159 



industry, and provision has been made for Presidents of all such clubs to 

 be Vice-Presidents of the State Society. 



The soil and water supply of California is varied to a degree that admits 

 of the most intricate methods of cultivation, and the climate, though mild 

 and sometimes warm, does not cause the lassitude so destructive to the 

 commercial enterprises of some countries. 



So far as I have been able to ascertain there is no similar area of coun- 

 try in the world in which there can be grown successfully so many flowers, 

 bulbs, trees, and plants, of the various zones. 



It has been an open secret for some time that California would, in the 

 near future, be a formidable rival to France, Holland, and Germany, in the 

 production of flowers, seeds, and bulbs, which it now costs the United States 

 millions of dollars yearly to import. Just here I will say that many of the 

 high priced seeds in fancy packages which are brought from the Eastern 

 States originally, are grown in California. 



Systematic experimenting has proven beyond doubt that our flower seeds 

 mature better, keep longer, and have a higher germinating power than 

 those produced in other countries. 



Most of the flowering bulbs grow, multiply, and mature unusually well 

 in many parts of the State, and we have a much larger acreage suitable to 

 their highest cultural perfection than has Holland or Germany. A few 

 days ago, while walking by courtesy through the beautiful grounds of a 

 Chico gentleman, he pointed to a lot of tuberoses and said: "They are very 

 fine; I got them from Boston." Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, Cal- 

 ifornia raises the best of everything, and instead of sending our money to 

 Boston, we should send Boston our products with compliments. 



The large variety of rare ornamental and flowering plants that can be 

 grown here, at small expense, and California's proximity to Mexico, West- 

 ern, Central, and South America, Australia, Japan, China, and the Pacific 

 Islands, entitle our florists and nurserymen to a very large exporting and 

 importing trade. 



Eastern dealers are evincing their faith in our future floral greatness by 

 eagerly purchasing all the floral products which are offered in a salable 

 condition, and a limited export trade with the European countries has 

 sprung up in the last two years. What is most needed to develop these 

 valuable branches of trade is men experienced in the business, who are 

 willing to invest money, and wait a reasonable time for the development 

 and returns which are sure to be highly satisfactory. 



Among other developing floral enterprises, hybridizing for new varieties 

 will no doubt some day bring fame and fortune to our State, for no other 

 country can boast of such favorable conditions for the prosecution of this 

 art, and the door stands wide open to genius and perseverance. 



The shipping of orange blossoms has become a source of increasing reve- 

 nue, and cut flowers have been successfully transported to the Middle and 

 Eastern States. 



The manufacture of perfumes has been retarded by the lack of a knowl- 

 edge of the business, and tons of blossoms perish that should be a source 

 of wealth. There is a mistaken idea sometimes expressed, that our flowers 

 are not so fragrant as those of other countries. This is, of course, untrue. 

 The growing of medicinal plants also is an infant industry, which bids 

 fair to supply America with the greater portion of her own drugs, thereby 

 greatly reducing the tribute paid to the foreign countries from where nearly 

 all are now brought. 



1 The growing of plants for dyes and textures has proved successful, and 

 is rapidly being developed. 



