24 CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



It is true that for commercial purposes it is not possible to allow 

 this process to go too far, for its later effects are higher sweetness, 

 accompanied by such juiciness that the fruit can not endure trans- 

 portation. But go to the tree to apply the only test which can fairly 

 be put to a juicy fruit, and the demonstration of the service of clear, 

 unobstructed sunshine through an adequate period is complete. But 

 if this can not be done, place the judgment upon the mature peach 

 carefully sun-dried and intelligently cooked, or upon the ripe peach 

 skilfully canned, and the distinctive adaptations of California for 

 fruit production will display themselves. 



But there are other agencies involved in the perfection of fruit 

 than intensity and duration of light and heat. Without adequate 

 moisture in the soil, the air which we have credited with such benign 

 power in carrying heat and light for perfection of fruit would trans- 

 mit the same as agencies for the destruction of the tree which 

 bears it. If this moisture comes from rainfall, it descends at 

 the time of the year when the tree is least active, consequently is 

 least retarded by a clouded sky and moisture-laden air, and least 

 affected by atmospheric disturbances. Strong storm winds find 

 the tree with reefed sails, and able to endure pressure which would 

 tear it to pieces if they came upon its grand spread of foliage on 

 branches heavy with fruit. It is a priceless horticultural endow- 

 ment that no tornado can pierce our protecting mountain-barriers, 

 and that it is exceedingly rare that our local winds disturb the confident 

 swaying of the branches and leaf movement beyond the activity which 

 ministers to the sap flow. And if the adequate moisture is not from 

 rainstorm, but by irrigation, the same facts remain, for the water 

 reaches the tree without interrupting its aerial activity. Temperature 

 is maintained, light is unobstructed, and the tree is refreshed with 

 moisture without the chill and darkness which favor fungoid parasites. 

 Of all the ways by which moisture could come to soils supporting fruit 

 tree or vine, the natural by its time, and the artificial by its method, 

 endow California with the best. 



The characteristics of the California climate which have been espe- 

 cially pointed out in this sketch are not propitious to fruit culture 

 when they exist to excessive degree, as in some interior or continental 

 climates. Local conditions of altitude, distance from the sea, and 

 exposure to the sweep of arctic winds, induce sudden and great weather 

 changes which are serious in their effects. Excessively low percentage 

 of atmospheric humidity, in connection with desiccating wind, often 

 produce greater evaporation from the leaves than the roots can supply. 

 Excessively dry air admits a parching sun heat at one time, and at 

 another facilitates radiation of heat, until the rapid decline in tempera- 

 ture makes killing frosts frequent. It is evident that California has 

 these agencies constantly held in check by her insular situation and 

 protecting environment, and owes her wonderful adaptation to growth 

 of tree and perfection of fruit not more to the possession of certain 

 conditions than to the fact of their existence in moderation. 



