The record-union., 1899-10-08

warmth even in the coldest weather
The same conditions naturally make
less requirements in heavy clothing.
All these things can be more readily
realized by the distant reader if he
remembers that the winter months are
the chief growing season of field crops
and the ripening season of citrus fruits.
in California
Third-The division of the year into
two seasons and the concentration of
the rainfall into half the year is of de-
cided advantage, to the farmer as soon
as he learns to adapt his methods to it.
It can hardly be appreciated by one ac-
customed only to a humid climate. If,
however, he will think of "a winter al
ways warm enough for plant growth,
with the plants sending their roots far
down into the rich, deep soil and with
rain falling at intervals and sinking
deeply, he can understand that the soil
becomes a great reservoir of subterra-
mean moisture which the plants can
readily reach Then the season changes,
the rain ceases, the top growth of the
plant increases under the greater
warmth. Ample moisture rises by cap
ilarity in the soil and by the action of
the deep roots, and the plant perfects
it's crop in clear, dry air which largely
prevents the growth of parasitic fungi
and yields a great weight of heavy,
bright grain. AS the dry season is
best to perfect the grain SO is it best
to harvest it, and the months of long
clear days with hardly drop of rain,
from haying all through the grain har-
vest, is a benefit and a blessing which
it is hard to overestimate. The distant
reader must remember that field crops
sown at the proper time do not suffer
by the long dry season; the preceding
growth in a mild moist winter so es-
tablishes them that they do not lack
moisture. The plump white wheat and
the large bright brewing barley which
California exports mainly to Europe
and which, have reached a valuation
of thirty-six million dollars in a single
year, could only be produced in their
characteristic quality, in a country
with rainless summer.
/ The same is true Of our peerless fruit
| products. Constant surface cultiva-
/ tion guards the moisture in the subsoil-
! reservoir from evaporation and holds
/ it for the use of the trees and vines.
:! The fruit reaches its marvellous per-
/ fection because it enjoys such a long
! period of unobstructed sunshine. Rain
would seriously change it's character
And the same bright dry air which per-
/ fects the fruit, enables the grower to
harvest it in the best possible condi-
tion at the lowest cost and dry it in
the open air with beauty and quality,
!. ta1, aIzo ,.,e.
most elaborate and expensive evapor-
ating processes. Here again an an
nual product of dried fruits and rails
ms valued at ten million dollars and a
product of deciduous fruits for ship
ment fresh and canned and for wine
! making, valued at nine millions more,
are largely dependent upon a rainless
+! summer 1t is then a fact, capable of
the fullest demonstration that the dry
summers of California, which the mis-
taken dwellers in humid climates are
inclined to commiserate, are of meal
culable advantage to the crops, to the
i growers of them, and to the general
wealth and prosperity of the State.
Fourth-Another advantage of the
two season year lies in the fact that
the grower has the control of moisture
for all his summers growing crops. II
the rainfall is adequate he controls
moisture by constant summer cultiva-
ton which prevents evaporation If the
rainfall is inadequate he controls mois-
ture by resorting to irrigation. In eth
er case he is able to regulate moisture
so that he escapes the extremes OF
drouth or saturation, both of which dc
SO much harm to crops in summer-rair
countries.
WIDE AGRICULTURAL FITNESS
OF THE STATE.
Many other incidental advantages OF
the naturally rich and deep soils OF
California and of the peculiarly favor
able climate could be cited We're it not
for the command of brevity. The man
ifest conclusion from study of these
characters and from knowledge of wha1
is really being accomplished, is that
California is fitted for all products OF
the temperate and sub-tropical zones
which means that it affords a welcom
ing home to al, the useful vegetation
of the world except that of a strictly
tropical character. This fact is not ST
generally known as 1t should be- Cal
ifornia's fame has extended SO widely
through the growth of semi-tropica
fruits that her accomplishments in the
products of the upper regions Of the
temperate zone are apt to be over
looked and home-seekers sometime:
choose locations in more nCrtherly part.
Of the American continent because o.
the mistaken idea that California il
only suited to semi-tropical cultures tt
which they are unaccustomed. This Il
most unfortunate misapprehen
sion. Every staple product O.
the upper temperate zones is i'm
proved in character and yielC
by its Introduction to California-if 6
proper location is chosen for it, ant
practice is modified to meet the new
conditions as the intelligent farmer car
readily do. Instead Of California being
as is too frequently thought, country
! of few great specialties, it is a coun-
try of the greatest possible range o.
products and any man who can do any
kind Of farming well can find a place
where his labor will yield him greater
results than are possible under less ia
vorable conditions. If therefore, a mar
understands the growing of animal!
!, and manufacture Of animal products
he can here find mountain pasture.
like those OF Switzerland or rich low
reclaimed meadows like those of Hol
land and all the variations of pasture
land which lie between these extremes
If he understands the growth of ce
reals he can find localities for all o
them, from the rye and spelts of tn,
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