Imperial Valley press., 1907-12-07
E1pers Talk On Live Topics at
 :, Opening Session of Farmers
 '' Institute. :'" @.
ORANGE AND GRAPE CULTURE
lmperisI' County Urged to Make the Most of Its Uniqde' Advantage Over All Other Fruit Growing Reg,oas in the County.

tute was delayed until Friday night, when large audience assembled in the Opera house. The program began with music by Prof. Scarpa's orchestra and an address of welcome by J. Stanley Brown of El Centro. MT. Brown wei comed Director J. B. Neff and the visit ing participants in the Institute to the county seat on behalf of the people of Imperial county, remarking incidentally that he had been in the valley two years and knew no more enterprising, courageous and intelligent people than the pioneer reclaimers of the desert. He spoke appreciatively of the work of the University in sending through the State men of high attainments to give to farmers the benefit of their study and experience, said the meetings were of great value and urged all to attend and profit by the advice given by experts.
 In response Director J. B. Neff, of Anaheim. outlined what the University is doing and intends to do and what is expected from the National Government for the instruction and benefit of agri- .culturists He described the University farm and explained that it is to be con .ducted as part of school of agriculture to which students will be admitted without charge for tuition and regard less of age and educational qualified tions. There will be also one or more agricultural high schools open to gram mar school graduates and it is expected that Congress will make liberal provis- ion for government cooperation III es- tablishing and supporting such schools. MT. Neff read an extract from Presl- dent Roosevelt's message advocating technical schools and the elevation of farming and mechanical trades by schools and in popular estimation to the grade of professions. The Farmers In stitute, MT. Neff said, was striving to- ward the end contemplated by the pres ident.
 After solo 8nd response to an en- core by Mrs. Irwin, information on the growing of citrus fruit was imparted bv Ben F. Thorpe, of Covina. MT. Thorpe cited facts and figures showing that the orange is one of the most prof itable of crops and expressed the opin- ion that experiments probably would show Imperial Valley to be peculiarly adapted to the growing of early fruit of superior quality. If not too cold in winter the valleyshould produce better oranges than are grown on the coast side of the mountains. At BraWley where some experiments have been
 made. MT. Thorpe found trees three yers old bearing box to the tree of better oranges than are grown ln Covl- na and two months earlier. He advised the planting of ten acre orchards as ex- periments and recommended early nav els. Thompson's improved and Naval .encia varieties. The soil in the vicinity of El Centro seemed better adapted to oranges than the Brawley land. For rester's trees looked stronger and heal thier than the trees at Brawley. Mr. Thorpe was informed that the lowest Temperature recorded here was 26 de- grees. and he did not think that would iniure trees if they were protected by wrapping with cornstalks while young. His trees at Covina endured fall of temperature to 19 degrees without injury
 In the discussion which followed, these points were brought out: heavy soil produces the best quality of oranges, light soil the largest quantity; trees do well when planted in alfalfa, which supplies needed nitrogen; clean cultivation is advisable after the trees are two or three years old; deep .culti- vation and deep irrigation by the, fur row system are requisite; injury by hot winds can be prevented by planting wind breaks; best time to set out trees here probably latter part of February or early in March; plant three-year stock with two-year bud; tree growth can be forced to the limit without danger; no danger from scale to be looLad foy. hare because of drynesS and