The San Francisco call., 1899-05-26
THE STATE AIR.

THE president OF the State Board of Agriculture
has addressed to the Supervisors OF each county
and municipality within the State letter in re-
laon to the State Fair be held this year that de-
serves the most earnest attention and invites prompt
and intelligent action He proposes that in addition
to its usual features, separate local exhibitions shall
be made of agricultural and industrial products so
that the fair may be a complete representation not
onv of the State as whole but of each of its parts
The wisdom of this suggestion is apparent at a
glance and with the detailed information contained
in the letter and with the facilities for which the most
ample preparation has been made it can be easily
and effectively adopted These State Fairs for many
years extending back almost to the date of our ad
mission into the Union, have been notable events in
our history From year to year they have illustrated
our progress in stock breeding and in staple agricu
tura productions that peculiar to any locality
1t has been surprising observe the amount OF CAPT
ta OF science and of methodcal industry that have
been applied in California to the Improvement OF
horses cattle and all other domestic animals and to
the diversified lines of agriculture and horticulture
This State is in the extreme West but in these most
important elements OF natural wealth, in the rapid in
PRODUCTION and OF important inventions and in the
adaptation of the best methods OF cultivation to
unique conditions, it has not been surpassed in the
East or in the South and it is in advance of nearly
if not quite all the commonwealth the Pacific side
OF the Missouri River.
The Berkeley University has been important
factor in the scientific development OF our agricu-
tura and horticultural systems which are steadily ad-
vancing The State Fairs have also been supplemented
by County and District Fairs But it is now intended
that our central annual exhibition, which has the
prestige OF age and of uniform success, and attracts
visitors in large numbers both from within and with
boundaries, shall be perfected by the op-
claims There is scarcely a county in the State that
in addition to its participation in general branches Of
produconydoes not possess some features OF industry
peculiar to itself or in which it has become con-
spicuous. The artistic presentation OF these attrac-
tions, according to the admirable plan to which we
have adverted, will constitute series OF invitations
to the right class OF immigrants, who will thus be
enabled to choose localities for settlement adapted
their individual preferences and experiences 1t will
also stimulate that generous rivalry which is divested
OF the meanness of some kinds of competition, and
which is among the most effective superinducing
causes of solid and durable progress.
The mining industry this coast is of great and
increasing consequence There are many other fields
OF enterprise that demand and receive constant atten
ton But it must be remembered that horticulture
and agriculture still retain their pre-emnence
throughout the United States and are the solid foun
dations upon which trade, commerce and manufacture
all their substantial forms securely rest The re-
sources of California aided by an incompatible eli
mate, are inexhaustibe, and in themselves are ca
pable OF sustaining vastly multiplied population 1t
is gratifying to observe that, in the midst of our
Asiatic and mperiaistc projects they still command
the close and unreaxing attention of many of our
best citizens.
The State Agricultural Society will unquestionably
receive the cooperation it has invited from the legs-
latve bodies in each county and municipality to which
this latest communication has been addressed and
official energy locally exerted will effectively aid in
marking the State Fair of 1890 as a distinct advance
upon its predecessors The influence OF the State
could not be more benefciay exercised.