Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-12-10
A NEW srIMULANT TO CITRUS FRUIT
CULTURE.


CULTURE.
We publish this morning letter the
Third Vice-President of the Southern Pa
cifc Company, Colonel c. F. Croker, has
addressed to Hon. Newton Booth, Presi-
ident of the Central California Citrus Fair
Association. He informs the association
that the Board of Directors of the South
ern Pacific Company, in appreciation of
the effort of the association to develop the
citrus fruit-growing industry in this sec
ton, and to bring the capacities of north
ern California to the notice of the world,
has determined to offer premium of $3.50
year, to be awarded to the exhibitor at
each citrus fair of the association who has,
during the preceding year, made the great
est progress in demonstrating the capacity
of his particular section for citrus fruit
production for commercial purposes.
The premium thus offered it is pro-
vided, shall be awarded by the President
and Directory of the association at the
close of each of their citrus fairs, on ex-
animation of the exhibits and the written
testimonies accompanying them. Ex-
hibitors who grow citrus fruits merely for
ornamental purposes are not to compete
for the premium, but the competition is to
be confined to those who have entered
upon citrus fruit culture, with reference to
its establishment as 4 permanent horti-
cultural industry. The competitors are to
be required to illustrate, by their ex-
hibits, the progress they make in that
direction. This will include the extent
of cultivation, the variety and the quail
ity of the fruit. Competitors for this pre-
MUM will be required to furnish the Di-
rectory of the Fair Association with a
written statement of the varieties of citrus
fruits on exhibition, and statement of the
opinion of the exhibitor, based on his or her
experience, of the varieties best adapted to
the locality of his or her orchard.
This new premium is of very practical
character, and will go far toward encour-
aging the best culture. 1t will prove an
essential aid in disseminating information
of the experience of growers for market,
whereby all may benefit Beyond the
moneyed value of the premium, is the ben
fit Of the fact of its award, year after year !;
for the judgment that determines its al
lotment will thus advertise commercially
the product Of the successful grower-in
short the premium award will become
trademark, the right to use which will be
of substantial and high value to the
grower.
1t will also serve as a stimulant to others
to name premiums calculated to push for
ward the development of the full posi-
bilities of the whole citrus fruit-growing
belt of Central and northern California.
The disposition of our people is such, that
the offer of a premium for legitimate con-
test, is an especially strong incentive to
new exertions, not so much to possess the
token, as to wear the honor of deserving
effort. That much of sentiment enters
into the most prosaic of human affairs.
When, however, it is related to an indus
try that is at once pleasant and profitable,
and the fruits of which are such irrefuta-
bic proofs of the claims of favorite sec
tioli to the consideration of people seeking
homes where the rigors of a severe climate
are not quantities in the problem of living
and BODYBUILDING, the offer of premium
Is doubly stimulating. The Southern Pa
cifc Directory evidently well understands
this, and realizes how much of momentum
may be given to productive industries BY
stimulating the competitive spirit. Such
aid and recognition as this gives the Citrus
Fair Association assurance of perma
nency, and Of the certain reward that must
be reaped by all this section from the la
bors OF the organization.
C0ETEMp0R apv,c rnna-