mss142-vasilevShishmarev-i4-027

- 136 - related to farming, indispensable for a settled life. However, even here their labors were not very great. The blessed climate and the virgin nature of this land, al- most without effort of the farmer, produces everything neces- sary for life. The only species of planted grain, wheat and maize, yield a hundred kernels and more to one, and at that, from fields poorly tilled and, in general, carelessly handled. Gathering an abundant harvest, they abandon the fields for a few years, first, indulging in their laziness, and second, having the opportunity to sell their surplus only to our [[ The Russian-American Company| [Russian-]American Company]], they would not know what to do with it if they gathered the harvest regularly every year. Of vegetables, potatoes and cabbages grow there almost wild. There are no cucumbers, but excellent watermelons and melons grow without any supervision or care. They have no idea here of what it means to fertilize the land. They do not bother about improving species of fruits through grafting. Local apples are small and sour, as are the cherries. Grapes grow along the slopes of hills, creeping on the ground, but at that, they produce excellent wine, which, after standing for a few years, has a great similarity to port wine. In general, much more could have been done with [[California]] by settling industrious people there. The climate is capable of producing all the produce of southern countries. The culti- vation of silkworms, sugar cane, and even coffee would bring a substantial income, and oranges, lemons, and other fruit would