CALIFORNIA AND WESTERING SUN 303 



Between this heavy adobe and the drifting sands 

 of the semi-arid districts there are many varieties 

 of soil which if suitably tilled and artificially sup- 

 plied with moisture when necessary, may be made 

 to produce enormous crops. These large yields, 

 often four or five times the average, are not un- 

 common in the better districts, but the new comer 

 should base his expectations on the even keel of 

 the average for a series of years. 



One of the peculiarities of California soil is the 

 extreme variations which often occur within a few 

 rods variations due to prehistoric geologic 

 causes into which I need not go here. The de- 

 scriptions given above may be a little ironical and 

 perhaps not scientific but the landseeker will be 

 likely to get clearer ideas from them than from 

 the latest geological disquisition. In any case it 

 is intended to warn him that on the Pacific Coast 

 he would better inquire and listen and wait before 

 purchasing land; and then wait awhile longer and 

 secure some more facts before buying farm lands 

 at the very high prices now asked for them. 



Anyone familiar with eastern agriculture and 

 the farming of the Middle West finds a sharp con- 

 trast in some of the practises which prevail in 

 California. If you chance to drop off at any 



