86 NEW TRACKS IN NORTH AMERICA. 
of the San Diego River, and, in consequence of the delta 
formed by. the sands carried from the mountains by i? 
stream, has no landing. j 
New Town, about two miles to the southward, with but 
three or four houses, has an excellent landing for coastin 5 
vessels ; and to build wharves reaching into deep water would 
not be costly. The location of the town is excellent, 4 
ground admirably adapted for building, and with ample room 4 
in the rear for a large city. There is great need, however, 
of good water, most of the water obtained in wells bei ng 
‘slightly brackish ; but a growing town could be easily sup 
plied from a posal on the San Diego River, about eighteen } 
miles distant, where the water is meeety pure and very’ 
abundant. q 
The business of the place is small. About 7,000 barrels of 
oil are annually produced from the Californian grey whale, _ 
which is caught along the coast, and towed to the shore to be. 
“tried out.” Some 2,000 head of cattle, a few horses, and a 
few hides find their way through the town from Lower 
California. : 
It has been asserted that the country at the back of f San | 
Diego is not capable of cultivation; but I cannot endorse 
this. I believe that, with the exception of part of the grail” 
required for the sustenance of hundreds of thousands of popu- 
lation, the back country can produce everything needed, 
including a great excess of cattle and horses; for olives, 
oranges, limes, lemons, English walnuts, grapes, pomegranates, : 
barley, wheat, and all the vegetables thrive well. | 
At the Old San Diego Mission, about six miles above the | 
town, and on the river of the same name, are many thriving 
though aged olive and orange trees. I saw also at the 0. 
Town two old date palms which were planted by the 
