hubert howe bancroft - Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History ...

40 FRUIT-GROWING AND GRAPES.
The predilection of Anglo-Saxons for apples
marked by the great predominance of this fruit in i
to Cal. in 1851, establishing an orchard at S. Lorenzo, from which loci
seeds were later Bent to many foreign countries. Kilburn of Napa had a pi
orchard in 1852, the trees having pome by sea from the east. JoartleU's iV
ii. 14-25. Greeley, Journey, 328, is enthusiastic over Cal. fruits. All du
the fifties orchard-planting kept pace with the spread of settlement,
the cost and difficulty of obtaining good seed, and the inexperience i
regard to soil and irrigation, led to numerous failures. In the sixties came
grape excitement; and this resulting through similar causes in more disappc
ment than success, orchards revived in favor, and with more discriminai
promoted by the greater choice of cheap and good varieties, and vine-plan
shared subsequently in this improvement. L. J. Rose, W. Wolfskill of Ai
lea, G. G. Briggs, near the Yuba, and W. Meek, were among the leading orchz
ists in 1S88. Lord, B. C. Nat, 230, says that a peach orchard of 200 a
near Marysville yielded $80,000 for the year. AUa Cal, June 21, 1858; //
Mag., xxxi. 129, refer to another large orchard of early days. The r
recuperation in this climate encourages the replanting of inferior orcha
For the supposed counteraction in early decay there seems to be no groi
for the old mission orchards show themselves fully as enduring as the east
As for growth, there are instances of 'cherry-trees attaining to a height o
feet in one year, and peach-tree trunks to a diameter of 2 or 3 inches. \
and Pleasant valleys are noted for early spring fruit. Cherries are in
market from the middle of May to October, yet AUa Cal., Jan. 30, 1
alludes to ripe cherries in Jan.; Sac. Union, of July 14, 1855, boasts of
peaches and apples early in July; strawberries grow in the open garde:
bee., observes S. F CaU, Dec. 18, 1868; Id., Dec. 21, 1867; Sac. Union,
27, 1857; Nov 19, 1859; Oct. 9, 1861; 8. F. Bulletin, Oct. 6, 1856, i
glowingly to second crops of pears and apples. The second crop from v
is discouraged as injurious to the quality. The Sta Barbara region failed
respond to efforts for raising early fruit. Sta Barb. Co. Hist., 131, 3D
Instances of large fruit exist in pears of 3J lbs., cherries 3 inches in circ
farence, and strawberries 1J ounces in weight. The state in 1888 was p
tically free from the curcubio pest; plums suffered but little from
aphis, and apples from borers, only during the first year; yet since 1877
codling worm has become troublesome; in some parts bugs and bees ati
the apricot, peach is becoming more subject to the curled-leaf disease,
the scale frightened orange growers a while; but these troubles are not ex
give, and remedies have been found for checking several of them. By ti
ing trees low, with the lower limbs one or two feet from the ground,
trunk is protected against sun-scald, and the roots are kept moist, the e
of winds l>cing also lessened. As a further protection against sun and w
trees are planted nearer together than in the east, without diminishing t
productiveness; the intervening space is seldom used for cultivation. F
can be left on the trees long after maturity without risk, the citrus for <
half a year. The outlet for this growing interest lies partly through the o
land railway, with its improving arrangements for special cars and sp<
transmission, favored by the early maturity of fruits here. Cal. shippers
with proper precautions be assured of fair profits. Freight trains, occujr
18 to 21 days in the journey to N. York, charged about $2.50 per 100
early in the eighties; passenger trains, occupying 8 days, charged don
The shipments nave largely increased during the last 15 years. The c
outlet, however, is provided by means of drying, canning, and other j>res
ing processes, which open wider markets and render growers less dcpoiu
on fluctuating demands. The growing favor of such goods attest the qua
of the fruit. Raisins, figs, and prunes are cheaply and safely dried in
sun, but for fruit that requires slicing, and would suffer from dust and insc
kilns and other means are used. Several special fruit-drying factories I