STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 235 



which opened at Sacramento on December 13, 1886, Placer County people 

 learned much relating to the productive capacity of their lands that in a 

 passive sort of manner had previously been noticed by them. As the time 

 approached for the opening of the second Fair, it became noticeable from 

 the press of the different parts of Northern and Central California, that the 

 experience gained at the preceding Fair would be applied to the best 

 advantage by each competing locality, and that a grand showing would 

 be made by all; that each district would put on its gayest habiliments; 

 that a genuine rivalry of a friendly nature had sprung up; that a giant 

 pull would be made — a determined effort to show most decisively to the 

 world which of the many good places in California was the best. The 

 result was all, and even more than was expected. Placer County, at this 

 Fair, made an exhibit, that for size, beauty, and flavor of fruit, and that 

 for tasty and ornamental display, has never been excelled in the State. 

 Placer's exhibit, which was not only the handsomest and largest, but 

 which also included the largest variety of citrus fruits, was awarded the 

 first premium over twenty-one competing counties, for the best display by 

 any county, and to Placer County's individual exhibitors was awarded the 

 greater part of the finest premiums for the best individual exhibits. Out 

 of the ten premiums awarded for the best individual exhibits of oranges 

 by the citizens of the twenty-two competing counties, seven were awarded 

 Placer County alone, as follows, and of the value mentioned after their 

 names: First premium, A. Freitas, Newcastle, $175; second premium, C. 

 M. Silva & Son, Newcastle, $125; third, P. Norburg, Penryn, $80; fourth, 

 A. Moger, Newcastle, $75; fifth, Dr. J. M. Frey, Newcastle, $60; ninth, W. 

 R. Strong & Co., Penryn, bronze clock; tenth, W. J. Wilson, Newcastle, 

 Imperial plow. From the above it can be seen that out of the ten premi- 

 ums mentioned, Placer secured the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, ninth, 

 and tenth, five of which went to Newcastle alone, which place cannot be 

 excelled in California in the production of any kind of fruits. 



Placer's achievements at the Citrus Fairs are only a small part of what 

 has been done in this line. Her exhibits at the different District, Mechan- 

 ics' Institute, and State Fairs, were upon a similar scale to those in the 

 citrus line, and the rewards of premiums received have been on the same 

 liberal scale as at the Citrus Fairs. The exhibit from this county at the 

 State Fair for 1886, when the county secured the first premium of $500, 

 over all competitors, for the most meritorious exhibit by any county, was, 

 according to competent authority, consisting of members of the press 

 (among whom were representatives of the leading horticultural papers), 

 visitors from abroad, those who had for years attended the leading State 

 Fairs, and the general expression from all sides pronounced it the finest 

 exhibition of the kind ever shown in the United States. There is no 

 doubt whatever that it was all that was claimed for it. This showing, 

 which was the largest of the kind at the Fair, was not awarded first pre- 

 mium for its bulk, but for the general superiority of excellence, as well as 

 the quantity shown. It seemed impossible to ever again equal the colos- 

 sal beauty of this showing, but it was done by Placer County — not only 

 equaled, but surpassed at the State Fair held at Sacramento in Septem- 

 ber, 1887. 



It is doubtful whether the eyes of man ever before rested upon a more 

 magnificent showing of the most delicious fruits, of such ravishing beauty, 

 exquisite flavor, and excessive quantity, as was there shown upon the 

 tables, strewn upon the shelves, hung upon the walls, suspended in the 

 air, filled and crowded in every nook and corner, and, in fact, under the 

 tables, and hid and stored away everywhere, for the amount was so large 



