The herald., 1897-02-27
address all communications Of an agri-
cultural nature to the Agricultural Editor.)
Opportunities for Investm

Opportunities for Investment
Attention is being attracted to our
fruit Industry of California by the ef-
forts now being made by representatives
from this state to secure an advance
ment In tariff rates which shall be almost
prohibitive. In some sections 1t is be-
lieved that the fruit industry in Cali
fornia Is overdone and In other sections
1t is believed to be in condition which
results only in loss to the producers.
Neither of these views Is correct, as 1t
is fact substantiated by figures which
cannot lie that the production and mar
keting of fruit In this state has proven
fully as profitable. year by year, as has
any form of horticultural or agricultur
al labor in any state In the union. In
fact no business. commercial or manu-
featuring, has been more successful
during the past ten years than has that
of producing fruit in California.
There are reverses and losses in all
trade ventures, but no more in this than
In others. Not all the manufacturers
of wagons in Illinois, or of plows in
Ohio, or Of furniture in Michigan grow
rich, or even make a success of their
business. Not all Of the wheat growers
of Minnesota, or hop producers of Wis
consin. or dairymen of New York make
fortunes out OF their business or even
succeed in paying off all Of their mort
cages. An occasional failure among the
orange growers or fruit packers of Cal
ifornia should not, therefore. discourage
others from going into the business.
1t is true that too many people may
go into one kind Of business and glut
the markets with their products. to their
own loss and the discouragement of
others. Until we can arrange to properly
market the magnificent oranges which
Southern California produces-oranges
which competent judges pronounce the
finest in the world-there should be
limit to the acreage planted. Until we
can educate the eastern palate to an
appreciation of the virtues contained
within the skin of the pomelo we must
go slow about crowding the market with
that appetizing citrus fruit. There Is no
difficulty in disposing of all our dried
apricots. peaches. prunes and such fruit
at a paying figure, If properly prepared
for the market. Fruit growers must re-
member, however, that the American
buys with the eye, and only tempting
appearance guarantees high price for
fruit.
One article of California production
is still in its infancy-the olive. Up to
date we cannot supply the local demand
for the ripe picked olive Of California,
and our olive oil sells for the highest
price in the markets of the world. The
epicure who has once tasted ripe Cal
ifornia olive, properly prepared. will
thereafter eat no more green Spanish
olives, which are just as fit to be eaten as
a vanished wooden nutmeg would be.
There are thousands upon thousands
Of acres of land in Southern California
today bearing nothing but sagebrush
and alfllaria which will produce the
finest olives in the world If properly
planted and cared for. All the hills sur
rounding Los Angeles could be covered
with olive trees, yielding an income and
beautifying the surroundings, giving
employment to worthy men and women
and increasing the value Of all the ad-
jacent lands. There are golden oppor-
tunities for investment in this line
which will quickly commend themselves
to the crowds of eastern tourists and
home-seekers now wintering in Los An
geles.