State Agricultural Society. 389 



a fifth class office, with a salary of twelve dollars per year. It has 



steadily increased until now it is second class, with a salary of two 

 thousand six hundred dollars. During eighteen hundred and seventy- 

 four, there has been received over thirty-six thousand letters, and a 

 larger number sent out, while the newspapers received are about one 

 hundred and four thousand. The money "Orders issued have been four 

 thousand seven hundred and eighty-four. 



Besides manufactures, there are numerous industries that might be 

 profitably developed here, and none more so than that of sericulture. 

 Wherever sericulture has been tried in the State, the most satisfactory 

 results have been in those localities where the soil in which the mul- 

 berry tree is cultivated was the driest, and for that reason it is urged 

 that this may prove a very valuable industry in this section. The tree 

 grows well with little care, and the dry, even temperature would save 

 the silkworms from many of the diseases to which they are subject 

 where rainy seasons prevail, or where the soil is such as to produce an 

 undue proportion of sap in the growing tree, which is almost certain 

 destruction to feeding worms. 



The most extensive practical experiments made in fruit culture in the 

 cit} T , has been by Colonel George Stone, in the southeast part of the city, 

 where he has ten acres, planted four years ago, and where the past sea- 

 son he has had a large variety of semi-tropical fruits, lie has eight 

 hundred fruit and nut trees, and six hundred ornamental trees, all 

 thrifty, and those in bearing, very prolific. He has a few bearing gua- 

 vas, from which he has manufactured the best of jelly, and intends 

 making these a leading growth, believing them to be one of the most 

 profitable of fruits. lie has also in bearing lemons, limes, almonds, 

 figs, Italian and Spanish chestnuts, and a large variety of fruits of the 

 temperate clime. 



Adjoining the city on the south is the National Rancho, having a 

 frontage of six miles on the bay, largely owned by Kimball Brothers. 

 They have also laid out National City, and made considerable improve- 

 ments. The rancho includes Sweetwater and Paradise Valleys, where 

 extensive experiments have been made in fruit culture, both in the val- 

 ley and on the mesa, and the result has been highly satisfactory. 



The settlement of this city has been largely by people of high moral 

 worth, refinement, and intelligence, and no place stands higher morally 

 than this. The freedom of the streets from broils and attendant excit- 

 ing scenes incident to new towns, has been favorably noted and com- 

 mented on by those visiting here. 



On the whole we know of no place where the present advantages and 

 the future prospects offer better inducements for investment, permanent 

 location, or for those seeking a mild, healthful climate. 



