81 \TK A.GRICULTUK \l 30CIETY. 1 •"» 



The various entries in the several departments for 1886 may be classi- 

 fied as follows, in round numbers: 



Horses --- - ('00 



Cattle - -- -- 400 



Swine -- - 50 



Sheep - - 50 



Grain and Vegetables — - 150 



Horticulture 300 



Machinery and Mechanic An- -- --. 700 



Textile Fabrics .-- - 400 



Fine Arts 400 



And we are pleased to state that nearly even- industry in the State was 

 represented. 



IMMIGRATION. 



In assisting to increase the population of the State, this society has been 

 no small factor. We are constantly applied to by home seekers from the 

 Eastern States for information as to the productiveness, climate, and gen- 

 eral prospects for newcomers. In each instance we have replied, sent our 

 reports, and such other information as would be of use to the applicant. 

 Many are men of means, others are desirous of obtaining employment. 



It is quite apparent that the greatest drawback in the past to the State 

 has been the want of readiness, or tardiness of our citizens, to encourage 

 immigration. Now that the southern part of the State has awakened a 

 new era by their energetic movements to increase immigration to that sec- 

 tion, other portions of the State are beginning to take action to secure their 

 quota of the newcomers, and why should they not? In place of one mill- 

 ion population, we should have five million at least. 



In a country that can furnish good wheat land at from $30 to $75 per 

 acre and unimproved fruit lands from $20 to $150 per acre, why should 

 we not have an increased population? 



Farm hands are here paid from $20 to $30 per month and living, and 

 we would here say that the best time of year for this class to come to 

 California is in the month of May ; from then until September is the har- 

 vesting season, and work is more plentiful than at other times of the year. 

 We have in every case informed applicants that there is no trouble for a 

 man who is anxious to work to obtain employment. It is, however, not at 

 all times to be found in the cities. 



California has a larger diversity of interests than any other State in the 

 Union. Everything and anything that can be produced anywhere can be 

 successfully grown here, and here can be found room for all who desire to 

 till the soil. As the prosperity of the State and the success of those of our 

 citizens that are engaged in mercantile pursuits in the cities depend largely 

 upon the successful culture of the soil, no danger is apprehended that the 

 products of the same will fail to find ready sale at remunerative prices. 

 As an admonition to those wdio have lands for sale, we would say, that 

 inflated or prospective values will do more to deter immigration than all 

 other causes combined. 



Recently our attention was called to this fault by a purchaser from the 

 State of Illinois. He came to this State with a herd of Hereford cattle ; 

 some for sale, and with the remainder as a nucleus for an extensive breed- 

 ing farm. He informed an officer of this society, after partial examination, 

 that he did not care to purchase at present, as it was his belief that lands 

 would be cheaper in the near future, after those that seem desirous of sell- 

 ing ascertain by experience, that the values placed on some of the lands 



