Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01
FRUIT CULTURE.
ITS RISE AND GROWTH In CALI.
F0RNIA.
Valuable Hints to Fruit-Growers-
Varieties to Select for Ship
ping-Future Prospects.

y. w
Fruit culture in California has become OF
SO much importance to the prosperity OF
the State that the consideration of its future
possibilities, and the dissemination of cor.
rect knowledge is essential in order that
the inexperienced may engage in this great
industry and avoid the mistakes that often
occur from lack of thorough knowledge
OF the business engaged in; and it is 10 be
hoped that the discussion of this subject
may prove of sufficient interest to bring
forth the knowledge and experience o.
those who have had the best opportunitie:
tor obtaining information upon this i'm.
portant subject. The increase of the fruit
industry in the past few years in California
is something almost marvellous. The posi-
bilities of its future are not realized by the
most sanguine.
can remember to have offered one dollar
each for peaches growing upon the trees
which offer was refused, two dollars each
being asked. The first peaches grown by
myself i sold at twenty-five cents each
Later on when peaches were quite abund-
ant, they sold readily in the markets OF
Sacramento and San Francisco at ten dollars
~ IVA. nbOHtN was IlOit DltHly lncil
than now. Later on, all the mountain
towns were supplied with fruit from their
own raising, and the fruit became so plenti-
fnl and the market so limited that have
shipped fruit daily to San Francisco for a
whole month, and my returns brought me
IN debt twenty dollars on account of freight
commissions, etc. Still later, wagon roads
were built across the mountains and with
the outlet made through the demand to
ha no. l.
Were enabled to dispose of our surplus
fruit. That made fruit growing fairly prof
liable, as the fruit hauled across the noun
tains and that used by canneries created q
demand for all the surplus produced
INCREASE OF FRUIT SHIPMENTS.
Still later the completion of the over
land railroad made a new demand for
the fruit products of California. as
the shipping of fruit in carloads to
Eastern markets became practicable al
though we commenced shipping to Chi
cago with freights at $1,000 per car, with
out any experience in packing fruit for
such long shipments, yet the business has
grown constantly, year by year, and with a
continuous reduction in freights and in
creased knowledge in gathering and pack
ing fruits suitable for long shipments. we
have in the past year shipped over 1900
carloads of green fruit, including oranges
II 'ne yes.r !o1v tnele were seventy iuil
1871 there were shipped lis carloads. At
that time, in speaking before the Sacra-
mento Farmers Club of the possibilities of
shipping green fruit East, / ventured to say
alone shonId continue 10 ;pcrsSasSa ,,n,;i ~
could send 600 carloads annnaiIrr fron,
California and that tbora x,as a 49, =,
tbe Fast IN which Ive could sa,J that n,,,o -,
with profit To tbe producer bv a l;ttIe mod.
ification in the rates of fre;g5t which We
then sqs10 nor car To SOW nor, tho, No III
shin 10 oo6 carloads rv;th;n H. 49, W" ~,
years onnuaIIy l. not 60 ,,nch q str@to,, -
The irnae;naf;op &c II waS 70 SOW 600 10 coz -
loads at that fine That tba v3lns of tho
fr,,it nroducfs ~ Califnr,; iii oat;,,,, :.
increase until tbev sbail ovoaod =, IL, -
ali other nroducts Of tho State ca,,,h;,,a5 !
have not q donht pnt I'll . L,,a;r,asS =.
such vast imnortance for tba fntnre of CoI;'
forn;a II ;s not noss;hla 70 oH,oid ,,,an,, ~;
tates and disanno;ntn,ants y, go 60,
or atbar tbot viii oaa,, - "a -
fruit culture ''''s'OD -
Great hanafte NAV ba dar;vad fro,, ;,+ar
chance Of tbongbts and ;nd5mepts h,, tbose
who have had most eXnsrianoa r. ~
succassf,,l in an,- bns;na5s that ona 80,
enpsoe in n tborongb knowIadga of M
hus;ness ;s aIl-;n,nor3ant
ADVICE TO fhoir-GkoWERs.
In planting and growing fruit trees it is
Of the greatest importance that all work
done IN connection Herewith shall be done
in the most thorough manner. First, by
preparing the ground, by deep blowing or
sub-solling, and making 1t in as perfect ;
condition as possible before planting. In
planting trees too much pains cannot bt
taken in digging large holes and filling
them with surface soil, giving trees all the
advantages for future growth that the con-
ditions of the soil will permit. Second
enriching lands that have not sufficient fer
tility with compost manures, or any fertil
izers that will aid the growth of trees
planted. A healthy and vigorous growth
OF wood is essential In all cases to make
good fruit or profitable production.
In the selection of trees for planting 1t /:
of the greatest importance that only those
grown on healthy and long-liyed stocks bt
planted. In the selection OF varieties, thost
kinds that are vigorous growers and gooo
bearers as well as good keepers, and tina
are most snowy, will always sell the bes
and make the most money for the grower
Oiy iIT 'ie1 % eao cay, ~, H .A. vi "a "
Them desirable for extensive cnlt;yat;on
To those who areineynarienced in CROWN,
frn;t mari ct men can Give better advice a.
to the deSirability of varieties for dOmeSti,
markets and frn;t shinners can tell berte
than any one else the varieties that wouj,
hear lone TRANSFORMATION in good condition
7 would here advise those planting lareel,
N he cant;ons about nlanting new yar;etie
in I,rge Quantities nnt;I their merits hav
baen thorongblv nroven in tbe locality !,
which thcv are To he crown n will b
well also for nlan,ers IN consider and mn
derstand the a5antahilitv If any Kind q
fr,,;t tbev wish 10 crow in the locality II
r,h;ch :, ;s -, he ,,rowp &c oil fruits 40 NJ
crow aoualiy wel7 in d;tTarent coils and !,
S;fysrent climates The many nnrnoses fo
which growers will plant trees for prof
must be considered at the time of planting
in order to avoid serious mistakes and dis
appointments.
There will be found a great difference il
the value of varieties for drying, cannin
or shipping. 1t should be the business G
the State Horticultural Society to dissent
nate such knowledge of varieties as hav
proven the most valuable for any of th
purposes for which fruit is cultivated, tina
fruit-growers may profit by their combines
knowledge