STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 251 



withstanding the discouraging depression of the grain markets in previous 

 years, there never has been a time when the thrifty farmer could not meet 

 his liabilities, and point to a little surplus he could call his own. Of late 

 years, however, considerable attention has been devoted to fruit raising, 

 and now large shipments are daily made, through the fruit season, to San 

 Francisco and eastern markets. The fruit produced is of excellent quality, 

 both as regards appearance and liavor, which fact is abundantly attested 

 by the awards in its favor lately made, when brought into competition 

 with similar products from other sections. As immigrants from the East 

 and Europe arrive, a large proportion at once enter into horticultural pur- 

 suits, and are amply rewarded. Lately much attention has been devoted 

 to the citrus fruits, and already our oranges and lemons rank favorably 

 with the products of the older countries. 



Although the Sacramento Valley has long been settled, and for the most 

 part made subject to continual tillage, there is yet room for development; 

 and as fruit interests gain in strength, and small farming is consequently 

 encouraged, there will be room for thousands where now are hundreds, and 

 the wealth of the country will be correspondingly increased. In this con- 

 nection it may be interesting to know what lands are subject to cultivation. 

 A good authority gives the following estimate: Plain land, 4,000,000 acres; 

 foothills proper, 4,500,000 acres; upper foothills, 4,000,000 acres; moun- 

 tains, between 1,000 and 2,000 feet elevation, 6,000,000 acres, making the 

 total acreage of the land described 18,500,000 acres. 



A few of the cities and larger towns may be mentioned briefly. On the 

 direct route of commercial traffic is Sacramento, a large and flourishing 

 city, the capital of the State, and the seat of numerous institutions of the 

 arts, sciences, and learning; Marysville, the center of vast agricultural dis- 

 tricts, which has direct commercial connection with the outside world by 

 water and by rail, as well as the home of several noted factories and insti- 

 tutions of learning; Chico, now one of the most prosperous little cities in 

 the State, and the location of the new Normal School; Oroville, with its 

 colonies and orange groves, and others of which we cannot even speak. 



The best evidences, however, of the possibility of the Sacramento Val- 

 ley, are shown by the interest manifested by those who visit us, and have 

 already cast their lot with ours. 



GENERAL WEATHER REVIEW OF SACRAMENTO. 



This city is geographically situated in latitude north 38° 35'; longitude 

 west from Greenwich, 121° 30'; elevation above sea level, 35 feet; elevation 

 of the zero point of the barometer cistern above sea level, 64 feet. 



The following tabulated data show the general meteorological features of 

 the weather of this city for the months of January and Februarv, from 1878 

 to 1888, inclusive. For March, April, May, and June, from 1878 to 1887, 

 inclusive, and for July, August, September, October, November, and De- 

 cember, from 1877 to 1887, inclusive. A review by seasons, winter, spring, 

 summer, and autumn. Also, an annual review of the weather from 1878 

 to 1887. 



