Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-09-19
MR.. ESTES ADDRESS.


In Mr.. Estee's address before the State
Board of Agriculture and which we print
this morning, he referred to the necessity
for diversifying our farm productions,
upon which topic there will be found no
one to take issue with the distinguished
speaker But his advice is none the less
valuable, for it needs constant urging and
presentation to give it effect and bring the
farmer class to full realization of its i'm
portance as a factor in State development
and in preserving the unity and certainty
of our trade interests.
In another part Of his thoughtful address
Mr.. Estee points out the Importance of the
raisin production in California. Thus, we
import into the United States about
100000 boxes annually In 1884 Cali
fornia produced 10000 twenty-pound
boxes, and this year he places the
product at 100000 boxes, while he esti-
mates that of 1886 at 100000, worth
from 100000 to 100000. 1t will
thus be seen how it is possible for US to
control the market of consumption in the
United States for raisins, since in Califor-
MIA and a limited section of Spain the
raisins used by all the world are raised.
Mr.. Estee's reference to the vital i'm
portance to California of the early compile
ton of the California and Oregon Railroad
was timely and strictly true. BY it, he
well said, will be opened new channel
for our traffic direct communication with
Oregon and the north, and as a result new
sections will draw upon our markets of
supply,
He was happy in the roughly vigorous,
but wholly pardonable and forcible ex-
preston that the day has gone by in Cali
fornia forever when we can live upon
" bray" or grow rich by Boosting of soil
and climate. The truth, he very aptly said,
is good enough. TIE closer We adhere to
ii in advertising our claims abroad the
better for rs. Mr.. Estee will be pleased to
learn that this truth has been central and
actuating influence in the work of the
Northern California Immigration Society.
and if there is or can be such a thing as
policy related to honesty, that Association
has demonstrated its wisdom. 1t is graft
flying to know that the speaker had the
courage to utter plea for absolute bust
ness honesty as to what we have for sale.
We can afford to produce only the best,
and to represent what we produce pre-
cisely as it is. This policy will give our
products standing abroad nothing else
can, for as the orator well said, a bust
ness lie destroys the very business it would
build up;" and let it be added, in the past
California and her products have been fear
fully lied about, and by none more iniuri
ously than by Californans.
The reference made to the future OF
wheat-growing in California, and the
danger that menaces it, and to the sale of
lands and the subject Of small farming.
must command later and fuller notice.
Mr., Estee shows us by the rail shipment
statistics that since 1871 we have advanced
our fruit export from l,SS2,310 pounds, to
23,731 500 pounds for the first six months |
Of 1885, while the average rate of freight |
(line) has declined from So So to 81 30. |
In 1872 We shipped by rail 49,, 900 pounds |
Of Canned fruit, at the average freight |
rates (line) So 81, while IN 1884 we ship |
ped 2l,695,7 40 pounds at 81 p, and for |
the first six months of this year Just closed |
we sent out by rail 7,O69, 400 pounds, with
the average freight rate decreased to- Is. |
These figures as thespeaker well remarked,
indicated an increase that has been parAl- |
leled in no State in the Union.
In considering this subject and pointing |
out the possibilities of our fruit in the
Eastern markets, Mr.. Estee was led to ex-
press these words of practical wisdom, |
which need no other commentary than |
they make upon themselves:
The interest Of the carrier and the interest of |
ne producer are, and always will be- identical |
that which cripples the one win in time |
destroy the other When the carrier puts the !
rate of transportation at a figure which enables |
the producer 10 make money, the producer nuts |
forth his best energies and increases the produc-
ton, and the carrier finds his utmost capacity |
strained TO accommodate the increased produc- |
ton thus stimulated. In other words cheap !
transportation inspires large production, and |
large production makes cheap transportation |
profitable. Both sides have learned a lesson. |
The producer has learned that he must have Il |
market, and the carrier has learned that to |
make the producer send his products by his line !
he must 50 regulate his prices as to make the !
business profitable to the producer