gies. Opt 
& 2 E 
1 to 20 or 30 miles. The surface covered with vegetation, though 
small, is difficult to estimate; and perhaps it is unimportant that 
an estimate should be made, since the productiveness of these re- 
gions depends on other considerations than smoothness of surface, 
and character of soil. The rains cannot be relied upon, and the 
tiller’ ofthe earth depends upon. irrigation from the mountain 
streams for his crops. The extent of ground, capable of tillage, 
® isthus reduced to. very narrow limits, easy of computation. A 
_ knowledge of the water courses, their fall, volume and extent, and — 
the quantity of lands on their margin, within the level of. these * 
waters, are-the data upon which the computation must be based. 
Taking this as a guide, an inspection of the accompanying map 
will give a general idea of the extent of arable ground, sufficiently 
correct for all practical purposes; but, in candor it should be said, 
that many streams laid down in it disappear in the sand, while the” 
_ rocky cliffs, forming the banks of others, render irrigation im= 
_ practicable. e scale upon which the map is projected is too small 
to represent these accidentsof the ground. a gee 
Where irrigation can be had in this country, the produce of the 
~ soil: is abundant beyond description.. All the grains and fruits of 
the» temperate zones; and many of those of the tropical, flourish 
Vuxuriantly. 
» Descending from the heights of San Barnardo to the Pacific, one 
meets every degree of temperature. Near the coast, the winds 
_ prevailing from the southwest in winter, and from the northwest in 
- summer, produce a great uniformity of temperature, and the climate | 
is perhaps unsurpassed in salubrity.. With the exception of a very 
few,cases of ague and fever of a mild type, sickness is unknown. 
‘The season of the year at which we visited the country was un- 
fayorable to obtaining a knowledge of its botany. The vegetation, 
mostly deciduous, had gone to decay, and no flowers nor seeds were 
collected. The country. generally, is entirely destitute of trees. + 
_ Along .the principal range of mountains are a few live oaks, syca- 
more, and pine; now and then, but very rarely, the sycamore and 
cotton wood occur in the champaign country, immediately on the 
- margins of the streams. ; : + | 
_ - Wild oats every where cover-the surface of the hills, and these 
ith; the..wild mustard and carrots, furnish good pasturage tothe 
me se herds of cattle, which form the staple of California. © 3 
_ Of the manyfruits capable of being produced with success, by 
culture and. irrigation, the grape is perhaps that which is brought 
nearest to perfection. a | 
_. Men experienced in growing it, and Europeans, pronounce the - 
- soil and -climate of ‘this portion of California, unequalled for the 
quality of the grape and the wine expressed from it. i 
_ _ We sailed from San Diego on the 25th of January, and coasted 
alo: + 7 ‘ M 
he rocky and barren shores of Lower California... The in- 
n in reference to’this country, which it wasin my power to 
not so precise as that which might be derived from an ac- 
and I have therefore embodied it in the appendix. 
veryrespectfully, yours; - 
ie ots We, Had MODE. 2318 
at 
‘the honor to 
a aa 
a Sek hes is 
