The rancheros thought the land only fit for sheep to roam over.

Now great train-loads of vegetables and grain leave daily for the East; all the earliest fruit of New York, Boston, and Chicago comes from this State, and ships are carrying all these products to all parts of the world.

From north to south the State measures over 800 miles--as far as from New York to Florida--with an area of 189,000 square miles--as much as New England and the Middle States combined, throwing in Maryland.

The northern and southern portions are as unlike as Massachusetts and Florida, and the State must soon be divided.

How little is known of Northern California! Next year I hope to describe that, with its lofty mountains, wonderful scenery, lakes of rare beauty, immense interests in grain, fruits, and mining.