Arizona republican., 1900-08-31

to six weeks earlier than that of Cali fornia; when correctly gathered and cured the fruit is practically imperish- able. and in the flavor and size of the nut, the Arizona almond equals, if it does not surpass. the California pro duct Another reason why the de- mand will be permanent, is that of all the almonds consumed in the United States only about p per cent are home grown. It is therefore a home market that can be relied upon.
 Speaking of the methods of cultiva- tion. MT. Trippel said: q have proved this year that almonds can be profit ably grown even if we don't have any water to speak of in the summer time" Asked how it was done, he said: By winter irrigation and sum- mer and winter cultivation" The trouble with the average orchardist is that he does not cultivate enough. The ground should be stirred up as re- ligiously as though the crop were corn and constantly menaced by weeds.
 MT. Trippel when he irrigates, instead of simply running a furrow each side of a row of trees, as many horticulturists do. runs, four fur rows between the rows of trees so that when all are filled with water the ground is pretty thoroughly saturated all over. Last winter when there was ample water he took advantage of ev- cry run even though 1t was not the growing season. Following the irEiga ton he cultivated. cultivated thor oughly. breaking up all capillary for nation which aids in evaporation and the drying out of the land. The result was that his orchard was well moist ened deep down in the subsoil. When warm weather came on and water go; scarce he kept up his cultivation which not only prevented capillary evapora- tion, but destroyed the surface or water roots and forced nature to send the roots toward the stored moisture be- low.
 Another thing which has been a great advantage to Mir. Trippel and might be to many other fruit growers if they would only appreciate its value and act upon the information afforded is the Phoenix station of the weather bureau service. FOrewarning by the officers of the bureau, of dangerous frosts, has enabled him on many occa- sions to take the necessary measures to prevent injury to his 5rees and fruit and information furnished by Mir. Burns he is satisfied has saved him two different crops. Other fruit growers should take heed from ,he experience Of MT. Trippel and there is no doubt that many dollars worth of fruit would be saved here annually by so doing. Mir Trippal cannot say too much in praise of the value of this service to the farmer and is surprised at the lack of interest taken in it. He suggests that Phoenix should request of the chief of the service, MT. Willis M. Moore. that an independent forecasting station should be established 70. While the present forecasts male in San Francisco are valuable ito those who give heed. they s1. of course, vastly more inaccurate than if made from observations at this point by 9 competent official with the necessary facilities and paraphernalia. If the farmers and fruit growers really ap preciated. or if not knowing, would take the trouble to inquire into the benefits they could derive from this service they would every one of them be willing to do all in Ehelr power to assist the local observers in the fur ulSlInS Ol lNIptlld ton ana insist on ltie extending of the service.
 Their experience at Mesa is that the two best varieties of almonds to plant are IXL and the Arizona Pro life. Jnc latter a hardshell. While the papershells command the highest price per pound, the weight of the hardshells for the same amount Of fruit Is so much greater that the net profit is, parhaps, greater. Both trees blossom late and mature early, while the Ne Plus Ultra though a magnificent papershell of eX- traordinary size, has the disadvantage of blossoming carly and cruiting late. Practically the same thing may be said of the Nonpareh. In planting, differ ent varieties should alternate that they may have the advantage of interpolli- nation. The fourth year after planting tbe crop should pay a part of the eX- pense, the fifth year it should pay for all expenses and afford some prCfb,, and the sixth year it should return a hand some interest on all the money invest ed, though the trees do not get into full bearing until eight or ten years old when they ought Ito produce fifty pounds each.