Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-12-13
THE CITRUS FAIR-OUR DUTY CON-
CORNING IT.

evolved under the test of the senses and
by experiment. The people of Central
and northern California have had much to
say of the adaptability of large portions of
the territory to the culture of citrus fruits
Last year, upon the spur of the moment,
with no adequate idea of what they could
do, they opened in this city Citrus Fair
exhibition. 1t was hastily got together,
and was by no means as fully representa-
tive as it could have been made.
But it was the first effort and we hazard
nothing in saying that the most surprised
people of all who saw it were the residents
Of the sections named-not the strangers.
The latter had heard so much of the won
ders of California that they could very
well accept what was presented without
more than the usual expressions of sur
prise. But the people of Central and
northern California had done so little
missionary work for their own regions,
that they had no adequate conception of
the real capability of their home section.
They were more than astonished, there
fore, at their own exhibition.
That fair proved wonderfully potent
influence in arousing our people to true
sense of the duty they owe to the COM
munity in which they live. They have, as
a result, gathered themselves for strong
and unrelaxing effort in making their
section Of country properly known
abroad. Among the first steps is
the holding of second citrus fair
which, it is anticipated, will be
in few days forwarded bodily to Chicago,
as an Eastern mid-winter proof of the verify
OF the claims made for northern and Cen
trail California, and as fiat rebuke to the
meudacious statements which have been
made concerning the whole central and
upper portion of the State.
The second Citrus Fair opens in this city
to-day, and, from the glimpses had of it
in embryo, it can safely be pronounced an
emphatic success as an exhibition in the
first place, and as demonstration in the
second. 1t is held at season when such
an event in southern California is impos-
sible. 1t proves the earlier market date
OF our citrus fruits, and establishes our
claims of marketing without possible
rivalry on the part of the southern growers.
1t proves fully the capacity of the central
and northern counties to grow for the market
these fruits, in addition to the decid-
nous fruits: Oranges, lemons, dates, figs,
olives, persimmons, etc, besides almonds
and all manner of nuts. And it proves
thoroughly the fine quality of our raisins,
wines and all cured fruits.
The chief attraction of California to the
Eastern man is its climate; land good and
yielding to his demand can be had else
where, but it is that "atop the soil which
he seeks who escapes the rlgors of Eastern
winters. Show him, as we do to-day, the
fruit that will grow only in the eGuable
and semi-tropic climate, and we give him
undeniable and conclusive evidence of the
character of the climate where the product
was grown and harvested. We deal in eli
mate in Central and northern California
1t Is the chief thing we have for sale, prior
to the product of the SOIL Climate above
the soil is the advantage and chief value
of the land. Add to this, however, land
more abundant and certain in product,
more easily titled and at less cost, and we
have a double claim upon the eonsidera-
ton of the home seeker.
The Citrus Fair in December in Sacra-
mento, with its wealth of semi-tropicA
fruits, is, therefore, the very best local
means of informing the stranger with us
OF the actual character of the climate we
have for sale, and along with which we
throw in the land. 1t is, therefore, greatly
to be desired that the people of Sacramento
literally patronize the fair and put just as
many dollars and dimes into the cash-box
of the Fair Association as is possible, in
order to stimulate the public-spirited citi-
zens who compose it to further endeavors,
and to give them assurance that in all
work of this character they shall have ma
terial support.
Moreover, it is highly important that
the Associations returns shall be so great
as to warrant them in forwarding the ex-
hibits to Chicago at the close of the fair.
That costs money; but it would not be
possible to invest money to better adYant-
age for the public good. The magnificent
spectacle of luscious semi-tropic fruits now
on display, the noble clusters of oranges,
the great lunches of dates yet ciinging to
the stems-a tropic fruit, historians tell US,
on which certain nations at one time al
most wholly subsisted, the clusters of
olives, the pure olive oil made in the valley,
the fine valley and fcothill wines, theraiS-
ms, the winter vegetablesOf California, the