190 



TWENTY-NINTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



reply, "Never mind the fire, pull up the Johnson-grass." How many- 

 vineyards have been ruined because this grass is allowed to grow and 

 mature along the highways. 



How much better our roads would look if they were bordered with 

 trees or flowers. The road leading to the cemetery is greatly improved 

 by the trees which now border it. Also Kearney, Elm, and the beauti- 

 ful avenues east of Fresno are all improved by the lovely trees and 

 shrubs which now border them. 



Many cities take great pride in having nice suburbs, where those who 

 do business in the city can have a nice home with pretty surroundings. 

 These pretty places really add as much to the beauty of the city as a 

 pretty yard adds to the house which it surrounds. 



Road-making is everywhere engaging the attention of, we might say, 

 the entire civilized world. Representatives are sent to other countries 

 to study and report the best and most economic methods. 



People everywhere who use the roads are complaining of their present 

 condition. All of which is proof that they do need improvement. 

 Owners of land could greatly assist the road-makers by keeping their 

 borders free from weeds and cockleburs. Many of them carefully culti- 

 vate their vineyards and orchards, but never touch the land near the 

 fence or roadside. Some of our enterprising vineyardists have planted 

 oleanders and roses on their borders. These need very little cultivation, 

 but what a beautiful sight when in bloom. Others have palms and 

 umbrella-trees. We should encourage this planting along our highways. 

 In a few years this valley would look like a vast garden of trees and 

 shrubs. 



Does it pay to plant trees along the roadside? One of our neighbors, 

 whose land is bordered with palms and umbrella-trees, trimmed up the 

 umbrellas last year, and the trimmings furnished many cords of good 

 wood. Another owner on Muscat Avenue sold his figs on the trees for 

 $400, and every tree was on the border of his land. Another owner 

 obtained over fifty cords of wood from cottonwood trees, all of which 

 grew on one side of a twenty-acre lot. 



Our people spend much money every year in advertising the resources 

 of the county. Would it not be money well spent to give us better 

 roads? Every farmer would be certain to say yes, and good roads 

 would be a great inducement for people to locate here. 



