The record-union., 1893-02-04

cents per pound for winter use.
Nothing but discoura@ement was Of
tered in advice to any who sought IN
formation regarding fruit growing; pro-
gressive men were ridiculed when they
began advising tree planting, and but Tor
them Catifornia'S great resource OF the
present day would have remained un-
born.
1t fell to the lot of the men of theory to
develoDe a practical plan of procedure to
market the surplus, and thus was brought
to life a great industry that promised to
become dead, but for the development OF
market facilities.
These theoretical men-who by the
way are to-day progressive merchants OF
the Capital of the State-arose to the situa-
ton. They recognized Calitornla's
capability to produce but lack of meth
DDS OF marketing. The genius OF these
men supplied the deficiency by inaugural
ing the system now in vogue for the DIS
posal of our surplus fruit. The result
forms most important part OF the MS
tory of agriculture in this State, and land
is now being planted to fruit by the hum
dreds OF acres, and millions of dollars
ftow annually into our avenues OF trade
that otherwise would have gone elsewhere,
and with the world for our market there
is no prophesying when the demand will
abate.
AS means of market development,
VIC OSbhAilSi4IllSLG VI Il lillAh SOIINASA~OAJ
in the central part of-the State adjacent to
our great alfalfa ranges, would do much
toward stimulating the cattle industry,
and provide the means of furnishing tor
export an article of trade that we are now
importing. No country has the forage
facilities for producing milk equal to
ours, Dut we cannot increase our dairy Ia
cilities and import from six hundred to
one thousand tons OF condensed milk
into the State each year.
1t can be seen that there is room here
for an investment of capital that would
give California another resource of merit
which could be extended without limit.
The quantity OF this great commodity
used within the State, to say nothing of
that needed for the territory of the North
west and countries that lie adjacent to be
furnished by ship cargo, makes it plan
most feasible ut this time.
There is no reason why, with our cheap
forage facilities, we should not control
this business for the entire country west
of the Rocky Mountains.
The san Francisco market alone con-
sumes the milk of from ten to fifteen
thousand cows in their use Of butter and
fresh milk for daily delivery. Still we
import from two to three thousand tons
of packed butter each season. We are
thus situated, and abide the coming of
others TO profit by the Indifference of our
own people in the formation of stock
company for the development of this dor
mant resource.
The policy now followed by the growers
OF wine grapes in this State promises a
solution OF the question of profit and loss
to this great industry. Heretofore wines
were made and marketed without regard
to the future, Il haphazard policy was
practlced, immature wines were sold to
unScrupulOuS dealers who used artificial
means TO give age and body to the product.
This system was rapidly bringing our
wines into distavor, and would have re-
suited in their total adjustment from the
market. This state of affairs rendered
organization necessary for self-preserva-
ton, and the action taken has re-
suited In reduction in the manu-
tacture of wine to the amount of 6,000,-
900 gallons in two years. The yield
for 1892 is estimated at l., 200, 900 gallons,
as against II, 900, COO in 1891 and Il. 900, 900
i'll 1880. This shows the plan OF CO.
operation to be working moderately well,
although the reduction is not one-half
enough, as there is considerable Old stock
on hand that should be reduced in pro-
portion 10 the yield of each season. But
as a showing has been made in favor of
the system, better results will be forth
coming another season.
The phylloXera has to some extent
aided in the reduction of yield, and the
growers should take occasion to substi-
tute resistant vines for at least Cne-half of
the non-resiStant now growing, then the
remainder, when the new plants come
into bearing. This movement would
very materially reduce the annual output
OF wine, and give that III stock the op-
portunitv to age.
Another expedientis offered the grower
of wine grapes whereby the reduction in
the manufacture of wine can be aided
without loss TO the grover, or to the inter-
est, that is the drying process.
The dried product is creating demand
that promises to be continual, and the
prices are such as will warrant the grower
in taking advantage OF this additional
market. The prices for dried grapes
range from two to three cents per pound,
which is equal to from twelve to fifteen
dollars per ton for the grapes in their
green state, as good if not better price
than rules for this product for wine pur-
poses, when expenses of handling and
hauling are considered.
The Eastern States and Europe furn-
ishes a market for the dried grape, where
they are in demand as q substitute for
currants and raisins in culinary uses.
AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.
From an optimist view there is great
need of educational facilities in our pub
lie school system towards the shaping of
Young students for farm life. The idea
predominateS among the pupils of the
period that a thorough education means
preparation for professional life. This
idea is corroborated to great extent by
the annual grist of professionals from the
colleges of the country into field that is
already overcroWded.
Lawyers are in each others way; doc
tors are plentiful; literary men are
scrambling for employment at the lowest
living rates. The great field for occu-
pancy agriculture and its kindred
I I
man, is left almost wholly neglected.
Brain development is Il powerful prelim-
mary course in any occupation that may
by the student be chosen, and its use can
be as successfully applied TO agriculture
as to professional life.
Of course there is not that possible pub
lie laudation, nor individual prominency
| associated with soil culture as there is in
professional life, but there is that indie
pendence of thought and action so much
admired in the make up of individuals,
and which gives to one the satisfaction of
knowing he is not a slave to his occupa-
tion.
A successful professional life means al
most slavery.
| A successful farmers life means inde-
pendence. We venture the assertion
that the percentage of regular students
| taking the agricultural course at the
! University OF California is the smallest,
as compared with other departments of
| that college of learning, and that the law
course has the largest percentage.
| Does this speak well for an agricultural
/ State as great as is this2 The cause may be
remedied we say by increasing your
! facilities for teaching the younger ele-
ment in our public schools that there is
such vocation as agriculture.
In recent bulletin issued by the State
| Board ofAgriculture of Missouri we find
the following reference to this subject,
! nd In which NNn fi1llv cnrll.11r.