22 
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Francisco, where there is a ready market for early fruits, and at 
all times for vegetables and berries. The advantage we have in 
gathering and handling fruit is also important. The rainless 
summers and great percentage of dewless nights enable us to 
dry fruit in the open air without protection day or night until 
late in the season. The fruit does not mould, because the 
peculiar dryness of the atmosphere is not favourable to fungoid 
growths. 
The Santa Clara Valley is one of the most extensive districts 
in the State which is, as a whole, suited to the growth of some 
valuable product. Nearly every acre in the valley, and the 
greater portion of the mountain land, is suited to fruit trees, 
vines, or vegetables. Different localities are suited to different 
fruits, as there is a variety of soil and climate, the latter being 
influenced by elevation and topography. 
The largest fruit canneries in the world are in operation in 
the vicinity of San Jose, and extensive fruit-drying establish¬ 
ments are located in every district. This is a feature of great 
value to the orchardist, as a great deal depends upon the facilities 
for preparing fruit for market. 
Prune growing is here the most extensive, and usually the 
most profitable fruit industry. The Prune grows well in nearly 
any portion of the valley, though it thrives best in soil that is 
not too heavy. It is easily cultivated and readily handled. As 
the fruit is dried, it does not have to be marketed immediately, 
and does not come under the head of “ perishable.” The trees 
are as a rule planted 20 feet apart, which means 108 trees to 
the acre. They commence bearing the fourth year, and some¬ 
times in the third, and are in full bearing in the seventh. The 
yield will average 100 lbs. to the tree, and the fresh fruit fetches 
from ^ d . to f d. a lb. The gross income, therefore, ranges 
usually from £20 to £i0 an acre. Orchards in full bearing 
occasionally yield from £4:0 to j£ 60 an acre. 
Next in importance, both as to acreage and profit, is the 
Apricot. The culture of this favourite fruit is limited exclusively 
to the Pacific coast, and only reaches perfection in California. 
This is one instance in which the climate of California does a 
perfect work ; for while the Apricot will grow elsewhere, it does 
not thrive ; and while it grows in nearly every section of the 
State, there is but one district which can compete with the 
