THE CONQUEST OF ARID AMERICA 



illation of over five hundred and eighty millions. Noth- 

 ing is more certain than that California must receive its 

 full share of these future millions. It seems hardly less 

 certain that they will realize there the highest destiny 

 of the race. But how? 



Notwithstanding the supreme attractions of its rural 

 life, more than seventy-seven per cent, of California's 

 total increase in the last decade covered by the national 

 census settled in towns and cities. As a result, the ur- 

 ban life of this far, new State is as badly congested as 

 that of the old communities of the East. But the pos- 

 sibilities of agriculture, of manufacture, and of mining 

 are relatively untouched. Ultimate California remains 

 to be fashioned from these undeveloped materials. The 

 tendencies of future growth are revealed by the teaching 

 of the past, and not less by its failures than by its suc- 

 cesses not less by the fury of old speculations than by 

 the calm current of these saner times. 



The future tides of population in the Golden State 

 must first spend their energy upon the soil. It is the 

 creation of a new and ampler civilization that is involved, 

 and agriculture must be its foundation. But if those 

 now engaged in cultivating the soil can scarcely main- 

 tain themselves, what hope is there for new recruits in 

 the industry? The question is natural, but the answer 

 is conclusive. There is no hope for them if they engage 

 in speculation, but there is an absolute guaranty of a 

 living and a competence, to be enjoyed under the most 

 satisfying and ennobling social conditions, if they work 

 upon sound industrial lines. These lines are clearly dis- 

 closed by the light of past experience. 



Three classes of products should enter into the cal- 



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