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this Society. Permit me, Mr. President, to congratulate you and this 

 Society upon the evidences everywhere displayed of the prosperous 

 condition of the Society, and the unbounded resources of this com- 

 monwealth. The heart of every Californian wells up with joy and 

 gladness at these evidences of our material wealth, our present pros- 

 perity, and the brilliant prospects of our future grandeur and glory. 



Away out here, in the Golden State, upon the western verge of the 

 continent, we have built our homes and erected our altars, where the 

 sacred incense of liberty burns so brightly to-day that its brilliant 

 glare and genial warmth are seen and felt all over the civilized 

 world. Blessed in the enjoyment of a climate unsurpassed by any on 

 earth ; all that is grand, beautiful, and picturesque in scenery; a soil 

 zealous, rich, and fruitful, yielding in profusion and lavish prodigality 

 corn, wine, and oil for nourishment, refreshment, and joy ; the boun- 

 tiful yield of all the products of the soil; the luscious fruits of every 

 variety; the vegetable productions, unequaled by any land on earth; 

 the grape, the orange, the fig, the lemon, and citron grow and flour- 

 ish side by side. With our great variety of climate, which enables 

 us to cultivate all the products of the temperate and semi-tropical, 

 and. many of the tropical zones, there is a boundless future of pros- 

 perity for the agriculturist of California to look forward to, and we 

 may well hope that our State will, at no distant day, furnish to the 

 world, in rich profusion, wheat, rye, oats, barley, Indian corn, pota- 

 toes, buckwheat, hay, tobacco, rice, sugar, hemp, silk, flax, cotton, 

 honey, cheese, butter, wine, and wool. Your wheat, wool, and wines 

 already constitute important elements of wealth and prosperity, and 

 your fruits, both fresh and dried, are constantly increasing in demand 

 and supply, adding comfort and wealth to those engaged in this 

 important branch of industry. The great variety and superior qual- 

 ity of the products of your vineyards, orchards, and farms; the grand 

 display of your thoroughbreds, roadsters, and draft horses ; the mag- 

 nificent exhibition of animals, as specimens of your herds and flocks, 

 challenge universal admiration. All these subjects, of so much 

 interest and importance to the people, have been so eloquently and 

 cogently presented by President Biggs, in his opening address to the 

 Society, that he has left but little corn in the stubble for the benefit of 

 the gleaner, and the sheaf not preserved will drift away, a grain of 

 chaff before the wind. The inventive genius of California's mechan- 

 ics and artisans is everywhere seen and appreciated, and all honor to 

 them for their enterprise and industry, so materially contributing to 

 the happiness and comfort of the people, and advancing the wealth 

 and prosperity of the State. Our fair country women, co-workers with 

 us in the development of our resources, have added to this splendid 

 exhibition an attractive display of their handiwork, and they deserve, 

 and should receive, the thanks of this Society for their grand display 

 of patient toil and delicate skill in the various industries which they 

 so happily represent. 



Gentlemen of the State Agricultural Society, all the great indus- 

 trial pursuits that enrich, refine, and elevate the citizen, are, in a 

 great degree, confided to your care. Discharge the sacred duty in 

 the future as you have in the past, and a prosperous, happy people 

 will ever cherish your memories with pride and gratitude. 



Agriculture, the highest and grandest of all industrial pursuits, is, 

 nevertheless, dependent upon other interests and industries for suc- 

 cess and prosperity. Agriculture, commerce, and population, consti- 



