668 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



I now see before me, and of every one of the greater multitudes who will 

 each day visit the cattle grounds and each day the Pavilion during the 

 present week. Viewing these fairs in their true light, and considering 

 these their true objects, I ask where there is a man or woman who has a 

 spark of true patriotism or a feeling of real philanthropy in his or her 

 heart who can be lukewarm in their support, or who will not make some 

 effort to enjoy their pleasures and advantages? 



The exhibition which we see before us to-night is a reflex of the present 

 state of the civilization of one of the most enlightened nations of the world. 

 It is a concentrated panorama of the industries and industrial occupations 

 and productions of the Pacific Coast, although entirely from our northern 

 district, embracing counties composing Northern California. I invite each 

 one of this vast multitude of people within this hall to take a cursory view 

 of some of the articles spread out before us for our examination and in- 

 struction. See the samples of our great staples, fruits, and vegetables. 

 There are none of these that we do not produce greatly in excess of our 

 home demand, and which we are now exporting to a greater or less extent, 

 the quality of which is not excelled by that of the same articles raised in 

 any other country in the world. Our wheat commands a higher price in 

 the markets of England than that of any other country, and our fruits and 

 vegetables are conceded by all travelers to excel the world for their size 

 and general good qualities. But a few years ago millions were required 

 to pay the bills for our annual importation of pickled, canned, and pre- 

 served fruits. Now our own people pocket these millions and devote them 

 to the improvement of their farms and homesteads. Take a glance at the 

 agricultural implement and machinery department. The plow, the great 

 pioneer and type of all other agricultural implements, has received all its 

 important improvements since the beginning of the nineteenth century. 

 The first iron plow was made by a farmer in Scotland in 1804, and since 

 that time the improvements made to that instrument — and principally by 

 the genius of American mechanics — and consequent extended use of it, 

 have revolutionized the agriculture of the world. Within the memory of 

 one third of those who hear me to-night much of our grain was thrashed 

 by the original process of tramping it out with horses or cattle on a circular 

 space of ground in the open air. Such was almost exclusively the mode 

 of thrashing grain in California only thirty-seven years ago, when the An- 

 glo-Saxon took possession of this country; and yet to-day the thrashing 

 machines in use in California, improved by our California mechanics, and 

 managed by our California farmers, may well challenge the world for com- 

 parison as to finish of workmanship or rapidity and excellence of execution. 

 And here allow me to remark, parenthetically, that the improvements in 

 agricultural implements, and consequent increase of agricultural products 

 in America, are, more than any one cause, swelling the tide of immigration 

 from the old to the new world; and by their civilizing influences we are 

 driving from the minds of mankind passion, ignorance, and superstition, 

 and substituting in their stead reason, intelligence, and virtue. 



For the interests of our State, perhaps no more important display is seen 

 here than that made by the enterprising proprietors of your woolen mills. 

 The articles exhibited here comprise all classes of fabrics made from wool. 

 They are not only extensive in quantity, but for superior quality they may 

 well challenge a comparison with the best manufacturers of the Atlantic 

 States, or even with England herself. And most certainly the district, and 

 we may say the State, is indebted for the very large amount of moneys 

 now retained within her borders and circulated among the people, which, 



