82 Transactions of the 



finds the bounties of nature prodigally displayed, as if this far west 

 bordering the sen had been chosen out as the favored of Providence for 

 the sunniest blessings and happiest destiny. 



Compared with many of the Territories that have grown into noble 

 States, and still keep steadily on in growth and influence, California, in 

 location, climate, productiveness, in all natural advantages, is far supe- 

 rior. Yet in population we are nearly stationary. Bleak Minnesota 

 outstrips us day by day. Iowa has five times our population. Our 

 census to-day will not reveal over six hundred thousand souls in the 

 State. It would have shown nearly that number in eighteen hundred 

 and sixty if it had been carefully taken. 1 fear the present census does 

 not do us justice; but it approximates closer'to accuracy than that of 

 eighteen hundred and sixty. Why are we not sharing more largely in 

 the fertilizing tides of European immigration? Why do not colonies of 

 thrifty Germans and Swedes nestle in our valleys, or develop the large 

 capacity of our foothills for the vine, for silk, and wool? The mountain 

 valleys and all the lands on and near the Coast Range are admirably 

 adapted to grazing. Yet, so inadequate was our dairy farming last year 

 that we imported from the East one million dollars worth of butter. 

 Chicago sent to us eggs. New York and Oregon sent dried fruit, though 

 millions of pounds of finer fruit than New York can produce under glass 

 rotted under our trees. With the Muscat of Alexandria grapes in 

 abundance, we now import raisins. We make good candles, but we buy 

 more, as well as soap, and even cranberries. Oregon sugar-cures hams 

 for us. The East furnishes us with much of our furniture. I need not 

 add to such a list. The showing is better than formerly; but we do not 

 yet improve our opportunities. For all these articles, as well as in stock 

 and sheep raising, in special industries, as silk culture and beet sugar 

 production, California should be unrivaled. With such advantages our 

 State scarcely increases with the years. The railroad spans the conti- 

 nent, competing with the steamers in furnishing cheap transportation to 

 immigrants, yet the State gains little in population, while its business 

 men lose by competition with more frugal dealers to the eastward. 

 Yonder plains should be covered with flocks of the ehoicest sheep, and 

 our hills with the finest cattle. Our wool clip should supply the world 

 even more certainly than our wheat. Vel what aid has legislation 

 ever given to this end, or is even afforded by enlightened societies like 

 this. Compare the speed programmes of agricultural fairs with the pre- 

 miums for choice cashmere goats or Ayrshire or Alderney calves! We 

 must know our faults as a community in order to correct them. There 

 must be some cause for this tardiness of movement of population hither- 

 ward, which these industrial societies must discover and endeavor to 

 correct, or we shall find ourselves left far in the distance by our sister 

 communities. We certainly are not satisfied to wait until all the more 

 eastern States have become full hives to swarm upon us. Several gene- 

 rations will elapse before that can take place. With superior attractions 

 we should take the lead of them, and make the Pacific coast an empire 

 of wealth and power. 



As I am not a practical agriculturist, you will not expect a disserta- 

 tion on modes of improving stock, on fertilizers, or agricultural chemis- 

 try. But a few observations may be acceptable upon the question so 

 interesting to every farmer and to every business man of the State: 

 Why does not California, with all its attractiveness and productiveness, 

 grow more rapidly in population and development? 



The first, and to my mind the strongest reason, is the difficulty of 



