History of California | Page 3

as
California, some portions of its desert lands being below sea level,
while several of its mountains are over ten thousand feet in height. In
its climate, too, there are wide differences as regards heat and cold,
although its coast lands, whether north or south, are much more
temperate than the corresponding latitudes on the Atlantic coast. The
difference in the climate of the northern and southern portions of the
state is more marked in the matter of moisture. Most of the storms of

California have their beginning out in the North Pacific Ocean. They
travel in a southeasterly direction, striking the coast far to the north in
summer, but in winter extending hundreds of miles farther south.
During November, December, January, and February they often reach
as far south as the Mexican line. Then, only, does southern California
have rain. The water necessary for use in the summer time is gained by
irrigation from the mountain streams, which are supplied largely from
the melting snows on the Sierras.
The home lands of the state may be divided into two portions: the
beautiful border country rising from the Pacific in alternate valleys and
low rolling foothills to the edge of the Coast Range; and the great
central valley or basin, which lies like a vast pocket almost entirely
encircled by mountains the high Sierras on the east, on the west the low
Coast Range. Two large rivers with their tributaries drain this valley:
the San Joaquin, flowing from the south; and the Sacramento, flowing
from the north. Joining near the center of the state, they cut their way
through the narrow passage, the Strait of Carquinez, and casting their
waters into the beautiful Bay of San Francisco, finally reach the ocean
through the Golden Gate.
Down from the Sierras, mighty glaciers carried the soil for this central
valley, grinding and pulverizing it as it was rolled slowly along. Many
years this process continued. The rain, washing the mountain sides,
brought its tribute in the rich soil and decayed vegetation of the higher
region, until a natural seed bed was formed, where there can be raised
in abundance a wonderful variety of plants and trees. In the coast
valleys the soil is alluvial, the fine washing of mountain rocks; this is
mixed in some places with a warmer, firmer loam and in others with a
gravelly soil, which is the best known for orange raising.
The state owes much to her mountains, for not only have they
contributed to her fertile soil, but they hold in their rocky slopes the
gold and silver mines which have transformed the whole region from
an unknown wilderness to a land renowned for its riches and beauty.
They lift their lofty peaks high in the air like mighty strongholds, and,
shutting out the desert winds, catch the clouds as they sail in from the

ocean, making them pay heavy tribute in fertilizing rain to the favored
land below.
The climate, which of all the precious possessions of California is the
most valuable, is best described by Bret Harte in the lines, "Half a year
of clouds and flowers; half a year of dust and sky." Either half is
enjoyable, for in the summer, or dry season, fogs or delightful westerly
winds soon moderate a heated spell, and in nearly all parts of the state
the nights are cool; while the rainy, or winter season, changes to balmy
springtime as soon as the storm is over.
In a large portion of the state the climate is such that the inhabitants
may spend much of their time out of doors. As a rule few duties are
attended to in the house which can possibly be performed in the open
air. It is growing to be more and more the custom to have, in
connection with a Californian home, a tent bedroom where the year
round one or more of the members of the family sleep, with only a wall
of canvas between them and nature.
The vacation time is spent largely in summer camps, at either mountain
or seashore, or, quite often, a pleasant party of one or two families live
together, very simply, under the greenwood tree beside some spring or
stream, spending a few weeks in gypsy fashion. While the young folk
grow sturdy and beautiful, the older members of the party become
filled with strength and a joy of living which helps them through the
cares and struggles of the rest of the year. This joy in outdoor life is not,
however, a discovery of to-day. The old Spanish families spent as
much time as possible in the courtyard, the house being deserted save
at night. When upon journeys, men, women, and children slept in the
open air. Even the clothes-washing period was turned into a