Volume 20 (1870) (454 pages)

uve voeve Vel et. ¥ ote Tate tos "se "se ey nd BY DEWEY & CO.,, Patent Solicitors, San Francisco, Saturday, February 12, 1870. VOLUME XX. Number 7%. Grapes on the High Sierras, There is a large area of clevated, good agricultnral land, on the Pacific slope, from fonr to six thonsand feet above the level of the sea, ocenpied by a hardy and indnstrions class of people who have settled upon it as agriculturists, The chief portion of this land consists of a chain of beautifnl monntain valleys,-commencing with Sierra Valley—the ono first north of the lakes whioh form the source of the Trnckee river—and embracing, in snecession, the American, Indian, Honey Lake, Mountain Velley, ete.; the chain rnnning far north into Oregon. These valleys constitnte gems of green meadows nestled within the snowclad peaks of the Siorras, everywhere fringed with noble evergreens and covered with rich natural grasses. Within these valleys are located some of the finest dairies and stock ranches in the State, and the golden grain here and there waves in the cultivated fields. Nearly all sorts of vegetahles are also grown there, npon gronnd covered by snow in winter and where the frost retards the early approach of spring. Many of the hardier sorts of fruits have also heen found to do well there; and some, once thought quite too sensitive to cold and frost, have rewarded the venturesome hand. Qnite too little attention has been paid to the agricultural resources and possihilities of our high agricultural lands. A few experiments which have heen made, bave shown that even in the sterile State of Nevada, where hlightiug winds hold dominion ovor sage-brush, hill and plain, where Snow and frost hind up the earth for more than half the year many places prove fcr: tile to the furmer’s art, and produce grain, yegetahles, and some fruits, and are even made to ‘‘hlossom as the rose.” But, as far as we have observed, none of these monntain places have been tried with the Inscious grape, that makes the lower hills and valleys purple inthe sun. From experience in other culture there can be no donbt bnt tbe hardier sort of grapes, such as are grown in the Nortbern States, wonld thrive equally well or better in all the places mentioned, and would surely reward the enterprise that might introduce them. We might mention many varieties that are held in high esteem, which wonld bo likely to fionrish in snch localities—the Diana, the Catawba, the Concord, the Delaware, the Isabella and Muscadine among others—all of which shonld be tried by our mountain friends. Many a miner, even, in his high mountain home, might plant a vine to bless and refresb either himself or some future wanderer on his track. We have herewith figured the first of the yarieties named, an} excellent grape and one very extensively cultivated in the Northern States. . The bunches are of medinm size, but very compact, The berries are rather larger in size, ronnd, and of a pale redoolor. The skin is thick, which ronders it well suited for transportation, while for keeping it bas no superior, Its flesh is tender pnlpy, very sweet and juicy. It colors its fruit as early as the Concord; hnt does not mature mnch earlier than the Catawba. The thickness of its skin allows of its being left on the vine until pretty . In fact, light frosts A dry and severe frosts come. seem to improve its flavor. ‘roferred to of the more hardy varieties of the grape. As some little evidence, of the practicahility of what we suggest, we would state that at Crystal Peak, on the Truckee, there is growing a grapo vine of the Mission variety, which was planted several years ago gravelly soil snits it best; for on deep rich j hy a clergyman named Heckle. This vine soil it is inclined to make too much wood. has produced grapes for three snecessive A MOUNTAIN GRAPE—“THE DIANA.” We figure the Diana ag a fair representa-. years. Mr. Tolles, near Reno, Nevada, tive of the variety of grape suited to cold. bas also produced fine Catawha grapes. latitudes, The only reason that grapes are not growOrigin.—This grape was ascedling grown . ing all over the mountain regions and the from seed of the Catawba hy Mrs. Diana. table lands heyond, is the simple one that Crehore, of Milton, near Boston, Massa-. they have never been planted. That the chusetts. Hence its name, more hardy varieties will ‘sneceed in snch We hope our mountain readers—those . localities is a positive certainty. who dwell in the higher portions of the Sierras, and residents of the clevated table In planting grapes in elevated regions, or where early frosts may he expected, it is regions of the State of Nevada—willdeem always advisable, when it can be donc, to these remarks of snfficient importanco to. setthem out by the sido of large rocks, act npon the stggestios, and move at. and train them over or near them, instead once for the introduction into the localities' of upon stakes, as is practiced in the valleys. The reason for this is self-evident. The rocks absorb a largo amount of heat hy day, which they are constantly giving out hy night. So mnch is thus given off from a large rock or bonlder that a vine in immediate contact or near proximity thereto will be entirely nutouched by the frost, whon much hardier plants, in the open field a little distance, will be killed. A New Pile-Driver. Tho Pacific Railroad Company aro building, at Oakland Point, one of Bolen & Craine’s machines for driving piles hy the direct action of steam. Asthis is the first machine of the kind ever built on this coast, its completion and operation is looked for with some interest. The frame differs from the ordinary piledrivers in appearance, by having one upright, which looks very much like the mast of a vessel. This mast is the gnide to the steam hammer, which, with its cylinder and casing, weighs about three tons, and may he individualized as separate from the other works. It stands upon the pile to be driven, and strikes eighty hlows per minnte. The hammer is attached to the piston, and is raised hy the direct action of the steam in the cylinder above it. The full stroke is forty-two inches, hut may he regulated to any degree less hy the engineer. The top of the pile is champered to receive a beveled ring one foot sqnare. The casing in which the hammer works sockets onto the beveled ring, thus securing a firm rest, and hy its own weight assisting in the work. Another engine, on the scow, handles the piles, and raises the hammer-engine to the elevation at which it is to he placed upon the top of the pile to commence its work. On general principles we are inclined to think the weight of the blow should alcays exceed the amount of resistance to be ovyercome; otherwise the pile will suffer the effect of the shock. Our experience in driving nails, pegs and posts leads ns to the opinion that a few heavy blows are more efficient than many light ones, and with less damage to the thing driven. If this machine combines sufficient force with rapid blows, it will he a sure snccess. Destructive Fire st THE GOLDEN State Iron Worns.—Early last Saturday morning these works and the St. Charles Hotel, ad. joiniug them, were discovered to be on fire, and before the,engines were able to get at work the npper part of the fonndry bnilding was wholly destroyed and the lower part badly damaged. A large quantity of patterns was destroyed, and much of the machinery very badly damaged. Mr. Palmer estimates the loss at about $40,000, the heaviest loss heing in, patterns. The establishment was owned by Palmer, Knox & :Co., and was insnred for $9,500. The canse is fas yet nnknown. We hope that the proprictors may be able to repair the damage, and that the works may soon be again in operation, They are men who have the full confidence and esteem of the community.

uve voeve Vel et. ¥ ote Tate tos "se "se ey nd BY DEWEY & CO.,, Patent Solicitors, San Francisco, Saturday, February 12, 1870. VOLUME XX. Number 7%. Grapes on the High Sierras, There is a large area of clevated, good agricultnral land, on the Pacific slope, from fonr to six thonsand feet above the level of the sea, ocenpied by a hardy and indnstrions class of people who have settled upon it as agriculturists, The chief portion of this land consists of a chain of beautifnl monntain valleys,-commencing with Sierra Valley—the ono first north of the lakes whioh form the source of the Trnckee river—and embracing, in snecession, the American, Indian, Honey Lake, Mountain Velley, ete.; the chain rnnning far north into Oregon. These valleys constitnte gems of green meadows nestled within the snowclad peaks of the Siorras, everywhere fringed with noble evergreens and covered with rich natural grasses. Within these valleys are located some of the finest dairies and stock ranches in the State, and the golden grain here and there waves in the cultivated fields. Nearly all sorts of vegetahles are also grown there, npon gronnd covered by snow in winter and where the frost retards the early approach of spring. Many of the hardier sorts of fruits have also heen found to do well there; and some, once thought quite too sensitive to cold and frost, have rewarded the venturesome hand. Qnite too little attention has been paid to the agricultural resources and possihilities of our high agricultural lands. A few experiments which have heen made, bave shown that even in the sterile State of Nevada, where hlightiug winds hold dominion ovor sage-brush, hill and plain, where Snow and frost hind up the earth for more than half the year many places prove fcr: tile to the furmer’s art, and produce grain, yegetahles, and some fruits, and are even made to ‘‘hlossom as the rose.” But, as far as we have observed, none of these monntain places have been tried with the Inscious grape, that makes the lower hills and valleys purple inthe sun. From experience in other culture there can be no donbt bnt tbe hardier sort of grapes, such as are grown in the Nortbern States, wonld thrive equally well or better in all the places mentioned, and would surely reward the enterprise that might introduce them. We might mention many varieties that are held in high esteem, which wonld bo likely to fionrish in snch localities—the Diana, the Catawba, the Concord, the Delaware, the Isabella and Muscadine among others—all of which shonld be tried by our mountain friends. Many a miner, even, in his high mountain home, might plant a vine to bless and refresb either himself or some future wanderer on his track. We have herewith figured the first of the yarieties named, an} excellent grape and one very extensively cultivated in the Northern States. . The bunches are of medinm size, but very compact, The berries are rather larger in size, ronnd, and of a pale redoolor. The skin is thick, which ronders it well suited for transportation, while for keeping it bas no superior, Its flesh is tender pnlpy, very sweet and juicy. It colors its fruit as early as the Concord; hnt does not mature mnch earlier than the Catawba. The thickness of its skin allows of its being left on the vine until pretty . In fact, light frosts A dry and severe frosts come. seem to improve its flavor. ‘roferred to of the more hardy varieties of the grape. As some little evidence, of the practicahility of what we suggest, we would state that at Crystal Peak, on the Truckee, there is growing a grapo vine of the Mission variety, which was planted several years ago

gravelly soil snits it best; for on deep rich j hy a clergyman named Heckle. This vine soil it is inclined to make too much wood. has produced grapes for three snecessive A MOUNTAIN GRAPE—“THE DIANA.” We figure the Diana ag a fair representa-. years. Mr. Tolles, near Reno, Nevada, tive of the variety of grape suited to cold. bas also produced fine Catawha grapes. latitudes, The only reason that grapes are not growOrigin.—This grape was ascedling grown . ing all over the mountain regions and the from seed of the Catawba hy Mrs. Diana. table lands heyond, is the simple one that Crehore, of Milton, near Boston, Massa-. they have never been planted. That the chusetts. Hence its name, more hardy varieties will ‘sneceed in snch We hope our mountain readers—those . localities is a positive certainty. who dwell in the higher portions of the Sierras, and residents of the clevated table In planting grapes in elevated regions, or where early frosts may he expected, it is regions of the State of Nevada—willdeem always advisable, when it can be donc, to these remarks of snfficient importanco to. setthem out by the sido of large rocks, act npon the stggestios, and move at. and train them over or near them, instead once for the introduction into the localities' of upon stakes, as is practiced in the valleys. The reason for this is self-evident. The rocks absorb a largo amount of heat hy day, which they are constantly giving out hy night. So mnch is thus given off from a large rock or bonlder that a vine in immediate contact or near proximity thereto will be entirely nutouched by the frost, whon much hardier plants, in the open field a little distance, will be killed. A New Pile-Driver. Tho Pacific Railroad Company aro building, at Oakland Point, one of Bolen & Craine’s machines for driving piles hy the direct action of steam. Asthis is the first machine of the kind ever built on this coast, its completion and operation is looked for with some interest. The frame differs from the ordinary piledrivers in appearance, by having one upright, which looks very much like the mast of a vessel. This mast is the gnide to the steam hammer, which, with its cylinder and casing, weighs about three tons, and may he individualized as separate from the other works. It stands upon the pile to be driven, and strikes eighty hlows per minnte. The hammer is attached to the piston, and is raised hy the direct action of the steam in the cylinder above it. The full stroke is forty-two inches, hut may he regulated to any degree less hy the engineer. The top of the pile is champered to receive a beveled ring one foot sqnare. The casing in which the hammer works sockets onto the beveled ring, thus securing a firm rest, and hy its own weight assisting in the work. Another engine, on the scow, handles the piles, and raises the hammer-engine to the elevation at which it is to he placed upon the top of the pile to commence its work. On general principles we are inclined to think the weight of the blow should alcays exceed the amount of resistance to be ovyercome; otherwise the pile will suffer the effect of the shock. Our experience in driving nails, pegs and posts leads ns to the opinion that a few heavy blows are more efficient than many light ones, and with less damage to the thing driven. If this machine combines sufficient force with rapid blows, it will he a sure snccess. Destructive Fire st THE GOLDEN State Iron Worns.—Early last Saturday morning these works and the St. Charles Hotel, ad. joiniug them, were discovered to be on fire, and before the,engines were able to get at work the npper part of the fonndry bnilding was wholly destroyed and the lower part badly damaged. A large quantity of patterns was destroyed, and much of the machinery very badly damaged. Mr. Palmer estimates the loss at about $40,000, the heaviest loss heing in, patterns. The establishment was owned by Palmer, Knox & :Co., and was insnred for $9,500. The canse is fas yet nnknown. We hope that the proprictors may be able to repair the damage, and that the works may soon be again in operation, They are men who have the full confidence and esteem of the community.