Agriculture
The largest industry in the Sacramento Valley has always been agriculture. In the 1850s and 60s, wheat was the primary crop. In the 1880s, this shifted to peaches, which remained predominant until the 1920s. Sheep and cattle ranching were also widespread in the late 1800s. In 1908, rice replaced wheat as a staple crop in the Valley. Cherries, figs, and walnuts were also popular. Many agricultural innovations took place in Sutter County, including the development of the Thompson Seedless Grape in 1872, Proper Wheat in 1868, and the Phillips Cling Peach in 1888. Supporting businesses, such as canneries, were an integral part of this industry.
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