CHAPTER I. 



Introductory Remarks on Orange Raising, 



That the culture of the citrus family of fruits is destined to 

 become one of the leading industries of the great State of Cali- 

 fornia is no longer disputed by the intelligent, reflective, pro- 

 gressive mind. That it is now, and will continue to be, one of 

 the principal incentives to immigration into this State, is an 

 acknowledged fact, which is amply proven by the testimony of 

 all that have taken the trouble to inform themselves on the 

 subject. 



We may write and talk to our Eastern brethren about our 

 great resources, and our ability to compete with any part of the 

 world in the production of wheat, barley, corn, vegetables, fruits 

 of all kinds, wool, wine and other productions ; but, under the 

 most favorable circumstances, only a partial attention can be 

 secured, till the culture of the orange is mentioned, and the 

 beauties of our orange groves portrayed and described in all 

 their luxuriance and magnificence, and their profits set forth ; 

 then the ear and the attention of the investigator are fully 

 gained. An individual or an audience never tires -of listening 

 to the history of our peerless groves of golden apples the 

 handsome, symmetrical, electrifying Golden Glory of the Pacific 

 slope. 



How grand, how beautiful is an orange orchard in full bear- 

 ing ! When planted artistically, their ever-enduring dark-green 

 foliage, studded with beautiful gems of golden spheres, give 

 renewed life and health to all that behold the orchards or par- 

 take of the fruit. Those who are so fortunate as to tread the 

 soil in the shade of the majestic trees, and breathe their fragrant 

 exhalations, look upward, and from their most interior selfhood 



