PROCEEDINGS OF THIRTY-THIRD FRUIT-GROWERS ' CONVENTION. 207 



financial interests of the town began to win favor and win votes, and 

 the suddenness with which saloon changed to no-saloon towns sur- 

 prised all. 



" What is there in it?" is the question which springs to the lips of 

 every American. 



Now then, what is there in it for California if she will protect her . 

 few trees and, more, if she will plant for the future? To the more 

 observing the answer is plain. To all it is plainer than it was a few 

 years ago. But possibly we may get an idea from a few minutes' dis- 

 cussion. 



The cities recognize the drawing power and the absolute necessity 

 of trees in their parks. The beauty spots have a drawing power for all. 

 The farmer's son visits the city and becomes fascinated with its life and 

 the value put upon things beautiful. It appeals to him. The farm 

 home too often has a barren waste about it. There are other features 

 which draw the boy from the farm, but if farm communities join in 

 creating beautiful surroundings, in fostering a spirit of rivalry between 

 each other and in vieing in producing more attractive roadways and 

 home grounds, I believe a great factor will be added in keeping the boy 

 at home. 



" Is that a commercial factor to the farmer?" Ask the orchard or 

 vineyard owner who, for want of help, has been compelled to contract 

 with the wily Jap to secure the gathering of his crops. 



Again: Imagine an Easterner, a tourist homeseeker, looking over the 

 State — from a car window, as usual — going north through the San 

 Joaquin Valley. He strikes Bakersfield on a warm summer morning 

 about eight o'clock. Nearly all day he rides in that one valley. Here 

 and there occasionally an orchard, but scarcely a large tree visible 

 from the car window. The mountains to the right show in the dim 

 distance an occasional cap of snow. To the left the Coast Range is so 

 low on: the horizon as to be almost invisible. The great expanse is in 

 many places almost as unbroken as the surface of the sea. 



The appearance of a eucalyptus grove or a solitary tree wins his eye 

 almost as quickly as a passing ship in midocean. He is ignorant, per- 

 haps, of the great wealth-producing power in that section of the raisin, 

 the peach, alfalfa, or the dairy, or that over against the hills are pro- 

 ductive orange groves. Before these facts can be impressed upon him, 

 he becomes unconsciously prejudiced against the section through which 

 he is passing, and one who would have been a strong factor in the 

 upbuilding of California may go home to influence others against our 

 State. 



California, with its brown fields — brown the greater part of the year • 

 at least— demands more attention as to the breaking up of the land- 

 scape, especially in the larger valleys, with trees so far as possible. 



If each home-maker would realize this, and instead of planting fruit 



