STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 77 



fact that they are located near and surrounded by a constantly good and 

 reliable market, created by the mines themselves, and the fact that the 

 soil and climate are so particularly adapted to each other as to render 

 the lands capable of producing, in quantity unsurpassed, and in quality 

 unrivalled, nearly all the most valuable productions known to the most 

 favored temperate and tropical climates. And yet, by the policy of our 

 General Government, prompted and insisted u])on by the State, these 

 lanes are withheld from survej' and sale, and consequently their cultiva- 

 tion and improvement discouraged and delayed. 



Not only this, but 113^ the decisions of our Courts an agriculturist or 

 horticultui'ist, no matter how ancient or sacred his claim, or how costly 

 and valuable his improvements, in the way of vineyards, orchards, build- 

 ings, irrigating fticilities, etc., cannot acquire even a posseswri/ right to 

 the soil wliich a miner is bound to i-espect. 



What vast fields for the pi'ofitable investment of capital and employ- 

 ment of labor — what immense resources of individual, State, and national 

 wealth, are by this policy as effectuall}' and completely closed to the 

 enterpi-ise and enjoyment of our citizens as thougli they had no exist- 

 ence ! We buy of Fi-ance, of Italy, and Germany, our delicious wines 

 and cordials, our valuable bi'andies, our intlispensable raisins, figs, and 

 prunes, and many other vabialde fruits and delicacies, while we possess 

 in these forbidden hills and valleys a soil and climate superior to those 

 of France, Italy, or Gei-many, for the production of all these articles, 

 not only in quantity sutticient for our own use, but for the supply of the 

 world. 



While we would not recommend a change of policy in the management 

 of the lands more valuable for mining than agricultural purposes, yet we 

 do not believe it necessary, in fostering the development of tlie former, 

 to discourage and refuse the cultivation, improvement, and enjoyment 

 of the latter. We would therefore recommend the segregation of the 

 agricultural from the mineral lands, and that the former may be sold in 

 such quantities as will best induce their profitable development and cul- 

 tivation. This policy must in time be adopted, or one deemed objection- 

 able to the mining interests will be forced upon us. If the State would 

 have a policy in this i-espect of her own, one in accordance with the best 

 interests of all her industries, let her take the lead in this matter and she 

 may secure it. 



AGRICULTUEAL AND MECHANIC AETS COLLEGE LANDS. 



We deem it fortunate for the interests of the College Fund tliat 

 althougli there has been a law on our statute book ibr the lust two years 

 and over, ])roviding for the sale of the one hundred and fifty thousand 

 acres of land donated to the Slate tor an agi'icultural college in the same 

 manner as other school lands have been disposed of, 3'et not one acre of 

 that land has been applied for or sold. This land being by Aet of Con- 

 gress required to be selected from lands subject to sale at jn-ivate entry, 

 would n(jt probably be applied for and sold under the ])i'esont plan for a 

 long term of years, and tlie college would thus bo deprived of tiie bene- 

 fit of the money to arise therefrom. It is bo]»ed the Legislature will 

 adopt an entire ditterent policy in regard to this land from the one 



