The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-10
CHERRIES IN ALAMEDA.
Over Quarter of Million Trees in
the COUNTY,

Correspondence Of THE MORNING CALL
The cherry is one of our most valuable
fruits, yet it is grown extensively in only
eight or nine counties in the State, and Ala
media heads the list, with only about 100000
trees. The cherry orchards in this county
are larger than those of any other fruit eX-
cept apricot, though there are nearly as
many prune trees now AS cherries.
The available cherry land, too, is more
limited, ana other fruits will outstrip 1t, be-
cause they are not so particular concerning
soil, water and climatic conditions.
The great cherry orchards in this county
lie rather close to the hills, following along
their base from San Leandro TO Niles. The
orchards in Santa Clara County-the next
heavy ground of cherres-follow close
around the foothills also.
little inquiry into the soil, rain fall and
climate OF this one great valley Will explain
the success IF the cherry. The soil is rich
alluyial, with a gravel bottom. The rainfall
on an average is above twenty inches, and
the extremes of temperature are not great
So deg being the average for a number OF
years.
The cherry will not bear in wet soil,
though it needs nearly thirty inches of rain
annually. The tree VIII not live Il there is
a clay bottom within ten feet of the surface,
and extremes of heat or celd in the fruiting
season kills the fruit, although the tree
survives.
Orchardists do not care to wait eight or
ten years for a crop of cherries, SO, as
rule, even when they know cherries will do
well, they plant prunes. peaches or april
cots, each of which will bear heavy crop
in five years.
When cherries do bear. however. they
give most splendid returns, 81 and S5 tree
being nothing unusual year after year. As
Tor great yields, there are several trees IN
the State nearly fifty years cid bearing
mammoth crops. One OF the trees has pro-
duced $500 worth of cherries in one season.
The tree has girth of nine feet and a
spread of over fifty. No wonder the owner
of such tree advocates the planting of
trees seyenty-fve feet apart.
The trees are generally planted about
twenty-five feet apart. They are pruned to
shape them until they are five years old,
and thereafter only limbs which are in the
way are removed.
Cherries are easily grated; of the
hundred or more known varieties perhaps
twenty-five have been grown quite eX-
tensively in this county. but the tendency
Is to grow only the hardest and best ship
ping varieties, and now there are eight or
ten varieties only grown in any great
quantities in this county: Black Eagle,
Elton, Governor Wood, Black Tartarian,
Napoleon Bigarreau, Rockport BigaIreau
thirty inches of water each season and it
Will begin to bear in five wears, n fact worth
knowing. Give il but twenty. the average
rainfall in this valley, and it will not begin
10 bear until ten years old; in other words, it
Will not bear heavily until II has nearly
Obtained its growth. and the water it re-
eeives determines the time it will take to
mature. 1t is one OF the best fruits to ship
as it retains its flavor and trmness a great
many days.
Efforts are being made to ship cherries
from Vacavilie. the early section. in time to
reach Chicago for the opening of the Ex-
position, after that there will not be a days
cessation until the fair closes.
There are all over the State good lands
answering the above requirements, which
but wait the planting, and In this county
fully another 20O0 acres is available for
cherry culture.
No harm is yet reported to any fruits in
this section from the continuous storms.
Apric0ts which are reported light or q
failure IN otheI parts of the State. are fairly
good here; ! y cents IS being offered now
for contracts by the Gamers. II is almost
too early for peaches. aud the Gamers are
not looking for them, being oyerStocked last
year.
The very many friends of Mr.. Severance
will be deeply pained to learn of his death
last Friday morning. He had been for
several years 10 charge OF the Spring Valley
Water COmpany's dam and tiltering grounds
in the canyon, and was we'll known in
town. His genial, kindly face will be
daughter living in San Francisco. He was
70 years of age.
A very good lecture upon the "World
Around Us" was given in the CoIgrega-
tional Church Friday evening by r. Foster
Stone of Ohio
An invitation dancing party is 20 be given
next Friday evening in the Town Hall by
the young dancing teachers.
An Odd Fellows picnic will be given the
26th in the canyon. All of the lodges in the
vicinity will be represented.
The "Impromptu" Whist Club will open
its next series Of games this week.
Mrs. Carrie Fross Snyder will give an en-
tertainment in the Town Hall, April 2S,
which will combine several bright features
The Choral Society will give a cantata
early in May. and several lunches are ia
the future.
Mrs. II. E. Mosher gave luncheon Thurs
day to the young married ladies in town to
meet Mrs. Albert Fischer NEE Mortimer) of
Haywards. The day was gloomy, but the
afternoon within doors was delightful in
deed. Mrs. l.. L. THANE.
Miles April 7 1904