214 RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA. 



facilities for communication by land and water, and the abund- 

 ance of its artesian wells, contribute to attract population aud 

 stimulate cultivation. Wheat, temperate fruits, and straw- 

 berries, are among its chief productions. Much of the valley 

 is covered with scattered oak trees. 



The Alameda plain, between the Contra Costa Ridge and 

 San Francisco Bay, has a rich, deep soil, excellent for wheat 

 and barley, and part of it well adapted to the cultivation of 

 kitchen vegetables ; and of these the metropolis gets a large 

 portion of its supply here. Orchards of apple, pear, plum, 

 cherry, and peach trees, are numerous. 



Between the Contra Costa Ridge and the Diablo Divide 

 lies a valley called Amador, Livermore, San Ramon, Alamo, 

 and Pacheco, in different parts. The first two have their out- 

 let to the southward ; the last three send their waters to the 

 Strait of Carquinez, at Martinez. Alameda Creek, which 

 drains Amador and Livermore Valleys, runs through Suftol 

 Dale, which is about three miles in diameter, and is surrounded 

 by steep mountains. 



Tasajera and Diablo are small valleys running down from 

 Mt. Diablo. 



Crossing the Strait of Carquinez, we come to Napa Valley, 

 which is forty miles long, by two miles of an average widttu 

 At the lower end the soil is a deep loam, and very fertile ; 

 near the upper end we find much gravel. Wheat is cultivated 

 in the rich soil ; vineyards and orchards are more profitable 

 farther north. The possession of a railroad, of numerous 

 places of fashionable resort, of beautiful scenery, and a 

 healthful climate, have contributed to place Napa Valley next 

 to Santa Clara in relative wealth. Conn and Brown Valleys 

 are small tributaries of Napa. 



Sonoma Valley is about fifteen miles long and two wide. 

 Most of the soil is thin and not well adapted for grain, but the 

 grape flourishes, and this valley has more vines than any other 

 district of its size in the State. 



