170 CALIFORNIA. 



dollars a gallon, while the price of wine is only eighteen dollars. 

 The wine of the country which I tasted is miserahle stuff, and would 

 scarcely be taken for the juice of the grape. 



The salmon-fishery, if attended to, would be a source of consi- 

 derable profit, yet I was told that the Californians never seem 

 disposed to attempt to take them. The general opinion is, that they 

 are too indolent to bestir themselves, and they naturally choose the 

 employment which gives them the least trouble. Above every thing, 

 the rearing of cattle requires the least labour in this country, for it is 

 only necessary to provide keepers and have their cattle marked. This 

 done, they can support themselves by the increase of the stock. At 

 the missions, the manufacture of various coarse articles had been under- 

 taken by the missionaries as a step in the education of the neophytes. 

 Among these were blankets and wearing apparel sufficient to supply 

 all the Indians; but, with the decline of these establishments, the 

 manufactures have in great part been discontinued. Soap of a good 

 quality is manufactured in considerable quantities, and it is thought 

 that it might be exported at a profit, if the proper arrangements were 

 made to use the grease that is now thrown away. The necessary 

 alkali is very abundant. Leather of an excellent quality is also made 

 and well tanned, but in such small quantities as to be hardly sufficient 

 to supply the wants of the country. 



There are in California only two or three water-mills for grinding 

 flour, and these are owned by foreigners. The mills in general use 

 in the country, are composed of no more than two burr-stones. To 

 the upper stone a cross-beam is secured, to which mule-power is 

 applied. In most of the estancias there is to be found a mill in an 

 apartment adjoining the kitchen, if not in it. The whole is as 

 primitive as well can be, although I have no doubt it answers all the 

 wants of this rude and indolent people. 



From all accounts, besides cattle, the country is well adapted for 

 the raising of sheep, which simply require watching, as they can 

 find plenty of nutritious food the whole year round ; but there has 

 been no attention paid to this sort of stock, and the wool is of very 

 ordinary quality. The mutton is thought to be of very fine flavour. 

 The usual price for a sheep is from one dollar and fifty cents to two 

 dollars, when a choice is made for killing. 



Hogs are raised in some parts, and might be fed to great advantage 

 on the acorns which are abundant on the hills where the land is not 

 susceptible of cultivation. Pork may be packed at three dollars the 



