INTRODUCTION. 25 
support a rank vegetation. Along this belt, too, lie fruitful plains, which, when clothed with 
the pasturage of early spring, excite the admiration of the beholder. 
As we approach the junction of the tertiary and the granitic exposures barrenness again 
prevails. The thin soil, which is here confined to the crevices of the rocks, produces a growth 
of shrubbery, the stunted character of which indicates its unproductive nature. Proceeding 
further inland, we find among the basin-shaped mountain valleys large trees and rich pasture 
grasses, denoting that a fertile soil again appears. This character, more or less varied by local 
causes, extends to the summit level. 
Occasionally terraces are found upon the higher mountain slopes which possess a productive 
clay soil, well adapted to the growth of winter grains. In general, however, these localities 
are rugged and barren. From these facts it would appear that this country possesses a large 
share of fertile soil, but in estimating its agricultural capacities we must also take into consider- 
ation the peculiarities of the climate if we would arrive at correct conclusions. It is owing to 
the fact that this latter is not taken into account that such discrepancies occur in the statements 
of travellers, who, according to the season at which they view the country, pronounce it some- 
times a desert and at others a garden. Let any one follow up the coast in the month of March, 
and pass over the verdant plains that stretch towards the sea ; let him see every valley and hill 
clothed in the rich green of the wild oats, and every snow-fed stream running with clear water, 
and he will exclaim, ** This is Arcadian land, the realization of the poet's song." But let him 
pass over the same region in the month of August or September, when nearly every green thing 
has disappeared, when, instead of soft breezes wafting over refreshing verdure, the heated air 
rises with a wavy tremor from the parching ground; let him visit the land when nothing 
remains of the streams but the dry beds, and the herds of cattle, which before were roaming at 
large in the enjoyment of the rich pasturage, are gathered in herds around the margins of the 
stagnant marshes, and the same traveller will pronounce the country to be a desert unfitted for 
the abode of man or beast. 
Here, then, we have two widely differing extremes, between which lies the proper mean. 
The true mode, then, of estimating how far this region is adapted to agriculture is to follow 
up the courses of the various streams which run towards the sea, and note the point at which 
the supply of water is constant, the width of the valley, and the nature of the soil at these 
places, and also whether the character of the surface will admit of irrigation. We then have 
the data for forming a just opinion as to the value of the land for husbandry. If the observa- 
tions are made further inland, among the mountains, then the increase of elevation must be 
taken into account, The winter here brings snow, and the summer is shorter than it is near 
the sea level. Hence the length of the growing season is diminished, but while it continues 
growth is extremely vigorous, especially in the month of June. The abundant supply of water, 
wood, and the bracing mountain air, compensate for a frequently inclement winter, the difficulty 
of transportation, and a short summer season. 
The founders of the early mission establishments in this region seem to have had a clear 
appreciation of these facts, and their locations were wisely selected, so as to embrace the widest 
extent of cultivable land, and the best situations for farms are still found to be in their vicinity. 
These missions occupy the valleys of the main water-courses, generally at that point where the 
supply of water can be depended upon in allseasons. Their aqueducts, bringing water from ES 
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