382 THE MOXTHLY BULLETIN, 



matter that should be discussed thoroughly by the convention here. It 

 seems to me that it is a subject that should be taken up earnestly by the 

 entire community. Early cleaning up of our vineyards and fields will 

 decrease the damage caused by these hoppers and why should we not 

 make it a community proposition, and clear up our vineyards early? To 

 a great extent it would lessen our heavy losses. 



A Member. I would like to ask if alfalfa fields surrounding vineyards 

 will breed the hoppers as much as rubbish, etc.. Avill. 



Prof. Quayle. Alfalfa is not a favorite food plant of the hopper: 

 but if the alfalfa is adjoining the vineyard, no doubt they will also 

 sustain themselves very admirably during the winter season. 



Chairman Cook. As Dr. Hunt is now present, I will ask him to pre- 

 side over the remainder of the afternoon meeting. 



Dr. Hunt. You all know Mr. Richmond, I am sure. ]\Ir. Richmond 

 has nmch experience in the handling of prunes, and I have great pleasure 

 now in introducing to you Mr. E. N. Richmond, who will speak to you on 

 the prune. 



PRUNE CULTURE. 



By E. N. RiCHMOXD, San Jose, Cal. 



I have been asked by the State Horticultural Commissioner to pre- 

 pare a paper tm the subject of Prune Culture, consisting of short 

 concise facts relative to this industry from the time of the planting of 

 the trees until the fruit has been prepared for market, to be read before 

 this convention. I shall adhere to facts as I have found them through 

 experience. 



The successful orchardist of today, no matter what variety of fruit 

 he is producing, is the man who uses common business judgment in 

 addition to a general knowledge of soil, tree growth and care. This 

 statement applies to all horticultural interests. Fruit growing, to a 

 degree, is a business, and must have the same consideration as any 

 other business. 



It will perhaps l)e of interest to you to know the tale of how the 

 prune was first introduced into California from France, the country 

 to which today we are shipping a goodly portion of our production, 

 even though France and many other sections of Europe are still pro- 

 ducing prunes. In 1849 Louis Pellier, a French sailor, arrived in San 

 Francisco and went to work in the mines of Trinity County. He did 

 not succeed there, and finally moved to San Jose in the early fifties. 

 There he started a nursery on the property which today is owned and 

 occupied by his nephew. He soon after induced his brother Pierre, 

 whom he left in France, to join him in California. The two brothers 

 worked the nursery together until the spring of 1856, when Pierre 

 returned to France on a visit. Upon his return to California he 



