INTRODUCTION.

In preparing this, the tenth volume of Transactions of the State Agricultural Society, for publication, the chief aim has been to present to the reader a truthful index of the resources of the State and their present stage of development. Experience has taught us that, among the many patrons of the Society, each one expects to find in the report of its transactions something interesting and instructive touching not only every branch of industry now pursued in the State, but also some information relative to every branch that might or should be introduced. We have, to a certain extent, endeavored to answer this expectation; and while to succeed fully we know would be an impossibility, yet we believe we have not entirely failed, and we hope the present volume will prove not only interesting but valuable to all classes of the community.

The Society recognizes Agriculture, which must always be the chief occupation of our people, as its prime object of support; but as all other branches of industry are closely allied to and dependent upon Agriculture for their existence and prosperity, so the Society recognizes all industrial pursuits as among the legitimate objects of its fostering care.

While one of the principal means of aiding in the developing of the State's various resources is the holding of Annual Exhibitions of all the products of industry by the Society, another and no less important one is the keeping a correct and reliable record of the progress of such developments, whether accomplished through the direct or indirect aid of the Society. Such records are more valuable and reliable when made by men of actual and practical experience in each department of industry. Bearing this fact in mind, the Board of Agriculture has made it a rule to give to each industrial pursuit a voice and a pen, and encourage their use for the benefit of all. The statements of the several claimants for the gold medals awarded by the Society for the most meritorious exhibition in each of the several general departments of industry into which the last Annual Exhibition was divided, forming as they do a new and very interesting feature of this volume, indicate the success which has attended the efforts of the Board in this particular direction.

The reports of the various Commissioners to the Paris Exposition, both from this State and the National Government, will be read with much interest, and will repay a careful examination by all who do or do not believe that California is fast assuming the position which nature seems to have assigned her as the Eden of the world. The report of our own Commissioner, Professor William P. Blake, is very full and valuable; and while his services were undertaken and performed gratuitously, we think the State should recognize the value of such service by a substantial compensation.