82 CALIFORNIA CITRUS CULTURE. 



price. Until within the last few years the owner of a small orchard 

 was not thus benefited unless the association to which he belonged or 

 the county bought his materials. A co-operative company in the south- 

 ern part of the State composed of the citrus growers themselves and 

 known as the Fruit Growers' Supply Company, now gives its members 

 the advantage of the prices obtained by making large purchases. 



BLOCK FUMIGATION. 



The spread of scale insects in citrus orchards is very rapid, and under 

 ordinary methods of fumigation, where only part of a district is treated 

 each year, there is always a source of re-infestation from the trees which 

 have not been fumigated for from one to several years. To eliminate 

 this condition it is exceedingly desirable to fumigate large blocks or 

 tracts of orchards the same year and thus place each upon the same 

 basis. This is known as block fumigation and should be encouraged in 

 every possible way, as it has great advantages over the usual haphazard 

 fumigation of a district. All citrus growers should possess ''Insects 

 of California," Monthly Bulletin, State Commission Horticulture. 

 Yol. II, 1913, No. 1-2, which is mailed free on application. 



DECADENCE OF CITRUS GROVES. 



There has been no little discussion of late regarding deterioration 

 of our citrus trees. The condition of some of our groves and the fact 

 that increase of production does not keep pace with the increase in 

 planting lends some apparent color to this contention. Yet we know 

 that in Europe trees a century old are still vigorous and productive. 

 Some of our oldest orchards in California have lost none of their health 

 or productiveness. It has been suggested that our Washington Navels, 

 in their developed excellence, have yielded some of their strength and 

 vitality, and so may deteriorate while yet young; yet there are old 

 Washington Navel trees that still show a maximum of vigor and pro- 

 ductivity. 



The Real Facts. 



We must remember that our citrus trees are marvelous producers; 

 they know no rest season no off years. Does it not stand to reason 

 then that they must have the very best care and attention? If they 

 are suffering from insufficient food or water; if the soil is hard and 

 compact so that aeration is impossible ; if they rest on impervious hard- 

 pan, then what wonder if they show decline or utterly succumb. In 



