TRANSACTIONS OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 115 



It is not to be supposed that the amount of exports here given covers 

 all of these products which pass out from California ports. Since the 

 acquisition of the Hawaiian and Philippine Islands no goods going to 

 those places are classed as exports. The figures, therefore, do not 

 include any commodities shipped to the islands since they became 

 American territory, nor any shipped to Alaska. If such goods were 

 included there would not remain so large a differential between imports 

 and exports for the State. The principal point at issue, however, 

 remains the same, viz: whether we consume all the products which 

 come within our borders, or whether we suffer them to be shipped again 

 from our ports, that present market conditions warrant us in trying to 

 secure a large increase in production from our farms, flocks, and herds. 



Comparison between home production and importation of dairy 

 products indicates that in butter alone do we produce anywhere near 

 enough for hoteae consumption. The importation of butter is about 10 

 per cent of the total local production. In the case of cheese we import 

 about 70 per cent as much as we produce, and of condensed milk we 

 import over 300 per cent more than we produce. It is to be regretted 

 that statistics are not available showing the ratio of importation to 

 production in the other commodities named. The figures given, how- 

 ever, indicate that a large profitable growth is possible in poultry, eggs, 

 and the various meat products. 



The extent to which a foreign market may be developed for dairy 

 products in the Orient is still more or less a mystery. Aside from what 

 may be opened among Japanese and Chinese markets it would seem 

 that a considerable increase in trade might be expected with the Islands, 

 Alaska, and Central and South American States. California stands at 

 the gate leading to all these lands, and with her broad fertile areas is 

 able to supply all that they can demand. Some work has been done by 

 the National Government looking toward a development of the butter 

 market in the Orient, and doubtless more would be done did we urge the 

 subject upon the authorities having the matter in charge. It is possible 

 that much could be accomplished by a cooperation of the various dairy 

 interests to establish a good market in the more nearly contiguous 

 countries above named. If such a step were attempted the principle of 

 sending nothing but the best products should be firmly established and 

 strictly adhered to, for it is only by living closely to such principles 

 that we may hope to retain or even secure any portion of foreign trade. 



Other features of the market for our dairy products should not escape 

 our attention, and they carry a considerable source of encouragement. 

 The present population of California of one and one half millions is 

 bound to increase rapidly during the coming year, and a consequent 

 increase in home consumption of all edibles will therefore follow. 

 Again, some of our most enterprising dairymen are expecting to place 



