302 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



it. Hogs fatten on it, and taken altogether its value is incalculable. The 

 hay will sell at $6 to $10 per ton. 



Beans. — Hundreds of carloads of beans are grown on the rich bottom 

 lands of Sacramento County, and each year are shipped to the eastern 

 markets. They are a very profitable crop, and a failure has never been 

 known. 



Figs. — Most any part of California will produce this fruit. On the banks 

 of the rivers in the county under consideration, the fig tree attains to great 

 size, and is remarkably productive. The common black fig requires abso- 

 lutely no care or attention. The tree grows like the oak, and is equally 

 vigorous and hardy. It attains a great size, and when covered with its 

 large, green leaves, and rich, handsome fruit, is a beautiful sight. The 

 first crop is usually sold green, but the second is allowed to fall to the 

 ground, and when sufficiently dry the figs are thrown into sacks and read- 

 ily command 3-| cents per pound, at which price they are very profitable. 



The Smyrna, or " fig of commerce," is now being introduced, and there 

 seems to be no good reason why California may not in the near future sup- 

 ply the millions of pounds of this delicious fruit that are annually con- 

 sumed in the United States, and which are now imported from Europe. 



Nuts. — Almonds have long been found a reliable and profitable crop. 

 The tree will do well on any land that will grow peaches, and as the crop 

 is rarely light, and never fails, the grower has a sure source of income from 

 a fine almond orchard. At 11 to 14 cents per pound, which is the ruling 

 rate, they pay well. 



Walnuts grow well here. The English soft-shell walnut has not been 

 extensively planted, but enough are growing to demonstrate that it is a 

 profitable crop. Mr. P. H. Murphy has an English walnut tree on his 

 ranch on the Cosumnes River, in Sacramento County, that is thought to be 

 the largest in the State. This, however, may or may not be true, but it is 

 a monstrous large tree, and yields heavily of very fine quality. Black 

 walnut trees are grown for shade and ornament. Peanuts of fine quality 

 are extensively grown. 



Broom corn is grown very extensively, as is also Egyptian corn; the lat- 

 ter making a good and cheap food for stock. Sweet potatoes do remark- 

 ably well, and are very largely cultivated by the Chinese, who also raise 

 vast quantities of other kinds of vegetables. There is a grand opening for 

 intelligent field gardening by skillful white growers. Cabbages, potatoes, 

 onions, garlics, etc., find a good market through the States and Territories 

 west of the Missouri River, and the growing of them cannot easily be over- 

 done. Licorice is being successfully raised at Florin, in this county. The 

 plant does well and may soon become a leading product. 



No energetic man need fail to make a handsome profit, if, indeed, he 

 does not secure a competency, in growing any of the varied products herein 

 mentioned. In horticulture he will, of course, need to use judgment and 

 intelligence both in the selection of suitable land for the particular fruit 

 desired, and also in the varieties of fruit planted. It will be very desirable 

 for him to consult some responsible nurseryman, of whom there are several 

 in the county, as to the kinds of trees adapted to his land, and as to the 

 varieties most profitable. Finally the natural beauty and desirability of 

 this section as a home will impress the thoughtful reader, when he con- 

 siders the varied products the mild and winterless climate, and the loca- 

 tion of the county. A celebrated writer, Mr. Benjamin F. Taylor, pays 

 the following glowing tribute to Sacramento: 



