ELDORADO 183 



centurx' the chief support and shelter of its planter. 

 For one hundred years Senora Dominguez lived be- 

 neath the hospitable shade of this vine, and on the 9th 

 day of May, 1865, at the advanced age of one hundred 

 and five years, and just one hundred years from the 

 time she had planted it, surrounded by over three hun- 

 dred of her offspring in children, grandchildren, great 

 grandchildren, and great great grandchildren, she 

 passed away, leaving her generous vine still fresh and 

 vigorous. The great growth and productiveness of 

 this vine is attributed by some to the fact that its roots 

 are watered by an adjacent mineral spring. 



In no State in the Union can it so truthfully be said 

 that every one can sit under 'his own vine and fig tree" 

 and enjoy the fruit of his labor, as in California. The 

 rude, early home of the farmer has been replaced by 

 one of elgance, comfort and luxury. Waving fields 

 of grain, thrifty orchards and vineyards, an infinite va- 

 riety of flowers and clustering roses, lend a sweet 

 charm to peaceful homes, where musical voices of hap- 

 py children cheer and bless the declining years of the 

 pioneer and his wife, and the ripening fruits, bounti- 

 ful harvests and genial climate, crown with success the 

 labors of the tiller of the soil. Year after year the agri- 

 cultural and horticultural area of the State has widened 

 and the erroneous views of the early settlers respecting 

 its capabilities have gradually disappeared. 



In the early settlement of California, cattle were in- 

 troduced from Spain and Mexico. They soon multi- 

 plied and in great herds roamed the hills and valleys as 

 wild as deer. They were used only for beef and for 

 their hides and tallow, which, for many years before 

 the settlement of the countrv bv Americans, formed 



