The record-union., 1897-12-02
LOYALTY TO HOME PRODUCTION

LOYALTY TO HOME PRODUCTION.
In the late Fruit Growers convention
it was urged byone incisive speaker and
followed up by others, that if Caffor-
MIA expects the outside world to buy
her fruit, and the horticultural busi-
ness to thrive in this State, Califor-
mans must use more of their own
fruits.
There is meat in that suggestion. CAL
ifornia does not adhere to use OF it's
own fruit as it should. 1t does to a
considerable degree consume prepared
fruits put up in foreign parts, when
better quality Of home raising and
preparation could be procured.
Tastes are more largely influenced by
trade marks than most people think.
A brand acquires a good viii very often,
that survives the worth Of the article
and carries its consumption along the
lines Of imitation, counterfeiting and
decadence OF the virtues Of the orig
inal creation. In sauces, jellies and
jams, this is especially true. AS to
wines the facts as stated In the con-
vention are too well known TO call for
more than mere reference.
1t was set forth in the debate that
Eastern people visiting California are
amazed at this condition and reflect
severely upon the loyalty of our people
to their own, OF rather the want of 10y
atty to home production. But there
should not be so much surprise after
all, for it is true at the East also, that
the people are not free from the dis
loyalty with which they charge us.
Perhaps there 1t is not so fragrant, but
It exists nevertheless. To-day Chi
cago and Cincinnati viii be found con-
suming very largely foreign products
put up in various forms and under the
trade marks of established character.
when as good or better articles of home
production in Illinois and Ohio can be
procured at the same or better prices.
However. this does not excuse US for
not consuming more Of the products
OF our orchards. How we are to cor
rect this fault is a question suscepti-
BILE OF many suggestions for solution.
We have yet to hear of one that COW
ers the ground with entire satisfaction.
Persistence, great liberality and low
pare California fruits are means to the
desired end. But even this is not
enough Something of sentiment and
home pride must be cultivated also in
this matter, despite the adage that
there is no sentiment in trade.
Something Ike two years ago, there
came TO California from England a
scholar and an enthusiast represent
ing "Fruitarianism' His mission was
TO encourage the people to eat more
of fruits and nuts. and less of cereals
and starchy fruits, and to restrict some
what their meat diet. His claim was
that good health and longevity viii
thereby be conserved because fruits
and nuts are mans natural food.
Rarely indeed have we known OF any
such movement by a missionary, that
there was not behind 1t a money max
ing scheme. But with perfect convic-
ton OF the truth, we can say that we
were not able to discover in this mans
mission any nickel grabbing purpose.
lie asked for no money; he did not
solicit aid; he had no books to sell; and
he paid his own way. He seemed TO
be sincerely and honestly striving to
forward what he conceived to be a
worthy cause.
1t is true that his society publishes
a small periodical. but We never heard
Of his even soliciting subscriptions for
It. This man was heard by the State
Beard OF Horticulture and lectured in
most Of the cities and towns. He met
with some little sympathy but less sue
cess. On one line however, he struck
a chord that vibrated sympathetically
with the interests Of all horticulturists.
He urged upon them that they should
aid him in spreading the gospel OF
fruitarianisn, because it would SO large
ly augment the home consumption of
California fruits as to add gold lin
ings to the pockets of the orchardists.
That was the only Yankee shading
to the mans mission. In all else he
was lacking in force and push, or he