CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



Large planting was then undertaken on the ground that the choice 

 of soil and situation, and the selection of trustworthy varieties, are 

 both factors of success, but that possibly more lay in the choice of 

 variety than of location. This belief led to the wide planting in 

 locations now seen to be unfitted by reason of frosts and losses 

 were again encountered. Now it seems to be fully demonstrated 

 that no matter what variety is planted locations for the almond 

 must be selected with great care. It has also been demonstrated 

 that association of varieties promotes pollination and satisfactory 

 bearing, as will be stated later. Notwithstanding such cultural 

 wisdom and the progress made by growers in co-operative market- 

 ing, the need of shelling inferior varieties, which can not be done 

 profitably with high-cost labor, and other commercial difficulties, 

 the planting interest in 1921 is at low ebb. 



Situations and Soils for the Almond. Almonds are now doing 

 best on the higher lands in coast valleys, free from fogs and pro- 

 tected from direct winds, but subject to tempered breezes ; also at 

 various points in the interior valleys and foothills. The general 

 proposition that low lands in small valleys should be avoided, and 

 bench or hillside situations preferred, seems to be a safe one. Lands 

 directly upon the coast have not proved satisfactory. In the large 

 interior valleys of the Sacramento and San Joaquin, almonds are 

 successfully grown on flat valley lands but little lifted above sea 

 level and from such plains the chief product comes. Why almonds 

 are safer on the low lands of a great valley than of a small valley is 

 explained by the discussion in Chapter I. 



The almond prefers a loose, light, warm soil, and heavy, poorly- 

 drained soils should be avoided. Though they need moisture enough 

 to make good, thrifty growth they will produce good crops on soils 

 that are too light or dry to grow satisfactory peaches, apricots, 

 nectarines, cherries, or similar pulpy fruits. The almond is, how- 

 ever, a very deep-rooting tree, and may succeed by reaching deeply 

 for moisture rather than by denying itself, as some think. The 

 tree certainly suffers and is barren from drouth in some cases, and 

 a certain amount of irrigation in midsummer is very desirable in 

 many places. Almonds are doing well in alfalfa with irrigation 

 the alfalfa making a good growth and still leaving soil-moisture 

 enough to cause the nuts to open their hulls better than on drier 

 ground with clean cultivation but care must be taken not to get 

 too much water in the soil for the health of the roots. 



Propagating, Planting, and Pruning. The almond is propagated 

 from seedlings grown as described in Chapter VIII, and budded as 

 described in Chapter IX. The almond root is chiefly used, though 

 the peach answers well upon soils adapted to it. The apricot root 

 should be avoided, and plum roots have proved disappointing. 



For planting out, trees in dormant bud are very successful if 

 given proper care. Yearling trees are, on the whole, best and 

 usually those which have made a moderate instead of a very large 

 growth are to be preferred. The almond makes a comparatively 

 large tree and should have plenty of room not less than twenty- 



