The record-union., 1899-06-19
Agriculture
and
Horticulture.

l.
Horticulture.
The following agricultural and horti-
cultural matters concerning Pacific
Coast States may prove of general IN
tereSt:
WEATHER AND FRUIT.
Anaheim Gazette: The cool and
cloudy weather that has prevailed SO
far during the summer has occasloned
doubts, in the minds OF many as to the
accuracy of the recent statement Is
sued by the State Board of Trade, that
the seasons are undergoing no change
Certain it is, that SO far as the present
season is concerned, the weather has
experienced a most decided change;
for never have we had such cool and
cloudy weather so late in June. One
horticulturist observed recently that
if we should have had this kind of
weather along in November or Decem-
Der, he would not lock for rain, re-
ferring probably to the dryness OF the
winter; but having it in June he looked
for rain nearly every day! A half
inch of rain two weeks ago found hun
dreds of acres of hay in the cock, and
rendered necessary the unlocking OF
the entire lot. To beets, corn and pump
kins the rain proved beneficial, and
these crops look extremely we'll. Many
patches of green corn greet the eye
on nearly every side, and the yield
promises to be good. Fruit drying will
be in season within the fortnight, and
then the weather clerk, if he be wise,
will desist from giving US further
cloudiness, accompanied as it has been
with mistiness and good limitations of
rain. and give us our usual warm sun
shiny weather. The years precipitation
has amounted to 5.44 inches, while last
year we had 5.32, marking two years
of exceeding scant rainfall. The damp
weather has so far occasioned but little
damage, although some sections report
the apricots and walnuts falling on ac-
count of the absence of the usual sum-
mer weather. Now, however, the ap-
proach of the fruit drying season makes
sunshine a necessity, and growers are
hoping that the cloudy weather that
has so far prevailed during this un-
usual season may be at an end.
CALIFORNIA FRUITS.
Grocers' Review, England: California
canned fruits are in excellent demand.
especially the finer grades, and prices
are very firm to advancing for all
grades. Pines have been in poor re-
quest during the past week or two, but
toward the close there is a better in
Quiry for all descriptions and good
business has been done mostly for for
ward delivery. at prices which must be
loss to the packers Tomatoes are
meeting with little more inquiry, but
the business doing is limited.
BELGIAN HARES.
Los Angeles Times: A meeting of
persons interested in breeding Belgian
hares was held on Friday evening last,
in the parlors of the Hotel California.
E B. Merrill was elected Chairman
and Henry AlberS Secretary.
The Chair introduced H. A. Stearns,
a veteran breeder Of hares in Colorado
and Utah Mr. Stearns furnished a
copy of the constitution, bylaws and
standard of the National Belgian Hare
Club CT America, which was read by
the Secretary.
Upon request Mr. Stearns then ex-
planned the advantages of organiza-
ton. for overcoming exorbitant ex-
press rates. and the many advantages
of registration. He also mentioned
that Belgian hare meat can be pro-
duced at a cost of 3 cents per pound
and is now worth in market 20 cents
per pound. Mr.. Stearns considers the
climate of Southern California fully as
favorable for Belgian hares as that of
Colorado and Utah.
DR.. B. c. Platt read an interesting
resume of his experience in the pro-
-duction of a high standard of Belgian
hares. and furnished figures showing
that the hare Is profitable from any
standpoint, and that Los Angeles
breeders are possessors of better stock
than any others We have record Of
viz: Lord Britton and Beauty of Eng
land, recently purchased by w. c.
Harris at a cost of $3.50 for Lord
Britton and $50 for Beauty of Eng
land.
DR.. Young stated that the double
first class rate heretofore exacted by
express companies has been reduced to
regular first class rate This was hailed
with pleasure.
On motion of DIR. Young, the meeting
proceeded to permanent organization,
as a branch of the National Belgian
Hare Club of America, and elected the
following officers: w. C. Harris Presi
dent; B. c. Platt, Vice President; s. r.
Hellam, Secretary; E. B. Merrill
Treasurer.
On motion of DR.. Platt, the meeting
proceeded to elect Vice Presidents and
q Board of Directors, as follows:
J. A Cutlery, Santa Barbara. A.
Lotus, San Diego; S. B. Simmons,
Long Beach: A. w. Wedderburn, Po-
mona: D. F. Mckinney, Los Angeles;
A Moody. Garden Grove: w. G. Bow
er, South Pasadena; B. C. Platt. C. L.
Elmendorf, r. f. Doane. c. f. War
rem, E. B. Merrill. Henry Albers and
w. A. Goler. all of Los Angeles.
A BIG TREE
California Fruit Grower: The largest
apple tree in America. according to
..The Trade of Baltimore, Is in the
northwestern part of Cheshire. Conn.
It's age can be traced by family ira
dition to 40 years at least, and it may
be twenty or twenty-five years older.
1t is at the present time of symmetrical
shape. The trunk is nearly round
without a scar or blemish on It, There
are eight large branches; five of them
have been in the habit of bearing one
year and remaining three the next Mr.
Hotchkiss. the owner. has gathered in
one year from the five branches eighty
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