Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-02-01
yALuE 81 ToTAI pRopucrs.

$780, 600
Buckwheat... 100000
He also draws comparisons as follows:
1.-THE entire poultry product ofthe United States
was as great as the assessed valuation of all
property in California in 1850. and twice that of
Texas, and four times the value OF Arizona,
Dakota, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah,
Washington, and Wyoming combined. The en-
tire mining products (precious and non precious)
in 1880 was s2lS, 900, or only two-fifths the
value of poultry.
Reliable statistics are startling, no doubt but
it is the only method by which further develop
ment OF progress of our resources can be brought
about.
OF course there have been some changes in
values since the above compilation was made.
Dairy interests have very materially advanced,
and the same with other products, but none so
marked as the dairy.
The old-fashioned method of Jumping Off our
yield will not give us the information most re-
quired; new system is necessary, and until
the producer adopts one tina, viii enable him to
give intelligent reports of his products, we will
continue stumbling along in the old guessing
rut, not knowing whether or not our expenses
exceed the profits
At a recent Convention of the dairymen of
New York, the subject of exhaustive tests as to
cost a. production aud yield formed the most
important part of the debate.
The speakers urged the members to improve
their herds, TO make experiments in the feeding
and fattening of thsir stock, to weed out the
improbable, to select animals of different
breeds and subject them to tests as to their rea-
tive value for production of milk. and TO re-
frain from waste of time and money on non
producing animals. The survival of the TT
test was the motto they urged all to follow.
We, of California, are not as yet required to
weigh in our teed-the stimulating effect of our
land does not yet require this-but let us main
tain its vitality by not attempting too much tax
upon it to maintain non-productive stock.
Breed up, and retain only such animals that
possess the desired qualities. We say maintain
the quality OF stock thai makes profitable re-
turns; in this manner you Will retain the ter
tility of your soil for much longer period
Until systematic farm management is inaugu-
rated throughout this State and records kept of
products, so long will the producer overlook
what to him seems the smaller, and which, in
reality, is the clear profit. Whv2 Because the
cost of production, when known, will be so
small as not to be noticeable, and the returns
would show an extraordinary amount from the
small source, as is shown by the French, who
value the poultry industry more than any other
nation, and it is claimed that after the Franco
Prussian war this industry aided very materially
in the relief of France from financial distress.
There every villager and cottager is engaged in
the culture of poultry, and there is a constant
effort on the part of the public spirited citizens
to encourage and increase the production of
this important industry.
WHEAT CROP.
The season of 1889 VII be remembered as one
Of the largest milling years the -four industry
has had, although this interest is not as pros
porous as the mill owners could wish for The
mills throughout California duridg the season
Just closed, have manufactured, as nearly as
can be estimated 2,275.o00 barrels of -four This
fact is an indication that our wheat yield has
been large, as the amount of wheat on hand at
the commencement of the year was not more
than an average with other years, considering
| increase of acreage snd yield.
The acreage for 1859 was the largest ever re-
ported, and amounted to 100000 acres of
which amount fully $4,000 acres were har-
vested.
The wheat crop of 1889 is estimated at about
| 40.000e0J bushels, showing an increase over
1883 OF over 100000 bushels.
| ffThe season of 1889 was very favorable to our
wheat interest and a larger yield was looked
for, but lack of rain in April set our late sown
grain back, and a heavy downpour in May
lodged considerable amount Of rank growth
summer fallowed, and other more forward
grain. We were, however not injured by the
usual hot, dry notrh winds. So withal, the sea-
son, as far as yield was concerned, NAV be
looked upon as one of our most prosperous
1t is matter of some iuqui from MANY QUAR-
tiers how 1t is that the farmers of California can
afford TO raise wheat at prevailing prices, To-
Gated, as we are, so far distant from the i'm
portant grain markets of the world, and with
the price oflabor higher than with our great
competitors.
To this we answer that our generous soils give
such prolific yield. and our peculiar climate adj
mits OF the use of the improved harvester and
other agricultural machinery, whereby we are
enabled to reduce the cost of harvesting to q
comparatively light figure. This is the Offset to
the cheap labor of foreign lands, and enables us
to meet all competitors IN the production oflhis
mighty staple.
Further on in this volume will be found.
through the courtesy of I. C. Friedlander, of
the San Francisco Produce Exchange. tables
giving exports and fluctuations of the market
during the past season, as well as other data
concerning the wheat and bar.ey crops.