190 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



NOTES FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 



By Geo. P. Weldon, Chief Deputy Commissioner of Horticulture. 



Report of the State Board of Horticultural Examiners. 



Since the last report examinations for eligibles to the positi^m of 

 coiinty horticultural commissioner have been held, the following men 

 qualifying in the various counties : 



Stanislaus — Fresno — 



A. L. Rutherford. Fred P. Roullard. 



Madera- I^', ^- ^,?*''- 



George Marchbauk. Aubrey Urink. 



Solano — 



C. R. McBride. 



Kings — 



No candidates presented themselves to take the examination. In accordance 

 with section 2322 of the Political Code, the following persons were recom- 

 mended as competent : 



B. V. Sharp. J. J. Courtner. 

 A. W. Lane. B. P. Shurk. 



C. M. Blowers. 



A. J. Cook, 

 Thos. F. Hunt, 

 Harry S. Smith, 



State Board of Horticultural Examiners. 

 COTTON IN IMPERIAL COUNTY. 



By F. W. Waite, County Horticultural Commissioner, Imperial County. 



In the year 1902 a few cotton plants were grown at Calexico; in the 

 year 1904 there were small plantings of cotton by farmers who believed 

 in the Imperial Valley as a cotton producing section. These plantings, 

 in an experimental way, were carried on each year for four years. 

 During this time it was not possible to interest farmers in the planting 

 of cotton in commercial ciuantities as cantaloupes were demanding their 

 attention on account of the possible profits of the latter. 



In 1909 cotton was grown in a commercial way. The farmers signed 

 up to plant about 1,200 acres and plans were made to erect a gin. 

 Many acres were not cared for after planting which brought the yield 

 down per acre, there being only 350 bales ginned; however the results 

 were so satisfactory that cotton growing was permanently established in 

 Imperial County, the acreage being increased during the following 

 years. Gins were constructed in several towns, also a cotton seed oil 

 mill was built to convert the seed into oil and meal, the latter being 

 used here to fatten cattle with good results. 



The acreage in 1910 was increased about eight times over the pre- 

 ceeding year, as there was considerable enthusiam as to the possible 

 profits in cotton culture in the valley. Many went into the business 

 without previous experience, undertaking too large an acreage ; the 

 results were somewhat disappointing, as the yield was low, and only 

 about 4,000 bales were ginned. 



