286 RURAL CALIFORNIA 



definite aggressive purpose and no initiative to serve 

 such a purpose if it had been conceived. 



In sharp contrast with this insurmountable bar- 

 rier to progress was the attitude of the Americans 

 who discerned opportunities for development in 

 everything and advantages in the natural capability 

 and geographical situation of the country. They at 

 once entered on organized efforts for the attain- 

 ment of a distinctive and diversified agriculture such 

 as a semi-tropical climate and a potential opening 

 in world trade invited. The method which they 

 adopted to attain fully and quickly the results they 

 conceived to be possible and desirable was that of 

 cooperative organization. It is probably true that 

 the farmers of no other American state ever discerned 

 so early in its history the benefits of organization 

 and began so soon to strive for them. They were of 

 course disappointed again and again in the time 

 required for realization, but the effort was never 

 abandoned and conspicuous success came to the sec- 

 ond and third generations. 



In September 1851, just one year from the birth 

 of the State, a state fair was held in San Francisco. 

 It was not officially arranged for but was the result 

 of spontaneous impulse on the part of the people to 

 bring their products together and to compare their 

 experiences. Products from valleys hundreds of 

 miles apart were displayed, an oration was delivered 

 and prizes were awarded. Other similar gatherings 

 and fairs followed and in response to an appeal to 

 the legislature the California State Agricultural 



