*** Source: History and Business Directory of Humboldt County, Lillie E. Hamm, November 1890, Eureka, Cal. *** ---page 081--- [ad] Demorest Patterns and all kinds of Fashion Books at J. E. Mathews [ad] HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY 81 how accurately their gain or loss in influence can be measured by the quality of the tone in which they talk. The "gentle" voice, not necessarily "soft" or "low" is a means of grace to teacher and taught alike. In the ethical and spiritual line our teachers are well equipped. Their ingenuity furnishes a variety of means for the attainment of one purpose, the means to be adapted to special cases and circumstances. It is made an object in our schools to create in children a love of learning, so far as possible the individual child is studied, hard as it may be to do so in our crowded schools. Our teachers are as well, if not better paid, than in any other county, and they receive unhesitating social recognition. But notwithstanding all this, they are underpaid and their work is under-rated. The remedy for this state of things lies in the hands of teachers themselves, and they should make every possible effort to convince the public of the value of their work, to the end that it may be carried on under more favorable conditions, thereby resulting in still greater good. The following statistics kindly furnished by Hon. J. B. Brown, County Superintendent of Schools, will prove interesting to our many readers: Total receipts for year ending June 30, 1890...$158,649 69 Total expenditures...136,801 78 Balance on and at close of school year...21,847 91 Average wages paid...69 98 Total value of school property...219,415 00 Number of school districts...80 Number of classes taught...122 Number of teachers...123 Number of male teachers...47 Number of female teachers...76 Number of First Crade (Grammar Certificates)...75 Number of Second Grade (Primary Certificates)...48 FRUIT GROWING. The raising of fruits is fast coming to the fore as one of the leading pursuits of the county; while in some sections semi-tropical fruits could be cultivated with success and profit, yet the rewards which have attended the planting of those of the temperate zone have been such that no effort has been made to experiment. Apples, peaches, pears and plums have been planted in great numbers and returned large profits. These fruits grow to perfection here, and it is especially the case with apples, which are of a very fine quality and flavor. Many complain and say that the apples produced in California are not equal to those grown in some of the Eastern States, but the varieties grown in Humboldt county are fully equal to any. Grapes are also rapidly coming into favor as a profitable fruit. We judge that the soil on the sloping hills would be favorably adapted to the production of wine varieties. For some reason or other many maintain the idea that grapes can not be successfully grown in Humboldt county, but this illusion was dispelled by the display of that luscious fruit at the Agricultural Fair held in Rhonerville and the California State Fair of 1890. In fact no county in the State [ad] Gibbard & Lever Manufacture DOOR AND WINDOW FRAMES, BRACKETS SCROLL WORK, TURNING, ETC. ETC. Factory Second & L Streets [ad] ---end---