Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-05-29
ORANGE CULTURE.
AND PLANTING IN THE
HIGHER FOOTHILLS.
The Organization and Work Accom-
plished by the Auburn Orange
Growers Association.

AUBURN, Cal, May II, 1856
EDS. REcoRD-UNIoN The citrus fair at
your city last January set many of our good
citizens thinking about orange culture in
Placer county. Our people surprised them
selves at the exhibit they made. II was
known that many oranges were grown at
Newcastle, Penryn, Ophir and Auburn;
but except the iirst-named place il was
mostly by way of.house yard adornment
1t was also known that few bearing trees
lived in Colfax till within a few wears back,
when they were killed by an unusual frost
and lack of care by the owner, who seemed
to think that they would go sooner or later
as a certainty, and who took it as a freak of
nature that they had lived so long. Now it
is thought that with Il more favorable loca-
ton, and even moderate amount of care.
the ColiaX trees, at an elevation of > 400
feet in the Sierras, would still be alive and
iruiting.
The failure of Mr., Birdsall's orange ranch
near Rocklin-a costly expcriment--was
also warning to our sanguine lovers of
the golden fruit; but careful observers
noted that more unfavorable spot for an
orange grove could hardly. be selected than
that on which Mr. Birdsalrs grove was
planted. 1t was black, rich ground, it is
true but it was cold, low and moist in
part. 1t is now known that in q few unfa-
vorable spots within two miles east Of
Rocklin, by reason of peculiar conforma-
ton of ground, sheltered from air currents
peaches invariably are killed by late frosts
while the hills and ridges only a few rods
away have perfect climate for an mex
haustiole supply of all kinds of fruit
With these experiments in orange-grow-
ing in the high reaches of the foothills be-
fore us, about a dozen citizens of Auburn
met on February LIST to discuss the orange
problem. Previous failures were noted, ard
also subsequent success by numerous grow
ers in the county. 1t was finally deter
mined 10 organize an association of ten
shares and plant Immediately. The second
meeting was held on February 7th when
the ten shares were subscribed, and an as
sessment of 5000 per share was levied and
paid in. On February 9th permanent or
ganization was effected, by the election of
J. a. Filcher as President Arthur Board
man, Vice-President; o. W Hollenbeck,
Treasurer; w. Il. Lardner, Secretary; and
Board of Directors, consisting of Arthur
Boardman, Geo. J. Morgan and w. b.
Lardner. At our fourth meeting on Febru-
airy 18th, our bylaws and articles of agree
ment and rules were adopted, containing
ten sections, and were duly signed by the
members of the association.
Our land, forty-four acres, after consider
able search, was selected on the Auburn
and Rattlesnake bridge road, some five or
six miles south of Auburn. 1t is in the
same neighborhood as the Hector and Boles
cherry orchards; at a greater elevation
from the American river. but still within
Its warming influence. The spot on the
ranch selected for the first planting was
five acres, sheltered on the northwest and
east by the high ridges and sloping to the
south. This land when purchased was
covered with dense growth of chaparral
and undeTbrush; also with pines, large
and small, white and live oak, buckeve.
etc. Being pushed for time, the clearing,
gruhbing, blowing and narrowing cost $50
per acre.
In the meantime Mr.. James Curry.
faithful and experienced orchardist, was
hired at $500 per annum to superintend the
ranch During the last week of March and
the first week in April 5S5 trees were
planted-400 navels, and the rest divided
between Mediterranean sweet, St. Michael
and konahs. These were set out in dia-
mond shape, twenty feet apart, with tri-.
angles, and forming straight rows in sew
eral directions. The general surface of the
five acres is rolling, with one side low and
having subStratum of clay soil, which
held the late heavy rains. and some of the
trees planted there were removed to higher
ground, after being set out q week or two
This was done without apparent injury to
the trees. This portion will be thoroughly
drained before being planted to oranges an
other year; or, perhaps, will be planted
with Bartlett pears.
Including the first breaking. the ground
has been plowed three times-;he last time
ten inches deep; was narrowed after first
blowing, and has been cultivated three
times with an Acme cultivator Ii is now
in perfect condition. Naturally a rich
granite soil, having plenty of leaf mold.
well covered with ashes from the burned
wood and brush, and thoroughly cultivated,
a shovel handle can be pushed into the
ground easily ten TO twelve inches At
this date there is abundance of moisture in
the soil an inch or two below the surface.
Irrigating water will not be used for two
weeks. About the LIST of June it is the m
tention to plant watermelons between the
rows of trees, and by State Fair time
''sizable" melons are expected for exhibit
ton.
And lastly, about the trees (?). They are
doing well. but the puddled trees not so
well as the bagged ones. Many have
shoots niue inches long this years growth
and about one-fourth of the most forward
trees are in blossom. The old leaves we're
stripped from the trees at planting; all
surplus wood cut off, and the stumps
waxed The jack-rabbits barked a few
trees, but wash OF dissolved assafutida
stopped their depredations. Only very
small per centage can be called dead.
With few the top is dead, but sprouts are
coming from above the bud, with an occa-
sional one below the bud. A this can be
determined better a month hence as the
orange is q hayward tree, and may stand
dormant for a month, and then send
shoots out, and force them upward as fast
as corn or dock leaves grow. The stock
may die without apparent cause but sprout
from near the bud or graft, or in as mvs-
terious a manner, die entirely, but the i'm
preston is gaining that with reasonable
care an orange root is very tenacious of
life. We have learned much in one short
season. Under favorable circumstances
hardly tree need be lost Our trees came
from southern California in carload bulk;
were stored in q shed for some two weeks
awaiting preparation of ground, and were
hauled to the ranch over a rough road
about the time of our first north wind
There the most of them remained till set
Taken all together, the trees had rough
mishaps.
Considering the circumstances the MEM
bers of the association are perfectly salts
fed so far with results. To emphasize
their confidence, they met on the Sd inst.
voted the third thousand dollars in assess
ment and ordered the purchase OF a small
tract of land in addition, on which TO
build mouse for the Superintendent. Yes
terday slightly ridge containing over five
acres was purchased for S35 per acre. for
this object. This adjoins the original tract,
and faces nine hundred and forty feet on
the public road, giving choice building
site and additional grange land if desired.
The original Al acres cost 5000. Let the
reader note the rise in price on the second
purchase.
1t is the intention TO build q house I'M
media.ely on this newly-purchased tract.
1t is also the intention to plant from five to
ten acres more in oranges next spring.
keeping the orchard in a square as near
the irrigating ditch as the general lay of the
land will permit The trees will be forced
in growth by thorough cultivation and
jadicious use of water, till about Septem-
Der LIST, when they will be allowed to
harden for winter. This is a short his