The morning call., 1891-06-27
FRUIT MEN.
Meeting Of the State HOrticult-
uraI Society.
Professor Hilgard's Interesting Lecture on
weeds-An Appeal for San Fran
ciscos Unemployed.

An address on weeds and Weed
Crowths." and a discussion on the subject OF
Orchard Work for Our Boys and Girls
were the interesting features Of the meeting
held by the State Board OF Horticulture
yesterday. Though not very largely at
tended, It was, however. a representative
gathering, as several Of the prominent hor-
ticulturist5 from different sections were
present and look part in the proceedings.
The chair was occupied by Professor Hill
gard.
The members were called upon for Fruit
Report" and though several Of the patri-
archs showed an evident dissemination to
discuss anything but Eastern prices,
few others, more kindly disposed, gave the
ruling rates q their districts. Royal, Blen
helm and Moore Park apTicots, according
to Judge S. J. StockIer Of AaTysville, are
being snapped up al IL cents for ten to the
pound. and "a where they run larger. The
Gamers are offering ~ cents for cling
stones and IA for freestoue peaches, and
plums and pears are going at y cents.
-Four shippers are now competing for the
balance Of the crop and prices are sitter,
pears being wanted by them at "a cents.
THE EASTERN PEACH CROP.
A paper by Mr.. Lelong was read by the
Secretary. 1t gave statistics Of the Della
ware peach crop, according to reports from
a fruit-grOWers' convention held on the 18th
Inst. These statistics made it appear that
there would be a shortage in the crCp, but
more recent adYices received by MI Smith
Of San Francisco made it appear that the
crop would be a very large one, almost
equaiing that Of the most productive season
OF the industry.
In the discussion that followed the opin-
ion was expressed pretty freely that Call
fOTnia apricOts would suffer In consequence,
thar prices would not exceed to 1 = cents
per pound, and that growers will nave to
handle large quantities Of their crop or let
them 90 to waste.
When Professor Hiigard arose to make
lis address he produced an aTmful OF Cali
fornia's most prominent weeds with which
u Illustrate his remarks. Before starting on
his theme he stated that the term " weed
is not always properly understood. Most
people look upon weed as a plant which
grows where it is not wanted, but he would
define IL as a hardy plant which exists I'M
der conditions where more useful ones fail
n grow and which eventually overshad0Ws
everything else
WEEDS AND THEIR REMEDY.
Weeds in California are not native.
Nearly all, especially the most troublesome
ones, are Of imported origin. The best known
of all are the mustards, so called, Including
parent stock of the cultivated cabbage,
cauli1oweF, beet and turnip. They are na-
tives IF Asia Minor, and in The East and in
portions Of Europe only grow under the
most careful cultivation, but here, under
climatic conditions similar to those OF their
native soil, they thrive under the apparently
most adverse ciTCums tances.
The Tadish and fennel were next shown
and described, and afterward a sample Of
'chess" or ''cheai' was passed around for
examination.
Now" said the professor, "mauy other
wise skilled farmers viii tell you that Is
changing from wheat or oats or some other
cereal, and will cite facts coming under
their Own observation to sustain the the
DRY. II Is only popular superstition, how
ever, as no seed known 10 man changes its
distinctive character In the space Of a sea-
son. wheat OF other crop may be sOWn
and, il is true, produce nothing but cheat
but on examination Of the soil il Will be
found that it is full Of minute seeds of the
troublesome weed which. when from some
climatic cause the wheat has TOtted, merely
took the place of the regular crop.
Most Of the annoying weeds are brought
90 the State in unclean seed" and concerning
this part Of his subject the speaker severely
condemned the INSCRIPTIONS Eastern seed
merchant for being the chief offender Cali
fOruIa seedmen were far ahead of them ia
seeing that only clean seed left their estab-
lishments.
A GINGEB-FLAVoRED SEED.
For the farmer Meli0tt clover is one of
the most annoying weeds. as it appears in
tie wheat field and gives great trouble in all
branches OF the industry, the grain as well
as the flour taking on a ginger flavor where
1t Is present Alfalfa, too, is frequently
mixed with the seed Of the rib-grass or
plantaln and ruins any field il gets into.
! nose who own canaries were warned TO
look out Tor the pimpernil or poison chick
weed, which is sure death to the unfortu-
nate songster which eats it. The poisonous
kind has wee scarlet flower, while the
b Td"S fav0Tite bears a white blossom.
The only native weed at all likely to be a
source OF trouble is the convolyulus which
is hard 10 eradicate after gaining footing.
Then there is the devils shoe-striDg or
American liquorice, and the so-called Napa
thistle, which is a close relative of the
bachelors button or cOrn-fOwer.
All pOXious weeds succumb TO the one
tTeatment-cOnstant cutting off Of the heads
with The weed-cutter, duck-fOot cultivator
or sharp hoe. If this heroic treatment is
speT5iSteBtly carried on an orchard or farm
can be cleared Of the most obstinate weed
in a season, but the ground must be gone
over at least once in every ten days during
the summer season so that the plant will be-
given 10 chance TO seed.
WHITE VS.. CHINESE LABOR
After short discussion upon the ques-