Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1914-01-06


the state fruit growers convention
and horticultural commissioners con-
yention. held in San Jose, was incor-
porated in County horticultural
Commissioner F. w. Waite's report
for the month of December, presented
to the board of supervisors today:
During the month the commission
err attended the state fruit growers
and horticultural commissioners con-
vention at San Jose, which was well
attended, there being present all the
commissioners of the state, AZ IN
number, which is the only time on
record when all were in attendance.
The meetings were ably presided
over by DR.. A. ]. Cook, state COM
missioner of horticulture. Lectures OF
special interest to horticulturists were
delivered. Among those most inter
esting was the lecture by DR.. n. j.
Webber of the citrus experiment sta
ton at Riverside, on the subject OF
trees and plant propagation. He
strongly recommended those who
wished to propagate, to plant seed
lings: to get the best adapted to To-
cality, selecting stock from the best
seedlings; the growers themselves to
develop new varieties of fruits, ber-
ries and vegetables specially adapted
to conditions prevalent in this state
and each locality.
The paper on alfalfa by DR.. A. j.
Cook, state commissioner of horti-
culture, was very interesting, cover
ing the history of the plant, its IN
PRODUCTION into California, its marvel
Gus success in our state, the condl-
ton and treatment necessary for the
best results, its value as food plan
and fertilizer, how to prepare the
soil for it, when and how to plant,
and to irrigate and harvest.
A paper was read by Commissioner
r. S. Vale on notes and records OF
county commissioners which was IN
structive to all horticultural commits
sioners. Mr.. Vale said that the work
of county commissioners falls natur-
ally under four main divisions. The
first deals with quarantine inspection
of all plants and other horticultural
shipments moved into, out or within
our separate countless Some record is
kept of each shipment and in some
counties those records are quite de-
tailed.
The consignee, number and kinds
of plants are noted. The shipper is
noted so that if some disease devel-
ops later its origin will be known.
DR.. Weber also gave a talk on
general comments on the citrus in
dustry.
DIR. C. B. Lipman, soil chemist and
bacteriologist of the University of
California, lectured on the essentials
in the management of California
soils. Dr. Lipman gave six rules as
essential for soil fertility to produce
the best results: First, deep blowing
second, prevention of plowsole; third
irrigation in deep burrows; fourth
deep incorporation of manures and
fertilizers; fifth, frequent summer
civilizations; sixth, green manuring
and maintenance of humus and nitro
gen supply. Surely we can recon-
mend deep blowing plenty of cult
walton for best results in this county.
Professor R. S. Fawcett's lecture
on fungi was illustrated with a large
number of photographs taken by him
self. Professor Fawcett is one of the
best known tree surgeons in the state
Mr.. c. w. Collins of Dinuba gave a
paper on the cultivation of the peach
which was very beneficial to peach
growers.
Professor r. E. Smith lectured or
walnut culture. When questioned by
the commissioner Professor Smith
said it was too hot and dry in I'm.
perial county for profitable growing
of walnuts.
Quarantine methods and regula
tons were thoroughly explained by
Frederick Maskew, chief deputy
quarantine officer located in Sar
Francisco. All ships are thoroughly
examined and goods inspected, as wei
as all passengers and their baggage
and all fruits from infested districts
Of the Mediterranean fruit fly
(Ceratitis capitata) except bananas
and pineapples are confiscated ano
destroyed.
All of these lectures and papers
will be published by the state com
missioner of horticulture and can be
had by making application at Sacra'
mento. Many of these are reported in
Tho CaIifarn.a g.. ThDx