Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-07-26
HORTICULTURAL.
SOME OBSERVATIONS II SANTA
BARBARA COUNTY.
improvement in Orchards The Fruit
Prospects-Insect Pests Found
III that Locality.
Correspondence from Matthew Cook

Correspondence from Matthew Cookel
On Thursday, the 10TH at p NJ, left
San Francisco per steamship Santa Rosa
for Santa Barbara. As my object in visit
ing Southern California is bug hunting and
investigation of other subjects connected
with horticulture and viticulture, for the
| benefit of the readers of the RECORD UNION,
l hope may be excused for deviating from
the subject 10 say few words Of the sea
trip. I was fortunate in getting passage on
the Santa Rosa, a splendid specimen of
marine architecture. The run was made
from San Francisco to Port Hartford in
thirteen hours, distance of over two hun
dred miles, but owing to fog we did not
reach the dock until A. NJ of the 18th.
Part of the cargo consisted of $40 tons OF
freight to this port The time taken for I'M
loading gave such of the passengers as so
desired an opportunity to visit San Luis
Obispo, which is about nine miles distant
by rail A $40 p. NJ. the voyage was re-
sumed, and We arrived at Santa Barbara in
six hours.
FRUIT INTERESTS IN SANTA BARBARA
In my investigations in the vicinity of
Santa Barbara ! was accompanied by
Mayor Coffin. The cOttony cushion scale
was found in a few trees in two gardens.
and the cOttOny grape scale on a few vines.
| had the pleasure Of an introduction to
the members of the Board of Supervisors
Of the county, of which P N Newell is
President, and | sincerely wish that the
Boards OF Supervisors Of many of the
fruit-growlng counties Of this State were
as enthusiastic in support of the hOrticult-
ural industries of their respective counties
as the members of this Board. On Satur-
day afternoon l visited the premises of
Colonel HOLSTER, twelve miles north of
Santa Barbara, and on my way there met
s =. Stowe, at whose invitation remained
at his place until Tuesday afternoon Mr.
Stowe assisted me III making some success
full experiments during my stay, the re-
suits of which | Will fully give hereafter,
in connection with others to be made ON
my trip.
On my return I met the members of the
Santa Barbara Horticultural Society on
Tuesday evening, when fruit enemies and
fruit Interests were considered.
OVERWHELMINGLY GROVES.
On Wednesday, starting at 4 AN, in
company with Mayor Colin and others, a
trip was made to Montecito, where. in ac-
cordanCe with previous arrangements.
gathering Of the fruit-growers Of the vicin-
ity was held at the residence of O. A
Stafford. Arriving at 6 o'clock, and the
kind inequalities of Mrs Stafford enioyed. |
several hours were spent visiting orchards
in the vicinity. The orchards III this sec
ton look prosperous, and those Of AR Stat
lord especially give excellent promise OF re-
muncrative returns.
A meeting with the fruit-grOwers of Car
penterla was next, meeting at the orchard |
OF Mr.. Caldwell. In this valley are located |
many fine orchards Of deciduous and citrus !
fruits but evidently this is the home ofthe |
walnut. From the extensive groves of Il. J. !
Knapp, located at what is termed the head |
Of the valley, throughout its entire length, |
the walnut groves are prominent and very |
productive. Although it is said that there |
IS only thrce-quarter crop this season,
many trees are laden to such an extent that /
branches from four to five inches in diam
eter are breaking down Fruit-driers of
every description and pattern can be found
here, as the apricot. peach and other crops
can be dried, giving profitable returns
The orchards Of T. L. Knapp and others
visited present an excellent appearance, al
though the crop in general is light.
INSECT PESTS
1t has been reported that the Goblin moth
was present in some Of the orchards of this
county, but | could not find any indications
If It's presence in any OF the orchards Wis
ted. Many Of the citrus and deciduous
rees are infested by the black scale, which
; common to all locations on the southern
'oast. This scale can be readily destroyed.
The only pest found in Santa Barbara
county difficult TO exterminate is the cot
0ny cushion scale, which at present is only
ound 10 limited extent in two orchards
u the county, and on a few trees in the
5ty. The success gained by Colonel Hol-
lister in destroying this pest established q
ornament remedy for the prevention of It's
pread on his premises; and as Mr. Stowe
intends applying similar plan of warfare,
robably within the next six months the
anger OF It's spread viii be thing Of the !
asst
II affords me pleasure to state that oh
arve marked improvement in Santa Bar =
ara; also at the orchards OF ElIood i
copper, Colonel HolIistcr, s. P Stowe and
theirs which | visited three years ago. On
very hand are indications of the fertility
I the soil, and that nearly all kinds of fruit
an be successfully grown. The crop pros
Gets Of the county are Apricots, peaches !
nd apples, about one-third crop; pears. !.
artletts, Winter Nellis. Sicl,ler and Flem- :
n beauties, fair crop; walnuts, about =
ree-quarter crop. =