The record-union., 1899-06-21
Agriculture
and
Hortic icullture.

The Following news concerning agri-
cultural and horticultural developments
shows some of the conditions existing
IN the Pacific Coast States
PROSPERITY NEAR.
vacav1lle Reporter: We do not be-
heve that the value of the introduction
OF the sugar beet in Solano County, Is
sunclently comprehended. It seems to
us tnat 1t supplies q rotation of crops
whcn Will do much to revolutionize
farming, and add largely to it's profits
III Soaano County and necessarily in
crease the value of agricultural lano,.
!. snouid have as great an effect on the
iarmang industry as the process of sum-
iner Iallowing did in the early history
ol Canfornia, when soils showed the
eHect or continuous cropping in wheat.
IN some sections of California the cuit1-
vatlon OF sugar beets has progressed
10 point where the method of rota-
tlon OF crops is well defined. 1t is there
ustomary to follow beets with pota-
toes, and plant beans before again
painting in beets. 1t is apparent that
potatoes will not do for an alternative
crop IN Solano County, but we see no
season why a ready substitute cannot
be found in Egyptian corn. This is
grown successfully in Kern County, and
would eprofitably occupy the land with
BEANS. preparatory to sowing in beets
1t is used as a substitute for barley
as feed and answers its every pur-
pose. We think it must be plainly
seen by the most unobservant, that with
the introduction of sugar beets comes
strengthsto the farmers position, which
he hasno known for years. 1t means
reasonably certain crop and fair
profits. This means added values to
land and an increase in the general
prosperity of Solano County. We, IN
fact. are on the threshold of an era
of prosperity, which will be built on
more permanent conditions and will
prove more lasting than we have ever
enjoyed in the past
WATER ON RICH LAND.
Briggs Argus: On the bank of the
river and raised on an artificial eleva-
ton. which it is proposed to ballast with
rocks, and seed to alfalfa to prevent
washing, stands a neat building within
which is mounted a forty-horse power
boiler and a thirty-horse power Atlas
engine. Outside, driven by belt, is
ten-ifch centrifugal pump, and with
these three the water is lifted from the
river and elevated to the head Of a
fiume, eighteen feet above the valve
which let's in the water of the stream
The pump throws 3, 500 gallons of water
per minute and when run to its high
est practical speed fills the fume even
full.
The water is carried for half a mile
in a big V-shaped fiume, the sides of
which are thirty-two inches wide, and
across the top of which measures forty
five inches. Tais constitutes the sup
ply canal and there is practically no
wastage. From the main fiume, levees
are built following the ridges Cfor tie
ranch is by no means absolutely leveD
and in the top of them are dug the
bitches If it becomes necessary to
cross a low place after the water en-
te1s the raised canals a flume is put
in.
This fine property consists of 900
acres Of fine land, every square foot of
which can be flooded with water to any
depth desired. Only 400 acres will bs
watered this year, however. There are
in the orchard $500 prune trees, 10000
peaches, 1880 pears and about 4,OOO
other trees embracing such fruits as
apricots, almonds, nectarines, plums
and olives. The prunes are simply
loaded;s and from the increased crop
from them alone, it is expected the en-
tire cost of plant and operating will be
fully paid. The pear trees have a fine
crop, while the peaches have a fair one.
The extreme ccSt is about $500.
The boiler is fired with wood from
apricot trees, of which some 5000 were
pulled up last winter. The cost of
flooding the land ten inches deep is
about $3.50 per acre.
Averaging the level and the siding
land, about five acres can be irrigated
in a day.
HONEY TO ORDER.
California Fruit Grower: Honey, and
it must be of the newest and most de-
lectable flavor, is claiming just now an
unusual amount of attention at the
fashionable breakfast table. In fact,
says contributor to the Los Angeles
Times" it's place there is becoming
quite as undisputed as that of wines
at dinner parties. Men of wealth and
leisure are assiduously testing and ex-
perimenting with the different brands
of honey, and wrinkling their brows
over the problem Of producing what
seems to them the most desirable flavor
during the coming summer.
For the bee is no longer allowed to
pursue his own sweet perigrinations and
sip of the nectar of flowers wherever he
chooses. Honey made in this promis-
cuous way is much too ordinary and
bohemian. His actions are restricted
and guided by these men of cultivation,
who quite enjoy thinking out the busy
bees little difficulties for him. AS a
result. such honey as never was tasted
before is tickling. the palates of many.
If it is the white sweet clover flavor
that has gained favor with the epicure,
he goes systematically to work to pro-
duce it and plants, at his country place
a large plot of ground, perhaps half an
acre with this particular kind of clover.
He has 1t carefully kept from weeds,
or any other variety of clover that
might endeavor to find footing there
The whole bed is inclosed and rooted
with a fine wire netting. and. the bee
hives are then placed within the In
closure. From the bees life, therefore,
the spice of variety is plucked, and try
as he viii, poor fellow. he can produce
none other than white sweet clover
honey. In flavor it is very delicate and
almost white in color. Yellow sweet
clover honey is preferred by others.
The flavor Is slightly stronger than that
made from the white variety. and its
color is a deep yellow.
Then there is the honey that is made
from, such flowers as thistles and milk
vtv~