44 STATE JiOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 



unsatisfactory condition of many orchards; and, having satis- 

 fied myself that many of the oldest orchards are the best, I 

 have thought it well to endeavor to discover why it is that 

 orchards adjacent to those which are most healthy and prolific 

 are sometimes either a burden to their owners, or, at best, 

 return but very moderate dividends. 



It can not be doubted that to three or four causes is due the 

 failure of many groves. I do not mean absolute failure in all 

 cases, but failure as compared to the best. I do not think the 

 average orchardist will admit his fault in the matter. I find 

 a majority deny conditions in their groves which are apparent 

 enough to an unprejudiced investigator. I am convinced that: 



First — We do not feed the trees sufficiently. The Navel 

 bears every year, and sooner exhausts the soil of the essential 

 elements than such trees as rest from time to time. 



Second — We do not stir the soil to a sufficient depth, nor do 

 we take all the pains we should to pulverize it finelJ^ In rich, 

 red, clayey soil, most prized because it produces the highest 

 colored and best keeping fruit, there is invariably a tendency 

 to form a crust of somewhat impervious soil below the depth 

 regularly reached bj' the plow and cultivator. This is hardh' 

 "hardpan," such as is found in some sections. It will allow 

 the roots to penetrate, and softens into cultivable shape if 

 irrigation is long continued. But it is sufficiently hard to pre- 

 vent the penetration of ordinary irrigation, and to prevent the 

 soil from receiving the full benefit of the soluble fertilizers 

 applied. It prevents the aeration of the soil, without which 

 the essential process of nitrification is impossible. In nine out 

 of ten of the orchards examined I find evidence that its 

 presence has rendered partially useless much of the fertilizer, 

 water, and labor used. 



Third — The disposition is to economize by delaying the 

 application of water in the hot season until the tree plainly 

 manifests its need. This policy, at least in a soil like that of 

 Riverside and Redlands, is a mistake. I admit that by the 

 use of manures which lighten the soil it can be made to absorb 

 and retain water and fertilizer, and that such treatment is a 

 valuable aid where water is scant; but I find the best results 

 obtained where no attention is paid to the theory of infrequent 

 irrigation, and water is regularly supplied. 



A fact to which I wish to call your attention is that in everv 



