Weekly Trinity journal., 1867-01-26
To the Agrieulturists OF Trinity.

We publish below a circular from the Secreta-
ry of the State Agricultural Society, which de-
serves the candid attention of the farmers of this
.ountv II is movement towards thorough or
osniza,ion throughout the State, and the propo-
o,;ons are both practical and sensible The or
oanizations recommended need be attended with
No great EXPENSE, and half dozen or dozen ear
nest men can easily accomplish the end sug-
oested. The circular is dated
Rooxs C.LYoRSIA STATE BOARD AGRIcuLruRE)
SACRAMENTO, January. 1867.
r. ,ux proprF OF THE COUNTIES CALIFORNIA -
Agriculture in California seems at last to be
assuming that relative position among the other
industries of the State to which its Importance
entities it. California is becoming steady ex-
norter of large number of agricultural pro-
ducts, her grains, her wines and her woods are
ouoted in the principal commercial marts of the
world. and her farmers must henceforth look to
other States and other countries for market for
the surplus products of their farms, orchards,
VINEYARDS, hocks and herds. Hence it is of the
first importance to our farmers that they make
themselves liar, not only with the produc-
tions of their own State, and with our home
markets, but also with the productions and
markets of those countries for the supply of
which their surplusses may be demanded 1t is
only through seasonable and reliable informa-
tion in regard to these matters that farmers can
protect themselves against imposition and loss,
and secure a fair price for their produce, gradu-
ated upon the real supply and demand. The
channel or medium through which such informa-
ton may be obtained-to be reliabe-should be
created and controlled by the farmers them
selves. Systematic organizations. for the collec-
ton and distribution of such inform -tion, would
seem to be the proper means to be adopted
Then, again, agriculture in this State is brt III
its infancy much is yet to be learned in regard
20 its practice in every department. This cab
only be done by individual experience, or by as
sociation-by mutual intercourse and interchange
of experiences among those interested. Such
interchange and intercourse would contribute
very much to individual prosperity, and to the
prosperity of the farmers of the State class
Here too is motive, and strong one, for
organization.
As things now sta.d, our farmers working
entirely IN the dark. The reports and figures of
our commercial papers, though good and useful,
almost indispensable to the merchant and dealer,
are of very little account to the producer, for the
very plain reason that these reports and figures
only give information IL regard to the produce
of the country after it has left the hands of the
latter anL is owned and handled by the former.
Efforts have been made by our Legislature
provide for collection of all the statistics of
annual crops, through the County and District
Assessors, but such efforts have heretofore
proved but disgraceful failures, doing our State
much more injury than good-for the reasons,
that while protesting to be correct AM full these
statistics are, in fact very incorrect and partial
As they have been, they will pr badly continue
to be in the future, though it is hoped they may
be improved. But even if such efforts were to
Succeed, and reliable information should thus be
Oat u
direct advantage to the farmer, for the same rea-
son which renders the commercial transactions
and figures of little value to him. They will be
gathered and published II long time after his pro-
duce has passed out of his hands, and can there
fore form no guide to his judgment in the dis
posal of his crops. What the farmer wants is a
ystem that will enable him to gain knowledge
of the varieties, quantities and conditions OF the
crops throughout the : te, when they are put
into the ground and that will keep him
posted ns to their appearance and promise from
that tirre until they harvested, measured,
and ready for market. Such system should,
as much as practical embrace those countries
for the supply of which such crops may be de-
manded for export. The merchant and importer
of San Francisco keeps constantly before him
list of goods on hand and to arrive, and acts ac-
cordingly The farmer shonld keep as constant
ly before hirr a list of produce on hand and TO
be raised, and he should act accordingly. Until
he does so, the farmer is at the mercy OF the
world and its multitude of sharp, INSCRIPTIONS
tradesmen, instead of being the independent man
he might make himself
An organization for the accomplishment of the
objects above set forth may be so formed as at
the same time, by intercommunication and ex-
CT 1ge of thoughts and modes of culture, serve
to improve agricultural practices and increase
very greatly agricultural products. Merchants
and mechanics are generally collected together
in the towns and cities in constant association
and learning one from the other-thus, in their
cases, enjoying all the ilties for observation
and improvement they ca kesire. On the con-
trary, farmers are isolated from the other,
and to a great measure each is dependent for
new ideas and new improvements in rs business
upon his individual experience. Hence it is that
improvements in agriculture have always Jagged
behind those of all other occupations and trades,
and hence the greater reason for associations
and organizations for bringing the farmers to-
gether at frequent and stated periods. Hence
the necessity for Agricultural Societies and Fairs,
at which the best products of the farm, the dai-
ry, the orchard, the vineyard, and the focks and
herds, may be exhibited, and the different modes
of cultivation and production disclosed.
To bring the benefits of such SoSeties home
to all the people of great Statd lik ours, a
single Society at any one point must fall far
short OF the objects desired. Every county, at
least, should have its organization which should
hoAd its stated meetings and its ahnual fairs
To accomplish completely the general
bene6t, these County orgapizations should be
auxiliaxy to and be in frequent communication
with c Society. They should each col
lect statistics and general agricultural and ~
dustrial information-such as the quantity and
state of the va Gus crops within their borders,
and should report at stated times, say monthly,
to the Central Society, to be compiled by it and
nut in convenient I. oular form and returned for
general distribution.
The annual fairs Of the County Societies
should all be bel just previous to that Of the
Central Society, and from the best articles ex-
bibited at such fairs should be selected those TO
represent the County at the fair of the Central
Society. The officers of such County Societies
should be er oGeio members of the Central Socl-
ety. and their annual report should become a
part of the report of the Central Society to the
Legislature and to the public. Each County
Society so organized and so reporting shouid re-
ceive proper proportion of an annual appropfl-
alton from the State To make such plan more
complete, comprehensive and nsetul, 1t shoulo
embrace within its objects every industry OF the
State-agrcultural manufacturing and mining
The beneficial effects of such an organization upon
the industry and prosperity OF the state wouin
be incacuabe f.; its Importance VIII pe "cAno" !