The San Francisco call., 1908-04-26

CALIFORNIA is the first state in the
union in the production OF
peaches. plums, prunes, pears, ap-
ricots, grapes, oranges, lemons, grape
fruit olives, figs, nuts and cherries
While il was originally known as the
gold state" it has achieved fame as
the fruit state" and this reputation
is established in all portions of the
world. The man with the hoe" delv-
irg In the soil of California has pro-
duced from the orchard and field more
than s5O.00o.000 a year. Whatever
fruit or vegetable grows in any part
of California may be found maturing
perfectly in Alameda county. One
hundred ans thirty distinct agricul-
tural and horticultural products Of the
county have been enumerated Ala
media sets her table for the world and
not even the epicureans of the older
day <ould cavil
Maturing at all seasons of the year,
garden flowers and flowers of the
field lend their infinite charms to deco
rate the land. In sheltered hooks and
on sunny hillsides, over the full extent
of Towering leagues. in the springtime
the eschscholtzia or California poppy
shines like FURNISHED gold. The acacia
scents the air with its myriads Of yeI-
low blossoms, amid which the bees buzz
and feast all day long. Roses Of al
most endless variety and absolute per
lection, magnificent and redolent with
the sweetest Of perfumes, blossom by
every home and the clinging tendrils
OF the bushes help to embower cot
tages and stately residences alike in
masses of verdure and flowers THAT
reach to roof tops. Thousands of
palm trees raise their splendidxfronds
TO the sun Every flower and every
ornamental tree or shrub that is known
to the world decks the landscape.
Where the creeks run or at any place
-vhere there are natural forest growths
the splendidly colored madrone, the
fragrant bay tree, the picturesque oak,
the manzanita-aIl natives OF Califor-
nia-give shade and shelter. In gar
dens and on lawns the white fiowered
magnolia raises its splendid blossoms
among its wealth of FURNISHED leaves.
The red berries of the pepper tree shine
brilliantly on every side. The tall and
slim silver poplars" stand along the
highways and improved streets, straight
as grenadiers. The eucalypti run COM
pletely the gamut of colors with their
tinted leaves and are the despair and
admiration Of artists.
Such products as grow from the soil
of California in Alameda county have
gained the favor OF the world in many
lands and have triumphed in competi-
tion with the fruitage of countries that
for centuries were able to maintain a
monopoly with their characteristic hor-
ticulture and agriculture. The prune
Of France has been driven from the
mark& Of the United States by the
California prune. The wines of France
Italy, Germany and Spain have been
largely routed. Oranges and lemons
from Spain, Sicily and the West Indies
have been supplanted. The raisins of
Spain and the currants Of Greece have
been compelled to take back seats. The
figs of Smyrna and the nuts and olive
oil of Spain and France are steadily
being displaced. With the exception of
raisins, each and every one of these
products grow in large commercial
quantities. in Alameda county, directly
opposite and but a few miles distant
from San Francisco. The beet that
Yields sugar and the tobacco that
are well and extensively cultivated
United States Senator George c. Per-
kins. writing Of the future California,
makes the following statements that