12 Transactions of thk 



Till' cultivation of jjcrapos for the inaiiufacturinii of raisins is hcin}^ 

 carried on in this State with marked success, and thou^li the enter- 

 prise is in its infancy, it is destined ere long to form a prominent 

 feature in our e.\|)orts. The amount of raisins manufactured (hiring 

 the season is estimated to be one milli(;n jtounds. Tlu- hest of judges 

 pronounce them v(\\u\\ to any imported arti( le, and that O|»inion is 

 supi)orted l)y the awards given to tlic California raisins at the Cen- 

 t<'niiial. and also at the International l'Aliil»ition. lately hold at 

 Paris, at both of which they were awarded me<lal< for theii- llavor, 

 size, and other tine qualities. 



Another imjtortant industry that is receiving llatlering encourage- 

 ment is the manufacture of brandy from the grape, it is steadily, 

 year by year, im-reas1ng in (piantity and quality. 



We can truthfully boast of making as line li<iuors from the grape 

 in California as can be produced anywhere in the known worbl. Our 

 wines of all kinds, anil biaiidies, cannot be excelled by any of the 

 same age, and will at no far distant day become one of our largest 

 sources of revenue. The grajio croj> tliis season was the largest ever 

 gathered in the State — three hundred tons, in consignments of sixty 

 thou.^and i)ounds, having been shipped to rhiladeli)hia alone. Our 

 exports of ail kinds of green fruits for tliis season were larger tlian 

 tiiey were in eighteen hnndrod and seventy-seven, and commanded 

 better |)rices. Tiiose engaged in slii])pijig have learned how to pack 

 and send pears, apples, plums, grapes, etc., to any of the Atlantic 

 cities, and even to Europe, and have them arrive at their destination 

 in good condition. They arc eagerly sought for by those who can 

 alford the luxury, and as a consequence command fancy prices. 

 Tliis trade is year by year increasing, as transportation becomes more 

 easy and ra]>id. 



VVe regret that tiiere arc not more persons engaged in tlie cultiva- 

 tion of the universally used tobacco in this State, for our climate is 

 certainly favorable, and much of the soil of California is peculiarly 

 adapted to its successful culture. At our late fair we had i)roofs of 

 this, for we had exliibits from Yolo, Placer, and Sacramento counties 

 wiiicli was pronounced by all who i)rofessed to know that it was far 

 above the average Virginia raised tobacco. It is an industry that 

 tiiere is no doui)t would j>rove renumerative to any who might 

 engage in raising it, especially those familiar with the cultivation 

 and curing. 



During the year the iioard have made many valuable imi>rove- 

 ments to the j)ro))erty of the Society, viz.: Kemodeling, removing, 

 and rebuilding of the old stables, and building new ones, removing 

 tlie shee]i and goat pens, constructing a building for tlie exhibition 

 of agricultural machinery and imi)lenients; the erection of an ampi- 

 tlieater for tiie examination of live stock l)y tlie Judges, laying out 

 and making beautiful triangular i)arks at the first turns of the track. 

 The.xe parks have been seeded to grass, and valuable shade and orange 

 trees nlanted therein. These imjjrovements are all permanent, being 

 u.^eful, as well as greatly ornamenting an«i beautifying the grountls, 

 and will ])rove of great ben(>lit to the exhibitors and visitors as well 

 as to the Society for all time to come. The cost of the entire inii)rove- 

 ments made during the year in round numbers is near ten tiiqusand 

 dollar;?. They are wortii mucli more to the Society than their cost, 

 as time will prove. 



Many thanks are due from the Society to the citizens of Sacra- 



