The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-12-14


California's golden harvests? In the
thousand miles of extent are to be
found very nearly every conceivable
product of the soil. 1t is some so
years since the whole world was ring
ing with the startling tales of the
great gold discoveries in California,
and at that time the country had little
other industry than pastoral pursuits.
what abated immigrants began to rec
ognize the immense fertility of the
soil, and the era of the great wheat
farms commenced, many of them be-
ing from 10000 acres to $4,000 acres
In extent. Some of these still remain,
though the tendency now is to divide
these big holdings and invite settle
ment by small farmers, fruit raisers
and cattlemen. On such big areas as
these wheat farms wholesale methods
are imperative, and harvesting can
only be accomplished by the aid of ma
chimes, drawn by as many as 80
horses or mules, which cut and thresh
the grain, delivering it in sacks ready
for shipment Large gang-plows, haul
ed by traction engines, are also en-
ployed. But great as was the produc-
ton of gold and wheat, 1t was soon
to be surpassed by that of the or
chards, for which the state has earned
such worldwide fame. Although 20
years ago California production made
but little impression upon the fruit
markets of the United States, last
years shipments from her orchards,
vineyards and gardens to points be-
yond the state aggregated some 1,000,-
900 tons! California is, above all
things, land of horticulture-of or
anges, lemons, grape fruit, apricots,
peaches, pears, olives, prunes, ounces,
guavas, bananas, loquats, nectarines,
pomegranates, cherries and plums.
1t is land Of many products-gold
and silver, fruits, vegetables, flowers,
wool, hay, cattle, cranberries, walnuts,
almonds, sugar beet, melons and wine
This is not to be wondered at when the
fact is grasped that the climate gives
300 days of sunshine every year, and
that no rain falls from June to Novem-
Der. In the northern part of the
state you may stand beside a field of
corn of as fine growth as can be found
anywhere in the world, which has
never had drop Of rain since 1t was
sown, has not besp irrigated, and will,
in all likelihood. se harvested without
having been toTSned by any moisture
whatever. Although the climate of
the northern, central and southern por-
tons of the state are substantially the
same. e., agricultural and horticul-
tural products being found in ATTITUDES
700 miles apart-the rainfall dimin-
ishes as you go to the south, ranging
from a total rainfall of some 40
inches in the north to some six inches
in the south, the temperature differ
ing but little. In the locali-
ties of least annual rainfall
irrigation has been resorted to, and at
the present time something like 2,00O,-
600 acres, comprising $4,000 irrigated
farms, are thus being watered.
The canning and sun-drying of fruit
are big industries. and the products
are known the world over. The proc
ess of sun-drying peaches, apricots
and prunes proves the dryness of the
climate, as were there much moisture
in the atmosphere it would be impos-
sible for the sun to abstract, as it does,
the whole of the moisture from the
fruit.
The lack of labor is the most serious
trouble in California, especially to the
orchardist; at harvest time there is
work for every man, woman and child
in the country, but the demand is
greater than the supply. Every va
riety of soil and location is at the dis
posal of the farmer, so that If he has
any hobby in agriculture there will be
no difficulty in selecting the right spot
for its exercise. II he prefers to pur-
sue any special line-grain or fruit,
grapes or vegetables, stock CT poultry
the proper conditions are to be
found, or If he prefers to pursue them
all combined he may do so. Livestock
raising .s very largely and successful