538 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



counties, each with a limited orchard area, yet these counties are danger 

 points, and we shall breathe easier when all are properly supervised. 



We are greatly pleased with the enactment of the two admirable 

 .standardization laws by the last legislature. Each law has now been in 

 harness one entire season, and each pulls true. The Apple Standard 

 Act gives entire satisfaction. The general standardization law has 

 done excellent service, but as we have stated in an address before the 

 association of county horticultural commissioners, it is criticized some- 

 M'hat by those who have been in close touch with its workings. These 

 parties think it would be improved if it were modeled after the Apple 

 Standard Act. We shall certainly use it another season, and then can 

 change it if experience shows that any change is desirable. California 

 has the reputation of being in the lead in statecraft. She certainly is 

 at the very forefront in successful effort in bringing to pass effective 

 legislation in behalf of standardization. If we live up to Nature's 

 example in California, our fruit will rank as of very superior excellence 

 the world over. 



It is appalling to note that large areas planted to potatoes, which 

 only a few years ago yielded three hundred sacks of potatoes to the 

 acre, this season have produced only thirty-two sacks to the acre. This 

 decline in yield has been steady and constant. The cause is known. 

 Destructive fungi have wrought the damage. These evils are subject 

 to control. This present season several California potato growers have 

 ])y proper cultural methods and due caution as to seed and soil raised 

 three hundred sacks of potatoes, and even five hundred, to the acre for 

 their entire plantings. Education can do wonders for the potato pro- 

 duction of California. The West Coast Potato Association, an emer- 

 gency potato convention and a series of six local potato conventions 

 have already created a very commendable interest in the subject. The 

 gain is so apparent that we are arranging for ten or a dozen more such 

 meetings in the late winter months. Good, clean potato seed, planted 

 in clean soil, is an indispensable necessity. We hope through these 

 meetings to secure action which will bring thousands of dollars into the 

 pockets of the potato growers of California. 



Several achievements yet await fulfillment. Each fruit county must 

 have a county horticultural commissioner or inspector; the potato 

 indiLstry must be restored to its former prosperity ; a few changes are 

 needed in the parcel post regulation ; improvements in marketing con- 

 ditions, and possibly slight modifications in the standardization laws, 

 and then we may rejoice that the great practical horticultural system 

 of California is well-nigh perfect. 



