THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



CALIFORNIA STATE COMMISSION OF HORTICULTURE. 

 Vol. III. September, 1914. No. 9. 



FRUIT SOILS OF THE GREAT INTERIOR VALLEY. 



By J. AV. Nelson, University of California. 

 Address before tlie State Fruit Growers' Convention, Davis, Cal., June 1-6, 1914. 



This is a broad subject, and there are so many important details 

 which have not been worked out j'et, all having an important bearing 

 on the relation of soil types to fruit varieties, that we can only deal 

 with a few generalities. 



When we discuss an area as large as the Great Interior Valley, we are 

 dealing with a territory equal in extent to about three fourths of the 

 tillable land of the entire Empire of Japan. 



To get an idea of the future possibilities of this remarkable region, 

 with its equally wonderful climate and wide range of soils, wc only 

 need to compare it with what has already been accomplished in that 

 country. That empire has a total area of 147,000 square miles, 10,000 

 less than the State of California. Of the total area, only 21,000 square 

 miles is tillable, yet that empire supports a population of 50,000,000 

 people and 2,600,000 horses and cattle. Taking into consideration that 

 part of the empire which is tillable, we note that each square mile of 

 good soil supports 2,277 people and 125 horses and cattle. Imagine 

 this density of population in the Great Interior Valley and you have 

 an idea of the system of agriculture necessary to support it. The 

 time is far off when this valley will be so densely settled, but we are 

 very slowly approaching it, and it seems wisdom to so acquaint our- 

 selves with the finer and more business-like side of agriculture in order 

 that we may obtain the fullest returns from nature's storehouse, the 

 soil. 



Strange to say, investigators have, in practically every instance where 

 information on fruit growing has been given out, either completely 

 ignored or only very briefly mentioned the soil factor as having a 

 bearing on fruit culture. If you will observe, I think you will note 

 that about nine tenths of the publications dealing with fruit growing 

 do not have more than from five to twenty lines dealing with the 

 soil factor. This is either because of a too limited knowledge of soil 

 differences and their bearing on fruit culture, or because the soil type 

 has not been recognized as having much influence on the qualities and 

 yield of fruit. To this end we are outlining, mapping, and studying 

 the numerous kinds of soil in this great valley, for it is recognized 

 by every well informed person that there are many kinds of soils, 

 and each soil difference has its bearing on the type of agriculture 

 possible. 



