The record-union., 1896-02-03
OUR RESOURCES.
Report Of the State Board
Of Agriculture.
Review Of Present Condition Of
State Industries.
Valuable Statistics tor Farmers and
Fruit-GrOWerS.
Agriculture Fruit and Dairy Interests, To-
baesO and Sugar Beets-EKhibitiOn
Of iS95-Not Conducted for
Horse Racing.

At the annual meeting of the State
Board of Agriculture held on Saturday
the following report was submitted, dis
cussed and adopted. It will be found to
possess deep interest for all engaged in
agricultural, horticultural and stock
raising pursuits. It gives evidence of
careful and intelligent study of the sub
jects treated:
REPORT.
Office of the State Board of Agriculture,
Sacramento. Cal, February 1, 1896.
To Hon. James H. Budd, Governor of
California-Sir: In compliance with
law we have the honor to submit our
annual report for the fiscal year end
ing January 81, 1896.
In our endeavor to aid the cause Of
agriculture, we herein give a short re-
view of the present condition of several
branches thereof, and make such sug-
gestions for their Improvement as we
believe to be for the welfare Of not only
those directly engaged, but also of the
community in general with the possible
result Of stimulating the dormant re-
sources of this great State.
Agriculture is certainly a following
that we all feel deep interest in, as to
depends, and it behooves all classes Of
citizens to well consider its present con-
dition and lend all possible aid to its
promotion. We include in this volume
the usual table of statistics upon pro-
dUctions, as we'll as several valuable pa
pers appertaining te the subject in
hand.
THE SEASON OF 1895.
With the exception of a slight i'm
provement in prices for cereals, occa-
stoned to a certain extent by a reaction
from the bottom prices of 1894, this
season was the most unsatisfactory in
the history Of grain-growing in this
State. The season openend most favor
ably with sufficient rainfall for exten-
siye seeding, and the early prospects
were bright for a full yield Of all pro-
ducts, but the month of February failed
to give us the character of weather
usual for that period of the year; in
stead, we had most pleasant spring
weather, with 1.2S inches Of rain less
than normal This abnormal weather
advanced the growth of fruit buds so
much that the severe frosts Of March
14th-29th "a most unusual visitation)
ruined at least so per cent. of early va
AAl4CS VI 1IIIls " VIII dpIlCOlos dl14ACA100
and cherries. All other fruits promised
an abundance, and the grain crops on
April 1st gave assurance of a very large
yield. The unusual cold spell which ex-
tended far into April, had d retarding
effect upon growing crops; then fol-
lowed in succession dry northers, which |
were expected. to do great damage to
Iate-sown grain, but almost immedi>
OF al "a Stafa G
visited by a copious rainfall that
quickly dispelled apprehension, and
caused a feeling of prosperity through
out our producing sections. This rain
fall. coming at a most opportune time,
assured, as we believed, a rich grain
harvest, but retarded the ripening OF
early fruits, and caused more or less
dropping of pears, apricots and prunes,
which, however, proved blessing in
disguise, as it saved the expense of
thinning, and gave quality to the re-
naming fruit.
Grain prospects continued favorable
until about June 1st when rust made its
appearance in the San Joaquin Valley /
This disaster was followed by an exces-
sive hot spell, interspersed with strong |
north winds, striking the grain in the |
stages when it is most susceptible to |
damage-the earlier advanced grain had |
almost ripened and shelled out, while |
the late grain was in the dough-" hav- |
ing Just passed from the milky state, |
and this grain shriveled. Up to this /
period reports from correspondents |
gave the condition as 10 per cent. better
than at the corresponding date Of 1894. /
This unfavorable weather made the re-
suit OF the harvest most disappointing, /
as the yield resulted in the Hghtest ever I
recorded in the history of grain-grow-
ing in California The peculiar char |
acter Of this setback greatly hampered |
this Office in figuring returns, as our re-
suits are figured upon a percentage
based upon the returns Of the previous
year. and the damage In shrlnkage was
most difficult to obtain. Our estimate /
of the entire yield Of wheat for 1895 was
20.77S. $50 bushels. as against 26,071,- /
$40 bushels in 1884; while the quality |
showed the lowest average Of any
grown for many years. AS previously /
stated. the prices were better in 1895. /
The average price IN October was SO /
cents. as against 79 cents in 1894 and
at the close Of the year 81 025h. as
against SIS cents for the previous year.
This improvement in price was
caused by an unexpected demand I
for milling wheat for shipment
to Australia and South Africa.
from data furnished this Office BY T. G. |
Friedlander Of the san Francisco Pro-
duce Exchange, whose annual wheat
flour and barley review, with export i
tables, viii be found, as usual in this
volume, we find that 10000 tons Of
wheat viii be required for this trade, /
being the hrst call we have had from
these countries since 1889. Our exports
OF wheat for the year 1886 amounted to
little over ii. 900.000 centals, OF Is.
$50. .333 bushels while -four Increased I
to 950000 barrels. an equivalent Of
4.I50000 bushels. giving us total Of
o. .0S3. .333 bushels OF wheat. an increase /
of 3,787, GOO bushels over 1894. This In
crease of exports IS largely due 70 the
shipping Of wheat held on the speca-
Iative deal Of two years ago, and an *
ira order Of 200. 900 barrels Of hour, as t
we note with satisfaction the shipment /