360 Transactions of the 



THE CAPABILITIES OF CALIFORNIA. 



The following able article, written for the San Jose Granger by a cor- 

 respondent under the nom de plume of "Uncle John," will be found 

 highly instructive and interesting to the farming element, of our newly- 

 arrived immigration: 



The majority of people, on their arrival among us, are highly pleased 

 with everything that comes under their experience or observation. 

 They have left a country that, when compared with ours, seems pecu- 

 liarly subject to vicissitudes and casualties; they have left a land where 

 the terrible heat of Summer, and the more terrible cold of Winter, 

 destroys many of its inhabitants; where lightning, tornadoes, inunda- 

 tions, conflagrations, and disease, are all active agents for the destruction 

 of human life. But in California it is all different. The climate, soil, 

 scenery, and productions all seem to come as near perfection as possible; 

 and from the awful effects of floods, -storms, and conflagrations, we 

 should say, with thankful hearts, we are peculiarly exempt. But after 

 considering and appreciating these blessings, our Eastern friends begin 

 to look around for a business of some kind — for something to do for a 

 living. It is then that discouragement begins. Merchandising, the 

 trades and professions seem to be overdone -and full to overflowing. 

 Grain raising and fruit raising, they are told by farmers of the slack 

 persuasion, "doesn't pay." It is admitted by everybody that dairying, 

 and stock and sheep farming, does pay; but these branches of business 

 all do not understand, and require considerable capital. Now, let us 

 fairly and squarely consider this question of a bread-winning business. 

 "We will admit that we have merchants enough, though new ones often 

 come among us and set themselves up in business, and seem to do well. 

 As to trades and professions, the great Daniel Webster once said, by way 

 of encouragement, to a young man who came to him for advice, " There 

 is always room in the upper story." A first-class mechanic, lawyer, or 

 physician, can always find profitable employment in any part of the 

 Union. This is as true in California as elsewhere. But it would not 

 be so in the physician's case, were it not that so many invalids and 

 wrecks of humanity come here from other countries to regain their 

 lost health. 



Diversified farming possesses great advantages, and wherever practiced 

 with skill and judgment, is sure to be remunerative. There are very 

 few farms where the following branches of business will not pa}': But- 

 ter making, cattle raising, poultry raising, and grain raising. Of course, 

 each department should be graduated according to facilities. Jn addi- 

 tion, every farmer should raise his own horses and pork, vegetables and 

 fruit — enough for home consumption. There are many farms in Santa 

 Clara Valley which have been for years devoted to grain alone, and 

 shallow plowing and unceasing cropping have made them unprofitable, 

 while, if the diversified plan had been followed, their owners would 

 to-day be rich and independent. To illustrate: 



