



'.TifJOK L 



CHAPTER III. 

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CALIFORNIA CLIMATE AS RELATED TO VEGE- 

 TABLE GROWING. 



It is not necessary to attempt an elaborate exposition of 

 the characters of the California climate. Such characteri- 

 zation has been made by different authorities from various 

 points of view. It may be claimed in a general way that 

 our climates are as kindly disposed toward vegetable 

 growth as theyare towards the development of fruits 

 or the early maturity, thrift and comfort of animals. The 

 ordinary exemption from ground-freezing at any time of 

 the year; the absence or very rare and localized occur- 

 rence of soil-shifting winds or even of winds to prostrate 

 tall growths ; freedom from wide extremes in temperature ; 

 and only occasionally great changes in atmospheric hu- 

 midity; adequate heat for rapid growth with a dry, but 

 seldom desiccating air, which prevents much of the fun- 

 gous growth of hot, humid climates and consequently in- 

 sures a grand and healthy leaf-action to the plant ; abun- 

 dant sunshine, but seldom, and then only in few localities, 

 rising to leaf burning; ample moisture either by rainfall 

 or irrigation, or one supplementing the other all these 

 characters and others like them, constitute a climate of 

 exceptional advantage to the vegetable grower. They 

 reduce provisions for protection to a minimum ; a cloud of 

 smoke or a lot of small fires for the frost ; a high fence or 

 a line of trees for the wind, a lath or slight brush cover- 

 ing or the neighborly shadow of a taller growth for the 

 most tender foliage; frequent cultivation to retain mois- 

 ture in the soil after rain or irrigation, and the garden will 

 go through the year with ample protection at its weakest 



