The morning call., 1892-06-27
NOTES FROM NILES.
The Outlook for Fruit and Crops in That
Charming Locality.

The Outlook for Fruit and Crops in That
Charming Locality.
Twenty-Five years ago the varieties of
fruits 10 be found 10 the San Francisco
markets could almost be counted on the
fingers of ones hand, and were of the COM
mQEer Varieties-apples, pears, peaches,
plums or qunces-but the list has been
heightened until now there are dozens of
fruitful valleys sending into the city each
season figs, nuts, olives, prunes. nectarines,
oranges, lemons, grapes, persimmOns, p0me-
granates. all well known and liked, and
now the loquat, new and luscious fruit in
our markets. is being sent from Niles. A
Japanese fruit of rich yellow color, aud
about as large as small plum, il grows
upon handsome, broad-spreadng ever
green tree. 1t is quite acid has one, two or
three, sometimes even four small, round,
stones or seeds, tough, smooth skin, is
firm, easily handled, and will bear trans
pOrlatlOn admirably. 1t would stand East
ern shipping better than any of the decidu-
Gus fruits. and, indeed, is more nearly allied
to the citrus fruits. Like many new things,
II Will take time TO make the eating public
acquainted with it, but it is seldom the
taste has to be acquired. The trees are
rapid, strong growers, and do not need irr-
CATION, as the lemon or orange does,
although it Will come into bearing sooner
and bear heavier crops If irrigated.
In the San Joaquin Valley the trees ale
neither pruned nor trimmed up, and grow
into graceful regular shape, much like an
evergreen. Here the trees are trimmed up
from the ground three or four feet, but re-
quIre no other pruning. The trees are ever
green and extremely ornamental, the leaves
long and rough, yet not unlike the magnolia
leaf. They make delicious pound for
pound preserves, but are not otherwise of
any use for cooking.
The Sunset Telephone Company of San
Francisco, claiming a State franchise, is
setting up poles for a telephone line ION
Niles to Irvington. following the line that
the proposed electric car line will take.
The water has remained in the creek
this season much logger than it did last
year, probably owing 10 the late spring
rains. Taking advantage of the fact sew
eral OrchardlStS along the ine Of the creek
have been irrigating their orchards. feeling
the necessity, because OF the lack of water
in the creek during the fruiting season.
People are already about looking for
work during the fruit season. While the
money returns will probably be as good this
season as last 10 the OrchaTdist because of
better prices, not nearly so much money will
be spent in labor because OF the smaller
quantity of fruit Last year fully 100 white
men and boys ana women were employed in
the orchards about Niles; this year 10 will
pIUbduiN HdDul6 Inc CROP
About 1900 acres Of land have been put
into sugar beets this season in the neighbOr-
hood of Newark and Alvarado.
Hay is plentiful and of good quality, being
sold at from 81 to So ton The fruit belt
is but a narrow strip. half mile or so wide,
following the hills, SO there are thousands
Of acres lying farther out in the valley
clear to the bay in fact that are devoted to
hay and grain.
The orchards are generally more free from
scale than for four years, though the black
scale is beginning TO make its appearance
on aprcOts and prunes. MOOrpark apricots
are dropping. although more than half
grown. They are not the variety for this
section.
Thecanners' Combine" may compel fruit
growers 10 dry their fruit
The Catholic entertainment last week In
aid of the new Catholic church was de-
cided success. Rev. Father CaTaher's OPEN
ing address was particularly pleasing. He
spoke OF the prosperity Of our little burg
OF It's past drOwsiness ana of its future
bright prospects.
In spite Of the threats OF the Spring Val
ley Water Company a large number Of
campers are happily spending the summer
months IN our beautiful canyon.
Last Friday evening Mr.. and Mrs H. E.
Mosher gave dancing party in the hall in
honor Of the twenty-first birthday of their
son Harry. The hall was prOfusely deco
rated with flowers and bamboo. The Ma
rino brothers were the musicians and 20
young couples danced the light fantastic
until the early morning. l.. Il. L.
Tuua