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FRUITS AT PRESENT. 



We find at the present time it promises to be one of the leading industries 

 in California. There is no country in the world that can compete with us 

 when we take into consideration the various fruits we can grow to perfec- 

 tion. Let us contrast the countries that produce tropical and semi-tropical 

 fruits. Can they produce apple, pear, peach, apricot, nectarine, prune, plum, 

 etc., and other fruits and nuts that we can produce in such quantities, and 

 the quality being first class? We say no; not by any means. We produce 

 the best of semi-tropical fruits, and our deciduous fruits cannot be excelled, 

 taken as a whole. We see growing in the same orchard orange, lemon, 

 pear, apple, peach, apricot, walnut, almond — also the strawberry and other 

 small fruits, as well as the best foreign grape that grows anywhere, with 

 more tons to the acre than any other portion of the world. We defy the 

 world to excel in quality or quantity. Our peaches can be used for dry- 

 ing and command good prices, as do also evaporated. Evaporated peeled 

 peaches command fancy prices. In this connection allow me to allude to 

 a cheap and novel way to peel peaches. Simply put the peaches in a weak 

 lye, and let them remain in it about a moment, and the skins will slip off 

 by plunging them into cold water. This being such a simple process every 

 one should try it. Now, as to canned peaches, there is a good market in 

 the East and Europe; besides, vast quantities are consumed in Great 

 Britain. There is no question but what there will be a good and certain 

 market for all peaches that can be produced in California. 



Then next let us consider the apricot, which is one of the best of fruits. 

 Eaten when ripe it is delicious, and it cannot be surpassed in flavor. It is 

 most conducive to health, and on account of its acidity is in great demand 

 in cold countries and on shipboard, and especially on long voyages. 

 Canned apricots will always be in demand. The dried apricot is, per- 

 haps, the best dried fruit we have. The evaporated apricot commands 

 the highest price in the best markets of the world. There is one thing, 

 perhaps, which is not generally known, that there are but few places in 

 the world where the apricot can be produced. California is the best apricot- 

 producing section known. Taking the apricot in its various uses, it is, per- 

 haps, one of the best known fruits. There are few people in the world who 

 have tasted this luscious fruit. 



The nectarine is a fruit especially good for drying or canning. It usually 

 does well in California wherever the peach succeeds — that is, the red or 

 colored nectarine. The white or light-colored nectarine is a shy bearer. 

 The nectarine promises well, and in the future may be a good fruit to 

 raise. 



I will allude to the English walnut as being very profitable. There are 

 several walnut groves in this State which have netted their owners $200 

 per acre the past year. The walnut requires good, deep, rich soil, and but 

 little pruning and irrigating. The English walnut comes into bearing in 

 about ten years, and the soft-shell at about six years. The almond is a 

 tree that grows well, and under certain conditions is profitable. In order 

 to have trees bear well you must plant different varieties close together, in 

 order that the different varieties may fertilize each other when in bloom. 

 The experiment has been tried in different localities in the State, and the 

 result has always proven satisfactory. 



I now wish to call the attention of those intending to plant the cherry to 

 the fact that they require no irrigation. The branches should be allowed to 

 grow out at about a foot from the base of the tree. 



