San Andreas independent., 1858-06-05
State Agricultural Society.

We have received from Rev. O. G.. Wheeler
circular letter, addressed to the friends of
Agriculture, in reference to the formation Of
tie above Society. We cheerfully copy the
letter, so that the public may aid in the lauda-
BILE enterprise and assist in its operations
We hope every subscriber or reader of the In
dependent will do their duty by sending
quota, of such articles as are enumerated, to
encourage the members in their arduous un-
dertaklng In this county are some of the
best writers on scientific mining and Agricul-
ture In this State For the pride of old Gala
veras, We hope some of these ready writer's
will, at least, give essay placer or
quartz mining; also, on alluvial soils, and
their relative value TO the red-lands, now be-
ing extensively cultivated in wheat and
barley:
Rooms of the California State Agricultural Society,"
(Cor. 9th and streets) Sacramento. (
SACRAMENTO, March oath, 1853.
Dear Sr:-By the permanent location of
this Office, and the opening of these Rooms,
this Society hopes to more fully secure the OBJ
ject of its organization, viz: the promotion
and improvement of every department of useful
labos-
In order to the accomplishment of this work,
there will bea depository for books, seeds, &C.,
from the General and State Governments,
from kindred associations and from individu-
ais. These books and seeds will be distributed
gratutously to such rs pledge themselves to
report to this Society the results of their expert
ments with the seeds, and the good effect by
the study of the books. 1t is enjoined upon
all who receive seeds here to furnish a report,
stating the locality, soil and climate, etc.,
where planted, the time of planting and ma
turing, the mode of culture and the result
Said report should also be accompanied by
samples of seed from such varieties as have
succeeded well, that the Society may again
distribute.
There is already commenced q Library of
Standard Works on Agriculture, Horticulture
Geology, Mineralogy, and kindred sciences,
which will always he open and free 20 the use
of the public. Donors to this department will
receive the cordial thanks of the Society.
1t is also designed to collect and arrange a
Cabinet Illustrative of Geology, Mineralogy
and Natural History in general. In this De-
Partment, contributions of any SPECIMENS, how
ever small, will be of value.
All donations, of Books, Periodicals, Files
of Papers, Pamphlets, Plates, Drawings, En-
cravings, Paintings, Pictures-Specirnens in
Geology, Mineralogy, Petrefactions, Fossils,
etc.,-and samples of the Productions of the
Soil, will be duly registered in books kept for
chat especial purpose, and certificates of the
same forwarded to the donors.
Specimens of rare or choice Fruits reaching
the Rooms in such state of perfection as to ad
NIT of it, will be reproduced in wax and pre-
served for future reference.
This proposed Cabinet of the fac simile of
fruits is looked to with the highest interest,
and m offA ic RI invitad
There will also be provided convenences
for keeping exhibition models and speci-
mems of New Inventions or Manufactures, in
any department of Mechanics, thus affording
contributors cheap, permanent and extensive
medium of advertising.
An undertaking so vast as is proposed in
this communication cannot be accomplished
without the mutual cooperation of many per-
sons residing in and representing many To-
calities. Trusting that your interest in this
noble work is equal to your ability to contrib
ute to its advancement, the Society solicit at
your hands, any contribution within your gift.
You are, also, respectfully solicited to pre-
pare paper, to be used as report to the
Agricultural Society, giving a full statement OF
any or all facts within your personal know
ledge, or derived from reliable sources, either
in answer to any or all of the following ques-
tions, or upon any other and more important
topic, which your own mind may suggest
These questions are numbered, so that your
report in answer to any one will be under
stood by simple reference to the number:
1. What is your locality? mountain or val
ley, prairie or river bottom.
2. What is your climate? snow, frosty, fog
gy, dry wet.
3. What were the native productions of the
soil in your vicinity? in vegetables or mine
rails, either or both.
3. What is the character of your soil?
5. What is the method of cultivation?
6. What grains, grasses and fruits do you
raise? and in what quantities?
Z. What is your method of rearing and mar
keting your stock-poultry, ETC.?
s.. What vegetables flourish best on the DIFF
ferent soils?
8. What fruits do you find best adapted to
the different soils, as alkaline loamY, sandy,
clay, ETC.?
10. What are the results of irrigation upon
fruits, fruit trees, etc?
IL. What is your method of planting or
chard transportation of soil, size of hole,
distance, with or without water?
IL. What is your method of pruning and
trimming the different kinds of trees, vines
and shrubs?
l3. How do your productions compare, in
quantity and quality with those of the same
varieties ralSeu In tne atlaDllC OtdIeS VI
Europe?
IA. What growth do your fruit and orna-
mental trees make, as compared with the same
time and varieties elsewhere?
Is. What prices do the different kinds of
fruits bear in your vicinity?
l6 What diseases or insects infest fruits
and fruit trees in your vicinity, and what
remedies are applied?
IT. What is the most approved method of
packing or putting up grapes and other fruits
to preserve their natural state for winter use!
Is. What is the best method of putting up
peaches and other fruits in cans to keep fresh!
49, What is the best method of ripenlng
winter pears, apples, etc?
20 What Tin detail is the best method OF
making the different varieties of wine?
A communication upon any one or all of
these points will be gratefully received and
tend to advance the interests of our whole
people Please address the undersigned, sta
ting upon what points Won will write and the