THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 199 



CROP STATISTICS. 



By Geo. P. Weldon. 



California is known throughout tlie world as a great state for fruit 

 ^'rowing, ])ut little is said about the tremendous production of alfalfa. 

 The great importance of this crop, ])ecause of its beneficial effect upon 

 the soil and its relation directly to the livestock industry and indirectly 

 to orcharding, caused the State Commission of Horticulture to com- 

 pile figures on the acreage of the various counties throughout the State. 

 As with all other figures on acreage that have been published in the 

 Bulletin we are indebted for these to the county horticultural com- 

 missioners. 



THE CROP OUTLOOK. 



The splendid rains which fell throughout California during the 

 month of February were ample to supply the soil and trees with the 

 necessary moisture for healihy growth and luxuriant blossom, con- 

 sequently the condition of all fi'uits at the present time is good. The 

 weather during .March has also been exceedingly favorable for the 

 fertilization of almonds and apricots. With plenty of sunshine and 

 practically no rain, bees and other insects, Avhich feed upon the nectar 

 of the flowers and perform a valuable service in pollinating, have been 

 a])undant, and there should be no trouble from lack of fertilization 

 with the fruits which have bloomed up to this time. 



On May first, it is planned to have a complete condition report for 

 xVpril ready for mailing. While the early reports are apt to change 

 nuiterially as the season advances, they are nevertheless of great interest 

 and value. 



ERRATA. 



In No. 2, Volume IV, the l^'ebruary number of The Monthly Bulletin, 

 figures were given on the production of fruits for 1914. In the case 

 of Orange and Ventura counties the tonnage given for apricots, viz., 

 1.200 tons green for Orange and 2,500 tons green for Ventura, should 

 he the same number of tons dried fruit, or about 6,000 tons green in 

 Orange County and 12,500 tons green in Ventura County. 



