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pied by these crafts in making the trip. In October, 1849, communication by steam to Sacramento was established: the first boat being the "Pioneer," a small iron steamer shipped out from Boston in pieces; next came the steamer Mint, followed by the McKim. All these entered upon the passenger trade to Sacramento in October, 1849, performing the trip in half a day. Fares were yet high: cabin, thirty dollars; deck, twenty dollars; a berth, five dollars extra; and meals, two dollars. The steamer Senator was soon after put on the Sacramento route; and from that period to the present, steam navigation of all the inland waters of the country has been conducted with great spirit and with splendid steamers.

Let it be remembered that the first steamer ever upon the Bay or waters of San Francisco and California was the small boat, about the size of a ship's boat, taken from Sitka in 1847, by Captain W. A. Leidesdorff, and run on the bay until February, 1848, when she was lost in a northwest gale in the Bay of San Francisco.

CHAPTER XII.

Early agriculture-No vegetables-Gardening in the mines-Advent of farmers-Ignorance of seasons and crops-Increase of agriculture-Lumber-Fishing-Manufacturing-Coal-Fruits-Vegetables-Permanent settlement in California-Varied industryHappy homes-Legitimate occupations-Gold-hunters' graves→→→→ Overland emigration-Suffering of the "Donner party"-Settlers to the rescue.

THE settlers in California before the discovery of gold, as well as those immediately succeeding that period, had the most vague and incorrect idea of the agricultural capability of the country. Some small vineyards and wheat-fields were cultivated by the Mexicans about the missions. The new-comers soon formed the opinion that California was only a mineral region, a desert of sand-hills, rugged, volcanic mountains, and alkaline flats. Such were the reports written "home" by the gold-seekers, and such the prevailing opinion among the masses of the people everywhere. Of course, in the first years of the gold-fever, no one had the time nor disposition to cultivate the soil; so that every mouthful consumed came by ship to San Francisco. The luxury of fresh fish, butter, eggs, and vegetables was not to be thought of. There was no time to grow vegetables: if they could be produced by steam, or dug out of the hills, the people might stop to cook them. After a while, some miner who had a fixed habitation would plant a few seeds and cultivate a little spot, with a few cabbages, onions, lettuce, and potatoes, only to be surprised that, without manure and without care, they would grow most luxuriantly, and sell at fabulous

prices. Soon, every mining camp and gulch was producing a supply of vegetables. Those who could not endure hard labor, or whose "luck" refused them gold, sought the rich spots about the streams and ravines, and practical gardening was soon in full operation, often paying much better than mining. Others seeing the price of chickens and eggs, and being fully disgusted with their fate in the mines, turned their attention to raising fowls; this also often paying large revenue. Others, again, having a few cows, would make butter, and sell milk at prices paying well their time and labor. Farmers were arriving with their families and teams · across the country; and, after a few months disappointment in the mines, would seek the valleys and cultivate the soil-first in the small valleys about the mines, and after a while they extended into the lower and fertile regions of the Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Santa Clara valleys.

Imperfect knowledge of the seasons, and an idea that through the dry summers every thing, even wheat, must be irrigated, often led to great loss and delay, and in many instances to total failure of crops. Many of these branches of industry were not only carried on under circumstances of great ignorance as to seasons and soil, but ignorance and inexperience in most of those engaged as to the practical workings of their calling; as, an ex-judge or briefless lawyer setting hens or feeding chickens and selling eggs; a frisky young doctor or merchant's clerk picking lettuce or selling squash; a tailor trying to milk a kicking cow; a sailor roasting his goose; an apothecary trying to plough; while a shoemaker waxed warm in the exercise of all

his power to make both ends meet by sowing wheat to the last end of the land.

Agricultural implements were scarce and rude; and, as for houses, the canvas tent was the only structure on the premises. Harness and implements all lay upon the ground in all seasons of the year, and an untidy, shiftless, agricultural population soon sprang up in most sections of the country. The miners and the entire population of the towns and villages were all uniformed with the gray shirt and slouch hat; all looked alike in that respect: all were "honest farmers, going home in the fall," or "honest miners, going home in the spring."

From the year 1853, the agricultural and other industrial pursuits of the State progressed with great energy, and often with most encouraging results: a good season often making a fortune from a patch of potatoes, beans, or onions, or from a field of wheat. Men began to rush to the mountains and cañons in search of lumber, erecting steam and water power mills, and supplying much material for buildings, bridges, wharves, and replacing with sawed lumber the raw-hide fences of 1849 and 1850. Fleets of boats and squads of men were engaged in supplying the markets with fish from the rivers and bay. Granite, slate, and marble quarries were opening; coal from Monte Diablo was in the market; asphaltum from the lower coast made excellent sidewalks and roofing; fruit trees of two and three years growth were yielding luscious fruits; strawberries, cherries, and currants began to be abundant; immense fields of thousands of acres waved in goldencolored wheat; and, from an importer of breadstuffs,

California has become the greatest exporter of wheat and flour of any State in the Union.

People were beginning to see that California had other resources than her mines, and to think that they might make their homes in her beautiful, rich valleys where eternal summer reigns. So soon as the people began to be impressed with the idea of a permanent residence for themselves and families, and abandoned the idea of roving over the country in search of a fortune with which to "return home," California entered upon a new era of prosperity. At this period men settled down to their work in earnest; and while many made fortunes, experience had taught the masses that to make a good living, support their families, and lay up a little yearly, was all that could be expected. With these ideas, men sent for their families and began to build up their new homes. Most of those from the cold regions of the Atlantic States, Canada, and Europe, seeing the benefits and pleasures of so genial a climate as California, determined to live and die in the land of gold. Throughout the entire coast new fields of labor were opened, and new and permanent homes erected. The vast valleys were fenced, tilled, and harvested; quiet homes nestled in the small, rich valleys and gulches, secluded in the foot-hills and cañons; substantial dwellings in the cities, with neat cottages in the country, began to show that California, as well as other lands, had homes.

Speculation in mining and commerce must now share its laurels with the arts and labor now asserting their dominion, and calling to their support men of ability, ambition, and industry. With the constantly increasing population, and the progress in mining, commerce, and agriculture, there sprang up a demand for machinery,

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