Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-24
THE RANCHES.
Typical Facts About South
ern California Farms.
Interesting Facts About the
Walnut Family.
How They Are PrOpagated and
Their Culture.
The Varieties of wainut-Apricots and
Their Care-How to Sow
Alfalfa-Olive
Culture.

trees OF the natural order Juglandacee,
named Juglans from Jovis, the heathen
god, and CLANS, a nut. The most widely
known OF North American species are
Juglans nigra tthe black walnut) and
Juglans cinerea (the butternut). But
tie variety to which we wish to call
particular notice, and which is attract
ing attention among fruit growers in
Southern California, is Juglans regia,
the common English walnut or Madeira
nut. 1t is classed among the hardy
deciduous trees, is native ofPersia. 1t
was introduced into England in 1862,
thence distributed over a considerable
portion OF the globe, wherever the eli
mate ard soil is suitable. 1t is lofty
tree with large spreading branches. It's
foliage resembles that of the ash, and
the leaves give forth fine palsamic odor
when bruised. By bruising and rub
bng on the skin they are said to be
sure cure for the itch. Placed in
wardrobes they prevent the ravages of
moths. An excellent pickle and kind
of ketchup are made from the unripe
fruit. Just before they are ripe tLey
are much used in France with vinegar,
salt, pepper and shallots. Walnut oil
is a commercial product OF Persia and
some parts of France, but has attained
no proportion in this country. The
timber of all kinds of walnuts is very
valuable, that OF the black walnut
sometimes bringing fabulous prices.
In California the English walnut is
planted in orchard form for the purpose
of raising nuts for the market, and it
alse has special value for shade. and a
great many streets and avenues are
lined with this magnificent tree.
Where shade is needed during the
summer and sunlight in winter this tree
is found always satisfactory. 1t makes
splendid growth in California, and
has been known to have q spread of
sixty feet in less than twenty years.
| The English walnut has proved very
profitable along the coast in this state,
but at the same time great many fine
| heavy yields. 1t does best where a
deep, rich, moist and loamy soil is to be
| found, but is doing very well in this
climate where the soil is less favorable.
Where water is to be had and irrigation
raised on any of the foothills and up
lands, but moisture must be had, and a
dry and neglected place will not do for
the walnut.
The rees are propagated from the
seed, " hich usually come true, being
first planted abont foot apart in the
nursery row. (The month of January is
the best for planting). When the seed
lings are one year old they may be trans
planted into orchard form, and should
be set from forty to sixty feet apart each
way. Some orchardists advocate leav-
ing the walnut tree in the nursery row
until it attains the age of three to five
yeaIs, but experience will soon show the
fallacy OF this operation. On the other
hand if the seed is planted in orchard
form and the Seeding never molested,
better results will undoubtedly be at
tanned.
Some experimenting has been done at
different times in the way Of grating
and budding the walnut and the result
has well repaid the trouble, as several
new varieties have been secured that are
improve ments on the old sort. One new
variety that has come into prominent
notice is Ford's Improved Soft Shell,
which, without doubt, has more excel
lent qualities than any other. The kerr
mel is of excellent flavor, firm, and al
ways fills the shell we'll, and is a good
keeper as we'll as good shipper. OF
other varieties we quote from Wickson's
California Fruits.
Common English Walnut-This is the
ordinary English walnut of commerce,
and is considered very desirable for its
shipping qualities, being medium hard
shelled.. The tree is not as reliable
bearer as the newer sorts, and for that
reason is not as widely planted as some
others.
Santa Barbara Soft Shell-The soft
shell is a little later starting in the
spring than the common nut, and
blooms about ten days later. 1t fruits
at from four to six years from seed, and
usually produces full crop every year.
This variety is not as strong grower
as the common walnut, and more trees
can be placed to the acre, and more nuts
caa be produced The kernel is white
and very fine. The shells are thin and
break very easily, but cannot be shipped
any considerable distance without
damage.
Proparturiens or Dwarf Prolifc-A
choice Flench variety that has proved
itself worthy of cultivation in Califor
MIA. 1t is not truly what its name i'm
plies, not being regular dwarf, nor
such an early bearer, but the fruit is of
excellent quality, and always i'll demand
where known.
Prussian Walnutor Kaghazi-Is much
larger than the ordinary kinds, and
thin shelled. The tree is late in bloom
ing, and therefore is especially good for
places that are in danger OF frosts.
There are few other varieties that
will no doubt prove valuable in time,
but are not worth while describing at
present.
The walnut tree is usually headed at
height of six to eight feet, and re-
quires considers sble attention in the way
Of forming a head for the first three or
four years. The tree is naturally of
spreading habit, but ii it is tended with
an upward tendency more strength can
be secured. IL. G. Cummins in Cali
fornia Cultivator.
APRIcOTS.
California is peculiarly adapted for the
II Al Al