6 



Chico, Califoknia, November 20, 1888. 



To the National Grange, Topeka, Kansas: 



The fruit growers of California, in convention assembled, send you cordial greeting and 

 bid you God speed in your efforts to educate the tillers of the soil and advance their inter- 

 ests, and earnestly invite you to hold your next annual session in California. 



GOVERNOR WATERMAN. 



The Governor of State was expected to be present at the opening of the 

 convention. Hon. Wm. Johnston explained his absence, stating that it was 

 entirely due to official duties. The following was ordered dispatched to 

 his Excellency: 



Son. R. W. Waterman, Sacramento: 



. The fruit growers of California, in convention assembled, desire to express to you their 

 sincere regrets that official duties prevent your attendance with them, and extend to you 

 their thanks for the deep interest you have often expressed in the success of their industry. 



Here a recess was taken until two o'clock p. m. 



Afternoon Session. 



Hon. S. J. Stabler, Chairman of the Programme Committee, presented 

 the report of said committee, which was adopted. 



ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT COOPER. 



Ladies and Gentlemen: This will be the tenth fruit growers' conven- 

 tion, and the sixth held under the auspices of the State Board of Horti- 

 culture. 



At the ninth convention, held in Santa Barbara, ninth to twelfth of April 

 last, I urged very fully the subjects which I deemed of greatest importance 

 to be considered. There have not been any material changes in the fruit- 

 growing interests, so that I refer you to the opening remarks made at that 

 time. 



Our last biennial report is now ready for distribution. It comes down 

 to July of this year. Contains, besides the reports of officers, the transac- 

 tions of the Santa Rosa Convention, held in November, 1887, and the one 

 held in Santa Barbara, April, of this year. We consider this report of great 

 value to all those interested in fruit growing; we also recommend the pre- 

 vious report of 1885 and 1886 — to be had on application at our office, 220 

 Sutter Street, San Francisco. 



Before reviewing the last report I make mention that this is the first time 

 in the history of the Board that we have been able to present the work so 

 promptly to the fruit growers. It has been accomplished by the great en- 

 ergy and indefatigable efforts of our Secretary, B. M. Lelong, for which he 

 has the heartfelt thanks of the Board, and will have the thanks of every 

 fruit grower who peruses it. 



The report is here for gratuitous distribution, and I trust every member 

 of this convention will avail of the opportunity to procure a copy. Some 

 reference was made in my opening remarks referred to, of the difficulties 



