The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-31
NOTES FROM NILES.
Fruits and Nuts in the Valley Lands.
Standard Varieties.

Standard Varieties.
Correspondence OF THE MoRNISe CALL.
When the Spanish padres settled at the
missions century ago they planted about
them olives, grapes and figs as the principal
fruits. The peaches, pears, etc., have long
ago been uproOted and died out, but the
Mission grape, the Spanish olive and the
small black Adriatic fig are the three best
fruits of their kind ye, grown for standard
fruits in the State.
Was it chance or the wisdom of those old
gardeners in their selection of varieties? or,
what would be more important is IL pos
sble that these fruits have become thor
onghly acclimated, and as a result are free,
regular bearers throughout the State?
Certain it is that there is no better resist
ant grape stock than The native Mission
grape; 10 finer favored or richer olive, and
no better favored fig. either fresh or dried,
and certainly none more prolific.
OF the dozens of fine varieties Of figs
which have been imported within the past
twenty-five years none have proved to be
such heavy and regular bearers in all eli
mates and in all soils as this small black
fig. 1t is found in the most unexpected
localities all over the State. Slips were
taken from the parent trees about The mis-
sOns aud planted about the new homes all
through the valleys and foothills, and trees
are found to-day in some OF these localities
bearing, as in one instance which | now
call TO mind, fully 1000 pounds to the tree.
In this valley there are upon several old
homesteads, few of these trees, old and
knaT!ed, bearing every year a full crop,
while the younger trees of newer varieties
will not mature their fruit, although they
grow most thrifty. The best results are
obtained when several trees stand together,
"A proof need
Of application,
James Shinn sent to Italy some two or
three years ago and secured some of the in
sects which are found there upon the wild
figs and which are positively necessary for
the perfectng Of the fruit, but no better re-
suits have been obtained from his trees
upon which they have been placed, and the
question is still unsolved
/. has been recommended to plant several
trees together Of the several varieties
together. still that does not insure crop,
and several trees together of the same
variety are just as apt all TO be prolific.
That some Of the newer var eties would
perhaps never bear here is true but the
large white and large black Adriatie vari-
ties are in some orchards the best Of bear
ers While perhaps Jew hundred feet away.
liz neigi boring place, they do not bear at
all. In fact the results have been as a
whole so very unsatisfactory that no effort
has ever been made to raise figs fer market
in this valley
Figs are so very frail and delicate to
transport that If these large varieties could
be grown here in quantities they could not
only be sent to market prof1taby but reach
market in much finer condition than they
do now.
The almond field is proving larger than
was first expected. They are much better
in quality than for the past two seasons.
Last year the walnuts did not fill out
well; this year they are large and fine, al
though the trees bear but a small crop.
This cannot claim to be a walnut section,
for, although the trees grow strong and
handsome, some of them with spread of
fifty feet and nearly as tall and foot in
diameter, they bear but few nuts each.
The grape crop is nearly harvested and is
good this year. The prices. too. are above
those of last year, averaging S14 ton.
statement in last weeks letter read
that the true Languedoc variety of almonds
proved tile best all-around variety for this
section. 1t should have read the Cali
fornia Languedoc. which l believe was
originated in San Jose.
The Union Whist Club, which has begun
the winter series, met last week at Joseph
Tys0n's.
The Choral Society meets every other
Monday evening and is doing some very
good work under the leadership of Mrs
Chisholm and Mrs. Thane.
The Chautauquan Circle meets every alter
nate Monday and numbers nearly thirty
members. w. II. Ford is the leader for the
present
A musical and literary entertainment. the
programme being of unusual excellence,
was given in the hall Saturday evening last
for the benefit of the Catholic church
Mrs l.. Z. THANE
Niles, Oct. 2S, 1893