Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14
COMMISSIONERS
INSPECT THE
COUNTY FARM
Institution Declared
in Good Shape
Revenue Producing Orchard Is Pro-
nouneed In Excellent Condition.
officials Pay High Tribute to
Don Chicks Management


The Los Angeles horticultural COM
rnissioners made a tour of inspection Of
the orchards of the county poor farm
yesterday and it is believed their re-
port will put an end to some adverse
rumors which have been circulated re-
garding the condition of the trees.
One of the largest sources of revenue
possessed by the farm is the orange
crop. Two years ago It was said that
the trees had been neglected and the
scale had caused much damage to the
orchards. At that time a few trees
were fumigated and these have been
doing well since. A short time ago the
commissioners sent men out to fumi-
gate the trees, and it was said that
many of the trees had been burned so
badly by poor fumigating that they
would not recover.
After their inspection yesterday the
commission reported that the orange
orchards have never been in such ex-
cellent condition and that the reported
damage does not exist.
Orchard in Good Condition
Twenty-six carloads of oranges, each
containing an average of $50 boxes,
have been shipped, and there will be
about six or eight additional carloads
of late Valencias to be sent later. The
income from the orange crop for this
year will amount to about $4,000. Two
thousand seven hundred and thirty-six
trees have been fumigated and $500
worth of fertilizer has been put in. The
majority of the scale has been removed
but in the early part of the fall sec
ond fumigation will be necessary.
"I have never seen the county farm
in such excellent condition." said Com
missioner Meserve, after examining the
trees, gardens and various other parts
of the institution.
"The orchards are in fine shape and
I see no reason why they should not
continue to enjoy a good, healthy
growth. We were informed that we
would find the orange orchards In bad
shape as result Of the fumigation, but
such was not the case. We were told
that many of the trees had been
trees that have been hurt and these
only temporarily. On these a little of
the new wood was burned but nothing
more"
Compliments Don Chick
eve are more than satisfied with the
conditions we find here" was the ex-
preston of Commissioner Erwin A. Din
gle, and Mr.. Dingle had nothing but
compliments for the new superintend-
ent, Donald Chick.
It is safe to say that not every the
atrical man would make a good farmer.
but Don Chick has proved that farming
is just in his line. It was not until the
street car accident about a year ago,
in which Mr. Chick sustained injuries
which resulted in the loss of his leg,
that he turned his attention from the
theatrical business
Since he went to the farm the whole
place has taken on a different aspect,
and on every hand there are compli-
ments for the work he has done there.
NTot oil tn 6a ho ora fc.f oIo
noticeable, but in every department
of the farm. The inmates of the home,
of which there are 1913, are with him
to a man, and even some Of the old
timers who have been known as chronic
kickers for years have only good words
for the superintendent.
Declare War on Scale
The entire place has been cleaned up
and new enthusiasm seems to have been
put into the men who are able to work
in the fields or gardens.
The bill of fare has been improved
and the culinary departments are in
good condition. The men have clean
sleeping quarters and a large reading
room where they spend much of their
time.
In view of the numerous times the
county poor farm has been the subject
of the deliberations of the grand jury,
themselves on the changed conditions.
Preceding the expedition to the farm
yesterday the horticultural commission
ers held meeting in the commission
rooms, and 1t was decided to begin a
systematic war against scale.
An inspector will be appointed at
once to inspect the fruit sold in the Los
Angeles market, the fruit sold at fruit
stands and that peddled around the
CITY, With the opening of the Long
Beach market May 1, another man will
be appointed to take charge of the
work down there. The commissioners
believe that great deal of damage is
done by these seaside resorts where
fruit is sold without being inspected.
Erwin A. Dingle, the recently appoint
ed commissioner is especially interest
ed in this phase of the work. and he
intends to devote a great deal of en-
ergy to it. He is young man and
brings many new ideas into the work
"We must do something to prevent
the sale of fruit infected with SCALE
or we will never be able to do away
with the pest in Southern California, !"
said he.
"This morning I found a peddler
with a wagonload of infected oranges
and I had the whole load destroyed in
the furnace at the court house. The
man was an italian and 1t was hard
thing to have to take his, fruit just as
he was starting out on the days work.
but 1t had to be done, for the damage
which that one load of oranges might
cause is inestimable.
"Fruit is often responsible for bring
ing scale infection into districts where
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