NATURAL PRODUCTIONS OF CALIFORNIA.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 355, 15 September 1849, Page 3

NATURAL PRODUCTIONS OF CALIFORNIA.

Thr climate, as well as the soil, is exceedingly well adapted for the cultivation of wheat, ryo, barley, beans, peas, hemp, flux, tobacco, cotton, indigo, potatoes, beetroot, turnips, onions, &c. Of fruits — tl)ere are apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, grapes, &c. r in abundance, and of exquisite quality ; Jil»nviae many tropical fruits — viz., ounces, lemons, dntes, fig? 7 pomegi.m.iM**, &c. Many of theßc fiuits uii> tliu growth of nature, without cultivation — .is for instance, wheat, ryr, ami bailey, and seveial of lht i tropical fruits— Rrapeg, W,iv, a kind of hemp, red and while clover. The oals in appeal ance resemble ouis, but they differ in thegnun ; their grain generally glowing higher, with a thicker stalk, which, however, in >y be attributed more to this feitility oi the boil ami t<> tlie clini.ite tliau to a difference in the specks. The clovci is exactly the same .is that in Europe, except that it grows much more densely : it is guncrully found in llio valleys, in height from two to three, and even aa much as live fcit— both green and when dried it constitutes excellent fodder for cattle. The wild il'»x is exactly (he same as that found in other parts of the United Slates. The Indians use it for their nets mill lor ropes the same as the hemp. Thr grn«s»s grow in the valley generally higher than on the elevated plains, und both sorts aie excellent fodder for cattle ; indeed, oats, clover, aniF gr«en as well hi dried grass, are at all seasons to bo hid 111 great quantities. There are several kinds of whe.it grown heio not kuown in other parts of the; United States. The most common is the Tuos wheat* which grows about tinea to four feet high, and hue on. each Htiilk seven can, which ,11c about hs large in size ai ours in Europe. The crop generally amounts lo> forty- fold, sometimes even to sixty and seventy-fold ot the heed corn. The wheat is sown between November and March ; in May or Juno the crop c«\n already be gathered. Instead of the Indian corn or maize, a sort is cultivated smaller in size, but not requiring any furlhpr care— it is culled Spanish corn. lioth climate and soil are alike very favourable for the cultivation of tobacco, cotton, and rice. Tobacco has already been cultivated to great advantage. All kinds of vegetables and plants grow admirably well, and can be cultivated throughout all the seasons of the year. Melons of all kinds thrive much bcttei here (him in any other part of the United Sta'es. The tropical fruiti grow hest in the son them parts of California — but the fruits of the tempor.vc zone tucceed everywhere. Even in the extreme north of this country peach and other fruit trees, arc in blossom during January and February ; in the south, however, they bloom already in December. Cultivated 'giapes of ull kinds grow to an enormous size, and are of excellent quality ; tbey are used for making- both wines and raisins, being valuable produce. Of wild fruits there arc many kinds, produced! in large quantities, in the western part of California j amongst them strawberries, ra&pbenie.i, bilberries, wild apples, plums, different kinds of cherries, and grapes. The strawberries in particular are of an extraordinary size, 'a"d of an n-jmsite flavour; they are in blossom m January, and are already ripe ia March, being dried and preset ved by the Indians and aettlers in large quantities. The wild grape* arc cither eaten or used for d stilling purposes. Acorns for. fattening beauts are in abundance. Many of the oak: I trees hear as much v? forty bushels, and the ground i* oovered many inches thick with them. A "Word or Advick concerning the New Gold Region3 — Mr. Ross Cox, the author of the; I amuiiug adventures on the Columbia River, writes a* follows to a friend in Ireland touching California, a country in which ho is well acquainted ;— »♦' 1 am. stiongly opposed to any of our countrymen proc6&Az~" ing to California. If the country were in a settled! stale, and that law and order prevailed, their knowledge, sobriety, and industry might undoubtedly toon realise their dreams ; but the contrary is notoriously the fact The territory has been only lately acquired by the United States, and there is no protection for either life or property ia it I know the rcckleit daring character of the American back-woodsmen s many of them have made their way to the golden valley of the Sacramento. They are all dead shots with. the rifle, and when that fails, their close quartets with, the bowie knife generally prove fatul. Every nativo of our islands who should think of going thither should! be armed with « lifle, a brace of pistols, a dirk, nnd a couple of bowie knivei. They should go in bands of from 50 to 100— appoint a captain and subalterns— « kt-ep watch and ward— study ull species of fighting, offensive and defensive — make themselves perfect masters of the rifle, and provide a good commis«ati*t, with, chests for their treasure, &c. Such parties may succeed, but I have no hesitation in saying (hut straggling adventurers or small isolated parties, ignorant of the country, and of the mode of fighting or robbing; practised there, will be shot down like prairie hens/

Ch miles Albert —The following detailed account of (he circumstances connected with the abdication of Charles Albert is given by the Pah ic ;— »' In the evening, after the battle, the King sad but calm, re, turned to the Bellini Puluce. At nine o'clock he sent for the Dukes of Savoy and Genoa, the Commander-in-Chief, the Minister Cadorna, imd the lieutenantgeneraln and commandants of division present at Novara. The rumour of his abdication had alieady spread in the palace, und when he filtered tho room in which the Council had assembled the emotion of the persona present showed that they had prnctrated his secret. The King advanced with dignity, nnd laid, ' Gentlemen, fortune has betrayed your courage and my hopes ; our aimy is dissolved; it would be im possible to prolong the btru»»lo. My task iv accomplished, and I think I shall tender an inapoiltmi Murvice to nay country by giving a last proof of devotedncia in abdicating in favour of my ion, Victor Emmanuel, Duke of Savoy. He will obtain from Aus'ria condi*. tions of peace which «he would refuse if treating with inc.' The persons present burst into tears, but no emo'ion wag visible in the face of Charles Albert, and. all the eff its of the Duke of Savoy to shake his resolve wece vuin. The King embraced him and the Duke of Genoa, and all who were preient. He thanked them for the services they had rendered him, and t.aid— -' Gentlemen, lam no longer your King ; be faithful und devoted to my eon, ns you have been to me." He then withdrew to write to the Queen, and charged the Duke of Suvoy to deliver the latter of adieu with his own hand. Towards ten o'clock the Chevalier de Robituut, aide-de-camp of Charles Albert, and for thirty-four yoara attached to hii person, entered his room, and on hit knees, and hU eyes overflowing with tears, entreated permission to follow him. Charles Albert was affected to teats and promised to witte to him to say where be should be, and perhaps one day send for him. The King had dismissed all the persons who surrounded him, but he did not appear to have fixed the time for his departure A carriage with four horses wus, however, in waiting for him in a neighbouring street. At half-past one in the morning, tho King, covered Witti a f ravelling cloak, and piecedcd by a vulet-de chambra out of livery, left the palace secretly, A courier wai waiting; for him at the foot of the staircase. He advanced with, a firm step to (he carriage, which he entered alone. Two men got upon the box, and the postilion received orders to take the road of PorU.Stunw"