322 Transactions of the 



Oranges and limes, with more or less protection, grow luxuriantly 

 along and near our line of coast for five hundred miles. 



The Agave Americana, or century plant, is utilized as a hedge plant. 



Currant's, blackberries, gooseberries, raspberries, and strawberries, all 

 bear abundantly. 



The lordly banana begins to spread its mammoth foliage in many a 

 garden spot. 



Thus, under the influence of skilled industry, and the vivifying flow 

 of waters to be utilized, all the semi-tropical fruits will find here a con- 

 genial home. But the glory of California will be her vineyards. 

 Innumerable little nooks and valleys, rich with the attributes of sur- 

 rounding mountains, and under most favorable climatic conditions, are 

 waiting for patient labor to clothe them with the clustering grape. All 

 the finest varieties succeed admirably, and the product — either to be 

 utilized for wine or raisins — is all that could be desired. 



It is not to be inferred, nor is it claimed, that the horticulturist in 

 California needs only to plant a tree or a vine to realize, in a few years, 

 several hundred pounds of apples per tree, or even a thousand pounds of 

 grapes to the vine. He has to contend with many evils, as in other climes 

 or avocations; constant vigilance and sound judgment are required to sup- 

 ply the most favorable conditions for the development of his nurslings, 

 and destroy in the beginning their enemies. Different varieties of fun- 

 goid growths and injurious insects begin to multiply. All experienced 

 viniculturists pronounce this the most favorite land of the grape; still, 

 oidium is known; the borer, and especially the thrip, do considerable 

 injury. Thus, every laborer in Pomona's realm is interested in the 

 experience of his co laborers. 



A new comer opens a most willing ear to an oft-repeated tale, but full 

 of novelty to him; so, to compare experiences, I take the liberty to 

 make these deductions: 



That clean culture is indispensable for orchard and vineyard. 



That the raising of other crops between trees, when abundant man- 

 ures are not obtainable, is a killing of the goose laying golden eggs. 



Alkaline or earthy washes of the stem and larger branches are con- 

 ducive to health of the trees. 



By repeatedly scraping off the earth around the trees and vines, early 

 in the Spring, many insects, their eggs and larvae, are destroyed. 



That careful pruning and shortening-in of the shoots is indispensable 

 to the production of fine and large fruits. All the pruning should be 

 carefully husbanded and returned to the soil. To light bonfires for the 

 destruction of insects, to raise smoke to avoid injury from Spring frosts, 

 are probably the most available and serviceable means for destroying 

 fungoid and insect growths on foliage and fruit; by fumigation of the 

 whole orchard and vineyard, making numerous smouldering fires, with 

 the addition of coal-tar, or asphaltum and sulphur. 



FRUIT AND VEGETABLE DRYING IN CALIFORNIA. 



The success of the Alden process of preserving fruits and vegetables 

 was thoroughly established some time ago, arid its importance to our 

 agricultural interests was at once acknowledged. The process consists 

 in removing the water from the vegetable substances, in a few hours, by 

 pneumatic evaporation, and the result is to render articles so treated 

 proof against decay, and while thus artificially ripening them, to 

 increase their nutritious and palatable qualities. Within the last year 



