Arizona weekly enterprise., 1890-10-04

had never given it a thought; but wheI he informed me, and 1 looked 1t up and found he was correct l was very mucE astonished. l came home very much nm pressed with the importance of the fig in dustry. At the first meeting of the Hor ticultural Society, of which 1 was mem Der, 1 spoke of the importance of the cul ture of the fig. I had scarcely finished before number of the knowing horh culturists, voices were raised in protest tC going off on variety of fruit that had never proven a success. Some thought the gentleman's head had been turned ln his trip, and I began to think perhaps 1 was mistaken as my views had generally been in harmony with most of the mem bers. The discussion had not progressed far until one of the best horticulturists in the state got the floor and made a strong speech in favor of the fig. Since that time there has been a great change ln sentiment in regard to the fig, and while the curing has not reached that degree oi perfection one might expect, there has been great improvement and 1 expect to see the fig of California take the place of the imported throughout the country, as the raisin, prune, and some other frnits have done, which have had a hard fight to get where they are. As the fig will dc well in so many locations that could not be utilized by other paying fruits it is worthy of attention, especially through out Southern California"
 What do you think of the olive as an industry for this part of the state!"
 II am not sufficiently posted in the cul- ture and handling of the olive to offer any advice From my observations aud what l have heard of the success of some who have produced the olive for oil, and others for picking, l should think it Is destined to become one of the leading ln- dustries of this part of California. A great amount of territory could be utilized and made profitable by planting the fig, olive and almond, that would not pay at present planted to the standard fruits of other kinds"
 What do you think of the English walnut as a good crop to plant!''
 I think well of the walnut; 1 think the growing of the walnut one of the solid wealth producing industries of Southern California. The yearly returns per acre may not be so much as from some other varieties of fruit, but there is less ex- pense per acre to handle the crop The crop Is more certain than almost any other and the prices for years have been good paying big interest on a valuation far above what most of farmers would care to value their property to the as sessor. Some time ago 1 asked the owner of walnut orchard, ill full bearing, what he would take for his grove and his prompt reply was I do not want to sell. 1t being uncommon to find a person in this part of the state who did not want to sell l had some curiosity to investigate the matter. After some conversation l found he placed his income sufficiently high to pay good interest on $2O00 per acre The amount of acreage that will produce walnuts successfully IS not large in California, and there is no danger of competition from any other part of the United States; in fact the decrease of all varieties of nuts, such as oceans, she'll baTks, black walnuts, hazelnuts. forest chestnuts, etc., increases the chance of a greater demand for the English walnut Another important factor in the increased consumption of the English walnut is the increased consumption of raisins on the table as a desert, as the nut accompanies that fruit in the fruit dish. If the soil and climate are suitable no one need fear but he will be well remunerated if he plants the English walnut