CHAPTER XII. 



Fertilizing, 



The arable land of California is generally exceedingly rich 

 and fertile. Fields have been cultivated to ordinary annual 

 crops, in various localities, for generations, without receiving 

 any kind of fertilization, except what has been received from 

 the water in irrigation; and they yet produce crops equal to 

 those of former years. Two crops are taken off annually, in 

 many instances, and with no apparent diminution in yield. 

 Thousands of acres have been cultivated to the cereals for a 

 consecutive period of twenty-five years, or longer, in large por- 

 tions of our State, producing abundant crops annually when the 

 rainfall was ample. Perhaps no country responds more promptly 

 and faithfully to the demands of the husbandman, without fer- 

 tilizing remuneration, than the arable lands of California. Large 

 orchards are producing abundantly without having received any 

 artificial fertilizers. This has led many to think fertilizing a 

 useless expenditure. It is thought, however, by many progres- 

 sive horticulturists that our orchards will grow more thriftily, 

 produce more abundantly and a finer quality of fruit, with an 

 ample supply of manure. I doubt not that this is true in prin- 

 ciple, and that a judicious supply of manure applied annually to 

 our orange orchards will certainly stimulate the tree to a vigor- 

 ous and healthy growth, and produce an increase in size and 

 productiveness and a better quality of fruit. 



All manures should be thoroughly composted before being 

 spread in the orchard. Partially rotted manures do more harm 

 than good, in my opinion, except, perhaps, when well incor- 

 porated with adobe soils, which may thereby be made more 

 friable. On the ordinary and best soils for orange culture only 



