16 



The trend of the ridges extending from the interior to the Coast Line is usually 

 about north-west, and this position is maintained from Fort Ross to PuntaReys. 



The winds that prevail on the coast during the summer and spring months are 

 in nearly the same direction, and thfts finds a long line of direct avenues whereby 

 it reaches the interior loaded with moisture from the ocean, appearing, as it 

 enters the interior through these gaps, in the form of dense, cold fogs. 



It is from this cause that we experience the strong winds on the Bay of San 

 Pablo in the e^ning, similar to those of San Francisco at the same time. 



In the Valley of Petaluma these winds also prevail, reaching the lower part of 

 the valley about four o'clock in the afternoon. In the Valley of Russian River 

 I find a more westerly wind prevailing, which enters that section through the 

 canon of that stream. Thus, it is evident that plains of this section, and situa 

 ted in the depression of these mountains, must always be subjected to the influ 

 ences of these breezes in almost every part of them. 



Our present knowledge relating to the peculiar causes inducing the rust in 

 wheat, leads us to the conclusion that the crop on these plains must (from the 

 above circumstances, and the relative position of the valley,) attach to itself 

 that degree of uncertainty in its ultimate product as to render its introduction a 

 hazardous enterprise. 



Thus far, barley and root crops have succeeded without injury, and so far as 

 quantity in product is concerned, have netted a large return ; and it is to this 

 variety of cropping, that I consider the district better adapted than to any other. 

 Were these deficiencies in the soil, they could easily be remedied by artificial 

 means, but where climatic influences are the causes of discrepant and unremuner- 

 ative results, it is beyond the power of man to control them. As a grazing coun 

 try, this entire section has no superior on this coast, and its advantages in this 

 particular have not been overlooked by many residing here. In fact, this entire 

 range of valleys and hills, from the shore line to the western edge of the Sacra 

 mento Valley, is the great dairy of California. Some idea of this may be gained 

 from the fact, that upwards of fifty tons of butter alone was shipped from the 

 town of Petaluma during 1855, and a much larger amount of cheese from |}ie 

 same locality all of which is used in the market of Sa Francisco. 



The advantages of this country for dairy purposes consists in the fact, that 

 from the coast line, eastward, the amount of moisture absorbed from the ocean 

 fogs as they pass over the grounds, is sufficient to keep plants and grasses, (of 

 which there is abundance,) in a fresh and green state, during the greater portion 

 of the summer months ; while the interior, during the same periods, are parched 

 and dried up almost entirely. 



I would take this opportunity of suggesting to the people of this section of the 

 State, the culture of the honey bee. It is the only portion with which I am 

 acquainted that holds out the slightest hope that that insect can be reared with 

 advantage and profit ; for, it is only on the shore districts of this country that 

 flowers are abundant during the summer season. 



Thus far the production of honey, by the natural process of manufacture, has 

 failed in this State, but this portion of it certainly ofl'ers the strongest induce 

 ments to attempt the production of this article as a source of profit. I think 

 that the bee might be sustained for forty miles along this coast line. 



