The Daily Dispatch: October 8, 1861., [Electronic resource]

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California cotton.

--The tule lands lying along the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, when properly reclaimed, are capable of producing as handsome cotton as the plantations of Louisiana or Texas. For a number of years past, we have had exhibited to us handsome bolls from ranches just below Sacramento, and we are assured that large and fine crops will be raised when labor becomes cheaper than it is now. On Middle River Ranch, some thirty miles below Stockton, Mr. George Douglas, manager for Samuel Brannan, owner of the property, planted in May last some seeds of cotton, which promise to yield a rich return. The seed was put into the ground in the month of May last, and from a single stalk, the branches now spread out some five feet in diameter. The boils are large and healthy, and the crop will be fit for picking in November next. Even at the present high price of labor, it is questionable whether the culture of cotton on an extensive scale, in these swamp grounds, would not prove reprehensive with California.