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OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



FOURTH DAY-FRIDAY. 



December 15, 1899. 



Topics for the Day: Our Export Fruit Trade; 



Export Fruit Packages; 



Fertilizing and Irrigation; 



The Citrus and Olive Industries. 



At 9:30 o'clock a. m. President Cooper called the convention to order. 

 OUR FRUITS IN EUROPEAN MARKETS. 



By HON. EUGENE GERMAIN, of Los Angeles, 

 Late United States Consul to Switzerland. 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: In addressing a representa- 

 tive body comprising the fruit-growers, packers, and handlers of our 

 orchard products, I appreciate the fact that I am speaking to the back- 

 bone of our State — our basic industry and its defenders and champions. 

 For California is, after all, a veritable fruit-producing and fruit-ship- 

 ping empire, whose superior products have long since outgrown local 

 dimensions, and are now entering the leading markets of the world. 

 The Anglo-Saxon, the Latin, and the people of the Orient are all being 

 "drummed up" to the idea of buying the California dried prune and 

 apricot, the California dried peach, and the superb California raisin, 

 not to mention our canned fruits, marmalades, jams, and jellies. All 

 this intensity of purpose in extending our markets; in crowding out 

 competition from other sources; in devising ways and means to draw 

 attention; in hammering everlastingly at every country's door to let 

 in American products and California fruit, is as typical of our people 

 as our fruit is superior. It is the leaven that is making the country of 

 the Stars and Stripes the greatest nation on the face of the earth; it is 

 the spirit that is making of imperial California the greatest fruit-pro- 

 ducing portion of that same country. 



It will not be in place for me here to dilate upon the present status 

 of the fruit industry as it applies to production. That portion of our 

 subject is now well understood by you all. We know conclusively that 

 the matter of production, with all its attendant issues, has been glori- 

 ously and successfully solved by brainy men and bright women, who 



