The hydraulic press., 1859-02-26
Encourage Agriculture.

even been strained in its favor by ma
king it the param punt object of legisla
tive care. This policy has resulted in
filling our mountains with a vigorous,
independent and enterprisiug popula-
ton, whose intelligent labors have con-
verted the mining districts into wealthy
and permanent communities, around
which are gradually springing up all the
arts and amenities of advanced societies.
The time has now arrived when the
agricultural interest should receive a
like generous encouragement. Without
the special protection and privileges en-
joyed by its rival, it has already become
ofvery commanding Importance, and is
destined to ultimate pre-eminence.-
Despite of all the uncertainties of title,
and the fascinating attraction of mining
pursuits, the agricultural resources of
the State have been developed to an
extent which would not have been pos
sible under the same retarding circum-
stances in any other part of the confed-
eracy. The whole amount of land en-
closed for all purposes is stated at 1,9l6,-
S13 acres of which 756, ,734 acres were
cultivated last year, and produced up
wards of ten and a quarter millions of
bushels of wheat, barley and oats, in ad-
dition to which were large yields of corn,
rye, buckwheat, beans, peas, potatoes,
hay and vegetables. There are about
three and half millions of fruit trees
in the State, and some four millions of
grape vines, besides an immense number
of other fruit bearing vines and bushes.
In connection with this exhibit may be
mentioned the fact that the aggregate
number of live stock and poultry is es-
timated at about two and half millions,
the sheep alone numbering nearly half
a million, and being rapidly on the in
crease. The State has actually become
self-sustaining in all important particu-
ars, owing to the steady, unaided efforts
of her agricultural citizens, to which she
is also indebted for opening source of
immense future wealth in the grape
culture, which alone, it has been not
unreasonably estimated, will eventually
exceed in value the entire gold yield.
These facts, while they go to show
the capacity of the agricultural interest
to take care of itself, yet alsoprove that
it is entitled to, and should hereafter
receive, the most liberal encouragement
and assistance. That man must be en-
dowed with but little foresight who cam
not discern that the real prosperity of
the State depends upon the growth of
this noble interest, together with the
successful development of home manu-
factures. Agriculture in California ex-
hibits many anomalous features, resulting
from peculiarities of soil and climate.
These need to be carefully observed, and
such observation should not be left to
chance, or to the not always enlightened
attention of isolated individuals. The
State wants a thorough agricultural
system, based upon California experience
and aided by the application of scientific
facts. To obtain this, there should be
agricultural and horticultural associa-
tions in every county, in connection
with the State Society, and agricultural
schools should be established, aided by
the government, on the plan adopted
with such encouraging results in other
portions of the Union. In several States
whose agricultural resources will never
equal ours, these schools have been some
time in operation, whilst in others they
are about to be established, ,-eyen Min
nesota, the youngest sister in Che con-
federacy, having made provision for one.
Cannot California, with a yearly revenue
gf more than one million dollars and
public land at her disposal, afford to dc
as much?
j IT, AIofsmanA n R,.,,aL ..nho