STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 201 



and private liberality now than ever before to build up noble institutions 

 of learning, and more is conceded in other enlightened communities. 

 Our State is old enough to undertake this duty, perliaps too long 

 deferred, and secure to its children the advantages which are elsewhere 

 deemed of leading necessity. To do so is true economy, for it is wise 

 provision for the future. 



To tlie agriculturist the future of this State is full of encouragement 

 and bright with hope. Lured to these shoi'es by dreams of sudden foi'- 

 tune, he found the blind goddess fickle and coy in his search for the 

 grains of gold, but kind and constant wdien he wooed her through the 

 golden grain; and he has discovered that in the rich loam of these val- 

 leys he has exhaustless treasuries. From the lowlands the farmer is 

 invading the mountains — the foothills he has long since taken with his 

 countless herds of sheep — while like emeralds the little valleys gleam 

 amid the hills, the brightest gems of the mountains. He guides the 

 torrents from their rocky beds to the parched hills, and they return to 

 him in streams of ruby wine; and fruitful orchards and smiling vine- 

 yards nestle at the very feet of the granite Sierras. With a soil of every 

 variety, with the climate of every zone, with the children of ever}- land, 

 with a population whose enterprise knows no limit, and their energy no 

 obstacle, he may wdthout regret bid adieu to the golden days of the 

 past, in which foll}^ recklessness, and crime, the Mnld offspring of sudden 

 wealth, ruled the mad hour. He may turn from this to the bright dawn 

 of that golden future in which California shall lay anew the foundations 

 of true prosperity'; shall build upon the sure basis of exhaustless agri- 

 cultural resources with patient, intelligent industry, the empire of the 

 farmer, to endure while there shall be seedtime and harvest, and while 

 the earth shall bring forth her increase. Farmers of California, this it 

 is your high mission to accomplish. Let us all, of every pursuit and 

 profession, strive to be worthy our part in the lot of this gi'eat nation, 

 which has passed through the fierce fires of civil war to emerge purified, 

 ennobled, and strengthened; purified of slavery which chained industrial 

 millions; ennobled by the great act of justice that established liberty ; 

 and strengthened by the closer knitted bonds of union that war could 

 not sever. 



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