VEGETABLES AMONG FRUIT TREES 89 



declare that whether they hurt the trees or not they would like a 

 better place on their own account. It is a fact that inter-culture of 

 vegetables in an orchard is soon abandoned because the vegetables 

 do not pay for the trouble and by the sight of them one is not 

 surprised that they do not pay. It would probably be much better 

 for trees, vegetables and owner if half an acre, if for home use, 

 and larger area, if for market, should be kept free of trees and 

 handled on a more intensive plan for the production of fine vege- 

 tables. When fruit prices were higher and orchard improvements 

 the only avenue to high acre-valuation, it is not surprising that 

 people tried to plant fruit trees everywhere on small tract pur- 

 chases even to making clothes-line posts of them, but now as 

 other resources are receiving better proportional esteem, a small, 

 first-class garden spot, worked up to the limits of its possibilities, 

 should receive attention not only for constant money-saving and 

 money-making, but as one of the most valuable improvements on 

 the place. 



There is no particular disadvantage or difficulty in growing 

 vegetables in young orchards or vineyards providing conditions are 

 right for it. Fruits and vegetables have been associated in gardens, 

 probably, ever since Adam failed through giving too much attention 

 to fruit. But the association of fruits and vegetables has been 

 successful upon the garden policy of enrichment, irrigation, and 

 the highest known culture. This is quite different from the propo- 

 sition as it has arisen in California, which is to grow vegetables 

 upon the orchard policy of cultivation for conservation of moisture 

 and trust to the natural fertility of the land. It is not surprising 

 that the soil often rebels at the double burden as beyond its strength 

 and dictates its terms to the grower by so much as you gain of 

 one by so much you shall lose of the other. 



It has, however, been shown in previous chapters on soils and 

 irrigation that California has natural soils and situations which are 

 quite comparable with the best conditions which intensive culture 

 can produce in the gardens of older lands and, this being true, it is 

 possible to draw upon their rich resources in the same way. It is 

 quite possible, then, to grow good vegetables between young fruit 

 trees and for a certain period it can be done without irreparable 

 injury to the trees, providing the local conditions warrant the prac- 

 tice. These conditions may be thus summarized: 



If the soil be of only average richness, the rainfall moderate 

 to meager in amount, and no facilities for irrigation, it would be 

 unfortunate to place any other burden on the land than the growth 

 of the trees. 



If the soil be not over rich and the rainfall heavy, but the 

 moisture easily lost by percolation or evaporation, owing to non- 

 retentiveness of the soil, and no irrigation facilities, give the trees 

 all the ground and the most perfect summer cultivation possible. 



