The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-08-04

Preparing the ground for the coming
wheat crop in California differs little from
the methods used in other countries, though
''deep'' blowing is not common. On the
higher lands the furrow is never over 6
inches in depth, and rarely over 5 inches
Deeper blowing is thought to dry out the
land too fast and is avoided on that ac-
count. Summer following is on the in
crease, and to allow absolute rest in alter
nate years is more and more encouraged.
Five crops in ten years aggregate, it Is
found by experience, as much as yearly
crops would do. In summer following,
blowing during the late spring rains is the
custom. The land lies undisturbed, with
the exception Of running over weeder
during the season. On the first rain the
cultivator is run over the ground, which
is seeded at the same time, and then cul-
tivation is over. No further attention is
required until the maturity of the crop.
The marketing of California wheat bears
no resemblance to the methods of the great
Northwest. Wheat in bulk is unmarked
able Shippers and exporters refuse to
handle it. A cargo in bulk was once sent
to Liverpool; the ship was never heard
from. Since that time shipments in sacks
only are permitted. Otherwise no insur-
ance can be effected.
San Francisco, Port Costa and Stockton
are the great tidewater markets for wheat
The latter city is the great manufacturing
center of the coast. Its great -four mills
turn out 5000 barrels every day. 1t is
at the head of navigation of the San Joa-
quin River system and an important sta
ton of two transcontineutal roads. Its
warehouses have capacity for 100, 600
tons. Its -four is known the world over.
The flour mills of the State have capac-
ity of 10000 barrels daily. San Fran
cisco has warehouse capacity of 10, 600
tons, under the control Of the Produce Elk
change. All foreign shipments are ar
ranged at this port, and every question OF
values, insurance, or exchange adjudicated
The operations of the Produce Exchange
are enormous in their volume, and it enjoys
the unlimited confidence of merchants,
foreign and at home.
Port Costa, forty miles north Of San
Francisco, on the bay, has warehouse ia
cilties for 29O, 900 tons The great store
houses extend for miles along the water
front, and at these docks ships from all
over the world find the best facilities for
prompt loading. This point is the head
of deep water navigation on San Francisco
Bay, and there have been seen forty yes
sells at the docks at one time, all waiting
for cargoes for foreign countries.
California wheat and -four find market
in Europe, Mexico, Central and South
America, Australia, China and Japan.
The islands of the Pacific are taking in
creased quantities Siberia is becoming
an active customer, and South Africa,
until war interrupted, consumed large
amounts. Flour as well as wheat is han
died only in sacks.
The future of California wheat is de-
pendent upon price. At rate remunera-
tive to the grower the quantity now raised
could be greatly exceeded. With plen-
tiful supply of moisture, such as an intel
ligent conservation of the resources of
streams now going to waste would assure,
the wheat crop of the State could be quad
rnnlad