The record-union., 1895-01-01

test arising out of this competition will
pe found by directing the industry of our
people into those channels OF production
wherein we enjoy a practical monopoly.
Inc clenlency OF our climate permits a
broad range of diversified cultivation
and the extended limitations thus
afforded are the free and bounteous SUBJ
sldy which nature has bestowed upon
us. This condition is natural force
naylng constant tendency in the direc-
tlon OF intensified agriculture, and in
turn 1t is on this capability of intensified
agriculture that our hope OF future great
ness mainly depends.
Fruit-growing in California has reached
splendid proportions. The orchards and
vineyards OF this State have wealth
producing capacity equal to $4,000, 900
per aEnum. Yet they do not occupy 5
per cent. of the cultivable area of the
State. Tue marketing of the horticulture
and vIticusture is still in its eXperim entail
stage. The development of these indus
tries has been left almost wholly to pri-
Natc enterprise. We are not nation.
We are contributing to the support of the
National Government about 1900, 900
per annuln, or something more than
$1,000 00U per month. We are taxed ex-
brilliantly for the support OF State, county
and municipal government. The contri-
button Of the Government of the United
States to the development of our re-
sources is practically lnappreciable. The
lines OF transportation used by our peO-
pie, both by land and by sea, are the
longest continuous lines used for COM
mercial purposes on the map OF the
world. Both our exports and imports
are prima 1acie subject to the highest
rates OF transportation.
The fruit industry has developed
market and its existence invites compe-
tition. The distribution of the fruit
shipped in the green form is crude and
unsatisfactory. 1t is doubtful whether
we have succeeded in making our fruit
export accessible to population greater
than three millions, while there are at
least forty million people residing in the
northern portions Of the United States to
whom the purchase of our fruit instead of
the production Of fruit at home would be
decided economy.
The unregulated and uncontrolled agen-
cies of commerce will take to themselves
the largest share of profit. The grower
occupies his industry aud attention in the
production of an article of export. He
disposes Of it to the commercial agencies
engaged in it's sale and distribution at
prices not fixed by himself, but deter
mined wholly by these agencies. Where
the determination of the percentage of
the joint effort of industry and commerce
is wholly in the hands of commerce, in
genuity will be exercised to afford only
that percentage of profit to the side of in
dustry as will keep it in perpetual opera
ton; it will offer only that minimum
which will merely insure continued pro-
duction. Under existing conditions the
dealer in the fruit products of California
is the abler arbiter of the price paid to the
producer. 1t is "a maxim of civil liberty
that no man is fit to be entrusted with
irresponsible power over the liberty of
another, and this maxim has its COM
mercial application. 1t would be true
generalization to state that, as existing to-
day, the owners of orchards and vine
yards have no voice in the determination
of the price OF their skill, experience and
labor.
AS a vindication of this statement, an
illustration is not lar to seek. Recently
a device Tor the shipping of green fruit
without refrigeration received practical
and satisfactory test. The degree of sue
cess attained justified the hope that by
that process fruit might be shipped at all
economy of 500 per car over the cost of
refrigeration. 1t Is SAD commentary
one amounting to confession of a de-
plOraDle state of things-that the ma
Jorlty OF the fruit-growers do not believe
that this economy will inure 10 their
bensfit. This does not arise out OF a want
OF faith in the practicability of the mode
OF shipment alluded to, nor disbelief in
the probability that 500 per car may be
saved in the transportation of green fruit
to its market. 1t is referable to the eX-
perlence OF the grower that the merchan-
dising side of the account Will garner to
itself all, or nearly all, Of the profit rising
out OF more economic method. Ii the
grower was In full control OF the market
ing OF his product, this apprehension
could by no possibility exist. Two needs,
then, become apparent.
First-California must secure wider
distribution of the fruit it sells to the East
in order that consumption may be aug
mented. Ii it be true that we have not
been able to place the green fruits ex-
ported from California in a reiation acces-
sible, physically and economically, to
more than three millions of people, and
Ii 1t be true that there are forty millions
OF people equally ready to become con-
sumers, then the demand for better dis
tribution is broadly emphasized. If the
apprehension is so generally entertained
that economics in the way OF reduced
freight charges or the use of more eco
nomic methods of shipment will not inure
to the grower, we have the broadest con-
fession that the existing condition is one
wherein the grower is helpless in the
hands of the shipper. This discloses the
second great necessity of the time.
The growers must achieve, through
some effective method OF cooperation, a
larger and more potent influence in the
sale of their product. The accomplish
ment of these ends is by no means i'm
practicable. In truth, they are easy of
attainment. a more widely extended
distribution of the product of our orchards
and vineyards to the people of the East
has on its side every commercial and
financial agency. Such extension would
be profitable to the railroads, to the mer-
chants, and is invited by the consumer