42 



Root knot and oak fungus (Armillaria) must also be guarded against when 

 the trees are being planted. 



The almond is grown on farms ranging from an acre or two up to one 

 hundred or more acres. The average orchard is not over thirty acres. 



In all of the above mentioned districts there are lands still available for 

 development, but care must be exercised to determine whether or not such 

 delayed development is due to frequent late spring frosts occurring there. 



Good unimproved almond land may be purchased at from $185 to $350 per 

 acre. Land with trees in bearing runs from $250 to $600 per acre and over. 



Although there are independent buyers, the marketing of this crop is done 

 largely through the California Almond Growers' Exchange, with offices in 

 Sacramento. 



ALFALFA CULTURE 

 By B. A. MADSON, Assistant Professor of Agronomy 



The climatic and soil conditions of the state are eminently suited to the 

 growth of alfalfa. While these two factors have doubtless played an important 

 part in centralizing the industry in certain sections of the state, water has in 

 all probability been the controlling factor. Modesto, Turlock, Merced, and 

 Fresno are especially noted as centers of alfalfa production, and here also we 

 find irrigation highly developed. Within the past few years the Imperial Valley 

 with its abundant water supply has become an extensive producer of alfalfa. 



With regard to soil requirements, while alfalfa is not fastidious, there are 

 certain conditions which are unfavorable to its growth. It thrives best on a 

 deep, fertile, well-drained loam, of uniform character and of high lime conten-t. 

 Soils which possess an impervious stratum or hardpan near the surface or which 

 have a high water table, should be avoided. The alfalfa plant is a gross feeder, 

 possessing an extensive root system, and any soil condition which interferes 

 with its free development will materially check its growth. Acidity or excessive 

 alkalinity are of course always objectionable. The former condition occurs 

 only to a limited extent in this state, but the latter is quite prevalent and is 

 frequently associated with hardpan. 



While it is true that in a few sections alfalfa is successfully grown with 

 natural sub-irrigation, the highest degree of perfection is seldom attained unless 

 the farmer has at his command an adequate supply of irrigation water, obtained 

 either from a ditch or from wells. 



The first step in the preparation of the field for alfalfa is to level and 

 check for irrigation. This work is usually done by contract, either in the 

 summer or early fall, while the soil is dry. The average contract price for 

 grading and checking land is about $18 per acre. The system of checks to be 

 used, must be governed by the character of the soil, the contour of the field 

 and the volume of water available. If water can be obtained in the late 

 summer or early in the fall, it is a common practice to irrigate the land, pre- 

 pare the seed bed, with a disk and harrow as soon as possible after irrigation, 

 and then seed the alfalfa. If the crop can be put in by the middle of Sep- 

 tember, it will usually attain sufficient growth before winter to withstand the 

 frosts. More often, however, after the land is checked it is allowed to lie 

 idle until spring, when the seed bed is prepared, and the alfalfa seeded at the 

 rate of twenty pounds per acre. 



