The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, September 9, 1903, Page 22

peaks with pwers, Cali- t reachea ed impatiently The plo- discovery of treams or in the channels of t rivers of a forgotten era of world fold other and was succeeded by equally as importa: dustry. neers has become the exit e vast vol of com: ves between the cities of and the farthermost e soil of any transplanted in Cal abitat; large part of t its and tables the egetables on the women in More Fruitful Than Old Nile Is Alluvium of California. ’ power easily tric energy conve spindie of all ki places tha have bec unfruitful ¥ scurces of cheap fuel that is practica ible and have solved all questions t have arisen in thi State of m turing operations on a sigantic &ca It is a true story and eternally im- pressive that th hundreds of mil- Mons of the inhabitants of Asia whom California can confidently xpect to and more abundantly with lilons of acres of in California v capable of giv reals and in fruits the wi sts when the virgin soi world ar output in ¢ vastly g in v drcams of the argona saw the miliions of goid that were secured with the pan and rocker and the prim- tive iances of mining that were in vogue e romantic . f the Nile is not more fruit- touched realms of agri- horticulture in certai the inventiveness of Cal ged. From rude be- as never ginnings California brought the science of mining to its present proud eminence. The cultivated flowers of the gardens of the world ) fruits that & d to be brought here. All e now known in the United s and the more common varieties were unkrown in this land of California unti] man conveyed them thither. Sclence has in California differentiated and improved many fruits. The Burbank potato las now world wids.vogue. “The Riverside Navel” pioneered the way to a large market for Califorria’s citrus fruits. Restiess ingenuity has found out the way THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, WEDNESDAY., SEPTEMBER 9. 1903. to make the Smyrna fig thrive in the val- of this State by the simple device of ng the blastophaga or fig wasp lands of the Mediterranean. sect pests that threat- the snfronted with ened tbe Integrity of great horticultural m rests, the facile minded Californian has searched the world over and discov- ered the hostile organism that, preying upon the pests, has destroyed them. It may be profitable to turn a glance backward and briefly review material con- ditions as they were known to the Ameri- can when they first visited California. As the virgin lands were then so they are now. The presage of the future was before the eyes of the early settlers. At first they were unable to divine the greatness that was In store for thelir adopted home. Experfence and accumu- lated wisdom and manifold successes of those who came after the ploneers, and who are now leading this State to still greater achlevements, have opencd the book of the future so that all may read. What has been done in countless In- stances to make the land blossom as the rose can be repeated infinitely. The kiss of the ardent sun is always here during the long summer months, the season of fruitage. Water alone is needed to convert seeming waste areas into vine- yards and orchards. From the desert that encompassed him the energetic dweller of Southern California has wrested its domain and countless orange orchards scent the air with spicy odor and grow heavy with golden fruit. Hardly any sec- tion of California in the valleys or In the foothills but is stored with bensible possibilities of horticultural wealth. Water in many sections is not indespensal Huge crops are produced annually in orchards and fields where ir- rigation is not practiced. The intelligent observer, passing through the cuitivated portions of Call- fornia, may see as clearly as can those who are of this State the future from the light of the present. All that is neces- sary is to have the attention of the world intelligently attracted. The result is as sure in its bearing upon the growth of incompre- the population of California as is the diurnal succession of light after darkness. Mission Fathers Plant Seeds of Country’s Future Power. T is due to those who have carried California along on the highway to- ward her ultimate proud destiny to t occasional pictures of the realities of the past, that their deeds may be ap- preciated, that the future may be dimly fcreshadowed. The realization of fifty more beside this western sea will ¥ exceed the highest expectations years So then let us look back to the time when the planting of California with its racteristic products began. in the days of the historic old They brought the orange, the the olive, vegetable children of the clime where sunshine is always opulent and where man has bounties offered to him, on every hand, by ever generous nature. Historic records tell us that the olive tree was introduced into California in , from San Blas, Mexico, by an expe- dition of Franciscans sent to take charge of the Jesuit missions in California. The Russians obtained a foothold here ¥ in the nineteenth centurv, planted orchard of mixed deciduous fruits at Fort Ross as early as 1812. The Russian ards, like those of the Mission s, were not planted from a com- consideration. but to supply their respective owners with frult for home consumptidn. However, like the corre- sponding industry in the south, it served to prove that fruit would grow in Call- fornia, and thus became the ploneer of the present great wealth producing indus- try of the State. The fruits introduced into the two sec- tions of the State were characteristic of the countries from which thev were brought. The chief fruits brought by the Fathers were oranges, figs, grapes and olives—all fruits of genial southern clime. They met on common ground in Califor- nia with those of the more rugged climate of the north—apples, pears and cherries, —introduced by the Russian pioneers. The varieties of fruits grown in the missions of Lower California, whence the ciscans derived their stock, were few in number and consisted of figs, citrons, oranges, pomegranates, plantains, olives and dates. There were no fruits of the north temperate zone, unless it were a few peaches of very indifferent quality, which did not thrive well and were not regarded as worth much consideration. The Franciscans made their first stop at San Diego in 1769 and proceeded from that point northward, establishing alto- gether twenty-one missions, the last one being at Sonoma in 1823. At each of thelr missions the fathers planted orchards, The missions were a very small part of California, but they thoroughly taught the lesson of horticultural possibflities, in primitive aspect, to the Americans when they came to dwell in their land. Hor- ticultural areas were extended irrespect- ive of the latitude until now the orange is cuitivated successfully hundreds of vine, € an Fath mercia miles north from its original seeding at San Diego. With the olive and the orange is nat- urally assoclated the nut. The walnut is a native of Persia. The Franciscans in- troduced it to California at their missions. In the mission yards are still to be seen walnut trees of the early plantings in the eighteenth century, Fevered Haste of Early Miners Finds Only Surface Gold. T is of common knowledge that Cali- Irorn:a pioneers did not for a period pay any systematic attention to the developing of any Interest except that of mining. Some enterprising men who saw that there would be a demand for fruit got possession of existing orchards. There were few who Intended to permanently remain in the country, the future of which appeared to be largely dependent upon the duration of the period of productive gold placers. The first gold period stands apart. It was an episode in the march forward, tilled with incident and adventure, with the fever of riches suddenly gained, with the tragedies which naturally resulted from a hardly organized community to which bold and lawless spirits were at- tracted by riches that seemed to be easily in reach of all: by unrest, enterprise, ro- mance; with life lived at high tension, with disappointments bitterer than death. On the following page appears an ac- P— T— ogENE— N GoOOPWIX, .. 2esizror I e TACIFIG COYMERCL - When the agricultural crop Is out of the ground it only gives way for a new one of equal worth. In California, where the sclence of agriculture and horticulture is steadily advancing, the new crop has a better outlook frequently than any of its predecessors. History of Operations in Diggings Considered as Continuous. N & sense there can never truthfully be sald that in California any one period has ever ended. The produc- tlon of gold is still very large, and will be larger in all probability. In the opinion of miners of intelligence the exploitation of the quartz ledges. of Califor- nia is not anywhere near Iits most productive period. To the front has come copper, and probably petroleum, the annual California output of each of these mineral deposits being estimated in the millions of dollars. The placers are not completely exhausted. Auriferous sands are worked profitably and on a very large scale by the process of dredg- ing, which was unknown to the world when the “Forty-niners” entered this fa- vored land. As {llustrative of the genius of the early California miners and as indicative of the mental characteristics of the Californians, an essentlal factor in considering the ad- vance of the State, some allusion to the PRESIOENT SETY FRANCISCO T CHANMIEL— o NERCHINTS T CHAERE, o ASSOCIATZN count of the development of what may be fairly styled the industrial period of Cali- fornia. That could not be understood ad- equately without some knowledge of the first “days of gold.” Over those days the glamour of the past is thrown and mem- ory fondly reverts to life at high tide, but the fact is that the present of this State is more uniformly prosperous than at any past time, and during the Inter- vening years the foundations for a cer- tain and wonderful advance have been surely laid. A gold deposit, being a definite quantity of precious mineral lald down by nature, is to be exhausted and expended. When the goid is out the mine is valueless. State’s Achievements Ty Feayesseo. .. mining methods that have been Success- fully pursued In the beds of streams and on the ledges and in flelds where the dredges have been worked advantageously is germane to the general purpose of this article. During a period of half a century Cali- fornia produced, in gold, an average an- nual output of more than $26,000,000, ac- cording to the statements made by E. B. H. Benjamin, secretary of the California Miners' Assoclation, who had access to all rellable sources of information and sthtistical compilations referring to the mineral production of this State, Hydraulic and Milling Operations Succeed Pick and Pan. ROM the primitive rocker for gold mining to the mill of 100 falling stamps for crushing the gold-bear- ing quarta is a long distance, but nearly every successive step has been first taken in this State, where modern mining meth- ods had their origin and development. Charles G. Yale, in a book published by E. T. Benjamin, “California Mines and Minerals,” tells how gold mining ad- vanced from the start. In the earlier history of gold mining in California the main portion of the precious metal was produced from the placers or sur- face washings, in the gulches canyons and river bars and beds. Gradually, however, was to be expected, the area for this kind of mining was narrowed as the ground was worked out and then attention was turned to other sources of gold supply, Finding, as the miners of those days aid, these auriterous deposits at only certaln points, they very naturally looked for the source of the free placer gold. This led to the search for quartz veins and also for the large beds of auriferous gravel which were contained in the hills of the mining countles of the State. In time the deep gravel deposits were found and located and the quartz ledges were opened and developed. Then the character of the min- ing population changed. In this connection it is interesting to note that experience had to be reiled upon for advancement in ali branches of indus- try in California. This has led to the sure and safe grounding of these cnter- prises, errors being the best pilots after all by showing clearly what is to La avioded. There were mistakes in mining methods, and there have been mistakes in horticulture and agriculture, while areas of land, In agriculture, have been devoted to one special crop, which meant that eith~r there would be a large loss or great gain, so that the element of gam- bling entered very largely into the prop- osition. But mining and horticuiture have advanced in this State far beyond other parts of the world in many import- ant particulars. Concerning the errors in old mining Charles Yale wrote in the volume before mentioned: In the earlier days of gold mining in this State some very foolish and extravagant ideas prevalled and many mistakes were made. As & result many mines had to be abandoned after more or less loss and people came to look upon gold quartz mining as risky business. It was found ultimately that the fault lay more with the men than with the mines. Basing the entire yield of & lode on a few rich epeci- mens of ore from a chimney was found to be fallacious; and experience taught the lesson that & good solld ledge of average ore was far more valuable than a mere pocket mine rich with specimens, Not in Mine Alone Does California Find Her Stored Wealth. URING the first period of the de- D velopment of California may be in- cluded the beginnings of horticul- ture. The growth of all branches of activity in California has been at- tended with stages of development. It is tmpossible to show with great accuracy the progress of the march of the industries resting upon the culti- wvation of the soll. There have been retro- grade movements. The phylloxera has caused the rooting up of many vineyards, but the discovery of resistant vines fol- lowed and the cultivation of the vine was resumed on a great scale. Varlous crops have been discontinued in different sea- sons for some reason, but, as stated some distance back In the foregoing, no indus- try and no branch of any industry in this State that has been planned in advance with intelligence has been permanently discontinued. All enterprises survive from tHe beginning, if once interrupted to be afterward resumed. The gradual evolution of the fruit and ‘agricultural interests has made it profit- less to attempt a detalled review from year to year, or from period to period in this connection, at this immediate time. In all directions agricultural and horticultu- ral areas have been extended. Not less true is it that the manufacturing and shipping industries and commerce of Cal- ffornia have also been attended with stages of gradual development. On the succeeding page the present aspect of va- rious branches of industrial endeavor is outlined In striking statistics that are de- rived from unquestionably authentic sources. It remains here to give some gort of a summary of the mining period, which may be made to include the re- turns up to a comparatively recent date; but no reader should imagine that the mining industry is anywhere near its end. The official returns of the Californa State Mineralogist for the year 1902 are not yet at hand. Consequently the data of 1901 must here stand for fllustration of the present condition of mining in this State. It is of common knowledge thut the production of mineral oil, petcoleum, has not increased according to possibili- ties for growth. This is not due te Jack of facilities. Producing California of: {s comparatively a new industry and is stil in a primary period of evolution. 1t has reached a business basis to some extent 1o thyt the speculative pericd of gambling in ofl rhares In newly hatched companies of questionable value has passed very largely. But the ofl producing Industry had aif- ferent cénditions to meet st the start than had gold. There could never have been enough gold taken from the soil of California to destroy its market value at any time, the fact being that the precious metal is itself generally accepted as the basis of value and as contalning real valus. On the other hand, mineral oil that was sought with hardly less eager- ness than was gold a few years ago is subject to the fluctuations of the market and has had to contend with pecullar conditions at the outset. Acres stored with millions of barrels of ofl that could be brought readily to the surface and made ready for transporta- tion to points of consumption at s cost of & few cents per barrel have remalined untouched In myriads of instances where experimental - wells have demonstrated conclusively its existence. The evolution of a market has been a part of the de- velopment of petroleum mining as an in- dustry. Bearing these conditions in mind it will appear too evident that the ofl industry is but in its inciplency, although already of vast proportions. The discovery of petroleum in practio- ally inexhaustible quantities in California is asserted by Intelligent observers to be equal In its importance, In the further advancement of this State, with the find- ing of gold. Statistics © Show Midas Treasure Torn From Granite Hills. HE gold output of California, in- Z cluding the year 1901, has been esti- mated by Charles Yale to amount to $1,362,365,088. The greatest produc- tion recorded was In the year 1553, when the total was $51,294700. The gold output for the year 1348 was estimated with very different resuits, the figures going from $245,301 to $10,000,000. The conservative view is taken by Yale, who is the statisticlan of both the United States Mint In this city and of the State Mining Bureau, and he places the total at $245,301 The next year the total rose to $10,151,- 3. In 1550 the output in gold was $4l.- 273,106; in 1551 it was $75,938,232; In 1552 the total was $51,294,700; In 1854 It was $69,433,- 931; In 1855 the amount was $55,485,39; the year 1856 made a record of production of $57,509,411. Then the product ran between $10,000,000 and $46,000,000 per annum for a series of years extending from 1857 to 1861, inclusive of both years mentioned. Then came records in successive years of 333~ 854,668, $23,501,736, $24,071,423 and #6 on. The surface placers had been largely ex- hausted. The quartz, drift, hydraulic and other mining eras, the latest being the gold dredging period, were ushered in as the gold industry evolved. Minerals other than gold have been found incidental to the mining of goid. Greater economies have revived old gold mines that once were discarded because the former owners did not know how to make them profitable or because the im- mediate returns did not fulfill the glit- tering dreams that were entertained when the deposits were unsclentifically opened for production. Great mineral industries apart from gold have come Into existence, not sprung suddenly into the light, but produced by careful and systematic ef- forts following discoveries. In the year 191 the gold output of Cal- ifornia was $16,980,044. The total mineral output of the State for the year 191 was $34,355,981. From this it will be seen that sold in 1%1 was less than half of the value of the minerals of California pro- duced that year. A discovery that may be of vast im- portance to California and to the world has been made in Death Valley. It is now supposed that there is a sufficient quan- tity of niter in that desert and forbidding section to supply the entire world. For many years Chile has had the monopoly of the production of niter for the man- ufacture of powder for military and for mining use. Two large concerns are now exploiting Death Valley for niter. The inhospitable sands of that torrid region have long supplied vast quantities of bo- rax annually. If the expectations of the men who are exploiting the desert for niter shall Be realized the deserts that have yielded gold, petroleum in untold quantities and borax WM prove to be as well enriched by nature as any part of the wide area known as California. By the banks of rivers, in the fat, al- hat lie along the rivers and by the mbuntain streams that foam down the flanks of the high Sierra the new gold dredgers are toiling in several coun- ties. In the north daily and nightly rise the steam and smoke banners that tel where the smelters are at work on Cal- ifornia copper. And in a large array of counties there are forests of derricks that indicate where petroleum is'being mined to propel the machinery of California and to be used in the furnaces of locomotives and steamships. Clearly the mining era is far from being ended. It will not come to a close in a century yet. It will be greater than ever in the “days of " luvial land: