Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-10-14

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creased and permanent value upon city as
well as OF country real estate? Would you
not have many hundreds of country retail
dealers TO sell goods TO? Would it not
supply labor to those who are compelled TO
be idle?
Merit certainly would, if there was
sufficient concentration, that is, sufficient
density OF population secured.
Gro.-Now, permit me briefly to recapit-
ulate what has SO far been the subject
matter of discussion, and let us see what
conclusions we have arrived at You said
" that the commercial and industrial inter
ests OF California were ON the decline?"
Mer.-Yes.
Gro.-This decline, you say, was caused
by the almost extinction of the mining in
terest, and the loss oftrade in the northern
and southern parts of the Pacific coast, and
that we can never hope to regain the trade
Mer.-Yes.
Gro.-You say that if we could increase
by concentration the density of our popu-
lation to number equal to those lost by
reason of decline in the mining interests
and those formerly tributary in the north
ern and southern part of the Pacific coast,
that commerce and industry would thrive
as in former times?
Mer.-Yes, sir.
Gro.-You are opposed to the immigra-
ton of more of the labor element for the
present?
Mer-Yes.
Gro.-You are likewise opposed to the
method pursued by Spectators and land
manlpulators, who, you claim, give US a
pseudo-population, many of whom cannot
find it possible to make a living, while
other do SO under great difficulty These,
you claim, are not permanent or desirable I?
Mer.-Yes
THE QUESTION OF POPULATION AND INDUS
TRIES.
Gro.-Gou agreed that every community
has a leading industry and that all the
other industries were contingent, tributary
and dependent for their existence on the
main industry?
Mer.-Yes.
Gro.-That the main industry of Califor-
mia was III formative state?
Mer.-Yes.
Gro.-That if we could influence the
molding or shaping of events, we should,
by all means. aim to mold so as to obtain
| the best results?
Mer.-Yes.
Gro.-The best results meant a concentra-
ton or augmentation of desirable and per-
manent population?
Mer,-Yes.
Gro.-That wheat-raising was preferable
to cattle raising, because much less land is
required?
Mer.-Yes
Gro.-That fruit raising was preferable
to wheat raising because much less land
IS required to raise fruit than wheat?
Mer.-Yes, sir.
Gro.-Thus we come to the conclusion
that every community has some main in
dustry ito which all other industries what
soeyer are tributary, contingent and depend
emit. That were We to SO mold and
shape events as to make fruit-growing the
main industry of this State it would insure
its permanent prosperfts, because it would
tend to concentrate denssr permanent and
desirable population than could be obtain
ed by any other industry whatsoever.
Mer.-You are right.
Gro.-Thus Governor Stanford was cor
rect when he said, 1T behooves every man
who is interested in fruit-growibg, and the
welfare of the State, to study this question
thoroughly And now, friend merchant t.
are you interested in the fruit-growing in
dustry?
Mer.-How can be otherwise after ar
irving at the conclusion We have.
Gro.--And now, friend, few more cues
tons, if you are not tired of the subject?
Mer.-l am certainly very much inter-
ested in the matter, and shall only be to
Gro.-Haye we not come to the conclu-
sion that
THE FRUIT-GRowING INDUSTRY
Is preferable because it tends to the in
crease and density of desirable and per-
manent population?
Mer.-Yes.
Gro.-Now, in fruit raising which would
be the most beneficial Ito this density of
the desirable and permanent population)
the larger or the smaller fruit ranch?
Mer.-Beyond doubt the smaller fruit
ranch, because the smaller the ranch the
more dense the desirable permanent popu-
lation.
Gro.-Can you offer other reasons whv
the smaller ranches should be encouraged?
Mer.-l suppose many could be offered
But we may illustrate the matter thus !:
Farmer A owns 1000 acres in bearing
vines and trees, while farmer B owns 100
likewise in bearing vines and trees. The
FAMILY OF A consists say of four persons
The proprietor and his family may live in
a foreign country, or in some large Eastern
city, the greater part of his time A skillful
and competent foreman with a gang of
hired men (perhaps nearly, if not
altogether, Chinamen), are the repre-
sentative population of these 1000 acres.
The working of large tract may be more
| ~SOAOhIiSoAAy AhdAdScQ ny TedSOn OIL meth
| obs and systems which can not be profta-
bly, employed on smaller farms, hence
fewer hands will be required out of season
than on small farms. The family expenses
may be large, but the money may be ex-
pended out of the State and perhaps in
some foreign country One evening or
daily paper supplies the need in that direc-
ton. How many are taken on the Norris
grant? Groceries, hardware, lumber, etc.,
are obtained from wholesale dealers or i'm.
porters direct. Even the fruit box may be
manufactured on the ranch. Now with
farmer the case is different. His means
will not permit him to go abroad, hence he
remains at home. This man buys his sup
plies at the nearest town. He has almost
as many various needs for his family as
farmer A has. Now multiply this small
farmer just twenty times and you will find
| eighty persons, besides hired hands in
place of four. Twenty newspapers are
wanted in place Of one. Twenty physicians,
or twenty calls for one, are wanted in place
OF one; in fact, 1 am only arguing in a
| circle. What said before will hold good.
The smaller the ranch. the more dense
| and desirable permanent population"
GRO agree with you entirely, is it not
| to the interest and
WELFARE OF THIS STATE
To encourage the small fruit ranchers?
Mer.-Most certainly it is.
Gro.-What should be done in the way Of
| encouragement?
Mer.-They should receive every facility
| and aid, so as to make the farms a source of
profit.
Gro.-Can we not hope to retain them as
permanent desirable population, even if
their ranches are not profitable to them?
Mer.-For year or two, perhaps but
ultimately, no. For if even they wanted
to remain. the Sheriff would not permit
them. The law of the State would compel
them to leave.
Gro.-What would be the result if thew
were compelled to leave?
Merit would be calamity to the State
which would be severely felt by all the
people. City and country, real estate and