CALIFORNIA FRUITS 



PART ONE: GENERAL 



CHAPTER I 



THE CLIMATE OF CALIFORNIA AND ITS LOCAL 

 MODIFICATIONS 



In climatic conditions affecting 1 horticulture we have in Cali- 

 fornia almost an epitome of all other parts of the United States, 

 with added climatic characters which no other part possesses. We 

 have high mountain valleys with wintry temperature-conditions, 

 where only hardy northern fruits can be grown ; we have hot valleys 

 where the date palm confidently lifts its head to the fiery sunshine, 

 while its feet are deeply planted in moist substrata beneath the 

 sandy surface ; but we can not claim tropical conditions, because our 

 dry air denies us many strictly tropical growths, although we have 

 frostless sites for them. Intermediate between the cold and snow 

 of the mountains and the heat and sand of the desert, we have every 

 describable modification and gradation, and, naturally, it is between 

 these extremes that our richest inheritance of horticultural adapta- 

 tion lies. 



When the breadth and scope of our horticultural adaptations 

 are realized, it becomes apparent that an enumeration of the fruits 

 we can grow successfully would be, in fact, a catalogue of the 

 known fruits of the world, except those which are strictly tropical. 

 Wherever there is a northern or southern departure from the 

 equator sufficient to bring energy to mankind, or where the same 

 is accomplished by elevation upon tropical mountainside or plateau, 

 there also are fruits which find a welcoming home in California, 

 and are improved by the intelligent cultivation and selection which 

 here prevail. On the other hand, it has been abundantly demon- 

 strated, during recent years, by official awards at great exhibitions 



