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Adventures in Scenery 



and mineral matter poured out in molten form from the depths 

 of the earth, have resulted in a varied and complex series of soils 

 on which have been built up the widest and most varied system 

 of agriculture known to ancient or modern times. 



The geology of California is very complex. The soils, 

 which are derived from the rocks, are therefore very varied. 

 Two factors determine the crops that can be grown in any 

 locality, viz., soil and climate. The soils are varied, as the rocks 



Courtesy U. S. Bureau of Soils 



FIG. 97. Young prune orchard, with interplanting of onions for seed, 

 on silty clay loam. North of San Juan Bautista. 



are varied. The climate covers the extremes from the highest 

 livable temperature (118 F. or higher) to the temperature of 

 perennial snows. Rainfall varies from less than 3 inches annu- 

 ally in the desert lands of the south to more than 50 inches in 

 the northwest. Agriculture everywhere depends upon the 

 character of the soil and the climatic conditions. To the great 

 variety of soils and the extremes of temperature, the great vari- 

 ety of crops grown in California is due. 



