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INTRf)DUCTION\ 



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support a rank vegetation. Along this belt, too, He fruitful plains, which, when clotliod with 

 the pasturage of early spring, excite the admiration of the belioliler. 



As we approach the junction of the tertiary and tlic granitic exposures barrenness aiMin 

 prevails. The thin soil, which is here confined to the crevice.^ of the roclcs, 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 lo^^nlities 

 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 owinsr to 

 the fact that this latter is not taken into accoant 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 iu the ricli 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 disa{ipeared, when, instead of soft breezes wafting over refreshing verdure, the heated air 

 rises witli a wavy tremor from the parching ground ; let him visit the land when nothing 

 remains of the streams butthe 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 w^idth 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 seaison 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 all seafions. Their atjueducts, bringing water from 



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