The record-union., 1894-02-06

add greatly to our benefits. insuiing the
retention in the United States of vast
amount of money now sent elsewhere Tor
that we are able to produce.
GOOD ROADS.
Following up the suggestion made in
our last report upon good roads, we
would say that the subject should not be
permitted to lie dormant; that the farm
ing community in every county IN the
State should continue to urge the build
ing OF a permanent roadway from all
parts of their county to the county seat,
to be followed by improvements of cross
and branch roads, that al points OF inter
est could be reached al any season OF the
year, thereby enabling the producer to
market his products at will.
The maintenance OF perfected stable
roadway not only indicates progressive
community, but u prosperous one as
well, and it is here a new conner seeking
Investment is most liable TO settle,
thereby attracting most desirable class
Of people who have the means TO improve
the surroundings. In MANY parts OF this
State, where good roads are made by rea-
son of natural formation OF the soil, this
condition of affairs already exists. and
one will there find elegant homes of
modern architectural designs sur
rounded by beautiful landscape garden
ing that indicates the existence OF a pros
porous community, and it is in these sec
tiOnS the new corners who are looking
for California home, either for profit or
pleasure, have located, and the conse-
quence is that the community gains by
additional improvements similar TO those
adjacent, and the State gains by addi-
tional taxable property.
W by cannot other sections improve
their lands, not by necessarily increasing
the value per acre in dollars and cents,
but by the location of new blood among
them who have the desire and means
necessary to beautity homes, as has been
done elsewhere in this State? Take it to
yourselves, farmers and landowners, we
say. and hasten to do away with tho
ancient, impraticable and costly way OF
road building inaugurated III this State
before our agricultural capabilities We're
certain, anu take on new and permanent
system that will insure good roads to
market centerS or shipping points at all
seasons OF The year. " hat II the first
cost IS more, and you are assessed an adj
ditional tax each year to provide fer its
payment you will get better results from
smaller outlay than you now obtain
under the hand-to-mouth system OF road
building and Improvement.
The farming community in each county
should organize and insist uDOn a uniform
system OF road improvement. as they
are the class mostly benefited. They
should have such roads as would enable
them TO market their products at all
times. thereby getting the benefit of a
good market when their productions are
in most demand, and not be forced TO sell
or store in available warehouses at great
risk and expense until the winter months,
when prices are generally better for all
class OF farm products.
The establishment and maintenance OF
good inacadam roads properly constructed
will greatly aid in the disposal Of land in
small tracts to Individual workers who
could rely upon regular sales of such
products that require ready inarket that
could be reached daily in all kinds OF
weather.
Good roads is most effective agent in
pOpulatIng community, as we have be-
fore said; the success OF a commonwealth
depends upon the building up of tie
country, which section OF a productive
State must be built up before the cities,
and every inducement possible to that
end should be extended TO individuals
that they may become part of the
producing class of our great State.
1t is to be hoped that at the next session
of the Legislature a general system OF
permanent road building Will be made a
law, and the Old plan OF road making be
retired forever. What we want is rock
built highways that will last through this
generation Of people, and let them De
made at such times Of the year when de-
mands for labor in other avenues is light,
thereby accomplishing much good for
both the landowner and laDOror.
Idaho has begun right; she has a State
Wagon ROAD Commission that is perfect
ing her roadwayS, and we note with great
satisfaction that the commission is doing
admirable work in the construction or
permanent rock-built roads. n contract
recently let in that young State provides
for the building Of perfect roadway,
forming main trunk line connecting the
northern and southern sections of that
State. They are starting properly, and
the example there set could be followed
with benefit by this state.
OTHER AGRICULTURAL ITEMS.
Californla's future depends wholly
upon her soil productions, and every en-
couragement should be given in promot-
ing an increase OF ratio. 10 this end di-
yersitied agriculture is most essential
and as we have both sell and climate for
the successful culture Of all kinds of pro-
ducts, we only lack soil workers in suffi-
cient quantity to utilize the immense
acreage available.
some may say the land is not available
by reason of large holdings that now ex-
ist But we are assured through expert
ence OF those who have sold large tracts
of land by cutting il up in subdivisions
that other holders of similar tracts are
about ready to follow the example and
dispose OF their land in the same man
ner. These sales are mada to actual set
tiers upon basis that InSureS improve
ment. Some such sales have required a
small proportion of the purchase price
down and the remainder at intervals
agreed upon to extend from five to six
years, while others have been made with
out any payment except the first years
interest TO parties giving satisfactory as
surances OF their intention of improving
the land thus purchased and payment
therefor guaranteed, by mortgage, from
the earnings OF the land. By this system
much land has been disposed of at fair
prices to both seller and buyer, and the
State is steadily gaining thereby pro-
ductiye population.
The fruit interest has probably pro-
crossed more by this plan than other in
terests, although some advancement in
our dairy business has resulted under
same conditions. But we have made
a beginning towards successful ac-
complishmeut of cutting up the large
tracts of land for sale; tho success of one
sale encourages others, and the result will
be in n few years just what the State
needs, a populatlon OF producers.
There are yet ample opportunities for
the advancement of other agricultural in
terests under same conditions, and we
can assure those who are seeking the vo-
cation that they can obtain the necessary
land in this State upon long and easy
payments.
We again call attention TO the necessity
of agricultural education by the use of
textbooks in our public schools giving
the rudiments of soil culture tor the BEN
efit of our successors in life. We believe
this branch of study as essential to the
students of this State as are our form of
civil government or the geographical
knowledge OF the country.
The student can be better prepared in