There was no thought of wheat then, you may believe.

It was all cattle in those days, sheep, horses--steers, not so many--and if money was scarce, there was always plenty to eat, and clothes enough for all, and wine, ah, yes, by the vat, and oil too; the Mission Fathers had that.

Yes, and there was wheat as well, now that I come to think; but a very little--in the field north of the Mission where now it is the Seed ranch; wheat fields were there, and also a vineyard, all on Mission grounds.

Wheat, olives, and the vine; the Fathers planted those, to provide the elements of the Holy Sacrament--bread, oil, and wine, you understand.

It was like that, those industries began in California--from the Church; and now," he put his chin in the air, "what would Father Ullivari have said to such a crop as Senor Derrick plants these days?
Ten thousand acres of wheat! Nothing but wheat from the Sierra to the Coast Range.