9 



Shall we keep pace in our efforts so as to profit by it? We should give 

 our greatest energies to improve our methods by producing better varie- 

 ties — take greater pains in picking, packing, and drying, and put on the 

 market in perfect condition at reasonable prices. 



Proper distribution will be the greatest obstacle to our success. We 

 must not relax our efforts in educating the people, in insisting upon trans- 

 portation facilities, and in doing everything that will harmonize our efforts 

 for our success. 



All personal prejudices should be overcome by that which is more impor- 

 tant, universal good. 



With these few remarks, ladies and gentlemen of this convention, I sub- 

 mit these questions for your consideration. 



ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 



Delivered by Rev. E. Graham, of Chic*. 



Ladies and Gentlemen: The old play-writers were accustomed before 

 producing the substance of their play, to construct what they called a pro- 

 logue; that is, something by which the general nature and character of the 

 play which was to follow might be determined. 



The distinguished gentleman who was to address you this morning, Gen- 

 eral Bidwell, has delegated to me the position of speaking the prologue of 

 what is subsequently to follow. I, however, must cast myself upon my 

 Yankee tendency to guess somewhat as to what shall be the nature and 

 character of the play you are to perform, for I am no horticulturist myself, 

 as you know from the official designation by which I have been introduced, 

 still I have had the pleasure of reading the admirable biennial reports 

 which you have issued, to which reference has been made in the address 

 of your President, and from them I gather something of the general aims 

 of your meeting. 



I take it for granted that you are those that were spoken of by a very 

 talented literary gentleman (Carlyle) as those who " cause to grow one 

 blade of grass where a blade of grass never grew before," and that each of 

 you is therefore " of more value to the world than fifty warriors." 



This indicates, I think, the character of your avocation. You are not 

 accustomed to the roar and rattle of machinery, nor to the clash of arms, 

 nor to those peculiar antagonisms that arise sometimes out of commercial 

 and political affairs, but you walk in the quiet vales of Agriculture, you 

 live in the sunlight, you listen to the hum of the bee and the voice of the 

 warblers of the forest, you study those things that lead you upwards, fol- 

 lowing the trailing vine as it climbs upward to the skies, and there is only 

 one step, it seems to me, between your vocation and Paradise itself, a very 

 short one to the garden wherein all flowers ever grow and wherein luscious 

 fruits are always picked. 



Now I think it is very proper that we, here in Butte County, should give 

 you a most hearty greeting, for we are par excellence horticulturists and 

 agriculturists, and we flatter ourselves that however distinguished you may 

 be personally or as an association, we are in such a position as to give you 

 a hearty and universal welcome. 



