The morning call., 1894-03-18
POPULATION AND AREA.

FOFOLA IOIN AND AKEA.
Belgium is the most densely peopled
country in Europe, yet it cannot be said
that its population is too congested even
in the matter of food supply. The little
country supplies its own food for nine
tenths of the population, AMI this it does
by industry and superior methods of Guilt
walton. The climate is by no means
genial in winter, but the summer is suffi-
GENTLY hot to insure good crops of many
kinds. and the fields are titled as if they
were gardens. Belgium has an area of
1873 square miles, and the population
mum bers e, 147,041, consequently there are
$40 inhabitants TO the square mile. The
fare of the people is much poorer than
would content Californian. In Brussels
or Antwerp they cut up a fowl into sew
eral portions at the poulterer's, and will
oolige you with wing or leg for a few
confines. The diet of the masses is
largely vegetable, great use being made of
beans and potatoes. This shows economy
aud thrift. for an acre of potatoes will
sustain four or five persons per year,
while one Of wheat will sustain no more
than two. AS to meat the Belgian does
not disdain horsefesh.
No one would like to see California con-
verted into Belgium il the struggle for
subsistence. but if we could have Bel
GUMS Industries and arts we should be a
great State. Had we the population of
Belgium per square mile, California would
have more people than the whole United
States has now. The area is 158. 800
square miles. and the total population Of
the last census was 1,2OS $50. but at the
Belgium rate of $40 per square mile we
could accommodate 1914. 400. The Cali
fOrnian wants better food than the Euro
pean does or can obtain, and we could not
hope 10 sustain nine-tenths of such pOpu-
lati0n on food produced within the State
But in this connection there are several
circumstances more favorable to us than
to Belgium. We have great areas of
DESERT, yet the moment water is supplied
the most barren tracts burst into bloom.
If there were water enough there would
not be an unpr oduetive acre in San Ber-
nardino or San Diego. But admitting
that these areas are for the present unpro-
ductive, it must be borne in mind that our
climate Is so propitious that in the valleys
two and even three and four crops may be
raised every year. 1t is simply a question
of labor and method. There is no month
during which vegetation is not active
The moment rains fall crops shoot out of
the soil. and the winter is really spring
Farmers are accustomed to grow barley
and wheat on the same acres, one after
the other, and FIVE crops of alfalfa are by
no means rare. Fruit trees have their
season when the leaves sprout and fall,
h,,f 1T
tropics which are continuous in growth.
The banana is by no means impossible 10
the south. and the date palm may be
readily and successfully planted. As
foods these fruits surpass in productivity
anything known in cereals. if maize be
excepted.
California therefore in the present cul-
tivable area has soil sufficient for an en-
pire. We should certainly not feel over
crowded with a population OF 10000 600.
We have a scant million and half. Those
who have been in the State from the CON-
mencement usually express satisfaction at
the progress that has been made. The
growth of San Francisco has indeed been
marvellous when compared with that of
the older cities of the world. Yet when
all the inducements and advantages are
considered it is now generally agreed that
the State has not progressed since the rail-
roads were built as il ought to have done.
1t will not do to lay all the blame upon
transportation, though much of it may
justly fall upon the grasping monopoIies
that have used the State as a private
ranch, and together with middemen have
absorbed the profits Of enterprise and
labor Something is due TO ignorance
everywhere about the coast and its pros
poets. The East and West know little
about US, and care little. Their newspa pers
naturally pay attention TO the affairs of
their own States. and people give no time
to books that would supply Information.
The distance overland is forbidding and
the cost of travel is high. Railroad CON-
panies have taken care not to encourage
travel by sea.
Added to distance and cost there is the
dfiulty of settling down when the immi-
grant farmer or small capitalist arrives.
Land spectators are now modifying
their pretensions somewhat, and are divid-
ing up big ranches. What we now need
undoubtedly is the diffusion OF sound in
formation everywhere, in hotels and al
railway stations in the East and through
out Europe. and it would even be good
policy to advertise in reputable news
papers. The diffusion of information
should not be left TO railroad companies
alone, for they have mainly an eye to their
own special Interests, and are often little
better than the steamship companies which
drum up Immigrants for the sake of the
fares. But one great stride in increasing
our wealth and population would be taken
at once were the Nicaragua canal epen.
Our commerce would be struck free from
fetters for ell time. the resources of the
State would have an extended market, and
population would inevitably gravitate to
the most prosperous region of the New
| World.
COAL CONTRACTS.
Congressman Wilson of Washington is