81 \ n: AQRIC1 l.l l RAL SOCIETi . 201 



may be devoted is thai use which makes the Largesl amount of Labor on 

 each acre profitable; or, stated differently, thai land is besl cultivated 

 which gives profitable employment to the maximum quantity of labor on 

 the minimum quantity of land. There is the broadest question of states- 

 manship and political economy underlying this consideration. The prob- 

 lem which nations have to solv< — and it has been regarded as the highest 

 problem of civilization — is how to Bupport the largest number of people on 

 the smallest area. The culture which will profitably employ ten Laborers 

 On a single acre, is worth to a country more than that culture which would 

 profitably employ the Labor of but one man on ten acres. The social, moral, 

 and intellectural advantages arising from density of population, forms a 

 part of the consideration in favor of devoting the soil to that character of 

 culture which gives the maximum of employment on the minimum of land. 

 As the cultivation of fruit requires ;i higher intelligence than the cultiva- 

 tion of cereals, requiring a more intimate knowledge of the laws of germ 

 life, of botany, and of agricultural chemistry, I apprehend that the people 

 devoted to such industry will necessarily possess a higher average intelli- 

 gence than the people devoted to the cultivation of wheat, coin. etc. On 

 this question of staple fruit and citrus culture, let me say again there need 

 be no fear of overproduction. The objections usually urged on this ground 

 are often the merest folly. Every country which produces a sufficient 

 amount of any article to constitute an important factor of export, teaches 

 the world to rely upon that country for that production. The greater the 

 production the greater the certainty of the mastery of the market. If Cal- 

 ifornia produced hut 1.0(H) tons of wheat in excess of home consumption, it 

 would be absolutely worthless, because commerce would not organize itself 

 in such a way as to take that wheat. Transportation would be so heavy 

 against it that it would never find its way to market. Similar results will 

 attend the cultivation of all fruits, citrus as well as other kinds. The dan- 

 gei of want of market will not be in overproduction, but rather in under- 

 production. It is the pioneer stage of fruit growing of any kind which is 

 unprofitable. When enough has been grown to make its sale and move- 

 ment a matter of first importance to commerce and transportation, these 

 great elements will adjust themselves to it as a rule, and build it so firmly 

 into the great world of commerce and financial activity that it cannot be 

 ignored. 



Now a word in conclusion to those in search of homes. While this State 

 is young and developing, it offers superior advantages for the home seeker. 

 I often wonder that more people from our overcrowded cities, where the 

 chances for bettering their condition are very limited, do not seek the 

 country, the hills, or the valleys, secure a small piece of ground on the best 

 terms possible, and plant a home. To those who are sober, industrious, and 

 patient, though possessing small means, northern California offers superior 

 advantages for securing homes, and our home owners, our land owners, are 

 our best citizens. A land of true homes, some one has said, is a land of true 

 greatness. Therefore, let us strive to possess ourselves of a home for our 

 own sake, for our family's sake, and for the sake of our country. In the 

 language of the poet, let me say to — 



Young beginners in life's morning, 



Don't forget the rainy clay ; 

 Sunshine cannot last forever, 



Or the heart be always gay. 

 Save the "dime and then the dollar; 



Lay up something as you roam. 

 Choose some blooming spot of beauty, 



Some fair spot, and plant a home. 



