PROCEEDINGS OF THIRTY-THIRD FRUIT-GROWERS ' CONVENTION. 47 



Joaquin Valley; and furthermore, that I don't care whether they bear 

 or not, because I have too much money any way. It reminds me of an 

 experience of mine in Santa Rosa. I, a stranger, spoke to several people 

 for the purpose of learning how Luther Burbank was regarded, and to 

 my surprise the answer was that "he either had wheels or was crazy.' ' 

 And Burbank is the biggest advertisement Santa Rosa ever has had ! If 

 the narrow-minded only knew what was good for them and their town, 

 they would never lose an opportunity of extolling Burbank 's many 

 excellent qualities, instead of having their little hammer out, trying to 

 knock him. 



How ill-founded have been the reports regarding my orchard, is shown 

 by the following facts: Since 1901, it has never failed to produce a 

 crop, and since 1902 the crop has not been less in any one year than 

 fifty tons, and this year we have harvested ninety tons. Had I known 

 seven years ago what I know to-day, my crops would have been thirty 

 per cent larger annually than they have been ; but changes in a matter 

 of this kind are not brought about in a single year or even several 

 years, so that it took some time to bring about the desired change in 

 existing conditions. 



I learned, when I visited Smyrna in 1901, that their knowledge of 

 the Blastophaga was not only very limited, but also that people who 

 should possess information on a subject of such vital importance to 

 one of their great industries knew far less than I did. Had I not gone 

 fully equipped with specific information, I would have returned more 

 mystified than when I went. i 



Those who have planted orchards in recent years have had the ben- 

 efit of my experience and observations; thus there is no possibility of 

 their making any mistakes, providing my instructions are followed. 

 If any one is in a position to discuss this subject intelligently, I think 

 I am. My investigations in Smyrna, my observations at home, and 

 finally the fact that my orchard has brought in returns amounting to 

 over $40,000 since the wasp has been established, is sufficient evidence 

 for insisting that the culture of the Calimyrna fig is an unqualified 

 success. I want to say to you, ladies and gentlemen, that the successful 

 prosecution of this industry has been my life work. I believe that 

 Smyrna fig culture has a great future not only in California, but also 

 in other countries with climates similar to those of our great interior 

 valleys. 



Do not think for a moment that the man who withstood ridicule, 

 even after he had demonstrated that Smyrna figs could be produced 

 by artificial pollination; who made a desperate and successful effort 

 to prevent the digging up of the sixty-acre Smyrna fig orchard on the 

 grounds of the original Fancher Creek Nursery (before he came into 

 possession of that place) ; and who finally, after repeated failures, sue- 



