STATE AGRICULTURAL BOGIETY. 15 



we overlooked it in our blind faith. As a brother journalist remarked to as after the race : 

 •• The trial you reported was pood enough ti» have won, bul 1 thoughl you depended upon 

 hearsay." HowTyrant won is now history ; but history repeats itself , they say; ami isn't 

 it possible there is another Tyrant, "blushing unseen," in somebody's stable? 



We can but say, to the East we have looked for strains of blood, but to 

 California's climate they must come for development, or lay down their 

 laurels to the Golden State in the future Already have some of the 

 eastern breeders commenced negotiations for the purchase of farms in this 

 State, to be devoted to the breeding and raising of thoroughbreds alone; 

 and, judging from the rapid strides some of our home breeders are making, 

 it is not far distant when the annual sales of California bred colts will be 

 looked forward to with more interest by purchasers, than any other in the 

 Union. 



The showing made during the past few years by our trotting-bred stock 

 is evidence that early development in the trotter is equally as valuable to 

 that class as it is in the thoroughbred. This young State has only begun 

 in the breeding and development of trotting stock, and at this writing leads 

 the world in performances made by one, two. three, and four-year-olds, and 

 has only been equaled in point of speed by a three-year-old. Judging 

 from recent high-priced and valuable purchases made here by eastern 

 buyers, we firmly believe that our breeders have started right, and it is 

 well known that their experiments are watched with eagerness by all con- 

 cerned. Large sales of our trotting youngsters have been made at the East 

 in the past, and it is now the intention of some of our largest' breeders to 

 hold annual sales of their trotting stock in New York City. Should they 

 be encouraged, as we believe they will, it will be but a short time before 

 California will be looked to for high-bred trotters and roadsters, and from 

 her green fields and sunny slopes will come the purest bred, most highly 

 developed, and speediest of that class. This State is destined to be the 

 leading one in the production of live stock, as well as agricultural industry. 



The varied breeds of cattle (a detailed list of which will be found in the 

 record of exhibits farther on), which are now being bred in this State, 

 shows the peculiar adaptation it has for this interest; not only are the 

 prominent beef classes sought, but those that crossed, produce both 

 elements, beef and milk. The interest now leading in this industry is the 

 dairy, and many experimental crosses are being made to ascertain which 

 ones will produce the largest and richest yield of milk.- The unoccupied 

 mountain districts serve to furnish, natural feed for the milk producing 

 portion of this interest, during the greater part of the year; to these districts 

 are driven many of our dairying herds during the Summer months, so that 

 the expense is small compared to what it would be, were those interested 

 compelled to purchase feed the entire year through. 



The sheep interest is likewise an important factor in the animal pro- 

 ducing line of California. Although the past year's yield of wool has fallen 

 below those of several preceding years, it cannot be said that this industry 

 is on the wane. The low prices obtained for wool during the past few years 

 has resulted in driving some growers out of the business, and as cattle have 

 been the most profitable, have turned their ranges into cattle pastures; as 

 with other productions, the supply and demand regulate this. 



The swine interests are increasing. This is one of the most profitable 

 industries we have. Although not raising a sufficient quantity to keep out 

 importations of cured meats, we are encouraging the extension of this 

 business in every way. The only cause we can assign in the heretofore 

 neglect of this business, is the lack of enterprise on the part of our breed- 



