SECOND DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 457 



This is certainly very remarkable. Fresno County has gained in eight 

 years nearly as many as the entire population now of Merced and Stanis- 

 laus, both in the same great valley; and yet in 1880 Merced and Stanislaus 

 had fourteen thousand population and Fresno less than ten thousand. In 

 1880 San Joaquin had over twenty- four thousand population, and Fresno, 

 as we have seen, less than ten thousand, and yet Fresno has almost over- 

 taken San Joaquin. 



Los Angeles County has gained in population in eight years almost as 

 many as the population to-day of the entire San Joaquin Valley, including 

 Fresno. Starting with something over seven thousand population in 1880, 

 San Bernardino County has almost overtaken San Joaquin with over 

 twenty-six thousand. 



When we look into the Sacramento Valley we find the same disparity of 

 gains. Butte and Yuba Counties have actually lost ground and gone back 

 in eight years, and Yolo has fallen off in the last two years. The gain in 

 Colusa is only about one hundred persons each year, and it is not much 

 better in Sacramento. 



The significant fact which I wish to impress upon you is that the great 

 gains in population in this State, with the single exception of Fresno 

 County, are confined to a few counties south of the Tehachapi. 



San Bernardino stands at the head of the list of gains, and can any of 

 you tell me why? 



Fresno is the only county in your magnificent valley that shows any 

 decided movement forward in population, and can you tell me why? 



In that rich and fertile region lying north of you as far as Red Bluff, 

 embracing the finest wheat and fruit lands in the State, with a climate in 

 no material sense different from that south of the Tejon Mountains, we 

 find absolute stagnation so far as increase of population goes. 



Where you find desert lands and water on them, there you find the peo- 

 ple flocking. The inference is plain. If you expect people to come into 

 your country you must turn your great channels on the surface of the 

 ground and bring land and water together. 



In the Sacramento Valley, in Vacaville,in Sacramento, Yolo, Butte, and 

 Tehama Counties, indeed everywhere north of you, deciduous fruits are 

 profitably grown without irrigation. Irrigation is the exception, and yet 

 with this evidence before their eyes, the immigrants do not stop there. 



It is my opinion, Mr. President, that two things are wanting in our part 

 of the State; first, water, of which we have an abundance, must be put 

 upon the land; and second, we must develop more enterprise among our 

 people. 



You cannot find a community in this State that has benefited largely 

 by our immigration, that has not worked for it, and worked hard and spent 

 money. This is a large State, its attractions are many and widespread. 

 Energetic and desirable people settle down where they find evidences of 

 thrift, and growth, and enterprise, and they will move on until they find 

 these. From what I can learn your people are beginning to realize this. 



I cannot stop now to notice in detail the great work you are laying out 

 for yourselves. I cannot overlook, however, the immense enterprise 

 inaugurated in Merced County. It is in harmony with the thought I am 

 seeking to enforce. The men who have ventured a million and a half dol- 

 lars to make that county yield its treasures heretofore locked up, deserve 

 the gratitude of this whole community and of the State. It is a great 

 enterprise, and is fraught with enormous consequences to you all. 



