The record-union., 1893-05-23
HOME PRODUCTIONS.
Things We Ought to Produce in
California.
The Effect of Low Freight Rates Upon
Manufacturing Industries-Some
Striking Facts.


In another article we submit some
notes and suggestions regarding the con-
dition of manufacturing in this State.
We call attention now to some striking
facts with reference to farming. Califor-
MIA is by all odds the richest State in the
Union in agricultural resources. This
has been proved as regards horticulture,
the developments in which have been
most creditable. In farming otherwise
or in pursuits collateral with farming we
have not been doing all that we could;
far from it. We hold our own in wheat
growing and, as a rule. the farm value Of
our grain per bushel is greater than in
the other large wheat-producing States.
But there is strong competition in this
product and its price is speculative.
What we want, outside of horticulture,
is wider diversification of farming in
lines in which we suffer but little if at all
from competition.
The advantage that we now enjoy is
very largely due to the fact that our farm
products are already somewhat diversi-
fed, and that by reason of climate and
season they are exempt from injurious
competition. We are making progress
in this direction. but there are things we
have not tried thoroughly. The condi-
tions here are seemingly most favorable
for fiber culture, for instance the ramie
plant, the benefits from which would be
III both farming and manufacture. Flax
and hemp should be raised in this State.
Their seed yields valuable products and
their fiber we need for cordage works.
COttOn-growing has been experimental
with and given up, and yet who can say
that cotton will not be among the future
staple products of California? When to
4 AI,s Ill l.. L
portions of the valleys of our State were
adapted to raising superior tobacco,
when, in fact, experiments in this line
were encouraging, tobacco-plantlng was
discontinued. In the meantime tobacco
IS raised with commercial success in Wis
consin and even in the chilled, rocky soil
of Connecticut. The greater the diver
sity of the products, the greater the de-
mand for labor and the greater the wealth
and comfort OF the people. But laying
aside everything that is experimental,
consider few OF the sources of profit that
are neglected.
In utter disregard of the first principles
of labor and economy we purchase what
we should produce. We buy in distant
markets the very necessaries Of life,
enough in the aggregate not only to
hamper our farmers, but also to discouf-
age enterprise generally. In the year
1892 4,725, 800 pounds of eggs, equivalent
brought into California from Kansas,
Iowa and Nebraska, besides many more
from Utah. It has been estimated that
two out of every three eggs consumed in
California are produced elsewhere. Is it
credible that California cannot be de-
pended on to supply the eggs that our
people consume? What country on
earth is better adapted to raise chickens?
What's the matter with our grain fields
and orchards? In a little back yard in
the city of San Francisco a few hens care
fully looked after supply the family table
with eggs, not to speak of a few neigh
boris eggs" for exchange with the grocer.
OF live and dressed poultry we imported
l,302S70 pounds. Cheese to the amount
Of 2,724,0l0 pounds came from the East,
every pound of which should have been
produced here. One New York COM
pany in one month, last April, shipped to
California thirty carloads OF condensed
nilk-576, 600 one-pound cans. For this
shipment over 20O0,000 pounds of milk
were consumed. Is there any excuse for
this? The exceptionally low rates of
transportation have to do with it, of
course, as also with the cheapness of
other commodities which our home
market is being flooded with at the
expense of local producers; and if the war
of rates between the steamer hnesIand
the railroads is kept up our manutactur-
ers of condensed milk will find it harder
still to meet the competition. In ordi-
nary times, however there is margin
enough for them to do business on. We
had shipped to us last year 100000
pounds of butter. We purchased in 1892
from Eastern packing houses 10,00O,000
pounds of canned meats, y, ,0000 900 pounds
OF bulk meat, 100000 pounds of bacon
and hams, 100000 pounds of lard and
100000 pounds of lard ola grand ag-
gregate of Il, 100000 pounds. This year,
owing to the stimulus OF cut rates, the
import will probably be much i'll excess
of this total. 1t might seem to one hear
ing this statement for the first time that
we have no pasturage for cattle, or grain
to tatten hogs. The beef, pork, ham and
bacon consumed on the farms of Califor-
MIA come chiefly from Chicago. We are
prone to consider cheap transportation as
universally desirable, although low
treights are plainly a handicap in this in
stance. Still, that we imported these pro-
ducts to such an extent on the rates pre-
viously in 1892, shows that we need not
go far to find where the fault lies. We
import millions of pounds of oatmeal an
nually into this great Oat-growing State.
Last year we imported ,2S9, coo pounds of
broomcorn and large number of brooms
We actually imported honey into this
land of fruits and flowers, the ideal home
OF the honey bee.
There is complaint of large landhold-
ings. This is, indeed q serious obstacle
in the way OF increasing the number of
farmhouses, which is essential to the
highest agricultural prosperity, but there
is still land to be had, though generally
held at figures beyond the home-seeker.
The land barons should sell off their
estates in small acreage; this would be
better for themselves, but so long as they
will not do so the best should be made Of
the situation as it is, regardless of them
There is great room for improvement and
progress apart from them and their hold
ings. The first step towards giving vital
lty to the great industry-that industry
which will always be foremost in Cali
fornia-is to study out and practice the
elemental principles of farm economy.
Making a saving and profit as we'll on
that which is nearest us, thereby avoid
ing at least that ouerous and demoraliZing
tax which we pay to outsiders for the sta
pie articles OF our food. This lesson has
been learned by the southern States since
the war. Their farm produce mas in
creased in the last ten years thirty mill
ions year, and, based on this wealth.
derived from the soil, their manufactures
are increasing in volume and value from
year to year in almost incredible ratio.
BREACH OF PROMISE.