Doc. No. 9.] 53 



adapted to their propagation, or in localities where floods have had the 

 effect to destroy them. 



These injurious influences are absent here, and there is every thino- 

 that can be desired to invite the pomologist in this ornamental and use 

 ful enterprize. 



Fruit culture is to form an important branch in the industrial pursuits 

 of this country ; the lands best adapted these purposes in other localities 

 than those mentioned, are to be found in the south and middle portions 

 of the County San Francisco, from the San Mateo to the Francisquito 

 and toward the foot of the mountains to the west. North of San Fran 

 cisco, the upper portions of JSTapa Valley and Sonoma are equally as 

 good as those of some parts of the county of Santa Cruz, affording much 

 the same general characteristics as those of the latter county. 



LIVEKMOKE VALLEY. 



This valley is situated in the central portion of mountains lying east 

 of the bay San Francisco and valley Santa Clara ; it divides these moun 

 tains into two distinct lines of ridges, and runs rather obtusely to their 

 course. The different names that are applied to this valley convey the 

 idea that there are as many distinct valleys, but such is .not the case, as 

 no hills intervene to destroy the general level throughout its entire 

 extent. From its extreme north to its extreme southern terminus the 

 valley is about sixteen miles in length and from five to seven in breadth. 

 On the north it is bounded by Monte Diablo and its adjoining hills, 

 separating it from Pacheco Valley ; on the east by a single high ridge 

 separating it from the plains of the San Joaquin ; on the south by the 

 hills near the northern part of the Canada Corall, and on the west by 

 the high ridge separating it from the Bay San Francisco. A large por 

 tion of the northern centre of this valley is occupied by a lagoon filled 

 with tule, and the latter extend for a considerable distance from its 

 borders. 



The soil of the valley is generally good on the borders, but toward the 

 centre it is either wet and heavy and withal somewhat saline, on the 

 higher parts drv and gravelly. 'The entire district appears much better 

 adapted to grazing lands than to agriculture, unless water for irrigation 

 is obtained through artesian borings, and from the appearance of the 

 valley there is but little question that an abundant supply is obtainable 

 from these sources. The altitude of the valley is four hundred and 

 thirty feet above the sea ; and derives the principal portion of its sup: 

 plies of water from the slopes connecting with Monte Diablo. On the 

 south and southwest sides, among the hills, considerable masses of the 

 metamorphic rocks are to be seen, and the appearance of quartz veins is 

 more frequent in this vicinity than . in any other section of these moun 

 tains that were observed. 



On all the - hills that surround this basin, are to be found fossiliferous 

 sond$tones, and among the alluvium, in some localities, are to be found 

 considerable quantities of fragmentary shells, among which a large Gry- 

 phea has heretofore existed in considerable quantities. Some specimens 

 of the latter fossil are to be found in the office of the U. S. Land Survey, 



