554 



ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTL^RE 



the leaf, and the plant withers. In order 

 to obviate this in the growing of apples, 

 peaches and other fruits of this character, 

 the stem is headed very low, so that it 

 may be shaded and the bark not be in- 

 jured by the sun. Further, there is a 

 more rapid supply of moisture where trees 

 are headed near the ground than where 

 they lift the water to a greater height. 

 At Tuscon, the evaporation is said to be 

 78 inches per annum; which makes an 

 abundant supply of water necessary for 

 the growth of fruits. 



The varieties of fruits best adapted to 

 such a climate are those with thick leaves, 

 small evaporating surface, or with few 

 pores that admit of rapid transpiration. 



From the survey of the Salt River val- 

 ley, made by Thomas H. Means, we quote 

 as follows: 



Fruit Farming 



"Figs are grown, but the cost of labor 

 in handling them and the freight rates, 

 make the industry a financial failure. The 

 growing of stone fruits is another indus- 

 try held down by the cost of labor and 

 freight rates. Excellent fruits of this 

 kind are grown, but the trade is largely 

 within the state. Almonds, when they 

 escape the late frosts, and olives, which 

 are weighty in pi-oportion to their value, 

 may prove a success financially. 



"Grapes are grown successfully, and the 

 warm dry climate is eminently suited to 

 the growing of raisins and wine grapes. 



Oranges 



"The orange industry of the Salt River 

 valley is as yet in its infancy. Only a 

 few orchards of any size are in bearing, 

 but the success obtained by these has 

 started a rapid development, and orange 

 groves are rapidly being set out. The 

 district considered most favorable for 

 oranges lies along the base of Camelback 

 mountain and the Phoenix mountains. 

 Here the frost is least and the daily range 

 of temperature the smallest. No complete 

 losses have ever been experienced from 

 frost, for the fruit ripens early and is off 

 the trees before the frost comes, yet on 

 two occasions the trees have been dam- 

 aged. 



"One great advantage which orange 

 groves here have over Southern California 

 orange groves is the date of ripening. 

 Arizona oranges ripen in time for the 

 Thanksgiving market and for this reason 

 have the advantage of high prices. The 

 larger part of the fruit is marketed by 

 Christmas. 



"The orange belt is no doubt capable of 

 extension over a much larger area than 

 is at present supposed to be orange terri- 

 tory. Great care should be given to the 

 selection of orange lands, for there are 

 certain areas not suited to orange cul- 

 ture." 



Fruits Best Adapted 



It would not be possible to grow com- 

 mercial fruits successfully in Arizona, 

 without carefully studying the varieties 

 best suited to the soil and climatic con- 

 ditions. In some parts the soil is adobe, 

 some is strong in alkali and other salts, 

 and all of it is subject to a hot sun and 

 rapid evaporation. What varieties to 

 choose and how to treat them under the 

 conditions, is the problem that confronts 

 the fruit grower. 



In the New Cyclopedia of American 

 Horticulture, J. W. Toumey gives a list 

 of fruits and varieties that was collected 

 as a result of 60 letters sent to the lead- 

 ing orchardists of the state. This list, 

 with those recommended by the Ameri- 

 can Pomological Society* and the advice 

 of the directors of the experiment station, 

 will enable any one without experience to 

 decide with considerable accuracy. The 

 following is Mr. Toumey 's list. 



Almonds — Ne Plus Ultra, IXL. 



Apples — Early Harvest. Early Straw- 

 berry, Red Astrachan. 



Apricots, Early — Bennett's Early, New- 

 castle, Peach, Pringle. 



Apricots, Late — Moorpark, Royal, St. 

 Ambroise, Smith's Triumph. 



Blackberries — Lawton's Early, Cran- 

 dall's Early, Early Harvest. 



Dewberries — May's. 



Grapes — Thompson's Seedless. Sultana 

 Seedless, Rose of Peru, Salem, Muscat, 

 Rogers' No. 9. 



• TI. S. Department of AKrlcultm'e. Bureau of 

 Plant Industr.v. Bulletin 151, "Fruits Kecom- 

 mended for Cultivation." 



