STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 105 



I have said that, notwithstanding what we have learned of agri- 

 culture in California, we have still much to learn, and I take the 

 liberty of calling your attention to the still too common fault of 

 adhering to methods of agriculture and processes of manufacture 

 which were taught us by our fathers, and which were apjjlicable to 

 other conditions, but are inapplicable to those which surround us ' 

 here on the Pacific Slope. Some experiments have been made in 

 the production of silk. They are admitted failures, but I believe . 

 that they have failed only because the methods and processes 

 adopted in making these ejfperiments were applicable to the condi- 

 tions existing in the countries where these methods originated, and 

 that the methods which would have insured success in this State 

 were not sought and were not found. I believe this observation to 

 be equally true as to the experiments that have been or are being 

 made in the growing of tobacco and cotton. In the growth of cereals 

 we were not long in discovering the season of seed-time, the treat- 

 ment of the soil, and the varieties of the cereals best adapted to our 

 climate. In our experiments with cotton,. tobacco, and silk, we have 

 observed not the seasons of California, but those of other countries, 

 and without presuming to the possession of any special or pro- 

 fessional knowledge of the subject, I conclude from a general rather 

 than a specific knowledge, that whatever of failure has attended the 

 wine industry of this State, has been largely attributable to our 

 attempts at making French wines from California grapes, and by pro- 

 cesses which, however adapted to wine making in France, could not 

 be successful here. What I desire to strongly emphasize by these 

 suggestions is the obvious necessity of an intelligent cultivation of all 

 products; and what is meant by intelligent cultivation is that which 

 adjusts itself more perfectly to all the existing conditions which 

 influence growth and development. When we have learned how, I 

 believe that the tea plant and the coffee plant may profitably be 

 grown in many parts of this State. We possess here a great variety 

 of soil, and climate ranging from the tropical to the northern tem- 

 perate, and I see no reason why all the products of the temperate and 

 semi-tropical zones may not profitably be produced here. It is well 

 that in these annual gatherings some thought should be given to 

 these subjects, that a comparison of ideas and experience may be 

 had. Great resiilts have been attained from small beginnings, and 

 many things now the principal sources of wealth of the different 

 peoples of the world, met with discouragement and even failure 

 many times before they achieved their present high success. Looking 

 back as a pioneer over the history of fruit growing in this State, I 

 can recall to-night how very unpromising this country appeared to 

 us when the hrst orchards were planted; and looking forward, and 

 remembering tlie capabilities of our soil and climate, I have faith to 

 believe that whatever can be profitably grown in the temperate or 

 semi-tropical climates may be produced with profit here. The pros- 

 pect of growing tobacco, and cotton, and tea, and coffee profitably is 

 not more remote in the indehnite future than was the growth of 

 oranges, lemons, and other fruit of the orchard, to the pioneers of this 

 State. 



Whatever the capabilities of our soil may be, it should not be for- 

 gotten that the one chief advantage possessed by us over our sister 

 States of this Union is the superiority of our climate. To avail our- 

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