The record-union., 1895-01-18
FERTILIZERS.

Californians are beginning to realize
that they have been following delu-
sion in supposing their soils inexhausti-
BILE. In the next few years vast sums of
money will be spent for fertilizers. The
only way the farmer has of judging the
the degree OF evil smell; the worse the
smell the better the material. Great
frauds are everywhere perpetrated in
fertiliZing materials, and already Swind
lerS are operating in the State.
law should be passed compelling
manufacturers of fertilizers, whose goods
are manufactured or sold in California,
to furnish a guaranteed analysis and in
case of proven fraud, an indemnity OF at
least twice the purchase value of the ma
teriai used to be paid to the farmer.
HONEST PACKING OF FRUITS.
California is and must always be pre-
emInently horticultural State. Con-
sldering this it is of the greatest i'm
portance that the honesty and reputation
of our products be maintained. Every
fraudulent caa OF fruit or box of drled or
ripe fruit that is shipped out Of the State
is direct blow at the prosperity of the
whole.
When in London, Eng, some time ago,
L carefully examined ali of the California
canned and dried fruit then on thst
market. OF one brand of peaches
stamped Standards Isecured five cans
Three of them contained discolored
"mush." The other two were fair Sec
onds. The prunes l found were Skin
and bones" The apricots were second
grade chips" both Of the latter packed
IN wooden cases without lining. No
decent American market would receive
these goods and it was dumped In Lon
don TO sell for what it would bring. 1t
was an insult to every California fruit
Y,yt
State which should be punishable by law.
y prominent Eastern commission house
complains bitterly OF extensive frauds in
packing California r&iSins. Unscrupu-
Ious packers and dealers are destroying
our industry-more surely than hard
times or freight rates, as both of the latter
may IN time be remedied. but lost repu
tatlon Is slow TO recuperate.
There is a remedy law should be
passed establishing grades for ripe and
drled fruits, nuts, raisins and canned
goods. Every packer should be required
to afflx the grade, his name and place of
business conspicuously and securely
upon each package. Frozen oranges and
damaged fruit would have to be sold as
such. In this way the criminal can surely
be brought to justice, the honest packer
Vludlcated and the reputation OF our
products maintained.
The stock laws should bo SO strength
ened that the truit-grower would in no
case have to build fences other than to
keep IN his own stock. The building of
iences Is, in most cases. an unnecessary
and unjust drain upon the resources of
the country.
COUNTY LAWS.
County Boards of Supervisors can
make effective or nullify many State
laws. Particularly is this true of those
relating to horticulture. One county in
which the quarantine laws are not en-
iorced Is menace to the orchards of the
whole State. 1t therefore becomes neces-
sary to exercise vigilance in securing
county officials who will properly en-
force the laws.
PERMANENT ROADS,
The value of smooth, welI-gradei
roads cannot be oVer-estimated in fruit
growing districts. Bonding is the usual
way OF raising funds to build permanent
roads, and money cannot be better spent.
The value OF land is increased, the county
Is more desirable as place of residence
ana crops are moved TO market in better
condition and at less expense. Roads in
fruit districts should all be thoroughly
sprInkled during the summer This has
proven marked success in a number of
localities, and the expense is less than
the harm done the fruit without spriuk-
ling.
The amendment to the general road
law to be presented to the present Legis-
Iature should be passed. 1t cOmpels each
owner of property fronting on country
roads to keep the roads in front of their
property free from weeds and brush.