys, varying of course with the trend and exposure to the coast winds. The difference in temperature at sunrise between these belts and the valleys sometimes amounts to as much as 10° F., which, in a region where the thermometer rarely falls below 26°, of course implies a very material difference in the chances of such fruits as almonds, apricots, and even the vine, and in many cases permits of the successful culture of semi-tropical fruits, such as the orange, lemon, pomegranate, ete. Thus the latter are successfully grown, e. g., in certain valleys near Martinez, Contra Costa county, within 2 miles of the cold blast that sweeps through Carquines strait. Similar cases are frequent in the valleys of Napa and Sonoma, a striking example being that of the Vacaville fruit belt, in Solano county. In the Santa Clara valley the culture of the almond follows narrowly a similar warm belt. COAST REGION SOUTH OF THE BAY COUNTRY. That part of the coast region lying south of San Pablo bay to the southern region has an average width of about 60 miles, and covers an area of about 18,350 square miles. Lying between the coast and the great valley region on the east, it embraces within its limits the entire counties of Contra Costa, Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura, and the western portions of Stanislaus, Merced, Fresno, Tulare, and Kern. The surface of the entire region is mountainous and hilly, and is bordered on the east by a continuous range having .an average elevation of about 3,000 feet above the sea, the highest probably of the region, reaching from Suisun bay southeastward through the state, and forming a long and rather wide barrier between the great valley on the east and the somewhat lower mountains and valleys of the central and western portions of the region. Westward from this range, which is often known as the Mount Diablo range, froin the prominent peak of that name on the northern extremity, lie other mountain ranges of nearly or quite the same altitude, forming the appearance of long offshoots toward the northwest, each having a distinct name, and sinking on either side into the lower ranges before reaching the coast. The trend of the mountain ranges is thus usually northwest and southeast, and the courses of the rivers that drain the valleys between the mountains are northwestward into the ocean, except in the extreme south, in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, where their course is mostly westward. These ranges are mostly destitute of trees, except scattered bodies of chaparral and sometimes other growth, and are partly too high and rocky for cultivation, being chiefly used for grazing purposes. The Contra Costa range, the first of the minor ranges (though not so high as the others) on the extreme north, abuts against the shore line of San Pablo bay, and, reaching southwestward, separates San Ramon and Livermore valleys from the ¢plain of Alameda”, which borders the bay of San Francisco on the east. The range is broken by deep ravines and caiions, and is nearly treeless on the west and south slopes (except in the cafions, where there are clumps of oak, laurel, madrone, etc.), while on the east and north there is an abundance of live and white oaks, maple, ete. This range properly includes the higher Mount Diablo range on the east, with which it unites south of Livermore valley. Mount Diablo itself is an isolated peak, rising 3,896 feet above the sea, its summit rounded and its slopes nearly treeless, except in the ravines, where there is found a varied growth, with chaparral of scrubby oaks in the higher region. The next ranges of note on the south are the Gavilan and the Santa Cruz ranges, apparently originally continuous, but now cut in two by the Pajaro river. The Gavilan range reaches northwestward from the southern part of San Benito county, separating that county from Monterey on the west, while the Santa Cruz range separates Santa Clara county from-Santa Cruz and San Mateo. Both ranges rise to elevations of 3,000 feet, and are in part too high for any purpose except that of stock-raising. The Gavilan mountains are partly timbered with pine, except in the highest portions, which are rough, broken, and mostly destitute of trees. The Santa Cruz mountains are mostly heavily timbered with redwood and oaks, the redwood forest occupying a not inconsiderable area on the seaward side of the mountains, reaching in available masses as far north as Redwood City, many of the trees attaining a height of 200 feet or more. Scattered redwoods also originally dotted the ranges around and opposite San Francisco, but oaks alone now remain. On the east of the range is Santa Clara valley, and on the west are the Pajaro and the Salinas valleys, the most important as well as the largest of the region. Lying still further south is the Santa Lucia range of mountains, the most extensive of the offshoots, reaching from the main range, in the southeastern part of San Luis Obispo county, northwestward through Monterey to the coast. Its average width is about 30-miles, rising almost throughout its length into central elevations of 3,000 feet and more. The mountains are in places heavily timbered on their lower slopes and in the cafions with Monterey pine, cypress, and redwood. Between this range and that bordering the San J oaquin valley are the high valley lands of the upper Salinas river and its tributaries, reaching northwest into Monterey county, and opening out through narrow defiles into the broad Salinas valley proper. On the west of the Santa Lucia range the high hills reach either abruptly to or within a short distance of the coast, the small streams usually accompanied with valleys of greater or less width. Still southward, at the junction of the Sierra Nevada mountains with the Coast range, we find a broad and extensive region of high mountains, the Sierra San Rafael, in the eastern part of Santa Barbara and nortnern part of Ventura 704 PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 47 I on Le Fg into the San Bernardino range. The mountains are here cut into by the narrow ss (through whic e Southern Pacific railroad has found a road-bed), which ¢ : j with the calions of the headwaters ot the Santa Clara ri i SE a eo g ver, flowing westward to the ocean, th i valley thus forming a convenient east i ! or — cay a and west line of separation between the southern region and the Coast TR ah Soh fb a GEE pas: of Santa Barbara county, and extending eastward from point Concepcion ere is n: ugged range (the Sierra Santa Inez) from 2,000 to 3,000 i i i colncidis 3 with that of the Sierra Nevada where it joins the Coast axtige : NNT a HE CoAs1.—The coast line presents a very irre i A gular contour, often deeply indented with bays, and th js oy Drie aa abruptly, from the water’s edge to elevations of 1,000 feet and more, ar aot projecting far out into the ocean. hief i i ay BR g ocean. Its chief indentations are the bays of Monterey, Santa Monica, and The general direction of the coast line is southeast i i i i : ; ast in a direct line for a little more than 200 miles Soule ord 52 don ies to Bout Cotiespeions the weather divide of the southern Coast region, where it a 'S ward almost at right angles fi i i i Se ue Sve g g or more than 100 miles, finally rounding back to its southeast course The rugged and hilly character of the coast is onl i i 4 ‘ y occasionally relieved to any extent by level and till lands, except Where the larger streams, especially the Salinas and the Santa Clara, have i) their way a Beast producing broad areas of delta or alluvial land with the sediment brought down from the mountains i he Jus suitable for cultivation, and comprising, too, the only populous portions of the region a the : a 78 fe Nghe Fo fe Monsiolg anges and skirt the streams, and also the foot-hills and lower ridges that : n and rocky. Irom the coast these valleys rise in elevation and b. the cafions of the higher mountain ranges, throu i ir ri ab yn y gh which their rivers have cut their way, a i are fenmentls other and higher mountain valleys of greater or smaller extent Nuns n the north of point Concepcion the river valle : r valleys have a trend southeastward from thei : ile i a ot point Concepcion and southward the trend is eastward from the coast Mean escription of the coast region is best giv y ir 7 chtively inni ar Sekerinion of g st given by taking the valleys consecutively. Beginning at the north, id Sueinavey AND LIVERMORE VALLEYS.—San Ramon valley, lying between the Contra Costa range on the west 3 mi i ) ant) wo ran foes the east, opens northward into Suisun bay, and with a width of about 6 miles reaches 8 miles, where it becomes very narrow, finally opening out into the extensive Li i in Alameda county. The valley is dotted with scattered oaks 2d] il i a a OF hy x 3 8 aks, and its soil is largely a stiff adobe, in many pla Suceedingly black and waxy, which yields under cultivation about 30 bushels of wheat per acre. The soils no i” bas of Mount Diablo are partly reddish and partly gray, often gravelly loams. The valley is watered by streams ovine northward into the bay, and a number of small valleys connect with it on either side. Livermore valley, on the south, is about 14 miles long east and west, from 5 to 8 miles wide, and is surrounded by rolling foot-hills nd mountains, from which other valleys open into it. The north and east part of its surface is a plain, the south and west pars a region of rolling hills, and all is dotted over with oak trees and watered by numerous direaios timbered with sycamore, and tributary to Alameda creek, which flows westward into the bay of San Francisco through 5 w—— I the Coast range. The soil of the valley plain is dun-colored, with a pale yellow loam subsoil often gravelly, more especially near the water-courses, the beds of which in summer appear filled with rave) only although water is mostly found beneath. The soil of the rolling lands is mainly a red, often clayey loam, which also forms the subsoil where the surface soil is dark colored. " Sarr CLARA VALLEY ~Tlis valley, with its adjoining foot-hills, is one of the most important agricultural g is las w ithin the limits of the Coast Range region. Its entire length is about 70 miles through Santa Clara into 7 enito county, and its width at the bay of San Francisco, where it connects with the Alameda plain on the one 4 e — that of San Mateo on the other, is about 20 miles. Eleven miles south of San José this valley suddenly Narrows to about 100 yards, but again opens out to several miles until the Pajaro river is reached, whose valley westward is a connecting link with that of the Salinas river, in Monterey county. From the Pajaro southward for Severn miles beyond Hollister the width is about 12 miles, and the valley terminates or rises to a rolling plateau or enc land, which reaches across it, and is known as Poverty hill or Hollister valley. Still southward the valley vegion becomes more and more narrow and elevated, and is rarely over half a mile wide. ; This Poverty Hill Tegion is treeless, and its soil is an adobe, covered in the depressions of its surface with a silty loam, and underlaid at about 4 feet with a clay that is more or less alkaline in character. The lands between Hollister valley and the Pajaro river are partly adobe and partly a sandy loam. : 2 the broad valley north of this, in Santa Clara county, the surface is undulating, with low, rounded hills, and u Jon With clumps of oak. The land of the lower or northern portion near the bay is mostly black and stiff 3 e, with some salt or marsh lands in the region of Alviso, near the bay. The higher lands of the valley are a ighter sandy loam, gravelly on the east and west, while those of the hills on either side are a cinnamon-colored loam with a reddish-brown subsoil, well adapted to grape and fruit culture. 45 ¢ P—VOL. II 705 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. The area of the valley is almost all improved, and most of it is under cultivation. The crops comprise wheat, barley, corn, potatoes, and vegetables, and the yield of the black lands is said to be from 35 to 40 bushels of wheat per acre. Dairying is also carried on to a large extent. Grape and fruit-growing, including also figs, olives, and almonds, forms the prominent pursuit in the neighborhood of San J osé. The almond in particular succeeds in many favored localities of the thermal belt” of the mountain sides that is protected from the direct impact of the coast winds and is sufficiently elevated above the valley to escape passing frosts. The climate of the valley, as compared with that of San Francisco, is greatly tempered by the intervention of the Coast range between it and the sea, rendering summer fogs much less common, and thus permitting the ripening of many fruits that cannot be successfully grown nearer the Golden Gate. The same causes render the milder and warmer climate of the Santa Clara valley a health resort from the harsher atmosphere of San Francisco. Cotton culture has not been fairly tested, but it is not, on the whole, likely to be successful so nearly within reach of the coast winds. SALINAS VALLEY.—Reaching southeastward from Monterey bay for 90 miles. with a width of from 8 to 12 miles for the first 50 miles, is the Salinas valley. This valley is watered by the river of the same name, and inland becomes very narrow, rising rapidly in elevation to the mountain cafions in the southern part of the county, and through them connecting with the mountain valleys in the central part of San Luis Obispo county, in which the river takes its rise. The surface of the lower valley presents a terraced and almost treeless plain, the only growth being some live oaks on the northeast and sycamore along the river. The alluvial bottom lands are from one-fourth to one-half a mile wide, and are bordered by a somewhat higher terrace of adobe bottoms from 1 to 23 miles in width. West of Salinas city there is a large tract of river flows mostly on the west side of the valley, a mountains still to the westward. On the eastern side of the valley the adobe bottom lands are bordered by a sharply-defined terrace 11 feet higher, rising gently against the Gavilan mountain range. The surface of this terrace is rather rolling, and its hog-wallow lands, embracing also a number of small tule lakes. The Salinas region of mesa lands lying between it and the Santa Lucia soils are coarse, red, and gravelly, affording excellent farming lands where protected against the high winds that sweep in from the ocean every day during the year, and against which a person is said to be scarcely able to stand at times, the stock taking refuge in the thickets along the river. The valley is therefore chiefly used for stock- raising, very little farming being done. The higher connecting valleys on either side have mostly dark loam or adobe soils, and are partly under cultivation. On the north, after passing a region of low, sandy, and treeless hills, the valley is connected with Santa Clara valley by the Pajaro valley, a heavy grain-growing region, which borders the river of the same name, reaching eastward from the coast. This valley is from 6 to 8 miles wide and its surface quite level, and embraces three varieties of soils: dark loam lands of the plains, adapted to wheat and barley ; adobe lands, comprising one-third of the river bottoms, and lying several feet below the plains; clayey loams of the bottoms, known as the sugar-beet region. The valley is bounded on either side by a range of smoothly-rounded hills, those on the south being mostly too broken for cultivation. The small valleys between these hills are mostly swampy, with either tule or willow, and often hold small lakes or ponds of water. The mountain valley region of San Luis Obispo county is watered by the Salinas river and other smaller streams, and presents a series of low, rolling hills, with intermediate valleys having separate names. The Salinas valley is, however, the chief one of this region, and is about 9 miles wide, with an elevation of about 1,000 feet above the sea. On the southeast it rises into a level plateau some 300 feet above the valley proper, and soon terminates ; its lands are mostly adobe. There is but little timber. The bottom soil along the streams is chiefly a dark loam, while that of the upland or valley is mostly a stiff clay loam, usually reddish, more or less gravelly, easily tilled, and interspersed with some adobe tracts. This entire valley region is principally a stock range, though some of jts lands are under cultivation. Paso Robles springs, a noted health resort, is situated in the northern part of the valley in a plain of about 10 square miles, and is surrounded by a grove of live oaks. OTHER VALLEYS.—Along the coast in this county there is a series of valleys and plains which are separated {rom the immediate coast line by a chain of hills and watered by streams which are lined with cottonwood, sycamore, laurel, and live oaks. Their soils embrace the dark loams of the bottoms and the dark sandy or reddish loams of the valleys resting on heavy clays. The soil of the hills is lighter and gravelly. Still southward the valleys of the Santa Maria and Santa Inez rivers are respectively about 10 and 2 miles wide and 30 long, each reaching the coast through narrow cafions, and having a greatest width about 15 miles inland. The Santa Inez valley was originally timbered with oaks. Its surface presents a series of terraces of 25, 45, and 95 feet, respectively, above the river. The Coast region east of point Concepcion embraces two valleys or terraces, an upper and lower, varying in width from 2 to 6 miles. The immediate coast line forms at first a terrace about 80 feet high, sinking at Santa Barbara and eastward to the Ventura line to a lower level. The upper valley, known as the Santa Barbara plain, is about 300 feet above the sea. The soils of these coast valleys, both on the east and north of point Concepcion, are sandy loams, while those of the higher altitudes are largely adobe in character. 706 PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 49 In Ventura county the Santa Clara and Buenaventura rivers are also bordered by narrow valleys, that of the latter river being about 30 miles long by about one-fourth of a mile wide and having sandy soils. The ot cl : valley, which is sandy and very narrow from its source to Santa Paula, then widens gradually wil within 19 i of the coast it suddenly expands into the Saticoy plain, widening to about 16 miles on rodnding the coast, from the town of San Buenaventura on the north to that of Hueneme on the south. The northern portion of this fine Ageia region is largely an undulating upland with a yellowish loam soil; the southern constitutes a kind of delta g : 8 anta Clara river, its soil near the latter being a dark gray silty loam of great depth and fertility (see analysis elow), remarkable for its retention of moisture near the surface, and noted for its high production of corn and b as well asits special adaptation, inland, to the European walnut. The mountain valleys have mostly allo soil pon those whose altitude is less than 2,000 feet are partly under wheat culture. Of these the Ojai is ie most im ” Its lower portion has a dun-colored loam soil, timbered with white oak and very productive ; but from ory ph a sudden ascent of 500 feet or more to the upper valley, the soil of which is mostly a rich Yiosk adobe, wh enormous crops of wheat. : rprinng CHARACTER oF soiLs.—The characteristic reddish gravelly soils of the southern region extend to the sea-shor near Santa Monica and southward wherever there is a bluff bank, while where the surface descends ea iy there are, as in the Westminster and Anaheim region, coast flats several miles in width, in which the soil is Ne " colored sandy loam, glistening with scales of mica, and more or less affected with alkali in the lower ren . Similar soils, in tracts of greater or less extent, are found up the coast as far as Santa Barbara at least De these soils have as yet been analyzed, except with respect to the alkali salts sometimes H— in dona on h at times are purely saline, at others strongly alkaline, from the presence of carbonate of soda. (See cA] vy of He Soutien i ” page 41.) As a rule, these sea-shore lands are very productive. ; i ie valleys o ' the seaward slope of the Coast range have mostly gray, light ilty, r y 7 SO11S and are quite similar in appearance from Ventura to Eat A Bian " hy those of the southern region being more calcareous, and apparently richer in phosphoric acid ra I on agricultural valleys in this division is that of the Santa Clara river, in Ventura county, which 0 ens " i oa fertile plain of Saticoy. No soil samples from the latter have been received, but the follo i Te " . soil of the valley near Santa Paula: I AY te No. 168. Valley soil, taken from Mr. N. B. Blanchard’s orange orchard near Santa Paula, Ventura county. Th color of this soil is a light umber, and when wet blackish and silty, very easily tilled, and robs its tilth wt ] SO that the hand can easily work its way into it up to the elbow and an axhandh can be thrust down to the h on with little exertion. The material remains apparently the same for from 12 to 20 feet in the lower bench y - valley, where this sample was taken. Toward the hills there is a second bench, where the soil is apparent] y A nue hei o 2 Signy reddish tint. On the mountain slopes the soil, still quite similar in its working i we . wo Trois) tint, and is remarkable for its retention of natural moisture, enabling it to produce corn No. 182. Reddish mountain soil from Mr. N. B. Blanchard’s land, near Santa Paula, taken to 12 inches depth No. 170. Subsoil of second bench land on Colonel W. Hollister’s ranch, near Sant Barbara “Eee a in This specimen was examined, not as a fair sample of land, but with a view to detecting the use of the a i) 0 ) of orchard trees some years after coming into bearing that occurs in streaks both here and ri pe 0 Santa Barbara region. The surface soil is dark gray or blackish, several feet in depth at most points, but ee the dying-out occurs is underlaid by a whitish, sandy hard-pan, with pale rusty spots, indicating HP ervoUsEs ” and bad drainage. The spots are, however, known as having ‘poison soil”, the Horble being ascribed to s i“ injurious substance contained in it. The analysis shows no cause for any injury in the chomienl com Eine this subsoil, which is very fair in every respect, showing a high percentage of phosphoric acid A ho and even, somewhat unexpectedly, of active humus. The cause of the difficulty is doubtless a sechanical one oo fHe0 Racis ee a certain time reaching an impervious layer, waterlogging their roots in winter and leaving Sh ali 4 2 nce Jus dans of the soil in summer. Deep subsoiling, breaking up the hard-pan layer, 707 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Soils of the Coast range south of the bay country. VENTURA COUNTY. SANTA BARRARA Silty soil, lower Mountain soil | Hillside subsoil bench, near | (reddish), near -o Joisen soil"), aula. | Santa Paula. | Hollister’s ranch. | ne 1} peers No. 170. Insoluble matter Magnesia Brown oxide of manganese Peroxide of iron Alumina Phosphoric acid Sulphuric 86H. ....coneennernanne ernest | Water and organic matter : Humus ! 1.055 | Available inorganic. .......ccceenicens 3 | 1.004 Available phosphoric acid ...... cocceceoioeooe Hygroscopic moisture | absorbed at Both soils from Ventura county show an excellent composition, the valley soil having the advantage of a high percentage of phosphates, while the mountain soil, a little heavier, with a smaller amount of phosphates, has a higher lime percentage and more humus. These soils are especially interesting, as being peculiarly favored in regard to their relations to moisture. No. 168 remains moist within from 15 to 20 inches of the surface during the driest part of the season, when the water table falls as low as 20 feet below the surface soils. The same is true more or less of the Saticoy plain at large; and the soil of other valleys, as, e. g., the Ojai, is measurably similar. So are probably the valley soils of Santa Barbara, so far as 1 have had the opportunity of examination. The first two of the following soils are from the Salinas Valley region : No. 606. Upland soil trom Poverty hill, San Benito county, collected by Mr. H. Partsch for the United States census; taken to the depth of 12 inches. This soil is of a dun color, somewhat silty, the dry lumps being easily crushed by fingers; softens readily in water, the color darkening but little; is easily tilled, apparently not adhesive, and produces moderate crops in good seasons, but is unthrifty and risky. This kind of land lies in the depressions of a kind of bench across the eastern head of the Santa Clara valley, while the higher portions are formed of a gray adobe, which also forms the subsoil of the loam lands at varying depths. No. 600. Loam upland soil from Soquel ranch, Santa Cruz county, collected by Mr. H. Partsch. This is a reddish umber-colored loam when dry, the lumps crushing easily between the fingers, and softening quickly on wetting. It is very easily tilled, and contains some coarse sand. This sample represents the soils of the upland terrace which abuts upon the seashore southward of Santa Cruz. No. 37. Valley soil from a small valley between Pescadero and Benton creek, about 200 feet and two and a half miles away from the shore, sent by Pescadero grange, and selected by Messrs. Osgood, Burch, Weeks, and Thompson, committee. This soil is a brownish black loam, somewhat hard when dry, but softening easily on being wet, and taking almost a black tint; it produces good potatoes, barley, and oats. The product of potatoes has fallen, by cultivation, from 28,000 to 12,500 pounds; the cereals not so much. Deep tillage and thorough pulverization is found to be very beneficial in dry years. The timber in the valleys is redwood, oak, and alder, with buckeye, madrone, and pine on the uplands. 708 above sea-level PHYSICO-GFOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES Valley lands of the Coast region. GPUNTY. | COUNTY. Upland soil, | ‘‘ Poverty hill.” Loam upland | Valley soil BAN BENITO | BANTA CRUZ | BAN MATEO | soil, Soquel. | near Pescadero. | No. 606. | ER b, 608 - BUD. | No. 37. Insoluble matter 85. 596 Soluble silica 2. 567 $s. 1 0.333 0.109 0.676 Brown oxide of manganese oo Peroxide of irom on 2. 856 4.214 0.027 0.015 3.476 100. 443 Available inorganic : “ on 5 0.579 0. 626 Hygroscopic moisture STL : 5. 602 7.381 12.50. 15C.0 15C.0 Nos. 600 and 606, while still i of the same general physi differ chemically b Moon general physical character as those of in the «Poverty A y potash and phosphoric acid, the latter Er Da wiih, Tike these farther o upply is still, however, quite adequate for thrifti i Yideficient ve, trom about 53 to 0 ois av AY satisfactory and remarkably uniform atlas be such Hight Soils, ISA » ent. It is evident that here, as in the San Joaquin valley, th —. Sony Moisture, pursued by those ama Rhea tose: soils beuome + sired sud foul raslier than ” a ue : ; g them. Iti : ‘ ain culture sh hui Aon $ not, of course, certain that these soils represent the Sieme Surinve The valley soil (No. 37) fro . m near Pescadero, San M . than the above, a achi : ero, San Mateo county, shows it to be ; lime percentage, » 3 STpmnaing Boke watly in character the soils of Ventura, os eu Wider gheas : sh, and a considerably hi . SC, shows a high soils, though vet r: ; ’ y higher amount of phosph i While Sous 9 3 Tater low, being only half of that contained in the valley ir Son SAL is ania Or soon as its first a > fheinesy, in the presence of so much lime it is pretty certain i a Eafe \ ip ) ed, especially where dairying is Wem phosphates so remarkabl : ras J airying is the ch wv rar y high for so light a soil within the coast region. It probabl ief industry. The humus percentage is oy . p y represents fairly the favorite soil of the ile on the seaward slope of th Santa Cruz r: i i landward portion of i e range there is an evident predomi "1 ; influences more or ana, SR 3 Dosis large tracts of heavy red-clay oss xh lon a fhe : : ; valley soils derived theref; . ig y of course, mountain slo : erefrom, especially ant: ara. following is pes Hise lands are largely covered with chaparral” a Ty Bini Oia county. On the No. 702. Chapar os So 8 Sle seat by Ys Wallin Pfeifer from a tract lying two ) heh nian om. t She dark amber color ga, Santa Clara county. Dark reddish brown when dry mi Ta .0ga: Re tiglb staat Wan, we a softening easily ; quite stiff in working, but i "hey ’ Thing hard lumps; subsoil of an orange tint uous taken ” the depth of 12 inches, below which lies a as Nu : pl B . 1 . shale) are contained in both. angular fragments of the country rock (a fine, soft, calcareous a ood 700 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Chaparral land, Santa Clara county. Magnesia Brown oxide of manganese | Peroxide Of iTOM..ceeseacoeerannoeocnnnnoseonennnaaeeses | Phosphoric acid Sulphuric acid .....coeererrereraarasirasanmsonserenes Water and organic matter the intrinsic value of the soil. It has an abundant supply of Moiigh oa Its phosphoric acid percentage is fair, and its supply of won » a 3 : i for absorbing moisture 18 ver ’ ‘ {1 formed in an “arid” climate. Its power ; : a soil of great oy ] whos Drs Sans supply with that of iron oxide (ferric hydrate). ha a “a concurrence p is well deserving of the high culture which its peculiar mechanical os J TE a elon deer ean oh and deeply tilled, and its somewhat refractory subsoil should be J Kine D) toler ue ibihore ts Not being irrigable, on account of its location, Hs a similar soil is found in some of penctr ; able, for raisins, or heavy wines. v i t grapes for the table, for y OF hao! ’ lis, the ge ins i San José, and under high cultivation has yielded excellent Oy intopeoliohof the the vineyards f the San Francisco peninsula are derived from two distinct sources, viz, | thn ata The Sop and the sand drifting in from the seashore on the west. The latter origi ) y soon country rocks nt site of the city, and is still continually invading its rear, fiving g Er enery, pot His where the efforts to subdue it have been measurably Sues, o> : Sr : the orl gon lan , i Where the sand is éxclu d to the circumstances. boo tepiaced a a formed from the clayey shales and sandstones, which are here and there rep is mostly a 3 ? he soils but little save as diluents. inous rocks. The latter influence the soils : 7 a analyses of soils from the Presidio reservation were made at th ili iti ior W. A. Jones, of the engineer corps: : Couns a tts varying in depth from 4 to 12 inches, according to location, e su , No. 680, . ’ ) 710 This analysis gives high testimony to well as of lime, even for such a heavy soil. e request of the United States PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. Sandstone land, Presidio, San Francisco. | Snbaoil. | }7s. 756 0. 590 0.172 ! 0. 399 1.221 Brown oxide of manganese ; | 0. 059 Peroxide of iron , | 7.268 Alumina ’ 9.737 Phosphoric acid ; 0.011 Sulphuric acid ) 0.022 ‘Water and organic matter | ; : 4.900 | | 70. 224 | 5.532 | i 100. 135 Humus Available inorganic | Hygroscopic moisture ADEOTHEA OL ....cc nei crore chan sanes | This soil shows a good supply of plant-food, with the exception of phosphoric acid, in which it is very deiicient, its subsoil having scarcely more than what might be called a trace. Its high percentages of potash, lime, and humus make it an excellent subject for effectual improvement by the use of phosphate manures, which are manufactured in the city of San Francisco, but thus far have found little sale. The soil overlying the serpentines differs from these merely in a higher percentage of insoluble matter and magnesia. The Mount Diablo range from San Pablo and Suisun bays to San José has mostly heavy adobe” soils on its flanks and in the smaller valleys, as well as on its eastern foot, in the San Joaquin valley, and the heavy grain crops produced even to the very summits of the ridges in good seasons testify to the fertility of these somewhat refractory soils, whose productiveness varies sensibly in accordance with the amount of lime present in them; and this, again, can in a measure be judged of by the more or less dark tint of the soil. Limited deposits of impure limestone occur with frequency among the clayey and siliceous shales of the range, in which calcite or carbonate of lime commonly fills the rock crevices. Where this is not the case, we occasionally have tracts of heavy clay soils of tawny tint, cold and refractory, and often ill-drained, with the siliceous, shaly bed-rock a few feet beneath the surface, and such, unfortunately, happens to be the character of a large part of the university experimental grounds, while in the valleys lies an excellent black adobe soil, derived from the higher portions of the range. The following analyses show the composition of these soils: Nos. 1 and 2. Black adobe soil and subsoil, taken on the state university campus, Alameda county, in the rear of cottages 3 and 4, half way to the bridge. The black soil here is over 30 inches deep, underlaid by a yellow, stony subsoil. It becomes exceedingly ‘sticky ” when wet, but plows easily when taken just at the right point of moisture; when plowed a little too wet it clods heavily, but the clods tend to pulverize in drying. With shallow tillage, or when left untilled, it forms widely gaping cracks in the dry season; but if tilled deeply and thoroughly it retains moisture and a luxuriant growth of weeds throughout the dry season, and is almost ashy in its tilth. The soil having been sown in grain, so far as known, for many years and worn badly, it was deemed best not to take the surface soil for analysis, but a layer from 12 to 22 inches depth, and. then another from 22 to 30 inches, the latter representing the extreme probable range of crop roots. The results of the analyses of both of these layers are given in the table on page 54. No. 4. Ridge adobe subsoil, taken from the crest of the ridge on the agricultural grounds of the university, in the orchard, from the depth of 10 to that of 20 inches. Tint, a tawny yellow ; very heavy in working, difficult to till at all times, and remaining wet until late in the spring. At a depth varying from 23 to 5 feet it gradually passes into “ rotten ” shaly clay sandstones, fragments of which are everywhere intermixed with the soil. The tract is ill-drained, even on the ridge, and is esteemed a poor soil. No. 643. Black waxy adobe soil from the Colton ranch, at the foot of Mount Diablo, Contra Costa county. Very black when wet, grayish when, dry; when wet, excessively adhesive, so as to cling in masses to wagon-wheels, requiring to be scraped off from time to time. Vegetation, scattering white-oak trees (@. lobata) and sunflower (Helianthus Californicus), but little else. 711 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Adobe soils. CONTRA COSTA ALAMEDA COUNTY. COUNTY. AGRICULTURAL GROUNDS, BERKELEY. COLTON RANCH. Black adobe. Ridge adobe. Black wazy fr rei I) aon P— Subsoil. Sabsol. | Soil. No. 2. No. 643. | | Insoluble residue som } 59. 980 | Soluble silica | 9.020 0.192 0.741 2.471 0. 890 0. 085 11. 090 15. 689 0. 057 0. 045 8.304 Phosphoric acid Sulphuric acid Organic matter and water 99. 524 1. 500 0. 036 0. 829 13.510 15 C.° Available phosphoric acid Available inorganic Hygroscopic moisture absorbed at The obvious similarity of the black adobe, Nos. 1 and 2, to the “black prairie » of Mississippi and Alabama is abundantly confirmed by these analyses. Both in mechanical and chemical composition the adobe is so nearly like the “white lime prairie” soil of Mississippi that the differences are scarcely greater than might be found in different localities in either region. The prominent features are the high percentages of clay and the finest sediments, the influence of which in rendering the soil heavy in working is offset by a large supply of lime and black humus. The supply of potash is fair, and that of phosphoric acid large, being one-third above that of the Mississippi prairie soils. This explains the fact that grain crops, so exhaustive of lime, have for a succession of years been grown on California soil without apparent diminution. The subsoil below twenty-two inches seems to decrease gradually in the supply of plant-food. The sample analyzed probably represents pretty correctly the black adobe soils of the Coast Range slope from San Pablo to Mission San’ José. The differences in the mechanical (a) and the chemical composition of this ridge adobe as compared with that of the valley is sufficiently striking. It contains less than two-thirds the amount of clay, yet it is much heavier in working, owing to the small quantities of the finer sediments, which chiefly serve to break up the extreme tenacity of pure clay, that is but little disturbed by the large-sized grains. Then the soil contains less than half as much lime as the lowland adobe, less than half also of the primarily important ingredients, potash and phosphoric acid, and, finally, a mere trace of vegetable matter, or humus, as is shown both by its tint and by the smallness of the «organic matter and water ” item. The unproductiveness of this soil is clearly owing to two causes combined. It is naturally poor in plant-food, and its mechanical composition makes it so refractory that it is only in exceptionally favorable seasons that what it does contain of plant-food can remain available to plants, since, in drying, it becomes of stony hardness, with only cracks to aid the circulation and penetration of air and roots. This is one of the cases in which improvement by merely supplying the plant-food would be a waste of money unless the physical condition be corrected at the same time. Underdrainage would probably do this most effectually; green manuring would also be a very important aid; but the unusually small amount of clay for so heavy a soil promises excellent results from the use of a moderate quantity of quicklime or marl, and the fertilizer experiments made on the university grounds have fully sustained this inference. Locally, we often find the heavier soils of the Coast range 80 modified by the admixture of gravel and sand derived from irregularly distributed geological deposits of this character as to render them easily tilled and specially adapted to the culture of barley and fruit. This is more or less the case along the streams on the borders of San a See table of mechanical analyses on pages 83, 84. 712 PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 8 Pooiises bay, but especially 80 in Livermore valley, that remarkable basin inclosed between two branches of ho Const Han pis Ahannny an ancient outlet through the San Ramon valley toward Suisun bay. Near as: oast Range hills are flanked and even capped by gravel congl { i farther up the ¢ Arroyo del Valle”, have largely « i . ae y contributed toward the formation of the valley soi i of remarkable depth and of easy tillage The rollin ithi he hho , h g land within the valley southwest of Liv largely a red, stiffish loam soil, containing much small } i i fr ns Ligely Bb Tl) det Jona 8 > Sl § ae gravel; but at the lower points this red soil is overlaid by a Nos. 692, 693, and 694 in the followin i i g table represent this class of soils, and are from specimens furni } urnish pn Colona) George C. Edwards, of the University of California, the results of analyse being core by his " 3 oe The hill lands are scatteringly timbered with oaks. yy No representative specimen of the valley soi ose pec ley soils has been analyzed, the following one bei al i get giving some insight into the general character of the valley soils. : payee Vi i Ee von Te i del Monte”, a small valley just above the final exit of the ‘Arroyo del i , at the southeastern end of Livermore valley, Alameda county. This soil i hiti a . . . . . : 8 9 wh : ry g with some tangible sand intermixed, easy of tillage, and of _— uniform Reins to the depth of es, eet. is covered with a dense shrubby and herbaceous growth and some sycamore trees. Lands of Livermore valley, Alameda county. ROLLING UPLANDS. | VALLEY. Subsoil. Red gravelly soil. Soil. No. 693. No. 694. No. 649. 80. 658 ) 81.941 5.1873 55.815 3.756 } es. 607 71.156 4.938 0.323 1.143 0. 081 0.123 MANOR... .cocc ro enrsnnr camenn ssn manaes | . 0.720 2. 049 Brown oxide of manganese : 0.563 3.046 Peroxide of iron ! : 0. 030 0. 044 AIUIING cco ceneninnmsinsnmin Slatin i ’ 3.620 | 5.648 Phosphoric acid | da 5. 540 7.153 Sulphuric acid . | ; : 0.061 0.117 Carbonic acid | : ¢ | 0.101 Water and organic matter . i }76.004 100. 201 Available inorganic. ...........c..eeeeeeeennnn. | 0.5% Hygroscopic moisture ; | 0.418 APBOTDRILAL . . oo s « vots suis ssnnnnsspupsnsnns | : : 150 5,058 | . . i 0 : These analyses show the difference between the upland and the valley soils to be very great, the latter being rich in potash, highly calcareous, and having a fair, though not large, supply of phosphoric acid; ’ while the u oe) soils have, for California, an un usually low amount of potash, and a relatively still lower percentage of AL eid Sat, with a fair supply of lime and considerable depth, when well tilled these soils promise welt for the culture of e grape, now extensively begun in the region. Evidently, however, bone-mezl or i the first things needed here after some years’ culture. ; : Tease eal The soil of the level portion of the Livermore valley appears to be a mixture of the red soil of the hills with the valley deposits, and is noted as an excellent country for hay and cereals, though somewhat windy for fruit culture REGION NORTH OF THE BAY COUNTRY. The division of the Coast range north of San Francisco and Suisun bays covers an area of about 20,750 miles, embracing the following counties and parts of counties: All of Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Lake M a id Trinity, Humboldt, and Del Norte, and the western parts of Colusa, Tehama, and Siskiyou, The outire ze oe Si generally mountainous, the eastern border being mostly a continuous range, with an altitude of 3 ng re more (above 4,000 feet in the western part of Siskiyou county) as far south aS Lie lower edge of Lake cd ho thence to the bay falling to the lower hills to less than 2,000 feet, the higher range, however, passing on in Li side of Lake and Napa counties to within a few miles of the bay. From the high Yorder region of the R ra places has a width of 25 miles and more, other ranges of like altitude reach northwestward nearly to the coast, fully 713 56 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIF ORNIA. one-third of the entire region, lying chiefly in the central and northern parts, thus having an elevat on of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet above the sea. The altitude of the rest of the ranges is from 1,000 to 2,000 feet, except a hilly belt of less elevation bordering the ocean, which varies in width from 1 mile in the northern part of Mendocino county to 5 miles or more on the south, and to as much as 25 miles in Humboldt county. Near the coast, opposite or north of the city of San Francisco, is the prominent range of mount Tamalpais, once a part of the Santa Cruz range, but now separated from it by the Golden Gate. The coast line, while having a general northwesterly trend, is very irregular and broken, with many prominent projections and points, and is indented with numerous bays. Among the former cape Mendocino is the most westerly point in the United States, and is in the line of the southwest trend of the highest mountain ranges of the north in their curve around the great central valley region. Point Arenas and point Reyes form other notable prejections. This division of the Coast range is well watered by many rivers, some of the largest of which, with their tributaries, drain belts of country more than 100 miles in length. From the bay northward to the central part of Mendocino county, except in Lake and Napa counties, where the largest streams, Putah, Cache, and Stony creeks, flow into the great valley southeastward, the drainage is either south or west to the ocean. Still northward of this Mendocino water-divide the waters flow northwestward. Russian river is the largest in the southern part of the region; with its headwaters in the central part of Mendocino, it at first flows southward for more than 50 miles, reckoned in a direct course, into Sonoma county, then turns suddenly westward to the coast. Clear lake, a large body of water (not clear, however) in Lake county, has an outlet through Cache creek, eastward through Yolo county, into the Sacramento river. In the region north of the Mendocino divide there are three large and long rivers, the Eel, Trinity, and Klamath. The Eel, with its headwaters near those of Russian river, lows northwest and empties into the ocean south of Humboldt bay. Trinity river, its two forks heading respectively in the northeast and southwest corners ot Trinity county, the former flowing at first southwestward, also has a northwest course to its junction with Klamath river. This latter river, the longest of the three, rises on the extreme northeast, flows at first southwestward with a tortuous course into Humboldt county, a direct distance of more than 100 miles, where, after its junction with Trinity river, it turns abruptly and at right angles northwestward into the ocean. Many other streams of the region have also great lengths. REDWOOD BELT.—The high mountain ranges in the eastern part of the region are almost altogether treeless, except along their lower slopes, which often have a chaparral and oak growth. A prominent feature of the western part is a broad and irregular belt of redwood timber, which reaches uninterruptedly from the northern limit of the state southward a short distance beyond Russian river, in the southern part of Sonoma county, and scatteringly into Marin. In Del Norte county the belt is narrow, widening when it enters Humboldt county to 5 or more miles at first, and to its maximum of a little more than 25 miles in the southern part of that county, in the region of Eel river. Here, however, it becomes suddenly very narrow, 2 or 3 miles in width, and continues so for some distance into Mendocino county, when it again widens to an average width of 10 miles, which width it preserves to Russian river. This belt covers an area of about 2,400 square miles. A southern outlier occurs in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, and is mentioned in connection with that region. The redwood belt is at present the most important timber region of the state, redwood being one of the chief varieties of lnmber used in construction. Much of the belt is as yet difficult of access. The soil is in general very productive and moister than that of the adjacent country, but on account of the expense in clearing it is available chiefly where the lumber can be marketed. AGRICULTURAL FEATURES.—The chief agricultural portion of the northern coast region lies within the counties of Napa and Sonoma and a portion of Lake. Northward of Sonoma county the narrow valleys along the larger rivers form the bulk of the cultivable land. This country is thinly settled, and lumbering and stock-raising, with some mining, are the predominant industries. The valleys are mostly covered with alluvial loams, and are only timbered along the bottoms with a growth of willow, cottonwood, maple, etc. Some of the land of Eel river is very black, and, with its growth of tussock grass, has received the name of “nigger-head soil”. Around Ferndale and Mattole there is much eagle fern, which often attains a height of 12 feet. On both the Eel and other rivers northward the tillable land occurs only in small tracts. Around Humboldt bay there is much overflowed or swamp land, bordered on the east by hills containing sandy loam soils, and separated from the coast line by low sand hills having a stunted growth of trees. The basin of the Klamath is very rugged, particularly that part of it within 40 miles of the ocean. Alon is no valley or bottom land; its whole length is between steep hills and mountains, and through rocky cafions. the Trinity and Salmon, run through a country almost as rugged as that bordering the main stream. Scott and Shasta rivers, which are the only other notable tributaries of the Klamath, have valleys of bottom land about 5 miles wide and 40 long.—Natural Wealth of California. The valley of Russian river, in southern Mendocino and northern Sonoma counties, is narrow, has a sandy loam soil, and for 15 miles from its mouth had originally a timber growth of redwood, but now has only scattered groves of oak. Its lands are alluvial loams, rich and productive under cultivation. Passing through Sonoma county, and continuous with the southeast course of Russian river, there is a series of valleys reaching to the bay and varying in width from 6 miles in Santa Rosa valley to 3 miles in Petaluma valley, bordered by a range of low mountains on the west and a higher range on the east. Sonoma valley proper leaves 714 g the main river there Its largest tributaries, PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. | v, bu Sopisal YolLy Sea Sana Rosa, and reaches southeastward to the bay, with a width of about 2 miles, widenin a 1 ay. That of Napa, separated from it by the Sonoma mountain range, heads near du exti 2 pl a elena, and extends southward 35 miles, with varying width, to the bay ine Ss be ho bi valleys is a rich loam, usually gravelly, and very generally under cultivation, grapes and other a prompaent crops grown. Smaller valleys lie among the hills, which themselves are, to a large oxen ee i J a tiv Won, The country rock is mostly volcanic, largely a soft tufaceous ante hf 10 Bm pas ges from ,000 to 2,000 feet above the valleys. These ridges, as well as the slopes of the high x pres nped EE ay Lass i a great variety of oaks, among which the black (@ Sonomensts 091i), \ n islizent), and blue or rock oaks (Q. Douglassii eb together with Sabin’s pine (P. Sabiniana) 2nd 5 TO Ale A a. igaet a> 9 : . ; pruces, and the beautiful madrone tree (Arbutus Menziesii), whi a as Fags, ing hare associated with the coast live-oak (Q. agrifolia) white as Ba : icultural grounds. Here also the Sonoma or black oak a i 4 i ; ( ssumes its finest d ormi foe i a large spreading trees of the habit of the eastern Spanish oak (@. Tm a ozo tracts of land covered largely with unusually large shrubs, almost trees, of re Aritont mio 1 non, . i on nowhere be found in greater perfection, its chostum brown shining bark ully with its pale-green leaves and the gray bushes of the ci ! tree-growth occupies chiefly the northern and east oi a Nest ern slopes, those with a southwest i i too dry and heated in summer. This forest ithin ¢ en oaming too : mer. 8 growth, within easy reach of the culti d its influence in rendering the valleys of Na ! Sa a A pa, Sonoma, and Petaluma so attractive that at i g th : present few uncultiva ose ine Si win them. The vineyards especially are rapidly extending up the mountain tos sed D refor being the exemption from spring frosts enjoyed by the several ¢therms " alr Soot ya era ermal belts” already is Slonguns hy nite Soutien pa 9 the region, there is much salt marsh and tule land. Some of this land ; ¢ under cultivation, ¢“t ] a i inari vod i A ot PTs , “two or three years being ordinarily required after leveeing and oe Dat Doron vet soils from the coast region lying northward of San Pablo bay have thus far been received wa » Lats 37S as ie oily a very general idea of their character and distribution Unlike. am , the ntains of Napa and Sonoma are largely formed b < i i ou ) y rocks of eruptive ong, aul Whose floss prevail the soils are naturally different from those of the Cretaceous ra Ro ens usiliof Ashe. ei fuslily 9 ie Wills of the two counties just named has largely been ascribed to the soils. uch o e rock constituting the lower and le i ET, Ey : itating more level portions of the ranges of ¢ h y whitish or white tufa, into which celiars have b dil i gives rise to a more or less heavy clay soil—white adoho in th So AL : ay § 8 ) e valleys, a red and mor 1 50i ridges. These tufa plateaus alternate with belts a i : yt ga fae ts and ridges—mostly the higher point i harder, and crystalline or scoriaceous rock ily St a é 8, less easily decomposed than th f: ivi i i lighter character, gray or whitish in the v Mle BAAS GUE, SUA SITING Tet) nen : ralleys, from the removal of the iron by leachi kinds of transitions between these two extr i Plsohny locum fnaiSasal ese t emes, and occasionally even : i i the prevalence of the calcareous sedimentary rocks. i Ail Th i , ti Buky, Siles Rou) Sout, a which the analyses are given below, represent, respectively, the lighter sy alley lying near the foot of the slope and the red soil of the mountain sides Sop 185 Yo soil Rati tg Joa portion of the vineyard of G. F. Hooper, lying within a hundred yards of k, ma county, taken to the depth of 12 inches. This soil i i i i oi EE . oil is a medium light loam soil of a reddish- ’ sh when wet. The dry lumps crush readily bet | I TO J ily between the fingers and soften quickly , y, so that the soil cannot be worked when ver : . y wet. It has age grapes for a number of years, and was originally timbered with oaks and grape-vines. POT azliens des go: & i ogg ol a, the higher portion of G. F. Hooper's land, now occupied by orange and ’ 4) inches depth, and similar in appearance for 2 or 3 fi i il i i Reig mina pnw : J or 3 feet. This soil is a brownish-red gments intermingled; but the color dark i i MEL Soll, sous fob ; ens somewhat in wetting, and the dry ! $ gers, but soften slowly on wetting, and become onl i i is quite light in tillage, and produces well, and i i Poe pip ge ap a § qu ’ is evidently especially adapted to fruit culture, favori Hug lg as early maturity. The original growth is oaks, manzanita, and some ¢‘chaparral n. RES ra $18, Jom ealey sl from the vineyard of J. H. Wheeler, 2 miles south of Saint Helena, Napa county; a ’ some coarser sand in the subsoil; taken to 12 inch i ily ti '} raza seine: sol, ®is wi ; 2 inches depth. It is easily tilled, in y, and is much benefited by underdrainage. The natu i Sion was oaks, grasses, etc. The soil has been under cultivation for some Rite Ren ig 715 ia Rae a G2 asi Ts Fae po gt BT is ren Ser pis i taetee a : = Ee = = ra eT a 3 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Vineyard soils. SONOMA COUNTY. NAPA COUNTY. | | | | | RED MOUNTAIN || NAPA VALLEY SOIL. SOIL. i t Hoopere vine- | Hooper's land. Routh of Sain f | | No. 188. No. 672. | em + | | 34.392 77.017 3 | 14.110 Insoluble matter ap $ 90-357 } 48. 502 Soluble silica 0.319 0.746 0. 058 0.47 0. 670 0. 600 0.72 | 1.331 0.146 || 0.041 25. 955 5. 650 12.160 || 5.671 0.166 || 0.101 0.171 0.274 | 0.050 3.715 11. 640 Brown oxide of manganese Peroxide of iron Phosphoric acid Sulphuric acid ‘Water and organic matter 99.701 100. 602 11 2.537 | 0.371 1.171 4.980 13.710 15C.0 Available inorganic Hygroscopic moisture 15 C.0 absorbed at : ‘ ; ; : ition i i i i erties and in some points of their chemical composition, While differing widely in their aspect and physical prop SR TE eras: far apart in the most essential poi 1. es os EL irs mountain soil stands somewhat below the valley soil ; yet the supply o of potash, ’ i i hat of the valley nearly one and a half times, and this, i Shree 3 fo a sini Spas mn its very high power for absorbing weisz, aal fms gee eh i a a net injury from drought. On the whole, the advantages of the two sol 8 ape % very eildetive oe a vie the valley soil a similar degree of security against drought; but it 1s evi 9 iy evenly : balanced % is os and wet than the hill soil. The latter, with its eastern exposure, seems canny wi: ibis i Ty a - srape culture; and this adaptation is confirmed by the excellent results Shining i $ PSY es & Rag Joell on a similar soil higher up the valley, as well as in the we 3 ow 4 TE ” rd northwest of Saint Helena, in the Napa valley. I think it probable wt) w Sat e Sehrammebery iv balanced against the mere quantity of production, the red mountain 8 Opes ] od J a bs wor 1b vineyards as high up as the vine will grow and produce the choicest ines ot Yess ™ Cape especially the vineyards are steadily advancing up the hillsides already, and on n NG h region. Howell plateau 3 tv la > though Lk heavier soil, timbered with a great variety of iy a on an excellent staple of cotton was grown in 1881 by Dr. H. Kimbal yoL NAP. .onsiderably richer in potash, and, Th Napa valley soil differs from the Sonoma soils in two chief points. It is considera y Conk 400, the i hand. considerably lower in phosphates, as well as somewhat lower in lime. {3 pag oe cone dine, in ects the “cultivation it has undergone exerts a depressing influence upon the Tesu 8, on . the Kana t Ste resp nt potash, no doubt, has some connection with the extraordinary crops sometimes 5 314 ee Gis frequently to over 10 tons, and in a late and well-anthenticated og to ov or im a Srpes valley ’ eo. While such extraordinary production cannot be expected to yield first-class wines, ye p per acre. is bey ion. : 3 aw at be a RTO), pase ie soil from a flat on Clear lake, Lake county, sent iy = S. B. Sr a Jie » i es j i i f the region; taken from a n . ard u : ativ large proportion of the cultivable land o OI | 3 fect 3 a Below a duott the color is even higher and the soil more clayey ; but between 2 and 2 ine . , ali tint, and is less clayey. . : ; . arises t of es 95H io is of rather unusual composition and highly ferruginous, with an vie i sul a which is not adequately represented in the shape of clay, as shown in the fos Rion » i da » a as voll as in the small percentage of soluble silica. The supply of potash an he : his) BE ae 3 uy wl 3 By a soil. Phosphoric acid is very low, so that it is sure to be greatly needed after a o y Mr re. obi: iy Be is shown to be in an available form by the humus deimiiation. Fie sD di i i yield : ’ ? il i dapted to cereal cu . but. wil : i i the soil is not one adapter and moisture absorption high. Altogether, n that climate choice crops of fruit. 716 PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 59 The only other soil sample from the northwestern part of the state thus far examined was sent by Mr, Waddington, of Ferndale, Humboldt county. : No. 207. Soil of Eel river bottom from three miles east of Ferndale, Humboldt county, taken to a depth of 12 inches. This is a gray silty soil, blackish when wet, and when worked in that condition somewhat adhesive and plastic, and very uniform for a long distance within the limits of the bottom. Original growth not reported. This soil produces excellent grain crops for four or five years, and continues to do so in favorable seasons; but after some years’ cultivation it seems to “run together”, so as to be difficult to till, and after late overflows especially becomes intractable for the season, so as to materially abridge crops. The analysis was requested with a view to determine how to obviate this trouble. No. 205. Subsoil of the above, taken from 12 inches depth down to 23 inches. This subsoil is very similar in appearance to the soil, but slightly heavier, and is of lighter gray tint, with an occasional grain of bog ore. Lands north of the bay country. LAKE COUNTY. | HUMBOLDT COUNTY. Soil. il Red volcanic. | Eel river bottom land. B Soil. | Subsoil. No.6%6. | No.200. | No.2. | | | Insoluble matter 49. 604 } 55. 538 ll 65.346 Soluble silica 5.9345 || 6.896 0.452 1.127 | 0.170 || 0.282 0.658 | 0.105 | Magnesia 0.610 3.329 | Brown oxide of manganese 0.051 | 0.117 | Peroxide of iron 10. 477 6.986 Alumina : 29.585 | 10.236 Phosphoric acid 0.031 0.167 Sulphuric acid i 0.033 0.020 | Water and organic matter 9.654 || 5.629 | 69. 373 J72.202 | 5. ss § 72-961 100.259 || 100.240 | 1.442 | Available inorganic 0.393 | Available phosphoric acid 0.014 Hygroscopic moisture 11.110 | absorbed at The analyses show the bottomn soil to be one of great native resources—an unusually high percentage of potash and a very fair supply of phosphoric acid—there being a remarkable uniformity of composition through the entire soil-mass ‘examined. The subsoil contains somewhat less phosphoric acid, and, of course, less humus; but in the surface soil the supply of both is ample. The one deficiency apparent in both is that of lime, the percentage of that important soil ingredient being smaller than in any other soil of the state thus far examined and unusually out of proportion to the other ingredients. This lack of lime accounts at once for a certain lack of thriftiness even in the virgin soil, and equally for the difficulty in tillage complained of. A few years’ cultivation will still further reduce the small amount of lime in the surface soil and render it inadequate, not only for the maintenance of thriftiness, but also for that necessary condition of tilth, the “flocculation” of the clay. In the absence of a sufficiency of lime the clay assumes the “tamped” condition in which it is desired to be for the purposes of the potter, but not for those of the agriculturist; for it will then cause a clogging of the plow and the formation of hard lumps whenever the soij dries. It is evident that liming is the first thing needful for those cultivating the Eel River valley soils, but whether lime or marl can be procured by them at a cost making its use practically possible I am not able to say. It is possible that limestone suitable for agricultural use exists in the region. In the meantime green manuring would help, in a measure, to obviate the difficulty, until better communication shall enable the farmers to use freely the obvious and best remedy on their otherwise so generous soil. * SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAIN REGION. The middle and northern portions of the eastern side of the state embrace the very high mountain chains known as the Sierra Nevada, which rise to elevations of 8,000 and 10,000 feet and more above the level of the sea, the elevation of some of the highest peaks being nearly 15,000 feet, forming a backbone-like though irregular chain in its 7 60 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. i nd western slopes. The enter from north to south and dividing the region into what has been termed od i wm falls off rather steeply into a plateau region, which is elevated Sone 5 io ot the Bree, the western limit of the Great American basin or desert. The western § ory In OO itword With wd to whose maximum elevation of 4,000 feet the Sierra proper wg ES a A a , or dl I’ : an Jo: ‘ . valley lands of the Sacramento and St a ‘ ., wentler slope to the low valley la ( Sa tn the h en into an upper or broken region, which has an elevation of 2m fhe is din OB oo Sierra mountains, and properly belongs to that division, and 3 ha > sa raion i oan important agricultural country, 1s separattl, eet, hich. being an important agricultu 3 hs a A as a rder for an immense distance, the whole country for nearly 500 miles in : Av aced in consecutive 0 > de ioatl ey Tas of The Sierra Nevada ranges may be traced in con a Thatate raion, to 10 : : 37 onto rithi imits of the stat to a. length and nearly 100 miles in width—their extent w ike is buns while in the Coast range all is confusion and disorder. . th ieh impart a peculiar character to its BPograb ils» y ypanish peak, Pilot pea e ‘ating crests, which impart a peculiar cha : ) tute, Spwnish potk, 4 AAAS ar: uh 1kks of HH Sierra Nevada, from mount Shasta on the north, wisp Re 1sse Se A and icy \ ( Ss al » - , " 4 . : ; : : hi ie Pyramid peak, Castle peak, mounts Dana, Lyell, Brewer, Tyndall, y ih 310 west. On the castern side of this Do w “0 000 " 15 000 feet above tho level of the sea, are nearly all in a line runing uy site we Soe reach from i f “i his is situated a series of lakes, the principal of which are Klamath, Pyra o i on 7 Ot revs canneries ’ . . 2 oH « . . Ska a yal: ’S . ] culminating ne : - and Tahoe, occupying an elevated valley at a point Ww here the range an I tnrirae ar the vu ot t : Ea rivers Pave the southern limit of the depression in which {ions Lia a “ en an A A i i is also about 50 miles wide, and f ) ; 4 3 tides higuipestss, Thh a, i i i the east of the culminating ol » western slope of this ridge of hig w! ; a ru wiih lst ttic vos HE comtiaaons their direction and also containing a Series of lakes. That sect remarkably ¢ f i ed inate range of peaks which bound g ly t 1 the eastern slope. The depression on the west of this range and the subordinate rang Y aks is generally termed t . ; | gy Sue Pe arin on the west is considered as the Sierra proper.— Natural Wealth of Calif : ; —’ ” Sats The following ar the ele ations of some of the most prominent peaks, as determ g are Vv d ned by the United State Feet. surveys: Mount Lyell Mount Dana Kaweah Peak tens Mon TYRll .. covssrrroessnssnn as spntanns sasersncmns 27s MOUNEBIOSIN +n s oo cin erstmsmensrssnesnsnasessangar sont ss nn Mount WHItHeY ...ccv conveeranuarssonsvnnnus cnnrennnnnen uta stern slopes (omitting the lower foot-hills), Space th 2 io ia iti i i z ange of mountains on the nor - : as it does, with the Coast rang SO ci itt han 37,000 square miles. Uniting, s 1 a z “omg ase valley the oe of separation between the two mountain regions becomes 0 : g . 9 . : . ‘ 1 high . t line of separation, though the " , card to the Oregon line, form a convenient - restward toward cape from the great valley northward ot Sierra, extends much further southwestwar . i ith a height characteristic only of the Sierra, € ; edi \tains, which Jona hs on the south this high altitude belongs in part to the San Bernardino mout y endocino. og ; ag. trend with the Coast range and are included in the southern agricultural reglon, ccuiral pact of Siskivon county, ren The western limit of the region passes from the north, SOR vis Shion a oA of Fresno, and turns southwar a y . . 0 e DY : : asha.t xtends in a very irregular southeast course : : tos. bezinning on the gn of Kern. The region includes the following counties and parts of Wi Do a to fe 2 Sr e sm parts of Siskiyou and Shasta; all of Modoc, Lassen, and Pluugs 5 > orado, Amador, Calaveras, wa 3 of Tehama and Butte; nearly all of Sierra; the eastern parts of Nev ada, £ Bes oH Da bo: Yeccuo aod TRIALS, lie aid Mariposa; all of Alpine and Mono; the western part of Inyo; the cast y u hy © ’ i i i i inst the Coast range. and the central portion of Kern, at whose lower line the Rg nls op a 40080} A droagh rvegulor 4 ; i i i are : oy The prominent features of the Sierra region as thus outline Hs bolt eas a aio: ; ni : . d summits towering idly to belts of high mountain ridges, their snow-cappe smbered : third, an eastern slope, falling rapidly second, a western slope of high and broken hills, mostly well cl i great lakes, and on the north with an elevation of 5,000 feet, and interspersed with minor mountains, valleys, ¢ ava bed plateaus. HE Qs range of mountains is a natural water-shed, throwing the drai Ts, t into the great basin in the state of Nevada and west into the Sogsuen I 931 Se doamNn 3 2 Sa tion to this is Pit river, which, rising in the northeastern part of og y 9s i BR i a low portion of the Sierra chain and forming the chief tributary of the i innumerable streams : ii : ins are usually Spe 3 gr slope contains very few streams of any fee iui ae a aes Beuhians cid id . so Si i ole, is 8 a ’ : cps edar, etc. The entire Sierra region, as a whole, i ations, and, if evenly fimbered ¥ 1) ios + 55 oh. to mining towns, wood-cutter’s camps, and a few railroad stations, y is con : sstri rage but little more than one person Ibe. of ; it of the people. Ir. Sy wi py a farming and stock-raising is carried on, but suing is Be Shief Sng E sn time large herds of stock, especially sheep, are driven to Regen 718 The Sierra region, with its eastern and we nage of the two slopes, sospeciively, 1. large and small, the headwaters of nearly all of the large rivers of the per square mile. In some of the valleys on either side - PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 61 THE BROKEN REGION OF THE WESTERN SLOPE. The high and broken belt of country lying immediately at the foot of the high Sierra, and known as the higher or broken foot-hill region, has an altitude of from 2,000 to 4,000 feet above the sea; its width varies greatly, but is usually about 10 or 15 miles. In Plumas county this region spreads out to 35 or 40 miles, while in other places it narrows to not more than 5 miles. The rise from the lower foot-hills is often so gradual that the line of separation cannot be definitely marked out, while from the eastern border of this region the high Sierra mountains usually rise very suddenly to their great altitude. It is estimated that the region covers about 8,000 square miles. Of its topographical and agricultural features but little is generally known beyond the fact that it is throughout extremely broken with rugged hills and but few valleys, the streams mostly wending their way across the belt in deep chasms and cafions. The region is generally well timbered with oaks, pines, firs, and other growth, with big trees (Sequoia gigantea) in Calaveras and adjoining counties. Lumbering and mining constitute the chief industries of the extremely sparse population, and the few settlements and towns found here and there are usually little else than camps, with a few necessary stores and trading posts. Little farming is done, as there is but a small portion of the entire region that is suitable for cultivation. In Plumas county, where the belt takes its greatest width of about 40 miles, there are a number of grassy and well-watered but treeless valleys, which stretch across the country for 100 miles in a southeastern direction, connected with each other by caiions, passes, or low divides, and have areas varying from 3 to 8 miles long and from 1to 4 miles wide. These are Big Meadows, Butte, Indian, Genessee, Clover, and Sierra valleys, and are more fully described under the head of Plumas county, page 123. The lands of these valleys are usually sandy, derived mostly from the metamorphic rocks that form high mountains on either side. The basin called American valley, in which the town of Quincy is situated, is about 11 miles long and from 2 to 3 miles wide, and has an’ elevation of 3,500 feet above the sea. This part of the region is principally occupied by the metamorphic rocks over an area of about 30 miles in diameter; but this is almost entirely surrounded by volcanic materials, the great lava streams which have come down from Lassen’s peak on the north and Pilot peak on the south uniting with the volcanic crest of the Sierra, so as to cover the slates around three-quarters of the circumference of the circle. Between Indian and Big Meadows valley the edge of the great volcanic region is struck ; from here the mass of lava extends almost uninterruptedly to the Oregon line and far beyond.— Geological Survey of California. THE EASTERN SLOPE. Nearly all of the region lying east of the Sierra chain is desolate in the extreme, and its surface is broken with mountains, ridges, and hills, and scarcely inhabited. Its southern part embraces large desert areas, its northern immense beds and table-lands of lava, while in its central part the state line approaches so near the Sierra chain as to leave very little of the slope within California. This region, even were its altitude lower than it is, affords very few facilities for profitable farming. Valley lands are found here and there, but these partake so much of the desert character of the southern part of the state, or are covered to such an extent by the volcanic materials throughout the region, as to be in many instances useless. We find, however, some large valleys that contain much good land that is at present partly under cultivation, and these are described separately. Excellent timber, somprising pine, fir, and cedar, covers many of the mountains, making lumbering one of the industries of the people. Cattle-raising is also largely engaged in, while in some of the counties, especially in the middle and southern portions of the region, mining is the chief occupation. The following descriptions are given of the chief valleys of the region, beginning on the south: Owen’s valley is a narrow basin between extremely lofty mountains. It is about 140 miles in length, north and south, and its average width is about 10 miles. Along its western edge it is bordered by the Sierra Nevada, which presents an almost unbroken wall in this part of its course, rising in its highest peaks, which are opposite Owen’s lake, to 15,000 feet, and having no pass across it of less than 11,000 feet in elevation. Here the descent from the summit of the Sierra to the valley must average fully 1,000 feet per mile, and this would seem to be one of the steepest mountain profiles in the country. This portion of the Sierra as seen from the valley is peculiarly grand. The steep slopes rise from the desert plain and are everywhere naked and destitute of forests, the only trees being the pines in the cafions and the scattered nut-pines, which are scrubby and small, and extend up to about 8,000 or 9,000 feet, the rest of the ridges being made up of patches of bare soil, with exceedingly steep slopes of naked gray rock or snow. On the eastern side of the valley the mountains are more broken, but almost as high and grand as those on the western, and apparently forming a continuous range,called Inyo mountains on the south and White mountains farther north. The mountains are very dry and desert-like, not a single stream of any size flowing from them into Owen’s valley, which is exclusively supplied with water by the melting of the snow stored away during the winter on the upper part of the eastern slope of the Sierra. The White and Inyo mountains are destitute of forest vegetation except a few scattering, scrubby pines, mostly the nut-pine (Pinus Fremontiana). . The tributaries which Owen’s river receives from the Sierra are small streams. As they issue from the mountain cafions they flow out upon great piles of detritus or washes, consisting of coarse and fine debris, brought by the stream from the mountains and piled up on the plain with a gradual slope to the valley. This slope of detritus extends along the whole base of the mountains, but is highest where the streams come out, so that the latter often separate into several branches as they flow down it, thus making irrigation quite easy, and giving rise to a considerable expanse of meadow and cultivable land along the various channels. Lava beds extend from the mountains on the east and west, the two sometimes nearly meeting in the middle of the valley. In the region of Fish springs the lava bed on the west side of the valley is about 15 miles wide, and on the east about 10 miles. On the north lava occupies nearly the whole of the valley, and is highest along its center. Very little of the land of this valley is under cultivation, the tillable areas lying in small tracts, mostly in the southern half, in the region of Independence —Genlogical Survey of California. 719 LAR TT og ee COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. vation, Big Meadows and Antelope, 62 In Mono county there are two important valleys that are partly under culti each about 10 miles long and very narrow. Their soils are mostly alluvial or of a dark soddy character, covered with with some willow trees along the streams. The valley of Honey lake, in Lassen county, is about 60 miles long ast to west and from 15 to 20 miles wide. Its northern portion is dry and barren, and, with the exception of destitute of vegetation. On the west and southwest, near the Sierra, there is a strip miles wide under cultivation. The soil of this part is a sandy loam, yielding with from 25 to 30 bushels of wheat per acre. A number of other small valleys lying egion are chiefly devoted to grazing purposes. On the northwest of Lassen county Big valley, on Pitt river, covers a large region, embracing some good land, and is bordered on the east by long, oval hills and extensive table-lands, known as the Madaline plains. The surface of the valley is mostly covered with sage-brush; its soils vary from red clays to dark loam and gravelly lands, and are spotted with alkali tracts. The valley is chiefly devoted to stock-grazing. The only other valleys worthy of mention are those that border th viz, Goose Lake valley and Surprise valley. The valley of Goose lake lies mostly on the eastern side of the lake, reaching back some 4 or 5 miles, and is watered by several small streams. Its lands are said to be good for farming purposes. They are covered with bunch and other grasses, and are partly under cultivation, yielding crops of wheat, barley, oats, etc. The adjoining mountains are heavily timbered with cedar and pine, while on the hillsides and around the lake is an abundant growth of wild plums. On the west side of the lake there is a narrow strip of valley devoted to dairying. Surprise valley, east of this, lies north and south along the state line for 60 miles, and has a width of about 15 miles. Three lakes lie within its basin, while on either side it is bounded by high and timbered mountains. Its surface is covered with grasses, and its soil is a rich black loam, occupying a strip from 2 to 6 miles in width, whose surface gently slopes to the lakes. The valley is settled in neighborhoods, and is partly under cultivation. Stock-raising and lumbering are carried on to a considerable extent. grass, from ¢ sage-brush and greasewood, is of good farming land about 2 irrigation, which is necessary, along the borders of small lakes in this r e lakes in the northeastern part of the state, THE LAVA-BED REGION. stern part of the state, from Feather river, in Butte and Plumas counties, e Sacramento and Shasta valleys eastward to the eastern part of Modoc A large proportion of the northea eat beds of lava and other volcanic material, and has northward to the state line, and from th county, is covered to a depth of several hundred feet with gr generally a broken surface. The exact extent and outline of the region is not known, but it covers the eastern portions of Siskiyou, Shasta, and Tehama counties, the western part of Lassen county, the northwestern part of Plumas, and the greater part of Modoc. As determined by the state geological survey, the limit reaches on the southwest to within a few miles of Oroville, Butte county; thence northward its western limit reaches quite to the Sacramento river, near Antelope creek, in Tehama county, but recedes from it to the east beyond Battle creek, passing a little to the east of Fort Redding. The western edge of the great volcanic plateau may be traced in a line nearly northeast from about 25 miles; it then bends to the northwest, and follows that point for a distance of ; nearly that course to the north line of the state, passing a little to the east of Yreka, Siskiyou county. The surface of this large region is much broken, and is interspersed with hills and high volcanic cones, frequently cut ito deep chasms by the few streams that occur in the region. On the north extensive caves have been found under the lava-bed. Pluto’s cave, 4 miles north of Hurd’s ranch, in Shasta valley, Siskiyou county, is described as being under a lava table whi ch slopes to the north, its surface very rough, raised into domes or blisters, and having a thin, dry soil. The ¢ in a northwest direction. Near the entrance avern is a long gallery extending under this table, now open for about a mile the roof has fallen in several places; but otherwise the gallery is continuous, and has a width varying from 20 to 50 feet, the height being in some places as much as 60 feet. Throughout most of its extent the cavity is beautifully arched, having a section resembling that of an egg set up on its smaller end. The rock at the top and sides often has a concentric structure parallel with the sides of the arch. In places there are considerable quantities of spongy lava, which seems to have oozed from the sides in a frothy state. The whole appearance of the place is that of a cavity produced by the flowing out of the liquid lava after the sides and top ed above, the entire region had become consolidated. Excepting only the valleys mention covered by these beds is barren and desolate and almost without habitation, or lands that could be profitably tilled. The lava-bed section at the northwest corner of Modoc county is a succession of gulches and crevasses which range from a few feet to 100 feet in width, and many of them are 100 feet deep ; some have subterranean passages which lead for miles under the rocks. This broken country extends in a belt eastward to Goose lake. This lava section of the country has no arable lands, and it is fit only some places it is sparsely covered with juniper. Pit river flows for 15 miles from Goose lake through a desolate plateau covered with large bowlders and masses of blackened lava, known as the Devil's garden, at the end of which it rushes, roaring and foaming, through a deep defile, named, from its wild and rugged it meanders quietly through Spring valley, su called because of a deep aspect, *‘ The Devil's cafion.” Emerging from this gorge, pool of hot water situated on its banks, which, agitated by the chemical action going on in its subterranean chambers, throws a volume of water as large as a hogshead to a height of 10 feet, which falls back into a large circular basin with the noise of a mountain cascade. The country adjacent to Pit river, and with few exceptions the immediate valley of the stream itself, is for the most part an arid, barren, and timberless region. There is, however, some good land along the river in the southern part of the country, where also the juniper and cedar attain a size making them serviceable for fuel. —Natural Wealth of Califorma. 720 for grazing purposes. It is a vast plain or table-land, and in PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. ~~ 63 Between Cow creek and Bear < a pera po i! county, there is a broad plain of volcanic ashes, desti I SE Sion +» © Sunohs, On nearing Bear creek more solid lava a sy So und examination of the region between that now e a from the great center of eruptive agoncies : ¢ oo wor Tames nye un yosn ti ii inct volcano and the Sacramento river shows that tl " odo Rein Bon ors, Sa iit $1ses added extensively to the mass of cjected materials, The in we mo idiog nearly 75 miles wide. Between the oth. 2d they now cover a district about 100 miles lon f wy i ye of vs a well studied at Battle creek, which rises - Seon Sad Red BILE fis voleanie ronkseums en oly ow to tha sive, They my I ym» did ; asec s butte, and has cut a deep cafion in the a hg WAM the Sacramento. All along Deer and Chi ns 0 have flowed in sheets over the surface Sr : p divi Shien Sen ems 4 fh i. pe ag Naat Wb) Of % peels, in Tehama and Butte counties, the Yeva ter: In . . Sr ToS Nom mes Bn a, fo ea i a Bp y and covered with volcanic fragments; but Torti a nh cons gradu rile, hs coneidr hoo The le apts mi : fo own toward the river the land becomes i nh ? and Increases as we approach Chico creck, where we Southward from thi 118 great lava region i : gion the signs of a fi i abundant, and we fi i f ai vil ii y lk Surge canic activity in igh Sierr: i Rania td et “ 3 Dro dot feature in many of the counties beds of bas ns oh ae : 'n slope, and down i wo Rh once heavy flows of lav ? 1 into the lower foot-hills, ther i Ee sbidom ) va from these mountai : 5; Sore arewiill {lie ron] | De; Id down ily h he remains of what of the county froi ee ay ant on nro : ] y such can be traced t he TS ha oe o Ander the volcanic remains lie chiefly along the aA he om, po a flow extending up the ridge between the Cosaunes and Yon a WI s and Mokelumne rivers.” I TS. n < , J acne C ’ “big trees” and beyond. city and the The table m ( ( a vers » 3 ountain of T ua lum p V is flo WO va ory t u 3 10 V VO1Cd dO 1 Deyon( t 1¢ big t1 BCS ( f 1 t 0 ne count S ¢ i ala ras ; : " : Wi S a f la a rigging mg 1m the 1 ft V lcanice IC 101 b 1 1 H . J ol be b wy I» Stanislans river ’ for m in aa { 1 0 i S age, ¢ ow t > 1 Jnore t ha n 2 000 re » bov ¢ { h } IIvel Jus low A 1 ( y S ferry the river ha 1 ] - nearity ¢ ntinunou x lg i a : : i B 1 y ] ate y SOG distance fron tl . . I'C ugh the once contin uous basaltic ridge, Ww hich has been irregular y worn a ° i on s y 1 1¢ river, but which reappears as h 1t ol ol t 1 t e t Ww 0 Columbia and continues on the S00 S 1 f th var fi » ) I 1 a as a continuous m mnmtaimm chain a lit 1 sou h est f y } south ue o 0 river ’ orminge a cons ture of th 2 o , « ance o about 11 il fr t Int . 20 . \ h re 10 Crosse 1 do t o C t . I hs si ce ( t © on t S very V Ww t V §& race of so or veo t t 01), ~— ; , river and enters he « « . Wie t (C i 28 tl © L t C ounty i 2 Geological Sur rey of California fa ’ nf h mountain 1 er le el 1 h hardl 1 a . . , g Rd trace f il Tr hy ctation [=] South of Tuol nmne county scarcely anv voleani , To . . o De ) any volean ap 3 volcanic White ; . ic accumulations hav ¢ action is apparent in some of the mountains of the Jnons have been found to show lava flows, though AL : KALI SOILS AND IRRIGATION WATERS OF CALIFORNIA Alkali soils (a).—Thi i ; .—This name is applied in Californi: indi A a, au Fh hn wo Culifinnia almost indiscriminately to all soils containi a aus Lou Desay ix Los {My nade apparent by the ‘‘eftlorescence”, or blooming EE Saal Loss ; alKk¢ A (e rn « 3 4 ] it usually becomes less perceptible from Sesouies most apparent in dry weather following apn rai > ihe tae, ASU gosine Py lamiisonius fom Ei xine with dust, as well as from the failure of the Be op gation. Later in the season sv rise. avain: > ances, carries them partly i Vor 0 So i — A » carries them partly into the water-courses, but chiefly Dr Heat wa to the 16 immediate source of the ¢ i ’ a —_ : : le “alkali” is us pr y i ERMA Fo i gl an bs usually to be found in the soil-water, which, rising fi perceptibly salty or alkaline, and the sami I Malin it digemin. Sua iar, She reached bya ce, n io moans ava . v ‘gy Ax J. 3 i i a wick, draws up the soil-water and allows it Mosiy true of the soil an inch or two beneath the su x ig NR . « 7 vy 4 3 : 3 8 : until the solution becomes so strong as to inj 0 ev aporate at the surface, it is there, of course, that I tho, bs TES Si Soll Sei ike or near the crown -of the Toot. w 8 jure or kill all useful vegetation. The inj in 2) fas Gisetved inaiinss accaniulats One obvio 1 oot, where the stem emerges from the soil jury will usually be found to be most severe just > us and practically import: i : ii aa i, d pr: portant conclusion to be drawn fi 1 he soil within a seaso folds ve cai AON nsiderations is that th ten alkali salts will be dr: A hana g up a larger amount of alkali; or if, i amg pel, ps ig 5 ace. ence ain limi WO. i oo St hi ois iosead of rain, surface irrigation is made “to a ng ii limits, a greater rainfall definitely beyond tl rided that the rainfall or irrigati A af itou] nouns of we li he reach of surfac : tat gation does not go so far A ay 1ce evaporation into lower strata, from which es or s on a ih postion af the smi r eepage will carry i _- g g arry them into the e of the rainfall or : irri i amount of irrigati i a Le igation water that will ace i fig asure upon the nature of ti i gh Susailiih que one of ! : or the i 23 Iags Saga WB is ite of he sail as well as of the underlying strata. It is more ih * is iii lis deals i ol A cu : a Sasyb or amily 3 isture and accompanying salts will keep risi a Gos soluble suis ub ol Rough . e after the cessation of rain or irrigation PINE pongh the Sovuck fom greAG X oughly speaking, there is in California an obvious i . ati a iy Sheaig, hess Jed Caliban on i non relation between the rainfall and the preval or less to seaw ! ase of rainfall to sonth 1 i i Suis of ala oP ! ward is most obvious i ils dolls AO to soni us in the gre y i tho 9 0 poansmiof the Dons igs Tis oy question is of general importance chiefly in lig iw Diets 2% shite ae. Jaturgs pnd So 4 at latitude the more copious rainfall seems to Ti ofa Sie NS a et a soils leached of their i, i “ r alkali, if, ater evaporates from country . tematic mv ti ati is si HN ' 0 ( ‘al { « h th 1S su ject in its rel i i 30. do 1 y «b. do © ears 1 ’ 1879, and 1 r 46 ¢ P—VYOL. II 721 . TE, 64 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. - i i ith it i luble ingredients also. i i try drainage, carrying with it its so \ i ink through into the strata supplying the countr) i water used is not 5 gress he itn exerted by the alkali salts upon the root crowns and Piper PE LD a, a A ys i ther source of injury which manifests itself mainly in the heavier c¢ ass 0 A» a. tes of soda and potash. This is the great difficulty or almost impossi ility of p og Ee tendency of alkaline solutions to maintain all true clay in the instead of the flocculent condition which it assumes in a well- common source of injury, t the soluble salts consist lar, j condition of true tilth, in consequence of the now well-known Jc J impalpably divided or tamped condition, that of well-worked potter's clay, . : : : : i dduce an »xample observed and Hi Wi i t so well known as t e first mention d, it will perti nt to adduc e i i j 'y 1o ) 3 y As this cause of jury 1s k a he one fi one Ww be nen i i his character, about 1 mile wide ied in the neighborhood of Stockton, San Joaquin county, California, from where a belt of land of this char » 2 4 . . 4 y : i 1 wie HO a rie go i Bo ” lie low portions being impregnated with alkali at a : § . by its pitted or ‘‘pock-mar appe e, ! nitty op ti: This ns 16 SEO Ta i ‘hile after rains pools of dark-tinted wate i z vith i the surface during the dry season, Ww ] Pi A OE A ih us more or less incrusted y ith hd are dry and in tillable condition. These higher portions, forming hilloatse i a uy £ls nar for weeks after the hig % P “ave the alkali spots, and alse bordering the whole tract, consist of a fin e, mellow, EN oan iis Re wi wh roductive wherever the alkali does not influence it. Unfortunately, i Iss 80 in is : y si IE chosen for a Bani, is ly impossible to cultivate one without the other. A Siget ge! a a in "ie djs Sows ad a desperate attempt to conquer the refractory alkali soil. A mixed tract o > : a So adler A i Se a the harrow produced no further effect, and the een yas St 9 - a A I I Te i i ime the portions of the “‘ridg ahi a i ingi but Mr. Overhiser stated that, to that of a billiard ball, but having no wos or ging Yip 1 ; i f i been heavily manured, and a fa gsha ould, Somes of ie SLO Ha be expected to see the stalks ‘“ spindle up” and jure yellow about the time of going , in Soconl ” . i i -CTOW nS. WA et ame unusually moist, so as to HSvenr tL rise a thegibnii ey Sg sou i TOE ol ; a i) i hi he two was the heavier soil, and ospeetion sosmed i gon he i ith water it was difficult to say which of the two ; iff illi ities ; hen worked into a paste with wa ‘hich het IE difference of tilling I formed lumps about equally hard. For the final determination of this Jupsiion EE on drying ftom a it arative mechanical analyses. Both subsoils are very much alike in Apeatanes beh fof 2 Sa nh soil were subjecte > to 4 cloddy. Both show an alkaline reaction on litmus paper (bluing the re hep a: y EE Sa Wi oi decidedly the stronger. The mechanical analysis of the two surface soils resu 4 Te Sh wy ols oi sandy ingredients of the several grades is so slight that under ordinary in their proportion hibit on the surface white needle-shaped crystals, apparently of carbonate oF opin I alkali tract stood puddles of dark-colored water, i i is gi below an analysis of whose solid contents is given ’ STOMA ae the alkali soil in the laboratory, evaporating the coffee-colored lye, and bog off fs El ym Son oR f one per cent. of the dry soil. , i he latter process amounted to a quarter ol AAAI as OE salts, etc. The soluble and insoluble parts were constituted thus rem | | INSOLUBLE PARTS. SOLUBLE PARTS. | | Dead-furrow Constituents Soil extract. Dead susiow Constituents. puddles. 0! kg ; : on Ba sia hey a, Per cent. CA Per cent. a en 52.74 64. 01 Carbonate of CalOim ..........cocosenssoess seer reese | 12 Codi 33. 08 13. 06 Tri Qulie PHISDHALE cussecrrescnacessssmsennnmpenstssse sousssorines Si iviienon 13.26 ; Tri magnesic Phosphate «......oooeerrienennarmnnnrennnrmeeennes ni Selphatent ri 1.83 § 2.95 Silica (30Inhle in NazCos) «oo cnoeernnemnnnnnaenesennnmmneennr meres Sha Tri-sodic phosphate .......ceceeeemeereneenens = - Bd Iron oxide, alumina, and some clay (by difference).............. conn 100. 61 100. 00 100, 06 ! —— - - ee ———————————————————— amounts of neutral sodium and calcium salts (which tend to It will be observed that, notwithstanding the presence of considerable air sodiuge SUR esl TU Sts i . . : . . . eo. . ._s . : 1 . . . g ’ 0 be 1 ny cases w 1ere it 18 nof : Tes he. chanwe of i ‘rong way, especially in critical seasons. The change nl ini i i balance of profit and loss the wrong way, espec do ubipn fy 1 Won a Leama $8958 3 is = the most important points to be gained i As HoslyaRion of a } : . p" . ™ 3 ; : saihensios] See o59mes can be accomplished with little cost or difficulty by the application of SYD OF Jind Ph Eo tho dap ed, ad Biagio) effect of the alkaline carbonates upon the soil is the dissolution of their haps, We as bs | i i ft where such water evaporates, whe : i spots and in the black rings left whe t : hen tar Sof tach A oe a gg ii 4 soils will often appear almost white, and will remain unthrifty for some 3 bie nu om hyns iil Nm i her ig The application of gypsnm prior to leaching, however, renders the humus inso again, is restored by vegetable . a 3 ts its waste. : ori Dlr ation of alkali lands.—The most obvious remedy for this ev and, if possible, by anderdraining. This method is habitually resorted to in sea- ’ ’ il is, of course, the leaching-out of the injurious salts by footing, coast marshes, near the mouths of rivers, after the salt Water th in the uplands of some regions are promptly cured by a d the reach of the soil-water. Such spots are very becomes much more difficult when either bas been excluded by embankments. The limited salty spots so frequently met wi few underdrains, through whic i commonly found extraordinarily fertile afterward. 722 inter rains wash the salts definitely beyon Ld The problem of affording relief, however, | ata PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 65 stratum of saline water or an earth-layer containing much saline matter lies a few feet beneath the surface in a level region, as is unfortunately very often the case in California. When this happens the evil can only be mitigated, but scarcely altogether cured. According to the value of the land to be reclaimed, one or several of the following remedies may then be employed : 1. When the ‘ alkali” is not very abundant, or very nexious, frequent and deep tillage may afford all the relief needed. For inasmuch as the damage is in most cases the result of an excessive accumulation at or near the surface, it is clear that frequent intermixture of the surface layers with the deeper portions of the soil may so dilute the injurious salts as to render them powerless for harm. Moreover, since a perfect tilth of the surface greatly diminishes evaporation, it tends to diminish, concurrently, the accumulation of the alkali near the surface. The same effect may be produced by mulching, or by covering the surface with sand. With the aid of deep tillage it is often possible to raise on salty sea-shore lands root crops, such as large amount of soluble salts and sensibly relieve the soil, so that cereal crops may be grown the second 2. Underdrains may so far lower the water-table from which the saline matters are derived of the salts during the rainy season, that the latter will thereafter fail to reach the surface so with reasonably deep tillage. The, roots of plants will go deeper for the requisite moisture, but will not be injured by the weak saline water below. With the aid of underdrains, in many cases a comparatively small amount of irrigation water may, when applied at the proper time, be made to produce the leaching effect upon the surface soil that would otherwise require a long time and a much larger quantity of water in order to wash the alkali into the country drainage. 3. When the quantity of the salt or alkali is small, but its nature such as to be nevertheless very injurious or corrosive, the evil may be greatly mitigated, or sometimes completely relieved, by the application to the soil of chemical antidotes, cheaply procurable in commerce. In order that the proper antidote may be chesen, it is of course necessary to determine the nature, and, in a measure, the amount, of the ‘“ alkali” by chemical analysis. The salts usually found in the California “alkali” soils, so far as they have come under my observation, are of three kinds: a. Neutral alkaline salts, such as common salt, Glauber’s salt, sulphate of potassium, etc. large quantities, and relief can then be obtained only by washing them out of the soil by b. Soluble earthy and metallic sulphates and chlorides, such as Epsom salt, bittern, cheap and efficient antidote to these substances is lime ; in some cases even a natural calcareous marl will answer the purpose. c. Alkaline carbonates and borates. These, especially the former, are injurious in the smallest amounts, rendering the soil-water caustic and corrosive, and in clayey soils rendering it almost impossible to obtain good tilth, by their peculiar action u pon the e They are most abundant in southern California, while the second and first class seem to prevail in the Sacramento valley. The antidote to these, the true alkali salts, is gypsum or land-plaster. The efficacy of these antidotes depends, of course, upon the presence of water, without which they cannot act on the alkali”. They should be sown or spread on the surface and plowed or harrowed in to a moderate depth just prior to irrigation, where that is used; in the case of plaster, put in with the grain; in that of lime it should be put in just before a rain, or irrigation, and notat the same time with the grain or other seed. The amounts to be used of either of these substances will, of course, depend altogether upon the quantity of alkali in the soil and upon the amount of surface evaporation allowed in cultivation. It therefore varies and must be ascertained by experiment or analysis in each individual case. Their effect is to convert the corrosive or otherwise injurious salts into “neutral” ones, such as Glauber’s salt or common salt, which are from ten to twenty times less injurious than, e. g., the carbonate of soda. It follows that, when soils are very highly charged with the latter substance, even its conversion into neutral salts may not suffice to render the soil capable of profitable culture. To effect thisit may be necessary to aid the antidote by leaching-out in bad cases. On the other hand, the antidote will, in any case adapted to its use, aid either of the other methods of obtaining relief. The farmer afflicted with alkali should, therefore, not feel discouraged or disposed to condemn as useless any one of the measures of relief here described simply because the result is not perfect. The three should be combined, whenever possible, to the extent justified by the pecuniary value of the land. In districts afflicted with the carbonate of soda in the soil it has been found in numerous cases th conjointly with summer tillage, to keep the soil loose has sufficed to enable land that never before produced anything of value to bear abundant crops. But the failure to secure a similar result in the neighboring fields, at times, has caused unnecessary discussions as to the utility of gypsum. It should be remembered that where the amount of soluble salts present in the soil is very large gypsum may mitigate, but cannot altogether relieve, the trouble; its action must be supplemented by other means calculated to remove the soluble salts from the soil. In case carbonate of soda should not be present, gypsum will effect no improvement at all. To ascertain this is not at all difficult. The presence of carbonate of soda or potash is generally indicated when the water standing on the low alkali spots is of a dark-brownish tint, from the dissolution of the vegetable matter or humus of the soil; in other words, it is what is popularly known as “black alkali”. Such alkali will, moreover, impart a brown tint to paper dyed yellow with turmeric, or it will turn the juice of red cabbage green, or the color of blue litmus paper red. Again, if water be shaken up with gypsum and allowed to settle, and some of the clear alkali water added, the gypsum water will be rendered turbid. Analyses of ‘ alkali”.—The accompanying table shows in detail the composition of ‘‘ alkali” salts occurring at different points in California. beets or carrots, which absorb a or third year. » and may so far favor the washing out as to accumulate to an injurious extent These are injurious only when present in flooding, underdraining, ete. chloride of calcium, alum, copperas, etc. The lay. at the simple use of gypsum, 73 I EM A CT rp fr —— hl - ‘ PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 67 | 66 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. di A : a notable extent. Such is the case of the alkali tract in the bottom of the Merced river from which specimen No. 19 was taken. It lia ‘ TT fF Galkali® salts occurring at different points in California. : lies in a local basin of impervious limestone, and forms a low ridge, which is only exceptionally overflowed by the river, and that after r Table showing in detail the composition o isi i 1 previous rains. so that even the salts that have bloomed out on the surface are not usually washed away. oem gz Ee SR . I= ; It is quite probable that in the cultivation of regions possessing a climate snitable to the generation of niter deposits the artificial 1 sg mmm s g'§ ls g 2 12 4 = i 3 £ Ez. Z E g i addition of the latter as a commercial manure will rarely be necessary. Since nitrates are not retained in a soil percolated by water, the | E 38% iz : o) iz ; 12 2 = Ea = £3 E $ y use of drainage or leaching-out of the soluble salts will result in the removal of this important fertilizing ingredient from the soil. When 2, 3 z 3 iz 22 | % 3 Bs 2c : £3 z : Ez £2 23 g Antidote. 1 kuown to be present, therefore, the process of washing out should not be carried further each season than is needful for the success of i Locality. 153 g£ Eig I | 2 Ez FE: = gE | ef 11 Z3 3c 20 i crops, and all the means mentioned for reducing the injurious eftect of the corrosive salts on the CTOWn-ToOts should be employed. It a : 2 % 2 EE g | E § E |B EE 2 |B= is & gz 5% | £ g 3 goes without saying that in each case crops adapted to the particular circumstances will, other things being equal, bring the best returns. i i iE Z 2% .% 1%" 2 13 2 & 3 s = S SIR Boa aed : Experience has already in many cases demonstrated the extraordinary productiveness of some “alkali” lands when reclaimed by the Ri 1 |B RiZ Je 1% % 1% 1.2 a nT el a wy DRI 3 means described. I i I 5 pias, LH 28 am g Lyects of irrigation on alkali soils,.—Du1ing the past two or three years complaints of the increase of alkali on irrigated lands in the Mo i Corvallis, Los Angeles county... LER BE ce fr AW | = - hy Ena ali 09.26 Gypsum. upper part of the San Joaquin valley, especially in the counties of Kern, Tulare, and Fresno, south of King’s river, have become more 4 Westminster, Los Angeles county 0.49 20. 626.20] ..-.1 4.000 61 4) 0.57... 2 enennenliaens “ Gy an : A Lo hi are Drainage. aud more frequent. During a personal examination of that region in March, i830, this important matter was brought prominently to | TO county... Seat a ll dt 2) *) rapes amps hp be ob 100. 31 my notice by many farmers. Much difference of opinion prevailed as to the causes of the evil, but there was no question as to the fact i | | i : bio : series *) T4530 glioean ahi hs fees jsen rans naan ree Gypsum. of the increased ‘‘rise of the alkali”, TH Riverside, San Bovnurdine county... lig | 0 sees bade: Lviusle s dvvvmudinunenons §) .en: jevniiiseners BM The latter phrase, commonly used in this connection, really contains the clew to the whole problem. It is emphatically true that i. Merced bottom, No. 18, Merced bones jenare ones a o i o ml gael haa dm ee 17.01... 100.01 Do. the alkali salts rise from below, through the agency of the water e raporating upon the surface. Irrigation has not only increased the ; 3 Morera bottom, No. 19, Merced | 100 ene ones 5.8065, on 3 B bia arnt a ern reba Las 100.28 Do. amount of water evaporating from the surface, hut it has also eansed a munch greater depth of subsoil to be drawn upon forits alkali. That i i Gy Santa Clara county .... 14.70 ..... 202:ee) T5081 N edi 4 ply Hebi Le en tien Do. in many cases the strata lying at depths of from 4 to 6 feet from the surface are much wore highly charged with soluble salts than the 4 Hi > ; : io 4 i ah et joe setwws 2m joreaae z a0 Lime surface soil is painfully apparent from the aspect of the material thrown out iu digging the irrigation ditches and now lining the banks TR Venton, MORGCOURLY ..oces. BO... sesyelunsersss iesumeval runes DOB Lvvernmnntonnaslinnnstrnres : of the latter. In some portions of the ‘island embraced bet ween the several outlets of Kern river south of Bakersfield these embankments ; Sherman island, Sacramento... fous Pr oe a es ; . : 118 bene tinnss vie sentiava hanes maar treat ears 100. 38 Gypsum. appear as though covered with snow, and the alkali can be bodily picked np by the handful. It would seem as though the rains would Si Cr neh near Stockton ..... eT levurelinrsione | Gotha Rui ine bie 163 a ies Tove ences 100.91 Do. have leached these earth-piles long ago, but the rains usually falling in that region are so light that the soluble salts are only washed Hn Overhiser's alkali soil, Stockton. . 0. 15 | peek unefened| 10,2000 000 con joenn: er | ie Ake 100.00, Do. into the soil to a few inches from the surface, and within afew days after evaporation has again brought them back in the shape of a white i 0 nus allnli soll Stoelton. | J02...duves lore] 2LOT6L0L JD. 06... ore ne By . 99. 09! Lime, drainage. crust. In digging wells in the light sandy soils of the ‘‘ plains”, from King’s river southward, it has often been found that no perceptible Hf Overbiser's alkali soil, Stockton Lied PAO edt shins Loevans 2.49 25.61 a reas: uw moisture existed, even at the depth of from 20 to 40 feet, until after the region had been irrigated here and there for several years. The i : Hueneme, Ventura county . -..... 5 alia oe dnd BOF [veennnsirnersioermonsas snnnnnuns anes 157. | SRI, Bam amount of water needed is at first very large, but when the soil is once filled down to the drainage level one-half and even one-third of bt | Soshen. Tare COmNEY «con ovr ens TAD oc lx uit enn | 44.94 82.08 16.74 ...oni enn : boot saben 18.82 0.73 100.00 Do. the water previously used will suffice to grow a grain crop. | | ' - 00 1+ ae 1 v v ww way Seen snsiate ney . . . . . » . > . . . {) Mojave, Los Angeles county... coco. ---- 0.58... 35,980208 BAB, op eee ap Ee Lg 7.10 0.21 100.00. Do. The rainfall in this region is usually so small (from 4to8 inches) as to suffice only for moistening the soil to the depth of a few feet, Ail ; j : Re aN he fig 96.7303. 08 12.28 .. lee... G0) onennsefrone lanes , 1080 o Gap. and during the time required for the evaporation of this natural moisture the short-lived vegetation of the region rapidly passes through its bY § Colton, San Bernardine county... |. --- LUSSHON BOE. oi dessustenrcrnnal sensnsslessrnlosessreestimmernsusionne: 9.21 0.48 100. jor development. That vegetation consists of a comparatively small number of species of bright spring flowers, which in their season cover Ih People's Ditch, Tulare county... ..-.- renee fre writs Plot 0.06 18.31 ...oeeve. vree-20.87 ..... ii Drainage, lune. the entire country with a dense and beautiful carpet, one and the same flower occupying the ground almost exclusively at times for ; i i Sumner, Kern county ........---- renee nat Jevesienns 19.20... . on mio ofl’ LE IBIS ..ZmETR02 W008 Lime,drainage. many square miles by virtue of the law of the Hsurvi ral of the fittest”. Were there any crop of a habit similar to these flowers that {i Dos Palmas, San Diego county... ..... rarer eanstaenn 29.60 ..... OE... Lianne prmdins CY] HY esrsesendornraieadenionnn separa | Drainage. could be profitably grown on these plains irrigation could obviously be dispensed with. The settlers of the region have tried what seems b AYSiacis a oe os bile b i a (*) eens russel mre ore ei tell | Gypsum. to be the next best thing, viz, to grow grain crops of a short period of growth, and therefore needing irrigation only during a small h i Lemoore, THNOCMUEY -. ! | Gr. 0 eae ide esavann sansenne on Spnesmnnslorsenio nia uss Sh portion of the dry season. In so doing they have moistened the soil to a considerably greater depth than was reached by the rain-water Ft Tl POSH Re ocean oer tins B esssmnaselesensinenss ls onuiiumannes Time before, and, as a consequence, the annual evaporation has greatly increased. The irrigation water, moreover, has brought with it from Collinsville, Solano county. ...... as | Ri ti 8 oe aa 4 i on Lite 3. CaCos .... MgCo: Src, 3.42 100 3 Gypsum. these depths all the supply of alkali salts that before had gradually been washed beyond the reach of the ordinary rainfall by an occasional Skagg's Springs, Sonoma county. ..... | 0.12 0.97... 78.54 2.95129 trace L1CO3 C0 tos 0.54 Bd . u .. wane iv if J wet season. Each succeeding irrigation, followed by evaporation, tends to accumulate the salts nearer the surface, so that finally the of : —————— ia rt root-crowns of the grain crops are *‘burnt up” before even beginning to head. The evil will, of course, be greatly aggravated if the water 8 EY eal oh ; — For — ’ , Sie Moderate. used for irrigation originally contains any considerable amount of alkaline salts, which are superadded to those already in the soil strata. ¥ : iki ; t Chiefly. + Much. § Large. : Some important practical bearings of this point will be discussed further on. \ u ! “Rat. : «s from even a cursory inspection of the table, viz, that in many Renvdies for the “rise of the alkali”.—It is obvious that the “rise of the alkali”, following upon irrigation, cannot be remedied hy the 2 ] A point of great importance to the agriculture of these HO alkali ”. Phere are the substances of which the wislirawal usc of the chemical antidotes alluded to above. While they do convert the most injurious salts, carbonate of soda and sulphate of | i cases phosphates, nitrates, and potash salts forma notable Wp forms a standing item of outlay in the farmers’ accounts wherever n magnesia, into much less active compounds, yet these will remain in the soil, and if in sufficient quantity will ultimately become noxious, ii ; by cropping causes sterility of the soil, and the panel se of : SS il " Haves in the water permeating even the richest soils, fh especially to shallow-rooted vegetation. In some districts afflicted the natural alkali consists only of such ‘“neutral” salts as common ; | regular system of husbandry is established. Ordinarily fey is that they are retained ih the soils; but here we find thei Soe and Glauber’s salt; as, for instance, in a part of the rich Mussel Slough country around Hanford, Tulare county, where at the time of i amount present being so small, or in such a sondition a cirenlnting soil-water, the inference being that such soils, hu Sroek my visit dead spots were appearing in the magnificent grain-fields when the grain was but a few inches high, the evil being worse iE present in such large proportions as to form a regu.ar I a arily roluetive, and would remain so permanently, without any wi i wherever the crop was late and had not yet shaded the groun d. Moreover, it was obvious ald strikingly Ore wherever Che uit pa from the injurious portions of the “alkali”, would be esha por Co (ion would continue to ascend from below. But even : you sufliciently clayey to form a hard crust on the surface; a fact well known and recognized by farmers in the alkali regions, but often bis supply of manure, if it could be assumed that soil-w apr ” : W : soluble condition are far from insignificant in themselves, ape on ascribed simply to the constriction of the stems by the contracting crust. The effect of the latter may, it is true, be noticed in adobe i it should net happen, the amounts shown to be webu lly pe gon Vo Sustane the case of Overhiser's “alkali” soil in the above lab 8, y districts, where there is no alkali, and undoubtedly bears its share in doing damage; but the injury it creates is doubly great in alkaline i their pointing to some prolific source of the supply. hp Lites whet calenlated to percentage of the total soil (0.0064 per “ } soils. li ; | | i find that the apparently insignificant purcentage of a a ¢ a re 12 inches deep and weighing about 3,750,000 pounds to no Joss than In the early stages of the growth of cereals the pulverization of this crust may be accomplished by harrowing or rolling, with great i of phosphoric acid), amounts in absolute weight be ee on iy would, e. g., suflice for sixteen crops of wheat of 25 bushels to op ip benefit to the crop; but in the upper valley it can rarely be done after the last irrigation without considerable mechanical injury. That : 240 pounds, a quantity which, being absolutely av y ] 5 SS superphosphate, for which £45 would have to be paid. At } a a soil having such a surface crust dries much more rapidly than the same soil when kept in good tilth is a fact too well known to require | or, expressed differently, it is equivalent to a tony = N : in the soil in the ordinary condition—mechanically absorbed aud nso wl ? : discussion. The dense crust absorbs water much more powerfully than does the loose soil beneath. The moisture is forcibly drawn from ! equal amouni must, moreover, be estimated to be psseas” ft wheat crops, for which the soil contains an immediately available wi the latter into the surface crust, and there evaporates quickly under the influence of air and sunshine, hardening the crust more and | ! water, yet available to plants. Hence, the above eH in still probably reinain a supply as great as is ordinarily presen i a i more, and accumulating therein an increasing amount of alkali. To illustrate this, imagine a sponge, representing the loose soil, to be i must be at least doubled; and after that is exhausted there : the addition of gypsum would permanently prevent their being Ww ashed oy saturated with water, and a hard-burnt brick, representing the crust, to be laid upon it; the brick will take all the water from the sponge. A It should be noted that, in the case of these phosphates, a to: vot their availability to vegetation would not thereby be Spa ro . Yet, if the brick be soaked in water and the sponge pressed on it, the sponge will not take up a particle of moisture. It is thus obvious hi of the soil, even in case the leaching-out process were ig not been determined by the analysis their presence has sph Toi that in alkaline soils the formation of a surface crust must of all things be avoided. In other words, as stated above, ‘deep and frequent i It is highly probable that in many cases where phe n a is now proven. The amounts of potash found in some of the “a ah tillage ” is one of the foremost needs in such soils. And as this condition cannot be fulfilled in the case of broadcast crops, the conclusion hE overlooked, and that their occurrence 1s much more gene ra Iv of this ingredient in the corresponding soils is practically inexhausti i : is that broadcasting, and with it practically grain-growing, must ultimately be abandoned in the alkali regions and hoed crops substituted, Ath salts are so great as to justify the conclusion that the igh wi most in the first place have been fully saturated with them, a : which will admit of the ground being kept in perfect tilth throughout the season. . : i for the fact that they circulate in the soil-water prov ii . the supply comes from the permanent water-table. To this extent th Crops Jor alkali soils.—The condition of preventing evaporation from the surface is also measurably fulfilled by such crops as il from what is actually in solution, and that in all yIO ¢ 11 a Torts: iv of replacement by manure. : a “alfalfa ”, which not only thoroughly shades the ground, but in addition causes almost the entire evaporation water to pass up through cultivators of such soils would be permanently relies i frome toroied Ih considerable amounts in the arid regions of North Ares a 3 15 Quep Seni to thie TANS, 20 85 BOL 10 Tack the sartace of oll Such seonralation OF SILT to rol i te op is i As regards the nitrates, it is obvious that they 372 Joop in almost all cases in which the carbonates of sodium or potassium opp 8 such circumstances is too much diluted to hurt the plant. The fact th at th e alfalfa succeeds perfectly on ground too much charged with ! ! f well as in that of Bolivia. Minute qrantsiies tn TT cirenmstances of location and rainfall that they can accumulate alkali to grow grain is notorious, only care must be taken to prevent injury to the reot-crowns while the plants do not yet cover the 4 4 | . large al of the soluble salts, but it is only | surface by timely irrigation. es | i ; ~ 1 id 4 ; | i) i} | 68 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAI FEATURES 6 i 4 Li | 4 uN. 0 If circumstances permitted the profitable cultivation of alfalfa on so large a scale, the alkali districts would perhaps have little eause choice between its abandonment and the adopti to seek further. The experience with alfalfa, however, clearly points the way for the selection of crops better suited to the circumstances circumstanees. The culture of cereals phy Spun of such systems and objects of culture as will yield th y 1 more liable to alkali corrosion than is the case with the tap-rooted or other deep-rooted plants. high returns under intense culture must oh it Ra bey! om at of grapes, fruits, and such pees lg A : not, perhaps, unreasonable to ho ; a e to yie pe that the improperly so-called ¢¢ : rly so-called ‘‘asbestine” ap liane al pens not expense of inland transportation, under which these districts are now suffering. Next to these, the search should be for such as will be exceeding, it is said, $35 per acre) may be successful in alkali lands, provided the soil be kept well tilled through the dry season, i. e., ‘““hoed” crops. solution of this great problem y become so generally available by the home manufacture of the i foremost in promise is probably cotton, the success of which in that region is already It should not be forgotten that, with a slight change in th material as to form a practical Y ange in the manner of laying and outletti i ; etting, this sub-irrigation pi g pipe may be made by the demand for the sta le on this coast, which to serve als ” ; . ) P ’ b ; so for nnderdrainage ; so that land provided with it 1d wien wheh Water Is abHndent. » could be completely leached of its surface alkali by flooding d ee ¢ ) ing during the In the former category, one of those standing 1 1 XP riments made the profitable production being g I 1 1 ap jute and ramie at once suggest th I v RIN I ~ . li . . may s00nN be increased by t i ND o oO for trial. Of oil crops, the castor bean is perhaps the most available and most certain of success, always excepting the despised *“ white the “alkali” question it has been tacit] mustard ” or wild turnip”, whose rank growth as a weed shows what might be done with it if grown for the manufacture of rape-seed irrigationbeing regarded as pure ee oat the soluble salts already in the soil alone need to } ; y oil. Root crops, being too bulky for profitable shipment Ly rail, will not be available to any great extent at present unless as dairy feed, districts especially the irrigation oon i his, however, is far from being actually the case with ” Sonelarsd; fhe Sater used in in conjunction with alfalfa, for conversion into butter and cheese; but beets, carrots, turnips, sweet potatoes, etc., all fulfill, to a greater so objectionable. It is ohvions that ine Jace always more or less impregnated with the very same Yi ita) water, and in the alkali i or less extent, the conditions above formulated for successful culture in alkali soils. The culture of fruits, both large and small, that can quantity in the soil as to give rise * tro ul ont of salts so added aanually is at all considersit . hi In thosoil in be shipped in the dried condition, or in the shape of jellies, etc., is also an available industry, scarcely vet touched in the alkali regions. : Tulare lake to the effect that although ol My attention was fire; directed to this subject by r pts A ng WRIA Raisins and prunes especially deserve attention as pretty certain of success. outset, or else would cease to lathes a ; ADpesTancs of the best alluvial character, they A 4S So the lands bordering upon Among hoed field crops available for that region sorghum and sugar-cane deserve attention. It is true that in general the presence this subject was given in the report of tl 3 SE when irrigated with the water of the lake. The b o hot Produce st all from the of a large supply of soluble salts in the soil is deemed unfavorable to tho profitable production of sugar, since it is apt to render the juice analyzed and found to contain in abun oe alifornia College of Agriculture. A soil from the conten Lui of the investigation of difficult to crystallize and to increase correspondingly the proportion of molasses produced. Actual trial, however, can alone determine which led me to believe that the Foti ue Sats of fertility} you it would produce oy od shai ” ihe Lifes 1rd ines sti ere. ¢ suppositi : : AR y alkali (carb . i py at under circumst: the question h pposition, but at the time the report went to press the Rai of AA a in Seda Yooniiinnd fu ie soil. Analyses seemed to FER ces ¢ ot been examined. Water samples were soon 1 { rmers in the alk a li dist ricts had made 1 : 1 ction aft Pr 1 1 rec 1 « ’ J 4 It would really seem as if, in the broadcast culture of cereals, stem in this respect is imperative can lardly be questioned asset ation : y irrigation. It then became apparent that one of the great bodies of wat s of water in the state th: 3 § it had been counted { ed upon for for the permanent good of agriculture in their region. That a change of sy by any candid observer of the facts. And it may well be questioned whether the necessity imposed by nature, of more varied and careful irrigation purposes might have to be altogeth j farming than has heretofore obtained, may not prove a blessing in disguise when rightly understood and acted upon. The planting special inquiry during a visit to the u wo or rejected. The importance of the question led me to mak gystem enriches a few individuals, almost always at the cost of the soil’s permanent productiveness. Tt is small farms and intelligent A personal examination of Kern 1 aE i £ ? made under the auspices of the United States census tu inghter the subject of culture that constitutes the prosperity of au agricultural community. rr in Tulare county, satisfied me that in dy of th am lying between it and Buena Vista lake, as well a of ft ret of the present year. Sub-irrigation vs. Surface irrigation.—The injury arising in alkali lands from the formation of a consolidated surface or crust subsequent analyses subsequently made of the waters of b Ste sich s griomitural st tionseotldiie slightest increase f Te ed Slontheonnny, to irrigation by flooding suggests at once the application of the water in such a manner as to avoid this evil, viz, by sub-irrigation. To of these reservoirs would be promptly fatal t Ja Kern and Tulare lakes prove that a very few years’ us 9 2 a be safely risked ; and a certain extent the advantage so secured is well understood in the irrigation districts, the water being often applied only by the use of a casual examination and tasting of the ww e productiveness of the lands irrigated. As regards Kern e ” t I Water now filling either furrows or ditches, which divide the land into narrow bands, and from which the soil is moistened by «goaking sideways” from the been rapidly evaporating and receding fro: ip Sisving been shut off from the natural influx of Kern Ee S this is obvious enough from ditches. The great multiplication of the latter, and their interference with the operations of culture on the large scale, have generally been produced in fifteen months, a iy a obey eating at the time of my visit a yer fr ali of Yeu it has g gh a 7 a boat wharf built at that time. About eighteen months befo Sunil :fore all the tish and be restricted to small cultures. Even a cursory inspection of the state of things in the alkali turtles in the lake had suddenly died, creatin : J d by ditches the rise of the alkali has, as a rule, been very much less than in the case of . maintaining a feeble existence. A strong alkali Pestilony ul atmosphere by their decay, and even the mussels adjoining ones irrigated by flooding; and, in the latter, the high spots that have not Leen covered with water frequently escape damage, marsh, laid dry by the recession of the lake Be Yaste and soapy feeling of the water fully justified thei Wn mostly dead, a few This, at least, is the result when the amount of alkali present is not very great. When the water of the lake, showing that the ib, wWaritliculy eraniad wa alkali, and the tules were dead, By lode inil : Te ly 3 8 strong for such hardy vegetable oP ; noistene y ) growth, albeit fatal to animal li = al life. while the low portions are scorched with the alkali. the soil is very heavily charged, the high spots, being the first to dry, are also the first to be injured by the alkali drawn to the surface by Buena Vista lake was stated to be in a simil 1 ilar condition, but not yet qui juite so far advanced in eva i poration, and still maintainin g some caused the use of this mode of irrigation to regions shows that in the plots sub-irrigate evaporation, while in the low spots the grain may reach a greater development before being killed. Manifestly the object to be attained animal life in its waters, having lost its connecti . : is to prevent the irrigation water from reaching and evaporating from the surface at all, if possible. To accomplish this fully it would be : annually receives the overflow of Kern and ee Withithe river more recently. Tulare lake is well known t i necessary to know how far upward water will rise when applied to the several soils. Some data concerning this point are given in books its water's edge is now distant several mile “i Yegular inflow of King’s river its evaporation and recessio . o 1% full of fish, and as it on agricultural science, but they are not of such a character as to permit the prediction of this measure with respect to any other given irrigation it will doubtless continue to we the urine r shore-line, and as the water of the rivers is een iehaloves ies goil. We know in general that in coarse, sandy soils water rises rapidly, but only to a moderate height, stopping there; while in soils the evaporation. This epoch would seem, h snail sipolas Is reached at which the regular seepage from th Whe and more absorbed by changed in the last few years. , however, to be quite in the future as yet, for the rate of a vi wo ’ ntly, not sensibly OEE composed of iine materials, whether clay or fine silty matter, or both mixed, the rise is slow, continuing for months in some cases before reaching the highest point, which may, however, be twice or three times as much above the water surface as in the case of sandy soils. It is not likely in any case that the wat f i ) For instance, in coarse, sandy soils, like those of portions of the plains of Tulare or of parts of Stanislaus, the water may, in the course the case at the time when the state of e wilibel of the lake will be more abundant or less impregnated with mi of three or four days, reach its highest point at 20 inches; while in adobe soils, or in the gray silt soils of Eel or Santa Clara rivers, it point water samples from the opposite Sau rium shall have been reached. In order to assure a fair dete mineral matt er than is now 11 continue to rise slowly for several months before reaching the maximum height of The sample of Kern lake water was taken a. Sell ge hoon the le of Tulare lake, have been analyzed oriiaation 7 uly important ) he north shore of the lake, March 24, 1880 Tulare lake or Sits given tow. . > lake water No. 1 was taken may take ten days to reach the same height, but wi about 50 inches. about 300 yards off shore The coarse sandy soil represents not only its kind, but also any well-tilled soil ; while, on the other hand, the adobe soil illustrates of San Francisco. a : onions corner of the lake, inside of Root island, near land lately reclaimed | the case of any compact soil, whether naturally so or rendered so by imperfect tillage or the prevalence of carbonate of soda. The extreme River Canal and Irrigation Company, res es re taken, according to my directions, near the middle A ig Foe Eom Thonn, slowness of the ascent of the water toward the end of its possible rise shows why a poorly-tilled adobe soil will open into gaping cracks fully analyzed, the total of solid SRY; seyesiivsly oo surface, at 10 feet depth, and at 20 feet depth ig enjessofihe Ringe 3 a short time after the cessation of rains; while a well-tilled soil, maintaining both a quicker supply from below and a slower rate of any material respect. No. 5 is water TD I determined in the case of the others, whose composition el Sis gusie, 7) wae surface evaporation, may maintain moisture throughout the dry season. At the same time it informs us that sandy soils stand in especial river, March 28, 18380. The sample was ny f r. E. Jacob, of Visalia, at a point off the mouth of Mussel slongh, i not, of course, differ in need of a more dense subsoil, capable of drawing up moisture from greater depths than it is possible for a sandier mass to do, thus tendency to bring a larger admixture tha fom the surface at 4 time when & strong northwest wind T gh 8 ike SHIRAEY of King's supplying moisture to the roots of plants, while allowing but little surface evaporation. As between the same soil in a state of tilth or n usual of the fresh water of King’s river. prevailed, which of couse had » such compactness as would result from packing by heavy rains, ex seriment has shown that the rate of ascent is in clay soils easily 5 reduced 3 one-half or even less. y » al Composition of the waters of Kern and Tulare lakes. The many and somewhat complex bearings of this subject on the chief varieties of soils in the alkali region will form the subject of E (Grains per gallon.] farther investigation, now in progress. One point, however, may oven LOW be usefully discussed, viz, that while it is certain that water | applied to a coarse sandy soil, at the depth of 24 inches, cannot reach the surface at all, and can, therefore, evaporate but very slowly, | Te Carne preston and not in such a manner as to accumulate alkali to an injurious extent near the surface, it does not, therefore, follow that in order to Total |i Carbogate osanmon | of honate? | Venstalle | produce the same result in the adobe or silt soils the water has to be applied at the maximum depth of 50 inches; for in a field planted | LL x4 I | salts, ete. | - nosis, | matter. with any growing crop the leaves of the latter evaporate a Very large amount of moisture, thus intercepting that which would otherwise Retalake.........corenmsrrsssnsnsvnnrnes l | 8 = i = yise to the surface and evaporate there. This is a matter of every-day experience. The inference is, that ditches or pipes designed for | 1. Tulare lake, south 0 corres crnns : he | ig ! 64.37 | 115.41 | 9.29 | 92.43 sub-irrigation would not in such soils require to be laid to any unreasonable depth in order to prevent the rise of alkali resulting from 2. Tulare lake, middle, surface SLi — 8 9 fi 27.92 | 37.8 | 13. 44 2.28 surface evaporation. | 3. Tulare lake, middle, 10 feet below tipi] 2 3 ! 29 | 85.9 | 5.37 | 5.32 It is obvious that in this connection the subject of sub-irrigation by means of a system of pipes, of whatever material, acquires : $ Tulare lake, middle, 20 feet below surface akin 81.72 | 30.46 | 30.49 | 7.47 | a4 | exceptional interest for the alkali districts, since its judicious use would not only obviate the rise of the alkali, but would also accomplish ; 5. Tulare lake, near month of King's river.............. | hy bo {anne 15.40 Jrastraseeney jrenunesseni inn jrossesssareane | 1 a great saving of irrigation water—the latter being a matter of especial importance where the water itself is somewhat tainted with TTT Eh 3.48 4 15.01 a1 4.97 ny . alkaline salts. That this system is not likely to bo used in connection with the growing of field crops on a large scale is true, since To convey to those unaccustomed to the considerati ; | ] rere the expense of the pipes is too great for any land not yielding very high returns; but when the continued rise of the alkali renders lands, that the solid contents of river waters vary usuall fr on of such matters an idea of the meaning ef the above fi i i intrinsically fertile, incapable of further production under the system of surface irrigation, the owners will needs have to take their the inflow of King’s river, is therefore io, i > rom 5 to 12 grains per gallon. The water of Tulare lake a % may be stated Imes, and that of Kern lake about twenty-six times, stronger Copii by river 726 727 crm aes EE AI LF _ when allowance is made for this, 70 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. idea of the relation sustained by these waters te organic life. The average gea-water (containing mainly common salt) is about ten times stronger than the water of Kern lake as regards its solid contents; vet in sea-water fresh-water fish live freely during part of the season, while in Kern lake the fish died at a time when, according to a minimum estimate, the water must have had about twice the strength of Tulare lake, or about one-thirteenth of the strength of sea- This shows strikingly the deadliness of the Kern lake alkali as compared with sea salt, or, in other words, of Kern lake water water. Even this, however, conveys but an inadequate water. as compared with tide-water. In comparing the quality of the alkali of Tulare lake with that of Kern lake wé find that in the former the proportion of the carbonate of soda (being the chieily injurious ingredient) is about 1 to 2.83 of the whole solid contents, while in the latter this ratio is 1 to 3.23. A part of this difference is, however, due to the large amount of veg the ratio becomes nearly the same in both waters. P's salt on the one hand and carbonate of soda on the other in these several dual relative decrease of the carbonate of soda, for we have for this ratio: otable matter dissolved in the strong lye filling Kern lake ; and, As regards the relation between common and Glaube cases, it appears that in the evaporation process there is a gra Locality. Carbopsin of " Glauber’s | ; . salt. | Tulare lake, near mouth of King's TIVeT. cccvnernacncnnnn- | 1 | 1.11 Tulare 1ako, Middle. cn. ovemeraannsmnmnnonnnnnennceos | 1 1.29 | Talare lake, south end. .......cccooeoeenremmenennreeos 1 1.35 | ornIake.... .ue--:sesnnswsnnssnnss-ssssnrsanurssennsees | 1 1.78 | a chemical change of the carbonate of soda or from an actual accession of the other salts is not easy to determine. The latter is the more probable explanation, inasmuch as actual veins and strata, several inches thick, of what from the description appears to be mainly Glauber’s and common salt have been found in the region between Tulare and Kern lakes in digging ditches. But whatever mag be the cause of this slight difference in the composition of the alkali in the different portions of Tulare lake, that difference is not suflicient to invalidate the broad conclusion that the water of that lake, as at present existing, ig unfit for any of the ordinary processes of irrigation. To prove this it is only necessary to consider what is the amount of the alkali that, under the usual practice, would accumulate near the surface. Ten inches of water is the usual estimate of what is needed in the course of the year to perfect a crop. Now, 1 gallon of water will cover about 14 square feet 1 inch deep, or 1wo-thirds of a gallon 1 square foot, or 63 gallons per square foot is equal to 10 inches depth of water. Assuming the average solid contents of lake Tulare water at 80 grains per gallon, this quantity, upon evaporation, will leave near the surface, upon each square foot irrigated, 533 grains, or about 13 ounces of alkali. This amount, pulverized and strewn over the surface, would cover the whole of it thickly with a white deposit—a phenomenon already but too familiar to the farmers of that region. That the operation could not with impunity be repeated many years on any soil, least of all on such as are already more or less eharged with alkali, scarcely requires discussion. To illustrate the latter point, a tule soil, taken by Mr. E. Jacol, of Visalia, from his land near the mouth of Mussel slough, was leached with water to asceriain the amount of alkali present. This was found to be 0.32, or about one-third of 1 per cent. Of this, supposing it to be of the same composition as that found in the water of the lake, about three-eighths, or, otherwise expressed, one-eighth of 1 per cent. of the whole soil is carbonate of soda, amounting to over 2 ounces in each cubic foot. This is within the limits of endurance of ordinary vegetation, at least in so fertile a soil ; but double or triple it by evaporation, and that limit is passed. To this conclusion, nevertheless, it is objected by some that the borders of Tulare lake are thiekly edged with vegetation in many places, and that in some cases garden plots bave been successfully irrigated with the lake water for several years. One such casc 18 reported by Mr. Jacob, of Visalia, who took sample No. 5 of the table of analysis from the mouth of a small canal serving for the irrigation of a vegetable garden, which was doing well at the time. A few other similar cases have been mentioned to me. These, however, do not invalidate at all the conclusion that the lake water cannot serve for general irrigation as usually practiced. Even tho strongest water in the lake, near its sonthern end, is not so strong as to injure the roots with which it comes in contact so long as it is not concentrated by evaporation. But in the low tule lands thus far tried this cannot occur to any great extent, on account of the constant presence of surplus water and the frequently repeated irrigation, by which the strength of the alkali in the soil is kept below the point of It would be quite otherwise where the same water, used sparingly two or three times during the season, would evaporate so as to Whether this change in composition arises from injury. accumulate all its alkali near the surface; yet it is probable that if the soil so irrigated were to be leached by a very copious and continued ight be used with impunity. This flooding once a year, so as to carry the acenmulated alkali into the underground drainage, the water mi would be especially the case with land underdrained, and could be more readily accomplished the smaller the amount of water originally msed. The minimum amount, undoubtedly, would be the outcome of pipe sub-irrigation, and would De applicable to the case of orchards, vineyards, etc. It might even be possible in some cases to make the same pipe system serve the purpose of irrigation at one time and that of underdrainage at another; but, in whatever way accomplished, a leaching-out of the alkali, accumulated from evaporation of such waters from time to time, would be a necessary condition of their continued use for irrigation purposes. This principle applies, in fact, to many more cases than is ordinarily supposed. Irrigation, without proper provision for drainage, has in the past, in very many cases, been the canse of the abandonment of lands, once abundantly fruitful, which were supposed to be exhausted by culture, but in reality had simply become overcharged with injurious salts, or alkali, from the ever-repeated evaporation of enormous quantities of water, whose solid contents, thongh naturally very small, had nevertheless been too strongly concentrated in the soil. This naturally leads us to the consideration of the river waters of the San Joaquin valley and their relation to the origin of the alkaline character ot the waters and soils of the upper valley. Geological history of the valley of California.—That the great valley of California was in remote (Quaternary) times a great inland lake, which disappeared in consequence of the breaking through, first, of Carquines straits, and afterward of the passage of the Golden Gate, is a matter scarcely doubted even by the casual observer. A glance at the map also shows that, from some cause not yet fully understood, there exists in the southern part of Fresno county a ridge across the valley by which the waters of King’s river are thrown southward into Tulare lake. At present this ridge is intersected at its western end by Fresno and other sloughs, through which the surplus waters of Tulare lake or of King’s river can find their way into the San Joaquin. But previous to the formation of this outlet 728 PHYSICO-GEOGRAPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL FEATURES. 71 the entire upper valley evi F was p i a En a iig hie shallow lake, of which Kern, Buena Vista, and Tulare lakes are the remnants. From the d: ny a ee RD hn! 2 entire lake of the great valley had a somewhat alkaline water; and they also chow that lh yea Ty a oe, - 2 h a inn ud fo at i and rendered more so in the course of long periods of nay : 2 o : « « No guag e workmen who dug the Kern canal) were formed among the alluvial deposits It is only thus the fact al \ i Te S Seay Hite to, he that the deeper portions of the Kern valley alluvium are most strongly impregnated Oe al e alkali come ? A partial answer to this question is readily found in the frequent ? wioon i : , De A I ( : oa Evidently a good deal of such salty matter pre-exists in the geological strat: - i Ny A i oad y percolating water, which carries it into the lower portions of the countey and ay . - I HE gil! to spony or ie lage accumulations of these salts in the Kern valley if there oni oe : : . re would naturally look to Kern : {ing’s riv : e so ver wes a, el i A o Kern and King’s rivers themselves, and analyses of the waters nalyses of waters of the great valley.—At my suggesti i tigati King’s river and the ' 3s ggestion, an investigation of the waters of the chief rivers entering » valley betwe re ai $3 aman Ww a undertaken by Mr. Horace G. Kelsey, of Merced Falls, as a by SH dca hoje and Los Angeles rivers were hi is given below under Nos. 12 to 15, both inclusive. The analyses of the oy of > po Te ot i EE * = le bir the state board of health by Mr. Walter Jones (of the class of 1878, University nem a ae ody for the year 1878. To facilitate comparison, the table includes ain the ios oo em county, near the junction £ th 0 an ana ysis of the water found a few feet beneath the surface at Point of Tin Ye C oh ol oy ’ Re ma a Son Songun and Sacramento, in such abundance as to suggest its use for irrigation A a . 1. geles river, taken from a hydrant in the city of Sopher : No. & a ) ¢ city of Los Angeles, September, 187 So > gle Sst from the grand cafion of Kern river in April, 1820 Ch . 3. Water from irrigation ditch of the Kern Valley Irrigati , : mn 1 gation Company, taken at : int 2 mi i ) y Irriga pany, taken at a point 2 miles below Bakersfi A e by the superintendent of that company. The water at that time was just beginning t : : joa, Ty fle y ghtly turbid, and of course somewhat diluted, as compared to its condition in wi ¥ Poneto Nos. 4 to 10 have been described as above. Aa No. 11. Water t i iv Ci a aa faken Bory ar river ad June 19, 1880, by Mr. J. D. Schuyler, of the state engineer corps . 12. g’s river at Kingsburg, in November, 1830, before ¢ ai i i a ning b King , y , before any rains had iallen. oaquin river at the crossi 3 an Pacifi i in N TI q the crossing of the Southern Pacific railroad, in November, 15880, after the first No. 14. Water taken fro i i A Ta aa Tbr on fe Pore fiver 4 SrelingNona county, in December, 1880, after the first rains had raised the river a ghtly turbid with clay, which filtration could not remove, but was eliminated after No. 15. Water taken from t. i : i S a, ISH ialey ve tiie Maclin river at Woodbridge, San Joaquin county, in November, 1880, after the first rain, whiel EYY rR ee x er slig tly opalescent from suspended clay, and residue corrected for same 58 in No. 14 Sida sono 10, Wass of 8 : RijAmepto Sve ivlon fom hydrant in the city of Sacramento, September 19, 1878. The data have s 8 to confor 3 ‘es i i BAT a y m to the mode of presentation here adopted, which explains the apparent No. 17. Water fi i i poo]. Mates | i wel st Si pf mianen Contra Costa county, furnished by Mr. T. W. A. Carter, of that place. This water Bd e surface in that region, and, if avail irrigati btained i : quantities by pumping, but the inhabitants stated that it ‘‘ would i the soil” Histor IEIgAtIOn, co hewitdined inmlinited Analyses of waters from the San Joaquin valley. [Grains per gallon. ) | I | t | if ; Cc ! Common and ' Carbonat Total residue. | wronae of Glauber's salts, | lime or oo Vegetable mat- ; | etc. ' nesia and silica. | ter. 1. 108. ANZOIOATIVEL. ... ...cnvvrresennssnnnesnns a an el wn forges be RO ARO IU cere snmess sss esses | B30 Leena sciinne 8.46 Sree i By EB iE sm Se BU a I 50 | 3 be he ER Stl 211.50 | 64.37 115. 41 9.29 ox 6. Tulare lake (middle surface) a ne | han t Ss od Y ha 7. Tulare lake (middle, 10 feet below OTRO onsen omen AR | Ta i Hd ya "| 2. Talore Jako miAdle, 2010 DEOW.OTTTARE). o.oo sr sn rneromm maces eres n% i De i » te 9. Tulare lake (near mouth of King's river) APR Ee a 3 i Ee My ey, : 10. Tulare lake (near outlet of west side canal, 10 feet below nace) RY te A 2 ? ed 2 i ER an S500 Sonal Mfc! below urn Ec vrevsnncns, 76. 00 | 30. 95 33.95 | 6. 60 4.50 NE Li A B33 ie iiiinrinnsenns 0.86 | B37 its 2 SE 0 GAOT MR cress v1 I enriss msn ratatiets 0.19 fo. Sen doa [EER SHREE cvsersneenssesasenn SA 4.54 | 0.45 | 0.15 | 2.15 0.50 % Horeoh SR cecususcussorsamsorsenons serene eereeeiienieensnntannns 5.64 || 0.19 | 0.09 | 4.18 Sasreaeeai va : ERR ene ne a ol em | = yo a" a a Tr memes inl. oo MM He chensnenirrets , . a | 7.41 1.10 729 ln rea 72 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. The following table shows more in detail the composition of three of the waters given on page 71 in a general manner: ' | i Tulare lake, | : Ingredients. 1 Pang gad, ten | Semone | river water. saviace. | hydrant. | Grains per gal. | Grains per gal.| Grains per gal. : Carbonate of 8008. . c..ceeeeceaaaaraasenaaaasaocennnoess Jina spurteiis! 30.46 | 0.27 | Chloride of sodium (common 8alt) .........cccceocmmeren: ! 1.00 | 20.27 | i Sulphate of sodium (Glauber’s salts) ...........c.cooc-e: ! gi 7.54 | § | Carbonate of lime. .......coeecececosanaccnnnnacennnencocs 0.38 2.49 | 0.31 | Carbonate of magnesia ..........c.ccoeememmeerannnnorses 4.29 4.21 0.25 | I 1.17 0.69 1.85 | Sulphate Of HME ....oeoeeeenrrasmnnnanememmmnnassscnnees O78 Loiviiiiuiaisinm 0.42 | Phosphate of lime .......ccc.c.ceeeneronnene res rae ves D8 [..cencrnrenrioen. 1.48 Iron and manganese carbonates. ....o..coreraenorconences 0.26 enaanerennia-- 0.63 Aluming.......c...-- ue Fd 0.10 0.29 0. 67 Vegetable MALLET. ....cuecnenrnnsasessnsnsnsensannesenosoor noir TTT 4.41 [emenenanannes Total TESIAUe -occveevanconsnamassacsansccscnnnccccss 14.30 70. 36 6.70 In discussing the quality of these waters in reference to irrigation it must be understood that the group of ingredients mentioned in the fourth column of the first of the above tables, viz, carbonates of lime and magnesia and silica, are not only useful to vegetation, ov unobjectionable, but are also very soon deposited and retained in the soil. We therefore leave them out of consideration so far as the alkali question is concerned. For this the carbonate of soda and the salts mentioned in the third column are of chief importance, and among these the corrosive carbonate of soda is the most noxious by far. The prominent facts shown in the above table may be thus ingredients, has none of the carbonate stated : The water of the Los Angeles river, though containing a large aggregate amount of solid .of soda, but only neutral and earthy salts, of which a very large amount only ig injurious. This fact, together with the perviousness and free .drainage of the lands irrigated, explains why it is that even those which have been longest under cultivation and irrigation in that regicu do not show any serious increase of alkali, and may never do so if abundance of water is used, at least from time to time. But as irrigation water becomes more closely utilized and relatively more scarce the leaching process will occur less frequently, and the accumulation of alkali salts near the surface will become more and more apparent. In the water of Kern river the proportion between the carbonate of soda and the other salts is almost the same as in the water of Tulare lake, in the proportion of about 1 to 22. In other words, if 22 gallons of Kern river water were boiled down to 1 gallon, the alkali in this water would, in quantity and quality, be the same as in the water of Tulare lake; and if this gallon was still further reduced to about three pints and a half, the remaining water would have about the composition of the water of Kern lake, as it was in March, 1880. Comparing the water of King’s river with that of Kern river, we find that in the latter the aggregate amount of solid residue in the water is less than half that found in Kern river. This, however, is to some extent due to the season at which the water was taken, it being then diluted with snow water. For purposes of comparison we should take the figure obtained for the residue in find that the amount of carbonate of soda November, when the solid contents were at their highest amount. But even on this basis we in the King’s river water is utterly insignificant, being not yet one-hundredth of a grain per gallon, against about one and a quarter grains per gallon of Kern river water, while on the same assumption the percentage of other soluble salts is about twice as great in the latter. Of the other rivers of the valley the San Joaquin shows the highest amount of carbonate of soda, but yet only about one-third as much as Kern river. The Merced has less than one-sixth as much of the same, the Sacramento less than one-fourth. Between the latter two we find the Mokelumne with none at all, there being some chlorides of magnesium or calcium in solution to the extent of about one- tenth of a grain per gallon—an insignificant amount. The water of the Los Angeles river likewise is free from carbonate of soda; but its aggregate of soluble salts is somewhat high, exceeding in this respect even Kern river by 14 grains. It is credited with a very large proportion of phosphates, as is also the Sacramento river. In the other analyses made these were not determined for want of material. It appears from these comparisons that of the streams examined the Mokelumne has naturally the best water from the irrigator’s point of view. King’s river comes next, with a water whose purity is the more remarkable, as its sources lie so near those of the Kern. ‘he Merced comes next, having somewhat less of the objectionable carbonate of soda than the Sacramento; but if corrected with gypsum its waters would be placed at head of the list as the purest of all. The San Joaquin river has the smallest total of solid content of all the waters taken at the same season, but contains over twice as much carbonate of soda as the Merced; if corrected with gypsum, its water would contain less than half as much of soluble salts as that of the Sacramento, one-half less than King’s river, and only one-fifth as much as that of Kern river. It will thus be seen that the corre Mokelumne effect a very important improvement as regards the safety of their continued use on soils of which but too many the full dose of alkali compatible with profitable cultivation. The change could doubtless be easily accomplished by interposing, at suitable points in the ditches, sluice-boxes filled with coarse fragments of gypsum, renewed from time to time as the action of the water converts the gypsum into carbonate, or common limestone ; or the gypsum may be applied to the soil itself, and thus be made to neutralize not only the soda of the irrigation waters, but also that in the soil itself, at the same time introducing a useful fertilizer. The amounts to be thus used may effectively vary, according to circumstances, from 200 to as much as 1,000 pounds for the first application, smaller doses to be used thereafter at such intervals as experience may dictate. Precautionary measures of this character should be employed as soon as possible by the inhabitants of the fertile valley of Kern river. Those using its waters should keep in mind that their evaporation adds annually to the alkali already in the soil a small but not inappreciable amount, which in some cases may, after a few years, prove tthe straw that breaks the camels back”; and that therefore some of the means mentioned as remedies against this kind of alkali especially should be currently employed to keep it in abeyance. Tillage after irrigation, the planting of deep-rooted crops instead of grain, and the use of gypsum as a neutralizer of the worst ingredient, the carbonate of soda, are the measures that suggest themselves as the most feasible; while sub-irrigation, and especially the leaching out of the alkali from time to time by long-continued flooding and anderdrainage, are more radical remedies for future use. The water from Point of Timber offers some interesting points, suggestive of a state of things that may have to be taken into consideration it all plans for the irrigation of the west side of the San Joaquin valley. From its location, this water might have been 73C ction of the irrigation waters of the valley by means of gypsum would in all cases but that of the have already a Hg sl Sou kano wii ES RS RR Re RR SA. AERA RO Re Fe GENERAL DISCUSSION. 73 conjectured ive its i i i ing i 2 % oy . 4 Ty rie in groans from tide-water percolating into the loose strata. So far from this, its composition is closely anal ts wy are lake, except that the proportion of carbonate of soda is considerably less, and therefore it is ot oe a Ha Rony os Seguin, Yet the inhabitants report here also that to irrigate with it ¢¢ kills the soil”, i. e thos - URES i imi gow oy 3 so when applied in small quantities only, and repeatedly; but it is likely that if used a su a JS A A er (t at is, 80 as to leach the alkali out of the soil once in a season into the underlying water-tabl y Tes a .: Alay g : Ge irrigation, especially if, at the same time, the carbonate of soda were neutralized by the use of Sr : of Tulare Take itaelf, it . bo Stpphse, as has been done, that the alkali-water stratum at Point of Timber represents the hod by en A Tove, ue Peohate that it does represent the quality of the underground drainage of the west ne yo ¢ Ys cted with t i t i oy from A en e persistent appearance of ‘alkali spots” at every low place in the valley, from Antioch With the li it c: re as Shen Deters Js, it can hardly MeN that the old Westside ditch, which was to irrigate the lower country with : ) are lake, was not successful. The lake level i ' sev ) Be ; y Wi 8 now several feet below the bottom of B i a nally, and its alkali becomes stronger as the mass of the water decreases. It is difficult to whet po. Pe pi andy ] Py 3 fmm is Dg whenever the waters of Kern and King’s rivers shall ie) fully a at e general system of irrigation, it is not at all probabl : i : ay igation, I probable that the lake water will the y ; ve, spay Wo eenize water will be likely to bring into it the alkali now dried up in the lower strata rs ol Megame ah io be ee ) Bo TS Wore x Yous certainly be most desirable to utilize the lake as a gros reservoir tr in ; y 3 e it would be necessary first to empty out or di i spp; : Beach db 3 displace the mass of alkaline Pying he Jao, oy discussion of the feasibility of such an undertaking, however, belongs to the inet wy De a WW can Jove piven regarding the alkali soils and irrigation waters of California the importance of investi tig do — nopony Sus ity 3 al oe quality of the waters available for irrigation in the arid regions is sufficiently i The facts . SaaS Ma WS Ham g We .; Shiels and plainly set before the people, so that money may not be invested in useless atl " a y be if cul to undo thereafter. There are, probably, but few river waters in the world of such con it ornsianel ou hy Sst outinael irrigation without correlative underdrainage can be practiced without in the end causing an rT Segulntioniofiedm salts in the soi, In India, according to the testimony of Professor George Davidson, the evil elfeots of : a i iy ginfally SDDARI, and to such an extent that after the expenditure of enormous sums for bringing the or ger Sele A face to face with the costly problem of its economical removal, by drainage, so as to ro Se A us Ae iste) al 8d i . NYikinyseneted it unfit for cultivation. An early attention to this matter with such as ia ilar difficulties, cannot be t BC i i i oy i I A " © t00 earnestly recommended to all interested in lands needing irrigation from COTTON CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. His a . , . . . » ws Se 5 B a fu is in iia Sf probable, that the missionary padres introduced the cottou- ) ‘ er culture plants ; but no definite data jec i J ; ta on the subject are extant. Asa: Shet fof lies he the wool of sheep was mainly resorted to, the methods of production being better Ro xi. Sate i its of the domesticated Indians, as well as to those of their Mexican successors " Cotton Fi ite Segan fo lirant considerable attention in California in 1856, at which time a premium of $75 ore ' the State Agricultural Society for the best acre of cott H i culture was engaged in to any extent is not k i ro OVIon% YiFions 10 tetas nown, but it was doubtless made th bj i i small tracts for a year or two. At the an a” a ee 3 " nnual meeting of the society in that y ' made, and the visiting committee re i ir visi fore RE ported that in their visits to different parts of th cotton of extra quality at Monte, Los An ini [isis of he iat ses il etn # Daten of geles county, containing less than ; y i that no other growing cotton oa seen by i T0000 Ney RRS 10S fhe atarenc: y them. The president of the society, in hi le sal i west Ske of cotton culture as a successful experiment. SO a SS RNY n the next year, 1857, the following re i i i a3} 383 \ ' g report was made to the society by its committee of awards on sugar-cane, The committ i ; . Win es A the several specimens of cotton, and, as with the cane, we have to report the successful growth of thi OL he HO mEOvetie st iu & ined in contrast Georgia upland cotton, and the growth in this state from seed taken from the same : i ABA MD IYemant Ind nen 2 i of fe native jana over the imported or Georgia grown was manifest and striking; oi ienced spinners from the east. But the stapl ive i i £ sty : : . aple of the native is ully rong as the Georgia cotton. This we attribute altogether to the lack of moisture in the earth Ee i Re 2 ons ngs 5 » : » * * * » veral ot ami i Se ork ples Smal rate as fair upland. The one from Slocum’s Bridge has the advantage of staple and texture over Adi ashen. She i he gun in La Alysia county are equal, if not superior, to the best Mississippi or Louisiana cotton al ; : ; s, and one grade below sea-island cotton. Thi i i > ] 4 . : hers, ; . is sample is not of the sea- , of ray Peti ulf kind, proving conclusively the perfect adaptation of our climate and soil to the production of Sidml ae fray Rohs Thais last sample w i as grown on a l i the committee. Samples of cotton use sll ae ni hae Se Nb pos Ge ni ise by ac ' this year were on exhibiti Iso in S i : pa, nies 5 ¢ ibition also in San Francisco ears, although premiums were offered by th siety : y the society, no awards seem to have been made, and ohlv sli te ro 3 ae ; y slight mention is made of cotton until 1862 (except in Kern and Sacramento counties in 1859), when the . Jegisti ne, pe A initiative of Mr. Robert Strong, of Merced, offered the following premiums: For the first 100 no pounds each, $3,000; for the same quantity produced in the first, second, and third Succeeding years, $2,000, $1,000, and $500, respectively. Other premiums were offered for cotton cloth 731 IL tv A nT Bi - 74 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. At the next meeting of the legislature a supplemental act provided that one-half or one-quarter of “these premiums should be paid to any person producing one-half or one-quarter of any of the quantities named in the original act. No awards seem to have been made, or even applied for, until 1865, when Mr. Mathew Keller, of Los Angeles, planted and raised 108 acres of cotton and received on the 22d of December the state premium of $3,000. In the same year there were a number of other cotton farms in the southern part of the state, one of 130 acres on Kern lake, in Kern county. The acreage for this and Los Angeles county was estimated at 450 acres, the average vield being one-third of a bale per acre. In Fresno county a farm of 100 acres was reported on Upper King’s river, in Merced county, at Snelling; another of 100 acres on Upper King’s river, in Fresno county. In 1866 the report of the agricultural society reviews the subject of cotton culture as follows : The history of the cultivation of cotton has also been an anomalous one in this state. Experiments on a small scale had beew made for a number of years in different sections with gratifying success. Encouraged in part by these results, and in part by the very liberal bounty offered by the state for the first production in large quantities, geveral parties in the southern counties planted quite extensively in 1864. They all labored under adverse circumstances. Their seed was in great proportion of those varieties not adapted. to our climate, being of the large, late varieties and of a poor quality, rendering replanting to a great extent necessary. As the parties. referred to were competitors for the state bounty on a hundred acres, they strained every nerve, but more to secure the number of acres specified to be planted than to insure a proper cultivation of the crop after it was planted. But, notwithstanding all these unfavorable all produced a more or less creditable crop, those portions of their tields which were planted with the Tennessee ct to quantity and quality. One of the parties aliuded to, in a letter to the secretary of this board, says: «The sum of our experience may be considered to be: First. That the Petit Gulf and the Tennessee may be considered the safest and most profitable, and should be planted as early as frost will allow. Second. That the low bottom and tule lands of the state are well adapted to the raising of cotton. Third. That from the hardy nature of the plants but little skill is required in irrigation, and that much less water is required than would be necessary in the successful cultivation of corn. Fourth. That the seasons in California are especially favorable to the production and the harvesting of cotton.” In this year cotton was raised at Folsom, Sacramento county. In 1867-68 one-half acre was planted in Lake county, which yielded 50 pounds of lint, while in southern counties there were a number of cotton farms. In 1871 Colonel J. M. Strong, who had been experimenting on cotton culture since 1864, planted 100 acres of cotton on the Merced river lands. The seed was carefully selected, and, though planted on the 90th of June and cultivated only once, the yield was about 750 pounds of lint per acre. Previous crops on a smaller area and with indifferent seed had given him with one cultivation a yield of 500 pounds of lint per acre. In this year cotton was produced also on the red-clay lands near Sacramento, on Butte slough, in Sutter county, and on the tule marshes at Knight's landing, Yolo county. At the latter place the sea-island variety was. planted ; it grew to a height of 53 feet, but did not mature. On Cache creek bottom, in the same county, cotton. grew 4 feet high, some of the stalks having each 200 bolls. An experiment was also made at Colonia, in Santa Barbara county, did not mature well. In 1872 the largest acreage of cotton was in Merced county, nearly 700 acres heing planted in the vicinities of Snelling, Hopeton, and Mariposa creek, and two farms of more than 200 acres each were reported; 140 acres were planted near Bakersfield, Kern county, and smaller tracts in other gouthern counties. Cotton-gins were erected in Merced and Kern counties. In 1873 the cotton acreage in Merced county alone was estimated to be from 1,500 to 2,000 acres. On the 11th of May of this year the first export of cotton was made from California, the Buckley Brothers, of Merced county, shipping ‘§2,88¢ pounds by the ship Ontario to Liverpool. Among this was a small lot of Nankin cotton, which received high commendation at Manchester. The seed of this, however, has since been lost. The culture of cotton has been steadily continued on the Merced bottom farms ever since, with an acreage ranging from 350 to 500 acres.. The largest experiment in cotton planting reported from the Sacramento valley between 1872 and 1881 was that of Mr. J. L. Jackson ou bottom land of the Sacramento river, in 1876. He planted 180 acres, and obtained a stand on 160 acres. Cultivation was somewhat neglected, and the cotton was not all picked, most of it only once.. The product was 30,000 pounds of lint, or about 188 pounds per acre. The staple, of which samples were seen by me, was excellent. A number of smaller plantings were made in the same region about this time, but the want of a home market discouraged a continuation of the culture. The personal observations made on the occasion of my visit to the Merced cotton farms in 1879 are given below in connection with the cultural details. The total acreage at that time was 375. The following year (1880) a field of about 60 acres was planted at Belleview ranch of Haggin & Carr, in Kern county. This experiment was of especial importance, because covering a tract of land which, under continued surface irrigation, had become 80 strongly impregnated with alkali that it failed to grow wheat any more, and also: because of a careful record kept of the cost and returns, which is given on page 76, from an article in the Pacific Rural Press. The financial exhibit there given is not very flattering, as might be expected the first year of trial; but it is a great deal better than could have been obtained on the same field with wheat. In any case, the outcome has been sufficiently satisfactory to induce the planting of a considerably greater breadth. In the Mussel Slough region of Tulare county also some excellent samples of cotton were grown in 1881, and: as the ¢ alkali question” becomes more pressing and interferes with the success of wheat culture it is likely that cotton will become a favorite crop. 732 circumstances, they upland and Petit Gulf seed making excellent crops both in respe but the cotton was planted on June 5, and BR GENERAL DISCUSSION. 7h Experiments m i i 4 ade with sea-island a : nd upland cott : Gridley 2 © » . ¢ ton on 500 acres nea 1 x Gridley, Butte county, seem to prove that cotton will yiel : near Williams, Colusa county, and near irrigation or the frequent rains consid n will yield good results in the Sacramento valley without eitl Ti coat vase. Joke msidered so necessary to the welfare of the cotton-plant in ti : either M riety, however, on both fields was a complete failure eNOS METHOD OF CULTURE.— : ‘ : A TURE.- The following method, given by Mr. J. W. A. Wright ales . T an Joaquin valley, is usually practiced by those most promi tl 2h 10): SHOSLTAR Of the cotton enlite o prepare the land some begi ing i nently engaged in cotton culture: in plowing in D , Ie] . 8 g ecember and others not i ear > r . 1 3 1'\ 3 ov " earlier th a hetier, Sone plow wily 4 inches, Wile oth until February. As a general rule, the in ridges, as in the southern sta divin b By rn ers plow as deep as from 10 to 12 inches. Planting is not dotie ; states ecause of the drier cli valifornia) i . : The time of planti aries fi : er climate of California) in f \ wing . in furrow ) . Po J anting varies from the last of March to the 10th of May A sf BIPRY Qian | a A wn planted as late as the middle of June. It has bee : ) gh successful crops have been raised trom twelve deloek veo wut] early Hl . , has been found best to soak the seed in a pool of cold water, at least whi . on unl early the next morning, and then to mix wi i ConaiEibi which often destroy the crop.” The s ig 1en to mix with ashes; this kills the egg » andl tile depth alii I'he seed comes up in from five to fifteen days, according to the = : YE Eonar ; ) . OO ‘oy « ) ¢ 1 a how. leavite oie or to py ed. Itshould be covered about 2 inches. The plants vio up, are tl po Day 7 * ! J « 4 IQ > A ‘ . i ‘ - ‘ é 3 v1 Lo 3 any of from 18 to 24 inclLes apart. The afterenivation 1s tow i out with ’ C N (1¢ a ay / ) S J hat oiv ines ali he oS be ] y on the uplands, where weeds are not very troublesome. Some planters ig eo Datei ive TE — 2 ji lands plow twice and hoe twice, at intervals of from twenty fen oy > i fre Sect Win os a 2 p i is up. By some the southern method is practiced of running the - ; ga it back. The losis diel A 1e plant and throwing the soil from the plant, and at the second i or W the wining ahaa of os 8 So tow ard the end of June, and the bolls begin to open in September ea te] 2g r . 0 OTe a . + . . / » nr. y ‘ the plant, averaging usually 0 Hi Wh co erage of 4 feet, and from 300 to 400 good bolls have been co ” : > . ott? 7 ¢ PICKINGS are fometimes giv a i : ? the second iz October 8 8 times given to the erop, the first i evils rol , reand tie los HH a a p, the tirst in the last of September Teh y 1e last toward the close of November. Some planter i wing Seyemb, or February. planters continue the picking into January In reg: to irrigati ; ci : gard to irrigation, speaking ot the San Joaquin valley, Mr. Wrig The facts deduced from the experiments on cotton d ke i Ye Xr yaniv: of irrigation. These matters ar di : " ao uot make it sale to establish definite rules for the ti : i some conduct the water in niin I» Sosuuied by the moisture of the ground and the character of hg, fa HO 0 Yyaicier after the cotton is up. Water has a a iA h a 10-inch turning plow, within a few inches of the rows of ont Tony i indispensable to plow the land assoon et 30 plants twenty-four honrs without apparent injury. When a eto 0 : 4 Sona, i I um This it is a to bear a plow and team, say within a week after wag Te flooded, it is nutural moisture of the groand then yy ay 9 the number of times usually three, beginning in May and enidi ly eusnal interval most important point to guard aguas ns pa toward the surface on onr plains, aud irrigation after that d t ny Ang, The bolls or squares begin forming oT mun 2 cotton is not to allow the growth to be checked hy want bs oxen ul The : enew the growth of th , he serigatic doy e after the yonng formed will drop off and the yield be diminished to that extent o pions heimigstion. Soumrivustiisisdone tie sates already On a visit to the : : cotton farms ore -t : acreage was (1879) 225 acres on the na 1:0 Merced alley the following details were ascertained: The cotto Br Dive heart of on S ny farm and 150 acres on the farm of W. A. Grade, near Bopeios or e plant was very uneven, th i of A : |e Ub underlaid by gravel, bei d n, those portions of the field havi i ne hurt COAL . hi aving a shallow ue Mt i, a ie hy droge, and it being almost too late for irrigation. On io fo il, bolled, yielding that se oh ih ing Bose uniformly deep, the height of the plant being from 3 to 4 feet i fai : id making 300 d i jr Doss of seed-cotton per acre; in good seasons easily averagi TH IAL is jog S00 pounds efi a, forlaeny 400 Jods asily averaging 1,200 pounds, e planting is done in Mar ch or the first week of Apri i Cultivation is level, th st week of April, there being little danger fror . ) » y ¢ , 1 la 3 ret Q "ws or I 4 " fons Pons 4 feet apart, and the plants from 18 to 24 inches in a row. i Sho en given in June just before on pi s often as may be rendered necessary by the season : One i BY 0 ic Fotw “ A pd e booms begin to open; then no more, as it does not seem to be veil De Co e p nts, originally from Mississippi (Petit Gruif) seed, have a curious ha oy & RS bees besmetyes tia boli ike. the stalk, thus spreading more than is usually seen in the cotton Snot nl, Surcialy tu foto and 5.8 e 3 rng thickly, sometimes apparently of the same age for 18 inches or 2 fe i i Jong, ees vily Dotted heabel wo at over-irrigated grounds, are inclined to be slow in opening. Near he To : es are having a new growth and are blooming abundantly, while not a boll oe g ’ ms ; 0 1 . . . . S P 2 . - J * =" w . N ’ ¢ ( HA ( 1 01 eS) Picking is chie i i g is chiefly done by Chinese, who in that year were paid 90 cents per 100 pounds of seed-cotton. TI - ‘ 1e 3 of very slow and awkward work compared to that done by the southern negroes a Lecture delivered at the University of California October 15, 1875 NT rp yp ome 3 pa ae ES - . GF RE Sr SE average product of the land shows the loss from this mode of disposing of the that it be regularly returned to the soil. A grown there bys 76 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. $4 per ton. The decrease in the seed, and it is strongly advised « Magnolia” 40-saw gin was being used in ginning. The staple is fine, long, and strong, as is shown by the measurements given in the preliminary part of this report, volume I. Cottonseed has thus far been used for feed only, being sold to sheep-rai-ers at Besides the large-scale experiments in the southern region above recorded, small patches of cotton have been mall farmers and by the Mexican population for many years for home use. Since in that climate not uncommonly several years elapse without a “killing” frost, the plant is perennial, and bears several crops, the staple, however, becoming apparently shorter and more harsh as the plant becomes older. A sample of fiber from a three- year-old plant at San Diego is reported upon in the record of measurements made by Professor Ordway. It may be questioned whether in some cases the plantations might not be profitably continued through the second year at least, even with a somewhat inferior fiber, of which, however, on account of the long season, the yield would be very high. Further experiments on this subject are needed. Cost OF PRODUCTION.—The following estimate was made by Colonel J. M. Strong, of Merced county (who had been a planter for several years), on the basis of 200 acres in 1872: Twelve hands, $25 per month ........ccoceremmnnnomcnenennee soe Prensa Sen TRA eR ew as $3,600 00 Fol Of HEU +. rvs sevver susnesissenseuusssnanrervovassrsasessussuntsunnes somsevsnnennsnmnsy 152200 78 7007 500 00 Fooiof BRIAR c+ «so vessiansnarenisnnsusrwesurerussassnserar sen save saassns yeun pass sores vnprs’ 1007100 1,500 00 ESHA EAHOriIE «ovo scons cussssnsumsecs vans survreanaveses easusvaspnrasansy surest cynsst ins 17 127 en 2000 500 00 GUTISHE AIA BALDZ veer ose vursnvrin ssuersassssiasenevasesnn sevens yses mune vuansy smmnney val 17770 070 500 00 BIGCESISIIT. .«« or oesrerrvrsvtinsssasmnsaevnsapsmsstssyerswssasoevssersanengas corn sansayayss ss emt 100 00 Total expenses fOr 200 ACTES .. cue wens vanmns amrare mss sos sss sans mms sansa mses Sr TT IEEE ETE 6,700 00 33 50 Total expenses for 1 ACT@.......ccccencmn anne coor ommnmmnn ors mmne ee es Sema ee The yield was 150 bales, making the average cost $44 66 per bale, or about 9 cents per pound of lint. This, with an average of from $6 to $8 per acre for planting and cultivation (against $33 50 above), would make the total cost of production about 43 or 5 cents per pound of lint when the yield is 500 pounds of lint per acre. The following estimate is that of Mr. J. B. Haggin as the result of the cultivation of 59.12 acres of cotton in Kern county in 1880: PIOWIOE vers sss ens rcnanmssrinesossmennainsnsssnrensnaniansasaseanssstasesnens ogest stent iyis, 777 Herons $104 50 EITIGRUNT orice ssoessnespatansssessonsssnnsssssesaspasnstpeesannasessnnsestusens on isy ons is ines es 120 50 IORI cs eusescisns srnnsnssnssssnsrundamannisnsonssssntreassaasestnassionsisossss Sosrts wets T71nates 205 50 PICKING ..oceeeconnne eraser conmrrvansscsnnmnsarn sone nad sees bm A Em mn 578 00 CIDNINT AUADAENE «cr con rpnnessssnes sssnmunnsressssessssandsssas senses ansesonpes sens ss ssrns sts 1mes 99 61 RONG ABUAWIDG. «cr rcv sucsisnsnscsoivssantsnstpsssnsnes sais sensns saness 4860 vansssstes spanins ssi s/o 3R 78 BUDE «cnet ss ss nisnssrsvnsesesinsssssomasss SHARSLLOLIISSSISRSRLIRSSERERLE Sues sens uns s ry stensss he 20) 23 05 BOOM . vais vues suns 2ess shsnns Sars AVSRERINREL SERS SRSENAS SSL SURES LLL SINEIRLILES CARL Bans Sunt une Snes pne 33 48 TOLL. « «oon enn snr snsbposisvonsnns ties snes aes srs sss ons ss ” - 1,287 42 In addition to the above the following expenses are considered : Hauling t0 AePOt «.cenvoeennrromnennnnas osama nnanoe ne smnn nso nnn tn nen SERA ANSE SA 12 37 Railroad freight .......ceeceeeemmnnnnieccaninnnamcenooenns reson eens LESS SEARS SE SIRENS CRS, SONI 108 14 SHITUER «ov vusnss 158 ses suns snnsn EES RLS IHRRELRESELIRSTAESRESES £0 4ARRRS SERUAL e000 A8TIES 200000 3 A000 2 10 70 GOINTIAIBRIONS « « + + «1 «2s 0sn susens 488 AELESLERIRRLARSSEE $SMRAS LE AULLLS SRFSHIAESILL LL SABC ALwARL SrnILS Lunn ne 24 88 IPOLRLICOBY «oo cor «nus sn ssh sensss 128 ves assess tEusss S442 LELIES LEILLERRRNN SATS SARL Len Suns 208 2000 1,443 51 Sales at from 12 to 14 cents Per POUDA . ...oue nein emnnnsonrssn nnn canmn nnnes srssanannSsstnnne BETTE 1,990 05 BIALCO ABOVE COB + rev vans ss 2255 cuss suns s2ss ares #38822 £228 SLITS RENE KRST ARNEL ST S2RIWL 2000, 0in 546 54 Cost per pound to make and Dale at TANCE... coraee sassasessanssess eens suas sons snananseensns A “008 Cost per acre to make and bale.............c.cocnoeennnnnere ni 21 77 Cost per pound to make, bale, and deliver in San Francisco .....c.ecceeeccsascceconnnnoocccreenneroocsss 0 09 9 24 es esmere SEER ene. Not Profit PET ACT® «...voeuneecnnnnnases seamen senaassanses omnes aansersnnsnssnanes oons The yield and quality of cotton was good. A sample was sent to New Orleans, and valued there at 123 cents. This was the first year of cultivation, and many difficulties were encountered: first, the seed was old; second, there was a difficulty in having the cotton picked—white men will not pick, and not many Chinamen were found that could; third, the use of the gin for the first time. ConcLusioNs.—From the record above given it appears that cotton has been successfully grown at many points, practically covering the whole of the great valley, a part of the foot-hill lands of Shasta and a part of Napa county, and to the southward all the agricultural portion of the southern region. By inference drawn from similarity of climate and products, without direct test, we may include within the possibly cotton-growing portions of the state the valleys of Napa and Sonoma, the agricultural portion of Lake county, the foot-hill region of Tehama, and the entire * lower foot-hills” of the Sierra. On the other hand, all the Bay region, as well as the seaward valleys of the entire Coast range, are excluded from the cotton-growing area by reason of the cool summers, trade-winds, and fogs to which they are subject. 74 2 mi a A RA A FA AA SFE oR PE Ser ASH ENR be wl GENERAL DISCUSSION. 7 a aon msy od op Sau yt i he Surpiments valley hm may on deep soils be grown without ey it, like all other crops, must be irrigated to insure profitable retu The best experience seems, moreover, to indicate that, as in the case of the vine, the mini fa ge enable the plant to develop is that which on the whole gives the best results inasm oh a nk a yn ; S , inasmuch as late irrigation especially i Aa] She spewing of the bolls and in the low portions of the fields to start new growth, leaving id The sea-island variety is a failure thus far wherever tried. That cotton culture has not assumed larg proportions in California as yet is adequately explained by the fact that the home market is, in the absence of wi factories, extremely limited, and the long distance from the world’s markets renders competition with the ] lame Cotton states on the one hand and with India on the other a doubtful matter, which could be turned in avor of California only by exceptional circumstances, such as peculiar excellence of the staple. At the sa te, oi Prot aetion has been found profitable so far as the home demand has gone, and good pie have od Bed 3 when exported the California staple has rated high in comparison with the average product of the What, then, are the inducements i : re in Californi i establishment of cotton factories on the . porlbisai in on A a With the equalization of the prices of labor, in consequence of increased facilities of communication, there Senasuiy 3p fo why the home demand for cotton goods on the Pacific coast should not be —— from mes iy i San eture 2A fire is reason why it might secure a large share of the Asiatic market, with g oa himes be asked, why try to substitute a new and doubtful culture for the wheat, fruits, and wines for which alifornia has already become famous, and of some of which it has practically a monopoly in the United States ? ; Apart from the general rule that the greater the variety of crops and industries of a country the more independent and the less liable it is to crop failures of a general character, there are two points that speak strongl in favor of at least the partial substitution of cotton for wheat. One is the well. known fact that wheat an id very exhaustive of the soil, notably of the phosphates, especially when the grain is chiefly used for export little or nothing being given back to the soil, and the same crop being repeated year after year in a wholesale fedhion It is hardly necessary to expatiate upon the fact that this kind of farming, or rather planting, is doomed to speed termination, and that while for the time being it enriches individuals it is of very doubtful permanent benefit . A country. The exhausted wheat-fields must wait for the coming generation of more careful farmers—true husbandmen not skinners of the soil—to be rehabilitated into something like their original productive value. That has been the history of wheat-growing all over the Atlantic states, and is certain to be repeated in California. When the wheat- fields cease to be so profitably productive as to be able to compete with the fresh lands of Washington, Montana Dakota, and Minnesota, what crop shall be substituted for that grain? It is idle to say that there A plenty ot time yet before the question arises. The truth is, that in the older settled portions of the state it is already upon us, for the average product per acre is rapidly falling from the surprising figures of old—40 and 50 bushels per acre—to the modest 12 or 15 bushels of eastern states, and it is impossible that it shonld be otherwise; but the man who grows 15 bushels per acre cannot long compete with those still able to grow double that awonnt A portion of the lands so thrown out from wheat culture may be given to orchards and vineyards; but it will be long before these industries can occupy all the ground, if indeed the state of the world’s wetkels would permit of their indefinite expansion. Alfalfa, which it has been proposed to substitute for grain, cannot find sufficient consumption at home, and is too bulky for export. Many other crops might be suggested that will doubtless hereafter find a profitable place in the agriculture of California, but among these there is every reason to believe that cotton will occupy a prominent place, especially since it can be grown on any naturally fairly productive soil for scores of years without thought of other manure than its own seed regularly returned to the soil. It is in this respect the reverse of the exhaustive wheat crop; for a crop of cotton lint takes no more from the soil than the chaff of the wheat would were it a merchantable article, while the grain and straw were returned to the soil. This point is treated more exhaustively in the article on the uses of cottonseed, included in the preliminary part of this report, volume I. It is true that cotton is one of the most exhaustive crops when the seed is definitely removed, as has unfortunately been the prevailing practice in the cotton states; but it is equally true that no other Crop Now known is so little exhaustive as cotton when the seed and stalks are returned. This is more especially important, in view of the fact, apparent from the analyses heretofore given, that while as a whole the soils of the state are unusually rich in potash, their average content of phosphoric acid is far from large. Their abundant yields are due to their large supply of lime, through the agency of which the plant-food contained in them is made quickly available. But while it is true that calcareous soils are particularly thrifty, it is alsq true and well known that when they do become exhausted they require the most generous manuring to become Doductive again. There is another reason in favor of the planting of cotton as against the planting of wheat (at least as the latter is now practiced) when irrigation is required. This is the fact {too well known to the population concerned, and more specially treated of in the article on alkali soils on pages 63 to 73) that on lands afflicted with alkali the evil 735 a TE RAE ENTREE 3 i COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. ANALYSES OF SOILS. 79 ~Q (0 is steadily on the increase, on account of the “rise of the alkali”, as a consequence of continued surface irrigation. H The last flooding of the wheat leaves the soil with a dense crust, from which the soil-water evaporates rapidly, and i which, the grain being sown broadcast, cannot be broken and the surface soil put in the condition of tilth necessary i E to prevent the accumulation of the alkali salts at the surface. More and more every year the dead spots” in the 4 2 a ads i wheat-fields increase, and when, on account of such failures, it ceases to be profitable, something else must be g AR&& A 3 g A 8 4 $5554 g é $5484 $8 substituted, and that substitute must be a hoed crop, planted in drills, and capable of being cultivated at all times. } ~o"p uopdios | Te Rae = a A A mr voit . H - - : : : » ' Tw TTS : : 1t should, moreover, be a deep and tap-rooted crop, requiring the least amount of irrigation, on account of the depth | qe jo einjeiodwoy, 7? #2 2 |= I if 1 9 = iE 8 Ec snag So 7 | . . » a . Lr . . 0 : : . : mn 4 3 to which its roots reach. Cotton fulfills pre-eminently both conditions. It needs and responds generously to clean oauysjowt o(doosoa3LH z 3 = - TT ® 5 8 2% 38 = re 4 Re . s %.. 3 : : : . . . J 8 rg ow = «™ & = ) and frequent tillage, and in this it would tend to fill the period of comparative idleness experienced by the California © ®@ 8 B i 5 5 og S g. 9.4 4 SATs = & 2 5 . . . . . . , w «+ S —_ grain-grower between harvest and seeding time that for the time being throws a large number of laboring men Teng S ssc s 5 2 : : SE28R $88 ¢8 2 3 3 { ; : y y : ——— eS S [-:] 3 5 3 3 : . . . . * . o out of employment. By the proverbial spreading out of the work over the entire twelve months cotton serves to -3078m | ESTEE: eng & & § 8 eg &8 8 8 8 g g 8 { : . y : orueSio pue INBM | dL 8 BB RA S 3 8 2 3 3 : 2s 28 =® 8 8 ee eo | secure steady employment, and therefore a steady laboring class. : J 6 g 6 6 8S EE ev S223 & BR 8 = = g 8 8 gh : . . . : : - ee oo 6 oF 3 i ; i . . y i In one respect, too, the California cotton-grower has a great advantage over his southern competitor. The “pro oruoqIe) A] ET ITY EF a ese 6 ed | ’ Ct hp bod oa 3 11 Poa od 1 Proend : #4 latter has to ¢ fight the grass” throughout the season; in fact, to keep the cotton ¢ out of the grass” is his never eR hd ie 1 ied 4 | 3 jog = : I 11 FE : . Sabet . ] ‘pro R S i ee : Soe 8 i ending task. In the Sacramento valley, where cotton can be grown without irrigation, weeds cease to worry the — Dwe symydng S g : 2 g g = HE EEEEEERER: gs 88 8 8 FS 2 . ” “ . i : : 1S 2 oS : . . . . . » > D S wi ! garmer after the dry season sets in,if the ground has been properly attended to before. No summer showers start ; -proe ouoydsoyq | E E82 EERE a 2 EEE EEE dS sss : 2 S i . . ue . . ” 4 . . . 2 ” 1 1 - Mm Mm PY «N 3 ® TTT Ee i a new crop of grass and compact the surface into a strangling and moisture-wasting crust. If clean to the dry : | ES @ 9% sa = 2 BERR s S S82% g 38 = i : , . : , . 8 R BC So iz Sass Sa i 2B season, the ground remains clean, save perhaps a few large straggling weeds that can be done away with by a few NY | Es = = a B ES REESEEEE 2 88 8 & 223% | . . : ry ye TN TW ww -) : : * : . : ? ? i i 2 - = ith i strokes of the hoe in each row. There is no erab-grass to go to seed every autumn, as an earnest of the perennial -apIxo ow | g £8 2 EEE — En ER EE BEER, A PL s 5 3 - 5 I : t — = AD & 2 Om ww mm Ty i renewal of the grass fight. nies : ewe e = x 8 98S 3 x & 88 EEE E8 gs 2 P > Oo 3 sores 0S Ee a CS 18 oF ad ed «ad “8a 8 = a & Finally, where irrigation 1s once established, it will secure a cotton crop without fail every year, instead of the -uBW JO OPIXO UMOIG EF SES5EEE 23 88288% 2% EE EE a | 3 , : Sg tat : J dial mao > 8 8 8 3 8 2 © sa 3 | often-recurring summer droughts that so frequently stunt the crop m the Mississippi valley, and the waters of the : a | SIE TEE ree E Be EBB s = : ec 2 2 2: IR . . . , : ' 2 "BY e FS = a CEE en ® e g.2. 8 ; fortnightly shower, thought there to be desirable for the best success of cotton, could here be made a certainty. 3 | n ES Races uo z : g 3 2 8B 2 8 2 EEE EE EEE = i. : . : 3 : : : : : $ re = SS oi =e : = : 3 KF But, singularly enough, such treatment is found not to benefit the plant in the climate of California, so that, in > "euyy I 888 EE E98 89 2 3 3 2 er res S 4s ® Ef . . po .. . . S Sa 4 - Te: . : . . >» 0 r~ yn S 23 .. 00 , od comparison with some other crops, cotton culture would be economical as regards irrigation water. ! ® = 5 5 ew Ew ~ 2S oa aang S x > = TES ll : : : : : : , : : . | *epog a 8 0 aE a ® a 8 3 SB i Keeping all these points in view, the writer cannot but think that the wider introduction of cotton culture nto 1 3 overseas Ae eo =o 0B $8EF2F BE EEE g 8 3 S Bl qe :. : at : . : . . < . eo ae STS S 8 8 8 8 8 oo oS oy Te he DS 1d! California is but a question of time, and that In many respects it will serve to improve the agriculturai prospelity ! 2 "qseoqd 8 8ERE8ES g€2 8 8 aE wo 2 252-5 ig. i fI8 8 " : . ‘ : : y y 3 1 BAN 2 2 3 IN B= 4 Ang of the state. ! 3 STH DIE RD TEs en ce SS SSS oss oo T2Ro3 2333 hy 736 i 1501 O[QUIOSTT (E30, J Sagan 22 ZE8RESEE SZ Se BK Ss £3 = 8 ie sR 2 2 EE ESE rrr ssa %s 5&8 8 3 3 g 200) ES EE 3 EB Ei H.2.9. gpg d S ® = 3 x . 2 E 8 ond Te a a ers seen LE te DS en DS 3s %eN UY O[qUI0s ‘BIS 2 Fysiec : (BEBE ES 283 £8 dg 2 § S$ 22 8 8 3 NUE, A sn idada Rin i 3S "onplsel o[quosuy E SA 8&8 28488 mT. @ == 2 = EE YE ; FB S ggg gg Ie ee = | REECE gg ! 5 eas 18 (i EEE SRE. g 8 888 e gg 8 | BF 2 . = | 1 P13 iB ied] | rT ra nc 3 y'31%8 i J IR 1% 5 | i031 i , £1 4 “$F 2111 iii 11811 182% ] = z $BgE 1S ! | | sIIBE iE: (1%); S202 ‘ S w MOHa 3 PE 8 : & 3% %. ro. a ®t 1 4 ge, & i ~ Saks >. 3 Ww = E2g da. 2 : 2 3am 3a 3 8a: © : = > $8 1 EE o | 2 : & 2% SE: BE © R 2 o os x - . © 1s EE =] © co = ] EB @ BL = | 8. = | > B = : £2 | 3 Bigs J 2% : & } BSE Si % E 5 2 g g 8: & + % S 0 3 o vd Semmes &s t . 2m © = -— a 8 4 - oi a 8 . M 1 = = . @ HT = ie ol = os I - ==> 3 i § E 2 2 8 ; : 3 PERE ES "=~ 2 $ 85° © Sys 3 tt ESF FE & iF i3 38° i 2 8 a! ian zs TT ro .2 2 3 tA ™ 8 $4.11 1189 Baa hoa CIE @ Nn : : : : ' . . . . » 3 | Engen sapere lot re re flr : o& 3 | . . . N ’ . : ‘ " ' y = —— ce : - Poi 3 14 400 Ab wa LR RT TY ry iB B : He £ ; 1} pegged igo tong Fie a : Toone La B13 1.7 EE Pagar 1S | g : ee a g 1.4 2 | bdo 8 total ida ! ” © eS . : ‘ . , : : ' ’ : : . : $ s3581" Est iisdd Isgal Hii . . Ss . + " " <= = © Ss > oe I ERE § 33°27" fi: : I °% : re TTT Te : re ar : wo = fob id Re 1 ® FT CL fT Ta eg % . : : | . ' : : : ' . ' : $5 : . ? ¥ . : P13 e : or : % : 2 {2 1 3 we [H . $a & = a8: oe : 1.8 a 8 3 4 ; Ps 4 Zz bod JME | E NE 2 : 2 :% Lo 1g g $ 12.3%. Elaid ig, 2581s £118 tl B (328%: 56:2 18 i5& 8 228 E 4 2 EZ ° wn .2 28 & + a = 88¢ © ¢ % sg 2 HE oe NY 3 mg © 1 EE Bas 8C - = Ss BR a =" w g Bde ¥ S 4 = = sf g i ° " g Go = © T = a PB - = Pp ww 2 3 | g 82 82 3 ast E253 gif BEE 5 © 3 EEE iH | iAH ; = = g It Eas (££ REZ. OX set iw {aE = | g8 $ Ef ig } PEef jBel%%s PPI IL RIL Hl e | e S = > -~ — . a. - . ~ . zr 1 3 c 8&8 g~== 2 Px 3 32 22% 3s ER S42: |: 8 C= Y 0 | 5 a H 22 |} 2 3 52 = EE 2 % = 2 3s TE 2 : % 3 = 28 nH | 8 25 8 2 8 $3 2 xT BES 2B EEE yu 2 2 2 zz REE x — - x — — . . i 9 gg Ro 2 = ~~ » Bc 5 0 EL o& = % 22 | 2 » E * a ‘o I ! sg 2 = EB 2% = & LF & s A 2 =~ & zz Z fF 8 = 2 = . = v = 2 @ = = | Ft ore BE 2 E-] Zz AM 2 a 1 a — E = = ic | EEF EERER- sii: iE BERLE E2 er 1 | = n Mn : 3 < = ce 2 = 2 = : 2 2 = do =~ = 18 | . -soquuny | aa se 2 gE ee i ge = 1, ] EB EERE: S- EZ FEREF SZE222 E2E Le : 47 ¢ P—VOL. 4 ? =~ § ZR 3 2 2 40 nn 4 i V Chemical analyses of California soils and subsoils—Continued. ture. i] | Temperature of ab- 1 i i i { i i i COs. | Total insoluble resi- soluble in Naz due and silica. ganese. Sulphuric acid. Carbonic acid. Hygroscopic mois sorption C.° Insoluble residue. Phosphoric acid. Ferrio oxide. Total. Silica, | Water and organic matter | Brown oxide of man- | | 1a} | | . { Red upland loam soil vrvnnvamey Herbs ; scattered poison- 78. 789 3. 803 82. 592.0. sae i 021 0. ne 018! 5.811 6. 2830. 043.0. 019 3.644 100. 186 4.81| 15.0, Jaffa. oak. Red foot-hill soil 08k, piss, and chapar- x 380.0. i 960 1. 090 0. 390 12. 420/10. 700. 1600. 010 5. 140/101. ic 15.0; Morse. bx) | Mining slum soil Willows, grass 0. 1900. 210 1.190 209 080 9.30010. 5500. 0sm0. 030 4. 430 101. 360, Do. FOOT-HILL REGION—CON- tinued. | | | fa Valley ** adobe" soil ! . 610 0. 1900. 140'0. 680 13. 740'0. 080, 18.430 o. 070.0. 010 9. 840, 99. | Do. | | | Red-loam soil i seievi “ Blue " and white oaks, (67.915 6.964 74.8790. 20 iY 544! 0.7200. 031! 7. 879 9. 864 0- 091.0. 362 3.766] 99.614 5.42 15.0 ! ison-oak, grass, an | lowers. 1 | | . ! { | Red foot-hill soil ! Grass and ‘‘blue” oaks. 73.352, 4.50677. i i 1250. 351| 0.8400. 066, 6. 964 8.804 0. et 221 . 060 101. 731 6.11 15.0, Do. Red gravelly soil Hog-wallows, 11 miles |.... 79.078, 5. 544 84. 622'0. 2080. 111/0. 394! 0.3610. 033 3.903 6. 6600. 053.0. ow . 143 100. 570 4.97 15. s Do. north of Merced. | i SOUTHERN REGION. ; | | | | | Mojave desert soil Mojave station Sage Vrusk, creosote {70.965 4. 999 75. %e0 9280. pues 7a 1.7820.026 5. 478 9.2270. oun 012 0.456] 3.903 99.697 10.76 plant, grass. 1 Bench-land soil San Gabriel valley. ..... Jabs .| Grasses. cceeue.aeaneiaad]annnns | vensws 81. 120. 20, 1700. = 1 he 100} 6, 300 6. 7000. 1600. on. s 100.500 2.30 2 519 5.121 7. “9, 0. nso, ee 354 2. 250. 039 8. ow 5. y 018 0. 022. . 550/100. 054 3. 46 175. 304 3.872 79. 176, 0. op 3012. 052 2. 1540. 043 7. 342 5. £350. 049 0. 020 . 546100. 480, 2.37 \ | | Mesa land soil Grass, herbs ...coo.....liiiiiiaanns = 2100. 0. 4800. 10. 360; 0.5400. 0 3. 000 5. hs 200. 030! hs 99. 500, 2.30 | i | Bottom soil (a) esee@O cannnn.nee Mezquite trees, STe0so(e 58. 574 5.32763.901 1.177 0. 162 28.671 2.9660. 025 4.139 8. 3790. 1330. 145 7.818] 3.344{100. 860 9.26 plant, and arrow weed. | | | | COAST RANGE REGION. | | i South of San Pablo bay. | Ed | | Valley soil (a) 12 ; 85.664 1 847 87.511 0. 634.0. 0700. 759, 0. 593.0. 025 3.350 3.0950.2000.003 3.132 99.372 5.49! 15.0 Reddish mountain soil ... 12 | 74. ™ 7. . 8420. 10. 1640. a 0. 5 036 5. "we 5. wis. 1270. 039 2. 669 99. 414] 6. 5 15.0 Bench-land subsoil Hollister's ranch | . | 53. 065 4. 678 87. 30. 506 0. oso 58 0. oes 055 3. 116 2.0050. 2B 094 | 3. i 99. 871| 5. 8 15. 0 «* Poverty Hill"’ 12 | Cultivated twelve years. 85. 506 2. 507 88. 1630. 30. 109.0. 676] 0. 5260. 2. 856, 4. - 027 9. 015) 5. 2 12.5 | ane Soquel ranch | seins 12 | Cultivated 180. 426 3. 028 83. 454/0. 430. 126 0. 502| 0.390 0. " 3.928 5.7110. 530. 009 n 955| 99.485 5. 6 15.0 | Xv miles northeast of | Santa Clara ... 12 - or. uo 5. 114 62. 56310. wt iy 987 2.4280. oe, 019; 9.5160. 1099. 063 11. 921] 99. 853/12. 09, 15.0 aratoga. | | Pescadero ! cvuitieeeo..| Redwood, pine, oak, al- hao 3.237 81. 32110. 541.0. 23110. 925, 0. 820 0. 039, wel 084.0. 027 6. 757/100. 500 is 15.0 | dor, buckeye, and | | | i | | | Sandstone soil i | Scrubby live-oak 78.135 3.458 81. 593/0. os. i 846) 0. 7800. 053) 5.682! 5.1620.031 » 053 5.404100. 359 6.02] 15.0 Sandstone subsoil 70. 24 5. =e 7560. 5900. 1720. 2 1.2210. on 7.208] 9. wn out. 022; 4.900100. 135} 9.41} 15.00 Deo. > 057 0. 045 Trace, 8.304] 99.524 13.51 15.00 Do. | | Low mesa soil § Grass, alfilerilla. . = Low mesa subsoil } o | | | | | ! { | | i | i | VINJOAI'TVO NI NOLLONAOYd NOLLOD | madrone. Black waxy adobe soil . - Colton ranch ol 50.960 9. 020 59. 980|0. 192 0. oud 71 0. " bo 11. oh 15. 689 { | | | Dark soil, rolling uplands. | Livermore valley 80.262 5. 023 85. 285.0. 2! 299.0. 1.13 813 0. ooo 93 3. " $59 00s. 010 4. oe 99. 557, 5. 67 15.0, Jaffa. | ] Dark subsoil, rolling up- | | . Sy oak } 19. 668 5.157 85. 8150. ast. 10, 603 0. 0s ozs 3. 00 5. me 062 0.008 3.435 100.158 6. 12 15.0, Do. lan i ! i ; | i Red gravelly soil, rolling | i 81.941 3.756 85. 6907/0. 22390. 0810. 720 0. wo 0 3. 0 95 5400. 0610. 008. | 3. 550,100. 103 4. =» 16. J Do. . up . a 11 as i sont A EA RS AN 649 | Sediment soil Arroyo del Valle, Liver- : a more valle i 71.156 4. 938 76. 1 | Black “adobe " soil University i ds sycamores. 094 1. bo 123 2. 049; 3. 0460. oe | 5.648 7.1530.117)0.101| 1. 2 3.679 100. 201 ad jo o itibernotiresz. : HY 4520.0741.050 1.21100.078 4. 7 7. i io 071]... 5.718 99.108 4 | ** Adobe" ridge subsoil. .. 563.0. ws. 1090. 998| 1.9130. 093 7. nen 9700. 116 > 0.028...... 6.600 100. 946 86.0020. 1890. 1540.45 0.4520. 038 4 od 5. 532 0. 057, { cees@0 canune....] 10-20 Scattered live-oak, small. | 0.021 | 4. 051100. 993 North of San Pablo bay. | | 185 Valley soil I ’ | bl | | | | 0 Le | | | | | | | 12 | Oaks and grape-vines 6.839 | a 82.9280.4350. 744] 0.5780. 0! 25, 5. 03 5. oi Wi 171 ic 3.715 99.791 i { ! lo 71: , 274 7 sredilo 6. 9072 242). 1270, ms 105 3.3290. mr 6. 086 10. _ 167'0. 020 a Yo . 3 3.588 72. 9611. 1340. 1200. 101 3.2390. 054 7.307 9.7580. 10.020 eine Ce ie a Ee si: x 5. 934 55. ND 4520. 1700. 658 0.6100. 051 10. am 22, 585. 031 0. 033 77.017] 3.340 80. 357.0. 7460. am 0.600] 1.331 - i 240 7.87 665, 99. 506) 6.21 654,100. 259/11. 11 188 207 205 676 “ o” bi | 0. ost 5.656. 5. om 050, : 5. ie 4.50 | Po i a Soils analyzed at y: expense of United States Census Office; all others at the laboratory of the College of Agriculture, University of California. ¥TIOS A0 SASXTVNV COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. 82 Table of humus and its available constituents (percentages referred to the soils) found in California soils. PE Rh mp I mm | No. Name Locality. County. Humus. | Area | phosphor lesen iii} el) ER 563 | Sacramento river alluvium .........ccocesosose Rancho ChiCo.cceerancnnsanenmenomsmssemnsos Butte.........----- 0.749 | Et 517 | Brownish 10am 80il ceeeunroennznanoerzrmnseenes Biggs’ Station ....ceuennseeemnnsmsensstmsTm 0. ...c0n:neen 1.184 | 0464 /.........----- 110 Putah valley (middle land), cultivated DIXON. 2 conssnesnenonsorwsnnsnsnsssensaanunsnss (STI) 110 1 1 JOP 1.709 | 0.562 |.. eas 105 | Valley 80il..cocueaemacasmnnerorannnnrosmnssoeses Merced Qitoh ...oonneeenmranonenansnnrenetm Merced ---cennee-et 0.867 | 0.595 |.eenenreanenn- 198 | Merced river bottom 80il ....c.cecercecemeene HOPEIOD «us - ov vovnrssmasesennnsnsnnsesonie oy 0 cancerneencnes 1.800 0. 563 0.130 701 | Dry bog 80il cecuannnnnnnrnnarnrmmmrasnrerstott Siss0n'S TANCK «oooonnnmnasanmmmosssen tent Tulare. .....-.----- 1.061 0 984 0.039 570 | Brown adobe BOM cveusscnisisisinivsseteii dunner Eisen VIDOYard ...c.ceeesessessszessssssets Fresno «cox -cee- 0.507 | 0.373 0.020 570 | Alluvial loam 80il.......ceemenrennnroomenssenses Grangeville, Mussel slough...ccennneeennnnoss Tulare.......-.---- 0.644 | 0.587 |-cevnerenenne- 77 | DIG OREO «ov vrees savin ssasnevemsane conerass rE eo eee eens 0.468 | Supelco, 308 | TOR S0f wens enecvnsessasenssrsnnsmmpascoanssnes Hog-wallow tract near Huffman's.......-c---- | Merced .ocoverenne- 0.367 | 0.334 | 0.019 704 | Fresno plains 80il...o..oeeuenaamanraranas one Central GOODY «eeanneennsnsmmnnsesssmssnssss | Fresno ......------ 0. 604 0.351 | 0.011 586 ‘Tulare plains Boil .......ceaesmmmonresmesereeses East of Outside creek. ........coc-eaeeceeosess | Tulare..........--: 1.139 0.535 | eueuennnnnnns 573 | Tulare plains 80il ......c.ccunvoenanormorsmmnons Cross Creek. ccunnoeeornnnesnssssennmsosmmssts be eedO cnnenerenss ! 0.996 O70 | nueisouisnns 700 Salt-grass 80il.ccceenmanoeinnnrennmnmm onsen Buena Vistaslough ......ccconnnromonermenees | Kern .ooo-vv-eeeens | 0.170 | 0.196 0. 009 705 | Red chaparral 80il ....ccuennsrneesrnnnnrorsenes AAOTOON +o ecvsneesrsrrevens sesmensressnssasss Shasta .ceeneeeeee-- | 1.420 |oeeenneininn Jove 499 | Red upland loam BOIL ...cnuvncunncvnnunroannans Wheatland ..cceeeamnresmrerenmmnnnsmnmn moss Yuba coeeeceiinnne 0.466 | 0. 336 eet 51 | Red foot-hill G00. «os ernnns suave sve rere oay ADOT «oven sesssorsrervonnsnnspnssavspaennns Placer cceeeveneennn 1.140 | 1120 |oeeninnnninens 67 Mining-slum 80il.....coceeereannorrmmmmemnmens Near Chinese Camp «caceeeeeennzensssssossss Tuolumne ......--- 0.420 0.8360 |....co0nunnnne 68 | Valley adobe 80il .oueessrasensnssssensnssses sft AD cour rernrr ers RS ares E sae bo 0 een rnenns © 1.614 G85 L.auinvnnse son 190 | Red-1oam 80il ....unveunnmnnnranrmmsrsessmsrses LAGIANEE on nnvnnennrnnsensrmnssnnenanssess Stanislaus ......--- 0.715 0.448 |.eevunncncnenns 191 | Red foot-hill 80l.......reeesnsnsrsensessrnenee == Morcel Wallee. cuss een vepsssnusonssesvessynnse | Merced .....-aeee- 0.712 OEY. iiinnsns 196 | Red gravelly soil ......ocoomerarenmrmorenmentr] Hog-wallows 11 miles north of Merced... ...... oeerO einen 0.758 0.533 [....covvvnvens 332 | Mojave desert 80il ......cconooroemmnrnemmmrt Mojave station. ......coooeenrn manent L Kern .....oenueeee an 0.283 | 0.870 |.cennnoennnnnn 382 Low mesa 80l «...cuaenerrannninanmnnranr rent POMOND .. » »s--vs ves nsspnsisssaasennsanatoves: T.os Angeles ....-.. 0.324 0.263 [.....conrteeee ao Moga 1and 808] coceennnnncnnarennaenrrnnenrnnesy National ranch. ......cocoeremenrommmmmrereers | SanDiego....------ 0. 555 | 1.439 {.cuccnnnvennn- 506 Dottom 8Oil «...ceeecenasssrasnsmmasnsnsssrsee | Colorado TVET... .orrssmennsrnenmnssnneness bs oll arainv smerny ! 0.752 | 1.151 | 0.133 768 | Valley sofl.....ccccnenrnrmanmrannnanmnnreenrene | Santa PAN ....eeeemmnerasnnannnmemeeennns Ventura ........--- i 0.841 0. 368 0. 200 182 | Reddish mountain 80il...c.coeeezecrrmnmnnress ort 0s cusses ssmis vr srressrpsensspsaserasneyians 40... license: 1.035 | 1.004 | Seales maa 170 | Bench-land SUDBOHL .eseccvnrecsnconnneconannnens | Hollister's TADCN. « «oocueerermnmnornmerroms ones Santa Barbara..... ¢ 1.341 | 0.271 |ieenrconnnnnne 600 | Upland soil. iin asseee ease See sees aBe ELLs Front Fp Se wey 0.819 0.984 |......comnnsss 606 Upland loam SOil. ..coeuomnmnannnmnnmresrnees | Soquel TanEh ...onn suennn ann n nnn : Santa Cruz ......-- ! 1.463 | 0.579 |cceunrocoonnns 37 | Valley 80il....cucemaarrusnnannnnenranasenssrens | PeSONAOTO. cern crensrssnsrransnnnnnnsensnnnees | San Mateo.......--! 2.850 | 0.625 |.ceuvneeonnnn- 702 Chaparral 8oil.....coeeeeemanennmrmerennsmrsons Near SATALOZR «evens cnmnansrnrrmsmssemsssss ss” | Santa Clara......-- i 3.096 0.884 [.conrancnnnnns 680 | Sandstone Soil .......eececaemnseemnmsenensteoTT San Francisco ..o.-eecenreesnssrasseosmssss | San Francisco. ...- 2,284 | 1.045 |ececevnnnennn- 1 Black 8G0DE ..onnermnnrenmmanrmsnnnrnentent Berkeley .oeeevevoruerresnnnsrnarnannnrrranes {| Alameda.......---- 1.750 |oeenvecnonennns loaeannnmnennes 643 | Black waxy adobe soil ..co..oeeeneorornomrinns Colton ranch. ....eeeennmanemnmneooremssennnss Contra Costas... .--. 1.500 | 0. 829 | 0. 036 649 | Sediment BOIL. vans cansrnsins sannssussnsrins § Ig le oor rrtsararens 3 Alameda....... --- 0.396 | 0.413 |..oooionenes 185 | Valley 80il.ceneenuenmnrennmromremmmensemsmnress { Hooper's VAIDeFATA.connn nna ene SONOMA. eaves cnnnns 1.111 0:71 Levrnnnrnsunssns 188 Red mountain SO]... crennasounssnarsnnennrnsare aavasy BO... isons mssinnssssansinsstrann rman innssy do .coneunrinnnn- 2.537 | 1.171 isan 007 Tel river bottom SOIL ....ceeesneessssnnmnsineees | Bast of Ferndale... coco oooronsesseone Humboldt ......... 1.250 OBI Younes nunane 005 Eel river bottom SubOIl .......oossrseesssnnee oe BD; evr nsissirstnanrys LL iihassssenenidney 00 ors an riosass 0.652 | OZ sins ns nnnans 36 | Tied VOlAMIB SOIL. .csuasennnccssunsnnsanssrnnsnns | Flat on Clearlake. ....uesee-soossssesens sess LER... vs renennas 1.442 0.393 | 0.014 672 Gray valley 80il ...oooooiooinanrnminemmenrentts | Two miles south of Saint Helena. ......c.c---- NAPA «covvvvnnnnnes 1.685 0.407 luusuencrennnes : | a ———————————————————— ee en en —— MECHANICAL COMPOSITION OF CALIFORNIA SOILS.—The mechanical analyses thus far made of California soils are given in the table on page 83. The method of analysis was that described by the writer in 1873 (a), by the aid of the elutriator or soil-washer, devised for the purpose, and constructed for the University of California. Many important points of general interest are deducible from these analytical results, but their detailed discussion would lead beyond the limits necessarily assigned to the present report. Attention should, however, be called to some typical soils. Thus, soil No. 586 is fairly representative of the ¢ plains soils” of the San Joaquin valley, with the exception of the Fresno region, showing that while these soils, on account of the coarseness of a large part of their mass, appear very sandy, yet they contain as much clay as would usually constitute a «light loam”. Again, Nos. 1, 2, 6, «black adobe” of the Coast range and great valley, modified in opposite directions and 110 exemplify the ordinary in the cases of Nos. 8,9, and 68, which are lighter, and No. 643, which is heavier than the average, the latter, in fact, becoming, like the ¢ hog-wallow” of Mississippi (see report on that state), almost unmanageable under ordinary circumstances. No. 168 is the remarkable soil which allows an ax-handle to be pushed down to the head or the arm to the elbow without exertion, yet is so retentive of moisture as to need no irrigation. 1t does not differ widely in most respects from No. 51, the red foot-hill soil from Auburn, which, like the other, is found to be so admirably adapted to fruit-growing. Nos. 47 and 130 exemplify well the light loam soils of the southern region, on which the vine will grow without and other fruits with but little irrigation. The Colorado river bottom soil might be expected to be a somewhat heavy loam, but its large percentage of lime places it among the light loams. Again, between Nos. 8 and 9, one alkaline, the other not, the difference in mechanical composition is but slight, whereas, in consequence of alkali, No. 9 is prac connection with the des sription of the several soils. : NO erm — « Am. Jour. Sci., Oct. and Nov., 1873; Jan., 1874. — ———————————————————— pL 0 tically untillable. These facts are referred to in the text in’ AA Cd do Sd Nr So Na ANALYSES OF SOILS. 83 Mechanical analyses of California soils and subsoils. ENTIRE SOIL. diy mm rm FINE EARTH. Be es I a g ET LL :. § i ¢lafgie! Ter : g | 8 | | & : : ; i382 BEEF IF BIE EEE SE | 8 | 22 Bis! i133 (2(2181% 8 go i « 3 © ws | 53 | 82 ¥ Iv iviviviviv: 8 | 3 Analyst, Si | = og : “lw lw |g 9s Viviy | sg | Enf%2| 3 xr: 2e/2|EiTix 2 | 2 | 15 | ¢ t{3icle sle{gi{EiE]|2 F Ig | 2 g Il & EE EEE iBIBiE1 3 We LL LR 213 3/3/13 3i(3/3|3 No. 10.—Sedime bier ® 2 | near 5 Sedimen; soil, Sacramento river, | None. | None. | None | rr | @ 2 M li a ree attr lL te eines 6.927(13. 111'13. 665 10. 267, 3. 163] 0.322 | a” a S 4 oi M soil, S. eber | N i RSD ras esses lode: t 3 utton. grant, near Stockton, 520 Joanie | OBS: |. .o urna 0.360 | 99.650 || 82. 62537. 115] 4.304] 5.501 5.617 baad oy | .617 2.013 1.9823. 1450 2. 106 1.285 0.437 96.130, Do No. 8.-—Non-alkaline soil fr jr etoiihe . ; hiser's om Over- 0.400 !........ | dd ad | 1.610 | 97.990 || 20.800(32. 000] 8.300| 6.000’ 5.600 7.300] 7.500] 5.700 i 1.500 1.200 9 Neo. 9.— Alkaline soil from O ! i | . +200 6.400, Do. verhiser's, | 0. | i Be Son Joaquin cota, | O85 fr. erer , 2140 1 97.310 | 24. 600[26. 100] 3.300] 9.400 6.200 6.200, 5.400] 4.500 4.700 | | No. 77.—" Dry bog” soi | 6.200 6. \ .700 5.900 1.100 97. hore of Taltve og soil, southeast ........ 4.700 5........ | 95. 900 | 29. 793!13. 840] 1.567! 2 i. 8.183 8.622 9 | ! | | 700. Do, No. 586.—Tulare plains soil. vais | - 567) 2.195, 8. 221 9.722] 6.641 2.115 2.407. 1.275! a86. 360 creek, Tulare ye il, “Outside” ........ Lise wailed | 10. 481[23 o [922.360 Mores. a THRE. : 10. 119) 1.320) 2.16510. 644) 6.161 7.907 7.646 7 wis - ! Sea, OOH oil, ABBE. | reer: 18.92 |... 86.038 | 13 | 2 ga1 FE 7.201 Tale a Mil | .911(28.063| 2.941 5.570 11. 392115. 953 10. 454’ 3 516 1. 1211 0.265 0.1010 94.2¢ | - 67.— m soil near C Sion | +516) 1.121) 0. 04. 247, pomp, Tar tay Chinese ....... | 1830 L....0n 98.150 |, 18. 474/27. 270 0.906 |! | | Meme: Won 08. =Valley * ailobe™ soll vicar Cis. | 5,850 18. +210, 0.906 8.19610. 563,11.975 9.228 6.608, 1. 240, 0.873] 0.824, 96 i Seswsp BY oe Soll near Wa 39] WY 6111810610885, 580/ 0.835 3.987, 4.791 5.974 4.450 | 0. 130eToncii lend soll Sop Gui j | 8. . 074 4.450 5.440 4.220 2.877) 3.202 97. 465, D S 0 Bouch iam il Sm Gabriel | 2.720] WTO 5.070 S240 | 1070000 - 1 = 6.500] 5.020] 7.090 13.10 | Lo No. 47.—Mesa-land soil. Nati | ! [ea " .090 13. 100, 8.390 10.050 11. 390) 7.550, 97.530, Rut piiesaland sol, ational ranch, | 9.760 = 9.110 | 10.330 | 70.800 | 9. 660/10 370, 0.970] 3.240] 3.820] 5.900 | aD No. 506.—Bo : | i : . . . 820/ 5.900 8.360(12.860 13. 540/17. San Diego io ul, Colorado river, |........ el 23 | | 730(12. 570] 599.020 Do. Sabet ER '' 23.969'30. ” 0.790 11. 278.12. 640) 8. 382 2.513 0.752] 0.107] 0.147] 0.131 ¢01 i J oo Soil, pen: Santa Peal, yo" 2.50 |........ 06.470 | 15.02 i i No. 1.—Black “adobe” soil | 15.020114.040| 1.200 5.140; 8.93012. 670 16. 360/11. 480 7.010] 6.450| 4. 1105101 510 M . 1.—Bls soil niversiin ! | ] , : 510, grounds, Alameda her university | 13.945 6.567 |........ 79.498 31.93 [ Shouse, Memes; | | . i 1.170] 3.400 4.770| 7.490 6.200] 0.870| 2.780| 7.660| 5.440 96.3 's Hr eo’ subsoil, univers ao75 | 7 wen | i Prt | : : " 10 Sutton. be Seaton stall, university | 35.25 7. ” ery, 56.932 | 33.53022.120 6.030 5 840, 7.000, 6.420 7.93 | I No. 4.—** Adobe” ridwe soil. univer: : | | i e | . . , 930! 3.990, 1.840; 0.210| 0.020, 95.030, D. grounds, Alameda EY wiversity | 13.233 | 4.607 beraersas 82.160 . 18. 92017. 250! : 70 o i on co wl 0. No. 188.—Reddish mountain soi | ! I i § ABO OAH, Deter 0. 080, 3, 0: 7.45011. 030] 9.490! 3.420; 95 -J1e0 X soil, G. F. |... : | : ! j 3.420; 95.970 Do. Ro od BeyRRY Sonoma county. | 77 fs enensd 82, 242114. 685' 1.053 4.877 6.096 3 wl 5.090 4.308 3.275 1 ot | | No. 110.— Valley soil, Puts i : ! { 0 De® 3.275 1. 0.449 96.787 ODT y utah creek, Sola- |........ b, coremni be minnins freeens | SL 490] 43. oo ” op ’ oid | | i i | 787 Jaffa. 0, 1515, Ailobe Soil, moans Liskio. | | | 2.210, 3.560, 4.970, 4.400 2.640 1.500 1.300 ...... frases | 95.210, Morse. Contra Costa county. y frrrennnn : 3.200 freee on 96. 800 | 43. 540i54. 050 1 590 2.590 3.130 2.700 2 oho | | No. 676.—Red-lan : : i +500 2.500 3.130 2.790, 2.260 1.760 0.750 ...... | 2,230 d soil, Lake county. doeenees) 30.320 ........ 69. 680 | 629. 840,29 i 1 wl 3 ™ 6 4.690 Do. : I | | 8.780 6.060, 6.020] 5.970 5.380; 3.880; 4.070, 2. 130, 98.470, Do. a The low summation of this analysi : ysis is due to the dissolution of lim altogether to diffuse until these salts ny oe $ lution of lime and some alkaline salts in th bad been washed out. The loss bears ; © large quantity of water em, mainly, of course, upon the fin wy of water employed, the clay at frst faiki e sediments. ng d Containing about 25.0 of ferric h ! ydrate. e Containing about 11.0 of ferric hydrate. M1 PE rsdt” jp moct a ee has aa sibel hai Da nmr umm— wo —— ry AG wi Sn a fp et pd 2 : rie Nmap —— a A in — bor 1 Mit 20 a vg : —_— £3 | PART II. AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES OF CALIFORNIA. T a Na in ll NE AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES OF CALIFORNIA. [The descriptions which form this portion of the report are necessarily concise, rather general, and restricted almost exclusively to the topographical and agricultural features, as given in various published and unpublished sources referred to in the introductory statement. As these are to a large extent very deficient in regard to these points, dealing chiefly in generalities regarding settlement, products, and communication, much that should have been stated may be found wanting, and the statements given may not in all cases convey the correct impression. This is especially true of the descriptions of the mountainous portions of the state, the personal exploration of which did not come within the province of this work. Reference to towns and settlements is, of course, made here only casually in connection with the description of the natural features, which forms the object of this publication. The arrangement of counties is by agricultural regions as already given in the first part of the report, and each county is described under the head of that region to which it predominantly belongs, and is described as a whole. When its territory is covered in part by several adjacent soil regions, its name will be found under each of the several regional heads in which it is concerned, with a reference to the one under which it is described. In the lists of counties placed at the head of each group the names of those described elsewhere are marked with an asterisk (*); and the reference to the head under which they are described will be found in its place in the order of the list in the text itself. In each region the counties follow each other as nearly in their geographical order as possible, and this order is indicated in the list. The statistical matter forming the headings of the counties was obtained in part from the Census Office ; the regional areas are only approximate. To some of the county descriptions are appended abstracts from letters or descriptions (intended originally for the Paris exposition) from correspondents, and also abstracts from the report of Mr. N. J. Willson on the country through which the Southern Pacific railroad passes southward from Sacramento to the Colorado river. This latter report was furnished by the Central Pacific Railroad Company for the use of the Census Office. ] GREAT VALLEY REGION. (Embraces the following counties and parts of counties : Butte, Tehama,* Colusa, Yuba, Placer,* Sutter, Yolo, Solano, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Contra Costa,* Stanislaus, Merced, Fresno, Tulare, and Kern.) BUTTE. Population : 18,721. Area: 1,720 square miles.—Sacramento valley, 595 square miles (treeless adobe lands, 70 square miles); lower foot-hills, 965 square miles; higher foot-hills, 160 square miles. : Tilled lands : 304,677 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 127,189 acres; in corn, 1,325 acres; in oats, 418 acres; in barley, 23,288 acres; in vineyards, 570 acres. Butte county is separated in part from Colusa on the west by the Sacramento river and Butte creek, these streams receiving the drainage from the western half of the county. Very near the heads of these small tributaries, and flowing in a general south but irregular course, is Feather river, whose tributaries are all on the eastern side. The surface of the county thus has the general appearance of two successive plains, both sloping westward; the one on the east, or the foothills, is broken and rolling and has Feather river at its foot; the second or the plains proper, rises rather abruptly from this river and slopes gradually and with a more even surface to the Sacramento river on the west. A large part of thel atter plain, forming a belt from 12 to 20 miles wide along the Sacramento river and through the county, is quite level, and is embraced in the great valley region. It is the . 87 745 88 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. chief farming portion of the county. Its surface is treeless, and its lands vary from the rich sandy loam of the rivers to the stiff black and gray adobe, which is underlaid by limy hard-pan at depths of from one to several feet. A large adobe tract lies between the railroad and the alluvial lands of the Sacramento river, and is liable to overflow in wet seasons. These lands are said to yield an average of 30 bushels of wheat or 45 bushels of barley per acre. The adobe lands are bordered on the east by a light, reddish loam, which is considered an excellent frat and wheat land, and at some points bear an oak growth. , The line separating the valley from the foot-hills is said to be well defined, the surface of the latter being not only undulating and broken, but barren and stony, with an abundance of bowlders. This line passes about 3 miles east of Chico, and a short distance west of Oroville, into Yuba county, on the south. A belt of red land lies near the foot-hills. (For an analysis of this land from Bidwell’s ranch, near Chico, see page 22.) The lands of the foot. hills region are generally of a red and gravelly clay character, destitute of trees, and on the hills are barren. The valley soils are better adapted to farming purposes. There is a belt of 8 or 9 miles width in the western portion of the foot-hills region, in which the soil is thin and apparently derived from eruptive rocks. This belt in some places has an elevation of 1,000 feet above the plain. The northeastern and eastern parts of the county are broken with ridges and hills between the creeks, and are edar, and spruce. Turpentine and resin are obtained from the pine forests. The county well timbered with pine, c \ lated and under cultivation, the averages being 10.8 persons and 177.1 acres per square is comparatively well popu mile. . The Oregon division of the Central Pacific railroad connects the county with Sacramento on the south. TEHAMA. (See Lower foot-hills region ”.) COLUSA. Population : 13,118. : ; : Area : 2,500 square miles.—Sacramento valley, 1,275 square miles (including adobe, 100 square miles ; tule land, 140 square miles); lower foot-hills, 580 square miles; Coast range, 645 square miles. : Tilled lands: 653,016 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 261,381 acres; in corn, 851 acres; In oats, 176 acres; In barley, 39,939 acres; in vineyards, 14 acres. an Colusa county lies in the western part of the great Sacramento valley, the Sacramento river in part forming its eastern boundary. Its western boundary-line lies upon the summit of the Coast range. The western third of the county is hilly, broken, and partly mountainous, and the general surface, falling eastward to the level valley lands of the Sacramento, is interspersed with narrow valleys along the many small streams that flow eastward, Stony creek, the largest of these streams, flowing northward and northeastward until it escapes from the foot-hills, when it turns eastward toward the Sacramento. That portion of the great valley north of Jacinto has a gradual fall to the Sacramento river, and its lands are chiefly a reddish gravelly loam, quite similar to that of the foot-hills. The rest of the valley, or the part south of Jacinto, has a gradual fall to what is termed the basin, or trough”, a low, trough-like depression, partly of tule lands, lying 3 or 4 miles west of the river, and receives the waters of the western streams. From the basin to the river there is a rapid rise, and eastward of the river o fall to another basin or depression of Butte creek; so that the river has the appearance of flowing along the summit of a low ridge. The lands of this river section between the basins comprise the rich alluvial loams that in other counties southward form so prominent a feature of the valley, and have a natural timber growth of cottonwood, sycamore, and ash. The tule lands along the sloughs in this county are estimated to cover about 30,000 acres, and are excellent meadow lands. They are low, flat, and ill-drained, and are generally regarded as unproductive or irreclaimable, though crops of grain and cotton have been raised on them after proper drainage and protection by levees from the overflow of the river and other streams. The high land between Sycamore and Dry sloughs is called Mormon basin, and embraces rich lands, which yield about 50 bushels of wheat per acre. The great valley (which includes also the tule and river lands) is a broad, level plain, open and almost entirely destitute of trees, and to the foot-hills has a width west of the river varying from 15 to 20 miles. The soil is chiefly a loam or sediment from the hills, that from one mile north of Willows to the Tehama county-line being reddish and gravelly in character. These valley lands are largely in cultivation, and yield large crops of wheat, the principal crop of the county. Much alkali land occurs in spots in the region lying between the two tule-land belts east and southeast of Williams. The small streams have shallow valleys, with silty or sandy alluvial soils, and are separated from each other by low ridges of brownish-gray adobe, which is often humpy or hog-wallow in character, and has more or less alkali in the depressions. These are called * goose lands”. W. S. Green, of Colusa, says of this land: All the creeks that run from the foot-hills in winter run on ridges. imperfect drainage, so that the water chills the soil ; and as it goes off’ by evaporation it leaves a entirely dry it is more or less encrusted with alkali. In winter there are ponds on this Jand aroun was considered worthless for anything else it was called * goose land”. It is now found, however, that this land, and a great deal of what was called “ goose land ” now produces good crops. The foot-hills which lie between the valley and the mountains and become more and more broken westward are partly covered with an oak growth and partly with brush, chamisal, and laurel. These hills are chiefly devoted to grazing purposes, and their lower valleys embrace almost the only farms of the region. The low hills capable of cultivation are thought to cover about 700 square miles, while the estimated area of the foot-hill valleys is about 200 square miles. Of the latter, Bear valley, within 2 miles of the Lake county-line, has a width of from 1 to 2 miles and a length of 10 miles, its elevation above the plains being about 1,000 feet. There are some wheat farms in the eastern part of this valley, but the western portion is hardly under cultivation. Between these ridges we sometimes have low, flat land with 11 the salts near the surface, and when d which the geese congregate, and as it drainage and cultivation improve 746 AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES. 89 The upper part of Cortina valley also i ] alley also is r § i i ins, i character, and 1 i) YI ae rough and unproductive, while the lower, near the plains, is of a better _. Indian valley, in the northwestern part of the county, | y : i widih > 3 Bilson the north, but becomes very narrow oh The oh fier 4d Suith of BueE Somes SR 8 rR He Joo lls is red and gravelly, more or less rocky, and is especially adapted to fruits. Th pt a hos ois yh ge are too high for farming purposes. Pine is their chief timber growth > : sa under cultivation average 261.2 acres per square mile, the county ranking as ninth in the J ( la ) YUBA. Populnfion : 11,284. 3 ho : 20 squae jon, se Sae monty (ONY) or square miles; lower foot-hills, 415 square miles . ge. C —— > ) ei i barley, 1 1,057 acres; u vineyards, 618 a > 2 in wheat, 28,134 acres ; in corn, 603 acres; in oats, 1,461 acres ; in uba paratively i i Poathor OI BCom hort gs county, and lies on the eastern side of the Sacramento valley, reaching from Bore Ver: 12 thio red “ e foot of the high Sierra. Its extreme western part, bounded on the south b wo Dlg 3 oo or lk % yo a Bie er, and is largely included in the great Sacramento valley. The rion wh ies Sonnet by the junction of these two streams with Feather river, the western boundary | % Tn es mel i Br car: Subject : y © 78 from the hills having in Is rears 80 fillec » ous nile a 1 Conse he ¥ aters to spread out over the adjoining bottoms at every i Ei on ap Su COHLONWool. aid vines: ” are How 80 covered with this débris, or slickens, as to be “only a swamp of le yao Lind Vey a 2 w here bars of white sand and pools of slimy water glisten through the sapling s At any y ay waters of the river are spread out over a wide region of level country Tei phos oly bree) u vi 6) once the richest farming lands of the region, but now deserted leveed in, and a ay ) om, my peliljpss:. Marysville is now surrounded by levees so high as to preclude a arsoun y » giving it the appearance of a walled city of the Old World. on eat alloy ih SOULY Passes Shons 1) wiles east of Morea and southeast ¥ the corner of the cif firming : gut ay less, with a soil well adapted to the culture of small grain, and is the li oossilly togion, i reaches from the valley eastward nearly, if not quite, to the county limit, is at first tots ns 2, Josh J 2 jy nore hilly, brushy, and rocky as the Sierra mountains are approached. Small valle Vo og the nl > a: i ; e ands are as yet but little under cultivation. The soils of the foot-hills are red ik a a 5 mS Jor Dortuens Sowa Mapied 0 fruits and grapes. The northeastern part of the county is . arming por ‘uba county is estimated ‘ ) i tota) een, he Saludos belng devoid to grazing and ha nm i ) e county under cultivation average : i i i SRL oe hn 0 guns tivation average 158.3 acres per square mile, while the population has an The Oregon division of the Central Pacific railroad connects the county with Sacramento on the south PLACER. (See ¢ Lower foot-hills region?.) ; 1 SUTTER. Fonda : 5,159. rea: 580 square miles.—Sacram J iles (i i 0 ns 0s ento valley, 530 square miles (including tule lands and some adobe); buttes, Tilled lands: 171,856 acres.—Area pla i ed | ! Se— nted in wheat 38 ¢ 3 1 i i barley, 14550 2X io Sova p sk t, 74,338 acres; in corn, 1,596 acres; in oats, 243 acres; in cuthen sons ) boiled ibs Ne by oy Hams river and on the east in part by Feather river, lies yw part he great valley of that river, its east 1 ine not ing evel the foot-hill region of the Sierra mount in y vo rive SUSU Mounties dine Aol tacling Swen ains. Between the two rivers, with th i 5 southeastern part of the county, ther op S Sicontion of Duiie Jeng, 1 ide v, there are no streams, the country being apparent it i Bear ri and Soveral Teens flow westward, but disappear before oi Lg Silly Sithons deanoge. Tearalver oF ae Up hace of io cuanps Yer level Hie only OXCCION bing a region in the northwest having a diameter bout 12 8, a nu r of high, prominent, and cra isolated k S i rock rising more than a thousand feet ab ins BY iaed peaks or Dukes of Pani 8 , above the open plains, whos th i i oroang Joos fun » thous Bot ope ains, se northern sides only are covered with a ) a : e border of this region consists of 1 i 0 i are mostly devoted to pasturage. On the north and pe oy Tolling Solin Yaose Jans Say Levoisd 1s ol] ge. and east are meadow lands, embracing, it is thought, about res, naturally subject to overflow, but largely reclaimed, whil h “there marshes and tules, which extend southward in a belt ses 1 mi Lire 0 Die Sl 10 Yes tote Xte ¢ t several miles wide, nearly b i ¢ i En Jae Yhigh exieig sol 1 be al mi , nearly bordering the Sacramento river y. The drainage of these hills is through B ¥ i which also in time of high water connects the Sa 0 § through Butte slough, at their southern foot y 3 e Sacramento and Feather rivers i i i SABdl also Ti Die of Wg) ater oon } ¢ rivers. The immediate river lands of both ! 0 g s are alluvial loams, timbered with a growth of AY > > . ? ” : co ¢ i i ’ with ihe Prespiion uf some scattering oaks on the plains, is the only timber of the Hon Non A areanale, Wild), nd Jant be g Hp Satrwnunio; yt re Nghly Podngiive wi largely under cultivation, as are also those of other I 1 n the ather rivers the originally rich alluvial 1 *h side of pi : b y alluvial lands on each er for a width of 14 miles have been to a great extent covered with a slickens deposit of 2 or 5 oe i The 747 pags mat A A aR 90 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. i i ‘yielding 3 : county are mostly dark loams, with some red gravelly clays on higher spots, yie lands Lato, an o. Bn of 23 bushels of wheat per acre. Stiff adobe tracts extend Bosh nosh io south for some distance from the foot of the Dujins = fous in the low grounds south of Yuba city and along id to vield from 30 to 40 bushels of wheat per acre. : Be of A county under cultivation average 296.3 acres per square mile, the county ning an a the state; the average population is 8.8 persons per square mile. The Oregon division of the oh) ial 3 Sele railroad runs through the county to Sacramento, on the south. The Sacramento river is also naviga e fo from Marysville southward, and furnishes transportation facilities to Sacramento and San Francisco. ABSTRACT FROM A DESCRIPTION BY GEORGE OHLEYER, OF YUBA CITY. except that portion in the northwest where the buttes occur, is level. Most of it is also alle to araw in extreme wet winters, and levees have been built to protect the lands, With, however, only partial success. : Oa Sireaty bi i ? - in deep channels, and the Sacramento river above the confluence of the Feather river does so yet; but Feather > A Sacramento have largely filled with debris from the mines. Bear river now has no channel, its original ge ih, 3 > ge en entirely, as also the adjacent bottom land to the depth of many feet. The Butte mountains are Coy 3 t As 2 2 ny growth of oak and pine, but the south sides have very little or no timber. The mountains being litt e else on c 2/00 Ol a attempted, but they afford good pasturage during winter and ony Har In ae Su Thess mountains are nearly su y i st; uth remains till late in the summer, forming tule an ’ Er En at embrace the following varieties: red gravelly clay uplands, which effjure Seomglls ou sr Sin pesnauny ce seasons, and dark sandy uplands, with clay subsoil and hard-pan, the latter generally from 1 to 10 feet deep. W Rs fe ap Hen vatie soil is usually about 6 feet deep, underlaid by ASieksend and then by Soe. Thats Luly ars es Mine tow ; are dared ana vi er than : other, are easily cultivated, and were originally cov , : un od bottom lands, best for corn and barley, are extensive. Adobe lands oceur chiefly ony the ile Seg iy around the Butte mountains, and are productive when not too wet or too dry. Wheat is the chief production ot fs cong} y, ’ potatoes, etc., are also produced. Irrigation is not practiced. Hard water 18 generally found 10 or 15 feet from the surface. The surface of the county, YOLO. Popes: Wi. ) i i i land, 250 square miles); lower Area: 940 square miles.—Sacramento valley, 610 square mies (including tule land, 250 sq ; -hi 70 square miles: Coast Range mountains, 160 square miles. ] i; : ee saan ft tors : 978,983 a tana in wheat, 115,369 acres; in corn, 714 acres; In oats, 55 acres; in 8,32 . in vineyards, 7567 acres. ; : a 4 MRE eB the east by the Sacramento river and on the SOL IL pK Wy Sa, heel, y hich ises i ills of st 1 S i ai - but few streams, and of these Cache creek, rises in the hills of the Coast range. Its surface is drained by b v ns, Cache ereek iy sae i i i ant. This cre 3 's the ¢ ty from Clear lake, on the northwest, flows eastwe middle, is the most important. This creek enters the coun ¢ norhves ns casiward r cai or * 15 miles t through the broad Capay valley to Langville, through narrow caiions for 12 or 15 miles, thence southeas ; u Ninhee i ¢ ; { the tule lands, and disappears before reaching it turns eastward through the more level lands and plains to 4 : ) Det ching Hi i y or irrigati i ied f reek by ditches to a large region of farms on either " river. Water for irrigating purposes 18 supplied from this creek b] Ges EE tou From the Sacramento river westward across the tule and the level plains fhe 9 a Sg ES Jisesto : » hills of the Coast range, which appear abruptly along the western order, rising 1,500 hed Ne iis The county ho Dossesses the soil varieties usual to the country lying between the Sierra and Joast Range tains. : ; ; : os : : Cn Re in the eastern part of the county, with a wid of peta Seu Wiles 256 Sapaied Suh ‘ “J vy 3 3 r « > . A»: & S01 » ) 4 ¢ the river by a narrow belt of bottom lands having originally a rich alluvia , bu Nord With glee it of mini cbr ‘om the -hills. A part of this belt is known as Grand island. deposit of mining débris brought down from the foot-hi A Ua OS Le a willow: timber growth of both this and the bottom land of Cache cree g cl lolly eolion¥on SYEnon y ay wiles. Westward from the tule lands the surface for many miles is very level, comprising i part Jie gress pi, ith i y rich alluvial loam, : is Itivation in grain and fruits. 1e central pe with its very deep and rich alluv ial loam, and is mostly under cu n I fits; The dentro pan i i rom a short distance Ss and for several miles to the north and west, 1s ti of this region, from a short distance south of W oodlan i) silos 5 {he Both GUA eth Ke ie i i i (8, whi res ¢ ¢ re paratively treeless. with wide-spreading oaks, while the rest of the plains, and even of the ¢ Y ompa jolene, Ib tbs in is limi st by a line of low hills, lying about 3 miles west 0 northern part of the county the plain is limited on the west by of as, 90g who, w the i i ary ache z, the point appearing on railroad, and reaching from the northern boundary south to Cache creek, e ex RL gl south of the creck about 4 miles from Woodland, and covering there an area 0 20s Sq 6 il : Hs belt 15.5 i ide. and is all well adapted to cultivation, the soil being a dark gravelly loam, I | trac of 2 es It is not timbered, wi to the northward, in Colusa county, it flattens out, and has a gravelly soil, with h of white oak and chamisal. rn : i 3 ns Ss of the belt is what has been termed a hollow, or Fairview valley, some 2 or 3 miles Wale, gs south to within a mile of Cache creek, and embracing fine wheat lands. This valley is separated from Capa] alley he west by the low Coast Range mountains. : : oe nl of Cache creek is mostly a eyed ul op op fesopiing vrosid Worden), snd Jia e . ov . N ew ’ soils are dark loams, nearly all under cultivation. A Delt of adobe lands, som gn 1ower thal ihe plas, ro is ar the foot-hills, eastward within one and a half wiles of Cache creek and 8 mi 0 and ; Bon Ma width of a little more than a mile, and forms a drainage sink from the cafions of the mountains to Willow doigh? i ile, while the lands under cultivation tv has an average population of 12.5 persons per square mile, w | i a 163 er cent. of the ol and average 296.6 acres per square mile, thus placing the county Joust 1} folk in the state, and but very little ahead of Solano and Sutter. 1t is one of the raisin-making centers 0: . The county is connected with Sacramento and San Francisco by railroad. 748 Ea TL ans ee a ARE ne a Anita 0 RA GS Rae Sr oa» 5. AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES. QO Ta DESCRIPTION BY R. B. BLOWERS, OF WOODLAND. The surface of the valley in this part of the county shows evidence of deposit from the sources of Cache creek, which drains quite a .arge tract of mountain country and Capay valley before coming out on the plain. The valley south of Woodland is interspersed with slight ridges, in the centers of which are found light soils, sand and gravel, the latter mostly at a depth of from 4 to 8 feet. The soil on either side of these ridges is a light sandy loam, gradually and.almost imperceptibly changing to a heavy clay loam at a distance of from 1 to 14 miles. The former soil comprises the best fruit land of the county, its slight elevation above the valley being just sufficient to facilitate irrigation. : »- SOLANO. Population : 18,475. . Area: 940 square miles.—Sacramento valley, 625 square miles (including tule land, 205 square miles); Coast Range mountains, 315 square miles. Tilled lands: 278,696 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 107,688 acres; in corn, 443 acres; in oats, 127 acres; in barley, 32,222 acres; in vineyards, 1,638 acres. Solano county forms the southwestern end of the Sacramento portion of the great valley, which occupies the eastern part of the county. The western boundary lies in part along the Coast range, whence the surface gradually slopes eastward, southward, and southwestward. Putah creek forms the northern and Sacramento river the southeastern boundary, while within the county there are but few creeks of any importance. The county embraces tule lands along the bay and streams, alevel and open treeless valley over its eastern part, and a rolling foot-hill region over the western, the latter including rounded and prominent hills, with intermediate valleys of rich clay soils. The hills and valleys are treeless, and very little timber is found anywhere in the county. The lands have been classified by the county tax assessor as follows: First class, agricultural lands for fruit, 50,000 acres; second class, for grain, 250,000 acres; third class, reclaimed swamp and overflowed lands, 200,000 acres; fourth class, partially reclaimed swamp and adjacent uplands having an alkali soil, 75,000 acres; fifth class, swamp and overflowed lands and high and unproductive mountain ranges, the remainder. One of the most prominent agricultural features of the county is what is known as the “Vacaville fruit region”, reaching from Vacaville north to Putah creek, and embracing Vacaville and Pleasant valleys and the adjoining foot-hills, its length being about 12 miles, and its width from 1 to 3 miles. Vacaville valley slopes from the hills in a south and southeast course, while Pleasant valley slopes northward, each opening out into the Sacramento plain. A part of the region is in what is known as the thermal belt of the Coast range, a location of a few hundred feet above the Sacramento plains and above frost limits. The southern part of the region is cut off from Suisun bay on the south by the Montezuma hills, a succession of low, rounded hills, which extend eastward beyond the railroad. They have chiefly an adobe soil, partly under cultivation in wheat. There is some adobe land around Vacaville, but otherwise the soils of the belt are a dark loam. Green valley, north of Benicia, is about 11 miles long and 5 miles wide, and is bordered southward by high rolling uplands, which at some points fall off steeply into Suisun and San Pablo bays. Mare island, the site of the United States navy-yard, is opposite the thriving town of Vallejo, and is separated from the mainland by Napa slough. Its southern end presents a bold and rocky headland, projecting into the bay, and falling off gradually to the northward into a broad expanse of tule lands. The valley lands around Vallejo are partly adobe, while those of the adjoining hills are dark sandy loams; light-colored calcareous clays underlie some of the lands. The foot-hills of the county are partly covered with a scattered growth of oaks, horse-chestnut, buckeye, ete., and where not too steep or broken are partly under cultivation. ; The lands of the Sacramento valley, or eastern portion of the county, are the dark loams, often adobe in character, belonging to the higher portions of the great valley. These lands are almost treeless and very level, and are cut occasionally by arroyos or ravines. The greater part is under fence and cultivation, the chief crop being small grain. The lands of Putah Creek valley embrace low and middle lands of rather stiff loam soils, and high lands, lighter in character, and 2 or 3 feet above the latter. These are described below by the correspondent, and an analysis of the middle lands will be found on page 22. The average population of the county is 19.6 persons, and that of lands under cultivation 296.3 acres per square mile. In the latter regard the county ranks as fifth in the state, and this average is the same as that of Sutter, and but three-tenths of an acre below that of Yolo. Transportation facilities to San Francisco and Sacramento are afforded the county by the California Pacific and Northern railroad, which passes through from east to west, and by a branch road from Elmira to Vacaville and Winters on the north. Ships also can reach Benicia and Vallejo through the bay and receive their cargoes of grain direct from the warehouses at these points. ABSTRACT FROM A DESCRIPTION BY J. M. DUDLEY, OF DIXON. The section described lies in the northern part of the county, along and south of Putah creek, extending eastward from near the foot-hills of the Coast range for a distance of 10 or 12 miles and varying in width (southward from the creek) from 2 to 12 miles. It is intersected by several dry sloughs or ‘‘arroyos”, which run nearly parallel with each other from northwest to southeast. The land is highest along the banks of these arroyos, but otherwise the whole tract is quite level, and has a slight fall toward the southeast, which affords good drainage without washing or gullying. There is no timber growth, except a few scattering oaks along Putah creek, and occasionally a few dwarfed elder bushes. There is a natural growth of wild oats, alfilerilla, wild clover, and Eschscholtzia Cal., with occasional patches of bunch-grass. ? The soils of this region are rich and deep, and embrace three chief varieties, low, middle, and high lands—the first two dark loams, the last a lighter loam, and all very productive. There is some adobe in small tracts in the lowest parts of the surface away from the creek. 749 02 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. The crops comprise wheat and barley, with small patches of alfalfa, which does not grow remarkably. well. The yield of wheat and barley on land after ten and twenty years’ cultivation is as great as at first. Summer-fallowed land yields from 35 to 40 bushels of wheat, while winter-sown wheat yields about 25 bushels per acre. The average of barley, if winter-sown, is about 40 bushels per acre. i Abundant water for common purposes is obtained in wells, which are dug from 30 to 90 feet deep, the water then rising and remaining at from 16 to 25 feet from the top. The water is hard, and is usually found in a quicksand stratum. ABSTRACT FROM A DESCRIPTION OF THE VALLEJO REGION BY G. C. PEARSON, OF VALLEJO. This region is bounded on the north by Napa valley, east by Suisun bay, south by Carquines straits, and wost by San Pablo bay, and embraces from 90,000 to 100,000 acres. The only outlet to the ocean for the waters of the great valley is through Carquines straits, which has a width of about a mile and a length of 8 miles. This gateway not only affords easy railroad facilities for reaching the ocean shore, but is also an immense aerator, the ocean winds from May till November blowing daily and strongly through this pass into the valley on the cast, thus tempering the heat of summer, which would otherwise be oppressive. The fogs brought from the bay by these winds apparently pass no further inland, but are piled up in fog banks upon the sides of the mountains on the north and south and against the highest With an average temperature of 70° in summer and 55° in winter, and almost surrounded by points of the ridge intersecting this gap. \ Flowers bloom continuously, and water which has a tidal service of from 4 to 6 feet, vegetation is seldom seriously affected by frost. vegetable gardens yield good returns at all seasons of the year for the labor bestowed on them. Sd : A rocky ridge, running northwest and southeast near the center, renders a small portion of the district rough and broken ; elsew here it is undulating, diversified by rounded hills, cozy valleys, and open plains sloping gradually from the central ridge to the level of the bays on the east and west. The district is well watered by springs and streams flowing from them. Good and sufficient water is obtained in wells from 10 to 80 feet from the surface, and a noticeable feature is that at tide-level much deeper wells are required to secure an unfailing supply than upon the uplands or even hilltops. The soil varies in thickness from 1 to 6 feet on the hills and sloping ground to about 8 and 10 feet in the valleys. In the valleys, where unmixed with sand from the hills, the soil is a black tenacious adobe, and upon the uplands a clay loam; both are durable and excellent for grain or grass. The crop. comprise the cereals and fruits, the latter including apples, pears, plums, figs, oranges, and grapes. SACRAMENTO. tion: 34,390. oh oo square miles.—Sacramento valley, 935 square miles (including tule land, 245 square miles); lower oot-hills, 65 square miles. : : > E foot Tilled Fe 304,627 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 44,123 acres; in corn, 3,928 acres; in oats, 871 acres; In rley, 30,547 acres; in vineyards, 1,938 acres. Bw county is nd on the west by the river of the same name and on the south in part by the Mokelumne river, and lies almost entirely within the great valley. : The American and Cosumnes rivers are the two other most important streams of the county. These rivers rise among the mountains of the adjoining eastern counties and flow southwestward, the former to the Sacramento river at Sacramento city, and the latter to the Mokelumne river on the south. Several creeks are tributary to these streams. ; ; ; : ‘ The county includes on the extreme east a belt of toot-hills from 6 to 8 miles wide, Folsom being on its western limit; but otherwise the surface has only gentle undulations, and is watered by streams flowing into the marshes of the tule lands, through which their waters reach the Sacramento river by many channels. ‘The main Sacramento river (also separating, as it flows south, into diverse branches or sloughs, some of which are very intricate) runs across the broad tule bottoms in crooked channels, cutting them up into fumerous small and several large islands. Along the border of this river there is a belt of alluvial land varying in width from one-half mile to a mile or more, originally timbered with cottonwood and sycamore, which is almost entirely under cultivation. A lower region or belt of tule lands borders this on the east, which is quite narrow in the northern half of the county, but expands to a width of 15 miles on the south. Portions of these lands have been reclaimed or protected from the overflow to which they are subject and are under cultivation, but the greater part 18 used as pasture land; thence eastward the surface gradually rises to the foot-hills, from whose spurs diverge broad, low ridges of reddish loam soil, gravelly near the hills, alternating with swales having a soil somewhat heavier and less deeply tinted, these undulations being perceptible far into the plain. When fresh, the lands of this plain produce 30 bushels of wheat per acre; they are, however, chiefly devoted to fruit culture. Southeast of Sacramento the red lands are underlaid by a porous and soft material at from 2 to 6 feet, and this by an impervious clay. The belt of foot- hills is rolling, interspersed with low hills, and its soils are red and gravelly clays, having a scattering growth of oaks. A few mountain spurs from the Sierra enter the county. : : The lands of the county under cultivation average 304.6 acres per square mile, a number exceeded only by San Joaquin county. From the city of Sacramento railroads reach east, west, north, and south, and the river is navigated by steamers both above and below. ABSTRACT FRCM A DESCRIPTION BY GEORGE RICH, OF SACRAMENTO. After passing the lowlands of the river, comprising rich black-loam soils, we reach a high bench of red land of various depths. Still eastward the country rises gradually, and we pass over various soils, such as red lands, adobe, clay loams, and sandy lands, with gravelly lands upon the higher plateaus of the foot-hills; until we reach the mountain ranges, interspersed with rich valleys. The surface of the great valley is sloping, scarcely perceptible to the eye, and very open, with here and there a clump of oak trees. Itis covered with a natural growth of grass, and in spring time isa bed of flowers. The soil is from 1 foot to 5 feet deep, resting ona hard-pan from 10 to 40 feet deep. The winter rains do not wash the lands much, and the surface is wavy, with little hillocks here and there, the water being carried off readily. In places the mounds are from 10 to 15 feet above the plain. There is little natural timber in the county. The chief crops are small fruit, vegetables, hay, barley, and wheat. Good virgin lands have produced 30 bushels of wheat, 25 bushels of oats, or 1} to 2 tons of hay per acre. Alfalfa is raised in large quantities on the river bottoms. 750 AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES. 93 ABSTRACT FROM A DESCRIPTION BY DANIEL FLINT, OF SACRAMENTO. a The Sacramento valley is about 30 or 40 miles wide, and Sacramento city is about 75 miles from the summit of the Sierra mountains The soil of the valley is of a reddish color, and overlies a hard-pan from 2 to 6 feet from the surface. The river lands are partly a claye sandy loam of great depth and richness. The native timber embraces several varieties of oak, willow, cottonwood, and s ny The Sacramento and American rivers are leveed to afford the city protection from overflow. ; : ) y SAN JOAQUIN. Bopslmion; 24,349. rea: 1,360 square miles.—Great valley, 1,210 square miles (including adobe. 310 i 320 ars Jjlen Lov fie Spire miles ; Coast a Ro 100 Sra le, 240 te 1S), 8: 2 acres.—Area pls in wheat, 2 b es; i 2,¢ 4) $ i barley 32,60 a, i any Dlinied in wheat, 201,461 acres; in corn, 2,333 acres; in oats, 130 acres; in ‘he eastern portion of San Joaquin county lies in the foot-hills of the Sierra, while the ex sout part rests upon the Coast Range mountains, the central and greater area being thus I re ras on the San Joaquin river, which stream flows northwestward, the Sacramento river forming the northwest boundary of the county. Other large streams, such as the Mokelumne, Calaveras, and Stanislaus rivers, all flowing westward drain the eastern part of the county, and several streams occur on the west. The surface of the country, with he exception of the two extremes mentioned, is quite level, and is dotted over with a scattering growth of White ns 3 Bw live oaks as far south as French Camp slough, beyond which there is but an open plain from the San dum nw Sra ard fords miles. The larger streams are mostly lined with a growth of cottonwood, willows, This county, situated as it is at the point where the Sacramento and San J oaquin plains unite, or r: ¢ foot of each plain and in the center of the great valley, naturally possesses a —-— in its LT er ui fhe lands of each valley are to some extent represented, and we find on the west, along the rivers, a broad region of tule lands and marshes, on the east the foot-hill belt, extending through the county, while in the broad valley plain the alluv ial loams of the Sacramento valley reach southward nearly to Calaveras river, and the sandy lands of the San Joaquin valley extend northward as far as French Camp slough, the two being separated by a broad belt of black loam "i 200s lands rearing fron the foot-hills westward to the tule lands. ule lands.— West of Stockton to the county-line, and from a point some fifteen miles south to corner, there is an Immense tract of tule lands (estimated at 500,000 acres), through which the ig ae Sacramento rivers find their way in many channels to their junction and to Suisun bay. Numerous islands occur in this region, but are subject to overflow from the rivers; they have rich soils, and when properly leveed are under cultivation. Robert’s island, with its area of about 67,000 acres, is the largest. Eastward the tules are not SO Joy: ond by Syste of Jovacs iy hose lon largely reclaimed and are under cultivation. ey lands.—A strip of sandy alkali lands, with a width in pla i 5 the Sasi. I ks covered ih salt-grass and a scattering willow Sot Sever ivuelimille, Norden Shegtiono ¢ northern part of the valley, from the county-line south to within 2 miles of Calaveras river. has a sandv loam soil, quite deep, and is watered by Mokelumne river, whose wide bottom land is timbered with willows, Sons and oaks. The surface of the country is very level, gradually rising eastward to the foot-hills, and is dotted over with a growth of white and some live oaks. This growth is said to have been originally very dense, but the entire country is now under fence and has Leen cleared. As the foot-hills are approached the lands become darker and richer and form a plateau some 15 or 20 feet above the river bottoms. The western part of this sandy loam country is the great watermelon region of the state, but small grain is produced abundantly. The eastern portion has been but recently furnished with transportation facilities by the building of the San Joaquin and Nevada railroad. _. The central portion of the valley, as has already been stated, is a black loam or adobe region, and forms the divide between the two great valley regions, reaching from the foot-hills westward to the tule lands of the rivers. Its surface is very level, dotted over with scattered white-oak trees, is almost entirely under fence, and is largely under cultivation. The northern limit of the adobe region lies 2 miles north of Calaveras river eastward to the foot-hills ; the southern limit is along French Camp slough for several miles, and thence southeast to-Farmington and Oakdale, in Stanislaus county. The western part of the region has a width of about ten miles, in the middle of which is the city of Stockton. The adobe soil is said to be from 5 to 10 feet deep, and is interspersed with tracts of a light loam, which yields about 30 bushels of wheat per acre. A strip of alkali land reaches from the border of the tules ay Shokion, ge gp to the Dalawerds river, a distance of about 14 miles. Its width is from 1 to 2 miles, vithin this belt 1t occurs only in spots or small tracts a few inches be nls, often Sovered with Salt grass, and ry unproductive. Slow ts genersliovcl of fae 9300 ic southern part of the valley, or that portion lying south of French Camp slough and west from Joaquin river to the black lands of Farmington, is level, sandy, and treeless, wi A unless ) ite Jan and is the extreme northern representative of the similar lands of the San Joaquin plains of the counties south, On the west of the river, to the Coast range, and south of the tules, these sandy lands also occur, interspersed with much black adobe, and from lack of irrigation facilities are also uncultivated. ; ; ~The foot-hills form a narrow belt within this county along the eastern boundary, the change being so gradual from the valley proper into the undulations that are first observed that the line of separation is with difficulty defined. Clements, Bellota, and Farmington are, however, near this line, which thus makes a curve eastward, and after passing Farmington, turns again southeastward into Stanislaus county. Its surface is rolling and mostly broken, its hills partly covered with trees and brush, and have red, gravelly soils; the valleys are mostly treeless except along some of the creeks, and have soils varying from dark or light loams to red gravelly lands. Beds of rounded bowlders often fill the beds of the creeks. In the southern part of the region the red lands seem to predominate This foot-hill Foglon is but little under cultivation. ® , ; 1he county is comparatively well settled, the average being 17.9 persons per square mile, while in tho pere ¥ lands under cultivation (52.8) it ranks highest in the state, fy an dd of 338.4 acres per Sree heat and barley are the chief crops, and transportation is afforded by the Southern Pacific railroad to San Francisco and Sacramento, as well as across the continent to the Atlantic states. Bl A SR A EE 94 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. ABSTRACT FROM THE NOTES OF N. J. WILLSON, OF THE SOUTHERN PACIFIU RAILROAD. The surface of the country around Lathrop is slightly rolling, with dark loam and hog-wallow lands. In low places there is some alkali soil. The greater portion of the country is underlaid by hard-pan at depths varying from G inches to 30 feet below the surface. The altitude of Lathrop is 25 feet above the sea. The natural vegetation is alfilerilla, clover, wire and salt grasses. At Morano station, altitude 50 feet, the lands are slightly rolling, though generally level, and are quite sandy, drifting considerably, and very deep. They have a growth of clover, alfilerilla, and some salt and bunch grasses. Southward to the Stanislaus river the country rises to an elevation of 70 feet, the lands being still sandy. The river lands have a growth of oak and willow. The rain winds of the county come from the southeast, and dry winds from the northwest. CONTRA COSTA. (See ‘ Coast Range region, south of San Pablo bay”.) STANISLATS. Population : 8,751. Area: 1,420 square miles.—San Joaquin valley, 925 square miles (including adobe, 100 square miles, and tule land, some); lower foot-hills, 140 square miles ; Coast Range mountains, 355 square miles. Tilled lands: 417,511 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 172,445 acres ; in corn, 378 acres ; in barley, 19,559 acres; in vineyards, 99 acres. . Stanislaus county lies across the great valley of the San Joaquin, its eastern border being among the foot-hills of the Sierra, and its western resting on the summit of the Coast Range mountains. The great valley, which thus occupies the central portion of the county, has a width of about 35 miles. On its western side the San-Joaquin river flows northwestward, being joined on the east by the Tuolumne river, occupying the central part of the county, and by Stanislaus river, which forms in part the northern boundary, both having their sources among the mountains of the east. The western slope is drained by several creeks. The San Joaquin river is bordered by a belt of tule lands from 1 to 2 miles wide, while the adjoining lands for a distance of from 1 to 5 miles on the east have adobe valley soils, more or less interspersed with alkali soils and salt-grass. The bottom land of the Tuolumne river is very sandy, while that of the Stanislaus is a dark and firm loam, bearing a luxuriant growth of grape-vines among the oaks. This bottom is about 300 yards wide. The plains are very level and without timber-growth, except narrow belts of cottonwood and oak along some of the large streams, whose bottom lands are generally quite narrow. The lands of the central part are sandy, especially south of the Tuolumne river, passing northward as well as westward into gray or blackish loams, from which there is a g radual transition to the heavier adobe soils of the immediate valley of the San Joaquin river, into which the plains fall off with a gentle slope and change to a brown sandy loam, sometimes with a deep orange-red subsoil, as they approach the foot-hills of the east. Oalkdale is situated about 80 feet above the bed of Stanislaus river in the northeastern part of the county, and in a region of black lands which extend southward half way to Lagrange. The lands are not uniform in character, but are interspersed with tracts of red soils, and the depressions often contain cobble-stones. The last half of this foot-hill border region is undulating, and the soils are more generally a reddish loam. The foot-hills of the Siersa extend but a few miles into this county, forming a narrow belt along the east, the soil of which is mostly a red clay, except on the north of Stanislaus river, or in the northeastern part of the county, where the lands are dark loams, with some adobe. An inferior pine growth is found in some places. The foot-hills of the Coast range on the west are rolling and broken and have a width of several miles. The soil is mostly sandy, and is under cultivation to some extent in the valleys. The mountains of the Coast range rise to an elevation of over 2,000 feet, and are rough and much broken. The crops of the county ave chietly wheat, barley, oats, and corn ; the fruits comprise oranges, lemons, limes, pomegranates, olives, peaches, apples, pears, and almonds. Grapes and peanuts are also raised. The average yield of wheat is 15 bushels per acre when winter-sown. : The county is not thickly settled, the average being but 6.1 persons per square mile. More than 45 per cent. of its lands are, however, under cultivation, the average being 994 acres per square mile, thus placing the county seventh in the state in rank as a farming region. It claims to be the banner county for wheat production. The Southern Pacific railroad passes through the central part of the county from northwest to southeast, and affords transportation to San Francisco and Sacramento or to the Atlantic states. ABSTRACT FROM THE NOTES OF N. J.- WILLSON, OF THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD. of the county, is generally level, and has a sandy loam soil, which extends to within a few miles of Modesto before a change takes place. Hard-pan underlies the lands at from 30 inches to 5 and 10 feet. Water is obtained in wells at from 18 to 50 feet. The elevation of this station is 75 feet above sea-level. The natural vegetation of the region is clover, alfilerilla, and some bunch-grass ; there is no natural timber nearer than Stanislaus river. The average yield of the goil is from 15 to 18 bushels of wheat per acre, and, when summer-fallowed, from 25 to 33 bushels. Hog-wallow lands appear within a few miles of Modesto station, which has an elevation of 90 feet. The country is underlaid by hard- pan at from 30 inches to 5 feet, and water is obtained in wells at from 75 to 110 feet. There is no natural timber nearer than the Tuolumne river,on the south, on whose banks there is much willow, some oak, and ash. The vegetation embraces clover, alfilerilla, bunch-grass, and wild oats. Wheat is the chief crop of this section, and yields, with snmmer-fallowing, from 30 to 60 bushels per acre. Around Ceres (95 feet elevation) the lands are generally level, with some hog-wallows on the south. The soil is a sandy loam, which continues southward to Turlock and the county-line. 752 The country around Salida station, in the northern part AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES. 95 Sopuiaiion; 5,656. MNEROPD, rea :-2,280 square miles.—San Joaquin v : 3 Se—0¢ quin valley, 1,740 are miles (including : a : fom hills, 20 ynagh silos Coast Range OO 530 2 Spare Doiles (including adobe, 320 square miles); lower ls : 271, acres.— Area planted i ‘ 7.075 acres; i v i 10,151 acres; in vineyards, 175 acres, p d in wheat, 67,975 acres; in corn, 574 acres; in oats, 25 acres; in barley, Merced county, with its : : ; ob montatie, PDT Ni 1s SoS hg lying along the edge of the foot-hills and its western on the Coast rang: course, and to which the hid] ih y the San Joaquin river, which flows nearly centrally through it in 2 mone i oe the San Joaquin) is to Merced od e eomiy slopes from either side. The chief stream of the county hn ot foothills of Marlpesn comiiy i er, which, rising among the high Sierra, flows through Yosemite va lo i 1 th 3 the greater part of the a, A Be Seiward across the plains of this county, in a valley bordered by Wiwh Boy he on which the county-seat is loe elo the San Joaquin river. Dry creek is one of its few tributaries. | Sol y the valley flows between high wt By Hhong the foothills of Mariposa county, and in its western course rte co and Chowchilla rivers, the latter fi for a large part of the distance. On the south of this stream are M: i ee sloughs, all flowing w eo a em DINARS. Sine. Besides these there are numerous oo the western pa e plains before reaching the San Joaquin river Similar]. i SORTCO IR parted Hs gy fiers are numerous creeks tributary ry to the ey = 14 Toei Hirer, 1 Do a, a Jo special importance, only reaching the river in time of flood Th San boundary n orhward tn us 1 this Som: is bordered by a belt of tule lands reaching from the sontl . almost entirely on the west Ay b . mouth of Merced river, and having a width of several miles, though lying I i 1 BoB po Siives The surface of the entire county (except along the large streams, whi ‘ eastward of the Sten Joaquin a, {ee ess, and presents great variety in its agricultural features " Immediat 1 : Ce A i ere is a region of drifting white sand reaching from the Stanislaus ¢ wil unites with Merced Yiver Cr Ea Bear creek, and eastward beyond the railroad fo the point where D sonny The inndsof the nf ro 4 lle y ill eastward along the river the sod changes to a sandy loam more or 1 id Creole Od a ya Arise lovgjon ther rolling, the soil usually very deep, and has a vegetation ot atten, ar. sionally some rattle-w nt ie ohiafle snlEivn ted th ns Talons tol 5 bushels or Geto ) Ee psy rattle-weed. Wheat is chiefly cultivated, the yield being from 10 e lands iver. f : : dhaletor Lil oF Bar ny ou fiom ihe foothills to its mouth, are chocolate-colored clays, more or less adobe i ope wd A lo 8 ariposa river black adobe and hog-wallow lands prevail ‘and ok sui 1h li This region is a level gob to Jepvereil with sand, which extends from the railroad westward to San Joaqui pe oo Chor tei Ye an : ip very foot-hills. South of Mariposa river the lands of what is Ena To sacha iro tes I 0 A o eropk and the sloughs that are connected with it, are sandy, and, in as t around Plainsburg and i Eg re ha wir wi lately alkali and hog-wallow in character orl i 30ils ’ ) est suit astura , : ’ Slkali soils, Wagse fhe salt-grass occurs) comprise the a a pasturige. "Cloverandiribieiiaioscontonithe rtheastern part of the county, and east of the rkvghrsseath artly hilly. t : : Yy east of the sand region first mention TV i i K ob % billy, ihe Blad: Hoga hill being embraced in a belt of black adobe, a eva sing od candy border ands pn 3 ; e sout eastward to Mariposa river, south of Bear creek "its ity Ae the feet in height and are ne rivers; its width east and west is from 1 to 2} miles. "The hills wi 100 A 2 : the adobe Linde. In wh 8 Sarbed ih about 25 feet of red gravelly clays, while on their sides and in the i el i hago Sms ) os Shas NN there are cobble-stones. This belt passes about 6 i red and gravelly 50 he foot ills 40) stward of the belt, and south of Merced river, the valley lands are e Mere IVvOy Ve ov shih : . . OPO yoed Bix 0 volley, Which a Hopi is about 4 miles wide, is bordered on the south by a line of hill rl i sen westward, gradually falling in elevation, nearly to the railroad at C ills fissured clay-stone, sa he HW oosuns t 1e landward slope of these hills, and are found to ‘be underlaid by a a. are a sandy loam he d 1 0 gnolls, easily cut, and used for building low walls. The lands of this riv oh : purposes. The soil of Dry OE 3 nuerpronnd gravel ridges, which in many places spoil the lands for rains The uplands north of Merced ore 15 ight and reddish, very deep, and yields 25 or 30 bushels of wheat pi to 25 bushels of wheat per acre Me BE sady and in part more gravelly than on the south, and will vield vy oo are found partly metamor Li d erce ‘alls is at the border of the foot-hills region, and here, as well as northw: d oh Oak SrOBLh. Ga hy Pp 08 slates standing almost vertically on edge. The foot-hills are s rarsel ap ard, quite nf, AoE OILY ws city Yio and other small grain. Cotton is planted in the Merced River valle 100 pounds of which make 30 Dou SS ¢ eer high, yielding an average of 1,200 pounds of seed-cotton er a ny cause much new growth, while a ans Lp guge, usaalle In June; 5 linger time would The Robla canal, carryi : ses the plant to run too much to weed. ; Soot Dor. CAL oa, go pind Bon Bear creek, is 12 miles long, and is said to have a eapacity of 120 cubi lies along a rolling side-hill, thr a ta es water from Merced river 3 miles below Merced Falls; thence its re this creek carries the water for 13 miles faurthen Yn he lous, 2 pin oF Mules in Canal creek. The bed of river an 1 Lares IRE Wale Ler, and thence it is distributed principally on the plains between the The lands of the county are largel ivati : . I C y a under cultiv: BT . on the cou R ty ranking thirteenth in th 3 9 > Sgr sulk i the general average being 121.7 acres per square mile, 0 : . - CV . uthern Pacific railroad passes through the valley region of this county from north to south ABSTRAC RACT FROM NOTES BY N. J. WILLSON, OF THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD. The lands around i i bo le a aa So nadie Hale ho Lputy rollin g in places, though generally level. The soil is sandy, from 2 to 3 AY ER yandsand. The natura vegetation is alfilerilla, some clover and tar-w : im ; e chief culture, and its yield is estimated at from 12 to 15 bushels ror acre. There is a yom ip ig re he : ) sect powder plantation a Much of the above inf i - 48 ¢ Pa¥WOL. II e information was obtained from Mr. Kelsey, of Merced. % 75% Fitton 96 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. The lands of this region can be irrigated by ditches from the canal that has been constructed through Cressy from At Merced, altitude 170 feet, the soils are a dark loam from 2 to 6 feet deep, overlying a hard-pan. The with some rattleweed 10 or 12 miles distant. The banks of Bear creek are from 50 to 100 Western trade winds bring in some fog. This kind of land extends northwest lands at Plainsburg station (205 feet), reaching one and a half miles north and impregnated with alkali to a considerable extent; they are underlaid at from the yield of the former being about 17 bushels per acre. east of Atwater. Merced river, some 20 miles distant. vegetation is alfilerilla, clover, and salt-grass, feet apart and 15 feet in depth, but they seldom overflow. for some 3 miles and southeast the same distance. The south for some distance, are sandy and hog-wallow, and are 1 to 30 feet by a hard-pan. Wheat and barley are the chief crops, FRESNO. Population : 9,478. Area: 8,000 square miles.—San Joaquin valley, 3,520 square miles (including tule land, 250 square miles); lower foot-hills, 500 square miles; higher foot-hills and mountains, 3,060 square miles; Coast range, 920 square miles. Titled lands: 291,087 acres.— Area planted in wheat, 20,474 acres; in corn, 414 acres; in oats, acres; in barley, 9.504 acres; in vineyards, 471 acres. Iresno, one of the three large counties that embrace the upper portion of the San Joaquin plains, reaches from the Sierra mountains westward across the plains to the summit of the Coast range, the elevations on each side being, respectively, above 10.000 feet on the east and about 3,000 feet on the west above the plains. The plains extend westward fo the foot of the mountains on the extreme border of the county, and are separated from the Sierra on the east by a broad region of foot hills. The lowest portion of the county is in the central part of the plains from southeast to northwest, and embraces a belt of tule lands, marshes and sloughs extending from the border of Tulare county, on the southeast, to the point where the San Joaquin river makes its northwestward bend and thence becomes the central feature of the valley. ‘his river is the largest stream in the county. It rises among the mountains and foot-hills of the east and flows in 2 westward course to the middle of the plains, thence turns northwestward toward the Sacramento valley, and has along its immediate border a timber growth of cottonwood, sycamore, willow, and large oaks. King’s river, emerging from the caiions about 40 miles eastward from Fresno, flows in an irregular course southwoestward and traverses a region of undulating plains, until to the northward of Tulare lake it enters the Mussel Slough region. described under the head of Tulare county. Ordinarily the waters of King’s river not diverted by the numerous irrigation ditches enter Tulare lake, but in time of high water they pass partially through Fresno slough into the San Joaquin river. A number of creeks, rising among the foot-hills on either side of the valley, low out upon the plains, bat disappear before reaching the river. Numerous sloughs also occur. The eastern part of the county is extremely rugged, the western face of t he Sierra Nevada mountains, as well as the higher foot-hills, being cut by tremendous chasms, through which flow King’s, Fresno, and San Joaquin rivers and their tributaries. Some of the highest peaks rise to an altitude of more than 14,000 feet. An abundance of timber is fonnd on the western slope of this mountain region, two large bodies of redwood being reported on the northeast and southeast. At the head of Fresno river there is a lieavy growth ot sugar and yellow pines, fir, Big Prees, and white cedar, with white ash in other places. The mountains of the west are partially timbered with oak and scrub pine. The foot-hitls are roiling and broken in a belt 20 or 30 miles in width, covered with scattered oaks, and are interspersed with high and prominent peaks and ridges. The narrow valleys of the streams alone are suitable for cultivation. The plains possess a variety of lands. The greater portion, however, is a sandy loam, with no timber growth, and requires irrigation to be productive. On the western side of the river the plain slopes gradually from the Coast range to the slough, and much of its land, even with irrigation, is said to be too poor and sandy for farming purposes. Along Fresno slough, for several miles in extent, there is much alkali land. Much of the valley land is of an ashencharacter in eolor. The plains, with a whitish ealearcous loam soil (such as that of Central and Washington colonies. «f which an analysis is given on page 28). extend eastward from the river to the railroad, beyond which the surface of the country rises a few feet to a slightly undulating platean reaching to the foot-hills. This plateau is destitute of trees, and is traversed by low, saidy ridges, which lie between the creeks and from 15 to 20 feet above tiie level tracts adjoining the streams, or what may properly be called the general level of the plateau. These level Jands have a brownish or reddish sandy loam soil, produced by the more or less admixture of the red foot-hill clays, and nearer the streams it is stiff’ enough to be locally designated as adobe. The ridges in the vicinity of King’s river contain much white quartz gravel. The plateau region reaches from the San Joaquin river, near the railroad crossing, southward to 1 mile sonthwest of Fresno, and thenee east to King's river. On the west of the San Joaquin river the plains reach 20 miles to the foor-hills of the Coast range, which form a belt, about 10 miles wide, “of low hills, covered only with grass; thence to the summit the hills are more abrupt, covered with scrubby oak. and in many plices with a dense growth of ¢haparral” There are a number of colonies located within from 2 to 6 miles of Fresno eity, and all of them are engaged in agricultural pursuits, and have their schools, churches, and social a (literary societies. The eounty is sparsely settled, the average being bat a little more than one person per square mile, while the lands under enltivation average “86.3 acres per square mile. The crops of the county embrace chiefly wheat, barley. corn, oats, potatoes, and alfalfa; but there are neinerous orehards and vineyards in cuccessiul cultivation. Cotton has been grown with an excellent yield, but the cost of production and the small demand makes it rather unprofitable. ‘The Southern Pacitie railroad passes through the county from San Francisco on the north to the Atlantic states on the sountieast. From the great bend of’ the San Joaquin river two canals have been constructed, the Chowehilla and the San Joaquin and King’s River. The Chowchilla canal bas a length of about 30 miles, and lies on the east of the river,® wrossing in its course northward Cottonwood and Bereoda sloughs and the Fresno, Mariposa, 2nd Chowchilla ereeks. Its capacity may be taken at from 200 to 250 cubic feet per second. The San Joaquin and King’s River canal, lying on the west side of the river, reaches to Orostimba creek, a distance of 67 miles, Leing longer than that of any other irrigating canal in the state. It commands an area of about 283,001 acres, which includes all the lands lying between it and the river, 130,000 acres of which are low, and naturally subject to overflow in seasons of ordinary flood. lts capacity is about 600 cubic feet per second. 704 Original Detective AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTILS. 97 Another small can: small canal from the Fresno rive : Don Palos and Te sno river on the south side is used ithi : alos ¢ mpl $s have als ’ ed upon land with . In the De i) ave Als King Converion ini Jhunly by Aen and ies of Ste head gins, The Kine'’s River : 1 S J re are a number of canals and di : : g’s River and Fresno canal, fro : 8 and ditches taking water from F i &eatter Ry ss res anal, m near the foot-hills. h: 4 rom resno river. as OU tha gh Plains north and east of the a Stor 02 Milles, 283 sipplics eater io tlie 8 anal and the Irrigation Co ’? ‘ conducts it to the ir : Sirsa mpany’s canal takes water a mile below ‘ g Centreville and endighhnod of the tom of Fresno. Its total ho kit te h . : tobe 4 ~ es long, conducts wa lino ; : IN Ue Ss. © other smaller ditches and canals reaching to different parts of gd Sieg. Besides dicse there aro several ABSTRACT F } T ROM THE NOTES OF N. J. WILLSON, OF THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD The country around Minturn station (elevati i a oivey Stenn) Min wt] ion 240 feet) is rather rolling, with compact sandy loam, hog-w: v soi ¢ cutee mana, a ons Seusk thes 3k i er and cottonwood a lo ney sy iver ARH, ool iis Hh : Berendo an adera stations the sandy loam hog-wallow land sont] fest dea) g ; ali, and underlaid by hard-pan at from 22 to 48 inches. There i ie en nium em io Divan vw ater for ordinary purposes is obtained from wells amma ua iy I sy it 151% > 3 y t e oh esno canal to Madera station, where wheat is raised and grape-vines have b he hous. Sibson ave op an feet) the country is level, and has a coarse, sandy soil, some 10 feet re er. Basie per acre. Water for irrigation huodom ME SS lilanite ot. SE Ih crop ys bout 2 uti er ti ght nal. On the south of the San Joaquin ri Souls Sus ein dio oon with a deeper-colored subsoil at 12 inches. i b\w Hogs Jepds a buen heen: § Sag is the chief pursuit. ‘Around Fresno (elevation 290 feet) the country is ce here » ut ra iiand is sn y loam, with no timber growth. The crops comprise wheat, barley alt A oi vith I Pres ae $ 0 ineyards are being cultivated extensively, but entirely with irrigation the vs . : yo I ieee sil “i : e vielniy of Fresno: Washington colony, located some 4 miles west ari or eommg A hs Ilse es j ooiaiing 6 sections ; Church or Temperance colony, 4 miles porthenst o —_ A ] my 800% 4 Sontag 3 sections ; and the Nevada colony, 4 miles northeast Coy He : Pd Io seco y a ie lands are subject to irrigation, the chief crops being grapes Soult ey oa svn) al d fa evel plain with white silty soils and without timber growth. { Hard- an ia 1 Which SM Gi a. a little farming done in this section, or until near Kt oer ir is on King’s river, and embraces oak, willow, cottonwood, ie os A any amsminsinden one Fo 3. ’ 2 2 opulation 11,281. TOLame. rea: 5,610 square miles.—S i or ~ g —San Joaquin valley, 1,775 ¢ mi : i Be Tn el AL x 1 square miles (tules, 30 square miles); lower foot-hills, 390 ra oss aus Bia Ser ais, sine miles ; Coast range mountains, 200 square miles arlev al Liew . eat, 238,131 acres; in c 2,535 acres; in n b rer, 361 nes ih y 28, eres; 1m corn, 2,535 acres; in oats, 6 acres; in ar ty, in comm i vo gre: i : WL ty ! Ju com) Byte Oboe two great counties of the San Joaquin valley, embraces within i iver SL Srerthoaniainson hoes y ih are 10,000 feet or more above the sea, a small region of low Coast Ita i Hopson the we 4 Gi Las | ih Wey a i region between the two mountain Pt A prenen, soins of ii lare lake, a large body of water, 33 miles long and 22 mi 4] 0 Cp Jue. y aey, uA HIVE 5 somewhat alkaline water. This lake receives the Lam do 1) he on io Te vou, Laon 2h a0 Hy Sh se 3 Jato sloughs and reach it through numerous mn Al : ’ y Ke 1, and King’s rivers. The creeks and slougl in my r, oases T od g’s rivers. The creeks and sloughs are many in number, All the streams named, heading i i S ng ; ing in the Sierra, flow through d ipi ee a a : ’ gh deep and precipitous cafions until the i i is thus divided up a Sra ne Senile bottoms, some of them separating into several channels, formin se Fg wi a Shu) Sulu oi eae, thelgh when first discovered, under the supposition that there were Wi fo wb : ! en . . bh . . . ge RI | g 0 them collectively, a designation which they have ever since retained, though each Most of these bottoms, as well am as portions of the plains lying betwee: TR. Cm ga > P ying between them, are covered with scattere i Sp 0 has oh + Js, As tive a wi much for lumber, are serviceable for fencing, PT fouss fuel. Allg tof t ) 8t and southwest of the lake is desti i i a is cov hed : ip Hijestie forests of coniferous trees, even to its very i SHE, EA0Ngh tho sniize dhs of ike Sierse Noval out 40 miles isali i : Woe Sao 5 Maing of Visalia, and at an elevation of between 6,000 and 7,000 feet, occur great numbers of Bi river to the Kaweal., a Tita Stoves as in Calaverasand Mariposa connties, but scattered throughout the forests all th a wg Bo yf ance of over 40 miles, and perhaps much further.— Natural Wealth of California 2 Ruki The mountainous region covers more th i nb JRO FTO Coy re than one-third of the county area, and i $00 3110, 3 i b Wilivey being the highest on the Pacific coast (15,000 feet). The 00 ibs Desks lyin he ashe Tanti us 1 wid vin ng | rom $0 12 miles. The surface is much broken with high isolat hie Hh ovina Bl uo me Yalloys, which furnish the only lands suitable for farmin ly To aan 13 pod. 0 ey, a K grellv. = ands of the valley are quite level and mostly destitute of on ! Visalia, or 20 miles southwestward, and sever: boa) ( elta, a region of oaks, which extends half way to Goshen on th y i 13 Md wen h g ih opens Alles northeastward. The soils of the valley vary from a light Rn Nort I of the lake, and reaches Cattwald hig ily productive, dark alluvial loam occurs in ‘the Mussel Slon h re gi A {3 Sis aly, ad seu J ont a 9 on w B jin one mile of King’s river to Cross creek, 6 miles Ba on Loh streams and sloughs. The lands of the re eu, ptt he es Fhe Lieang slang De rious ( Yi ) ¢ successfully enltivated without irrigation, and - (2) 98 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. es long from the larger streams to furnish the necessary water. The chief crops and hay, but fruits, comprising apples, pears, peaches, and grapes, are also raised. Cotton also has been successfully produced in the county, the taple and the erection ditches have been dug many mil are wheat, barley, corn, potatoes, Lemons and oranges are growl in the foot-hills. Matagorda variety doing best; and there seems to be little doubt that, with a demand for the s of gins and mills, the crop would be made profitable. Water has been obtained in artesian wells near Tulare at a depth of 293 feet, the flow being about 100,600 gallons in twenty-four hours and having a temperature of 700 F. Another well, at a depth of 330 feet, furnished nearly double that amount of water, and many more of similar yield have lately been obtained. This county is more thickly settled than Fresno, the average being two persons per square mile for the county at large. The lands under cultivation have an average of 35.7 acres per square mile, and are chiefly planted in wheat, barley, alfalfa, ete., the chief areas of production being the country a ound Visalia and the Mussel Slough country. The Southern Pacific railroad passes through the central part of the county, connecting with San Francisco on the north and with the Atlantic states on the southeast. A branch road extends westward from Visalia, and to the Mussel Slough region on King’s river. : From King’s river there are six canals that take water below the crossing of the railroad and conduct it to the Mussel Slough country, their total length with main branches being 116 miles. There are also a number of small farm ditches in the same region taking water in the channels north. The region covered is about 155,000 acres. ABSTRACT FROM A DESCRIPTION BY F. G. JEFFERDS, OF FARMERSVILLE. el, the fall from the foot-hills to Tulare lake, a distance of about 30 miles, but frequently change their channels; and in flood years the old ones fill egion is taken from the Kaweah river, while for drinking purposes it is at from 12 to 18 feet, but we prefer that acre; alfalfa The surface of this portion of Tulare county is generally lev being 8 feet per mile. The streams do not run in deep channels, ap with sand from the mountains. Water for irrigation in this r obtained from bored wells, at a depth of from 30 to 60 feet. Surface water is found in abundance from the gravel beds at from 30 to 60 feet. Our best lands yield 25 or 30 bushels of wheat or from 30 to 40 of barley per needs irrigation twice a year to do well. Frosts seldom appear before December. Storms come from the southeast, In dry seasons the winds follow the sun, coming from the east in the morning, $0 the northwest, and in the evening to the north. Fog never appears, except in rainy seasons. F THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD. showers from the northwest, and dry winds from the north. from the south until about eleven o'clock, when it changes ABSTRACT FROM THE NOTES OF N. J. WILLSON, O orth are mostly light sandy loams with hog-wallow surface, while southward to Goshen they become more silty, with some hog-wallows, and throughout are more or less interspersed with alkali tracts. The natural vegetation is alfilerilla, salt-grass, and alkali weed. The elevation of the country is 275 feet above the sea, and its surface is without any timber growth. There is no farming done within the alkali belt, which extends several miles on either side of the railroad. Wells are from 40 to 80 feet deep, the water at 12 feet being strongly alkaline and unfit for use. The country westward from Goshen to Hanford is quite level, but has some hog-wallows for six miles, and then for a mile is cut up with sloughs, the lands thus far being covered with a fine growth of alfilerilla, spotted with salt-grass. The rest of the country to Hanford embraces better lands, and is generally under cultivation, its elevation being about 950 feet. To Lemoore (elevation 225 feet) the lands are sandy, with some alkali spots, and have no timber nearer than King’s river, on whose banks are found oak, sycamore, and willow. Besides the alfilerilla and salt-grass, there is some wire-grass and wild sunflowers. Wheat, barloy, and alfalfa are the chief crops of this region, the yield being from 20 to 30 bushels per acre. Water for irrigation purposes is taken from King’s river. From Heinlin to the river there is scarcely anything growing other than salt-grass and an occasional willow tree, while beyond the river sage-brush predominates. ' From Goshen south to Tulare station the level country has a sandy soil, with spots of alkali, and is partly timbered with a natural growth of large oaks, which cever an area of 75 or 80 miles, the average being some threo or four trees per acre. The soil is about 20 feet deep, but southward to Tipton station (elevation 265 feet) the underlying hard-pan comes to within 4 feet of the surface, often cropping out in the soil. Most of the lands around Tipton are silty and ash-colored and are impregnated with alkali, especially in the immediate vicinity, where the vegetation is principally salt-grass. To Alila station (elevation 275 feet) the country continues perfectly level, and, with the exception of three miles of alkali belts, the whole surface as far as the eye can reach is covered with a luxuriant growth of grass, princigally of alfilerilla and clover, with a considerable amount of rattle or loco and milkweed. The soil is sandy, and is not under cultivation. From Goshen to this point the farms lie several miles from the railroad. Wheat and barley are the chief crops, the former yielding from 20 to 30 bushels per acre in good seasons. There is an artesian well, 423 feet deep, 13 miles from Tipton station, which flows 97,000 gallons in twenty-four hours, but in ordinary wells water is obtained at from 20 to 50 and 80 feet. The lands lying between King’s river and Cross Creek station on the n KERN. Population : 5,601. Area: 8,160 square miles. square miles; higher foot-hills a mountains, 875 square miles. Tilled lands : 61,497 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 6, 6,151 acres; in vineyards, 68 acres. Kern is one of the largest counties of the state, and includes within its boundaries the extreme upper (southern) end of the San Joaquin valley, as well as parts of the Sierra mountains and Mojave desert on the southeast and south, and of the Coast range of mountains on the southwest. The two mountain chains unite on the south, and thus forin a high border of from 2,000 to 4,000 feet above the valley on all sides except the north, their spurs often extending far into the plains. The lower ranges and hills on the east and south are generally covered with grasses and shrubbery, and often with oak, pine, and fir trees. The mountain region of the west is said to be valueless for farms; that of the south and east, on the contrary, has numerous high valleys, which are largely under fence and to some extent in successful cultivation. The Tehachapi valley, through which the Southern Pacific railroad passes, is about 12 miles long and 3 miles wide, surrounded by very high monuntains, and in it there is a small salt lake. In this valley the Yucca first appears, which afterward becomes so predominant in the Mojave desert. PL dN) ; lower foot-hills, 560 —San Joaquin valley, 2,590 square miles (tules, 290 square miles) les; Coast Range nd mountains, 1,953 square miles; desert lands, 2,180 square mi 887 acres; in corn, 1,694 acres ; in oats, 80 acres; in barley, AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES 99 Cumming’s valley, wi ey, with a length of 6 and a wi "3 i Tehachapi Abar imbor i and a width of 3 miles, and Bear valley { achapi. undant timber is sai a , and Bear valley, 3 miles long aii . fork of Kern river, 3 miles wilh in ashy Arcade LO) of ie hountain valleys : "The vale hay Sdjui the plains is very lev o avilah, contains about 40 square mile pt yr valley of the south alns 18 evel and treeless, and fi square miles, and is well ti 3 : rd , and for the . y s well timbered. The . quite productive. From Bakersti Ty most part has a sandy-loawm soil, whi : » 1¢ surface ot » . akerstield eastward fi . ¢ Y-loam soil, which with its 3aemd . : of undulating country elev astward for 10 miles to the foot-hills : 0 ! proper irrigation, 1s ating ry elevated above the valley oot-hills and cafions of Kern rive B ’ a belt of tule marshes r ' ve the valley proper and having : , : n river there is a stri : shes reaches to Kern : : aving a sandy-loam soil. From Bakers p by a slough 100 fi rn and Buena Vista lakes (tl : AI m Bakersfield southward oar Ys eet wide), and thence sta lakes (themselves now little else th ? river. The lakes are o ’ | e northward to Tulare lake. fi . > else than marshes, connected radnally disaphearing i ce, forming the outlet, in part, for th ¢ ' annals. The waters are strobcle « ppearing by evaporation, becaus " tlet, In part, for the waters of Kern Kern ge ok bin charged with alkali, and are a ig : Ing off of their supply by irrigating a ‘ cut-off”, the country thus o fom the north of Bakersfield westward toward ty : being a delta region of ri ch unged between it and the old channel and the ion hong Gti farming lands of the An he ne ny having A Dillon 30 coon dg the county, was hid as ¢ Kern island” Ys considered almost worthless agri . an extensive system of irrigati : hless agriculturally . rrigatine canals MN road 9 productive, and large aw 2 als Noss: Haggin, Carr, and Livermore have shown that the I: . i however, absolutely necessary, and a Tans 9 i fan are now under cultivation on oo le ands we highly 50 feet wide has b ¥, and a network of ditches and canals from 2 : sland. Irrigation een con : inoine anals from 2 to 2 3 \ structed, bringing the waters of Kern river into ever a he “of the ¢ ong andivom 2040 y portion of the county and carrying and forms, as it were, a the east, south, and west 3 rowth, and embraci oo onw y @ mbracing the - Ah Sons to ui this delta region, with the rest of nost entirely uncultivated; but by means of District No. 1, between old S : . outh F i 895 cubic feet per ty i ai District No. 2, west of Old ri p BEML hi 2 d river, and south of New river. District No. 3, between N. i a y ew river and Goose Lake slough. Area, District No. 4, swam . p lands south are l: % : ad of Tulare lake. Area, 103,000 acres; number of canals, 2; a District No. feet per second. Total number of canals and di : itches, large and small, 33; Vivre : y mall, 33; total length of mai 5 mi canals: two carry water to the Mussel Slough die ro os po han » Ss Soins Peak n of Visalia. Many artesian wells have b depths of from 200 t een successfully bored on the north side of th . Eo oom = 0 300 feet. The artesian belt, as developed by the wells, SiN Jokes, wiior bang shivined at The principal ranches are the Li miles and a 15 miles SOThINOEt aig e Livermore, about 12 miles south of Bakersfi i ouliivation, «From Fort. Toon i Huon: visa likes each including a ut a Ra Show along the western border, the ¢ oat hern extremity of the county, to Kern river, a di yor arly all under po brine oi d Dole rey y for 10 miles from the Coast range of mountains is aia. gs $0upiles, e county is sparsely settled, the ave i : bs average of lands u YO iy rage being much less than one pe ix- : serge of Inds under cultivation is. acres po auaro mile, The crops ambraco wheat, basic, cor, ats. Cotton Transportation faciliti ) a a market has made its producti : Yyoorn, ote. Cotton TR with San Bellies are afforded by the Southern Pacific ge gg Hila oihererops, 8 ncisco on the north and the Atlantic states on the ia Passes through “he emis, Total 3 gre ul area, 80,000 acres; number of canals, 5; aggregate capacity of canals, Total area, 64,000 acres; number of canals, 9; aggregate capacity, 348 ’ 70 . 70,000 acres; numberof canals, 11; aggregate capacity, 1,924 cubio garegate capacity “ head, 3,370 ’ ’ ’ ) p , aweah ABSTRACT FROM THE NOTES OF N. J. WILLSON, OF THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD The surface of the countr 5 y from the northern county-li : withiihe exception of 3 miles of R mty-line along the railroad to Pozo station (415 fe i with hard-pan at from 6 inches to 3 A The wy sandy, covered with alfilerilla, 415s shoveihs SE lnporieenly fon & Care. 3 miles. wok of For. EF X ry is entirely devoted to pasturage, and ’ er grass, and underlaid : som Poze sonthward 4 ie ge, and no farms are found nearer th hh ; with a fine growth of alfilerilla, wi 1 to within a couple of miles of P i a8 shat of Haggin ith some saze-brush : ampa station the country i > 870 feet, and is without timber g ge-brush, and is well adapted to pastu fi ry is very level, covered ! growth. The soil is sand : pasturage for sheep. The surface rises t rati Bolt. Iii le Rate yn sandy, though silty at Lerdo statio d : ses to an elevation of . vicinity of Bakersfield the soil is qui : n, and there is no farming being d that 5 per cent. of the lands pl e soil is quite sandy, which with a stiff wi ; § being domo nearer than . of this region are so st 1 : ’ with a stiff wind drifts considerab) diti es vegetation. Some of the land which rongly alkali in character as to be utterl Y, anal 6 1s estimated : ; a few years ago was a utterly worthless. They have onl al in some instances land that produced lar pparently free from alkali is now im : y a salt-grass : \ ge crops of wheat thre £ pregnated to a considerable extent is a natural timber growth of willow e OF four years ago will soaicel Si aa! cottonwood, elder, and y grow salt-grass now. On Kern ri potatoes ; wheat yields from 20 to 40 b ! y and & BW sycamores, The chief Hives fiers / ushels per acre, and alf chief crops are wheat, barley, alfalf: of corn varies from 40 to 75 bush , and alfalfa from 7 to 10 tons, bein ive ti } 7, al'alin, vom, and els. Tree-plantin braci Ju tons, g cut four or five times during th : the trees had water, the roe-2 g, embracing many varieties, has b i ; g the year. The yield y only trouble being from h , has been tried quite extensively and with water is obtained in wel gophers and frost. Grape-vines and fruit Tigively and with guecess Where ells at 40 or 50 feet, but that nearer the surface contains alkali ; eee iii, us So ii Vain water. Go . pears during Novembur, and situated in i : ; Bl a valley about half a mile wide, with high rolling The station itself (elevation 870 feet) is” and full of cobble-stones, and i hills running back to th i i 8 : e mount i 3 3 this far, but sink within a mile i $ a he ge of Agua Caliente “and Walker Siigiins gM Tues il is gravelly The vegetation is chiefl a : wet winters water has been know ) rs of which do not reaci y alfilerilla, of which there is a fai wn to stand more than a foot in ¢ : air growth i : n Gepuh all over th brush and some cottonwood trees. No farming is done except " oh 7 the valley and on the hills. Fihiny i alley. There is also consmderable sage- ‘raised, s creek, where a few acres of hay and also a few fruit trees are 757 100 | COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. in which runs the Agua Caliente creek. The bottom of the but on the hills the soil is from 6 inches to 4 feet deep, and with scattering oak trees, while in the cafion From Pampa to Caliente station there is a deep and narrow cafion, cafion is little else than washed sand and gravel, cobble-stones and bowlders, is underlaid with decomposed granite. On the hills there is a fine growth of alfilerilla, there is some sage-brush, with willow, cottonwood, and sycamore trees. Milk- and rattle-weeds are plentiful. From Caliente through the mountains to the desert region the railroad passes through grassy cafions, in part having but little timber growth, except on the hills. The soil is usually sandy and gravelly, and scarcely under cultivation. Beyond Tehachapi summit the soils of the cafions are sandy and dry and partly alkaline. From the edge of the desert to Mojave station (elevation 2,700 feet) there is little else than sage-brush and creosote weeds, also some achoia or chollu. The soil is reddish and sandy, and not at all under cultivation. Water is brought from Cameron station by pipes. The prevailing wind is from the northwest, and blows a perfect gale almost continually. Thence across the desert, to Lancaster, the only vegetation is Yucca tree, sage-brush, and creosote weeds. There is a great deal of alkali land, with salt-grass and weeds. LOWER FOOT-HILLS REGION. (Of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the northern Coast range.) (This embraces the following coun ties and parts of counties: Of the Coast Range foot-hill counties—Shasta, Tehama, Yolo,* and Colusa*; of the Sierra foot-hill counties— Shasta, Tehama,* Plumas,* Butte, Sierra,* Yuba,* Nevada, Placer, Bl Dorado, a little of Sacramento,* Amador, a little of San Joaquin,* Calaveras, Tuolumne, a little of Stanislaus,* and Merced,* Mariposa, Fresno,* Tulare, * and Kern.*) SHASTA. Population : 9,492. Area: 4,000 square miles.—Lower foot-hills, 1,525 square miles; higher foot-hills and Sierra mountains, 1,950 square miles; Coast Range mountains, 525 square miles. : ; Tilled lands: 53,915 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 6, 267 acres ; in corn, 39 acres ; in oats, 677 acres; in barley, 6,762 acres; in vineyards, 113 acres. Shasta county, situated at the head of the great valley drained by the Sacramento river, is one of the best- watered counties of the state. The river has very many con fluents, both from the mountains of the Sierra on the east and north and from the Coast range on the west, all aniting near the southern border. Chief among these is Pitt river, whose source is in the northeastern corner of the state. The mountains that cover a large portion of the county on all sides but the south are rugged and lofty, rising more than 5,000 feet above the sea. On the east there are four peaks of special prominence that stretch far into the county from the Sierras, separated from each other by distances of 10 or 12 miles, Lassen’s peak, the highest of these, having an altitude of 10,577 feet, and timbered for two-thirds of the way up, the rest being bald, and usually covered with snow. Other peaks and buttes occur everywhere, and all are of volcanic origin, as shown by extinct craters, cones, sulphur deposits, beds of lava, etc. Hot and boiling springs are also of frequent occurrence. The mountains of the north and west parts of the county are covered with forests of conifers of nearly every variety, except redwood, while on the lower hills live-oak is abundant, and ash occurs along the streaiws. The southwestern portion of the county, embracing about one-third of its area, is a foot-hill region having an altitude of not more than 2,000 feet above the sea. Its surface is hilly and broken, and is interspersed with numerous valleys along the several streams. : The tillable lands are chiefly east of the Sacramento river; a broad region, comparatively level, lies between that stream and Stillwater and Cow creeks, a distance of about 12 miles. The river itself from Redding south to the county-line is bordered by a strip of good farming land, dotted over with white oaks, and having but little undergrowth. The soil of these valleys is a reddish sandy loam, more or less gravelly ; but near the creeks it is more clayey. The soil of the hills in places is adobe in character, but for the most part it is red and gravelly. Immediately north of Redding are found clumps of manzanita and large oaks. Very little farming is done in this county, the chief industry being stock-raising. The average of cultivated lands is 13.9 acres per square mile. Redding, the county-seat, is connected with Sacramento by the Oregon division of the Central Pacific railroad. TEHAMA. Population : 9,301. Area: 3,060 square miles.—Sacramento valley, 265 square miles; lower foot-hills, 2,000 square miles; higher foot-hills and Sierra mountains, 420 square miles; Coast Range mountains, 375 square miles. Tilled lands: 270,441 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 84,254 acres; in corn, 24 acres; in oats, 298 acres; in barley, 14,967 acres; in vineyards, 39 acres. Tehama county is situated at the northern end of the great valley of the Sacramento river, and reaches from the Sierra on the east across this valley to the Coast range of mountains on the west, with an extreme width east and west of 36 miles and a length north and south of about 35 miles. The topography is greatly varied, the Sacramento river forming a central feature with its very level and open valley of from 7 to 15 miles width, bordered on the east, north, and west by a region of foot-hills, which extend back, with increasing altitudes, to the foot of the mountains. The valley, foot-hills, and mountains thus constitute three general divisions, and differ in their agricultural features. 708 AGRICULTURAL DESCRIFTIONS OF THE COUNTIES. 101 ‘‘All the streams heading in the Si i Loans Sh Stone Je: g in the Sierra run in deep cafions, which open upon th oT 7 yi i Janta hs ich thes Son mang here with an abrupt edge. Below Se ys ple iz awn te lire ) g e west, merges in the fertile bottom lands along the river "Natural Featmol % fo foreanis p of California. The Sacramento valley is i y is the most important of tl ivisi isi PAL OF Th aE ey por of these divisions, comprising, as i i i i posh of the sony ale : 3hey proper 3 as ths Head A shart distance 5 Red I ges, fie it Eg below the county-line. Along : ; 3 vi rough the county, wideni idly ; J ota toy wiles ) unty, widening out rapidly to the westward rt AA ne. walomg ; ate banks of the river there is a narrow strip of ic : : ginal growth was cottonwood and s } IL hom Jom, Yay In log il 59 Hiwber, the gastace Presenting a broad and aE re a the SAUL 67 the valley PrOpt ly A sei - Ing, treeless, and usnall sh i eT Eh ing, | b y much broken, but the i { Soitered | on roliny Roying yp the Sacramento river. The bills are Ad oy He hy. ro ey eal ft m out 1ght to be suitable for grapes. The soil is chiefly a red gravell Satin for te ri inn som (fliy sok faising is almost the only pursuit ye FRY RARKES VR ORO. ' wns are too high and barren for agricul v es. . wii £ agricultural pur Ss. 1th spruce and pine and covered with snow for most of the ies So he and have a growth of inferior pi ak ine i Wheat is the chief crop ig oak. Lumberingis the chief industry in the lands of the county under cultivati persons per square mile. The agricultural or valley region i i i Pacific raiiro: go; ¥y region is supplied with transportation faciliti ali ic : roads, which pass through, west and east of the river, via Willows ms ba ho Br Canal y rancisco. Sierra are generally timbered St ming are lower in altitude, Sadak : i mountains. 8 av 9 3 Shongh fri grapes, etc., are now receiving more attention. The 3 res per square mile, the average of population being but 3 YOLO. (See ¢ Great valley region”.) COLUSA. (See ‘Great valley region”.) PLUMAS. (See ¢ Sierra mountain and higher foot-hill region”.) BUTTE. (See ¢ Great valley region”.) SIERRA. (See ‘Sierra mountain and higher foot-hill region”.) YUBA. (See “ Great valley region”. Soputalion. 20,823. NEVADA. rea : 990 squa iles.— : WTA quare miles.—Lower foot-hills, 440 square miles; higher foot-hills and Sierra mountains 550 s i Tilled lands : 25,207 acres.— Are quare 543 Aes in vineyards, 107 acres. Nevada, a long and narrow count ine fi S 3 Sardis : ; Y, extending from the state-li : southwestward into the foot-hills, is watered chiefly Ry south do Nati Eg, across the high Sierra and while Bear river marks the s ; and Kk A te an Sho sonia hong, Al towing West toward ths Sacramento river. Several small akc : , the largest being Donner lake, 2 miles from Truckee. pg ~ ckee. The greater part of the county on th 1 i ) he east 1s rugged, wild 1 uni i Hess ons gged, y and uninhabited (the mountains in pl isi ‘ pg 1, i ab ains in places rising more ths ; area, lies within the fo exclusively Yevoin to mining operations. The western part “or A i Sn wei hove ponies Munn fis hoot Will os LA au SAEs 0s he lands suitable for farming purposes. Its Ho a, Hid hot et. ] itains its surface is very brok i ; ne Ror ver Sy feet | the 1 ] ce 18 very broken and hilly, th < af : Tosching Jn oii) 3 ] i fing 3 Jon “diversified with deep ravines, knolls ie [oY fos of the Sern undergrowth of buckeye Sai vid li S. It has a mixed growth of oak and pines oceurrin in 1 em TE aTowtls of bi hese, sy ly iid al manzanita”. Lumbering is the chief hy hs 2 3h hig ed edar. The extreme wester 't of i ) Ag more in cultivation. The soils of S00 Fustern pani of the ¢ ¥ 3 aaa. Tho sxe » county is less broken, and the lands Gf ; . s comprise red loams, @ or less gravelly is nse Of the bottoms and flats are often dark a loams AS: More ox est axovelly, o may sands gilli ids; 3 ry QV a O0reN : : > dio She couniy Sverage 2.1 persons per square mile. The cultivated lands aver: y at large, or about 5.7 acres for the foot-hill and valley region = -™ . The Nevada Central railroad connects wi 3 i ARStOrD Part of ie cory nnects with the Central Pacific at Colfax, the latter road also traversing the a planted in w 304 acres; i i a planted in wheat, 304 acres ; in corn, 32 acres; In oats, 1,165 acres ; in barley ’ ge 25.6 acres per square mile tor 759 . oaks vary the monotony. The line dividing the 1V2 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. PLACER. Population : 14,232. Area : 1,480 square miles.—Sacramento valley, 220 square miles; foot-hills and Sierra mountains, 810 square miles. Tilled lands: 101,923 acres.—Ared planted in wheat, 11,751 acres; barley, 5,594 acres; in vineyards, 1,036 acres. Placer, one of the narrow counties that extends from the state-line westward to the Sacramento valley, has Bear river for a part of its northern and the north and middle forks of the American river for the greater part of its southern boundary. A number of other large creeks, either tributary to the latter river or flowing independently toward the Sacramento, aid in supplying an abundance of water for mining or irrigation purposes. The forks of the American river flow through deep caions and narrow gorges, which are from 1,800 to 2,000 feet below the general level of the country. Lake Tahoe covers a large surface on the high Sierra region on the east. The county is naturally divided into the following general regions: (1.) The high Sierra Mountain region, on the east, rising from 7,000 to 10,000 feet above the sea, and embracing a wild and rugged country subject to heavy snow and land slides, well timbered wi ith pine, fir, and cedar, and but little inhabited. (2.) An upper Joot-hill region, from 2,000 to 4,000 feet, extending westward to near Auburn, and embracing a broken and very hilly country, well timbered, and devoted chiefly to lumbering and mining. (3.) A lower foot-Rill region of less than 2,000 feet altitude, embracing a region of rolling lands and low hills, somewhat broken in character, and partly timbered with white, live, and black oaks, Sabin’s pine, buckeye, manzanita, and chaparral. These hills are devoted chiefly to fruit culture, and the valleys to hay and alfalfa. That part of the region reaching from 2 miles west of Auburn to the higher hills has chiefly red gravelly lands, while the remainder is granitic in character, and its soils are lighter and partly sandy. Both are well adapted to fruits. Granite bowlders and outcrops are abundant. This granitic belt extends through the county north and south with an average width of about 10 miles. (4.) The Sacramento plain, with an olevation of about 40 feet above the sea. and embracing a level or slightly undulating country, with swales or depressions, and almost treeless, except along the water-courses, where a few plains from the foot-hill region passes from Folsom (Sacramento county) to Rocklin, and thence eastward of Lincoln and Sheridan to Bear river, on the north. The soil of the valley or plains is a red loam, with a stiff clay subsoil underlaid by a yellowish hard-pan; within the swales or depressions the stiff clay appears as an adobe, the county greatly resembling that of Sacramento. The lands under cultivation average 68.8 acres per square mile for the county at large, or about 152 acres for that part outside of the mountainous portion. ' The Central Pacific railroad, with its Placerville branch, affords the western part of the county abundant transportation facilities, also passing near the northern border of the eastern or mountainous country. lower foot-hills, 450 square miles; higher in corn, 160 acres; in oats, 873 acres; in EL DORADO. Population : 10,633. Area: 1,800 square miles.—Lower foot-hills, miles. Tilled lands : 33,949 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 1,360 acres 1,137 acres; in vineyards, 1,415 acres. El Dorado county reaches from the state-line westward almost to the level plains of the great valley, and is watered by the American and Cosumnes rivers and their many tributaries. The former, rising in the extreme east, flows centrally through the county with a channel far below the general level of the country through which it passes. Lake Tahoe extends into the county on the northeast, while several smaller lakes occur within this mountain region. The eastern part of the county, reaching westward to within 10 or 12 miles of Placerville, is high, mountainous, and rugged, embracing the high Sierra, which rises to an altitude of 8,000 feet and more. The western slope of this mountain region is heavily timbered, and lumbering is the chief industry. The rest of the county, embracing a belt about 30 miles wide, is a region of foot-hills, and contains a scattered growth of white and black oak and pine, except in the extreme west, which is mostly destitute of timber. From its elevation of about 2,000 feet on the east the surface of the foot-hills falls westward to the plains, hilly and broken at first, but becoming more level, and embraces the only farming lands of the county. Many small valleys occur in the eastern foot-hills region, but these are said to have suffered very greatly by the washing away of their soils by placer mining. The lands of the county are chiefly red gravelly loams and, clays, and, along the streams, strips of alluvial loams. The cultivated lands average for the county at large 18.8 acres per square mile, while the average of population is not quite 6 persons. The Sacramento and Placerville railroad runs from Sacramento to Shingle springs, 10 miles from Placerville. 780 square miles; higher foot-hills and mountains, 1,020 square ; in corn, 13 acres; in oats, 57 acres; in barley, SACRAMENTO. (See “ Great valley region ”.) AMADOR. Population : 11,384. Area: 540 square miles.—Sierra mountains and upper miles. Tilled lands: 36,785 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 2,386 acres; in corn, 1,191 acres; in oats, 31 acres; in barley, 3,291 acres; in vineyards, 580 acres. 760 foot-hills, 90 square miles; lower foot-hills, 450 square a i it i TN FA he aa AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES 103 Amador county is v is very narrow, : les ough: ; plain, being pomin Bt a yg fins easy 3nd ig Boise the foot of the high Sierra and the Sacramento river. Numerous creeks, lowing inc : y a fork of the Cosumnes river, and on the s lok Fiver ume s, flowing independently o Pov Remind bus 1¢ south by the Mokelumne the count yv with an abundance of w 3 oh y of these rivers westward towards the Sacramento, aid in supplying 1e castern portion is very nar ; > i : § narrow, and for a distance of 25 o . : hills region, having : i J EL or a distance of 25 or 30 miles is embraced withi (the Poe tn JB elev ion of from 2,000 to 4,000 feet above the or a pr ng hoon od ot itd ling their way through deep caiions) and w : a; its surface is rugged and Lroken region, is hilly and partly ti & p caiions) and well timbered. The rest of thee . t f ) imbered, and is interspers i » rest of the county, or lower foot-hill 3 10 6 tiles and in wi y y is interspersed with numer fertile v . er | Jiils in width from 2 to 3 mi ous fertile valleys, varying : ! 3 iles. Ione and Jack § vs, varying in length from ils wide, Tho all ia and Jackson valleys are each 12 or 15 mi : Po , re a red loam, more or 1 hh : yD « ach 12 or 15 miles long and from 2 to 5 wheat, barley . , nore or less gravelly, with a scattered grow t xakve. Aen oNiaf S10 , barley, potatoes, and fruits. Irrigation is ed growth of oaks. The chief ¢ The largest of th ) S. igation is necessary, and wateris b in di i _ Gi ly t ; hese, the Amador canal, is ¢ : ary’, ater is brought in ditches from the large streams of G0 miles. The lands yielc nal, is connected with the north fork of the Mok i ol S. ands yield from 20 to 30 b 2 01 the Molelumme river, ind has 2 lengtl The usiors poe 2( ushels of wheat and 25 bushels of barley yd as alps ern part of the county is tod with shels of barley per acre I Tos y is connected with Sacrament ant Frahelce . one City to Gault, and thence by the Central Pacific railroad O'ond San Weaneiseo by, the anindor rahe fram ? i g o ’ B ’ « L 1 « . SAN JOAQUIN. (See ¢ Great valley region”) Population : 9,094. ‘Ala fires : Den snare Milos peLover foot-hills, 800 square miles; higher foot-hills, 130 square miles a Oe a ig planted in wheat, 807 acres; in corn, 206 acres; pn oats, 13 acres; in barley Tt ty 35 burdared Su the north and south respectively by the Mokelumne and Stanisl iv ins iin gular Shape. in on be eR ed Soutien and ee to ie , are the principal streams, and have numerous sm [ tri i AE en an kon ionton th Sacorn Bars aig min he Tver To tr te res vals. Ti Bear mountain, a rocky, wooded r i 3 d range, a little more than 2,000 f i i oa) SRONIASIN, y ; » a lit an 2, eet high, strikes northerl i EE Ba 9 fe Oalusetes river, Sighing this central portion into two arctions, the TAT amr is, ale o iis wong y rairies as they stretch west toward i ToD: Soenitinothos gates fie i ard the great San Jo: y i ’ 5 Baoan acer 5 H Sends eastward into the main Sierra. * * * The upper and oa oy wi the Ubper Sows more Salen Pavesioton) Fo with an inferior species of pine, buckeye, manzanita, and Se rete HE in Sobral) mh 3 ; e chamisal (Adenostoma), an evergreen shrub with a delicate leaf, which y yreRy LENS Dat Los 426 a hy x dar, ER sauacmn , Which, seen from afar, gives to the mountains ne of the greatest curiosities in California i i J ; ts of the Big T i ivi Sanrio sf ie greg : : consis g Tree grove, situated on the divid i Sansdansand jjaverns river, shont 20 miles east of Mokelumne hill, and at ol elevation of 4 Pro SY oes He mHaliofniier fhe g ght from 150 to 327 feet, and in diameter from 15 to 30 feet.— Natural Wealth of Calif: “ Biovsihelevelor es The . alth lifornia. Mining is the chief industr, y of the county, and ¢ aval ' on cultivation av ; yy omparatively little farming arri : foothill o 8 Jaseage bus 30 Sores pop square mile for the iD at large, RE The lads ander Taos comaty. nm a priscipy) crop. The soils are chiefly the ¢ vod foot.hills” ag Han the lower other purposes, the two a Ee Joan he rivers to convey water for A in pe Mok ih Ag g y | celomne Hill and S : ¥ ig i elumne river, and the Murphy canal, in the eastern part of the Joe Sui on west, connetting wii the Wrinsnontati it y, taking its water from the Stanislaus which Shibotation faulting us of orded the western part of the county by the San Joaquin and Nevada rai where a line of boats ey 40 Jonquin som along the south side of Mokelumne river to Josay ib oy h ; ncisco ; also by the Stockt Tai, 'S landing, the southwest part of the county west to Stockton, and thence by a i. pr Soni pols ello Lhd og > acramento. : TU INE 20nd 7,848, ULM rea: 1,980 square miles.— i 5 i : square miles. Lower foot-hills, 520 square miles; higher foot-hills and Sierra mountains, 1,460 Tilled lands: 23,801 acres.—Area pla i fo oo, on nt ag 5 : § : 2858 acres; a cis Pp ed in wheat, 4,055 acres ; in corn, 24 acres; in oats, 69 acres; in barley, wolumne, one of the foot-hill counties, is s } j Stanisl: he, one d RY : ies, is separated from Calaveras on t Snatch iho rian dn Cad potion o he Somtn” ho gre at oF Ge county i Dr nls vpn iver and many tributaries, that. rising in the Sierra fl ii he county 1 £ y county until the western b arv- ine a, flow westward, its drainage hilly a 0 bi lag stern boundary-line is r my . 5 hilly sud Broken, Heng splits from the lower foot-hills, near Co a pi of the country is its elevation, is untillable Tae. he greater part of the county, because of its hiily and A igh Sons i A i ower foot-hills in the west, where not too broken, are being successfi {ly cults va especially the valley of the 3 Darrow valless Are Rone in alfalfa and grasses for hay. This wining a, In 6 te ) . Ie iver, has been occupied chiefly wi ini aL 1 Jegion, 2h rge industry. Lumbering is also carried on extensively in the Ss wins the ‘Storr. srhich heing 2 > : a, rich is loca 761 i cn mer a —— Tp ET 104 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. about centrally with reference to the eastern and western boundary-lines of the county, and extends the entire breadth, its area being about 50 miles long and 25 wide.” The timber comprises pine, fir, and cedar, and a number of saw-mills are located upon the western limit of the region. In the mountainous portion ot the county, on the east, there are many lakes at the heads of the tributaries of Tuolumne river. Lake Elnor, the largest of these, is situated in a valley 4 miles long, and averages 13 miles in width. The land bordering it is a sandy loam producing a luxuriant growth of native grasses. A portion of the valley is well wooded, and the gentle slopes and ridges on both sides are covered with a giant growth of pines and firs. Numerous canals have been constructed, mainly for nursery purposes, to carry the waters of the rivers to many points in the county. The Big-Oak Flat canal is some 40 miles long, and that of the Tuolumne County Water Company (the ¢ Tuolumne ditch”) about 35- miles. The cultivated lands average 12 acres per square mile for the county at large, the average population being but about 4 persons per square mile. The San Joaquin and Nevada railroad, when completed, will give the county good transportation facilities. At present communication is by way of the Southern Pacific railroad in Stanislaus county. ABSTRACT FROM A DESCRIPTION BY JOHN TAYLOR, OF CAMPO SECO. There is a belt of granite passing through this county in a course parallel with the Sierra mountains and separated from it by slates. Sonora, the county-seat, is situated upon the divide between these granite and slates. The timber of the county also occurs in parallel belts. From the summit of the Sierra westward for about 40 miles in width toward the foot-hills is the belt of sugar pines. This then gives place to a belt of live-oak and the yellow or nut pine trees, the region being characterized as being the poorest in the county except in minerals. Nothing can be more barren than these pine and chapirral hills, some of which are quite high and conical in shape. The small valleys that intervene are the only portions suitable for settlement. Their soils vary from light to dark, and with irrigation can be made to produce well. The area suitable for farming purposes is quite extensive north of Sonora, and a great quantity of hay is produced. On the western side of the county the great plains are skirted by a belt of scrub oak some 10 or 12 miles in width. The soil is of a brownish color, and is used mostly for pasturage, but by cultivation it is capable of producing cereals. STANISLAUS. (See ¢ Great valley region ”.) MERCED. (See ‘ Great valley region ”.) MARIPOSA. Population : 4,339. Area : 1,560 squar square miles. Tilled lands : 15,125 acres.— Area planted in wheat, 337 acres ; in corn, 30 acres ; in oats, 12 acres; in barley, 1,314 acres ; in vineyards, 43 acres. Mariposa county reaches eastward from the edge of the San Joaquin plains, across the foot-hills, far into the Sierra mountains, its altitude thus varying from about 300 to from 10,000 to 13,000 feet, that of mount Dana being 13,227 feet. The largest stream of the county is the Merced river, which rises on the extreme east and flows westward to the plain. On the south Chowchilla river forms part of the boundary between this and Fresno couniy, while numerous smaller streams flow westward into Merced county. The eastern part is timbered with pine, spruce, and cedar, the central with oak and pine, while the western is sparsely timbered, and the extreme west is almost treeless. The most prominent point of interest in the county is the celebrated Yosemite valley, situated on the cast at an elevation of 4,060 feet above the sea. The valley proper is about 8 miles long and from one-half to one mile wide, the greatest breadth being 3 miles. The Merced river flows through it, while on either side ure very high clifts, rising in- places thousands of feet above the valley. On the lower mountain slopes and in the valley are groves of pine, with some oak, willow, and cottonwood. This valley is famous for the grandeur of its mountain scenery and waterfalls, and is under state control as a place of resort for tourists. Its further description lies outside of the province of this report. The mountainous portion of the county, too high and broken for cultivation, extends westward to within a few miles of Mariposa, the county-seat. A region of foot-hills of from 2,000 to 4,000 feet altitude then crosses the county from northwest to southeast, and reaches westward about 15 miles beyond the county-seat and into the southern part-of the county. It is hilly and broken, interspersed with prominent mountain chains, and is well timbered with pine and oak, the source ot supply for the mining camps of the region. Very little farming is done in this part of the county, except on a small scale in the valleys. The extreme western part is more level, its hills being susceptible of cultivation, and is but sparsely timbered with white and blue oaks. The soil of the hills is mostly a reddish clay, that of the valleys or lower lands being chiefly a dark loam with red subsoil. Some farming is done in this lower foot-hill region, small grain, fruits, and vegetables being produced. The county is, however, chiefly engaged in mining, and these supplies are produced mostly for home consumption. Lumbering is also carried on in the higher foot-hills and mountain region. The average acreage of tilled lands per square mile of the county at large is but 9.6 acres, but, assuming that the lower foot-hills embrace nearly all of the lands under ciiltivation, the average for that region is nearly 30 acres. Merced is the nearest railroad point for transportation facilities. 762 ¢ miles.—Lower foot-hills, 530 square miles; higher foot-hills and Sierra mountains, 1,030 RELAYS HEE 0 aa SSD SPAN LAE Sn Secs AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES. 105. FRESNO. (See ‘Great valley region”.) TULARE. (See ¢ Great valley region”) KERN. (See ¢“ Great valley region”.) SOUTHERN AND DESERT REGIONS. (Embracing the counties of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and San Diego.) : LOS ANGELES. Population : 33,381. Area: 4,750 square mi ; i we : 4 square miles.—Coast Range mountains, 2,305 are miles; v 3 US Saar les. ange mountains, 2,305 square miles; valley lands, 1,480 square miles; desert, Tilled lands : 195,055 acres i | 4 so ,000 acres.— Area planted in wheat, 29,349 acres; in ¢ 29.77 i horles, 38,323 acres; in vineyards, 4,161 acres. PROBE vues Invom, MTA pre yIhOI 78 i bi 0s Angeles, : * the ¢ i : its Slats hes Moss Pps oF i Codie of the southern region, borders the ocean on the south, while ndar ave desert. A range of hig ins : ! : Si Ma passes thronah the donk with o x AN range of high mountains, the San Fernando and Sierra Madre DE Th Ha oom 3. Jie Ise a ittle south of east and an extreme width of about 30 miles, separatin y ALL gd e on) ge region of large valleys and hills, which comprise the inhabited and cultival 5 iad oat y y al Yineh Phone is Poa qo by numerous streams rising among the mountains ps p. ! - Ile S 1porta Aare ) S " 0 qv rial k 0 Se : Fernando mountains and valley; the San Gabriel Ea : fhe Jose bos 5 Dn on i Hen Yorn ona i riel, rising ast, and uniting with the former a few mi a Seenn Land the Ypaam riv ON Which, als) rising on the northeast in the Son Gabriel i hot hi ) 1 ers this county from a caiion in the Sant: i tl NE ’ ) a Ce 1e Santa Ana mountains of the southeas : g on, on th re é i se To yee 0 wi ony Whe ROD, elev ated more than 2,000 feet above the sea, is a desolate sandy plain A er and little vegetation other than, locally, Yucca, sage-brush, some creosot phivt ge) od Seg Sion 2 ip ul Jonny grass. Water may be obtained in wells, but the on : Ry, ry GALS , Which stunt or prevent the grow vortiablos. OP-Crons. cived tol) spots and with irrigation, is hardly inhabited. There is said to S awe peat yi Wi Mio Sabres grain, in t Fille oo ale He j SOc ell adapted to fruits: SI this far oo Sou ills som) Late Llizabeth, on, the western border of the desert, hy the same suua a Cait : : cupation, re is also a large : f alkali I nw Susi pace 1 1 ere is also a large amount of alkali land in the low grounds The mountain region th i ain reg at passes through the county is the continuati Joast rang i high chains, trending in every direction and except in Lon in on 9 Wha Genii vive andl ise of RE RT A B, exe) e passes, too rough and broken for tillage. The not under cultivation. The Soled ’ 0 ave many rich and fertile caiions, which are well timbered with oaks, but dre ROL lor Gut VAL 2 x. ny $ 5 Dass, through which the Southern Pacific railroad has Leen built, trends westward 0 the Sunt nes tive), Sul i 8 ands are mostly sandy and gravelly, and have a vegetation comprising in places, oan, Su A tolionwood: 2 0 a3 more with Slitenl, clover, bunch-grass, and sage. The adjoining mountains ) ‘hamis rush. e agricultural region pr f 3 "yell § a ; between the mountains : Sg ag gion proper of the county, embracing that part lyi SE a : ; L Sion | erot | ( yy acing that part lying Fernando valley on the northwest, a Stiles wis aud 1s an id ity fas Bigg valiays: de San the Los Angeles valley, whi es plain by the Santa Monica mountains; ] ich reaches from the Santa Moni ai Mounts Ps 8 Alga os va ’ each anta Monica mountains southeast along the coast to the S: 8 y-line; and the San Gabriel valley and its eastward conti ion i r Reh she Ru AS De y ¢ s eastward continuation into San Bernardino county les valley and the coast by the Santa Anar i ge fron ast b na range of mountains. The twol “alleys fi is known as the Los Angeles plain, i "divi in rer, § give latter vallegs Din what § d 3 in, itself divided into an upper and 1 i ) 3} J% RUGWIL 48 the Lod Angles ply ; pper and lower, the latter reaching from the coast . valleys have been somewhat fully descri i i cri Se 3% of shisvepott, The loud e ully described in the regional descriptions ag $ . anas embrace dark and rich loams, black adobes i nous on bape >, ali 1. . . K obes 3 ¢ Be & ) Xe » of Ea Jd, Hi latter occurring chiefly in the lower plain. » FROCISL swest Jungs, and Delis aid thats 1e lower plain, along the coast, is the corn-growir i i . . . . , a > } r 1 i i i PE and producing fine crops. Gospel Ly SEIN Suspiasel ho sian Ho as Join un either side of the Santa Ana river. : iles as PLS org kok unde : reaches 10 or 12 miles from the mouth, and i iles. 3h TE Lp Su Sua y Tec S r > uth, and has a width of 6 or 8 miles. This 25 sald) , its yield being from 80 shels 3 i ( t i Hy ) g to 100 bushels per acre. Here also ‘pumpkins forget to stop The 1, £* 2 ¢ v 4 YM POT 1 ins Bo shops oF Hie oui Si wr h West, barley, a rye, while oranges, lemons, olives, figs, grapes, and ) s are also g ‘ 4 s, however, generally necessary, and t y ssible Sher imi ¢ be Ago ot Irrigaf S, however, sary, o secure all the advantages possibl s he ganized themselves into colonies in the several regi and hav i hea Jens lass opie Hienytves lonies 8 al regions and have constructed ditches from the stre: } > " e ditches from the Los Angeles river have : "72 mi a chiciiv to the recion of the sity of Los , 16 Los Ang 1 have a total length of 72 miles, and bring water : : 8 y of Los Angeles. Two ditches are taken from the San Gabriel ri int : S1igy $0 1)e renion OF the viey of Los Aug 0 ditches are taken from the San Gabriel river at the point wher . wese, the Azusa diteh, is, with its brane i i $ saves th ains. One of th a diteh, is, s branches, ab Cis ied, The Duarte ditch is 12 miles long, and its supply is also limited » HONE 20 Wow Joug, bai 158 snppiy 3s 1 1°Gh y *( 1» . . - > » 5 . . i We Jom ihe id bevy of the low ut portion of the San Gabriel, between the Coast range and the sea, there are at -thire ‘hes of more or less importance, the largest of which i ich is ¢ on; C ent) e ditches of more nce, g of which is the Arroyo, which is 9 mi The beds of the streams are so shaHow that water is diverted from them without difficult 4 m B £ Biles Jong Inexpensive dams of brush and sand. ¥ by means of Sbple 940 763 “ 106 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. ell as to a sr of small ones. The The Santa Ana river supplies water to two Jmpemat canals, iy ol as jae ones of A i so . . ’ pr 1S 3 1¢ Coarse S¢ y S PO > « & . e Roe Maur 8 miles long; but much water is lost in arse y soil, and 1s Satin ly ke Juan end trees. The Cajon canal heads at Bedrock caiion in the Coast range, ind Jollows io Sh pe 3 the broken hills for 8 miles before reaching the platean overlooking the valley. Its total lengt ’ tiles F hie ie Rpg iy or psitnne At 8S miles from its head it divides. one ditch skirting The Santa Ana canal has a total length 01 =U. s. ALS ; mu | A aan around the Yim of the valley. and the other passing across the v alley, a SQUAT mile ; but on the ; The average of lands under cultivation for the county at large Is a) Sores pr a I a be supposition that nearly all the lands are included in the valleys south of the mountains ¢ L» . : : q 31 acres per square mile. ; : 3 vi ‘ th: with the Atlantic A a by the Southern Pacific railroad with San Francisco > Hho iA wi i Me and Gulf ports on the southeast. Branch railroads also run south to the coast from the cif, g i if ast li fo stean C » north and south. there connect with the Pacific coast line of steamers for the ABSTRACT FROM THE NOTES OF N. J. WILLSON, OF THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD. » ’ rn part of the county, the lands are sandy, There are no habitations. At Alpine too severe here for even In the desert region along the railroad, altitude 2,350 feet shave the bi the ss : jes with much alkali,and have a vegetation embracing yucea, Juniper, Sage. ik 4 Say a ion (2.820 feet), in Soledad pass, the goil is a coarse red sand, with altilerilla, sage, i Ju per, aaah, i ie rops "To the westward the elevations of the stations diminish, the pass being in ies ose v A a honey i i 7 alder, a anzanita trees, together with Spanish bayonet, yerba sant, & WH gr A Ja, Sa ee a or Ions. are first seen at Rowena. The soil is yay as is res one or my a Kent dation and a few acres are under cultivation in hay, corn, and vegetables; oid a > an i Soledad cafion runs iy into the Santa Clara valley, which here is about a mile wide. The hills are do not thrive. d i S fern: ains, the valley is very open, Ve i th side of the San Fernando mountains, ) ) wb wi haparral brush. At Newhall station, on the nor ; nouns Das, thy wo a or ae i gs a ee sycamore, and willow trees, while on the mountains there is a heavy grow “on of gst of is ” { Ww CO ’ : : : : i ow Cie ; — oil is a sandy loam, and has been under cultivation in wheat, Sielning 1A30ponis a asso i iio i ined fr i he California ar S. ; to be killed by frost. Water is obtained from the artesian well of t A evi lit Oop reghiation Veing fy g © y y a ’ c ’ ’ ) i i i arley rield of the be k 100 feet without success. Some of the lands are under cultivation, the chief crops being ion and ile : ze ; I y acing 30 bushels per acre. Fruit trees and grape-vines do well. Hot, dry winds are liable to Dost any tom March, and fog is occasionally driven into the valley as far as San Fernando station, in the upper part of th Ys arch, of 1,060 feet. Santa Monica is situated on the coast southw the north and east is level, and has a dark loam soi i ich i 75 feet above the sea. The land to est of Los Angeles, and on a plain which is some 75 feet above the sea a 1. while on the southeast the land is rolling and soil sandy. There is no wn ther ’ hose i a barrel an srowth., but some 3 or 4 miles north there are sycamores, and on the hills oaks and a small tree w ose 200538 95 Vaspase 2) 3 Ga fire-wood (mesquite). Wheat and barley are the chief crops, and orange, lemon, lime, and ot be i bite 4 ow ell shoniis Te At Compton, south of Los Angeles, the lands are quite level, with slopes to the south and east, and Ww iho bijie Senay Su ils iver. The oil ke a sandy loam 3 inches deep, changing half a mile to the west to a dark seasons bag, v bi oils 4 io : Bos a depth of 4 feet. The natural vegetation is alfilerilla, clover, ‘ mabra,” squirrel-grass, an po " a tive. ip 1 > es and some mesa lands near the coast which are free from the alkali which makes much o oy : oa pilniive. ih ae Li ” Downey, Norwalk, and Anaheim stations, the country is comparatively veh nay oe £5, 4 day y ni ; i - loam that occurs near Compton station, i ) ultivati il being the dark and fine micaceous and mouse colored i on Savi, ide ae Still eastward, at Santa Ana, 135 feet altitude, the lands are of a i A A 5 "i wim east "north and west, while to the south they are more gravelly. Theriver growth is willow and e - ) 28AE : beryl gabe ss a BLE Alkali lands occur 1} miles on the southwest. The crops of this ook, Sogo ar sets, or s “ Ha : i on i rhi i 8 ( 5 i p ieties ; l. Cotton has been tried, and, while growing well, the bo fruits of many varieties; grapes also do well. hg therefore a failure. The yield of corn is about 40 bushels, and that of barley 35 bushels per acre . From April to November southwest trade y rch sev rtheast dry winds prevail during the day, and during the nights fogs roll in from the coast. From November to March several spells of no y t not more than a day, doing little damage. 11 but las A few sand-storms also come from the SON vies oe wel p i cur : ; : " Vr pop doing some damage. In the region of Monte station, east of Los Angeles city, there are two kinds of lands, as fr ) know the upper and lower, or moist lands, the former being devoted to small grain, the lower to corn and Joinges Ths soll Bs aug : a i tation of alfilerilla, clover, mustard, and tar-weed ; and there is considerable underbrush (principally We 1 po py A gan blackberries), which is very thick in places ; also some willow, cottonwood, and a few sycamore trees. ells / i inex i ly of water. wy ao B on Gesp, S80 NINA 3 iS Sldennnys the San José valley, where it opens out into the Azusa and Ls Pueuie yllage Hasie gle os 320 feet "The lands here are black and stiff clays or adobe, while that of Azusa valley is a reddis oH J n : int gh i i alfilerilla clover, and some pepper-cress; the natural trees are the willow, and on the hills to the south oak an J y . incipal industry is sheep-raising. : L : iT rons Hass Rak ba 5 fr in San José valley at an elevation of 700 feet. This valley will average : mile 1 Ade, 4p % i hs 1 ys Pomona station. The soil at this station is a dark loam, and is largely under cultivation, yielding rom Rp po. Sear Ye : The lands are irrigated by ditches from the creek. There is some little alkali land throughout various po per acre. Ty Considerable fog is brought in by the trade winds. : : i y fly licht, sandy loams, d Pomona station and eastward the lands are chiefly light, ) In : 038, SReehe 2» or an The crops are wheat, barley, alfalfa, corn, potatoes, etc. The lands are irrigated from springs an g Vv i Ww Vv i rth of i y Ti i al artesian ells have been bored a short distance no winds blow hrough the San José valley and occasionall bring 1m fog. Se ra ) / ii : attempts in other places have been unsuccessful. Water for ordinary purposes is obtained from els at a depth of ow 45 feet; bus in many instances the wells have gone dry, but are recovered by sinking a little deeper. The planting of grapes and citrus ’ fruits has been extensively begun in this region of late, and land is held at high prices. 764 rather dark in color, and without trees, except an AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES. 107 ABSTRACT FROM A DESCRIPTION BY WILLIAM R. OLDEN, OF ANAHEIM. The great valley of Los Angeles county, lying between the foot-hills and the coast, is about 40 miles long and 20 wide from northeast to southwest, of which width 15 miles is bottom land and 5 miles mesa or table-land, lying adjoining the foot-hills of the Santa Anita range. The mesa lands have a soil of great fertility and depth, which, when moist, is ot’ a dark chocolate color, very easy to cultivate, and absorbs and retains moisture to a remarkable extent. The valley lands are alluvial in character. Traces of old river channels are found crossing the valley, generally parallel, a mile apart, and are invariably ridges coarse sand from 50 to 100 yards in width. Between these ridges are broad swales of rich soil from 5 to 10 feet in depth, underlaid by quicksand and pipe-clay. The slope of the valley from the foot-hills to the sca averages 13 feet per mile, the pipe-clay being the same, thus accounting for the natural moisture and perpetual verdure that prevajls throughout the valley. The only natural timber in this valley region is sycamore, cottonwood, and willow, with live-oak in the hills and pine and fir on the mountains. The crops embrace wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, and alfalfa, besides oranges, lemons, limes, figs, bananas, olives, grapes, and berries. The valley lands comprise heavy sandy loams, slightly alkaline, with a natural growth of burr, clover, alfilerilla, and mustard ; light sandy loams, with the same growth; and rich sediment soil, always covered with green vegetation. All are easy to cultivate, and yield fine crops. ABSTRACT FROM A DESCRIPTION OF THE SANTA ANA VALLEY BY J. D. TAYLOR, OF ANAHEIM. The Santa Ana river leaves the foot-hills from a cafion about 20 miles from the coast. The northern or upper half of this valley is not productive in dry seasons without irrigation; but the lower half is more moist and generally covered with green vegetation, and is interspersed with sand streaks and alkali or salt spots. The central, east, and west portion of this valley embraces an artesian belt, in which a number of wells have been successfully bored to a depth of about 200 feet. The high lands on the foot-hills adjoining the valley are generally sloping, and considerable of this can be used for grain in wet seasons, but is better adapted to pasturage. The mesa lands on the coast are, if anything, better for grain, because of the heavy fogs and dews, which are more frequent there. SAN BERNARDINO. Population : 7,786. Area : 23,000 square miles.—San Bernardino mountains, 2,950 square miles; valley, 4656 square miles; desert, 19,585 square miles. Tilled lands: 25,601 acres.— Area planted in wheat, 2,558 acres; in corn, 774 acres; in barley, 4,076 acres ; in vineyards, 1,215 acres. San Bernardino is the largest county in the state, and reaches from the eastern state-line southwestward to within a few miles of the coast, the Colorado river, forming a part of the eastern boundary, separating it from Arizona. It is chiefly a part of the great Mojave desert, and the habitable portion of the county is very small, and is included in the southwestern corner, on the coast side of the San Bernardino range of mountains. Mojave desert is described as a sandy and barren waste, interspersed with volcanic mountain ridges and peaks, salt lakes and alkali tracts, destitute of all growth except Yucca, small nut pines, and juniper, and having but one or two streams. The Mojave river rises in the San Bernardino mountains, on the south, and flows for about 100 miles. out on the desert and suddenly disappears. The San Bernardino mountains of the soutliwest are thickly timbered with pine, cedar, hemlock, and maple, and are high and impassable, except through a few passes. These mountains are separated from the Temescal and Santa Ana range on the southwest by a broad valley, which embraces the only agricultural lands of the county, and is a part of .the valley region that covers a large part of Los Angeles county. Santa Ana river, the chief stream of this part of the county, rises in the San Bernardino mountains, and, with many small tributaries, flows southwestward across the valley and across the Santa Ana mountains to the ocean. It is timbered with cottonwood and willows. Santa Ana valley is divided by a chain of buttes into two parts, the northern receiving the name of the county. The San Jacinto mountains inclose the valleys on the east, the chiet outlet thus being on the west into the Los Angeles plains and to the coast. This valley has, until the past few years, been occupied solely by stock-raisers ; at present, however, its agricultural value is being rapidly developed by a system of irrigation by waters from the mountains and from artesian wells, of which a number have been bored. A number of colonies have been established, and large areas have been planted and made to produce large crops of grapes and fruits of many varieties, prominent among which are raisin grapes, oranges, and lemons. The Cucamonga colony, not far from San Bernardino, and the Riverside colony, occupying a plateau on the south of the chain of buttes, are well known for their excellent fruits. The surface of Santa Ana valley presents a gently undulating or level plain, gradually rising toward the hills from the river, and in places is studded with trees. The soil is areddish-gray, gravelly loam, rather stiff in the center of the valley, becoming more and more sandy, and in part gravelly, as the hills are approached; but that at Riverside is red and clayey in character and of great depth. The lands are free from stones, and are said to produce, when fresh, as much as 35 bushels of wheat or 50 bushels of corn per acre. The foot-hills have a red gravelly soil, and, with the mesa or bench lands, are excellent for fruits. The valley, surrounded as it is by high mountains, is thus partially protected from the hot and parching winds of the desert, except in the early part of the season, when north winds prevail. The dryness of the climate adapts the valley region especially to raisin making, and Cucamonga is noted for its sweet wines. The lands under cultivation in the county, if referred entirely to this valley region (as they probably should be), average 55 acres per square mile ; but for the county at large the average, if distributed, would be only 1.1 acres per square mile. Barley and wheat are the chief field crops, but vineyards and citrus orchards are being rapidily brought into prominence. The valley is supplied with many canals and ditches, which take water either from the Santa Ana river or directly from the mountains. From the river there are two ditches, the north fork and the south fork, each 8 miles long, and taking water where the river emerges from its caflons. Two canals supply the Riverside settlement. They are the largest in the county, and are, respectively, 12 and 14 miles in length, and take the waters from the mountains. . Cucamonga and other districts are supplied with ditches of less lengih from mountain streams. The Southern Pacific railroad passes through the San Bernardino valley, thus connecting their agricultural portion of the county with San Francisco on the one hand and with the Atlantic states on the other. 765 y i... AF F - p,=LR ERNE Pe— Ee a i sro tg a aa Eo ECE rh A—— A a 108 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. ABSTRACT FROM NOTES OF N. J. WILLSON, OF THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD. The surface of the country west of Cucamonga station is very level, with sand belts aggregating some 3 or 4 miles in width, having a growth of sage and other brush. With these exceptions there is a fine grosvth of alfilerilla and some bunch-grass. No farming is done; some trees are planted at the station. Cucamonga ranch is 3 or 4 miles north of the station, and from there water is brought in pipes to Colton. The soil is very sandy, in some places pure sand, which drifts with light winds. There is a fair growth of grass in places, but as a general thing sage and other brush predominate. Around Colton (960 feet) the land is generally level, though alfilerilla, clover, and pepper-grass, and sage-brush is plentiful. there are places slightly rolling. The soil is sandy, and has a growth of The only natural trees are on the Santa Ana river, and comprise willow, cottonwood, and alder. In this vicinity and near San Bernardino there are upward of 350 artesian wells from 60 to 300 feet deep. Other irrigating water is brought from Santa Ana river. Wheat is the most important crop, and yields some 30 bushels per acre. At times grain is troubled with frost, and dry north winds blow occasionally and do a great deal of damage to crops. Seme fog is blown in, but not enough to do harm. The San Mateo valley, or San Gorgonio pass (elevation 1,850 feet), extends from near San Gorgonio to within a mile of Mound City, or old San Bernardino, and will average one-fourth of a mile in width. It is cultivated from a short distance southeast of Mound City to 2 miles above El Casco. The soil is a sandy loam, overlying gravel at about a foot, and has a growth principally of alfilerilla, some clover and salt-grass, and some cottonwood and willow on ereek bottoms. The hills on either side are covered with a heavy growth of low brush, and in the lower end of the valley some chollu, yerba santa, sage, ete. The chief crops are wheat, corn, barley, alfalfa, and potatoes, but Considerable trouble is experienced from dry winds in the npper end of the valley. San Gorgonio station approaches the hog-wallow character. There is some alfilerilla The only water is from a well about 250 feet deep. No some fruit is successfully raised. or summit is 2,050 feet above the sea; the land around it is rolling, and and bunch-grass, suflicient for fair pasturage from January to June or July. farming is done. SAN DIEGO. Population: 8,613. Area : 14,600 square miles.—Coast Range mountains, w square miles. Tilled lands: 38,247 acres.— Area planted in wheat, 8,920 acres; in corn, 440 acres ; in oats, 77 acres; in barley, 3,573 acres; in vineyards, Z24 acres. San Diego, the extreme southern county of the sta ith many small valleys, 7,950 square miles; desert, 6,650 te, reaches from the Pacific ocean astward to the Colorado river, and ranks as second in size among the counties. More than one-half of its large area is, however, but a barren desert. embracing a portion of the Mojave desert on the northeast and the Colorado desert, or Coahuila valley, in the muddle, the two being separated by the San Bernardino range of mountains, whieh trends northwest and southeast The Mojave desert lands are interspersed with abrupt mountain chains, and are mostly above sea-level, while the surface of the Colorado desert is quite level, free from these mountains, except on the border, and is in many places from 100 to 250 feet below the level of the sea. Both are covered with sand-hills, alkali lands, dry lakes, and a sparse desert growth of Yucca, cactus, sage, and creosote bushes, and are destitute of water. The winds often blow with great violence, and sand-storms are produced by even moderate winds. This region is uninhabited, except by a few railroad station hands, and therefore is not under cultivation; but on the border of the Colorado desert there is a little land planted in fraits, vegetables, and alfalfa, as stated by Mr. Willson in the notes given on page 109. The rest of the county west of the desert is mountainous, broken, or hilly, and is divided into two natural divisions, viz, the San Jacinto and Coast range mountainous region and that lying between the Coast range and the coast, embracing hills, mesa lands, and valleys. he San Jacinto mountains, which border the desert, have an altitude of about 5.500 feet. Between them and the Coast range there is a lower region of valleys and hills or table- lands about 3,000 feet above the sea, which is watered by several streams which flow west ward into the ocean. The meuntains are timbered with oak, cedar, pine, and fir. This valley region is chiefly devoted to stock-raising, and the population is very sparse. The coast region, embracing a belt of country along the coast about 25 or 30 miles in width, is rather rolling or undulating near the coast, but becomes more and more hilly and broken eastward to the mountains. This region contains nearly all of the population and the chief farming lands of the county. Within this and the mountain region there are said to be more than thirty valleys varying in length from 3 to 15 or 20 wiles, and embracing from a few hundred to upward of 20,000 acres. They are well watered Uy numerous rivers and their tributaries, except during a portion of the summer months: (heir land is a dark loam, that of the hills and uplands being a red loam or clay, underlaid generally by adobe. Comparatively little of the land ef this section is under cultivation, the average probably not being as much as 10 acres per square mile. The crops comprise chiefly wheat and barley, with grapes, oranges, lemons, and other fruits, San Diego river, in its course among these Lills, is bordered by a number of valleys of various extent, Mission valley, near the month of the river, being from onc bali to 1 mile wide, its surface having a loose sandy soil, destitute of trees. but with a thick growth of bushes The side hills are clayey and gravelly, and are about 100 feet high. Cajon valley, 15 or 20 miles frem San Dicgo, is about 6 miles long and 4 wide, and has the appearance of a great Lasin or box (as its name indicates) hemmed in by high. cently-sloping hills, and is somewhat diflicult to reach. The viver finds it way cut through nariow caitons toward the coast. The surface is level and treeless, except along the river, where there is a growth of cottonwood, willow, and sycamore. The soil, of no great depth, is sandy and gravelly, and is largely enltivated in wheat and other crepe. The upper or northern part of the valley is very narrow, and is bounded by lofty hills and covered with a dense growth of willows, with some sycamore. The Southern 'acific railroad passes throngh the Colorado desert in the eastern part of the county, while the western part is connected with it at Colton by the California Southern railread, which extends from Sau Diego northward. The Pacific coast line of steamers also connects San Diego with San Francisco, the bay of San Diego, with its port, affording anchorage for the largest vessels, 766 ts rR sean cent kd AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES. 109 ABST ’ EN STRACT FROM NOTES BY N. J. WILLSON, OF THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD Gorgonio pass, 2,315 fe y , 2,315 feet above the sea, and know i Lio a, own $4 -oft 2 ’ ‘point is about 2 miles wide. Its natural vor station i i tus Jumping-off place”, extends east as far as Whitewater station, and at this sycamore, etc , and on the mountai al vegetation is alfilerilla, clover, and bunch-grass. In the cafions there are willow tt flame 12 iiod in Yoiith ee : a pine, fir, and cedar. Water for ordinary use and for irrigating a few Lets is obt i Sunvol, gth, which was built for floating wood to the railroad. In this vicinity dre hed omy A TT io Ye fx ex : 8 vicinity there are probably about 1,000 acres iv wheat Fogs come in occasionally. To Cab 28 ; 0 Jresty bad here, but do not generally blow while crops are in a condition to be injured Ju a y. ‘abazon station the country is very dry ry li ih, , vg Spe pone hn Vis y dry, and has ve 3 Vv i ¢ ileri prickly pear, and creosote plant. Thence to within 2 miles of i ‘Ha ee arising, o3ccps sliliitu, dune, dalla up with sand-hills, 3 or 4 feet high, formed by mi eso “Whitewater station it is rocky and gravelly, and beyond this the desert and Uisiphonss. There ts na ’ on y the sand drifting around the bushes. Whitewater river at this pl ice passes int tl "Si EH . { ranch : 3 . : i 3 fee es to ; A at SA all Ane 1 about 14 miles west, known as Widow Smith's ranch, which was Te a stage hy oD ) alfa : roore ag . 2 : RC dai The the only growth being a Ren YS tiles, i Seven Palms, 580 feet altitude, the sands are underlaid by a hard compet ” My iy ] sote and sage. stiff wind produces sand y oth Te hong Ha 2 sage and-storms, and may come from any direction. : i A gi pike station, which is at sea-level. The lands here are quite level. The vegetation is sage i hu hy } . at > qo . * : £ : Ave I d 53 a yers plentiful, and attains a growth sufficient to warrant its being cut and hipped fi he! £ ny . a Newt) a : 4 9% ien : 8 2d for firewood. Hills, Wler te finliet Wiles, Aces t o 200 feet below sea-level, the soil is a fine grayish micaceous loam, covered in places with am 4, ks So s give some trouble, and to midway between this and Dos Palmas the country i i d tat an alkali- or salt-weed. Five miles wes : i its an yz hy Tent > filler gent of Dos Daltas, where the railroad reaches its lowest point, 268 feet Ait pn and 7 s white with alkali. From Dos Palmas to Flowing Well station there is scarcely a better, though sandy with slreaks of sand, then salt flats, and pumice is quite plentiful. Near Flowing Wells, at sea-lc el th is od gh sand, reaks of gravel, ; as : ; Soe id ee f covadarits i I wel, and has a grow th of sage and creosote plant. About one mile northeast are datired cl: om I aieaTipL S “ol . w was cut up in fissures, and these were filled with salt. An ironwood tree occasionally is fi i re “ «wv J * I, » | : > . 8 8 ; > 9S ? creosote plant, sage, chollu oi 1 rom here to Pilot Knob station the lands are sandy and are covered to some extent with ri oo Fre. ; of : : 3 : ? A J ) yr Q gravelly in ples, with is on as 2 ironwood. Mesquite does not oceur. At Pilot Knob station (altitude 280 feet) tl ge An a : CES, and streaks, all of which is underlaid wi i ar ol SP \ th is rlaid with red soils. Thence to EI Ri i on, Da oh ; soils. 1ce to 1 Rio station, near the Tess Ly dn A is fistios 8 Sons hills, some of which appear to be 100 feet high. These hills are made up of t d : g inches of cos ave : , ion i : SE pags am or anon Jno oa Tens ¢ 1 or pe Aes The vegetation is very sparse. Between the last station on iver f a heav) esquite and arrow “hi iz0 i i MAR SR se rd iy root, while on the Arizona side of the river there is a heavy growth of S ¢ HS J 1ee ¢ i 3 i i 5H 1 : EH eet high. The altitude of El Rio is 150 feet, and that of the river bottom about T h pre no one liv or t ry te t t 1 ol 0 t tl a 1 r ty © nt erhaps Ww SC ot 0 ands at a few oints, and there © 18 ng at he various stations hro 1 101 1¢ dese 1 » ¥ < o " t, excey , perhs , a fe sect n h ) ‘ y / Colorado, the country is COAST RANGE REGION. (South of San Pablo bay.) : (Embraces the following i : : owing counties and parts of counties: S: Sisicalis Stanistan San Seagal Sori paris f eouniion: i Pen, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Alameda, ; a Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Beni resno.* : : 3 Runt: z , ’ Y, Di Jenito, I'resno.* Merced. * 4 Obispo, Santa Barbara, Kern,* Tulare,* and Ventura.) ? Mlerced» Ron mis : SAN FRANCISC Population: 233,959. ? RARUICO. Area: square miles Joast i Toa 6 aie sik SomlCO0 Tange mountains or hills, 40 square miles ands 2 2,295 acres.—Area planted in oats, 44 acres; in barley, : <2 in vi San Francisco county, the Ta BH fe 44 A ’ ff es, DA een Sn Mncanran 1 oatt, ” the 3 est by the ocean and on the cast by the bay of San i 0 : ; by ln Hod 4 jo tindsiconi north by the G ss (3 thle So SHA Wah rancisco, and as separated from the counties Josh He Sholdon Gate. Ys postin Js Hy near fle end of a peninsula a surface is 49 iin Sn Lu i S stand rocky ridges on the east, oviginaliy covered with a brush p ising high above the waters of the bay. Sandstone and serpentine rock a a, yin ive asin nd ving of the highest points, as well as at eliffs and bluffs slong the sl oft line 4 agalio telills and outesop oi soite and very little of its I: :. : and blutts along the shore Tines. The county is not an agricultur: » fad se jude oF Is bid is under cultivation, except in vegetable or “track” farms. The hog in one, pets Ih anh gg of temperate zone vegetables thronghout the vear, while the LS VOIOG is too Fpeiaiiie ij ig tus, I hy fogs, brought in by the trade winds from the ocean, prevail during the Apa on 1 i the bay on fhe IT a pe il less throughout the year, The eity is situated upon the hills pv pi re has oy oe side of the county, and has a populatien of 247,600, comprising representativ ios o ery nation on the globe. With its extensive wharfage alone the bay. its i Bi A AM throuch other ¢ 2 Lis extensive whatihge slong > bay, is capacious harbor extending far inl: safe a hee Sethe bay 8, opening out through the Golden Gate npou the great high way to Asia hE id ‘ age for the largest vessels, it may well be called the metropolis of the West, AS RIE Bhs ] . SAN MATE Population : 8,669. » [ATEO. Area: 44) square mil 3 : . 8 « CR —S0m a Yh iy 3 Yuin cs ,, ois : doid Tilled lands: 73,935 acres er ROSNY Qo Tt ius, 390 square miles; valleys, 50 square miles ariey, 16,705 in vineyards. 3 Bile rueit, 10,767 acres; i pr 3 acres: oats. 7.376 ld hd 10,70 acres; in vineyards, 39 acres. res; in corn, 118 acres; oats, 7,376 acres; in an ated : T dered ; 3G v \ . ot red LOIS, Borger on the cast by San Francisco bay and on the west by the ocean, is mostl altitude in some Ean 000 fhe Bn Lo Bg ranning the entire length north and south and ‘having oy ine. and other toh, eet. On the south this range is very steep and Soll : aving « oak, pine, and other timber. T tins range is very steep and rugged, and is covered witl te & er. The natural grow 1 rer hills is Arty ith redwood, hazel, ete. ‘ g th of the lower Lills is chamisal brush. manzanita, BR 07 i ee — — 0 # A IAA a see J re a —— — 110 "COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Along the bay shore, on the east, there is a strip of level country from 1 to 5 miles wide, embracing, it is thought, about 69,000 acres, of which 40,000 are tillable ; but a salt marsh, whose extreme width is about 2 miles, forms the immediate border of the bay in the southern part of the belt. The soil of the plain around Redwood city, the county-seat, is an adobe, covering about 3,000 acres; but elsewhere, until the sand-hill region is reached, sandy loams prevail, changing to the northward to more sandy soils. On the ocean shore there is around Halt Moon bay another belt of compar mile wide and 10 miies in length, rising rapidly into the hills and cafions of the interior; also to the southward. at Pescadero, where, at the mouth of a creek of the same name, there is a valley containing about 4,500 acres of good lands, surrounded on all sides, except the west, by high mountains. Here is the famous pebble beach where agates, opals, jaspers, carnelians, etc., are found in great abundance. Elsewhere along the coast the hills reach the water’s edge, forming high cliffs and bluffs. Among the mountains and hills there are many small valleys, which, with the adjoining hills, are chiefly used as pasturage for stock and dairy farms, the principal industry of the county. In the northern part of the county fogs and cold winds prevail to a considerable extent during the six months from April to October. From the neighborhood of mount San Bruno it grows milder and the severity of the winds is rapidly diminished, until, south of Belmont, they become mild and refreshing breezes, just sufficient to allay the heat of the interior and render the climate healthy, bracing, and delightful. On the ocean coast the thermometer ranges slightly lower than on the bay coast, but the climate is rather more equable, ewing to oceanic influences and the fogs which prevail in summer. In the summer deuse fogs at times drench the summit of the mountains, and snow falls on them at intervals during most winters, but seldom remains on the ground more than a few hours.— California As It Is. The average of lands under cultivation for the county at large in 1880 was 163.1 acres per square mile, or 26.5 per cent. of the area. The chief crops are wheat, barley, and oats. Potatoes have been produced extensively, but are very liable to blight. At Pescadero much flax is grown. In this county, as in Santa Clara, portions of the mountain slope are known as ‘thermal belts », on account of their exemption from frosts, as well as from the direct inflow of the sea fog. : The county is connected by railroad with San Francisco. atively level farming land about 1 PESCADERO REGION BY MESSRS. J. H. OSGOOD, E. C. BURCH, B. V. WEEKS, AND W. G. THOMPSON. The general conformation of the land in the neighborhood of Pescadero is a series of low hills intersected by narrow valleys. The hills to their tops are generally fit for either cultivation or pasturage, and the natural growth is chamisal brush, barberry (a cherry— Cerasus aquifolium), manzanita, hazel, poison-oak, wild lilac (Cea othus), and elder. The soil of the north hillsides is deep and fertile, while that on the south sides is comparatively shallow and I iy and is susceptible to washing and gullying in rainy seasons. The valleys, less than a mile wide and sometimes only a few rods, are level, and the soil is in layers or strata as washed down from the hills. The natural timber of the mountains is redwood, pine, oak, madrona, alder, and buckeye. Abundant water for ordinary purposes is supplied by springs. Wells are usually dug from 20 to 60 feet deep. The crops embrace potatoes, oats, and barley, the yield of the two latter being about 4,000 pounds per acre. Dairying is extensively practiced. Northwest winds mostly prevail for three-fourths of the year. ABSTRACT FROM A DESCRIPTION OF CONTRA COSTA. Population: 12,525. Area: 800 square miles.—Great valley, square miles ; valleys, 70 square miles. Tilled lands: 232,794 acres.—Area planted in whe: barley, 19,674 acres ; in vineyards, 325 acres. Contra Costa county is bounded on the east by the San Joaquin river, and on the north and northwest by Suisun and San Pablo bays. The chief streams are San Pablo, Pinole, and San Ramon creeks, the latter being the largest, and giving its name to one of the principal valleys of the county. These streams flow northward into the bays. The surface of the county is largely mountainous, having the Coast or Contra Costa range proper on the west, and the Mount Diablo range in the center and on the east. Mount Diablo itself, with its rounded summit, is the highest point in the county (3,396 feet above the sea), and, isolated as it is from other mountains, is the most prominent object. The slopes and higher portion are mainly treeless and afford fine pasturage, but a forest growth, consisting of a great variety of oaks, covers the ravines of the lower portion, while in the higher the nut pine, juniper, and a chaparral consisting largely of scrubby oaks covers large areas. The mountain is nearly treeless on the north side. San Ramon valley, which separates the mountain from the Coast range, reaches from Suisun bay southward across the county, under different names, into Alameda county, where it connects with Livermore valley. Between the bay and the foot-hills of mount Diablo, a distance of about 15 miles, the valley has a width of about 6 miles, but afterward becomes very narrow, averaging irom 1 to 2 miles. The soil is chiefly a stiff adobe, and in some cases is exceedingly waxy and black. When fresh, this soil yields about 30 bushels of wheat or 40 bushels of barley per acre, A number of large valleys, such as that of Walnut creek, flanked by rolling, sloping land, are connected with this on either side, and are also rich and productive. The lands around mount Diablo are partly reddish and more or less gravelly and partly gray loams. Mount Diablo valley, which extends from the foot of the mountain 8 or 10 miles northwestward with a width varying from halt a mile to 3 or 4 miles, is very level, and is drained by small streams. Its soils are gravelly loams, with some adobe, and produce fair crops of grain and fruits. Small valleys are found among the Coast Range mountains, and are usually occupied by dairy and fruit farms; but on the east of the Mount Diablo range, sloping gently away from its foot toward the river and reaching north to the bay, there is a large tract of farming land, having a width of from 3 to 6 miles for a distance of 23 miles, which is chiefly given to grain-growing. Still eastward of these, and bordering the bay, are large areas of tule lands, covering, it is estimated, about 75,000 acres. Some of these lands have been protected from overflow by levees, and are under cultivation. The tule region is separated from the San Joaquin river by a narrow Tertiary ridge rauning northward from the southern part of the county and elevated trom 30 to 40 feet above tide-water. This ridge has a sandy soil, and affords fine locations for towns. 768 105 square miles (tules, 25 square miles); Coast Range mountains, 625 it, 71,870 acres; in corn, 55 acres; in oats, 1,280 acres; in AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES. 111 Withi Has : Aids a m Jao fhe base of mount Diablo there is a great variation of rainfall. On the west th there 1s bt Tae Tait 2 g hi he high peaks, with a resulting heavy precipitation, while on on ie 3 be ho a e Jong hod Antioch only from 12 to 14 inches. Some of the valleys running westward a So. Hae aroroma hls fap git Ssupion fon Joey 50 Dias the orange, pomegranate, ete., ripen to tai : 3 Te L y average about 291 acres per square mi oi y cighth in the state in this regard. Transportation facilities are afforded a ee Aa 3 Fo Cos AL Bopuintion : 62,976. Ana rea : 660 square miles.—Coast g i i ah, q s.—Coast Range mountains, 415 square miles; valley, 225 square miles ; tule lands, 20 Tilled lands: 200,360 acres.—Are i i barley 3hoT> acres 2! dirsiorn hy planted in wheat, 36,032 acres; in corn, 1,139 acres; in oats, 1,458 acres; in e county of Alameda lies immediatel t i i Du ) flan x y east of San Francisco bay, its shore-li . i ¥ ah astition st o Sus bay . ee he oouty extends pli. to the tr oa i hiro San Jide y It Diablo range, inclosing within its limits the v: “Li iyi S7a7408 sm) Sihers. The two mountain ranges are nearly parallel with a, oy ot bio a a He ie Y ars now treeless on the western and southern slopes (except in the cafions where the Yer dapprefa iy bh 3afrons, Wer Ste) fhongh originally having some redwood growth, while on the lo with maple hes, besid nce of chaparral, there is a scattered growth of both live and white oaks, e largest stream of the county is Alameda i i . y is a creek, which drains Livermo i ) Tange I he bay-shose, or ‘ Alameda plains n flows westward to the ig hey: ny he fo Ti sycomorand Yiiows. San Antonio and other creeks are tributary to this from the south Hi rd fr I Alameda vreok 0 Su 3) A i She small streams, which have their source in the on oa, willow, sycamore, a § on fe : e bay. On some of these creeks there is a natural growth aching back from the shore with a gradual rise to the hills i : : is a broad and y i in of Ponies, is plain Sx/ons through the county along the bay with a width DY vd vein, fe fai a becoming Aitonan ¥ mo Snot and is said to have been originally covered with an oak growth; but he Sag “Bly adow seus eda Nog 4 hips in addition to the eucalyptus tree, which has been extensivel la hE Jomolocaliiies. Neayit ot all of the plain is now improved and largely under cultivation in small grain yo . h rd Bulis, indi 8 ou ion enrtanis; pu in the southern part, especially near Mission San José a as well Sxian So pn ming from the Coast range are bordered by tracts of light alluvial soil, culti cil Dieftsce in base y is d Farden truck”, the latter mainly by Portuguese. The bay shore is bordered os 4 w OF Salt mu Lone, ge er estimated at 35,000 acres, having the usual salt grasses, and penetrated Tn direction oy lagoo 50 53 t-water creeks, which receive the waters of high tides. At some 2 > oy vw ye A7rtow Siri * S30ay soil extending along the beach, while inland of this is a level belt of black i J laces, sap a 1 Sowa jae bills the longs soon oe povelly and lighter colored, and are hr ith vider y nal tracts of adobe lands at the fi : i Gv bs Abicdly. pipitaied, aad numerous towns and villages dot its surface. A lps ane lls, Tue 3 95% SHS Ppa ian Dranuiscy, is Coumonted with it by regular half-hourly trains to the rr . Hop ar Rife Sofie hy ead co pany), and thence by ferry-boats. Berkeley and Alameda also enjoy similar ‘he mountain range that borders this plain has most] i i) y rounded summits, but is tra Bune Seyons though wel Sowered with grasses and suited to pasturage and Srey ae 4 a Mobs. bs i 3 es are partly covered with a chaparral of scrub oaks, poison-oak : round ] tr : Bisons hb Fab. ? Guy Wi manzanita on the highest points. From Grizzly and Bald peaks, J Berk po Pbalny mis igl $08 ils I he BORh pars of the Songs, fine views may be obtained of the bay and or of San ; ) e 0as - . . . . . . near eh Sa d 0s¢, 5 He highes: point in the wy ie iii nd the distant Sierra--Mission peak, oq e ing between the two ranges of mountains are accessible fr i om th Wading Jay pe levy Jom he San José valley to Suiiol valley, the western aah) Ly Sockion go : Wandans and he ¥ : soil of the hills, the slopes being devoid of trees. Eastward the character of the il Sage 5 | og g 9s lg jor he ond Soniaining more loa, Sl, and gravel, especially in the bottoms. Ok : Oc ) , dso ‘hills are partly under cultivation, whe i hi "Sul y slew, Jue wink due Jase apes, is circular in outline, surrounded by hills, and Sa ing ihoe ef orp. X oy pals 5 sontans 2 any Ry The Vallscie valley, separated from Sufiol only by a low “hy is orgs VAZEOw, boing sunk » and 1ts surface is mostly level, interspersed with some hills, and is ivermore valley, to the eastward of these, is abo i 4 ) ut 14 miles long and from 5 to 8 mi i i obi g foothills jd BORing. The northern and eastern part of its surface isa ag Panga i 4 Jegion of rol] uz) “ 8, "i all is dotted over with oak trees. It is watered by numerous streams trib ey Aliots ob alls | ong ese there is usually a growth of sycamore. The soil of this and of the other De any fo i Sgn y 8, very productive, yielding good crops of grain and fruit, among the latter the vin bos an ainent in he 5 a or Bill persion, Hse ove) bast being too much swept by coast winds for full Aso ar ’ : , 18 about 8 miles in diameter, and is gras hi ws Z the Wo sountain Jase. Ji sol is a sandy loam, and produces Ar ean, by oi nder cultivation embrace 47.4 per cent. of the total ge 4 per square mile, the county ranking third in t ; ies : SoA Jull garage Abou 50.5 gems pe Snag 2 Whey 4 y g third in the state, the counties of San Joaquin and Sacramento alone having 49 ¢ P—VOL. 11 7h id 3 4 4 1 } 112 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. STANISLAUS. (See “Great valley region”.) SAN JOAQUIN. (See ‘Great valley region”.) SANTA CLARA. Population : 35,039. Area: 1,400 square miles.—Coast Range mountains, Tilled lands : 166,184 acres.—Area planted in wheat, barley, 29,613 acres; in vineyards, 1,632 acres. Santa Clara county, with its eastern boundary-line upon the Coast range of n the Santa Cruz range, includes within its limits mountains, hills, and valleys wh streams flowing partly to the north and emptying into the bay of San Francisco and p and thence to the bay of Monterey. The most important of theses north. The mountains on the west are mostly heavily timbered, Ww well suited to pasturage, especially on the west side, where the fogs from the ocean keep th great part of the year. The eastern mountains are treeless, is the Santa Clara valley, well known for its productiveness an at the southern extremity of San Francisco bay, this valley reaches southward to a where it becomes only about 100 yards wide, then opens out to several miles in width, county. Its surface is somewhat undulating, with low, rounded hills on the margins, and groves of oak. Its lands embrace black adobes on the northern or lower port gravelly loams on the higher lands. the neighborhood of San José fruit (especially 995 square miles; Sant 38,623 acres; In corn, 261 acres; plums, prunes, and grapes), for which exemption f The lands under cultivation average for the coun being 25 persons per square mile. Branches of the Southern Pacific railroad, on either sid Oakland ; in addition, the South Pacific Coast railroad skirts the w SANTA CRUZ. Population: 12,802. Area: 420 square m 9295 square miles. Tilled lands: 40,205 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 12,060 acres; barley, 5,945 acres; in vineyards, 346 acres. Santa Cruz is one of the most mountainous counties on the southern coast, the rang 1 high nor much broken. The eastern boundary-line rests upon the summit of the Santa range at an elevation of 2,000 feet or more above the sea, extend and separated by the San Lorenzo valley, is another mountain range reaching southwar at Santa Cruz. Still westward to the coast the coun southern part of the county the Pajaro river forms the boundary east and west and embracing rich dark loam and adobe lands, whic of the valley, however, is not wide, as the riv county. Northwestward from this there is another valley region 1 mouth of the San Lorenzo river. 1t embraces several terraces or benches, and extend through the valley, the first 30 feet above the level of high water, third 199 feet higher still, showing a total rise of 963 feet. The town of Santa of these benches, extending southward by Soquel and Aptos to the the bottom lands of the county embrace 40,000 and the terraced plateaus The county is watered by the San Lorenzo and Pajaro rivers and numerous coast mountains to the sea. The mountains are generally heavily timbere pine, and chestnut oak, probably to the extent of one-third of the county area, extent by hazel bushes. The redwood trees of this county are noted for thei height of from 200 to 300 feet and a diameter have a sandy loam soil, derived from a fine-grained cal granite occurs northward of the town of Santa Cruz. The soil is deep in th hills much rock is exposed. This valley is about 20 miles long, : there are a number of vineyards near Vine Hill, | river oftel side are sufficiently low for cultivation, and the orchards and vineyards. The town of Santa Cruz is a popular summer resor lands under cultivation is 95.7 acres per § of several kinds; lumbering is also one 0 jles.—Redwood lands, 195 square mil try is hilly 50,000 acres. careous sandstone, the prev quare mile, an f the chief industries. te] a ! Transportation facilities are abun touch at numerous wharves on the coast; als Southern Pacific railroad, which passes throug 770 o by the h the county to San Francisco. a Clara valley, 405 square miles. in oats, 260 acres; in jountains and its western upon ich are watered by many small artly south to th treams are Gaudalupe and Coyote hile the lower hills are covere e grass gree nt feature of the county f 20 miles on the north, south of San José, nto San Benito and is dotted with clumps. jons and lighter sandy or The chief crops are wheat, barley, corn, potatoes, and vegetables, and in culture the climate and s on pages 47 and 52.) average of population e Pajaro river, creeks, on the d with grasses, n through a save in the cafions. The promine d mild climate. With a width o bout 11 miles and passes 1 rom fogs specially adapt the region. (See further description and analyses of soil ty at large 118.7 acres per Square mile, the e of the bay, connect San J osé with San Francisco and estern shore of the bay. es; Coast Range mountains, with some valley 1 in corn, 1,768 acres; in oats, 934 acres; in es, however, being neither Cruz branch of the Coast ling south to the Pajaro river, while to the west, 1 to the bay of Monterey and broken often to the water's edge. -line, and is bordered by a valley region extending h are well adapted to wheat a er flows not far from the hills, thus giving the great ying east of the town of San which are from a mile to two mi the second 34 er part to Monterey ta Cruz, and at the feet higher, and the Cruz is located upon the lowest Salinas marshes. It has been estimated that t flow from the small streams tha th redwood, d almost to their very base wi while the lower hills are covered to some r great size, many of th of 15 feet. The lands of the San Lorenzo valley north ailing rock of the hills, e flats, but easily washes away, a and is most generally used for pasturage, very narrow, the he hills on either dly occupied for The average of em attaining a of Santa Cruz about 10 miles north of Santa Cruz. The v \ flowing between high hills, while in other places it opens out into wide plateaus; but t Santa Cruz mountains generally are being rapi t by the seaside. d the crops embrace wheat, barley, corn, potatoes, The town of Santa Cruz is one of the great summer resorts for the people of this coast. dantly afforded by the vessels of the Pacific Coast Steamship Company that South Pacific railroad and the Santa Cruz bran AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES. M Sopulalion 11,302. ONTRERY. rea: 3,520 square miles.—Coa : valleys, 400 square ae x Coast Range mountains, 2,420 square miles ; Salinas valley, 700 square miles ; oth illed lands : 168,862 acres.—Are : 28 ; other harles, Jods acres; in vin ovards, 10 B panied in wheat, 69,022 acres ; in corn, 488 acres ; in oats, 3,363 acres; in : rey county is divided into valley ¢ : ? ress uotthwostward through a ; valley and mountain regions by two bra 3 : the Santa Lucia ar Fst Sune Sonat, The Gabilan range ramet dip Benit WA range by a broad valley it Tn y lofty mountains extends along the co: we an Benito, while Lis Obiten oointy y waterec by the Salinas river. This river (the 1 the coast, separated from the former northern part of the » 4 our northwestward for nearly 200 A to oe G mportant Of fils ragien) rises in San The Sania Laeis 1 L hy Yoga, ae into the bay, but is not a ory Bir terey. The Pajaro, in the Monterey pitie. Crates al an are in places heavily timbered on thei She ; thal from aan Telos ne Oaliian mountains of a an - Phe & ihions i high and rough, again sinking r, and are timbered ; but for the next 30 alles ? ane rounded for 18 miles limestone Con il, aoa slug to a range of low and rolling hills at th Miles, reaching to San Lorenzo, they are The ios wn Bd hi; fiers Tre a number of small valleys g e county limit. The range contains much northern border, which ha grien aural vogon of the county, although ost. is : county on the 2 es as 2 longh of aban 10 miles and a width of Tas ph os, 04 ihe dark land of "he in ! d he north. Its surface is quite level and b mg mto anta Clara bottoms of Pajaro Do ains, well adapted to wheat and barley; adob »-and embraces three varieties of soils: a , and lying several fe ey ; adobe lands, comprising one-third of : TIES, rd Eo and lying several feet below the plains; and cl g one-third of the valley or : é e sugar-beet soils. T . ’ clayey loams, comprising the ) hills, those on the south | ils. The valley is bounded on eith cao) g the rest of the river reaching to within 1 mi : n either side by a range of pp western part of this south hin 1 mile of Pajaro station, and being t e smoothly rounded better timbered, and has ern range consists of sandy and untimbered hi g Soo steep for cnlitvation. The : a0 abundalt Trowth of whi red hillocks, while the eastern i mostly swampy, with either wi growth of white sage. The small v: In is more broken re ampy her willow or tule, and it all valleys or hollows among i ) several mil i le, and often hold sm ong these hills are rn wa, 3D separ Pajaro valley from that of Salinas 3 rh 3 vue Tie region oF tillsis Monterey southeastward A th the river of that name, and the largest in the vs piles, where it is very narrow and HONS Indu chains toward San Luis Obispo ow Thos fom the bay of rom the coast from 12 to 8 mil ably elevated above the sea. The width varies distance of 9) TT iles, gradually rising inland. The vall . idth varies for the first 50 miles g some live-oak on th ey presents a terraced and almost t i on page 48. Near the upper end e northeast and sycamores on the stre: : st treeless plain, ge of the valle thi , e streams. It is described in detai or separated by narrow and low hill y, within the county, are several small vall d in detail cultivated. Its soil is an adob ills. Long valley is about 10 miles lon valleys, connecting with i ; gv g and half a mile wid i treeless, and contain much I e, covered partly with bunch-grass, and the hills bordering i Wide, and i5 partly high and timbered with imestone. Peach Tree valley separated f s bordering it are low, rounded, and . some oak aud pine, is 22 mi 3 rom the last by a range of hill 300 f; an extent of 5 or 6 mile I y 18 4 miles long and three-fourths of : ot 8 Ss some 300 feet The pan range, on i low Sita. Siresing Fowi of white gy Its as y Me gun y ow on he arable land alo $ ,600 feet above the valley. : » deep and rich. wile Were An] Song Jascuan Jor abo 15 miles south Carmel 8 bay is nowhere more th: . Lage, Comparatively little of tHe ne } Des Wo of Jobim valley, and its lower foot. hills pa gi d ese lands, however, are most] ¥ 1s under cultivation, the average bei res 1 very goo have been made with ¢ ly confined to Pajaro valley, and are planted i fie being 48 sores per square. toile, otton, but after ing J; planted in small grain, potatoes, etc. Experi town of Monterey, on the b ’ growing about 12 inches high and bloomi ’ y etc. Experiments R ay of the same na i gh an ooming the plant suddenly di A railroad from Soledad ne, is the most popular sum enly died. The and Montere immer resort of the coast. GIOERr PORE U1 Hho YANCY rth of Li Sy hortawand to San Francisco affords transportation facilities to the ABSTR ACT FROM A DESCRIPTION OF CARMEL VALLEY BY ED. BERWICK Carmel is a narrow valle i y lying east and west 11 i Ti RRL A nemiow Yello parallel to Salinas valley. The river drains y r drains a sc : : i hie y Jats > 8 ptr. ek, vs Leash covered ; in others, gently rolling a J Sot cong preps uisiye am Inch- , form the best natural pasturage. The t pRsinrgs, Widomis : Sy A pss a rees most common are the red d i ! ig gh ’ , white oak, soft maple, buckeye : TOM IL issanne ; D SHOR Infans, Krseak, White ds oft maple, ye, sycamore ; on the creeks, black and red wi current runs slowly. There is scarcel SOL iiss gui 1 wim ond er wil vier the oe shonad. bo gully , and the river deposits the soil wh og ops ip y any more than half a mile in width fis Be 350s ‘thax as the valley sl y i i Me. Thats aii nally esa lands, the soil of which is more gravelly than ‘that of the CR e% hh Boss Rls sigee ’ y loam resting : SAN BEN Zogulation 5,584. il rea : 990 square miles.—C Ran i Titled bik a dea Out | “ ges Eg 875 Square miles; valleys, 115 square miles 10,09 acres li Lg ay in wheat, 32,223 acres; in corn, 299 acres ; in oats, 41 acres ; in barley an Benito is a long an | ; ama Bio Is 6 108 3% 4 narrow county. Its northeast and southwest boundary-lines lie res i iii php oad Ld Xa ge (viz: the Galilan and the inner Coast range) wh . Jodnch ily po unites with the Pajaro river. A fi enito river, which fiows northwestward bd dale fie Satie Sopes . ew small streams, of little importance, are tributary to the San TB he vonu a , are t ar) » San Bento. 71 4! \ | i Id J 114 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. The lands suitable for cultivation comprise but a small portion of the county area, and lie chiefly on the northwest, forming the southern end of Santa Clara valley to Los Pinos, and are drained by the San Benito and Tres Pinos rivers. This valley land is said to embrace about 25,000 acres of light sandy loam, 34,300 acres of black sandy lcam or adobe, the valley land proper, and 46,0C0 acres of what is termed second-class land, partly sandy loam and partly adobe, lying on the foot-hills. In addition, there is a large amount of hill pasture land. The lower part of this valley, in a ‘strip reaching from Pajaro river to within 3 miles of Hollister, is a low, flat, wet, partly tule land, with a black soil, used entirely for pasturage”. The valley is from 10 to 12 miles wide below, but a few miles southeast from Hollister it terminates in a kind of rolling bench-land, extending across the valley, and known as Poverty hill or Hollister valley. This Poverty hill region is treeless, its elevations being adobe in character, and in the depressions a sandy loam covers the adobe. At about 4 feet depth the earth is charged with alkali. Still southeastward the valley becomes very narrow and elevated, and to its source it is rarely one-half a mile wide, and often but a few rods. It is here very much cut up, and is almost wholly occupied by the San Benito river. A few white oaks in the valley and live oaks near the hills, with occasional groups of cottonwood on the river, comprise the only timber. The soil of the valley is yellowish and silty; that of the hill-sides usually an adobe, and scarcely under cultivation. The hills bordering the valley are but thinly covered with a scrub growth ot oaks. Bitter Water valley, on the south, a continuation of Peach Tree valley, of Monterey county, is said to be 7 miles long and from three-fourths to one mile in width. This valley is treeless, and the hills that border it have a scanty oak growth. Its soil is a yellowish and stiff clay loam, and is tilled with some difficulty, except when moist. Dry Lake valley or basin, about 4 miles long, has a dark clayey loam soil, partly timbered on both hills and in the valley with oaks, and is thickly settled. Santa Ana valley, lying eastward of Hollister, has an area of about 15 square miles. Its soil is a dark gravelly loam, underlaid by adobe, and partly covered with scrubby white oak. This valley opens out into San Benito valley, and with it is very generally under cultivation in the cereals, hay, potatoes, etc. The first-class or valley lands of the county are said to yield from 30 to 40 bushels of wheat per acre, the higher or second-class lands from 20 to 30, while the rolling hill lands produce from 15 to 20 bushels per acre. The average ot tilled lands for the county at large is 91.5 acres per square mile; but, as already stated, the entire acreage is confined almost exclusively to the northern part of San Benito valley, where the average-is -nuch higher. The Southern Pacific railroad affords transportation facilities to and from San Francisco. FRESNO. (See ‘Great valley region”.) MERCED. (See “ Great valley region”. SAN LUIS OBISPO. Population : 9,142. Area : 3,460 square miles.—Coast Range mountains, 2,370 square miles; valleys 1,090 square miles. Titled lands : 177,598 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 10,618 acres; in corn, 458 acres; in oats, 937 acres; in barley, 9,658 acres; in vineyards, 56 acres. San Luis Obispo county is bounded on the south by the Santa Maria river, which flows westward, reaching the ocean through the Guadalupe lagoon, the eastern boundary lying along the summit of the Coast Range, which borders the great San Joaquin valley on the west. The county is divided diagonally into two valley regions by the Santa Lucia range, which enters on the northwest, passes through and unites with the Coast Range in the southeast corner, and has elevations varying from 3,000 feet to that of low hills. The eastern valley region presents a series of low, rolling hills, interspersed with valleys watered by Salinas river and San Juan creek and other streams, all of which flow northwestward. During the summer months the waters of these streams do not flow continuously in their channels, but rise and sink alternately at short distances. Salinas valley, the chief valley of the region, is about 9 miles wide, and has an elevation of about 1,000 feet above the sea. The surface rises on the southeast into a level plateau some 300 feet above the valley proper and soon terminates against the mountains. Paso Robles, noted for its medicinal springs, is situated in a plain about 10 square miles in the lower part of the valley, surrounded by a live-oak grove. North of this locality there is but little timber, either in the valley or on the hills, except southward, where the hills are timbered with considerable oak, and, near the mountains, with pine. Manzanita is also abundant in many localities, and chamisal occurs on the hills north of Paso Robles. The soil along the streams is mostly a dark loam covered with alfilerilla and burr clover; that of the uplands is generally a stiff clayey loam, more or less gravelly, easily tilled, interspersed with some adobe tracts, and is covered with alfilerilla, burr clover, bunch-grass, and wild oats, the latter chiefly on the higher hills. There is some loam land on the Santa Margarita and San José lying contiguous to the Santa Lucia mountains, while the lands of the Salinas plains are red in color. The valley of Estrella creek is rolling and partly timbered with very scattering scrub oaks. Its soil is a dark gravelly loam, with some adobe. The lands of the higher plateau of the southeast, or Carisa plains, are very level, bounded on either side by high and abrupt mountains, and have mostly adobe lands, covered with grasses and devoted to grazing purposes. The entire eastern valley is chiefly a sheep and cattle range, though cereals are successfully grown near the foot of the Santa Lucia mountains; and ¢“fruit trees have done well in some cases, and the grape thrives to an extraordinary degree”. ® The coast valleys on the west of the Santa Lucia mountains are narrow on the north, but toward the south widen out to many miles, and are rolling and interspersed with many high ridges and hills. The San Luis Obispo plain has an elevation of about 150 feet above the sea. The Osos, Laguna, and Chorro valleys run parallel with ~~, 4. AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES, 115 2ach other as far i Cisuid Corral de Pied hii 38 Shot 3s ig as the mission lands around the city of San Luis Obispo. Thence the Nipomo (more properly an De innes Sout] until it intersects the valley of the Arroyo Grande. Beyond this is the of the Santa Maria or Cayamas tiv p oy) and that portion of the Santa Maria valley, situated on the right ir by numerous streams flowing fr = w ich forms the southern boundary of the county. This region is wile d Lhowth of Willen ms downy om e Santa Lucia mountains to the ocean, which are bordered with a tit be p and chamisal, | A Som nyo preamas e, laurel, and live-oaks. The hills are sparsely timbered with a 3 These begin jush seat of Sigh wl S or hills line the coast, rising in many places directly from the water's Tas Imelataly soul of ai gg) oa oxen Hi within a few miles of Cayucos. where a break a boundary of the co y ay they again follow the coast line to within a fe ins ut the cinta: 2 : unty. The northern section, lyi in a few miles of the southern feet in height. but . rn section, lying between Santa Rosa creek and Cavue t ; i ght, south of the Morro they attain i } > and Cayucos, does not exceed 250 the too direct anc . Wood : y attain 1m places an altitude of 2,000 feet, protecti allevs {1 enables the Pr in Sunenee of he god wind. The protection thus afforded by he bis Fis ds ts es of wheat, the most valuabhl 2 5 harural arrer The coast regi IAF aes at, aluable of all the cereals. Dotto, Sul ah dd $e Chief arming parte of the county. Tts lands are of three grades: Darl loams of th and gravelly soils of ables, etc. ; dark or reddish sandy loams of the valleys, restine on on : 8 of the > gravelly soils of the hills and rougher ti thas ) YS, Ing on heavy clays, and lighter corn, potatoes, and several varieties 2! r bortionsyof {hey alley. The crops of this region comprise wheat, barley 2Coasionally Blom wan ro ale § of fruits and grapes. In the summer months the prevailing northwant A. sea, and drive through oq “i orgs immediately along the coast and through the valleys which open fairly t Hs $othe earth, © Boy of Bg ozdrif, which rise from the ocean in the evenings and settle down Auk t of o to the western slope of the Sa 8 2 rises aud, rolliug up the mountain sides, disappears. The valleys lying closer The lands of Corral de Tn oa TON Pe Ae SAIPATILINelY exempt from these winds and fogs, © + valley have a heavy loam soil, wi ; gs. bushels of wheat per acre. eavy loam soil, with streaks of adobe, and are said to yield 40 e avera Svehla. 3 . ) population 1 280 3 ads TAN Duvion n he iy a 51.3 acres per square mile, while the average of A short line of raj . Irying and cheese-making is extensively carried on i ; ; ilroad connects San Luis Obispo with Port Harford, where the woes Ai of ay, Steamship Company touch regularly. ABSTRACT FR OM A DESCRIPTION OF THE WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTY BY D.F. NEWSOM, OF NEWSOM SPRINGS id The west side of the Santa Lucia mountains is well watered, and is a pro uctive, and a great part susceptible of irrigation, from which two seins on 30,800 acres of first-class lands on this side of the mountain 1thout any v i y very great expense. The larger valleys are liable to frosts from October to April, while the small cafions in the hill ills are in a great measure exempt from frosts. Dairyi i a ; hb ying and farming are the chief i i i raising on the east side, but this will eventually be a ibaa, section Oe OI He rack sila of IBvmSTIS ASSIA hock succession of valleys, with bottom and table-lands very and sometimes more crops can be raised in one year. It is can be irrigated by co-operation among the farmers interested SANTA BARBARA. Population: 9,513. Area : i . Titi Za000 Samat Siles~Const Tenge moma, 1,900 square miles ; valleys, 300 square miles. barley, 13,508 acres; i ViOrertn, Ty ie n wheat, 18,492 acres; in corn, 3,167 acres ; in oats, 24 acres; in anta Barbara county is hilly and mountain 1: i i The San Rafael mountains cover more th od of the So Proportion being too high and broken for cultivati 4 an one-third of the county o i ouitivation. Inez Ase js Hanoy. Hbgs parallel with the coast to an altitude of 5,000 or 4 000 fect, onde sowiheast tho Sunita tothe omen line ot She county has a north and south trend to point Concepcion where it turns abruptly BOR a Daas Jing p al Hh with this latter portion, and at a distance of about 30 miles are 2 number of isl ws Tpiy Qotth oan k > = RE 23 wall os 1500 i above fe sea. The county is watered by the Santa Maria No Si , : a J 1e sou 0 owing westward i ’ . S Y outh, g) ard into the ocean and b rallev Ww Yuin 3 ky 5 About 30 miles long and 10 wide, and lies partly in San i i by imprants alles is ies ih im eck a 5 and has a vegetation of clover and alfilerilla. This valley is chiefl v de is grange i Tous Lace o alley Is abouk so les Jon g, wy emg 2 miles in width, the width in both this valley soil is chi : ot L e coast, which they reach i ; 2 key soil 5 Shiedy 5 loam, and was originally timbered with oaks.’ The surface 30 Hong DESO cations, he is ) Ril mao. gio Hin, Fesnesiively, above the river, and is timbered partly with oaks and sycamores The. 0 le 5 boo Tig igs Jas tage. he Santa Inez range of mountains lies on the south separating this valley fr va 2 Dresh: Det Looe ma the poi op Sg 1s situated. This range is steep and ragged, and is covered ois hi u 1 Coreen ao ore aL 50 oaks in Sheltered places. The coast valley, extending from Gaviota pass, east f Hs 300 feet inlan Lord Cem ine, Sal Yayiag in di non 2 to about 6 miles in the central part bas g Rp : : nd lower valley, the former being known a Ba | 0 1 : All ov un, fiom ts fom % that name, from whose southern edge the valley Son 5 tie Saula Bathare ) Meg, by Tommy . est of the town, and reaching to the Gaviota pass, the coast line forms a terrac b iy pi 1 so g ry nar y and inclosing between it and the mountains the upper valley The s il £ the outs) iid Joa, 804 is argely under cultivation in grain. Irrigation is necessary in the higher Lk ie ad other sides by high i Tus Sau ads al J tons yalley grening south, and ai on the with live- S ald hills. The valley was origi : : live-oak and some sycamore and walnut. It is well watered with small aly a ber strawberries and other fruits a i 3 Ti over ti re raised. The crops are corn, beans, and potatoes. The foot-hills and mesa lands 773 aid RR - between the Lompoc and Santa Maria valleys, its length being about 40 miles 114 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. thward to point Purisima lies the Lompoc valley, its length being about On the coast from point Concepcion nor J nr 37 miles. This valley is thonght to contain about 35,000 acres of arable land, and has De i arrovo of that name, reaches from the mountains to the coast and The Los Alamos valley, Iving along the arroyo of that name, res a = miles. | ind i ) s a soil varying from an adobe to sandy loam largest portion of this valley lies about 25 miles from the coast, and has a soil v ne from an adobe to sandy loam, partly under cultivation. On fither side a low posting he Lkgoimg ale iting mmm The lands under cultivation in the county average 44.4 acres S , but, fener un districts from the area, we find the average to be about 100 acres per square mile. The county 1s ¢ San Francisco by the Pacific Coast steamship lines. KERN. (See “ Great valley region ”) TULARE. (See ‘Great valley region 2) VENTURA. Population : 5,073. oi Ads los A : 1,690 square miles.—Coast Range mountains, 1,520 square miles; valleys, 170 Sars Mahles. fle Tilled lands: 81,107 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 8,479 acres; 1n corn, 9,121 acres; in oats, ; ’ 28,171 acres; in vineyards, 134 acres. : a ; : L000 Feat S, Ventura county is mostly hilly and mountainous, the panne Ngingio wu gi a ore iy 3,408 ter ing a p he Coast range. ie southern part, ¢ above the sea and forming a part of the Coast rang Ho ally ane hoes i is interspers i ous valleys, which are well watered and afford fine farming lands. ridges, is interspersed with numerous valleys, wall od ane. of it GION he 3 av 0 ‘ers ar , chief streams of the county, bo sing g The Santa Clara and Buenaventura rivers are the ch SR i i i i ¢ p is the longest, and is bordered throughout 1t: g ) mountains and flowing to the ocean. The former is the longest, ore A i ) all, i 3 eles -, varies in width from a mile and less as far as iS: y which, from near Newhall, in Los Angeles county, v ( ! J TE i T y il withi 9 miles from the coast it suddenly expands to about | widens gradually, until within about 12 mi ; i on, "his i y i 4 3 Tod considerable land under cultivation » Y, ’ This is the largest valley region of the county, and contains cu 0 j esyeom, and beans. Above Santa Paula the soil is generally sandy ; below, to the coast, fis uk guog Shiylomm hn Sear depth and remarkable for its retention of moisture near the surface. Satieoy p ain, oF hse a river, is noted for its high production of corn and beaus, a large part of the state’s marketa p g here. Hogs are also extensively raised. : ; ; NitliBas aids Buenaventura river is bordered by a valley about 20 Julies long au que fous mot 2 i vids, Wich has wi 1S yr sultivati tain valleys usually have an : p soil, getab soils and is largely under cultivation. The moun le Sm ey ley ) ration is less than 2,000 feet are partly under cultivation in wheat : grain matter. Those valleys whose elevation is less than 2 ) on a jai is 1 i : areca. It has an elevation of from 0 1,000 ) Of these the Ojai is most noted, and lies along the Canada Larg ) EON I is divi into : rer valley. This valley is about 6 miles long and about 13 miles , and is larg is divided into an upper and lower valley. This valle mil nd abous PLS INT timbered with live and white oaks and some getronveod, The soil os apo Ojo a jodi gH 3 i va 5 a reddish-gray, s: am, on. 60 bushels of wheat per acre, while that of the lower valley is a gray, ) Iu Hehe lian. ni jai ant: ¢ ralleys, is remarkable for its exten posits The Sulphur Mountain range, between Ojai and Santa Clara ve y : JeLUYS § Dots [ hi stane i y roughout the range, and at times forms bubbling Sj of asphaltum, which substance oozes out at certain levels throug 1 g es Woe and le streams of thick petroleum. In the Sespe valley a flowing petroleum Fell of high production has obtained, and numerous others of moderne yield zie In Steer poats Shetty . Cotten Basieonstbrassiliv The soil of the mountains is a reddish loam, largely timbered w and pine. ey raised in this county, but only in very small patches and with extra attention, it being too much expose winds and fogs from the ocean. : ; ; : The county is connected with San Francisco by the Pacific Coast line of steamships. COAST RANGE REGION. (North of San Pablo bay.) ‘ . ‘ : . * Lake (This region embraces the following counties and parts of counties : Marin, i yen Yolo,* Lake, Colusa,* Mendocino, Tehama,* Shasta,* Trinity, Humboldt, Siskiyou, and Del Norte.) MARIN. Population: 11,324. : ea: 580 square miles.—Nearly all Coast Range mountaius. : Tilted ing 21,357 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 2,603 acres; In oats, 1,031 acres in vineyards, 40 acres. > hin 9 " Wiese iis is bounded on the west by the ore S04 2 the east, 0 yan, Ly bo BC oh Lid ing i y i SCO on ‘ sses bays, the Golden Gate separating it from the county of San Francl 0 0 A aus Dany it in a northwest direction, mount Tamalpais, with an altitude of 2,5 \ g 1 ghes ! he gh i a embraces high hills and small valleys, watered by numerous streams, flowing chiefly to the bay on 74 ; in barley, 1,499 acres; wie Si AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES. 117 the east. Both the east and the west shores are abrupt and deeply indented by bays, of which Drake’s and Tomales are the chief, that of Tomales, on the northwest, being the largest, reaching inland for 16 miles with a width of 2 or 3 miles, and occupying a valley between two or more mountain ridges. Point Reyes is a narrow, prominent headland. There is but little level land in the county, the valleys along the streams being quite narrow, and the hills approaching close to the shore lines. The mountains were originally timbered with redwood and pine, but the greater part has been cut away; the lower hills and many of the valleys have a sparse growth of oak. The soil of the hills and rolling lands is usually a black adobe, more or less gravelly; that of the ralleys a dark sandy loam, rich and productive. There is a large area of salt marsh along the eastern shore, some of which has been reclaimed by levees, and is now termed meadow lands. Dairying is the chief occupation of the people of the county, for which the valleys and hills, with their abundant vegetation, afford excellent pasturage. The lands under cultivation average 36.8 acres per square mile for the entire county. Under the lee of mount Tamalpais, near San Rafael, the climate of San Francisco bay is sufficiently tempered to allow the grape and the fig to ripen regularly. Transportation facilities are furnished by two lines of railroad, which connect by steamer with San Francisco. Sa Rafael being practically a residence suburb of the former city, is much frequented on account of its milder climate. SONOMA. Population : 25,926. Area: 1,520 square miles.—Coast Range mountains, 1,170 square miles (redwood lands, 300 square miles) ; valleys, 350 square miles; tule lands, some. ; Tilled lands: 178,954 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 39,820 acres ; in corn, 5,961 acres; in oats, 2,615 acres; in barley, 11,126 acres; in vineyards, 8,540 acres. The surface of Sonoma county is hilly and mountainous, interspersed with numerous fertile and well- watered valleys. The principal stream is Russian river, which, entering the county from the north, flows southeastward for a distance of about 25 miles, and then turns westward to the coast. It has many small tributaries, which drain the greater part of the county, each bordered by narrow valleys. The northern part of this county is the most mountainous, some of the spurs of the Coast range being from 2,500 to 3,000 feet high. Many of the mountains and some of the lower hills are covered with a growth of redwood, pine, and fir; but in some of the valleys, and on the northeastern slopes of the hills, there is a scattered growth of oak, madrona, large manzanita, buckeye, ete., with some willow and sycamore along the streams. The southern part, from the coast inland to Santa Rosa valley, is a succession of low, well-watered valleys, bare of trees, and covered by a good depth of soil and a rich sward of natural grasses, which are kept green for most of the year by the sea mists which roll over them during the dry summer months.” The low mountain ridges eastward to Napa county are partly covered with a chaparral of chamisal, manzanita, and other growths. The principal valleys are Russian river and Santa Rosa valleys on the north and central portions of the count v, and Petaluma and Sonoma valleys on the south, the latter being separated by low mountains. The first two, with Petaluma valley, form a central valley through the county from north to south, through which the San Francisco and North Pacific railroad runs to Cloverdale, a distance of 50 miles. Russian River valley is narrow, and for 15 miles from its mouth was originally covered with a heavy growth of redwood, but otherwise, with the exception of scattered groves of oaks, it is almost destitute of trees. Its lands are alluvial loams, very rich and productive. The valley of Santa Rosa is about 10 miles long and 6 wide, bordered by low mountains on the west and a higher range on the east, and is generally under cultivation. The county-seat, located here, is surrounded with oak and other trees. Bennett valley, 8 miles long and 3 miles wide, unites with this valley near the town, and its soil varies from a red loam to dark adobe, and is largely under cultivation in grapes. The timber growth of the valley and the adjoining hills is white, black, and live oaks, madrona, etc. Petaluma valley, on the south, is about 20 miles long and 3 miles wide, and its soils are rich and moist and well adapted to the cultivation of fruit, corn, and wheat. There is much salt marsh bordering the bay on the south, the tract being estimated to contain about 17,000 acres; but it is partly reclaimed and under cultivation, two or three years being required before it is made ready for planting. Nonoma valley, to the eastward of Petaluma, and separated by a mountain range, reaches about 16 miles northward from San Pablo bay, and has a width of about 2 miles. At its northern end it forks, passing into Guillocos valley on the east, while northward it connects with Santa Rosa valley through Bennett’s valley. Its southern portion is occupied by marsh and tule lands to within a few miles of the town of Sonoma, the rest of the valley having a light gravelly loam soil, with water not far below the surface. It is almost exclusively devoted to the cultivation of the grape and fruits, transportation facilities being afforded by the Sonoma Valley narrow-gauge railroad. There are valleys of greater or less extent among the hills in the western part of the county, two of considerable size extending through this region—one, the valley of the Estero Americano, running from west to east through Bodega township, terminating at Tomales bay; the other, Green valley, extending from north to south, the stream from which the valley takes its name emptying into Russian river. Green valley is almost exclusively devoted to fruit culture. The land of the county is classified by the assessor into four grades. The first and least valuable grade is the mountain, brushy, and bare hill land, estimated at 300,000 acres, and utilized only for pasturage. The second grade, timber lands and hillside pasturage, is estimated at 200,000 acres. The third grade is mainly rolling lands, denuded of timber, lying along or near the sea-coast, used for dairy purposes, and estimated at 200,000 acres. The fourth grade, rich bottom lands, is estimated at about 150,000 acres. Along the mountain and hill sides, some 300 or 400 feet above the valley, there is a *‘thermal belt” elevated above frost limits, where many tender fruits may be successfully grown. : The North Pacific Coast narrow-gauge railroad runs through the region to Russian river, affording convenient transportation. There are also good shipping points by sea from Tomales and Bodega bays. The Sonoma valley is connected with San Francisco by rail and steamers. . 7% Rk I» A COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES. 8 118 f so! ABSTRACT FROM A DESCRIPTION OF BENNETT VALLEY BY G. N. WHITAKER, OF SANTA ROSA. Bennett valley possesses all the features of other valleys of the county. It has a length of 8 miles and an average width of 3 miles, and joins Santa Rosa valley near the town of that name, extending back in a southeast course. The northwest half of the valley is a fine farming country ; the southeast half lies quite elevated in the thermal belt, and is well adapted to the culture of fruits, grapes being a specialty. There is a high range of hills west of aud parallel with this valley, which is fertile to the summit; but that on the opposite side is not so sloping or so fertile. Both valley and hills have a natural growth of wild oats, bunch grass, ete., and a timber growth of white ‘and live oaks, laurel, madrona, and some spruce pine and redwood. The soil of the valley varies from dark and light to red sandy loams and adobe, and in depth from 6 inches to 5 or 6 feet, and is underlaid by soft shaly rock and yellow clay. The chief crops are wheat, barley, and grapes, and when fresh the lands have yielded from 30 to 40 bushels of wheat and from 30 to 50 bushels of oats and barley per acre. NAPA. Population: 13,235. Area: 840 square miles.—Coast Range mountains, 620 square miles; Napa valley, 145 square miles; other valleys, 40 square miles; tule lands, 35 square miles. Tilled lands: 81,045 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 33,653 acres; in corn, 1,664 acres; in oats, 1,014 acres; in barley, 5,753 acres; in vineyards, 6,671 acres. Napa county, lying in the eastern part of the Coast range, is a region of mountains, hills, and valleys, one-half of its surface, however, being suitable for cultivation. The mountains on the north, culminating in the volcanic peak of Saint Helena, have their highest elevation within the county, and are heavily timbered with fir, pine, and cedar. To the southward they diminish in height, occasionally flattening out into timbered plateaus 1,500 or 2,000 feet above the sea, and well adapted to cultivation, but in the southern part of the county they sink into low, grassy, and broken hills. The eastern, western, and northern boundary-lines rest on the summit of the mountains, while the southern is formed in part by the shore of San Pablo bay. The principal topographical feature of the county is Napa valley, which occupies centrally a northern and southern position, reaching from the bay 35 miles inland, and having an average width of 4 or 5 miles, except in the northern part (above Yountville), which is only about 1 mile wide. The general surface has a gentle slope southward to the tule lands, and is watered by Napa creek, which, though small, is a tide-water stream, navigable to Napa City for small craft, and is the largest in the county. Along the lower portion of Napa slough there is quite an extensive belt of tule lands, some of which have been successfully reclaimed, proving very productive. The soil of the upper valley is a gravelly loam, while that of the southern or lower is a sandy loam, rich and productive, and largely under cultivation. Knight's valley, on the north, forms a connecting link between Napa valley and that of Russian river, in Sonoma county, and is-about 7 miles long and 2 miles wide, surrounded by high and heavily timbered mountains. The rest of the county consists of a series of mountain ridges and narrow valleys watered by small streams, those on the northeast being included in the basin of Putah creek. ¢ East of Napa valley is Conn valley, half a mile wide by 6 miles long. South of this is Wooden valley, 3 miles long by 1 mile wide. North and east of Chiles is Pope valley, 8 miles long by 1 mile wide. South of Pope is Capelle valley, 2 miles long and half a mile wide. East of Pope is Berryessa valley, 7 miles long by 1} miles wide, and bordered on the east by the high range of mountains that forms the boundary-line of the county (California As It Is). The Berryessa valley is an agricultural region, and is largely under cultivation. It is surrounded at first by low hills, and further back by high mountains, timbered with pine, fir, and some cedar. The lower ranges are covered with thickets of hazel, buckeye, California bay and lilac, oak and ash, and an undergrowth of grasses, wild clover, etc. The valley is dotted with oaks, and is devoted to wheat, which yields about 30 bushels per acre; the lower hills are planted in vineyards. Conn valley is also planted in vines and wheat; but at the head there is a plateau of rolling country heavily timbered with pine and black oak. The assessor of the county has estimated that there are 69,051 acres of the best valley land, 38,287 acres of best hill land and poorest valley land, suitable for grazing, 45,891 acres of hill land adjoining the grazing lands, and 31,711 acres of the poorest quality of hill lands. Cotton has been grown in Napa county at an elevation of 1,500 feet above sea-level. Grape culture is one of the chief industries of the county. The vineyards begin a short distance below Napa, city and extend either side up into the foot-hills. As we go northward they increase, until in Saint Helena valley, separated from lower Napa valley proper by a narrow pass near Yountville, we find one of the great wine-making centers of the state, and the point where the grape production per acre has been as high as 13 tons, the entire valley and a portion of the slopes, as well as the adjoining plateaus, being occupied by vineyards, wine-cellars, etc. Transportation facilities are afforded by the Napa branch of the California Pacific railroad, which connects at Vallejo with steamers for San Francisco. ABSTRACT FROM A DESCRIPTION OF LANDS OF HOWELL MOUNTAIN REGION, IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY, BY JOHN MAVITY, OF SAINT HELENA. The summit of Howell mountain is a broad plateau of about 8,000 acres, or rather a plain broken up into small elevations and little vales, the hills varying in height from 100 to 200 feet. The higher points are generally very rocky, with slopes of reddish soil. The plateau has an elevation of from 1,600 to 1,800 feet above the sea, and is covered with a growth of black oak (or what is here known as mountain oak), white oak, yellow pine, nut pine, a very little fir, and manzanita. The land has a red and somewhat gravelly clay soil, well adapted to the growth of fruit trees and grape-vines. : SOLANO. (See ¢ Great valley region ”.) YOLO. (See ‘ Great valley region?”.) 776 LAKE. Sopulnvion : 6,596. rea: 1,100 square miles.—Coast Range mountains, 1,000 square miles; valleys, 100 il Tilled lands: 38,564 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 8,2 ; i ih aire; 10 foi Eo ao | 451 acres: a hy na p in wheat, 8,296 acres ; in corn, 753 acres; in oats, 352 acres; in barley, ake county is included between the summits of two branches of the Coast range, which uni i ! a te at John’s on the north, and have an altitude of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. The valley thus formed has a length of a 10 miles and a width of nearly 15 miles, the sides of which are bordered ‘by narrow ridges of broken mountains, §epassied by deep gorges and narrow calions, covered with timber, underbrush, wild oats, and wild grapes”. Clear 3 e is a central feature of the county, covering an area of nearly one-third of the valley, and has an altitude of over oes feet above the sea. Its length is about 25 miles, while its width varies from 10 miles on the north to 2 miles on the south, being divided into what are known as upper and lower lakes by Uncle Sam mountain, which reaches into it and rises abruptly from the water’s edge to an elevation of about 2,500 feet. The lake receives the greater portion of the drainage of the county, and has for its outlet Cache creek, which flows from the southern point eastward sinongh Yo Sonny. 3 i are no large streams in the county. On the extreme north, and separated from the Yale Fl y arange of high mountains, are the headwaters of Elk river, which flows northwestward through Mendocino The mountains are largely timbered with pine, the sugar pi ing i i : : pine occurring in extensive forests on the north ; the hills have an abundant growth of oak and fir. A feature of the southe i i ch Aplsol brash, which has been found valuable for sheep. TC Evert e farming portion of the county is embraced within the central valley region, lying on th lake and among the hills along the streams. The eastern shore of the lake % but ee ho north of Uncle Sam mountain there is much level or undulating alluvial loam land from 2 to 5 miles in width reaching northward above the head of the lake and southwestward for 15 miles from Lakeport. It is dotted over with oaks and willow. Other valleys are also partially timbered with white oak, and have red sandy and gravelly ol 8. Coyote valley is 10 miles long and 3 miles wide, and long valley 6 miles long and 2 miles wide. Scott’s valley as 3 sandy loam soil, and is said to yield 8 tons of potatoes, 30 bushels of wheat, or 50 bushels of corn per acre. : he crops of the county embrace chiefly wheat and barley, but from the luxuriance of the growth of the native grape-vine it is presumed that this county will hereafter become an important grape-growing district. OT Siesta Sovoms Som, on She Son puaheseo a North Pacific railroad, is the shipping point for the ; ; of the county, and Calistoga, i i i i i i ou wide portions ep ihe: on ga, in Napa county, on the California Pacific railroad, receives COLUSA. (See ¢ Great valley region ”.) MENDOCINO. Sogularions 12,800. rea : 3,780 square miles.—Coast Range mountains, 3,65 : i les); wally shot 125 JUSTO Bid)os g y 3,600 square miles (redwood lands, 746 square miles); illed lands: 58,164 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 8,899 ; | ; i ; i barley, sid oe u 4 SA ay y 8 acres; in corn, 884 acres; in oats, 2,843 acres; in endocino is a mountainous coast county, its prominent topographical feature being two chains of Coa: mountains running nearly parallel and separated by the valleys of Eel and Russian i The a oF these streams rise near the center of the county, on opposite sides of a ridge lying east and west, Eel river flowing thence northward through Humboldt county to the coast, receiving the waters of many tributaries along its course, while the Russian river flows southward through Sonoma county and drains a smaller basin. Many small streams. flow from the western Coast range of mountains directly and independently into the sea, affording facilities for Romjue logs, ge from the WO Siu and adjoining valleys to the coast. ; e Coast range is covered from one end of the county to the other by a dense growth of redwood, pine, fi oak, and madrona, with some dogwood, maple, and bay. The tops of the highest i: which rise to oO Say of some 6,000 feet, are bare of timber and rugged, and covered only with chaparral. This region is almost exclusively devoted to lumbering. The eastern range of mountains is mostly treeless and is known as the Bald: Hills. There is, however, an abundant growth of clover, wild oats, etc., and the region is largely used as a sheep: pasture. ? The lands of the county suitable for cultivation have been estimated to cover ab i ; unt, L out 900,000 chiefly in the valleys adjoining the two rivers and their larger tributaries. Two hundred thousand Joes sul Ae good grazing lands, while the rest of the county area is rugged and mountainous. Lying between the main ranges of mountains are several extensive and fertile valleys within the limits of this county. In these valleys most of the farming population resides, and here three-fourths of the grain, fruits, and vegetables produced in the "count are raised. Commencing with Ukiah, a part of the main Russian River valley, and which extends south 15 miles into Sonoma bis i we have adjoining it on the north Coyete valley, 3 miles long by 1} miles wide, connecting with Potter's valley, 6 miles long and 2 miles wide Twemiy miles Rosh OF Ukish hs Lins Soke valley, beyond which to the north is Sherwood’s valley, and 9 miles farther on Long valley, all containing a considerable area of good land. Round valley, 60 miles i ies i ing i a A a en out g Ph a Ys from Ukiah, lies in the northern part of the county, extending into Sherwood valley, at an elevation of 2,500 feet, is 5 miles long and 1 mile wide. Th i i i 1 a dark sandy oan, and i yal adapted to the growth of ls and fruits. He #30 of this valley fe ipments of supplies to and from the southern part of the county are made by wagon to Cloverdale, in S ; county, and thence by railroad to San Francisco. Coasting vessel i (oh Nig int, ) I Lin 2a g els carry on an extensive trade between the coast: 77 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. TEHAMA. (See ¢ Lower foot-hill region ”.) SHASTA. (See Lower foot-hill region ”.) TRINITY. Population: 4,999. Area: 2,490 square miles.—Coast Range mountains, nearly all. Tilled lands: 4,830 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 1,071 acres; in corn, 14 acres; in vineyards, 3 acres. o and narrow county, whose eastern and northern boundary - Trinity, lying east of Mendocino county, is a long ) lines rest upon the summits of two of the chains of the Coast range, and whose surface is made mountainous and broken by many other spurs and lofty ridges of the same range. It is watered by numerous streams, all having their sources in the county and flowing eventually into the ocean on the west. Trinity river, the largest of these, rises on the northeast in the acute angle formed by the two mountain boundaries, flows southwest for many miles, and then turns sharply to the northwest, receiving in its course the waters of many tributaries. The southern part of the county has but very few streams, and is little else than a mass of high rugged mountains, with some good grazing lands. Some points are said to rise to an elevation of 11,000 feet, and are often covered with snow through the summer months. They are granitic in character, and their sides are cut up into chasms and canofis. The mountain timber-growth is for the most part pine, spruce, fir, and oak, with maple in the lowlands. The valleys along the streams are very narrow, and afford comparatively little land suitable for cultivation. The entire arable area in the county is estimated to be not more thar 15,000 acres, and is mostly contined to the Trinity river and its tributaries, occurring in small tracts and being partly ander cultivation. The valleys and foot-hills that often border them are sparsely timbered with oak and pine, while on the streams there is some sycamore, cottonwood, maple, laurel, and ash. : Gold mining is the chief and almost exclusive industry of the county. The crops comprise hay and wheat, for which there is a home market. Supplies are mostly brought by wagon across the mountains from Redding, in the Sacramento valley, on the east. 30 acres; in oats, 165 acres; in barley, HUMBOLDT. Population: 15,512. Area: 3,750 square miles.—Coast Range mountains, nearly all (redwood lands, 1,000 square miles). Tilled lands: 69,025 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 3,437 acres; in corn, 624 acres; in oats, 8,817 acres; in barley, 2,629 acres; in vineyards, 10 acres. Humboldt, a coast county, is very hilly, mountainous, and rugged, and is watered by the Trinity, Mad, Eel, Mattole, and other smaller rivers, all flowing northwestward into the ocean. These rivers are bordered by some narrow valleys, but are not navigable for small sailing vessels for more than a few miles from the sea. From Eureka eastward to the mountains proper, a distance of about 25 miles, the country is hilly and broken. Much of the county is occupied by the outlying spurs and more westerly ranges of the Coast mountains, which, near the coast, are covered with heavy forests of redwood, spruce, and pine. The timber belt, varying in width from 8 to 10 miles, recedes from the coast in some places in this county a distance of several miles, leaving at these points an elevated terrace or sandy beach destitute of timber. The most westerly branch of the Coast range is rugged and broken within the limits of the county, mount Pierce, one of its highest peaks, being 6,000 feet high. The more easterly ridge, forming the boundary between this and Trinity county, also rises in some places to a considerable height, mount Bailey, one of its peaks, being 6,357 feet high. There is much chestnut oak (valuable for tanbark) in this region. Among the mountains there are small valleys watered by the various streams, but the largest tract of level land lies around Humboldt bay. The timber growth on the streams is willow, alder, cottonwood, maple, ash, and bay, and the soil is chiefly an alluvial loam, deep, dark, and rich. That of Eel river is so black that with its growth of tussock grass it has received the name of “ nigger-head ” soil. Around the bay and near tide-water there is much overflowed or swamp land, separated from the coast-line by a low sand-hill region covered with a stunted growth of trees. The hills have usually a dark sandy loam soil, and on the east are covered with grasses, clover, and wild oats, affording an excellent grazing country. The hills around Ferndale are covered with the eagle fern, which often grows to a height of 12 feet; and the valley of Mattole, in which the town is situated, is 12 miles long and from 4 to 8 miles wide, and also contains much of this growth. The lands under cultivation lie chiefly in the river valleys on the western side of the county, the soils of which are dark sandy loams, easily tilled, and produce good crops of oats, barley, potatoes, and pease. Lumbering is the chief industry of this western section. The eastern part of the county is chiefly devoted to stock-grazing. It has been estimated that of the county area there are 921,600 acres of timbered lands, of which 200,000 acres are of madrona, black and white oaks, and laurel, 450,000 acres are adapted to agricultural purposes, and 500,000 acres suitable only for grazing lands. The county is at present dependent upon coast steamers and vessels for transportation facilities. Humboldt bay, 12 miles long and from 2 to 5 miles wide, is one of the largest harbors on the coast, and is almost landlocked. SISKIYOU. (See “ Sierra mountain and higher foot-hills region ”.) AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES. : DEL NORTE. Population: 2,584. area 3.540 snare miles,.—Coust Range mountains, nearly all (redwood lands, 150 square miles). 3 lands: 10,678 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 56 acres; in corn, 42 acres; in oats, 200 acres; in barl 54 acres; in vineyards, 4 acres. : ; Se : Ba ow Dd ot lie Setrome Aostawesiony Spuniy of he hates has a mountainous and broken surface, watered on he eas Klam: aT, crosses it in a southwesterly course, and on the west by Snake riv streams, which flow to the sea. The Siskiy i i ing hn ote a. you chain of mountains, having a general though irr southwest trend, forms the divide between th Bon on gow ud ( > n the two water-sheds, and from this other mountai ¢ right angles, thus giving to the eastern portion of th Cnn oy at i : g to ] e county a rugged character. The coast is border y Mange eh Soe Sop Toor in opainde, White still inland another range rises to a height of 3,000 feet S id of he ¢ yisw imbered with redwood, fir, spruce, pine, some cedar, hemlock 1 myrtl e i considerable amount of open prairie land. Th Tp Rn gE Re a ; . e streams usually have small and narrow valley i swamp and overflowed lands, whose area is estimated at 3,500 ief i i as Ta § a is ; acres. The chief industries of th 7 airyi lumbering, and to some extent mini i little i mg hpi No yg g ing. Comparatively little land is under cultivation, th age bei ; acres per square mile. Steamers an ili nd gw ig Th gh Joes per d sailing vessels run between Crescent City, the county-seat, and San HIGHER FOOT-HILI. (OVER 2,000 FEET) AND SIERRA MOUNTAIN REGIONS. 9 {Pnumaces fetiomyy counties and parts of counties: Siskiyou, Modoc, Lassen, Shasta,* Tehama,* Plumas, ierra, Nevada,* Placer,* El Dorado,* Amador,* Alpi 3 * i " : pine, Calaveras,* Tuolumne,* Mariposa,* Mon y » Tulare, and Kern) ’ 9 9 p y ono, Iny 0, Fresno, ; SISKIYOU. Population : 8,610. Area: 5,660 square miles i ins, 2,55 i : By s.— Sierra mountains, 2,550 square miles; C i 2 iles; Sl Le he. qu ; Coast Range mountains, 2,210 square miles; Tilled lands : 50,777 acres.—A i Bye i ds : 50, s.—Area planted in wheat, 6,330 acres; in corn, 112 acres; i S 5; i 509% acres; in vineyard, 10 acres. ; eres; Tenis SSM ncen: uly, iskiyou, one of the mos i St: S a regi i i I Dan Se ra loys ud . Tra a ast ranges meet in this county, the culminating point being mount Shasta, near the southern limit. This celebrated mountain has an elevation of 14,440 feet above the sea its upp 4,000 feet being covered with snow throughout the year, while its lower 7,000 or 8,000 feet has heavy Fa of . : “ 4 ar , « ayy sugar ad Ach pine on all sides but the north, which has only a stunted growth of cedar and oak » Coast range is most picturesque i is ¢ r, the i i ery ike th i ae, ony Toi go 5s ng St picturesque in this county, the summits being very unlike the rounded hills Surtonnd, 8 0 3s ¢ rancisco, for they rise with their rocky formations of granite and slate into rugged an 1 ecipitons peaks. The Sierras also consist in great part of rough and rugged buttes, much of the country : S sompy ising cailons, gorges, ravines, abrupt mountain walls, precipices, and sudden little valleys. This wild yon ry he 0 ered with forests of redwood, fir, and sugar pine” (California As It Is). The eastern part of the county $2 ! igh Dp ateau of lav a beds from 3,000 to 4,000 feet above the sea, interspersed with mountains and volcanic p ¢ is, Hsing many thousand feet higher. A large part of the county is without drainage; but the Klamath river vh0uses i e ; estern corner from Oregon, receiving from the south the waters from Scott’s and the upper part ues basin ¥ 9 ow. Jn sie SONEhCH past, of Bhasin valley the Sacramento river has its source, flowing southward, \ On | ie mountain McCloud river rises, flows southeast into Shast J i Willen fie gash of ) to Shasta county, and finally empties Fo . Subs i The whist agricultural lands of the county are embraced within Shasta and Scott’s valleys on the west, though J op ats a 3 smaller ones that have some good farming land. Scott's valley is 40 miles long and 7 miles wide, and Hes heswesn iy aul Salmon mountains, of the Coast range, which rise to elevations of nearly 6,000 feet, the valley sis Sing ou £ ,000 feet. It is largely under cultivation, yielding grain, fruits, and vegetables. Owing to its i oo. : e harvests are late, the grain not being reaped until August or September. Frosts are frequent ding a spring, and even in the summer months. The weather in the summer is warm, with cool nights; in the inion often severe, especially on the mountains, where the snow. falls to a great depth. Snow also lies to the dep ! 0 p oot or two, often for several weeks, in most of the valleys, rendering the use of snow-shoes and sleighs 3 gener necessity. Shasta valley is a barren lava plain, containing, however, a few fertile spots. The whole in F 18 portions Adapion to Sock rain, hay for winter being raised upon the meadows along the water- ‘Ses, Ww illsides are covered with bunch-grass and other nutritious food. Lumberi ini the chief industries of the county. petinz an uing ae The average of lands under cultivation is i i ation is 9 acres per square mile. Supplies are hauled to and fi i Th ® » ' Tom in Shasta county, the nearest railroad station. nn ete MODOC. Population : 4,399. Area: 4.260 square miles.—Sierra mountai S 0 i i : 4,2 So— ¢ ain lands, 3,685 square miles; Surprise valley, 400 ¢ miles ; valleys, 175 square miles. i 1 ’ Po 40 SAIS VE) ORR ne , nrc : " ‘ : Tilled lands: 20,017 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 4,301 acres; incorn, 18 acres; in oats, 774 acres; in barley 3,956 acres. ? 8? 779 122 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Modoc county, in the extreme northeastern corner of the state, has a mountainous and broken surface, drained chiefly by Pitt river, which flows southwestward through the county from Goose lake, on the northern border. The tributaries of this river are chicfly on the south and east, the narthwestern part of the county having no drainage system. The only lands suitable for cultivation are embraced in a few of the valleys in the eastern and southern parts of the county, and of these Surprise valley is the most important. This valley, lying on the extreme east, extends from north to south, and includes in its eastern side three large lakes, whose lengths are respeetiy ely 16, 20, and 15 miles, with widths of from 3 to 5 miles. These lakes have no outlet, and sometimes 2% Ob oy evaporation. The length of the valley is about 60 miles and width 15 miles, and it is skirted on two sides vy, lofty and timbered mountains. It is watered by numerous streams, and is covered with clover and grasses. Its soil is a rich black loam, occupying a strip from 2 to 6 miles in width, whose surface gently slopes toward the Jokes. ne valley is settled up in neighborhoods, and is partly under cultivation, wheat, barley, and vegetables being the chie crops. Dairying, stock-raising, and lumbering are also carried on to a considerable extent. % wills wi The valley of Goose lake lies mostly on the eastern side of the lake (which is 30 miles long and 15 nf a e, extending into Oregon), reaching back some 4 or 5 miles, and is watered by numerous small streams. Its 2% 3 are good for farming purposes, being covered with bunch and other grasses, and are partly under entiigafion, M je ug crops of wheat, barley, oats, ete. The adjoining mountains, Warner’s range, are heavily timbered wit 1 ce ik an ! pine, while on the hillsides and around the lake is an abundant growth of wild plums. On the western si e hy the lake there is a narrow strip of valley devoted mostly to dairying. Big or Round valley, on Pitt river, in he southwestern part of the county, and reaching into Lassen county, is 30 miles long and 18 miles wide, an dis West y covered with sage-brush. Its soils are varied in character, from red clays to dark loam and gravelly lands, an a spotted with alkali tracts. Surrounding the valley are several creeks, whose rich bottom lands are to some exten under cultivation. Stock-raising is the chief industry. The lands under cultivation average but 4.7 acres per square mile for the county at large. LASSEN. Population: 3,340. : i : Area: 5,000 square miles.—Sierra mountains, 4,425 square miles; valleys, 575 square miles. . . Tilled lands : 29,161 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 4,773 acres; in corn, 15 acres ; in oats, 1,465 acres; in barley, 1,950 acres. : : "Lassen county embraces a region of rugged mountains, arid and sandy sage plains, vast areas of alkali flats, and clusters of broken hills, with narrow valleys, and lies on the north and east of the Sierra Nevada mountains, which trend northwest. The Diamond Mountain range, 8,200 feet high, and covered with spruce, pine, and fir, separate it from Plumas county on the south. The other mountains of the county trend in various directions, and have only a few scattered groves of scrubby pitch pine, or ¢ pilion”, and dwarf cedar. The only streams of importance are Susan river, in the south, and Pitt river, which crosses the northwestern part of the county, the former, with several tributaries, flowing eastward into Honey lake, while the latter is one of the principal tributaries of the Sacramento. The rest of .the county is almost entirely without streams, and includes what is termed the Madaline plains, 5,300 feet above the sea, which is covered with sage-brush. There are several lakes in the southern part of the county covering areas from 12 to 15 miles long and from 8 to 10 miles wide. Comparatively little of the county surface is suitable for cultivation, the chief bodies of arable land being found in Honey Lake valley and in Long valley, farther south. : : : } The lands of the eastern side of Honey lake are dry and barren, but on the western side there is a strip of rich sandy loam soil about 2 miles in width and largely under cultivation, yielding from 25 to 30 bushels of wheat per acre with irrigation, which is found to be very necessary. The elevation of the valley is about 4,200 feet. The land on the streams is a dark loam, and is mostly covered with plums, poplars, and willows, : . Long valley reaches southeastward to within 15 miles of Reno, in the state of Nevada, and is quite narrow, except near Houey lake, “its south side being formed by a very high, heavily timbered ridge, while the rise in the north is gradual and the country dry, timberless, and open. The valley is about 40 miles in length, but is very narrow, having an average breadth of only 2 or 3 miles. The principal business of its settlers is the raising of stock and dairying. * * * In the extreme northwestern part of the county, and extending into Modoc county, lies Big valley, a large stretch of agricultural lands, comprising in this county about 75,000 acres. * The mountains that border the valley on the south and west are timbered with oak, cedar, and pine, while the country on the east consists of long, oval hills and table-lands stretching away to what is known as Madaline plains. These hills and table-lands are interspersed with small valleys, which are adapted to grazing purposes. The small valleys are preferred by settlers as locations because of the proximity of timber, and also of the adjacent hills, which constitute a range for stock. * * * Between Big and Honey Lake valleys lie Grasshopper, Willow Creek, Eagle Lake, and Horse Lake valleys, separated from each other and the main valleys by intervening ridges of various heights. Each of the last-named valleys are very small, and contain but few ranches, and are mostly occupied by the bodies of water from which they derive their names (California As It Is). Jo The crops comprise wheat, barley, oats, rye, corn, etc., for which there is a home market. Supplies for the Pitt River region are hauled from Red Bluff in the Sacramento valley; those for the Honey Lake region are hauled from Reno, a railroad station in the state of Nevada. SHASTA. (See ¢ Lower foot-hill region”.) TEHAMA. (See ¢ Lower foot-hill region”.) AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES. 123 PLUMAS. Population : 6,180. Area : 2,760 square miles.—Lower foot-hills, 100 square miles; higher foot-hills and Sierra mountains, 2,660 square miles. Tilled lands : 15,791 acres.— Area planted in wheat, 1,129 acres; in oats, 2,574 acres; in barley, 16 acres. Plumas county is mountainous and very broken, the greater part having an elevation of 3,000 or 4,000 feet above the sea. It is watered by the headwaters of Feather river, which, spreading out toward the northeast and northwest, unite on the southwest and flow toward the Sacramento river. Both these streams have cut their way through gorges and caiions from 300 to 500 feet below the general level of the country, that of Feather river being the deepest in the state. While the central and southwestern part of the county is thus divided into cafions separated by high ridges, the eastern and northern portions rise into the high Sierras over 6,00 feet above the sea. The surface of the country is well timbered with sugar and yellow pines, spruce, fir, and cedar, the forests being denser upon the slopes of the Sierras than in the lower country on the west and south. Many valleys occur among the high hills of the upper foot-hill region at the base of the Sierra, and are to some extent suited to farming, but especially to grazing purposes, and most of them are covered with grass. The soil is chiefly coarsely sandy and gravelly, producing but little dust in dry seasons. A series of grassy and well-watered but treeless valleys stretch across the county for 100 miles in a southeastern direction, connected with each other by cafions, passes, or low divides. The first, in the northwestern part of the county, is Big Meadows, comprising some 30,000 acres of fertile land, mostly covered with grasses, and capable of producing crops of grain without irrigation. This, with Mountain Meadows, 15 miles northeastward, and of small area, is mostly devoted to stock-grazing. Butte valley, 5 miles south of Big Meadows, is 3 miles long and 1 mile wide. Greenvilleisin a small valley 15 miles southeastward of this. Passin g southeastward out of this valley, across a well-wooded divide of 4 miles, we come into Indian valley, which has a length of 8 miles and a width of 4 miles, the whole consisting of first-class farming and grazing land, the chief crop of which isoats. Eleven miles southeastward is Genesee valley, distin guished for the large amount of vegetables produced by the few settlers. Clover valley, on the north fork of Feather river, is a long, gorge-like depression, narrow at its lower end, but spreading out as we ascend till it reaches a width of a mile or more. Dairying is the chief pursuit in this valley. A few miles southeastward, over another low wooded divide, brings us to the lower end. of Sierra valley, a depression some 20 miles long and 10 miles broad, neither so fertile nor so well watered as the others.— Pacific Rural Press. Oroville, in Butte county, and Reno, in the state of Nevada, are the nearest railroad points from the western and eastern parts of the county, and thence supplies are hauled in wagons. SIERRA. Population: 6,623. Area: 880 square miles.—Lower foot-hills, 200 square miles ; higher foot-hills and Sierra mountains, 680 square miles. Tilled lands : 6,269 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 308 acres; in oats, 1,082 acres ; in barley, 391 acres. Sierra county embraces a region of high mountains and table-lands, only a small portion of its area having an altitude of less than 2,000 feet. The western part is watered by the headwaters of Yuba river, flowing toward the Sacramento valley through deep cafions; the eastern by a few small streams which enter the state of Nevada. A number of small mountain lakes occur on the high table-lands where the Sierra spread out into flats or depressions, Gold lake, with a length of 4 miles and a width of 2 miles, being the source of the middle fork of Feather river. The eastern half of the county, embracing the Sierra proper, has an elevation of over 4,000 feet, and some of its peaks and buttes rise to 6,000 or 8,000 feet, and are covered with snow for several months of the year, the chief mode of winter travel being with snow-shoes. Sierra valley situated among these mountains, is 20 miles long and 10 miles wide, and contains a number of small farms. Owing to its elevation the climate is too severe for ordinary grain crops, but rye and the hardier forage grasses succeed, and stock-breeding is pursued with fair success. The inroads of the grasshopper (Oedipoda atror) are sometimes severely felt in this region. The valley is not well watered. Produce is hauled to Truckee for sale or shipment. The upper foot-hills on the west, with their elevation of from 2,000 to 4,000 feet, cover the larger part of the western half of the county, and embrace a rugged and broken country, and, together with the small area of lower foot-hills, is interspersed with small red and gravelly valleys, which afford the only farming lands. The county is well timbered with sugar and yellow pines, fir, cedar, spruce, and much wild plam ; but the lower foot-hills have chiefly a growth of scrubby oaks. The chief industry of the county is mining and lumbering. The nearest railroad point to the western section of the county from which supplies may be obtained is Nevada City, in Nevada county, on the south, which is connected by the Northern California railroad with Colfax, and thence ‘by the Central Pacific railroad with Sacramento and other points. NEVADA. (See ¢ Lower foot-hill region ”.) PLACER. (See ¢ Lower foot-hill region”.) EL DORADO. (See ¢ Lower foot-hill region ”.) AMADOR. (See ¢ Lower foot-hill region ”.) mi sa 124 COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. ALPINE. Population: 539. Area: 730 square miles.—All Sierra mountain region. Tilled lands : 790 acres.—Arvea planted in wheat, 179 acres; in corn, 8 acres ; in oats, 236 acres; in barley, 113 acres. Alpine county lies upon the summit of the Sierra range and eastward to the state line, and its surface is described as being but a mass of mountain ranges rising as high as 10,000 feet above the sea, the general level being above 4,000 feet. The eastern half of the county embraces almost the only habitations, and is watered by a number of small streams, the IReadwaters of Carson river, of Nevada. The Mokelumne and Stanislaus rivers rise among the mountains on the west and flow westward through the foot-hill counties into the great valley. Forming the sources of those several streams (on the east) are numerous small lakes, the most of them situated on the siimmit of the mountain, where it spreads out into a sort of table-land. Many of them are wild and beautiful, being skirted by belts of grass or bordered by plats of lawn-like meadow lands. In some instances they are destitute of these grassy surroundings, being closely hemmed in by dark forests or shadowed by impending clifts of granite. There are also in this county many grassy, well-watered valleys, rendered the more attractive by their rugged and desolate surroundings. Into these the herdsmen from either side drive their cattle for pasturage during the summer, removing them as winter approaches, the snows in the higher of these valleys always falling to an immense depth. Alpine county abounds in spruce and pine forests, the timber on the higher Sierra being of large size, while that on the eastern slope and beyond is of inferior quality ; three-fourths of the county is thus heavily timbered. Mining and lumbering are the chief industries, and there is very little farming done in the county. Diamond valley, in the northeast, seems to be the only one in which lands are cultivated, even to a sinall extent, the crops being. wheat, barley, hay, oats, and potatoes. The Faith, Hope, and Charity valleys, of the northwest, are inhabited by stock-raisers and dairymen during the summer months, and have an elevation of 7,600 feet above the sea. CALAVERAS. (See * Lower foot-hill region ”.) TUOLUMNE. (See “Lower foot-hill region ”.) MARIPOSA. (See ¢ Lower foot-hill region”.) MONO. Population : 7,499. Area: 3,400 square miles.—Sierra mountains, with some valleys, all. Tilled lands : 1,190 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 11 acres ; in oats, 12 acres ; in barley, 295 acres. Mono county lies along the eastern border of the state, and is separated from other counties by the high Sierra chain of mountains on the west, which, with an elevation of 13,000 feet, forms a most effectual barrier to transportation in that direction. A central feature of the county is Mono lake, covering a length of 14 miles and a width of 9 miles, whose water is extremely bitter and saline. The northern part of the county is scantily watered by two or more forks of Walker's river, which here have their rise and unite in Nevada, after flowing through deep caiions. On the south are the headwaters of Owen’s river, which is the most prominent stream of the county in that portion. The general altitude of the county is about 6,000 feet, and, besides the Sierra on the west, the eastern part is traversed by the White and Inyo chain of mountains. The only lands suitable for tillage are situated in the valleys among the Sierra, in small alluvial tracts along Owen’s river, and on the two forks of Walker's river. The valleys chiefly in cultivation are Big Meadows and Antelope, each about 15 miles long and 5 miles wide. There is also a little land on the small streams of Mono lake and at the foot of the Sierra, where the streams have formed an alluvial delta extending a short distance out on the plain. Irrigation is necessary to insure good crops on all of the lands. The country, however, east of the Sierra to the state line, is a desert, volcanic in character, abounding in alkali beds, salt pools, and barren table-lands, and destitute of timber, excepting a few scattering willow trees. There is much spruce and the slopes being well timbered. Mining is the chief industry of the county, and several large camps are located at the most important mines. There are comparatively few roads as yet in the county. One, by way of which the mail is carried, leads from Aurora, Nevada, through Blind Springs and Owensville, in Mono county, to Independence, in Inyo county. A wagon- road which cost a large amount of money has been constructed from Bridgeport, the county-seat, over the mountains, by way of the Sonora pass, to Stockton. Bridgeport may also be reached by way of the Central Pacific railroad and Aurora. ~ INYO. Population : 2,928. Area: 8,120 square miles.—Sierra mountains, 1,950 square miles ; valleys, 640 square miles; desert lands, 5,530 - square miles. Tilled lands : 13,864 acres.—Area planted in wheat, 1,525 acres; in corn, 1,682 acres; in oats, 791 acres; in barley, 1,686 acres; in vineyards, 22 acres. Inyo county lies between the state line and the high Sierra Nevada mountains, the western boundary being along the summit of the latter, at an elevation of several thousand feet above the general level of the rest of the: 782 ————————————— pine on the high Sierras, . AGRICULTURAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTIES. 125 county and 8,000 or 10,000 above the sea, some of tl isi ) ; 0 ) e the y f the peaks rising to 14,000 and 15,000 feet. i Sian Bn fe Wie ua aus 0 Shain, yi g Lenhaly in ihe county, and still eastward the ek ies oh fe min 8 a, and ot ‘ y stream of importance is Owen’s riv h ing a long valley of the same name lying between the Sierra and Iny i Er exergy an he June namie [er gi Sige and Inyo mountains. This river has its source in Mono county, on I. ) . . ward into Owen’s lake, a large body of sa ¢ 22 mi long, 8 miles broad and of great depth, which has no outlet. The Armargosa river, es as r pout = lle , ada, flows southward at first across this i di ¢ € Ss county i a : 4 : northwest and disappears in Death valley. ¥ iio Son Pemiaiting contity for 2 Siert distance, AA then ture The only tillable lands in the county are embraced i : only ills ] nt : n the valleys along Owen’s river, : ierr: In heli > ary ing fom 2 te Bails or ig in mdi an) having an alluvial soil, hip rgd Kd gation. , ON 1 xtreme north, was first cultivated in 1865, and roduces whe ete. ; it lies at the foot of the Sierra at an elevation of 4,000 fi i hie Tomi bale By beat, oats, barley, A LA Te Ke a y eet, and is 6 mileslong and 3 miles wide. Long valley has a ; farming settlement ur ar JONG0l 1) wiles and 1s olay a Sank Inge umerous f g nts occur southward to Independence All y ; post-office (15 miles south of Independence) and S ont ig Sprain ha rid fhe sonuids sh todlogeam) sandy Ey we fa Svan y er ojave desert o e south. It is interspersed with is ai np ve d ] rspersed with isolated mountain pifion and juniper trees, but otherwise barren. Their valley v ¢ lands, Jus sues contain Satan flan fuss, beds of salt, and saline and hot wl hi he ue € at heastern part of the county is the Death valle hich 1 ) 3 miles an width of 15 miles, and sinks to from 150 to 200 feet b 3 i bass long of 15 miles and 8 L elow the level of the sea. Thi i i y on page 43. There is but comparatively little land in the county under i Pa I maa) Supplies are transported across the d j i i A a Taio Stas ig ost fon 2 dave, the nearest railroad station, by means of the peculiar FRESNO. (See “ Great valley region?”.) TULARE. (See “Great valley region”.) KERN. (See ‘Great valley region”.) REFERENCE TABLE OF CORRESPONDENTS. Alameda.—SHERMAN DAY, of Berkeley. Colusa.—W. S. GREEN, of Colusa. Thess al Rp J. WILLSON, of the Southern Pacific railroad. : 8 Angeles.—W. R. OLDEN, J. D. TAYLOR, of Anaheim, and N. J. W DLE im, . J. WILLSON, of the Southern Pacific rai Merced.— H. KELSEY, of Merced, and N. J. WILLSON, of the Southern Pacific railroad Seerelinal Monterey.—ED. BERWICK, of Carmel valley. : Napa.—JoHN MAVITY, of Saint Helena. Sacramento.—DANIEL FLINT and GEORGE RICH, of Sacramento. J San Bernardino and San Diego.—N. J. WILLSON, of the Southern Pacific railroad. a uss Obispo.—D. F. NEWSoM, of Newsom Springs. San Mateo.—J. H. OsGoob, E. C. BURCH, B. V. WEEKS, and W. G. T » E. C. . V. . G. THOMPSON, of Pesca . Solanv.—J. M. DUDLEY, of Dixon, and G. C. PEARSON, of Vallejo. Het Retateo Sonoma.—G. N. WHITAKER, of Santa Rosa. Stanislaus.—N. J. WILLSON, of the Southern Pacific railroad. Sutter. —GEORGE OHLEYER, of Yuba City. Tulare—F. G. JEFFERDS, of Farmersville, and N. J. W. ; . J. WILLSON, of the S i i Tuolumne.—~JOHN TAYLOR, of Campo Seco. ———— Yolo.—R. B. BLOWERS, of Woodland. 78s REMARKS ON COTTON CULTURE IN NEW MEXICO, UTAH, AND ARIZOX. BY BE W. HILGARD, Pm D, WITII A REPORT ON THE CULTURE OF COTTON IN MEXICO, BY DAVID H. STROTHFER, CONSUL-GENERAL. 50 ¢ P—VoOL. II 147 \, COTTON CULTURE IN NEW MEXICO, UTAH, AND ARIZONA. un Since the cuiiu.e of cotton in Texas has extended westward nearly to the foot of the Llano Estacado, the question of its farther progress into New Mexico naturally arises. Inquiry on the subject has elicited no definite statement that cotton is now actually grown within the limits of that territory. There can, however, be little doubt that in the southern portion, and especially in the valley of the Rio Grande, the growing season is long enough and the summer heat is sufficiently high to mature cotton and render its production, at least for local consumption, remunerative. Irrigation is of course required for this as for all annual crops in that region of scanty rainfall. As regards Utah, the successful cultivation of cotton has been reported from its southwestern portion, near Saint George, in the valley of the Virgin river. Beyond the general statement given above, no information on the subject is available. The inhabitants of the region in question may hereafter find in cotton a crop that can be successfully grown on land too much charged with “alkali” to be utilized for the production of broadcast or less deeply-rooted crops. Regarding cotton culture in Arizona, some interesting data have been obtained through the courtesy of Governor John C. Frémont, who, upon request, gathered all available information through officers of the army and through intelligent citizens. It appears from the subjoined abstracts of letters received that cotton has long formed one of the crops of the Pima Indians, who used it in place of wool for making their blankets, but abandoned the culture upon the advent ot the Americans, from whom they could procure better blankets in exchange for wheat. Subsequent culture experiments by white settlers have also been successful, so that the subject has passed beyond the experimental stage; and it appears, from the report of Lieutenant Hyde, that near Yuma cotton-plants grow for several years without any special care—a state of things obtaining also in southern San Diego county, California. In the Laguna district of Coahuila, Mexico, the cotton-plant, according to the report of Consul Strother, bears crops for ten years without replanting; and it is obvious that a similar system could be followed in southern Arizona. This, of course, diminishes the cost of cultivation not immaterially, and on this ground Arizona might compete with other cotton-growing states, provided the staple be of acceptable quality. The two samples of fiber from two-year-old plants given in the table of measurements point to the conclusion that such fiber is shorter, and probably coarser, than that from the first year’s crop, but that the strength is high. In regard to the proportion of seed to lint, the two determinations give diametrically opposite results, the Yuma cotton having given only 24.16 per cent. of lint, while that from National City gives 39.78 per cent. It is extremely desirable that these points should be farther investigated. It does not seem quite easy to obtain full information as to the relative merits of cotton from annual and older plants, which is doubtless in possession of the planters of Coahuila. Irrigation is needed for cotton in Arizona as well as in southern California ; but it must be borne in mind that cotton, on account of the great depth to which its tap-root goes for moisture, will do with less water than most other crops, especially after the first year. Since, moreover, it is not at all sensitive to alkali. it is probable that much land not available for grain could be used for cotton production in Arizona as weil as in Californiz. The exact scope of profitable agriculture in the territory is, as yet, too uncertain, both as to quality and quantity, to warrant confident predictions, the more as the opening of Mexico to railroad communication will bring into competition factors as yet unknown; but it can hardly be doubtful that, among culture plants deserving of earnest attention, cotton occupies no unimportant place. ABSTRACT FROM A LETTER OF CHARLES T. HAYDEN, HAYDEN FERRY, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA. Many farmers in this (Salt River) valley have in different years planted a little cotton, and they and others who have examined it . are satisfied that it could be successfully raised. With the abundant water-power I have here (24 feet fall and an abundance of water) a mill to manufacture heavy cotton cloth, such as goes so largely into consumption in this part of the territory, would enable planters and mills to be successful without doubt if conducted with ordinary economy and intelligence. : The Pima Indians, before Americans occupied this territory, and for a few years after, raised cotton on the Pima reservation, enough to make many blankets for their own use, woven after the style of the Navajo blanket, substituting cotton for wool. The facility for buying American blankets with wheat after the occupation of Arizona by our government caused the discontinuance of raising cottom by said Indians. 129 Kt ———— ER nt RE el a 5 — i. RE YT Te TARR »" tn —— > ~ - > - _ COTTON PRODUCTION IN MEXICO. DE, EIGHTH INFANTRY, FORT YUMA. 130 ABSTRACT FROM A LETTER OF LIEUTENANT M. E. HY nts on the flat below the mouth of the r doing best. The plants grew This was a family experiment. and possibly oldest merchants of Yuma, raised 1m 1-60 about 200 cotton: pla ed were planted in February and some in March, the latte July 4. Of course irrigation was necessary. s department grounds, which has been growing for two years, Mr. Disvid Neahr, one of the Gila river, on the Arizona side. Some se rank and luxuriant, and the crop was ready to pick by The sample sent to you is from a plant in the quartermaster’ longer, without any special attention. A—————————— REPORT ON THE CULTURE OF COTTON IN THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO. t on the cultivation of cotton in Mexico was obtained through the state department at the [The subjoined repor request of the Superiutendent of Census.] The cotton-plant is supposed to be indigenous on th found the natives clothed in cotton fabrics of their own manufacture. side, but the reasons for this opinion are not so satisfactorily stated. Itscu day throughout the country, but with very little improvement in the mo time of the conquest. The principal cotton-producing states are Vera Cruz, Oaxaca, Colima, Michoacan, Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, and Ccahuila. From the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, Michoacan, and Chihuahua I hav e gulf coast of Mexico, as Cortes, on his first landing, It is said to be an exotic on the Pacific lture has been continued to the present des and methods which existed at the Guerrero, Jalisco, Sinaloa, Chiapas, e not been able to obtain any reports whatever. While this leaves us without a basis for even a conjectural estimate of the whole amount produced in the republic, we may nevertheless suppose that the general conditions of production and preparation for market are very nearly the same in these states as in those from which we have heard. In regard te the question of wages, it should be observed that the figures named in the majority of the reports represent the prices paid in or near the maritime cities, or in the northern districts where the wages of laborers are affected by their propinquity to the United States. In the interior and remote towns and districts of the republic the wages of labor seldom exceed a real (123 cents) per day, sometimes without food, and sometimes with the addition of a small measure of corn (cuartillo), equivalent to about three pints, and worth about 6% cents. It would therefore be safe to estimate the average cost of labor in Mexico at 20 cents per day. From the foregoing figures if is evident that the condition of the common laborer in Mexico is very humble ; yet, in view of the cheapness of living and the small requirements of life in this climate, this per diem is adequate to his maintenance, and, considering the inefficient and primitive methods used, his labor is not worth more than the wages paid. The native operatives in the factories are better paid,and, undert of experience, are esteemed excellent factory hands, quite equal to the average of those employed in England or the United States. Indeed, they seem to possess a special aptitude for all work requiring patience and delicate manipulaticn, and exhibit a high degree of the imitative faculty which characterizes the Chinaman. What they seem to lack is the capacity (or habit) of organization and the ability to manage fine and complicated machinery. For the rest, the childlike improvidence and recklessness of the future which characterizes the laboring masses of this country is the principal barrier to their intellectual and material improvement. The usual time for planting cotton is in June and July, according to the greater or contained in the soil selected, and they begin to gather the crop in February. In this brief report I have embodied all the information I have been enab in this country, regretting that my report is necessarily so vague and imperfect. he superintendence of Europeans or directors less amount of moisture led to gather on the culture of cotton VERA CRUZ. The product of this state is estimated at about 8,000,000 pounds per annum. There are no data to enable us to estimate the product per acre, as land in this state is not measured by the acre, but rudely estimated by the square league, or by the still more unreliable standard of the « caballeria”, which signifies as much as a horse can travel round in a day. The plant, however, grows so vig orously that each stalk yields from two to five hundred pods, and itis calculated that the average yield to the acre is about 15 per cent. more than in the United States. After selecting sufficient seed for the next year’s sowing, the remainder is used as fuel, cattle feed, or to manure the land. The seeds are separated from the lint almost universally by the steam cotton-gins from the United States. The field labor in the cultivation of cotton is performed in the most primitive manner and entirely without the The wages paid a laborer in the vicinity of Vera Cruz is fifty cents a day and aid of modern improved implements. maintenance, or sixty-two and a half cents without. In remoter sections of the state these figures may be reduced to one-half. 788 COTTON PRODUCTION IN MEXICO. 131 GUERRERO. It is estimated that thi 8 : is state produces 5,300 ths S 9,300,000 pounds of cotton in the seed i i aa ¢ have no data to calculate the average produc an Se UY of uch 2. oxi ng aac Tun dah to ge produce per acre and no means of even er the present system t opie IM dpe cL ge wn te great proprietors do not tind cotton culture profitable, and co oi 8, who cultivate it in irregular patches by their own labor a - mY hn Gass er 0 ¢ 1e assistance of their y Of the fertile soil and f: i i i frtine avorable climate of this region, it i i i ym ligent caltivation the states of Guerrero and — o le an ho son BE ste aor Smamon xaca could be made to produce more cotton C crop of Guerrero is clean i The seed is used for fuel and cattle feed lt einen ge pay of laborers is 374 cents per diem p one cotton-mill in the state, with ju considerable amount man MOAR ; oh , ’ acturing goo i ir, Jnl Seal by hand-looms. The remainder of ‘the ip! i us. Thane Iyatson h e pure lint brings 15 cents per pound, and is packed bk Wer a es weighing 150 or 160 water-power and 3 horse-power gins. pounds each. JALISCO. The crop in this state i ate is ¢ 9 ander coltivation. about 2,000,000 pounds per annum. There is no conjecture as to th It is estimated that a : 0 the acreage n acre will produce 1,000 wages of laborers are 7 y000 pounds of seed-cotton, of whi ird i Aeficoniican i on 37% to 50 cents per diem. The seed is used for OF Mae one-third is pure fiber. The ton-gins are generally in use to prepare the crop for " o : e feed, and manure. ’ arket. COLIMA. The annual cro i ‘ p of this state ‘ : ; same as for Jalisco. is stated at 257,000 pounds. Replies in response to all other questi : ions are the SINALOA. The estimated annual i crop of this state is 1,75 : DOE al of 8 1,750,000 pounds. The average yi i i DOupay of vse hi 0 og : } a poss Ses, a pounds. The seed is used for ES io) in ng esting Ba en $50) sid iw g |] i sed for cattle feed, and is sold at 75 i : BoA et fois APS Micenis, er diem, and in remote localities 9 cents per tien i There magssl C . i S Sin eva Jeu a 2 gia Gills the Eagle is the only machine used in ry tri t. T SoCo nao , ut the whole crop of this state, two-thirds of th : A ssn e MIR a Sossbined, do not suffice fully to supply the mills, BSR Seer: Al coal olde sufiers from superabundance of rai ain and from insects, and i i ects, is considered very uncertain SONORA. The crop of this state av kQp) 4 ¢ erages about 1,000,000 same as in Sinaloa. Th . 000,000 pounds per annum, and the re i same as in Sian. Thre yore 1g to uae o tina ivdued to Lover Caio anh rn : . is said to be mor nia, and the crop i superior quality. Its culture is L e certain there than elsewhere in Mexi i WE entertained of its future. now engaging the attention of landholders in that a a ’ opes are DURANGO. The annual product of thi tua AT is state is estimated yielding 420 pounds ure li . ated at 4,000,000 pounds ; the used for cleaning a Dis ak - he American steam gin and some few 30% Sho pri Por 26h #6 1000 pounds, Laborers’ wages are oli oy are used for heating steam-boilers and for Shine Sos Of Qe achinse not ore thn 20 oenta in cash. y 75 cents per diem, but, being paid in high-priced win are equivalent otton gatherers are pai ; 2ieD% to in a day. The crops suffer Ha fo 124 to 25 cents per aroba (25 pounds), and an active m i y seriously from the attacks of vermin, such as worms aan.con Lacey Six arobas ’ » and pocks (viruela). COAHUILA. The annual production of thi i this state is esti did. not probably exceed 1,2 estimated at 3,000,000 pounds ; 50,000 : 000 pounds ; last year’s i SAX. {id the Laguna cotton is pere TL lg nigh . a Te and other dotails are Sood Ada Bilge, containing about 1,200,000 acres, li uire to be planted oftener ti i Ingo. 3 es, lies partly in C : ; r than once in ten years. This distri well adapted to cotto il gi yn Coahuila and partly in Dura is district, n, but is very little cultivated, and the cotton ok dy IR iy Ria inishing yearly. 789 INDEX TO COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Ae Page Adobe lands, belts of, in Sacramento VANOY . ccovni dovsvnnvss 19 character and analyses of..................... 26-28 of 8an Joaquin valley, extent and character of. 93 the Day region .......c.. sunsersvuveeransess 45 coast region, character and analyses of SUDSOHN OF... vcviinvinnnaimins 48, 53, 54 San Diego region....................... 39 S811, AUAIYBISIOR. ... . ...c vee cvwnr sr nens svn sv arees 36 soils, similarity of, to the ‘white lime-prairie” soils OF MISRIERIIDl ee. rcv nns noms inven sre nin sans 54 After-cultivation of cotton................................. 75 Agricultural regions of the state, enumeration of the.... .... 17,18 Alameda county, character and analyses of soil and subsoils of. 53, 55 statistics and description of ............... 111 plain, description of ..................o........ 111 Alkali, character, source, composition, and effects of... .... 63-67 lands of the southern region ...................... 38, 40, 42 PeClAMAbION OF. cous cee ren vane mans onsaneases 64, 65 occurrence of, in the great valley ................... 19 remedies for the rise of ..............._............ 67 SARBROMIA EN. nee ons tomnns secs sensor ssmssr vane 65 SOIL Of Blewalloy. ......c conc vnmee une nennes anos anes 62 soils and irrigation-waters of California, discussion of 63-73 crops suitable for.................. FR SI 67,68 the effects of irrigation on....... She abst 67 Alluvial soils of the San Joaquin valley, character and analy- SEBUOL waivoi suse suvanstissnnrsanmenmmbnsi assis tosses sass 26-30 Alpine county, statistics and description of................. 124 Amador county, statistics and description of. .............. 102, 10: valley, extent and soil of .................... semens 111 Analyses of adobe Soils... .......oooom mime 53, 54 alkali salts, composition of (table) .............. 66 soils of the coast belt .................... 41,42 alluvial soils of the San Joaquin region. .... .... 28-30 soils and subsoils (table)........................ 79-81 by whom made............................ 79-83 of the Coast range ................... 50-55, 58, 59 foot-hills and valleys ............... 34-37 Sacramento region............ sevens 21-23 southern region .................... 40-42 upland soils of the San Joaquin region.... ...... 2-30 valley lands of the coast region ................ 51 waters of the lakes of the great valley region... 69-73 Analysis of chaparral soil ............ IB mes siunike stuns dain 51,52 Antelope valley, extent and soil of .......coooeueeeenunn..... 62 Area and extent of the state .......coooiveeeeeunne enna... 7 of the broken region of the western slope of the Sierra Nevadamountains . ...... coo. oeeeenvennnn.n.. 61 coast region south of the bay country .......... 46 QEBETE TORIOD ....cuvvvaerrnnsnesnnnesnvonne vans 43,44 foot-hills region .......ccceiieeneeennnnnannn... 31 great valley region ...................... susan 18 Page. Area of the irrigable lands. ........ BRE CE Ea Eh 16 irrigated lands in Sacramento valley ........... 17 PEAWOOA VEIL woven vuresn svinsnne suns vnnsrnnes 56 San Joaquin valley ............cccoienenn.n.... 23 Sierra Nevada Mountain region................. 60 SOULHEIN POGION. « «vv cut sume snnens vuowns se snnves 37 population, tilled land, and leading crops (table) ...... 3,4 Arizona, cotton culture in...........ccoee oon cen nnn... 129 Artesian wells a source of irrigation in the southern region.. 42,43 belt of, in Kern county ...........c....o...... 99 in the San Joaquin valley ................... 17 number and depth of, in the southern region. 42,43 of Los Angeles plains........................ 106 Asphaltum, deposits of. ........... LL. iiiiiiiiaan... 116 AUTHOPOUS DIL ooo ov evo ni srs nnn smn sovissnviasenass same » Average, per square mile, of population and tilled land (table) 3.4 B. Baker, SG. UBER. cc nv oss cvs convnn sant eens snmess snnpnns 41 Bales, weight of, in Mexico...... ................. sit nites 131 Barley, acreage and production of, by counties (table) .... .. 3,4 Bay country, general description of the. .....oo. ooo ono..... 45, 46 Bear creek, character of channels and lands of.. ............ 20 Becker, Dr. G. F., remarks of, on variation and periodicity of or 13,14 Bennett valley. extent and lands of ..............ccc....... 117,118 Berryessa valley, extent and description of ................. 118 Berwick, Ed., abstract of description by.................... 113 Big Meadows valley (Mono county), extent and soil of .. .... 62 (Plumas county), extent and @escrip- BOBO . «oc cv nuns veers sennns sennns 123 Bi TICOBPONE «sonny sonsss sasnsonssnosnsss vais nonons vaasns 103 valley, extent, soil, and vegetation of ............ sues 62, 122 Bitter Water valley, extent and description of .... .......... 114 Blowers, R. B., abstract of description by........ccoee...... Nn Broken region of the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains, area and description of the ................... “1 Buenaventura River valley, extent and description of ....... 116 Buena Vista lake, character of the waters of ...... ........ 23,24, 69 Burch, E. C., abstract of description by .............coe..... 110 Butte county, analyses of soils of..........cc.oeeeenununnn.. 22 cottonenlture in ..........cevviencnn cena vens 75 foot-hillsof ................ CRumise bak EEe nab 33 statistics and description of............ cee--. 87,88 Buttes of Sutter county, extent of ........ coeur coven... 89 C. Cache creek, lands and canal of .............coo...... wuss 21 Cajon valley, area and characterof....... senensanses sennes vo) 308 Calaveras county, statistics and description of.............. 103 river, irrigating facilities of. ................. wees 88 ‘California As It Is,” extracts from .....ccceueeeuen... 110,118, 122 California, why included among the cotton states......... “i v 133 791 134 INDEX TO COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Page. Canals for irrigation .. ......c...coeoeee....95-99,103, 104, 105, 106 Cape Mendocino a weather divide ..........ccccveeecneecee: 11 Carmel valley, description of .cceee coceanaceceenienaceacen. 113 Carpenteria valley, extent and description ofc... ...occnn.. 115 Chaparral soil, character and analysis IE Ee 51,52 Chinese, character of, as cotton pickers..................... 7» Chowchilla creek, character of channels and lands of ....... 25 Cienegas, description of .......ccoecoaconrcmceanaaneecen-- Clear lake, extent and character of, and surrounding valley of. 119 > Climate of different regions ..........ceeeeececcncanecenan- 17,18 Los Angeles plains. ...c..covmmeaennioncnaanes 106 the state, general features of .....c.cccceeceenen- 8-14 Coahuila, Mexico, cotton culture in the state of .......ance-- 131 valley, description of .......ccemeeriieianneaen 43 Coast, character of .........cooomnneecomcnnnennnrooceeens 7 line, trend and character of... ....ccccceernncannnneees 47,56 Range foot-hills, general description Of. ..c.o vienna 34-37 geological features of .......cooeeveenaninnnn. 8 region north of San Pablo bay, county descrip- ION OF cus inn savvusnnnnss snevuns 116-121 south of San Pablo bay, county descrip- HONS OL «onnivnns sinvnvenn wavs seve 109-116 region north of bay country, general description of .. 55-59 south of bay country, area and general descrip- Goose Lake valley, extent and description of vegetation and soils of Goose-lands of Colusa county, description of Gospel swamp, extent and soils of Granite, occurrence of Granitic region, description of Great valley, lake and river waters of, and their quality for irrigation purposes “ees e sma seme ELE EERE EEE] Cotton product per acre in Merced bottom lands PABBA EEE SEES. ssman “se ses mernc seman staple, rating Of coe ceeinaace inane meee varieties of, best adapted to California Cottonseed, how disposed of in Mexico price and use of Counties, agricultural descriptions of Cretaceous formation, occurrence of Crops, effect of irrigation on for alkali soils growing seasons of leading, by counties (table) of the Sierra foot-hills dee mrs sever sense aan sen sme mms es emma tems ese semen semen. “senor ses ner one. cases ms snmanssmnen. PEE E nr teres cme mer seme. ma Paar SPY EE SE RL EES A *% sem nen sms es name. of California, area and general character of cms a mess AES SANS SERRE Tm EAS Ae rE. SEE. Se. “semen carers sme ram ews se eonesemmnsy region, county descriptions of ................ 87-100 | dns samme sm AEE CaS SESS Ny Praga or a 2 SER TB dh i Bed dail a Green valley of Solano county Green, W. 8,, description by Guerrero, Mexico, cotton culture in the state of Gypsum, neutralization of alkali by ryaiprangpgrgragng SEO BE ES Ghd meee r seers tenes semen amma. enue tenner ses. ACES. Sess. nn. Cee es sss mes seamen sans femme Davidson, Professor George, testimony of, regarding irrigation Day, Sherman, description of tule marshes by Death’s valley, description of Del Norte county, statistics and description of Depth of tillage in cotton culture Desert region, general description of Diseases and insect enemies of the cotton-plant in Mexico.... Drainage and topography of the state...... system of the great valley region Sacramento valley San Joaquin valley .......ceeeev eens Dry Lake valley, extent and description of Dudley, J. M., abstract of description by Durango, Mexico, cotton culture in the state of Sees ms mm. om Haggin and Carr, experiments of, in cotton culture Savas Haggin, J. B., estimate by, of cost of cotton production Hall, W. H., quoted Cannes serves Aer w me sen seman serene mene men Hayden, Charles T., of Arizona, abstract of letter from oner -hi Sie « Ine 1 "1 Higher foot-hills and Sierra Mountains regions, county de- nea are. Yee... PE LE EA LER History of cotton culture Hog-wallow lands of the great valley region Hollister valley, extent and description of.ccoo. coool oe... Honey Lake valley, extent, soil, and vegetation of Howell Mountain summit, description of...... ......... Humboldt county, character and analyses of bottom lands of. statistics and description of Humus determination of soils weve memes oO au mma nen YEE OC EE a IT rte Dar eer the dies ras TTR mre mama seven. sens smn seme seme sure esses mess senan EE II ITSP Sp Hyde, Lieutenant M. E., Arizona, abstract of letter from. .. . Eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains, description of. Hydrography of the southern region Eel River bottom lands, character and analyses of soils and subsoils Of .. cc ieiemmmecaeeanaans valley lands, description of El Dorado county, statistics and description Of eens on sna Elevations in the Sierra Nevada mountain region ........... 5 of the mountains of the southern region Enumeration, tabulated results of the Eruptive rocks, occurrence Of ..coir vue Indians of Arizona, cotton produced by Indian valley, extent of Information, sources of, in the preparation of this report .... v-vii Introductory letter by General F. A. Walker........... Inyo and White mountains, timber growth of county, statistics and description of Ione valley, extent and soil of . ... id Irrigable lands in the Los Angeles region ................... of Sacramento valley Irrigation, area of lands subject to districts, unit for farms in effects of, on alkali soils PERS BEES SARS sens SE EE Cee ees beeen we Sees Bers cen men Creeamnscensnvnnvssesnsssrsansns Features, prominent, of the state Flint, Daniel, abstract from description by Float-land of the tules. .... vane AEE ARE ERS RASA ne Floods of the streams of the great valley, periods of Fogs of the bay country southern region prevalence of, and their influence on soils and plants. . Foot-hills of the Coast range Sierra, general description of the region, area and description of Fremont, Governor John C., information obtained from Fresno county, analyses of alkali salts of ewes sme me Nam Swe “mee sens seme see term Peewee csc seer seems sem. Ces ees tem ees sae seme es AEE AER REESE ARES Sen Sew Serene semen s seem ee ne meme Selena] TOMAIKS Ol. cvnerssssrsn ss sanvsnsss vores laws and rights concerning, and duty of water for. methods of... ........_. of cotton crops....... . the Sacramento Valley region required in cotton culture in New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona...... CEE SEES BEI A SASS SESS sae ctB EEE TEENS FAST AEST CEs SAAN. sess ss ens aes sme m eee te mer seer sess meme seme mns Bese ame. seem es see men woe waters and alkali soils of California, discussion of. Islands of the tule lands cotton culture in .......coceeeeemnecececans statistics and description of Plains soil, character and analysis of river, character of lands of Frosts, exemption of thermal belts from Fruits of the foot-hills and coast regions. ...... seme es sem. remem see me sree meen emma se es ames semen ames seems soma, Jackson, J. L., experiments of, in cotton culture Jackson valley, extent and soil of .....oeeeeveeeerunnnonnn . Jalisco, Mexico, cotton culture in the state of........... isn Jefferds, F. G., abstract of description by. .................. Ces mm EE ERE RES SAE RET SEE em mmo ss swe cme. Gavilan Mountain range, elevation and description of . ...... Geological history of the valley of California report of California quoted survey of the state, reference to reports of the.... Geology of the state, outline of Gins in use in Mexico variety of, used in Merced valley Gold-bearing rocks, belt of Golden Gate, influence of, upon t Kaweah river, irrigating facilities of... ... Rememtivn en VEE ERY Keller, Matthew, premium received by, for cotton production. Kelsey, Horace G., analyses of waters by Kelsey, Mr., information obtained from .... .. duviissnans sree Kern county, analysis of alkali salts of ............... ite analysis of soil of eemm ms vows am esses ss seem as seem sees ess mere semen en CSB EEE ARENA SERS saan ae ces E SESE BARES ARES SRS EES enn SBN sn sm B ERS SBES IAEA RT seme, EE RX cotton culture in .........ccceceeee venue... 73,74 statistics and description of. ...... Cte eee SEOs sens YR NEST SMT T eS Suny he climate of the bay country 9,45 HON OF. ccc cvnnsninsssivumnnn snows mune anne 46-55 Colima, Mexico, cotton enlture in the state OF. cima wwe mie 131 Colenies, locations of «ooo. coinveannremenennnnnincnes 96, 105, 107 Colorado river, Arizona, cotton produced ON .ocvceenenaann-- 130 bottom soil, analysis of .......cciceceennn- 40 Colusa county, cotton culture in ........... sennisme ees ames 7 statistics and description of. ...........o--- 88, 89 Contra Costa county, character and analysis of soil of..ccou. 53, 54 statistics and description of........ 110,111 mountain range, elevation and description of... 46 Corn, acreage and production of, by counties (table)... .... 3,4 Corral de Piedra valley ..ccee ovens ciemeemmnncecnonan cannes 115 Correspondents, reference list of ...........coonemeneonnnnns 125 Cost of cotton production.........c..coeeeeenroemnnaons cone 76 Cotton, amount of, picked per day by Chinese...........--- 75 picked per day in Mexico .......ccceeeonne- 131 bolls fail to open in the bay country ..........-.-.-- 45 number of, on each plant . ......ceniecenenn- 75 cost of picking, in Mexico .......cccenneiiinnononns 131 culture, conclusions regarding ........cccee.eeccees 76-78 exient of, in the state ...... cccceeveceee ene v in Merced COUNtY cee eeemacacccenranncscens 95 Napa county .........- CennE mente vane 118 New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona .. ...... 129, 130 santa Clara valley .....ceeeceecanenceee 48 the state, history and general remarks on. 73-78 Ventura county .c...ceeeecceeeenncceces 116 method Of eee veeecaecennncaccncunnancanes 75,76 of the lands of Merced river ........ccec.eee 25 reasons in favor of ccceee ceeeeieenaraaaacene 77,78 effect of the climate of the great valley upon ........ 11 factories in operation in Mexico.......cocuvuneneens 130, 131 fiber, nature of ...... coer ceeociiiiinn cocaine 76 first shipment of... cc. cooeeeiecimammenrocenns awn 74 gins erected ..... .coeenorainnnanoore ess nnnes 74 lint, price and weight of bales of, in Mexico ......... 131 peculiarity of the Petit Gulf .........ccooccoeenennes 75 pickings, when begun and how many made...... ..-. 75 picking, time of, in Arizona and Mexico. ...... conve 130 plant, height of, and when thinned out ...cccvevvn-- 75 indigenous in the Gulf of Mexico region ...... 130 irrigation of co .coeeeceiiiannnianmnnaineanns 75 not sensitive toalkali.....c.cccceeneecccrenen 129 production in the states of MeXiCO evens vocenrcanns 130,131 itemized cost Of ccc cer ceccerinncacennnns 76 on Napa Valleysoil ......cccccvecnercen- 58 premiums offered for ..........coo0oeoene 73,74 INDEX TO COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. | 135 | Kern lake, character of the waters of ..... "ununsesnnens 354 oe river, analyses of the watersof.................... ‘n 72 delta region ................... MAL "99 ; irrigating PaCilItioR Or... oc ve certs onan an 24 Kimball, F. A, quoted........c.cccecovnsnsnsnnssnene sans 40 King’s river, analyses of the waters of.................... a 71,72 irrigating facilities of... ....oonnnoennoeen ns "2 Klamath River basin, description of........................ 56 Knight's valley, extent and lands of ...................... 118 | a | Laborers, character of, as factory hands 30, 1: | f, BOA. ivni saiided 130, 131 employed in picking cotton, wages paid to, and | amount of cotton picked per day by ........... wD Xf - in Mexico, condition of .. ceo. vienr oon ce aaann. 130 | wages paid to, in picking cotton...... 130, 131 1 Lake and river waters of the great valley and their quality fOr Irrigation PUTPOSES ....e. couev innit siesssvion : 69,70 county, character and analysis of soil of ............. 58, 50 COON COIEITO IM cc cnecnnen vans vues vans 74 statistics and description of coon een. cen. .... 119 Take Elnor valley, lands of .........c.oueene veneer cennenn. 104 | Lakes and valleys of Alpine county .......cceeeuvue..... = 124 Land, preparation of, in cotton culture...... .ceceeveun.n.... “ | under tillage (1aV16Y. ...vou enue cone connnr vnmans annnns 3,4 i Lassen county, statistics and deseription of. ................ 122 | Lava-bed region, extent and character of.......... 7,8,33, 34,62, 63 | BETCOMNG. cso voice cinta insinsn mins amine ese eisai vis di gh 61 | Legislature, premiums offered by, for cotton production. oo 73,74 | Teetter of tRanSIILIGL - -.. cuueeiennn nner sanons ssnnenansans vevii i Livermore valley, character and analyses of soils of .....47,55, 111 I Lompoc valley, extent and description of. .................. : 116 | Long valley, extent and description of .......ooveeaan. ooo. 113,122 | Los Alamos valley, extent and description of. ...oee ooo. .... "116 i Los Angeles and San Bernardino plains, area and description OF oc cies renee ses nnssscairnenmmnsisemmionicsmsnnis 37,38 county, analyses of alkali salts of ............. 66 soils and subsoils of .. ..... 40 cotton culture in...eee eeeeeeceeaeenn.. 73,74 statistics and description of .......... 105-107 plains, general description of .................. 38 river, analyses of waterof .................... 71,72 irrigating facilities of... ............... 42 Loughridge, Dr. R. H., assistant in the preparation of report. v Lower California, Mexico, cotton culture in .......cce...... 131 Lower foot-hills region, county descriptions of ............ 100-105 Ji McPherson, W. G., quoted ......cccueueerennn.n.. ‘nhs ene san 41 Marin county, statistics and description of ...ee. .ce....... 116,117 Mariposa county, statistics and description of .............. : 104 creek, character of channels and lands of ......... 25 Marsh lands, vegetation of ..............oiiiiiiiinnnan.... 30 Marysville buttes, area and nature of .......ceeeeueennn.... 20 Mavity, John, abstract of description by .cecee.evonenn..... 118 Mechanical composition of California 80ilS.ceeee ceeeee enn... =2, 83 Mendocino county, statistics and description of. ............ 119 Merced county, analyses of alkali salts of .. .......cc....... 66 SONBOf . .ccovens vernsrnssnssansn 38,50 statistics and description of ................ 95, 96 river, analysis of the waterof..............c....... 71,72 bottom land, character and analysis of ........ 26-28 valley, bluffs and lands of........... saves cuss 25 valley, method of cotton culture in..........ceeee..... 75 Mesa lands of the southern region...........ccoceiacann oon. 38-41 Method of cotton culture..............ocoen..... senein sods 75,76 Mexico, report on cotton culture in ........cceeeoveeen.... 130 131 Mines, débris from, damage done by .....ccceeeucaennenn.... : 20 Mission valley, of San Diego county ........ccccaevcaeannnn. 108 Modoc county, statistics and description of.......... Aesene 121, 122 Mojave desert, general description of...... ..... .44, 105, 107, 108, 109 Mokelumne river, analysis of the water of .........cccoc.... 7, 72 Mono county, analysis of alkali salts of ...ccc..oeecun nnn... 66 793 136 INDEX TO COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. - Page. Page. Mono county, statistics and description of.................. 124 | Regions, description of—continued. Monterey county, statistics and description of co.cc oon... 113 Sierra Nevada Mountain region......ccceceecenananan. 59-63 Moore, George A., qUOted .......cccenrrniananeioccen nes 36 Southern region ...........ccececesmamneaceeeaanns 37-43 | Mountains, general ranges of ..........oeecitiianiaaaeanes 7 || Remarks on cotton culture in California .........cccceeeenn. 73-78 of the coast region...... Gavadiasarnninvens rane 46,55,56 || Remedies for the ‘rise of alkali”........cccueemmeannnceenns 67 southern region ........c..ocieiiiniiaannn 37 || Report, arrangement of ............cceaeiiiiiiiiiaataannes v-vii Mount Diablo, description of coven coer iieene inane conn. 46,110 sources of information for........... Casmssnes smn v-vii timber DAIL OF cc. cnue cere ncssrcenennnnsenrees 33 why included among those of the cotton states ...... iii, v Mussel Slough alluvial land, analysis of... ccovneeeeennnn.. 97-30 {| Republic of Mexico, report on the culture of cotton in the.. 130,131 country, lands of .........ocoeeitnn. ey 24,25 | Rich, George, abstract of description by........... Rp a on N. | River and lake waters of the great valley and their quality a Napa county, character and analysis of soil Of uuosivvwes 57,08 | for irrigation bed bh tae dh dd Ri 69, 3 statistics and description of ...... cocceueannnn 118 | Rivers of the coast region north of the bay country......... : hj valley, description and analyses of soils of ............ 57,58 ! a YOZION ...ucxesrsunignwsasarirminss, 12, 49 extent and lands of . co. iiiii iia 18 | SEA0,... Luria ane nr : ' “Natural Wealth of California” quoted .43,56, 60, 62, 97,101, 103,119 | Round valley, extent and deseription of .............xx--- oi ii Nevada county, statistics and description of... ............ 101 | Russian River valley, description and extent of. ............ 86,117 New Mexico, cotton culture in ..... ccc oiuemriaacnenannn. 129 | S. Newsom, D. F., abstract of description by ........ ....ooonne 115 | adres SOUNEe, sulvsivor albali salty ol 66 Northers, prevalence and duration of, and their effect on crops. 9 | SAeranelo county, Jnliysise et BOL dsevrnnevvsem on 9 ) cotton culture in ......ceeeieeonniannans 73,74 Oats, acreage and production of, by counties (table) ........ 3,4 | statistics and description of ............ 02.03 Ohleyer, George, abstract of description by ....oooooonneonn 90 i river, analysis of the Water of .. cov. cu vevenr aun. 71,72 Ojai valley, extent and lands of Loo. ooveeooniamnnnioreeens 116 | valley, area, general character, and soils of .... 19-23 Olden, William R., abstract of description by. ...o.o..ooon. 107 | ClO IRORGOT oe center ss sinrsansnninies 30,31 Osgood, J. IL, abstract of description DY eee ieee 110 Salinas valley, extent and description OF rien, 48,113,114 Outline of the physical geography of the state ............. 7-73 | Salt-grass soil, character and analysis of... ...ooooentcennns 28-30 Overhiser, C. L., experiments of, with alkali soil ........... 64 | Salt River valley, Arizona, cotton cenlture in. ......ee covcen FRAY Owen's valley, description of. .... cover vvrennennennnnnss 61 ! San Benito county, character and analysis of soil of ......... 50, 51 Pacific Rural Press quoted -.. .. rae seein pe 123 | 5 Ax SitiNties 4nd Aosent Dion i le a a Mwhfionag IT sg ing | SanBernardine and Los Angeles plaine, area and description of 7, 3 Paleortio Age, TORTONEE $0: 1.vx vs «svesnsesnssismsnnos snsnes 8 | connes, i of alizall sli Of. +s a - i AyD EE SS yy statistics and description of ....... 107, 103 Partsch, Herman, examinations by ......coceeiimmmannn nnn vi PHI AORITIPROTOE, unset essnrnasssss arse 107 Pearson, G. C., abstract of deseription by... .cveeveanao.on 92 | vailey, QESCTIPHORIOL. ones iremnnnns Che -. Petjume Saver valley, Aesonpiios o a Bly | San Diego chamber of commerce, abstract from pamphlet of. Su ralley, ex a AnAR OF... «cus csncondnms mmnns 70 gh nals af altial at Petroleum well of Ventura county cee. eoeoeiiiiennnnann. 116 Sonus: aunlysos.of Wie a Of. 12s reenmreinnses Pitt oy Diathster of the streams, banks, and adjoining i; statistics and AOFCTHHIOTOR somes reas OE, 109 COUNIEY OF. oi os covnrnaninnmmms snssis sun wns manne bans esses 2 a Tost au Placer county, analysis of S011 Of .. covves sesesvonemenresmnses 55) I " yegion, deseriphion Of esses My us i tiation ARTACSTIILON OF coon ssrens morse 102 i San Fernando valley, area and description of........ gore Planting and cultivation of eotton........ocooiemeeannn nn. 75 | Sun Francisco Bllenn qnased — in al en sof : ila : 1s oi di Plateau lands at the foot of Sierra Madre mountains. ..... .. 33 ! oLE, gi 4 snd analysosofsoilandsun. 52.5% Plumas county, statistics and description GF sven cnsnnsimmns 123 j statistics ad deserip HOR OF eens 100 Pomona soil, character and analysis of .ccccvoooeenaaann on. 40,41 || reninsala. character snd analyses of soil and Population, area, tilled land, and leading crops (table) ...... 3,4 I soil » iti ayy 59 53 Poverty Hill, character of 80il of .......ccoeusenees sane annnn 2) cancainichsl A aclonnnren Da ja ! region, extent and description of ............. 114 a0 Gallic! Tver, yTigaang melt es Dlutressnnsontonssran or 2 Powell, Major J. W., QUOREL. 4 c47 $255 05ns sassis ES vupuiLS 15 San Joaquin basin, character and extent Ofc ceeeeeiieeenn Dy ] : county, analyses of alkali salts of.............. 66 Putah Creek valley lands, character and analysis of ...... 22,91,92 |i . ¥ : : i ¥ soil and subsoil of .......... 28 : % statistics and description of ........... 93, 94 ! Quaternary formation, occurrence of.............coeet anne. 8 delta well water, analysis of «cee ceeeeeennnn 71,72 ! R. river, analysis of the water of................. 71,72 } Rain belt of the San Diego region ..........cceeieenenennnn. 39 irrigating facilities and character of bor- Rainfall, extent and variation of, and general remarks on .. 11-14 dering landsof ......ccoceiiiiannnannn. 25 in the different regions. ... ccc oevcaeaieeieennann. 17,18 valley, general character, drainage system, and penetration of, in the soils .......ceoieeniiaaanont 14 soils of...... ccoeue pi RE 23-31 precipitation of, chiefly in the winter months ...... 13 irrigable area of .......coceiiiiiniannn 16 Rain-storms, time and character of ..........ccocoenennnn. 8,9 tale 1ond8 Of ....cccovesrsrasannnnsanes 31 Rating of cotton staple. .... o.oo oeinmammmniiimanaenanann 77 || San Lorenzo valley, extent and lands of .......ccoceennenn... 112 Reclamation of alkalilands ...... comer iemeiiicceennnnnnn. 64,65 || San Luis Obispo county, statistics and description of ...... 114,115 Redding, B. B., cited regarding changes of temperature and San Mateo county, character and analysis of soils of ........ 50, 51 rainfall in the foot-hills region ......c.cceereennnannnn. 10, 32,33 statistics and description of............ 109,110 B Red lands of the foot-hills, character and analyses of ....... 34-37 || San Ramon valley, description of. .........ocooimeaaaannnn 47 ge af Redwood belt of the coast region, area and extent of. ....... 56 || Sand-storms of the desert region...... ..cceceoceeenemnnn... 106 Eh Regions, description of : : Santa Ana river, irrigating facilities of .......cccceannaaan. 42 0) Coast Range region... ....ccooeeiimenninnannnann. 44-59 valley, extent and descripticnof ................ 114 gil Desert region ...oce veceeecaeace cee rnnmneanacanan.. 43,44 || Santa Barbara county, character and analysis of soil of .. ... 49,50 : Foot-hills region... ....coceeeiicinnnnmmniananeenes 32-37 cotton culture in .........cccoeone.- 74 18-32 statistics and description of ........ 115,116 Great Valley region.......coceeeeecerocancencnena-. 794 San rr ipti a Ch lym ......... pe hy a Y, lysis of alkali salts of ..... 66 || Table of chemic freee. cal analyses of soils and subsoils is ind Sogledy of a of ........ 51,52 humus and its available constituents .............. id p iption of............ 112 showin iti ea 6 Bed S : oe 9 g composition of alkali salts ....... Hives Vv hey of Ventura county, description of ..49, 116 elevations and averages of rainfall in diffe rent oe Sits Ca me HE of ....... eesniaanns 47,48,112,114 parts of the state : ati 2 nty, c 1aracter and analysis of soil of ........ 50, 51 elevationsand t piperitinres st ANTSreBL putnt HY oii statistics and descriptionof............. 112 of the nn Manna Mountain range, elevation and description of 5 | | analyses uf Sots AOA sbEite 1 SE nia Fi vation ption of... 46 mechanical analyses of soils i a Ther rey, — o and de scription of .... ETTTRTPRES 115 periodicity and ean sails orks ol Sain Lous My a range, elevation and description of .. 46 || Tabulated results of the enu-peration a a valley, description of . .... 5 || Tal : "iv Ba reer idotente; Pr Sa ou, yall: des fone 115 alus lands of the great valley region. . a! is ] Bet onion and description of ........_... 56,57,117 | Taylor, J. D., abstract of rm Ae el rns i a : a, description of ........ 116 || Taylor, J eo a Sationy by 4 Sse emesis 16 aylor, John, abstract of description by . fsa legs Sami) i and description of ._......... 121 | Tehama county, statistics and ot areca I ’ Glin o : “ . : he ton Mek eh ee rs a 74 || Temperature, general remarks on, and tales of tain a , WC ivn wien aou bans 77 || Temperatures, ¢ i > alifornia and 4 Shasta county, analyses of soils and subsoil of .............. Py Tn iii ie; of AeOalitemis and pa EE TPE P PEPER 73 || Terrace of the coast valleys. Sl : valine : Bees and description of ..........._.... 100 || Terraces of Pajaro river ........................... ak ‘alley, description of. .......... MY ontheborlorsof thewreat valley... ne ; Tip Sree eeeseeeaii 2 on the borde p Sierra Sonn: statistics and description of ...... ........._. 123 || Tertiary Sot BA hp i aie 00 : oe 1% 2) "4 . . i] : : : : oe B e 9 ETT ; 3 eit ears pono oe iption of siete ad es 32-37 Thermal belts of the constremion ......... 11 A a y en Sunnsiel “eset ee -- 8 || Thompson, W. G., abstract from desiription b er Halen lier oy ie logon, elevation and character of.. 59-63 || Tilled land, acres and averages of, by commiier coubh Dn “i Sire yy eX ) an eseription Of ee eee 123 | lands, percentage of area on (tabl Sern a Sh a, Mexico, cotton culture in the state of... ......__.. 131 | Timber growth of the br ; i BY reeroineivnnn: Bi Siskiyou county, statistics and description of... _._......__. 121 || : fi . iy ea 5 Slickens, character and analysisof ..............___. ... 22% ar | Son aids Montel rorion oo = material of and destruction of lands by. ........... 20 | boy Sona Monsiungin is, ai OWLIO } i “ v : hern region... .......... oe iy 3 2 arenes a nthe great valley .oeems ceennnennnn.. 1n | Time, length of, before the cotionveed ONE... or... Brin ) : : Ol rn Se C 8: : rs » . Te ‘ BD effects of alkali BON... i oe dials a i o piesing ie Astin ee i the cli : > a 3 Ey . li 3g gsica yr irrneess ini BA moisture ofthe ........ 14 | planting cotton in California and Mexico yn or Sasehopics) Sonia 2 I ee hen ae 82, 83 | when cottan-biooms first ABA ean ee soo o 3 YOPIITIEUHON OE voce. erras simararns corn sos 15 | bolls first open and when pi joing bogie. I WR 31 olis first open and when pickin i Yi 3 ; 8 Mesos nnsrsensmunns ensenssnransvnsesnss 45 fl Topography aud drainage of the state ’ hag, Pig coast region, character and analyses of ......... 47-59 || Trade winds . ERE 8 Sasadls, character and analyses of............ 34-37 | T ransmittal, letter of RRR : Mojave desert, cliaracter and analysis of . | Trans Son Sueilitios (400 LOMAS AeSETLEiONS) rT is Sacramento valley, character and analyses of. : 21 Y | T tu iy oe —. CS alloy; el yses of... 21-23 | Y, statistics and descripti be Join valley, general character and River vilicy lands a = BO sresmaneton pe) nalyses of .... ....... 8 ! RN yo Lane cerns eee 26-30 || Tulare county, analyses of i : southern region, character and analyses of... ... 39-42 iy Joo a a 8 msensensnsie: - Solano county, analysis of alkali salts of .................... 66 statistics Wis : pti n f ire a a A a o tistics scription of. ................ 97, 93 I ro 22 lake, alkalitie character of the waters of... ....16, 17, 69, 73 Sonoma county, analysis of alkali win BE anusnrcsnsnys 91,92 Plates soils, character, and analyses of. "97 30 3 3 alkali saltsof......._........... 66 iver basin, ext PL He cteoams. . 23: hatesien and analyses of soils of .......... 57,58 || Tule islands of Suisun ge haul chasler of ints SHU cilios 4 ” ins 04 Soserintion 0 rcs vnnniinns 117,118 lands, extent and general chatacier of Ee My 3 =» Sotora. lk y@ 5 & ands of ..................... 56,57, 117 of Sacramento county... .................. wy a, Mexico, cotton culture in the state of.......... .... 131 San Joaqui yore sessteshiteintia tin 3 Southern and desert regions, county descriptions of ........ 105-109 the bay SUR COM contamina: > «. region, area and general description of........_._. 37-43 ot y . iii RR i Stanislaus county, analysis of soils of ..._......_. 35 Yolo J Noy ROSIR sens mnsstannsinse: 2 lys Terre eeeeianeel SOUNLY ov vvve svosns sevens sernnes ios Satie and foun Of. ininaias 94 well adapted to cotton culture. ............... » Siatie sari ) gating facilities of. .................... 26 | Tuolumne county, analyses of soils of... ............. i g ural society, premiums oftered by ............. 73 statistics and d CT Bent 3 a es : Sorte wes reports of, regarding cotton production... 73,7 river, irrigating facilitie rn heosuinsnny mi Se 8 rarely accompanied by thunder and lightning ...__.. 9 table Wg t REE mee tami ® Sissnms of the San Joaquin valley, channels and cafions of. . 23-26 ian eons nsession ® rong, Colonel J. M., estimate by, of cost of cotton production 76 U % experiments of, in cotton culture 74 | OP land or bench soils, character and rn 4 periments of, in cotton culture . ...... : y er and analyses,of ..... 27- Strother, David H., United States consul-general, report of, | Utah, cotton culture in ...... re es OH BIORICO. seve ioieneinrrnans son. 130 131 gee eats R Sugar-beet lands of Paj oF _ hi JATO FIVE . ...ccan vee fe rnmnnn vnnnn h i i : RE as TALE THEE + mrer ces 1 fi2stsacnsonnne or Vacavill fruit belt, extent and character of............ 34,91 Surface features of the Sacramento valley -....... $otannses b alley of California, geological history of the... ............ 70,71 Surprise valley, extent, lakes, and description of ........_.. 62,122 || Valle Bon, SEfeny FO CHBIAOUF Of vee sesereurnnrnns ? Sutter county, cotton culture in....... ......... 74 » inom ox: cee eneacnnn. mador .... Tm wl 00 FEUD suse rtosnn crs nrves trsrsssmnner sennsrassay 111 ERENT ANL CRIS N NEES Rar senses sen. ae WT 138 INDEX TO COTTON PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA. Page. Valleys, descriptions of——continued. BOTINBtt -ocaiesnsisssarnnsns sunnns sunsvnsn ss os sone 117,118 BEITYESSA «ccvvvvrameeeenonescnnomsccccnsnncs cose 118 Big Meadows (Mono county) RIOIONT ROE (Plumas county) ....cceceecececeenns 123 Big VALIOY ox ceenns sures seen nmnras ssn sues vnnnss62 192 Bitter Water ccc. coceveaccenceacasssscennnnnncs anne 114 Buenaventura River ......ccceeecccccenncacccce anne 116 Cajon ......... sii Se eek wens an Seis 7 30108 CATE]. .cc eee cnsnsnnncnncssannsnsnsssanasansacens 113 Carpenteria ............- aidan sansa naaee. 1B Coahuila ........... rr 43 Corral de Piedra.ceee. cover canmcececmnnaacacccnnn- 115 Peath's ....-....-.-- Pe ee CSdNeE aaa analy 43 Dry Lake ..... ev .« 114 Eel River ....ceeuv vn. Cee Snes ea 120 Goose Lake cece enn... Ses dives eens B2122 Great valley of California. ......cccoceeennnnee ven. 18-31 Green valley of Solano... ...cccevoeeeececamnoannee- 91 Hollister ..... rir eR ET A 114 Honey 1aKe .....coceeeronnenrmnancennmaananncnnnee- 62 Indian ......... TER ree Pera Cala mde 89 103 Jackson..... ome are eae See. Knight's ...cvceeeecnnnne- isrrstvrbeevsrwer senna 118 Lake EInor...... coeeaesecees aa earenen 04 Livermore ....c ccceeeeee- rer even Sen evn ae R00, 1H] Ione ..... aaa ee arate Cinna eee Ree a Lompoc «cnn oeuvee SEN Er Ie ON, © Long (Lassen county) .........c-------- isin in nina 122 (Monterey county) «coc.c-seeeeemancees OE Los AlamoS...cee ceneen-. mena ise pg nn 116 Angeles ........ hens ene sssverennernvueerIS 105 NAPA cove cnn veonnanson ance nns et esuv aren ssssiy 05,118 Ojai ...-- reine VE eaves tennssnrusianvany. HIG Oowen's....... Ry peta Sm nim pene 61 Pajaro ........ wR vessnes sees aren eneeiS lS Petaluma ......--. wii vse snsenvenessnss D0, 57,107 ROUNA ocvuvveevmanacecsnensmnsscusansnmenssnsenens 122 Russian IVER + cc ans vn snns svssnsnsnssnnsonness sass 0,117 weramento .........- yy seers pena sas sen ssn swe 1903 AliNaS..c. crnaonrensers tesns unoens sanune senses, 13, 114 Salt River, Arizona .... coeceecennanenccerenanncens 129 San Bernardino ...eeeeeeeecceniceannan- ree aee..-38,40,107 ou. . San Pernando ....c..ceee came ccecnrcncecccnonaooncs 38 San Gabriel ...oovecee iment aneceemaeaccecasannes 40 San JOAQUIN «eeu oonnenecns sommes amcocncnnaaen cons 23-31 San Lorenzo ...cece coveeeccecsenmacsoccescaaccr ones 112 San Ramon cece coeeimeecncncneanaeccooecnannn- 47 SaNtd ADB .cun vaca cenvnennancecosennnncssssonenaccs 114 Santa Barbara ....c.ccceececeec connec scnnccccencnce 115 Santa CBB «ev x conver sexuns sone sosnensusnssSiydS, 113,114 : RIVEE cuvs nurs sues cusses sessnses enensedDy 110 Santa INEZ cc. ceceeerenccccscans sess cacccccerenncs 115 796 Page. Valleys, descriptions of—continued. Santa MATIA «.c.ccoececececacecececeancosncrnecnns 115 SIS ROBB... sues conse sssss sonnns 2ene sons ....56,57,117 SEOUL oo cens sens nnnnssss sansa sess suns sass veennsns 121 BABES, coor vsades snisinni sainns snnnesserons sas ens 121 OTT ce isiiniossaroiivinssntnsnisansinsnnninoses 123: t SONOMA ..vvuvuceenncsennssancnssannss =e veen-.-.56,07,117 SUIPTiSe «ecuuevammcs soccneonnnnn sannnnauones eens. 05,122 Trinity RIVer ccc .oooeiamacmeaacmmncacene comenons 1200 Yosemite........--. cna bar ir vey ee enns smcesn: 104 Valleys of Mendocino county, description Of..-%. anh as NY Plumas county, description of .........c..... vee 193 the coast T@EION ...ccneoenencmnnnanacn nnn .. 47-49, 56, 57 ! : eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains. 61,62 { foot-hills, description and analyses of soils of. 36,37 Variation and periodicity of rainfall, remarks on............ 13,14 | Vegetation and crops, effect of climate upon.......... rn 11 ofthe marsh lands ....cccceeeeaeannn ces wanes 30,30 of the regions. (See regional descriptions.) | Ventura county, analysis of alkali salts of .........cccconr 66: | character and analyses of soilsof .......... 49, 50 | | statistics and description of ...... cvnw anne 116 Vera Cruz, Mexico, cotton culture in the state of ..........- 130 Vineyards, acreage of, by counties (table) ...coevuennnn. mais Syd extent of, in Napa county ...........--- dees . ‘N88 Vineyard soils of Sonoma and Napa counties, character and | analysesof ............. nee ene see Sa eee. 07,58 ! Visalia timbered region............ ial hb mris nim eien sien 24 Volcanic material .........coeeeeen- aains nie wie ......8,33,61 soil, character and analysis of ......... sriavn een... 08,59 Ww. | Walker, Hon. F. A., introductory letter by, to report on Cali- ll fOrmifl.eeccececneeceannnccmnamenanes a Soden mia int me wn in sisi ee Water, duty of, in irrigation................- svme mem 17 Weeks, B. V., abstract of description DY «ccceveeoencnn enn 110 | Wheat, acreage and production of, by counties (table) ...... 3,4 Whitaker, G. N., abstract of description DY currvonsaicresnes WB | White and Inyo mountains, timber growth of.........connon- 61 Willson, N. J., abstracts of descriptions by .... .94-100, 106, 108, 109 i Winds of the desert region. .........c.o.on- ce semetnnnny sens 2100 i prevailing currents of... .ooo oil inn ees oni AR 8,0 | Wire-grass soil, character and analysis of ...... cnn mmm DAR I Wright, J. W. A., quoted regarding method of cotton culture. 5: Y. | Yolo county, cotton eulture in ....... diene tems AS eh 74 statistics and description of. .... oe sunssssnsnes 0,01 Yosemite valley, description of .......ccceeceeranncceceocn-- 104 Yuba county, analyses of 80ils Of o.oo. cconeeneaaeenns 22,35 foot-hills Of .cccce cecuencmacceiecncnariconcnas 33 statistics and description of......ccceeeeeenn. 89 river, bottom lands of, injured by mining débris ...... 20 Sd A END OF TITLE END OF REEL. PLEASE REWIND.