Fniit Farming for Profit in California, 79 



^YHY CALIFOEXIA LEADS THE WOELD. 



The follo^Ying is an article on practical fruit-growing 

 for the small farmer contributed to the S, F. Examiner 

 by Professor B. M. Lelong, Chief Horticultural Officer 

 of the State. 



Fruit-groivi/ig for Profit. 

 Points for the Beginner — Yield and Profits hy the Acre. 



Bl/ Prof B. M. Belong, 



The great industry of California to-day, and one that 

 in a few years, if it continues its present rate of growth, 

 will overshadow all others, is fruit-growing. While 

 fruit has been grown in the State for over a century 

 past, having been introduced by the ^lission fathers as 

 early as 1769, in the southern part of the State, and 

 by the Eussian traders, early in the present century, in 

 the northern portion, it is only during the past twenty 

 years that we have made any rapid progress in this 

 direction : but in that time California has forced her 

 way ahead of all other States in the Union until she is 

 to-day the orchard of the United States. 



With a continually widening market for our orchard 

 products, with stories of fabulous returns from invest- 

 ments in fruit farms, it is natural that much attention 

 should be dii^ected to this branch of industry, and that 

 people of small means desirous of making a home and 



