The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-02
SUGAR INDUSTRY
California; HOPE
Insures Prosperity in the
Future.
BIG PROFITS FOR FARMERS
REPORT OF THE STATE BOARD
OF AGRICULTURE.
Attention of Congress Is Directed to
the Urgent Need of General
System of Irrigation
for Ihis State.
REPORT OF THE STATE BOARD
OF AGRICULTURE.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


SACRAMENTO, Feb. 1.-The annual
meeting of the State Board of Agri-
culture. was held this afternoon, but
owing to the absence of several mem
bers very little business was transacted
Resolutions were adopted expressive Of
the boards respect for Directors Chase
and Boggs, whose deaths occurred since
the last meeting. The board approved
the annual report as prepared by Secre-
tary Edwin F. Smith, to be presented
to Governor Gage.
The resolutions in respect to the death
of Director Charles NJ. Chase refer to
his twenty years service as member
of the board and speak of him as a
public-spirited citizen, ever ready to
advance the interests of his adopted
State, and one whose character was a
standard for the emulation of his fell
lows. Speaking of Director Boggs the
resolutions recognize that in his death
the State has been deprived of one OF It's
pioneer and foremost citizens, whose
early occupation in this State blazed
the way for the successful workers that
have followed. The resolutions charac-
terize the deceased member as man
who was alive to progress and favored
improved methods in every line or MS
extensive enterprises.
The annual report of the board to the
Governor deals with the abnormal
climatic conditions which existed dur
ing the year 1898; refers to the impro-
vision of methods for trrigating lands
and for the purpose of saving stock.
The business of the State, however, is
declared not to have suffered as much
as it would have under similar cond1-
lions ten years ago. inasmuch as other
productive industries and trades have
advanced to such an extent that Cali
fornia is not wholly dependent upon
grain growing, as in former years.
The total wheat yield for the past
year as figured at the office of the
agricultural society was II, AGO. SS
bushels, which was a much larger
amount than was expected at the close
of harvest The largest and best yield
is declared to have come from the river
lands and upper part of the Sacramento
Valley.
The report refers to the attention
Congress is giving to the question of
| irrigation, and adds:
1t should be plain to every soil producer
of California with the experiences of the
season just closed that general system
of irrigation is wanted and which would
be of incalculable value to our agricul-
tural resources, thereby insurtng an an
nual output and reducing to a minimum
the chances of crop failures that appear
periodically through lack of moisture.
The idea is to our mind most practicable
and should be pushed to completion with
out delay. There is at the present time
more idle capital available for permanent
investment than for many years past, ow-
ing to the absence of large enterprises
for its employment.
The report expresses the belief that
the beet sugar industry will eventually
make California prosperous in all sec
lions. The report says:
Land adapted to sugar beet growing
will average fourteen or: fifteen tons TO
the acre, from which the farmer will
varying conditions and location, but will
in general range from $50 to $40 an acre.
The farmer will thus net $50 to $50 per
acre on his seasons crop. bo.,s 90 e. :
ton which was the fixed price for the
season of 1898. With an increase of SO
cents per ton. the contract price for the
coming season, the outlook is extremely
bright for the beet raiser.
The report calls upon the Legislature
to aid in the development of the good
road idea in this State. Mention is
made of the cattle and sheep interests,
and figures are given relative to the
fruit crop. The establishment of free
market In San Francisco for the dispo
sition of the soil products of the State
OF the State fair, the report remarks
that it well serves a purpose, and could
not be substituted by any other plan
of a public nature for advertising the
possibilities of the state.
The financial statement of the board
shows that the total Indebtedness of
the society at this date is $25,505 Is.
During the year past the Indebtedness
was reduced 1888 SO by the practice
of economy, and the board believes that
in two years the present Indebtedness
practically will have been wiped out.
The Board of Agriculture has under
way the disposal of the agricultural
park property in this city, the proceeds
to be devoted to the purchase of a new
site. Recently citizen of Sacramento
filed a suit to require the board to re-
invest the sale proceeds in this county.
Peter J. Shields, the secretary, who will
assume office next spring, has received
a letter from President A. B. Spreckels,
in which he says that personally he IA
vors the contention of the citizen bring
ing the suit. Director ]. w. Wilson
said to The Call correspondent tonight
that every member Of the board was in
favor of relocating the Agricultural
Park in Sacramento.