The herald., 1893-10-11

fornia, sung by her own people, out tina,
we are here to consider that one great
important snbject-not only to us but to
you-that of irrigation.
"And, Mr.. President. I know of no
place on the face OF the earth better
adapted to consider this very question
than the locality where you are holding
this convention today. On every hand
you will find indisputable evidences OF
the great benefits OF irrigation to the
soil of California. Within 20 minutes,
ride OF this city, go in any direction you
please, and you will find lands that Is
or 20 years ago were only worth from 70
cents to $5 an acre, that today will pay
fair margin on from 500 to $1,000
per acre.
"And. my friends, this is not confined
| to this particular section alone. No.
no; we have hundreds and hundreds OF
| places in this state where YOU can 60
and 6nd the same magnificent results
demonstrated to you if you will only
visit them. You can, in California,
find every phase of irrigation, from the
most prodigal use of water to the most
economical methods known to the SCI
ence of irrigation. You can witness it
in it's most primitive condition and in
the most scientific and practical use
known to man. l will say to you, that
il you will take little time and 20 over
this state, that you will find places
where you will be simply astonished at
the results that may be traced to the
use of water under the irrigation
methods.
II visited large ranch last winter in
Kern county, for instance, where they
informed me that prior to the introduc-
tion of water the land was purchased
from % cents to Sl.25 per acre, and that
where it took 20 acres of that land to
alone sustain a Texas steer, that TODAY
they feed, tatten and put onto the mar
ket 10000 head OF cattle yearly, and
they say that that same land now re-
quires only from quarter OF an acre to
an acre to prodnce better results
than prior to irrigation. In our fruit
tracts it is most marked. Twelve years
ago, this state shipped, of all classes OF
fruits, and of every description, but 500
carloads. Last year we shipped from
this state 20500 carloads, and this is
largely due to irrigation.
But, Mr.. President, while l would
be glad to call your attention to these
iacts, that have come within my own
knowledge, ii has been wisely arranged
by your committee that others. better
posted than |, are to address this con-
vention upon the specific branches at.
tached to this great subject. Therefore
| will close by wishing you all a success
full and profitable session, which | have
no fear about, and hoping that you will
have pleasant time while here.
81 will gay that as Calfornians we
are exceedingly proud, we are exceed
ingly delighted to meet so many distin-
guished gentlemen from abroad at this
time and upon this occasion. Those
who have come to us from foreign
nations, | hope every one will be
shown what an enterprising Amer
lean can do when he has the op-
portunity given. I would be glad TO
have them leave our state feeling that
we are simply representative body of
American c:tizens attempting to carry
out what the Almighty has given us
opportunity to do, and l believe we are
doing it to the Almighty's satisfaction.
Laughter and applause.
s'c7ENrLEMEN OF THE CnNvrNrrnN. yn..
are here to conaider very important
subject. Your mission is an important