TWENTY-EIGHTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



29 



entire summer season, if kept free from weeds and cultivated perfectly 

 4 inches deep. Cultivation should be done as soon after irrigation as 

 possible, and here is another advantage the deep-furrow plan has over 

 any other: it allows the work to be done on some land within a few 

 hours after turning off the water. Many orchardists immediately drag 

 a smoother or light harrow over the furrows. The dry dirt falling in, 

 closes the pores and saves evaporation until the regular cultivation can 

 be done. This cultivation should be followed by a second in a few days, 

 but the latter need not be more than 4 inches deep, if done with a very 

 fine-tooth cultivator. A heavy chain, the ends of which are fastened to 

 the outside shanks of the cultivator, acts nicely as a smoother, and adds 

 little to the draught. 



This in a rough way describes the necessary work on the land. It 

 should be repeated at regular intervals until relieved by sufficient rain 

 to warrant a discontinuance of artificial irrigation, when the year's work 

 will again be commenced. 



HANDLING THE SOIL. 



By J. H. REED, of Riverside. 



At the recent examination before the Interstate Commerce Com- 

 mission in this city, the discussion concerning the cost of producing 

 citrus fruits elicited much interest and no little solicitude. It certainly 

 emphasized most clearly the need of better methods and greater economy 

 in transporting and marketing our product. But however much we 

 may hope from the efforts for fairer costs and improved service in 

 carriage, and from the recent new organization for marketing, we 

 must yet face the fact that if our present output, with the enormous 

 increase already in sight in the near future, is to be taken at all, it 

 must be at low prices. So that our final recourse for fair profits in the 

 future must yet be sought from other sources. After many years of 

 practical experience in the orchard, and some breadth of observation 

 outside, I am thoroughly convinced that there is a sufficient margin 

 yet to be gained by economy in production and better handling to easily 

 place and retain California fruit-growing on a basis of fair profit, even 

 with the constantly increasing output. But this will depend on our 

 using the best known orchard methods. Hence the excuse for discuss- 

 ing these homely every-day subjects, one of which has been assigned to 

 me for this occasion. Lest some may yet think these small matters 

 unworthy the consideration of such a Convention, I want to add, to 

 illustrate: We in Riverside are proud of our achievements in orange- 

 growing, and think we are as nearly "up-to-date" as any of our 

 neighbors. Yet in our valley you will find a considerable percentage 



