The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-28
Matters at
Fair Oaks.
Irregular Correspondence.)


stitutes held under the auspices OF the
State University are not always pub
lshed, but the two Institutes held at
Fair Oaks during the past year have
been productive of much good to the
inexperienced fruit-growers of this
community. The matter Of saving
moisture is perhaps one of the most
important questions discussed at these
Institutes.
The vehmeyer Brothers have given
very clear and conclusive lesson on this
subject during the past season. The
system of irrigation for the past sea-
son was that Of runs" This plan
did not work well when all the pipes
were open in certain localities. The
higher land could get no water, and
When one had such an idea as the Veh-
meyer Brothers it was seldom that the
land had water. To compensate Tor
this they employed men with teams to
cultivate continuously. They kept the
surface of the ground pulverized and
light The surface of the ground was a
soft dust blanket" and gave a fine APP
pearance to the field.
During the month of September, when
the irrigation season was nearly over,
the entire surface Of this tract of ~
acres was moist within few inches
Of the surface. By brushing the top
away with the foot the damp soil was
seen. The growth of the trees was ex-
cellent. Many Of the trees never had
drop of water. A growth of a branch
from one almond tree measured eight
feet, and many could be found nearly
as long. Less than half the water was
used on this tract that was used on the
majority of tracts.
There is no doubt that one-half the
water used the past season in Fair
Oaks would have served the purpose
that the whole amount did. Percy N.
Bishop did not use one-half the water
that was used by many of his neigh
bors and his trees are in fine condition.
Mr.. Bishop irrigated only on alternate
runs, but when he did irrigate he did
the work thoroughly, and then kept up
cultivation. On the other hand, Mr..
Leonard, who has the best growth of
trees of their age, believes in abundant
irrigation, and cultivateS only with
hoe about the trees. He has soil that
has been fortified by manure from
sheep corrals, but it is not certain but
that fertilized land with coarse fertiliz-
ers need more moisture; but it is the
general testimony that the more ex-
perience one has, the more cultivation
and less irrigation get the best results
Much irrigation has been on the sur
face. water being allowed to run so
as to saturate the surface down as far
as the roots are, and thus the evapora-
ton soon leaves only moisture above
md roots
which take up the moisture, form near
the surface Thus trees soon begin to
thirst for water, and more water must
be given. The method pursued by some
is to make deep wide basins by remov-
ing the surface about the trees. These
basins are filled with water and this is
allowed to be absorbed into the ground
at a depth below the roots, even If 1T
is necessary to refill the basin. After
this water has all passed down into the
ground, then these basins are filled
with the earth removed in making the
basin, and this is followed by deep and
thorough cultivation of all the space
between the trees. and again by hoeing
about the trees. The result is the
ground will retain all this water for the
use of the trees. Such method keeps
all the roots deep in the ground.
The following Is taken from the
Weather Bureaus report for December
4th:
Sacramento Valley-The latter part
of the week was favorable for orange
clipping and large shipments were
made. Olives are being gathered in
considerable quantities. Pruning has
begun. Most of the fruit trees are
in splendid condition. Light frosts &C.
CURED during the week, but no damage
has resulted.
Southern California-Duarte oranges
are ripening rapidly and shipments will
begin this week. In San Diego County
oranges are not coloring satisfactorily,
and the fruit will be smaller than usual
Some frosts, but they were light and
caused no damage"
Now, while this condition of oranges
exists in Southern California, in this
vicinity (Orangevale) by December had
advices from New York that a carload
of oranges which reached destination in
season for Thanksgiving sold at $3.50
for navels, some small lots being sold
for $3.15 and $500. Seedlings mostly
Parson Browns, sold for $40 to S2oO-
Freight on a box to New York is S1Oo.
The cost of packing, boxing, labelling
and delivering to the cars from Orange
vale is 35c. This is exclusive of clip
ping and delivering to the packing
house. Orangevale has on the way and
probably now in the market about
twenty carloads. A large stock Of or
anges are now waiting for the mar
ket at Orangevale and will be shipped
cnor SCobel e. DaV through
whom these sales have been made, find
the market ready. 1t will be noticed
that this shipment took place before
the report that "a certain early orange
in Southern California is ripening
rapidly and shipments will begin this
week"
Now, Fair Oaks and Orangevale are
really one in orange growing. Fair Oaks
will ship only a few boxes this year,
but many groves have yielded as many
as forty oranges on a few trees only
three years old. Nearly all the three
year-old trees that have had good care
from the beginning yield fruit, If only
one or two oranges. 1t is most crafty
ing to know that the fruit here is of the
finest quality of navels, sweet and of u
delicate flavor.
The railroad rumor in the last items
from this place appears to have-had
no discreditable origin. The idea of
switching the Marysville train off at
Roseville, through Orangevale and Fair
Oaks, and returning to the main line
so as to enter the city on the main
line bridge, is a feasible railroad pro-
ject, and will go through a section of
oor,pfrv which will mora than do11hla