The herald., 1897-12-30
The closine Year

y. Xue year 1Uy( mas Deeu epeclaliy goou
0poch Tor the farmer Of Southern Califor-
Sla. ~ generous rainfall, reaching IN
many sections upwards Of % inches. gave
early promise of bountiful harvests,
which were faithfully kept. The citrus
Industry. especially the orange produc-
tion, has become Of supreme Importance.
The present years product is estimated
~ conservative authorities at 10, 900 car
loads 6f oranges and 1000 Of lemons. This
IL ~ far the finest crop We have ever
harvested. II 30 per cent was frosted.
which ID probably not true. we should
& Gtlu have 1000 carloads more than last
years product. Again an unprecedent-
edIy large shipment OF oranges was made
Tor the holiday trade. This early ripen-
ing ID Of great advantage, as this early
fruit brings an exceptionally high price.
The outlook for prices for tho whole sea-
sons shipment is also most gratifying.
Through institutes, clubs and other edu-
cational influences the orchards were
never 80 well cared for a. during the
past year. This IL especially true in re-
spect to insect depredations. The scale
insects have been very generally de-
stroyed and 30 the fruit will be excep-
tionally clean and perfect.
The deciduous fruit product was not
20 large a. In some seasons, but the fruit
was nne. It IL to be hoped that de-
ciduous fruit exchange" may soon be in
successful operation and will do for our
dried fruits what the citrus exchange
has done for the orange.
The nut crops have been fine. and the
prices have been better than for some
80 H<ok tn xvro1 Al =
growers are feeling pleased with the
years returns. The same is true Of the
raisin interest which about Etiwanda.
Cucamonga and Ell Cajon 10 Of no mean
importance. The crop the present sea-
son has been flne and the prices more
satisfactory than for years. Wise action
Of farmers club and the formation Of
an exchange in our state have given
substantial aid to all California raisin
producers. The grain product Of South
ern California, though not startling In
amount, was satisfactory, and the prices
were more than double those of the years
Immediately preceding, so that many a
grain rancher was able to lift the omi-
nous mortgages which had SO long
proved heavy burden and grievous to
be borne.
The beet industry is becoming very
important factor In our rural economy.
with two large sugar factories in sue
cessful operation and third well under
way and sure to be in action another
season, It is easy to see that beat farm
ing Is already matter in which we
should all take q profound interest. Ow-
ing to unfortunate contracts, the far
nlerS at Chino the past season were made
to suffer and feel deeply asgrieved. But
the year has been valuable In Its les
sons, and II 1t secures to the producers
such contracts as give entire satisfaction
at Watsonville whereby the factory
0tipulates to take all beets raised as per
stipulation at an agreed price per ton
Ut IL "a at Watsonville), It will be q
good year even to the Chino farmers.
Hay has brought good price. and SO
the alfalfa farmer, who is SO sure of
great crops, and of keeping his fields at
the top notch Of fertility at the same
time Is rejoicing in his usual prosperity.
More and more the rich low lands are
being devoted to gardening. The intel
ligent gardener, In producing celery.
rhubarb. ETC., finds that he need have
no fear Of his Chinese competitor. His
Intelligence, acumen and thrift are more
than match for the assiduity Of the un-
changing Mongolian. All in all. the
farmers are content. and look hopefully
to the future. for, with more perfect or
ganisation and cooperation. which is
speedily to come. still brighter day is
just upon them. BY united action they
secured the one cent tariff. which Is only
proof of what may be secured when we
all come to act together.