THE MONTHLY HULLKTIN. 



469 



HORTICULTURAL POSSIBILITIES OF SISKIYOU COUNTY. 



By W. L. Kleavek. County Horticultural Commissioner, Xreka, Cal. 



Siskiyou County, situated in the extreme northern part o£ the state, is an empire 

 within itself. Although classed ns a mountain county, yet one-fourth of its four 

 million acres are valley lands drained by several good-sized rivers. The resources of 



this county are various : although, as yet, many are 

 unite undeveloped ; particularly is this true of our 

 horticultural possibilities. 



Siskiyou is far famed for its climate ; here we 

 have the four seasons well defined. The rarefied 

 atmosphere, low in humidity, together with the tem- 

 pering of the sun's rays and cool nights, combine 

 their effects in rendering fruit of the richest hues and 

 most delicious flavor. Fruit of all kinds, except 

 those peculiar to a tropical climate, grow and ripen 

 to perfection. True there are sections of the county 

 where late frosts render a crop uncertain ; but, 

 generally, due largely to a free circulation of mild 

 air throughout these mountain valleys, a fair crop 

 is ass red every season. 



While at present fruit is not being produced to any 

 great commercial extent, yet nearly every farm has 

 its own orchard to supply the home and local needs. 

 It may be said that what we lack in quantity we 

 make up in quality. 



Berries of all kinds grow to perfection, particularly 

 in the southern part of the county in the famous Strawberry Valley. Here the 

 lands, which were formerly covered with vast forests, are being cleared and the 

 acreages in fruits, vegetable gardens, etc., are gradually being increased. 



The Klamath River Valley, which extends through this county for a distance of 

 more than one hundred twenty miles, is perhaps the section for the choicest fruits 

 of all sorts. This valley is nowhere as wide as the valleys of its tributaries, the 

 Scott and Shasta rivers, yet along its course are to be found a series of sunny 

 benches of well drained fertile soil. The mountain streams furnish an abundance 

 of water for irrigation purposes. This section, for the most part, is quite new in 

 a horticultural way, due to the fact that it is only now being opened to the outside 

 world with suitable wagon roads ; we hope to see it have railroad advantages in the 

 rear future. Here we get our most delicious apples, pears, peaches, etc. It has been 

 fully demonstrated that the moist well-drained loams along this river valley are 

 particularly well suited to the growth of the various nut trees. Walnuts, almonds 

 and other nuts are being produced most successfully. We predict rapid growth in 

 t liis section. 



The various resources of our county are being developed, the population will 

 continue to increase, aud the horticultural interests will surely keep pace with the 

 other advancements. 



