Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-04-23

now afioat for China and other countries
is valued at four million of dollars. This
is the country that twenty years ago was
barren waste, and that twenty years ago
when it began to be settled by mining ad-
venturers, was regarded as being unfit for
agriculture and only valuable for its mine
rails. 1t has within this short period be-
come not only great exporting country
for grain and -four, but it furnishes the
best in the markets of the world and OBJ
tains the highest price. ALI this, too, in
addition to its vast production of the pre-
cious metals, wool and other arti-
cles. Nearly all the vegetable
productions of the the temperate zone, and
even some of those that are semi-tropical,
are grown there larger, finer in quality and
more abundantly than in many OF the
most favored countries on tho globe. There
is population now of not less, perhaps,
than four to five hundred thousand, and
San Francisco has grown within twenty
city with over hundred thousand inhabi-
tants. Almost every climate is embraced
within the limits of the State, and no.
where can one be found more healthful,
agreeable or invigorating. But astonish-
ing as the growth of California has been,
its future must be more so. With the
completion of the Pacific railroad and the
rapidly developing trade and intercourse
with China, Japan and Asia generally, We
may confidently expect growth in popu-
lation, commerce and wealth that will far
exceed anything known in the history of
the world. The Golden Gate, as the en-
trance to the harbor of San Francisco is
and beautifully called, will
be the entrance for the teeming millions
Of Chinese and other Asiatics. and of
commerce. San Francisco will
be, on tie Pacific side of the Continent,
what New York is on this, and will become
at no distant day the second city of Amer
lea. Indeed. it would be difficult to con-
lecture what the future of that city or of
that wonderful country will be. The peo-
pie there may well say California is great
State and be proud of it.
lin Transit
We direct attention to the interesting
letter Of our ubiquitous correspondent this
1t has been his aim in his
travels to direct public attention to North
Carolina enterprises. His description of
the works Of the Rock Island Wooden Mills
gives our people some conception of the
extent of that undertaking, and we hope
will be the Means of introducing their
goods into more general use in this section.
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County Agricultural Societies.
We are glad to know that some interest
is manifested in the question Of forming
and sustaining Agricultural Societies in
several of the counties in this section of
the State We believe that New Hanover
WAS the pioneer in this matter, aud We are
pleased to state that the County Society is
in a feurishing condition. 1t has been
chartered by the Legislature, and it is
sustained by wide awake and live farmers.
Much has already been accomplished by
this Society, for from it grew the idea of
establishing District Society, which has
already eliminated in the foundation and
incorporation of an Association which is
destined to have a wholesome influence
upon agriculture in this section.
What has been done by the New Han
over Society is only the beginning of what
will be accomplished when other county
have been formed, and their
strength is united in common associa-
ton, bringing together all who are directly
or indirectly interested in the industrial
pursuits of our section.
In view of the certainty of the permanent
establishment of the Cape Fear Agricul-
tural Association, and the annual recur-
renee of their Fairs, We would urge upon
the citizens of every county within the
scope of its territory to form County So
cieties at once, the better to enable each
county to be properly represented in the
meetings of the Association, and to COM
pete with its neighbors in the articles for
exhibition. 1t will not do to rely upon in
dividual enterprise. There must be asso-
ciated efforts. County pride must be
stimulated, or it must expect to be dis
tanced in the generous rivalry which these
exhibitions will engender. We hope our
citizens will not lose sight of the i'm
portance of home organizations, or suppose
their necessity is done away with by the
formation of general association.
Seeds of Discord.
The Standard in replying to statement
of correspondent of the New York Times
that there was division in the Republi-