FRUIT GROWING IN CALIFORNIA. 



21 



the snows of the Sierra. Under the lee of the high ranges 

 which form a barrier in Santa Clara County a warm temperature 

 prevails. The cool winds, which are deflected toward the lower 

 end of San Francisco Bay and into the valley, are moderated 

 and greatly softened by the warmer air that rises from inter- 

 vening vales. Thus we have higher summer and higher winter 

 temperature than some localities not fifty miles distant. 



The chief characteristics of the Santa Clara Yalley climate 

 are, first, freedom from extremes of low temperature ; second, 

 an abundance of sunshine ; and third, an atmosphere with a 

 low percentage of humidity. All these are favourable to fruit 

 growing, as it has been shown that perfect development of fruit 

 depends upon heat, light, and a certain dryness of atmosphere, 

 combined with a proper moisture of soil. In fruit growing a 

 temperature above a certain minimum is found necessary for 

 germination, another for chemical modification, a third for 

 flowering, a fourth for ripening of seeds, a fifth for the elaboration 

 of the saccharine juices, and a sixth for the development of 

 aroma. Not only is heat a requisite, but long-continued 

 sunshine as well. Without light there can be no fructification, 

 though heat be given. The actinic rays are necessary to 

 produce chemical changes. The cloudless skies and almost 

 uninterrupted sunshine which prevail here are important factors 

 in the development of fruit. The absence of clouds insures 

 sunshine, and sunshine insures a higher and more uniform 

 temperature. Uniformity is desirable. Extreme temperatures 

 are fatal. 



In the east the percentage of humidity of atmosphere is high 

 in summer. In Santa Clara County it is low. Dry air favours 

 both the access and the action of light and heat. Sheets of 

 vapour are in a great measure absorbent of both. The average 

 cloudiness in the east is more than twice as much as in the 

 Santa Clara Valley. The heat, continuous sunshine, and ary 

 air with the extreme length of our growing season, combined 

 with a rich soil, insure the characteristic excellence of our fruit. 



We have other marked advantages. Shipping * facilities are 

 unexcelled. In the first place, San Jose (the county town) is a 

 terminal point. Again it is only forty-eight miles from San 



* The word is used in America to include transit by land as well as 

 by sea. 



