18 SAN DIEGO TO 
willows that grow along its margin. This creek is chiefly 
supplied by springs near the head of the valley ; but 
during the rainy season several mountain torrents 
empty their waters into it—indeed, some of them I 
was told contribute a portion during the whole year. 
The larger portion of Napa Valley was still in the 
state in which nature had left it, but had all been 
taken up by recent settlers, and was fast being brought 
into cultivation. A road had just been laid out 
through its centre, and every farmer was occupied in 
marking out his land and dividing it into lots inclosed 
by substantial rail fences. Ploughs were cutting up 
the virgin sward in all directions; and in one place I 
saw a ditching machine in operation. It answered 
the double purpose of making a ditch four or five feet 
wide, with an embankment of sufficient height to 
answer for afence or wall. This machine was worked 
by two or three oxen and a windlass. It isa rapid 
method of accomplishing two most important objects; 
and the mound is said to keep the cattle out as well as 
a high fence. 
Mr. Osborne’s men were all New England farmers, 
several of them from Rhode Island; and it is astonish- 
ing to see how much more work one of these men 
will perform than a Mexican or Californian. He pays 
them seventy-five dollars a month, and finds them, 
which pays him better than employing ordinary hands 
at half the price. Mr. O. has owned this property but 
one year; and a furrow was never turned on it ora 
seed sown, until he came into possession. He has now 
more than a hundred acres under cultivation, a con- 
siderable portion of which is protected by a post and 
