State Agricultural Society. 443 



All streams flowing from the Sierras which are not charged with the 

 mud from mining operations, bring with them extremely minute particles 

 of inorganic matter. Stooping upon the edge of the stream, the sun's 

 rays being in the right direction, some of these particles — probably 

 micaceous scales — can be perceived. If a sufficient quantity of the water 

 be collected and allowed to settle, this matter will be deposited as an 

 impalpable slime. In this state it is the perfection of manure — the 

 sustenance of plants in the form under which they can most readily 

 assimilate it — the true fertilizing slime of the Nile. In seasons succeed- 

 ing a general overflow of the Tulare streams the vegetable growths are 

 of an exceptional luxuriance; the yield of cultivated crops reaches nearly 

 incredible figures. Much of the soil that is thrown up to make the canal 

 banks is light and sandy — at points, as in crossing old river beds— an ap- 

 parently pure sand, which, it might be supposed, would be incapable of 

 retaining water. Yet the water does not percolate thi*ough the banks, 

 and when these are examined after the flow has continued awhile, it is 

 found that the inner layer has become cemented together, and is as im- 

 pervious to water as rock. The slimy material has filled the interstices 

 between the particles of sand and compacted them into a solid mass. 



EEVIEW OF THE FIELD. 



FUTURE OP THESE PLAINS — SOME DETAILS. 



With the lights now before us, it is not difficult to foresee approxi- 

 mately the course of settlement by which these great plains will be 

 developed. This will follow the desirable soils, keeping closely to those 

 which can be relied upon to make a crop, and among such, preferring 

 the lines of transportation, whether by canal or rail. These soils are: 

 First — The heavy adobes of the west side of the San Joaquin River in 

 general. Second — The adobe belt that crosses Stanislaus eastwardly, of 

 which Modesto is near the center. Third — The adobe belt that crosses 

 Merced eastwardl} T , of which Merced is near the center. Fourth — The 

 broad tract of loam adjoining the railroad at Borden Station, in Fresno 

 County (the Alabama Settlement), now irrigated by the Fresno Canal 

 (Friedlander's), and the body lj'ing east, irrigated by Chapman's Canal — 

 under construction. Fifth — The still larger belt of loam that crosses 

 the railroad at Fresno city, coming westwardly from the upper King's 

 Eiver Bottom at Centerville, embracing the German settlement (San 

 Joaquin Valley Land Association), together with an extensive tract west 

 of the road, all of which, to be made available, requires a canal of the 

 first class from King's Eiver. Sixth — The extensive and wonderfully 

 rich (but feverish) loam bottoms of Tulare County, embracing lower 

 King's Eiver, the Four Creek and Tule Eiver country, together with 

 the vast adobe plains adjacent to Tulare Lake. Seventh — The still more 

 extensive adobe plains and moist bottom loams of Kern County. By 

 examining what is needed by each of these localities, and what is doing 

 and in prospect of being done to supply such needs, the course of devel- 

 opment and local progress will unfold itself. 



THE WEST SIDE. 



The west side of the San Joaquin, in general, needs (one) irrigation 

 and (two) transportation. This area may be considered in three par- 



