2S4 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 



CARE OF THE TOP-WORKED TREE. 



The most important period in shaping- the future of the top-worked tree 

 is the first season that the scions g-row. Except in .June budding the orchard 

 should be gone over three or four times and all water-shoots removed, 

 or they will smother and dwarf the scions. It is not advisable to remove all 

 the branches and shoots from .June-budded trees, for the scions may grow so 

 rampantly that they are easily blowD out by the fall winds. The unbudded 

 branches, however, may be removed, but the shoots growing from the budded 

 branches and from the body should be left and cut out the following spring. 



It may be necessary to head in many of the scions about the middle of July 

 or the first of August, for they often grow so large that there is danger of 

 their being broken out. The scions will throw out many side branches, and 

 some of these may need heading in and others may need removing. Nearly 

 all of the pruning the first year can be done with the finger and thumb. It 

 cannot be emphasized too strongly that it is during the first season that the 

 greatest care is needed in pt^operly shaping and protecting the new top. If 

 this attention is neglected top-working as an orchard practice is bound to 

 lead to disappointment ; if wisely bestowed its value will continue to grow 

 with the experience of the operator. It cannot be left in the hands of the 

 careless employee. Intelligent, unremitting, personal care is the price of a 

 satisfactory outcome, and if this cannot be given the permanent varieties 

 had better be bought in the old-fashioned wav. 



THE AVALNUT. 



By B. M. I.Ei.oNH, Secretary Ciilifornia State Board of Horticultui-e, and Chief 



Horticultural Officer. 



COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE. 



Holding a prominent place among the fruit products of California, stands 

 the walnut. This position has been attained in the past few years, and is 

 the result of experience — and many failures — which have shown the proper 

 conditions under which this fruit will thrive, its requirements in soil, cli- 

 mate, and location, and the production of varieties adapted to the peculiari- 

 ties of our state. The oldtime saying that the area of walnut culture in the 

 state is " very limited " and confined to any particular section, has, by hapjjy 

 chance, proved a fallacy, and is disproved by the numerous productive 

 orchards that bear witness to its successful culture. While the early plant- 

 ings were made ih the southern cotmties. where the culture of the walnut is 

 pursued with great magnitude, the industry is gradually spreading and 

 broadening. While the walnut will withstand a very low temperature, it is 



