| 4. Agriculture |
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Ranching
Raising cattle was the first large scale enterprise in
the valley. There were immense tracts of rich pastureland
surrounding the mission and little labor was needed to
care for them. By 1823, vast herds of cattle ranged over
Santa Clara's grazing lands and the hide and tallow industry
boomed. This changed with the arrival of American immigrants
who developed grain farms and orchards on what had been
open pastures.
Agriculture
The fertile soil of Santa Clara Valley encouraged farmers
to grow many different types of crops. Wheat and grain
were the primary crops until the 1880s, when farmers began
to diversify into other crops and orchards. Some vineyards
were planted. Family farms were small but bountiful. Thousands
of acres produced garden seeds for vegetables and flowers
which were sent throughout the world.
Orchards
The arrival of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 gave
growers a national market for their fruit and other crops.
By the early 20th century, 100,000 acres of valley land
were planted with fruits and nuts including cherries,
pears and peaches. Prunes and apricots became the area's
biggest crops and Santa Clara was known as the Prune Capital
of the World. Some said there was no better place on earth
to grow fruit than Santa Clara Valley. |
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| Canning Industry |
| The development of food processing technology
created a new opportunity for growers in Santa Clara Valley.
The Pratt Low Canning Company alone covered 10 acres by 1922
and employed as many as 1000 men, women and children. During
the canning season, the air would be filled with the fragrance
of cherries, plums, tomatoes, and other fruits being processed.
Ten million cans were shipped worldwide each year. |
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