20 TKANSACTIONS OF THE 



the present report for 1888 being five volumes of climatic matter, culled 

 and compiled from various and reliable sources, and replete with meteoro- 

 logical lore, including brief, though accurate, descriptions of each county of 

 the State. This society feels proud of its efforts on behalf of the State 

 to furnish reliable and full data on the peculiar features, conditions, and 

 variety of its numerous climates, for it cannot be said, as of many other 

 States, " the climate" but the climates of California. 



This State, as those who know it in a meteorological sense know full 

 well, can suit the most fastidious and finical hunters after climate, for if 

 the coast does not suit them, they can try the valleys, and if not suited 

 there, they can hie to the mountains and climb to the eyrie of that noble 

 bird, the great American eagle, that soars and builds its nest upon the 

 highest pinnacle of this continent, and which is a fit emblem of this 

 country. 



This State needs a weather service controlled by itself, so as to be 

 enabled to investigate scientifically the peculiarities of its climate, and 

 also to discover and define what is termed the frost-belt in and along our 

 foothills. Our back reports afford such indisputable evidence that a State 

 Weather Service and Crop Report is necessary, that it is needless to dwell 

 longer on the subject. 



The people of this State owe very much to Sergeant Barwick for his 

 untiring and steady devotion to the gathering and compiling of the most 

 complete State weather records of any State in the Union, not even ex- 

 cepting those which have a State Weather Service; and as the Sergeant's 

 services have been entirely gratuitous for the past seven j^ears, it is cer- 

 tainly asking too much of him to continue his full and complete annual 

 reports to this society without compensation. And here is where the State 

 should step in and take a hand in the matter of gathering weather records, 

 by having a Weather Department attached to the State Agricultural 

 Society, and obtain the services of the Sergeant through General Greeley, 

 the Chief Signal Officer, to assist in its organization. Our annual reports 

 are constantly being called for from other States and foreign countries on 

 account of its weather records. 



LIVE STOCK. 



One of the first and most staple interests is the breeding of all classes 

 of live stock, in California, and the future promises exceptionally fine 

 prospects. 



The various improved breeds of horned stock here have such promi- 

 nence that insures us the commercial standing given other States less 

 favored with advantages, an impetus resulting exceedingly remunerative 

 to the breeders of cattle. 



The " breeding up " of cattle is an advantage that those interested are 

 not slow to accept. The introduction and crossing of pure blood in all 

 classes, with a view of improving the beef and milk qualities, is the con- 

 stant study of successful breeders of cattle, and the increased herds of 

 this character that are each season on exhibition at the State Fair is an 

 example of what is being accomplished in this respect. It is a highly 

 interesting part of the exhibition, and one that attracts the attention of 

 all lovers of high-bred stock. 



With our large area of grazing lands we are in a better condition to 

 breed on an extensive scale, not only cattle, but sheep, goats, and swine, 

 than are many of our sister States. But as new interests are now attract- 

 ing the land owners, the raising of sheep and swine has to some extent 



