STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 141 



in 1880, four million three hundred thousand tons, while the value 

 of exi)orts in 1872 was two hundred and tifty-four million dollars; 

 during eleven months of 1880-81, it was eight hundred and eighty- 

 four million dollars; of railroads, in 1871, tliere were fifty-six thou- 

 sand three hundred miles — in 1880, eighty-seven thousand nine 

 hundred completed, ten thousand in construction, and forty-one 

 thousand projected, sufficient to girdle the earth five and one half 

 times; while manufactures in 1870 amounted to three hillion three 

 hundred and sixty million dollars; in 1880, rive billion three hun- 

 dred and seventy million dollars, exclusive of gas, malt, and spiritu- 

 ous liquors and petroleum. 



From 1848 to 1881 the gold product of California was one billion 

 one hundred and fifty-five million dollars, which is fully double the 

 entire quantity in circulation in the world prior to Marshall's dis- 

 covery of gold in 1848. Of this nine hundred million dollars was 

 taken from ancient river beds, the work done amounting to but little 

 more than prospecting. The impetus given to the world by this 

 addition to its circulating medium and standard of exchange has 

 been shared by every branch of industry, and the results consequent 

 upon the gold product of California have been incalculable and have 

 surpassed all our conceptions. It buys and stocks our farms and 

 ranches; it pays for the labor to plant and harvest our crops; it builds 

 our factories, furnishes the raw material, and settles the cost of fabri- 

 cation; it builds the ships that take away our products and return in 

 exchange the products of every clime. The magnitude of this sub- 

 ject and the present relation of farmer and miner seem to justify the 

 interposition of the Government, which I believe can and will adjust 

 the rights of both without injury to either, "a consummation de- 

 voutly to be wished." 



From 1870 to 1880 the population of the United States increased 

 eleven million six hundred thousand, which is three million three 

 hundred and fifty thousand greater than during any other decade 

 since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and seven 

 million greater than the average increase per decade. From 1872 to 

 1882 there were granted one hundred and thirty-one thousand four 

 hundred and sixty-eight patents for new and useful inventions, and 

 five thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven reissues, showing 

 that genius and science are in concert of action toward perfection in 

 the useful things of life. These statistics furnish useful lessons and 

 j)roblems to us all. Are we able to grapple with and master them ? 



In view of the progress of the age in the various departments of 

 industry, the written works of science showing how to best utilize 

 the forces and materials of nature, and the certainty that all the 

 tillable lands will ere long be occupied and under cultivation 

 throughout the Union, the duty and position of the American farmer 

 assume a grave aspect. His personal ease may seem to require him 

 no further than to reap what is in sight. This policy will not in the 

 end produce the best results. Cupidity was much chagrined at the 

 result of having killed her hen which laid the golden egg. Already 

 the complaint is heard that the lands of California do not produce as 

 well as formerly; that visible exhaustion and premature old age have 

 come upon them. The vegetable creation, like the animal, must 

 have a full supply of good food to yield its best work. As well attempt 

 to run the steam engine without fuel, as a farm without manure. 

 All nature is subject to the laws of equilibrium. We do but borrow 



