UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA benj. ide wheeler, prudent 
 
 THOMAS FORSYTH HUNT, Dean and Director 
 
 COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE 
 BERKELEY 
 
 E. VAN NORMAN, Vice-Director and Dean 
 University Farm School 
 
 CIRCULAR No. 159 
 January, 1917 
 
 AGRICULTURE IN THE IMPERIAL 
 
 VALLEY 
 
 A MANUAL FOR SETTLERS 1 
 
 By WALTER E. PACKARD 
 
 SOILS 
 
 The character of the soils of this region varies so greatly that it 
 is essential that any one buying farm land should pay particular at- 
 tention to the soil conditions and should get soil that is adapted to the 
 crops he expects to raise. One should not buy hard or medium hard 
 land for vineyard planting, for example, for vines will not do their 
 best on any but the sandier soils. These hard soils are better adapted 
 for sorghums, barley, or cotton. 
 
 The soils of the Imperial Valley range from heavy clays to coarse 
 sands and gravels. The most extensive types are clays, clay loams, 
 silt loams, sandy loams, and fine sandy loams. Considerable areas of 
 sand and gravel are found on the mesa lands and along the edge of 
 the delta soils. Practically all of the soils in the valley except those 
 of the mesas have a subsoil or substratum of heavy clay at depths 
 varying from one to twenty feet. This impervious layer has a marked 
 influence on the water and plant relations of the soil, and especially 
 on the drainage conditions. The depth of the soil above the clay layer 
 should be determined before deciding upon the crops to be grown or 
 the methods of handling those crops. 
 
 1 This Circular is published to give to both new and old settlers in south- 
 eastern California a summary of the facts so far gathered regarding the agri- 
 cultural conditions and resources of this very interesting region. The information 
 presented here has been gathered from many sources during five years of investi- 
 gational work carried on in this section by the University of California. Some 
 of the data were obtained through general observation and study, but most of 
 them are the results of work carried on at the Imperial Valley Experiment Farm 
 established at Meloland in 1912 for the purpose of continuing the investigations 
 then started and for working on the numerous problems arising in this section. 
 
The clay soils are very compact and hard to handle. A repre- 
 sentative sample showed a content of 28.78 per cent of colloidal clay 
 and 63.31 per cent of fine silt. Water penetrates this soil very slowly, 
 and on account of the difficulty of tilling and properly caring for the 
 crops, lands of this type have not proven very productive. The clay 
 loam, a medium heavy soil, is the predominant type. A representative 
 sample contained 14.34 per cent of clay and 15.34 per cent of fine silt. 
 This soil can be tilled without difficulty and is especially adapted to 
 field crops. The sandy loams and fine sandy loam soils are adapted to 
 
 
 Fig. 1. — The Imperial Valley Experiment Farm, El Centro, Cal. The Imperial 
 Valley Experiment Farm, consisting of forty acres and located in the central 
 portion of the valley, was established in 1912 for the purpose of studying agri- 
 cultural and horticultural problems in the irrigated valleys of Southeastern 
 California. 
 
 alfalfa, truck farming or fruit growing. The sands, although very 
 productive when rightly handled, are not so desirable as the sandy 
 loams because of their porous nature, permitting rapid penetration 
 of water, so that when the clay substratum is present at moderate 
 depths there is danger of a high water table with its resultant evils. 
 
 The soils of the San Pasqual Valley are quite different from those 
 of the Imperial Valley. The sandy types predominate. The char- 
 acter of the soil varies greatly on almost every farm, making uniform 
 irrigation very difficult. The subsoil is a sand, which, allowing a verj' 
 rapid movement of water, results in the formation of a high water 
 table through seepage and excessive irrigation. 
 
The soils of the Palo Verde Valley resemble those of the Imperial 
 quite closely in many respects, although the effect of soil material of 
 local origin can be clearly seen. The heavier soils correspond to the 
 clay loams of Imperial Valley, containing more sand, however, which 
 gives them a more mellow appearance. The subsoil here is almost 
 invariably a sand stratum, as found in the San Pasqual Valley. 
 
 The Coachella Valley soils are local in origin and differ greatly 
 from the Colorado deposits. These soils are predominantly sandy and 
 contain much mica. When properly handled they are very productive. 
 
 The major portion of the soils of this region are noted for their 
 fertility. Not only are the essential plant food elements, potassium 
 and phosphorus, present in sufficient quantities, as indicated in accom- 
 panying tables, but the amount of carbonate of lime present is such 
 that these elements should become readily available. There is enough 
 potash in the samples tested to render the soils permanently fertile 
 in respect to that element. With the yearly addition of both potas- 
 sium and phosphorus in the irrigation sediments the necessity of 
 applying commercial fertilizers containing these elements may never 
 arise. Nitrogen, which is lacking in all desert soils, is deficient and 
 must be added by applications of manure, commercial fertilizers or 
 by plowing under leguminous crops, such as alfalfa. Organic matter 
 of any kind should be added at every opportunity, as the results in 
 increased crops are very marked. 
 
 ANALYSES OF SIX TYPES OF SOIL COMMON IN THE GENERAL REGION 
 OF COACHELLA AND IMPERIAL VALLEYS 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sediment 
 
 
 Imperial 
 
 
 
 
 
 in irri- 
 
 
 Valley 
 
 Imperial 
 
 Imperial Coachella 
 
 
 gation 
 
 
 clay 
 
 silt 
 
 clay 
 
 Valley 
 
 El Centro 
 
 water 
 
 Insoluble matter 
 
 43.81 
 
 62.67 
 
 38.65 
 
 57.53 
 
 51.68 
 
 31.36 
 
 Soluble silica 
 
 19.51 
 
 10.93 
 
 15.79 
 
 12.20 
 
 17.90 
 
 29.12 
 
 Potash (K,0) 
 
 1.25 
 
 .74 
 
 .76 
 
 1.54 
 
 1.27 
 
 1.18 
 
 Soda (Na,0) 
 
 .44 
 
 .29 
 
 .34 
 
 .64 
 
 .30 
 
 .57 
 
 Lime (CaO) 
 
 7.25 
 
 3.75 
 
 4.35 
 
 5.92 
 
 5.55 
 
 5.35 
 
 Magnesia (MgO) 
 
 2.37 
 
 1.68 
 
 1.24 
 
 3.23 
 
 2.28 
 
 1.89 
 
 Manganese br. ox. (Mn,.0 4 ) .... 
 
 
 .01 
 
 .10 
 
 .01 
 
 .01 
 
 .03 
 
 Iron peroxid 'Fe.,0.<) 
 
 4.37 
 
 3.71 
 
 6.15 
 
 5.63 
 
 3.96 
 
 5.26 
 
 Alumina (ALO.,) 
 
 10.45 
 
 4.26 
 
 10.52 
 
 7.52 
 
 9.05 
 
 13.92 
 
 Phosphoric acid (P 2 5 ) 
 
 .16 
 
 .22 
 
 .23 
 
 .16 
 
 .14 
 
 .13 
 
 Sulphuric acid (SO ;! ) 
 
 .22 
 
 .36 
 
 .49 
 
 .37 
 
 .22 
 
 
 Carbonic acid (C0 2 ) 
 
 
 2.32 
 
 5.30 
 
 5.35 
 
 * 
 
 10.82 
 
 Water and organic matter 
 
 9.76 
 
 9.93 
 
 15.84 
 
 5.35 
 
 7.78$ 
 
 Humus 
 
 .24 
 
 .65 
 
 .38 
 
 .32 
 
 .30 
 
 
 Humus nitrogen, per cent in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 humus 
 
 6.14 
 
 10.90 
 
 18.40 
 
 5.27 
 
 5.15 
 
 
 Humus nitrogen, per cent in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 soil 
 
 .02 
 
 
 
 0.017 
 
 .017 
 
 
 2 Analyses by courtesy of Dr. C. B. Lipman, University of California. 
 
The proper physical condition of the soil must be established and 
 maintained, as upon this depends not only the right penetration of air 
 and water but also the promotion of necessary bacterial action, where- 
 by both nitrogen and other plant foods are made available. Too much 
 water rots the roots, prevents the development of nitrifying organ- 
 isms, and aids the development of injurious bacteria. Deep plowing, 
 with the turning under of as much organic matter as possible, will do 
 much toward improving the physical condition of the soils. Blasting 
 the harder types of soil before planting trees breaks up the stratifi- 
 cation and aids root and water penetration, if the work is done when 
 the soil is dry. 
 
 Fig. 2. — A road along the flood plain of the Colorado in the San Pasqual 
 Valley. 
 
 Alkali is present in all of the soils, as is true of any arid region. 
 Some soils contain enough to affect the most alkali-resistant crops. 
 Some, on the other hand, do not contain enough to hurt the most 
 sensitive plants, and most of the soils do not contain sufficient alkali 
 to injure the common crops grown in the region. No person should 
 plan a permanent planting of trees until he knows definitely that 
 neither the surface soil nor the immediate subsoil contain sufficient 
 alkali to injure his planting. This station makes examinations of soils 
 for alkali for land owners. 
 
 Common salt, or sodium chloride, is the most common of the so- 
 called alkali salts. Comparatively little black alkali (sodium carbon- 
 ate) is found, possibly owing to the fact that the content of gypsum 
 (calcium sulphate) is generally high in these soils. The common white 
 
alkali (sodium sulphate) forms a large proportion of the salts in some 
 sections and is present in fairly large proportions in most instances. 
 
 There are different methods of handling alkali land which are 
 more or less satisfactory. In the first place, alkali-resistant crops can 
 be grown on the poorer soils. Date palms, for example, will grow in 
 strong alkali and thrive in this region. For this reason much of the 
 bad alkali land should and probably will ultimately be devoted to the 
 production of dates. Bermuda grass forms good pasture on land unfit 
 for less resistant crops. Cotton will grow in land where other field 
 crops will hot thrive. 
 
 Drainage is the most satisfactory way of reclaiming alkali land. 
 When good drainage outlets, such as the Alamo or New River channels, 
 are available, drains can be constructed to carry off the surplus water 
 with much of the alkali. The reclamation work is very slow, however, 
 and considerable time is required to free the soil from alkali. Flood- 
 ing without under-drains tends to wash the salts down and not off. 
 A shallow drain ditch at the lower end of the field to catch waste 
 water will not carry away much alkali. Such a drain helps mainly 
 in that it makes possible the longer running of water across the field. 
 This fact is shown clearly in any irrigated land containing alkali and 
 has been practically demonstrated in many cases. In spite of this 
 fact, many hold to the idea that the salts are washed off from the 
 surface in ordinary flooding. 3 Where a water table exists under- 
 drainage must be practised. 
 
 Where a farm is being damaged by alkali and high water table in 
 a section where these troubles are common there is little use for one 
 man to attempt reclamation alone, as the expense would be too great. 
 A drainage district should be organized and a co-operative drainage 
 system put in for the whole section. 
 
 CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 
 
 As is the case with other inland arid regions, the weather of this 
 section is noted for its extremes. It is characterized by changes and 
 variations in temperature, wind velocity and humidity which are often 
 very sudden. Being hemmed in by mountains on the east, north and 
 west, the valleys are denied the great regulating influence of a large 
 and deep body of water. Variations in temperature within everj' 
 twenty-four hours are usually great, and sometimes amount to as much 
 as 50 degrees. Throughout a large part of the year the relative 
 
 3 For further information regarding alkali refer to Hilgard's "Soils," Mac- 
 millan Co., and Farmers ' Bull. No. 446, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
 
humidity of the atmosphere is very low, and consequently the days 
 are relatively warmer and the nights relatively cooler than those of 
 humid and coast regions in the same latitude. On account of the dry 
 air and the consequent rapid evaporation of moisture from the body, 
 the high temperatures of summer are not unbearable, and do not seem 
 nearly so high as the dry-bulb thermometer would indicate. During 
 a part of July and August, when the relative humidity is increased 
 by the proximity of thunder storms, the weather is very unpleasant. 
 During the winter months the weather is usually dry, crisp and sunny, 
 and is considered by all to be both delightful and invigorating. 
 
 WATER SUPPLY 
 
 Except in the Coachella Valley, all of the water used for irrigation 
 in this region comes from the Colorado River. A small amount of 
 land could be reclaimed by developing the water of the San Felipe, 
 Carrizo and other smaller creeks which drain a portion of the eastern 
 slope of the Peninsula Range. 
 
 About 159 gaging stations have been maintained on the Colorado 
 since 1890 and the general discharge characteristics fairly well deter- 
 mined. Accurate estimates of the possibilities of irrigation can not 
 be made, however, until more is learned regarding the river flow, 
 return seepage, duty of water and evaporation. The total acreage 
 possible to irrigate has been variously estimated by engineers familiar 
 with the river. 4 ' 5 The greatest use of water in this region fortunately 
 comes during the flood stages of the river and the minimum during 
 the low stages. Increased irrigation in the middle and lower drainage 
 area of the Colorado will greatly decrease the minimum flow and make 
 storage ultimately a necessity. The irrigation projects on the upper 
 tributaries of the river use a considerable volume of water during the 
 early summer months when water is plentiful and very little during 
 the months of minimum flow. The return seepage from this irrigation 
 will probably have an increasing effect on the minimum flow and prove 
 a benefit rather than a harm to the irrigators of this section, provided 
 the water used is not carried into other drainage channels. Reports 
 of unusual seepage from the irrigated lands along the Colorado have 
 
 4 A very complete account by H. T. Cory of the break in the river with a 
 full discussion of the engineering features connected with the close of the break 
 and the construction of the irrigation system can be found in Vol. xxxiii, No. 9, 
 of the Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers. 
 
 5 Report by C. R. Rockwood to Imperial Irrigation District, May, 1915. 
 «See "Seepage and Return Flow," by L. G. Carpenter, Bull. No. 180, Pt. 2, 
 
 Colorado Agricultural College; also Kansas-Colorado suit, Direct Testimony of 
 Louis G. Carpenter, The Smith-Brooks Printing Company, Denver, Col. 
 
been made, but no actual measurements reported. It is reasonable 
 to assume, however, that return seepage affects the minimum flow of 
 the river, as it does in other cases where this has been proved to be true. 
 By the development of storage reservoirs, for which there are 
 numerous sites, the acreage that may be irrigated from the Colorado 
 River could be greatly extended. The following table gives approxi- 
 mately the storage possibilities : 
 
 APPEOXIMATE STOEAGE POSSIBILITIES ON THE COLORADO RIVER 
 AND ITS TRIBUTARIES? 
 
 Green River (including the Brown Park reservoir site) 3,000,000 acre ft. 
 
 Grand River (including the Cremmling reservoir site) 3,000,000 
 
 Little Colorado 50,000 
 
 Bill Williams Fork 100,000 
 
 San Juan 1,504,000 
 
 Virgin River 
 
 Gila River 
 
 Colorado below Mojave and above Yuma 
 
 Total 10,154,000 
 
 ^ MILLION ACRE FEET 
 
 3 MILLION ACRE FEET 
 
 2 MILLION ACRE FEET 
 
 I MILLION ACRE F£Ei 
 
 
 APRIL AV7 Y 
 
 Jl/ni JUL 
 
 L 
 
 Fig. 3. — The yearly record of waterflow in the Colorado River shows greatest 
 supply in June; percentage of silt content least during June. 
 
 All of the water used in the Coachella Valley comes from artesian 
 wells. These wells vary from 100 to 550 feet in depth and deliver 
 from nine to fifty inches. Many of the wells have an artesian flow to 
 
 7 See report by H. T. Cory on ' ' Irrigation and River Control ' ' in Vol. XXXVIII, 
 No. 9, of the Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers. 
 
 "The Colorado River and its Utilization," by E. C. La Rue, Water Supply 
 Paper 395. 
 
8 
 
 the surface, although in most cases pumps are used. The water is 
 sometimes pumped directly into a reservoir, where it is stored until 
 used for irrigation. 
 
 The source of the water supply for the Coachella Valley is the 
 White Water River, which drains the eastern slopes of the San Ber- 
 nardino Mountains. The run-off sinks into the open sands and gravel 
 very rapidly, forming the underground storage supply. This supply 
 is, of course, limited, although it has been carefully estimated that 
 practically twice the present area can be irrigated from wells if the 
 water is rightly handled and conserved. 8 
 
 WATER FOR DOMESTIC SUPPLIES 
 
 Practically all of the domestic water used in the Imperial Valley 
 comes directly from the irrigation canals. The water is run into large 
 settling pools, from which it is pumped or baled by hand. Where the 
 pools are so situated that they can be easily cleaned the water can be 
 
 Fig. 4. — A common method of securing a domestic water supply. Water is 
 dipped into the tanks, where the silt is allowed to settle. 
 
 8 Water Supply Paper, U. S. Geological Survey, No. 225, on "Ground Waters 
 of the Indio Region," by Walter C. Mendenhall. 
 
kept clean and pure by frequent flushing out and refilling. As the 
 Colorado River flows through a comparatively uninhabited territory 
 for hundreds of miles, there is little chance that the water would carry 
 any pathogenic organisms. The ditches are nearly all above the sur- 
 face of the ground and therefore receive no contaminated seepage or 
 sewage from local sources. Where ground water is used, sewage should 
 always be disposed of through septic tanks, and not in cesspools. The 
 water used for drinking is, of course, always filtered through a stone 
 filter, both to get rid of the fine clay particles that remain suspended 
 in the settled water and as an added precaution against infection. 
 
 Fig. 5. — A common water hole for stock. Such places should be avoided and 
 proper sanitary watering facilities installed. 
 
 The number of bacteria in water is reduced fully 50 per cent under 
 ordinary conditions by filtering. 
 
 Attempts have been made to put down wells in various parts of 
 the valley, but with the exception of the east side, around Holtville, 
 no water of good quality has been struck. In certain cases, especially 
 along the larger canals running through sandy soil, local wells can be 
 dug and good water secured from the canal seepage. 
 
 In the Palo Verde and San Pasqual valleys the domestic water is 
 secured from shallow wells, dug to seepage water. The artesian water 
 of the Coachella Valley is, of course, used as domestic water in that 
 section. It has been suggested that some of this water could be piped 
 to Imperial Valley to furnish domestic water for the cities, and Colo- 
 rado River water furnished to Coachella Valley for irrigation purposes. 
 
10 
 
 IRRIGATION 
 
 Irrigation is essential to the growth of any crop in this section. 
 The rainfall, varying from one to five inches a year, does not usually 
 add enough moisture at one time to sprout the seeds of the desert 
 annuals and is of no value from an agricultural standpoint. 
 
 The irrigation of crops is the most important farm operation, for, 
 other factors being equal, the productivity of a fertile soil is propor- 
 tional, up to a certain point, to the amount of moisture present, pro- 
 vided there is no excess which would restrict the entrance of air to the 
 roots. The water used by plants is from 200 to 1000 times their 
 dry weight, and therefore the importance of sufficient moisture is 
 clear. Alfalfa, for example, will wilt on the clay soils of this region 
 with 15 per cent of moisture present, and, on the other hand, will 
 grow on the sandy types with but six or seven per cent present. There 
 must be present a surplus over the amount retained by the soils when 
 plants wilt, in order to sustain plant growth. Many examples of in- 
 sufficient irrigation occur, especially on hard soils, and in but few 
 cases do the irrigators know anything about the amount of water 
 added. Too many are satisfied with a saturation of the soil surface 
 without knowing anything about the penetration of the water. It is 
 essential to know to what depth the moisture penetrates in order to 
 irrigate intelligently. 
 
 While irrigation is an all-important operation, it can be easily over- 
 done. Plants may be drowned out as well as dried out, hence care 
 must be taken not to allow an excess of water to collect. Too much 
 water prevents the development of roots and limits the feeding zone 
 just to the extent to which over-irrigation creates a saturated condition. 
 Over-irrigation in every region is too often practised, resulting ulti- 
 mately in the rise of ground water, which may ruin the soil unless 
 expensive drainage* systems are established and maintained. The 
 Alamo and New River channels form an excellent natural drainage 
 outlet for the Imperial Valley, but the existence of these channels 
 must not create a feeling of safety which would result in carelessness 
 in the use of water. This cannot be emphasized too much, for it is 
 highly important that the people of this practically new district should 
 profit by the experience of the many older sections that have been 
 ruined by seepage and over-irrigation. 
 
 The number of irrigations and the length of each irrigation depend 
 upon the character of the soil and the method of applying water. One 
 irrigation per cutting will grow a good crop of alfalfa on sandy loam 
 soils, when two irrigations on medium or heavy soils are required to 
 
11 
 
 get anything like a comparative yield. Every farmer should know 
 his soil conditions and irrigate in such a way that the moisture condi- 
 tion will be as perfect as possible. The only way to know whether the 
 water is penetrating deeply enough, or to know whether too much 
 water is being applied, is to use an auger or sampling tube and note 
 how far the water has penetrated. 
 
 The quality of irrigation water in Imperial differs from that in 
 most streams of the arid west in the amount of silt carried in suspen- 
 sion throughout the year. The water is always muddy, carrying from 
 84 to 3263 parts in 100,000 parts of water. 9 , Since the soil of a large 
 
 Fig. 6. — Lowland along the Colorado River which has received too much 
 water, resulting in the rise of alkali. 
 
 part of this region is essentially an accumulation of this silt, the sedi- 
 ment which comes into the fields through the canals is a fertilizer, 
 having the same general chemical properties as the soil, but being a 
 little more finely divided, since the coarser particles are usually de- 
 posited in the ditches. 
 
 The chemical and physical properties of the sediments depend upon 
 their source, and consequently vary in different seasons. The silt 
 content varies greatly, but in general during the winter months the 
 river is low and the silt content is also low, most of it coming from 
 the Grand Canon region. At times during the winter, especially dur- 
 ing a rainy period in Arizona and Nevada, the silt content increases 
 almost to its maximum. When the river rises in April from the effects 
 of the melting snow at the headwaters of the Grand and Colorado 
 
 9 Bulletin No. 44, Arizona Experiment Station. 
 
12 
 
 rivers the amount of silt increases slightly, most of it coming from 
 erosion on the upper part of the river. As the spring floods subside 
 the amount of silt often increases. The greatest quantities of silt are 
 carried by the canals in the late summer during the rainy season in 
 Arizona, which cause great freshets in the Virgin, Little Colorado, and 
 Gila rivers. These silts give the greatest trouble to both water com- 
 pany and farmer. 
 
 All of the silts are rich in phosphoric acid and potash and some in 
 nitrogen. 10 The soil washed from the great grazing stretches in 
 Arizona during the early fall carries with it considerable organic 
 
 Fig. 7. — Concrete structures are rapidly replacing the wooden 
 shacks at first installed. 
 
 ^ates and 
 
 matter which is especially valuable as a fertilizer. Forbes has calcu- 
 lated from tests made of the Colorado River water at Yuma that if 
 four acre-feet of water is used in irrigation .23 of an inch of soil would 
 be added to the land. 
 
 Mechanically the silts are both good and bad, depending upon their 
 origin. In general, however, they tend to lighten the heavy soils and 
 to give body to the sandier types. The heavy silts or sands which roll 
 along the bottom of the ditches are the source of much expense in 
 maintenance charges and should be eliminated. Lighter silts which 
 are normally carried on to the land are of great fertilizing value. 
 
 10 Bulletin No. 41, Arizona Experiment Station. 
 
13 
 
 These silts will bear the same relation to the soils of this section as do 
 the Nile sediments to Egyptian soils, or the silts of the Yang-tse-Kiang 
 to the continued fertility of the delta soils in that region. 11 Wherever 
 this condition exists in older countries, such as parts of China, Japan, 
 and Egypt, the silt is utilized with the utmost care. 12 
 
 From a mechanical standpoint the sediments are troublesome in 
 the ditch and cause an annual expenditure of nearly a half million 
 dollars in keeping the canals cleared out. The farm ditches are 
 usually cleaned out by means of a V-shaped crowder, although occa- 
 sionally it is well to let the ditch go dry and clean out the sediments 
 with a team and Fresno scraper. Various types of dredgers and large 
 Vs are used on the main canals. The ultimate disposal of this accum- 
 ulation of silt is a serious problem. In lands where labor is cheap it 
 is transported to the fields by hand labor. It is entirely possible that 
 some machine, such as a modified manure spreader into which this silt 
 could be dumped by the dredges, may be devised for moving the silt 
 on to the land at a low cost. 
 
 The Colorado River water carries considerable quantities of salts 
 in solution, the bicarbonate, sulphate and chloride predominating. The 
 
 RELATIVE AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCES IN SOLUTION IN WATER FROM 
 COLORADO RIVER AT RAILROAD BRIDGE NEAR YUMA, ARIZONA" 
 
 Radicles in per cent of dissolved solids 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 _^0 e3^ 
 
 03 
 
 o 
 
 a 
 
 3 
 
 11* 
 
 a» 
 
 CO 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 -§© 
 
 ce — tuo o 
 > ooS.-S 
 
 a 
 
 '3 
 
 a £+ 
 
 03 
 
 5; « 
 
 Mo 
 
 "^Q 
 
 .5 
 
 .2 « 
 
 Limi 
 
 ting dates 
 
 °a 
 
 oSa- 
 
 & 
 
 a t* 
 
 5^ * 
 
 £o 
 
 
 Ho 
 
 *C 
 
 «o 
 
 of composite 
 1905 
 
 CC"oS CD 
 
 
 
 't3 p!zj 
 
 -So 
 
 03^ 
 O 
 
 5 W 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 Jan. 
 
 1-31 
 
 24 
 
 994 
 
 11 
 
 3.5 
 
 18 
 
 0.00 
 
 23 
 
 27 
 
 24 
 
 0.13 
 
 Feb. 
 
 2-28 
 
 20 
 
 816 
 
 11 
 
 3.2 
 
 21 
 
 .00 
 
 32 
 
 21 
 
 24 
 
 .04 
 
 Mar. 
 
 1-Apr. 2 
 
 33 
 
 686 
 
 10 
 
 2.9 
 
 20 
 
 1.9 
 
 36 
 
 20 
 
 22 
 
 .05 
 
 Apr. 
 
 3-May 1 
 
 27 
 
 609 
 
 n 
 
 3.0 
 
 19 
 
 1.4 
 
 38 
 
 22 
 
 19 
 
 .04 
 
 May 
 
 2-31 ' 
 
 30 
 
 488 
 
 14 
 
 3.3 
 
 16 
 
 .00 
 
 43 
 
 25 
 
 14 
 
 .06 
 
 June 
 
 1-30 
 
 30 
 
 345 
 
 16 
 
 3.8 
 
 13 
 
 .00 
 
 50 
 
 26 
 
 11 
 
 .26 
 
 July 
 
 1-Aug. 1 
 
 18 
 
 395 
 
 
 3.5 
 
 11 
 
 .00 
 
 
 23 
 
 15 
 
 .28 
 
 Aug. 
 
 4-30 
 
 27 
 
 532 
 
 14 
 
 
 15 
 
 .00 
 
 
 30 
 
 16 
 
 .10 
 
 Aug. 
 
 31-Sept. 29 
 
 25 
 
 930 
 
 15 
 
 3.7 
 
 13 
 
 .00 
 
 
 33 
 
 15 
 
 .03 
 
 Sept. 
 
 30-Nov. 2 
 
 29 
 
 972 
 
 13 
 
 3.1 
 
 16 
 
 .00 
 
 23 
 
 33 
 
 14 
 
 
 Nov. 
 
 4-30 
 
 18 
 
 870 
 
 13 
 
 3.1 
 
 17 
 
 .00 
 
 25 
 
 31 
 
 19 
 
 .07 
 
 Dec. 
 
 1-30 
 
 23 
 
 848 
 
 11 
 
 2.8 
 
 18 
 
 .00 
 
 28 
 
 27 
 
 22 
 
 .03 
 
 Mean 
 
 
 707 
 
 13 
 
 3.3 
 
 16 
 
 .28 
 
 33 
 
 26 
 
 18 
 
 .10 
 
 ii Bulletin No. 44, Arizona Experiment Station. 
 
 12 < < Farmers of Forty Centuries," by F. H. King-Mrs. F. H. King, Madison, 
 Wis., 1911. 
 
 is From Water Supply Paper, No. 274, U. S. Geological Survey, "Some Stream 
 Water of the Western United States," by Herman Stabler. 
 
14 
 
 nitrates, which are present in small amounts, have, of course, a certain 
 fertilizing value. The nitrates are highest during July and August, 
 when the heavy summer rains occur on the grazing areas of Arizona 
 and southern Nevada, as they supply appreciable amounts of organic 
 matter. 
 
 The methods of irrigation are essentially the same as in other 
 sections. Crops such as alfalfa or barley are flooded in "checks" or 
 • ' lands ' ' from 40 to 60 feet wide and from one-eighth to one-half mile 
 long. In sandy soil, as before suggested, the lands should be small, 
 not more than one-eighth mile long, in order to make it possible to 
 
 ykiJ^i&& 
 
 atow.. -m- 
 
 
 mme mr^M 
 
 K>i«s?*s^S ». • 
 
 ^8m^^W|^^^BIm 
 
 
 
 3 K^i h^GCT^ 1 
 
 Fig. 8. — Small streams running for a long time in deep furrows will result 
 in efficient irrigation on the clay loam soils. 
 
 irrigate rapidly without creating a water table. On hard or medium 
 hard land the borders can be one-quarter mile long with no danger of 
 over-irrigation. 
 
 Some are practising the method of corrugating alfalfa and barley 
 fields, as is often done in Colorado and the northwest. Small furrows 
 or corrugations are made from 2 to 3 feet apart in the fields by means 
 of heavy runners or shovels attached to sleds. These small furrows 
 direct the course of the water and tend to aid in an equal distribution, 
 and also tend to prevent scalding, which is so common in fields flooded 
 according to the usual methods. 
 
15 
 
 Such crops as cotton, corn, or cantaloupes are irrigated by means 
 of furrows. In irrigating hard land in furrows, a very small stream 
 run for a long time will often soak the soil to a much greater depth 
 than by any other method. The main point, when irrigating crops, 
 is to know where the water is going arid what it is doing, and this can 
 only be determined by occasional borings. Knowledge of the soil and 
 moisture conditions will enable a man to irrigate intelligently. 
 
 ECONOMIC CONDITIONS 
 
 The size of the farm and the type of farming for the most success- 
 ful operation in this section depend upon the capital available, the 
 desires and capabilities of the individual, and the character of the 
 soil. The farm should not be so small that an economical use cannot 
 be made of the equipment. It is a mistake to attempt too small a plan 
 to afford sufficient work for the stock and implements. Experienced 
 men with small means may locate on small tracts (10 to 20 acres) of 
 the best soil and make a living by a diversified and intensive system 
 of farming, i.e., by the production of enough vegetables and fruits to 
 supply the wants of the family as nearly as possible and by making 
 something out of chickens, cows, bees, small fruits and vegetables. 
 A man to succeed at this work must be careful in details, industrious 
 and a good farmer. It is not possible to maintain the same standard 
 of living on such a farm as on a larger farm with more capital in- 
 vested. Usually farms where live stock or field crops are the principal 
 sources of income require larger areas for equivalent labor incomes 
 than those where fruits, vegetables or poultry are the main lines of 
 production. 14 
 
 In selecting a farm, the character of the soil is of prime importance, 
 as success or absolute failure rests in the balance. "Soft" soil, free 
 from alkali or water table, should be selected for intensive farming. 
 
 Farm land in this section with a water right can be purchased for 
 from $50 to $300 per acre, depending upon the location, character of 
 the soil, and improvements. The price of land is, however, not a de- 
 pendable criterion of its value, and one who is buying land on which 
 to make a home should take plenty of time to make sure that the soil 
 conditions are satisfactory. 
 
 The price of farm labor varies from $35 to $50 a month, with board. 
 Reliable and efficient men get, on the average, $45 and board, and day 
 
 1 4 For a more complete discussion of the capital needed for successful farming 
 refer to, "Some Things the Prospective Settler Should Know," Circular No. 
 121, University of California, Agricultural Experiment Station. 
 
16 
 
 laborers from $1.75 to $2.50 per nine-hour day. The majority of the 
 farm labor is American. The negro is employed largely in the cotton 
 fields, but not elsewhere to any extent. Hindus are occasionally em- 
 ployed by the month, but usually prefer to do contract labor, such as 
 picking cotton or heading milo. Mexicans are employed to some extent 
 on the larger ranches and do contract work, but are not usually em- 
 ployed by the month on the smaller farms. Japanese are important 
 factors in the production of fruit and garden truck, especially canta- 
 loupes. They usually work on contract, being seldom employed by the 
 month by Americans. Laborers from southern Europe are becoming 
 a more important factor, especially in the dairy and hog business. 
 
 The cost and supply of labor is such that the most satisfactory 
 method of farming in this section is to handle only as much land as 
 the owner can work or directly oversee, thus minimizing the necessity 
 of employing much extra help. 
 
 FIELD CROPS 
 
 Adaptability. — Southeastern California is primarily a live-stock 
 country and consequently a section where field crops predominate, as 
 the cheap water, rich soil and a long growing season give this section 
 a distinct advantage in the production of these crops. Cultural re- 
 quirements can be so controlled, where intelligent practice is used, 
 that large crops can be secured. 
 
 Crops. — Alfalfa is the predominating crop. It occupies practically 
 all of the land at some time, as it is the basis of nearly all crop rota- 
 tions. It forms the basis of the live-stock industry and acts as a soil 
 builder and renovater. 
 
 Barley, wheat and milo furnish the principal grains raised, al- 
 though some Indian corn and various varieties of non-saccharine sor- 
 ghums are grown. 
 
 Cotton is an important crop of this section and has proven to be 
 very well adapted to local conditions. Both long and short staple 
 cottons are now grown, but it is probable that eventually some long 
 staple variety will be grown to the exclusion of the short. Sugar cane 
 has been tried and may prove to be adapted to the region and event- 
 ually develop into an important factor. Rice has been tried and may 
 prove profitable for hard alkali soils where surface drainage is possible. 
 
 Berseem and buckwheat have proven unadapted to conditions and 
 should not be planted. 
 
 In order to secure the largest yields of any of the field crops it is 
 necessary to adopt some rotation scheme, as a one-crop system will 
 endure but little longer here than in any other sections. If alfalfa is 
 
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19 
 
 used as a basis, a profitable rotation can be planned in such a way that 
 the land will be in almost constant use. The practice of growing a 
 green manure crop, such as cowpeas, should prove profitable in many 
 cases, both in increasing the feed produced and in building up the soil. 
 
 ALFALFA 
 
 Adaptability. — There is no crop better suited to the climatic con- 
 ditions in southeastern California than alfalfa. Originating in Persia 
 and Arabia before the dawn of agricultural history, this "Best Fod- 
 der," as the Arabic name signifies, has been associated for thousands 
 of years with the hot and arid countries bordering the Mediterranean, 
 and therefore finds its native environment in the Colorado River re- 
 gion. It can be said to be the basis of successful agricultural practice, 
 as it forms the foundation of nearly every local rotation scheme, fur- 
 nishing a good money-making crop, and at the same time adding the 
 nitrogen and humus which are lacking in these arid soils. 
 
 Yield. — Alfalfa grows well during eight months of the year, mak- 
 ing comparatively little growth during the winter period. Cutting 
 usually begins in April and ends in October, six cuttings being the 
 average, although seven, eight, or nine can be obtained on the best 
 soils with good treatment. The average yield is about three-fourths 
 of a ton per cutting, making a total of four and a half to five tons per 
 acre per year. This average includes the alfalfa grown on hard and 
 medium hard land not particularly suited to the crop. On sandy loam 
 soils the yield per cutting would average a ton, while a ton and a half 
 per cutting is not at all uncommon, making a total of from six to ten 
 tons per acre per season. In addition to the hay produced, the land 
 furnishes good pasture during the winter season. Barley is usually 
 seeded in the field after the last cutting to increase the winter pasture. 
 
 Market. — Hay production is not considered profitable as compared 
 to dairying, hog raising or cattle feeding, and consequently most of 
 the alfalfa is pastured, although some hay is always put up for winter 
 feed. The alfalfa should be cut when about one-tenth in bloom in 
 order to produce the best cow feed. For horses and mules it may 
 be older. Early cutting is not only a good practice from the stand- 
 point of hay production but is essential in combatting the alfalfa worm, 
 as shown in the article on insect pests. 
 
 Hay is sold for from $4 to $9 in the stack, the average summer price 
 being from $5 to $6, and the winter price from $7 to $10. All of the 
 hay that is shipped goes to the Los Angeles market. 
 
 Alfalfa pasture will support from one cow on two acres to two 
 cows per acre the year round, depending upon the soil and water 
 
20 
 
 conditions. Considerable trouble is occasioned by bloat, although losses 
 do not generally occur from this cause when the cows are fed on hay 
 before being turned out to pasture in the morning. After a frost it is 
 well not to pasture at night or early in the morning, as the alfalfa is 
 apt to be injured at that time. 
 
 Comparatively little alfalfa is cut for seed, although great success 
 along this line has been secured in the Yuma Valley of Arizona. On 
 the softer soils underlaid with water at from four to eight feet good 
 seed could undoubtedly be secured, as failures reported are apparently 
 
 
 
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 Fig 9. — The main market for alfalfa. 
 
 due to the fact that the water conditions were not favorable. The 
 second cutting is usually utilized for seed. 
 
 Varieties. — The common (Chilean) alfalfa is at present the best 
 variety to plant. It grows well, is hardy and stands heavy pasturing. 
 
 The Peruvian alfalfa, which is gaining much in favor in Arizona 
 and elsewhere, is well adapted to conditions here and may soon prove 
 to be the best variety for this section. 
 
 The Arabian alfalfa grows well, especially during the winter 
 months, and makes an excellent hay, but is not hardy enough to stand 
 pasturing. 
 
 Cultural Requirements. — Alfalfa succeeds on a wide range of soils, 
 but will produce three times as much hay on some soils as on others, 
 
21 
 
 which indicates the necessity for care in selecting alfalfa land. The 
 land should be plowed and well leveled before seeding alfalfa. Any 
 irregularities in the surface are sure to result in a scalded patch with 
 an ultimate introduction of Bermuda grass. The usual method of 
 planting is to broadcast the seed after the land has been thoroughly 
 irrigated, disced and harrowed. The land is then harrowed again and 
 then irrigated. If a crust forms, another light irrigation is given in 
 from three to five days to soften the surface and allow the seedlings to 
 come through. No further irrigation is given until the plants have 
 developed from three to four true leaves, as the silt will in many cases 
 kill the stand by smothering the young plants. 
 
 Drilling in the seed is sometimes practiced, and with good results. 
 There is some danger of getting the seed too deep, especially if the 
 soil is at all loose. Drilling usually follows a thorough irrigation of 
 the land as soon as the land becomes firm enough to disc and prepare 
 a seed bed. The moisture in the soil will be sufficient to germinate 
 the seed and sustain the plant until safely out of danger from damage 
 by silt. If the seeding is not done when the soil is moist enough to 
 sprout all of the seeds, the result will not be satisfactory, unless an 
 irrigation is given before any of the young alfalfa plants that may 
 have sprouted come up. 
 
 Alfalfa is usually seeded in October or in the early part of No- 
 vember. If planted in the spring, the young seedlings are apt to be 
 killed by the blowing sands during the heavy w T inds, or by scalding in 
 the intense heat of early summer. However, much alfalfa is started 
 in the spring, even as late as May. The large percentage of silt carried 
 by the irrigation water during the fall is the greatest objection to 
 planting at that time. 
 
 Cultivation is usually practiced in the fall. The alfalfa is disced 
 thoroughly after the last cutting. Twenty-five to thirty-five pounds 
 of barley are usually sowed broadcast before discing, in order to in- 
 crease the winter pasture. 
 
 Successful alfalfa culture in the Imperial Valley depends more 
 upon the proper water conditions than upon any other factor. To 
 produce a ton of dry hay the alfalfa plants must be supplied with 
 from 400 to 800 tons of water. If this moisture is not available the 
 yield will not be secured. Not only must this moisture he present, hut 
 it must he present in an available form (see article on irrigation). 
 This means that from 4 to 8 inches in depth of water must be applied 
 to the land to get one ton, correspondingly more than that to get a 
 ton and a half to two tons. Lack of this available moisture is very 
 often the cause of the poor yield frequently reported. This condition 
 
22 
 
 usually occurs on hard or medium hard land. This can be remedied 
 by irrigating at least twice per cutting, with a comparatively small 
 head run for a long time, which will give the moisture a good chance 
 to go down. The moisture condition should be watched and the irri- 
 gation practice adapted to the need. 
 
 Careless irrigation often results in scalding out the alfalfa, leaving 
 bare places which soon grow up to water grass or Bermuda grass. 
 This condition exists especially at the lower ends of the fields. Drains 
 at the lower ends of the fields are useful. But when such drains exist, 
 the tendency is to rely on them too much, with the result that irri- 
 gation is careless and much land scalded out. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — Alfalfa is seriously affected by the larva of 
 the yellow alfalfa butterfly {C olios eurytheme) and by grasshoppers. 
 Euthrips Tritici infests the blossoms of alfalfa, but does little damage. 
 Heliothrips facietus, however, causes some damage to the leaves, giving 
 them a mottled appearance. (For remedies see article on Insects.) 
 No disease of consequence in this section is found on the alfalfa, 
 although the alfalfa is affected by leaf spot and rust. 
 
 The Chalcid fly attacks from 10 per cent to 40 per cent of the seeds 
 and causes a serious loss in the seed crop. The alfalfa weevil, which 
 causes so much loss in Utah, is not present in this section. 
 
 BAELEY 
 
 Adaptability. — Barley is the principal grain crop of the valley. 
 It is better adapted to a warm climate than any of the other small 
 grains, although the hot weather rather than the cold is the limiting 
 factor in its growth. It is grown for grain, for winter pasture and for 
 hay, the usual practice being to pasture the fields in the fall and early 
 winter and to let the barley go to hay or grain in the spring. In this 
 way it forms a valuable green feed in the winter when the alfalfa is 
 practically dormant. The barley ripens in April and May in plenty 
 of time to prepare the land and plant corn or milo maize. 
 
 Varieties. — Common California barley is almost universally 
 planted. Beldi, a new early variety of the six-row type, yields well 
 and has the advantage of ripening from a week to ten days earlier 
 than the common barley. 
 
 Market. — Barley is sold in the sack at from 85 cents to $1.50 per 
 hundred f. o. b. local points. A good deal of the barley raised, how- 
 ever, is fed locally. 
 
 Yields. — Barley yields from 10 to 25 sacks per acre, 12 to 18 sacks 
 being about an average under ordinarily good care. 
 
,23 
 
 Soil and Cultural Requirements. — Barley is less sensitive than 
 other grains to adverse soil conditions and does much better on a 
 medium soil than on a loose sandy type. Barley is planted any time 
 from September 15th to February 1st. From 30 to 35 pounds of seed 
 is used for early planting and from 50 to 60 for later planting, when 
 the barley is not so apt to stool heavily. The early sown barley is used 
 as pasture and in January allowed to go to grain. 
 
 The seed is usually broadcasted on land previously irrigated, disced 
 and harrowed. The seed is then harrowed in and the land irrigated. 
 If the soil crusts, much of the seed is apt to be destroyed. Drilling in 
 the seed on land still moist from previous irrigation gives excellent 
 results, as a perfect stand is almost assured, if the soil is well soaked 
 before planting. It is a good practice to drag the field with a broad 
 drag after planting, to compact the earth about the seed. 
 
 Irrigation. — Barley is irrigated by flooding, the frequency of irri- 
 gation depending upon the character of the soil. The idea is to main- 
 tain a fairly even supply of moisture until ripening time, when the 
 last irrigation is given. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — The only insect pest of importance is the 
 aphis. This attacks the young barley in February and in many cases 
 totally destroys the crop. Barley planted early often escapes, when 
 young succulent barley close at hand is destroyed. 
 
 Smut is found on some grain, but can be prevented by soaking the 
 seed in a formaldehyde solution. 
 
 COTTON 
 
 Adaptability. — Cotton is adapted to the climate and soil conditions 
 of this section. The early spring and long growing season, together 
 with the fact that the moisture conditions can be almost entirely con- 
 trolled, give ideal conditions for the production of maximum crops. 
 
 Imperial Valley grown cotton commands a premium over cotton 
 grown in the South on account of the greater whiteness of fiber. 
 
 Varieties. — A big problem facing the cotton raisers of the valley 
 is how to select and establish, to the exclusion of others, the variety 
 that will bring the greatest net returns. It is highly important that 
 one type be selected, as the growing of several varieties in one locality 
 necessarily tends toward hybridization, the results of which are hard 
 to overcome. This is especially true in this section, where the cotton 
 plant is a perennial, the volunteer plants always being a source of 
 crossing. As would be expected in starting a new industry, a large 
 number of varieties of cotton have been tried. Out of the number 
 three types remain. 
 
24 
 
 Long Staple. — A variety of cotton known as Durango is the only long staple 
 variety grown. It is recommended as the best cotton to plant at the present 
 time. The staple averages an inch and three-sixteenths to an inch and a quarter, 
 and commands a premium of from 2 cents to 6 cents per pound over short staple. 
 The ginning percentage averages 28 to 31 per cent. Durango yields as well as 
 short cotton under similar circumstances and has a more upright growth and 
 less foliage than Triumph, which allows the lower bolls a better chance to open 
 and mature and makes picking somewhat easier. The irrigation of Durango is 
 very important, for if not done well, there is a decided tendency to drop the 
 squares on the least provocation. 
 
 A number of varieties of long staple cotton have been tried out, but in most 
 cases have not proved a success. Improved long staple upland cotton from the 
 south has been grown on a commercial scale, but has proved a failure on account 
 of the small size of bolls and lack of uniformity in the staple. 
 
 Sea Island cotton has never been a successful crop here, although the plants 
 do fairly well. 
 
 Egyptian cotton has proved to be well suited to local conditions and 
 promises to become a profitable crop. The yields have been satisfactory, aver- 
 aging approximately a bale to the acre when properly handled, while in indi- 
 vidual cases a bale and a half to the acre has been grown. The staple averages 
 1 7 /iq inches to 1% inches and is very fine and strong. The first grade cotton 
 sells for from 6 to 10 cents more per pound than short staple. 
 
 The ginning percentage of this cotton is rather low, averaging about 27 
 per cent. This, together with the cost of picking, which averages 2 cents per 
 pound, as against three-quarters to l 1 /^ cents for short staple, has discouraged the 
 growing of this type of cotton for the present. The comparatively high cost 
 of picking is due to the fact that the bolls are rather small, and also to the fact 
 that the cotton must be picked often and clean in order to get top prices for 
 first-grade product. There is little doubt, however, but that this type of cotton 
 will come into favor as the large tracts of land are divided up and it becomes 
 necessary to make each acre count for the most. When this time comes this 
 section will become noted for the production of this excellent cotton. 
 
 Short Staple. — Mebane Triumph is the only short staple cotton grown at 
 present. This variety gives good results, as the bolls are fairly large, quite 
 storm-resistant, and the ginning percentage is high. The cotton averages an 
 inch in length and commands a premium over the short staple of the south, 
 both for length and quality. The cotton is not injured by rains and is there- 
 fore white and clean. 
 
 Market. — The cotton produced in this section is sold at thirty points 
 or $1.40 per bale off from New York quotations on account of freight. 
 Most of the cotton produced is shipped to the South, although some 
 goes to the Oakland Mills and to Japan. 
 
 Yield. — The average yield for this section is approximately a bale 
 to the acre. Many have, of course, secured a much larger yield than 
 the average. On good soils where water conditions are favorable it is 
 safe to figure on one bale and a half to the acre. 
 
 Soil and Cultural Requirements. — Cotton is adapted to all but the 
 very hard and the very sandy soils of this region. The plants resist 
 
25 
 
 a comparatively high percentage of alkali, when once well started, and 
 will grow successfully on soil not suited to most other field crops. 
 
 Cotton is planted from the first of March to the first of June, 
 April being the best month. The land is plowed and irrigated, then 
 furrowed 3y 2 feet apart, and irrigated again. The land is then 
 harrowed as soon as the soil is dry enough and the seed is drilled in 
 on the ridge and when 6 inches to 10 inches high is thinned to 18 
 inches in the row. Egyptian cotton will yield better and the cotton 
 will be easier to pick if planted 2 inches apart and thinned to 6 inches, 
 as this tends to reduce the otherwise excessive vegetative growth. It 
 is a common practice to irrigate again soon after planting to insure a 
 good stand and give the young plants a good start. 
 
 Thorough cultivation should follow each irrigation. The land 
 should be kept in as good a condition as possible, as irrigation without 
 cultivation does not give the most satisfactory results. 
 
 Irrigation. — Cotton land should be thoroughly irrigated before 
 planting. A comparatively light irrigation often follows planting to 
 insure the germination of the seed and to give the young plants a good 
 start. Water should then be withheld and the land well cultivated 
 until after chopping or until the plants show a decided need. This 
 forces good root development and starts the plant well. Irrigation 
 should follow frequently enough to prevent the plant from suffering 
 for water, but water should not be applied unless necessary. Too 
 much water induces a rank vegetative growth at the expense of fruit- 
 ing. This is especially true with a variety like Triumph, which has 
 a naturally dense foliage that shades the lower parts of the plant when 
 the first bolls are formed. Any sudden change from a dry to a wet 
 soil will cause a serious loss of squares, especially in the Durango 
 cotton. Thorough cultivation will do much toward equalizing the 
 moisture conditions, provided the first irrigations are thorough. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — This section is free from the boll weevil, so serious a 
 pest in the South. The aphid has done more damage than any other insect. 
 These insects attack the leaves and give the whole plant a gummy appearance. 
 The plants are set back, but ultimately outgrow the aphis, and the real loss is 
 not great, although some of the cotton is damaged by the honey dew. 
 
 Heliothrips attack the cotton occasionally, but are not serious pests. 
 
 The seed in the ground is often eaten by weevil, especially when planted 
 early, where the ground is cold and the seed germinates slowly. 
 
 The cotton bolls are attacked occasionally by the boll worm, but the total 
 damage is negligible. Boll rot and anthracnose are present and cause some loss, 
 especially on over-irrigated rank grown cotton. 
 
 Bucculatrix thurberiella Busck. pierces the cotton leaves and is a more or less 
 serious pest. Journal of Economic Entomology, vol. 9, no. 5, 1916. 
 
26 
 
 CORN (MAIZE OR INDIAN CORN) 
 
 Adaptability. — Field Corn. Mexican June and Hickory King are the only 
 varieties of Indian corn so far tried in this section that have given satisfac- 
 tory yields. These varieties do fairly well and may prove to be a real value 
 for use in silos, to furnish succulent feed for winter when the pasture is short. 
 The stalks grow to be 8-10 feet high and generally bear two ears to the stalk. 
 Yields of 40-70 bushels are often obtained. The corn ear worm and the flea 
 beetle are very serious pests. 
 
 Sweet Corn. The Mexican June corn is often sold for table use, and if picked 
 at the right time is acceptable. Many varieties of sweet corn will grow if 
 planted in the latter part of July, as recommended for field corn, but the ears 
 are so badly injured by worms that a good crop is far from certain. Roasting 
 ears are often secured in fifty days from planting. 
 
 Pop Corn. Pop corn does well, but the damage done by the corn ear worms 
 makes successful production almost impossible. It is apparently well suited to 
 local conditions if planted in the late summer so that it will be pollinated dur- 
 ing the cooler days of early fall. The Pearl and Rice are both good varieties 
 for this section. 
 
 SORGHUMS 
 
 Adaptability. — All varieties of sorghums do Avell in this section. 
 Unlike Indian corn, the sorghums thrive during the hot weather. 
 Two crops a year can be obtained by planting in the spring, harvesting 
 in July, and then by irrigation a volunteer crop is brought on, in many 
 cases outyielding the first one. The great objection to the sorghums 
 is that they do not fit well in a rotation scheme. It is reported fre- 
 quently that certain crops, such as barley or cotton, will not always 
 do well following a crop like milo. The reason for this is not known, 
 but the effect has been attributed to lack of moisture (not likely under 
 irrigation ) , to poor physical condition of the soil and to a toxic effect 
 of the roots. It is probable that the bad physical condition of the soil, 
 especially where the land is not plowed, is the prime cause. The 
 extent of this condition can not be stated, although it is certain that 
 good crops have been secured after milo in numerous cases, and that 
 milo has been grown in rotation with cotton and barley successfully. 
 
 Varieties. — Durras. The yellow or dwarf milo, white durra or 
 Egyptian corn, the brown durra and feterita are the varieties most 
 commonly planted. Milo stands second to barley in importance as a 
 grain crop. This variety is popular on account of the dwarf charac- 
 teristic, which makes harvesting less expensive. The seed is fairly 
 well fixed in the head and does not scatter, and is not eaten by birds 
 so badly as white durra, which scatters readily. Feterita is rapidly 
 becoming a popular grain. It ripens from a week to ten days earlier 
 than milo, has larger and softer grains, produces an erect head and 
 requires little water, but so far has not yielded so well as milo. 
 
27 
 
 Kafir. The White, Red, and Black-hulled Kafirs are all grown to 
 a limited extent. The crop is very good for fodder, much better in 
 this respect than the durras. The fact that the stalks remain green 
 longer after the grain is ripe gives this type an advantage for fodder. 
 
 Shallu or Egyptian Wheat. This sorghum has proved to be especi- 
 ally adapted to the poorer soils of the valley, doing better than other 
 varieties on alkali land. The small grain makes excellent chicken feed 
 and can be used to make flour for human consumption. The stalks 
 are small and numerous and very tall. Heads are open and erect. 
 Shallu has outyielded any sorghums so far tried at the Experiment 
 Farm. 
 
 Sudan grass is a member of the sorghum family, and resembles 
 Johnson grass in many particulars. It does not have the underground 
 stolons, however, which make the Johnson grass so hard to eradicate. 
 This grass can be cut from two to three times a year and will produce 
 a large amount of feed. On account of its resemblance to" Johnson 
 grass, caution must be used in the purchase of seed. As a quick- 
 growing summer hay crop Sudan grass has proved to be profitable and 
 desirable. 
 
 Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense). See article on weeds. 
 
 Sweet Sorghum. The sweet sorghums have been grown to quite an 
 extent, but are not generally considered desirable because of the 
 superiority of the durras and the Kafir corn, and because of the more 
 lasting effect of the sweet sorghums on the soil and the difficulty of 
 eradication. 
 
 Market. — A large part of the sorghum grain raised is fed locally. 
 The milo has a feed value about 90 per cent of that of Indian corn. 
 Milo sells for from $15 to $20 per ton in the head or from $20 to $28 
 threshed in a normal year. 
 
 Yield. — Milo yields from one-half to two and a half tons of heads 
 to the acre. A ton is considered about an average yield. Other varie- 
 ties, such as feterita or Egyptian corn, yield somewhat less. 
 
 Soil and Cultural Requirements. — The sorghums are apparently 
 not so sensitive to soil conditions as many other field crops, and will 
 do well on a variety of soil. 
 
 The seed is usually drilled in from 6 to 18 inches apart in rows 
 3 to 3% feet apart on previously irrigated land. The land is usually 
 irrigated again to bring up the seed, although a better stand is secured 
 if the soil is well soaked before seeding and the land not flooded until 
 the corn is well up. When planted on a ridge, irrigation after seeding 
 insures an almost perfect stand, as the soil is not crusted above the 
 seed as in the case of flooding. 
 
28 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — Sorghums are attacked by aphis and by flea- 
 beetles when young, but if the land is well handled, so that the crop 
 grows rapidly, they will outgrow these pests. 
 
 WHEAT 
 Wheat has been grown in the Imperial Valley for the past ten years, but 
 has never assumed large proportions on account of the danger of rust, which at 
 one time practically destroyed the wheat in the valley. It is also apparent that 
 wheat is affected more by heat and is more sensitive to soil conditions than is 
 barley. Outside of the one year referred to, when rust was prevalent over the 
 entire state, rust has not been a serious factor and wheat grown on the Station 
 Farm for the past three years has been entirely free from rust. The following 
 varieties have yielded well and can be recommended for planting: Chul, White 
 Australian, Bobs, Propo, Galgalos, Kubanka, King's Early, and Sonora. Of 
 these Bobs wheat has given the best milling and baking test and is therefore 
 the most profitable. It is difficult, however, to secure seed in commercial quan- 
 tities, as this is a new importation from New South Wales and seed is not 
 readily obtainable. The White Australian or common bluestem gave the most 
 satisfactory test in the trials after Bobs. The wheat stood up well and yielded 
 over 25 sacks to the acre. Wheat can be pastured like barley and is planted 
 and irrigated in the same way. In order to produce a good milling wheat, it is 
 well to hold the water off during the time of filling. 
 
 FIELD CEOPS OF MINOR IMPORTANCE 
 The following field crops have been grown in Imperial Valley with 
 more or less success, but plantings have never assumed commercial 
 proportions. It is possible that some of them may be grown commer- 
 cially in the- future when more is learned regarding their cultural 
 needs and when economic conditions warrant. 
 
 CLOVERS 
 
 As alfalfa takes the place of all clovers, except perhaps for lawns and cover 
 crops, there is no particular reason for growing the clovers for other purposes. 
 The intense dry heat of summer injures all the clovers which have been so far 
 tried in the valley. Melilotus, which thrives here in the winter, may prove to 
 be a valuable cover crop. White Clover, if given plenty of water, makes a fair 
 lawn,, but does not compare with lippia in value for this purpose. Burr Clover 
 grows well during the winter, but does not make enough tonnage to warrant 
 its use as a cover crop. Bitter Clover (Melilotus indica) makes a vigorous 
 growth between early fall and late spring and is one of the best plants known 
 for orchard cover crops and green manuring. It can be planted after cotton 
 is picked in the fall and plowed under in April in time for spring planting. 
 Such a practice is recommended, however, only where it is impracticable to 
 grow alfalfa in a rotation. 
 
 GRASSES 
 
 Australian Bye Grass (Lolium multiflorum) is often used for a lawn grass, 
 as it has a very attractive appearance during the winter months. This grass 
 does not do well during the summer and requires constant irrigation to keep it 
 
29 
 
 alive, and for this reason is not so good as either lippia or Bermuda grass for 
 this section. It can be sown in a Bermuda grass lawn for winter growth, thus 
 keeping a green lawn the year round. 
 
 Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon) is a pest when out of place, but a very 
 good grass for certain purposes. There is no other grass in this section which 
 gives such good results for a lawn. During the hot weather it does well and 
 is not killed by neglect. For hard land, where deep-rooted plants do not do 
 well, Bermuda makes a good growth and furnishes excellent pasture for horses, 
 mules, sheep, or cattle. 
 
 Blue Grass {Boa pratensis) grows well during the winter season, but suffers 
 in hot weather. If care is taken to keep the ground soaked it will live through 
 the summer, but never does well. 
 
 Johnson Grass (Sorghum halipense). See article on weeds. 
 
 Millet (Chaetochloa italica). Most varieties of millet do fairly well in this 
 section. Very little millet is planted, however, since other forage crops produce 
 better results. It is generally sown during the latter part of the summer and 
 harvested in the fall. Frost kills it about as readily as it does Indian corn. 
 Pearl millet (Benisetum spicatum) can be grown successfully in the spring and 
 will make a good growth during the spring and summer. 
 
 Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata) can be made to grow in the Imperial 
 Valley, but it is not suited to the climate and its culture is not recommended. 
 
 Bara Grass (Banicum molle) was introduced into the valley in 1909, and has 
 made a remarkable growth in the few patches where it was planted. It is con- 
 sidered a bad weed in most tropical countries, although it is used as a pasture 
 grass and for hay production. It propagates from the nodes of the stem, and 
 consequently is hard to eradicate when once started on wet land, but in an 
 irrigated section it can be dried out by withholding water and cultivating it 
 down. It may prove to be a valuable plant for the hardest soils of the valley 
 where alfalfa will not do well. It is a rapid grower and can be cut every six 
 weeks or so during the summer time. While it is sensitive to cold, it will with- 
 stand any low temperature likely to occur in Imperial Valley. 
 
 SUDAN GRASS 
 (See Sorghums.) 
 
 OATS 
 Oats are not successful as a grain crop, but have been grown profitably as 
 a winter hay crop. The plants make a big growth, but produce little grain. 
 The Texas Red variety is most commonly planted. 
 
 RICE 
 Rice has been grown experimentally a number of times with a fair amount 
 of success. It will endure the climatic conditions, if the proper water supply 
 can be obtained. The plants will not thrive in water above 98 degrees, and 
 it would be necessary to irrigate rapidly enough to keep the water moving 
 well. The rapid deposits of silt where sufficient water is used would cause 
 much trouble and expense. Water grass would tend to take possession of the 
 fields, although this could be more easily controlled than in other sections on 
 account of the fact that the weed seed can be sprouted by irrigation and later 
 killed by discing before the rice is sown. It is probable that this crop will 
 
30 
 
 never be of commercial importance, although in Egypt rice is used as a recla- 
 mation crop, and it is possible that it may be valuable here for hard lands 
 containing alkali. The rice could be grown while the land is being flooded for 
 reclamation purposes. 
 
 FLAX 
 Flax has only been grown in a small experimental planting and very little 
 is known as to its possibilities. It is well suited to the climate of the northern 
 states and is quite sensitive to the summer heat and should be planted in 
 October and harvested in the spring. 
 
 HEMP 
 
 The hemp plant (Canabis sativa) has been grown satisfactorily in this section, 
 but no data are at hand regarding the yield secured. Whether hemp will prove 
 to be a valuable crop depends largely upon the economic conditions. 
 
 SESBANIA 
 Colorado hemp (Sesbania microcarpa) is a water legume covering large areas 
 in the Colorado delta. The conditions along the Colorado are usually favorable 
 for this plant and almost impenetrable jungles of it cover large areas of delta 
 land. It grows ten feet high or more and produces a large crop of well-filled 
 pods. The roots are usually covered with large nodules, and it is possible that 
 this plant may become a valuable cover crop. Many attempts have been made 
 to utilize the strong fibers in the stem, but on account of the lack of effective 
 decorticating machinery these attempts have failed. 
 
 OKRA 
 
 Okra does very well indeed in this section, producing large crops of good- 
 sized pods. 
 
 SPINELESS CACTUS 
 
 Spineless cactus has been grown in this section for some years and when 
 properly irrigated has yielded a large tonnage of slabs. There is little reason, 
 however, for growing cactus in an irrigated country, as water must be applied 
 as in the case of any other crop in order to secure a yield, and alfalfa under 
 such conditions is more profitable. Cactus leaves have been successfully fed to 
 cows in conjunction with hay and may prove to be good chicken feed for this 
 section. 
 
 SUGAR CANE 
 
 Sugar cane has been tried experimentally and has proved to be well adapted 
 to this section. The cane makes a very good growth and when properly handled 
 should yield 20 to 40 tons to the acre. 
 
 Sugar cane is propagated from joints, about two tons being required to plant 
 an acre. The joints are set about two feet apart in rows six feet apart and 
 irrigated in furrows. The cane is harvested in November. No satisfactory 
 variety tests have been made as yet, although the common purple cane has been 
 grown satisfactorily. 
 
 The commercial success of sugar cane depends upon the establishment of 
 raw sugar mills and a sugar refinery. 
 
31 
 
 VETCH 
 
 Common vetch (Vicia saliva) has been tried in the valley with variable re- 
 sults. Some report success and others failure. As the plant is killed by very 
 hot weather it should be grown during the winter, being planted i^tOctober or 
 the early part of November. Much experimentation is yet to be done with 
 this plant. If it can be made to grow it will be a valuable addition to the list 
 of winter leguminous cover crops for orchards. 
 
 BEOAD WINDSOR BEAN 
 The Broad Windsor bean (Fava vulgaris) or horse bean, as it is sometimes 
 called, does well as a winter crop. It was not affected by temperature as low 
 as 24 degrees and yielded a heavy crop. The beans are rather thick coated and 
 have a strong taste, but are relished by many people. 
 
 HORTICULTURAL CROPS 
 
 
 
 Varieties 
 
 
 Dates 
 
 Date of 
 
 Crop 
 
 Adaptability 
 
 recommended 
 
 o: 
 
 f planting 
 
 ripening 
 
 Almond 
 
 Good, but not 
 recommended 
 until further 
 tried 
 
 IXL 
 
 Nonpareil 
 Jordon 
 
 Jan. 
 
 -Feb. 
 
 July-Aug. 
 
 Apple 
 
 Poor 
 
 Gravenstein 
 White Winter 
 Pearmain 
 
 Jan. 
 
 -Feb. 
 
 June 15-Dec. 
 
 Apricot 
 
 Very good 
 
 Newcastle 
 
 Royal 
 
 Blenheim 
 
 Jan. 
 
 -Feb. 
 
 May 1-June 10 
 
 Avocado 
 
 Poor 
 
 Not 
 recommended 
 
 
 
 
 Banana 
 
 Poor 
 
 Not 
 recommended 
 
 
 
 
 Blackberry 
 
 Good 
 
 Crandall 's 
 Early 
 California 
 Everbearing 
 
 Jan. 
 
 -Feb. 
 
 May- June 
 
 Cassava 
 
 Very good 
 
 
 Feb. 
 
 -Mar. 
 
 June- July 
 
 Cherry 
 
 Poor 
 
 Not 
 recommended 
 
 
 
 
 Citron 
 
 Poor 
 
 Not 
 recommended 
 
 
 
 
 Currant 
 
 Poor 
 
 Not 
 recommended 
 
 
 
 
 Date 
 
 Excellent 
 
 Deglet Noor 
 
 Hayani 
 
 Thoory 
 
 Menakhir 
 
 Taziza'oot 
 
 Mar. 
 
 -June 
 
 Aug. 1-Dec. 1 
 
 Dewberry 
 
 Very good 
 
 Gardena 
 
 Jan. 
 
 -Feb. 
 
 May 1-20 
 
 Fig 
 
 Very good 
 
 Smyrna Class 
 Brown Turkey 
 Black San 
 Pedro 
 
 Jan. 
 
 -Feb. 
 
 May-Oet. 
 
 Gooseberry 
 
 Poor 
 
 Not 
 recommended 
 
 
 
 
 Grape 
 
 Very good 
 
 Suit an in a 
 (Thompson) 
 Malaga 
 Persian, Nos. 
 21, 23, 26 
 
 Jan. 
 
 -Feb. 
 
 June 15- July 15 
 
32 
 
 
 HORTICULTURAL CROPS— (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 Varieties 
 
 Dates 
 
 Date of 
 
 Crop 
 
 Adaptability 
 
 recommended 
 
 of planting 
 
 ripening 
 
 Guava 
 
 Poor 
 
 Not 
 recommended 
 
 
 
 Jujube 
 
 Very good 
 
 Zyziphus 
 Jujube 
 Any variety 
 
 Jan. -Feb. 
 
 Sept.-Nov. 
 
 Kumquat 
 
 Good for home 
 use 
 
 Marumi 
 
 Jan -Feb. 
 
 Several crops 
 per year 
 
 Lemons 
 
 Good 
 
 Eureka 
 Lisbon 
 
 Oct.-Mar. 
 
 Mar-June 
 Sept.-Nov. 
 
 Lime 
 
 Uncertain 
 
 * 
 
 
 
 Loquat 
 
 Fair 
 
 
 Jan.-Feb. 
 
 May-June 
 
 Mulberry 
 
 Very good 
 
 Black Spanish 
 Black Russian 
 New American 
 
 Jan -Feb. 
 
 
 Olives 
 
 Excellent 
 
 Mission 
 
 Manzanillo 
 
 Sevillano 
 
 Jan.-Feb. 
 
 Nov.-Pec. 
 
 Orange 
 
 Good 
 
 Washington 
 Navel 
 Navelencia 
 Thompson 
 
 Nov.-May 
 
 Nov. 1-Jan. 150 
 
 Peach 
 
 Fair 
 
 Jap. Saucer 
 Waldo 
 Alexander 
 Honey 
 
 Jan.-Feb. 
 
 June-Aug. 
 
 Peanut 
 
 Good 
 
 Virginia Red 
 Jumbo 
 Tennessee 
 White 
 
 Mar-May 
 
 Sept-Dec. 
 
 Pear 
 
 Good 
 
 Winter Bartlott Jan -Feb. 
 
 Aug.-Pec. 
 
 
 
 Winter Nellis 
 
 
 
 Pecan 
 
 Good 
 
 Not tried 
 sufficiently to 
 recommend 
 
 
 
 Persimmon 
 
 Good 
 
 Tane Nashi 
 
 Jan.-Feb. 
 
 Oct.-Nov. 
 
 (Japanese) 
 
 
 Hashia 
 
 
 
 Pineapple 
 
 Poor 
 
 Not 
 recommended 
 
 
 
 Plum 
 
 Good 
 
 Mariana 
 Satsuma 
 Red June 
 
 , Jan.-Feb. 
 
 May-June 
 
 Prune 
 
 Poor 
 
 Not 
 recommended 
 
 
 
 Pomegranate 
 
 Very good 
 
 Wonderful 
 Spanish Ruby 
 
 Jan.-Feb. 
 
 Sept.-Nov. 
 
 Pomelo 
 
 Very good 
 
 Marsh 
 
 Jan -May 
 
 Nov.-Dec. 
 
 ("Grapefruit) 
 
 
 Seedless 
 
 
 
 Quince 
 
 Good . 
 
 Orange 
 
 Jan.-Feb. 
 
 Sept.-Doc. 
 
 % 
 
 
 Champion 
 Smyrna 
 
 
 
 Raspberry 
 
 Poor 
 
 Not 
 recommended 
 
 
 
 Roselle 
 
 Very good 
 
 
 Jan.-Feb. 
 
 Oct.-Nov. 
 
 Strawberry 
 
 Good 
 
 Klondike 
 
 Nov. -Feb. 
 
 Feb.-May 
 December 
 
 Walnut 
 
 Fair 
 
 Not 
 
 recommended 
 
 commercially 
 
 
 
 * Not recommended commercially until further tried. 
 
33 
 
 FRUITS 
 
 Although a large variety of fruit can be successfully grown, cli- 
 matic and soil conditions favor the production of certain kinds which 
 have special adaptability or the advantage of earliness, and which, 
 therefore, command good prices because of lack of competition. Many 
 fruits can and should be grown for home use that would not pay in a 
 commercial planting. 
 
 The recommendations given under the heading of soils and irri- 
 gation are of great importance in successful fruit culture and should 
 be carefully considered. 
 
 The growing of summer cover crops will undoubtedly become a 
 common practice. The intense radiation of heat from the light-colored 
 soils has a bad effect upon the trees, in many cases undoubtedly causing 
 a dropping of young fruit. Summer cover crops tend to reduce the 
 temperature of the soil, to prevent the radiation of light and heat back 
 upon the trees, and add the much needed organic matter. They grow 
 at a time when water is plentiful and when cultivation of the orchard, 
 which would otherwise be necessary, is expensive. 
 
 The fruits named below are especially adapted to the general 
 conditions and are recommended for commercial planting under the 
 particular conditions given in each case. 
 
 APRICOTS 
 
 Adaptability. — Of all deciduous fruits probably none is more at 
 home in this section than the apricot. The crisp winters and hot, dry 
 summers seem to be conditions needed by this fruit. All varieties 
 ripen from a week to ten days earlier than corresponding varieties in 
 other sections, which is a distinct advantage. It is true, however, that 
 the yield, in most cases, is not quite up to expectations and the quality 
 so far has not been equal to that of the apricots produced in other 
 sections. For this reason, the Newcastle, which comes on to the market 
 before apricots from any other section, is the most profitable variety. 
 The Royal and Blenheim are satisfactory varieties, but as they' Qpme 
 into competition with the early Newcastles from other sections it is a 
 question whether they should be planted on a commercial scale. The 
 Hemskirk, Moorpark, and Tilton have not given good results and 
 should not be planted, at least until further experience indicates new 
 and more successful methods of handling. Apricots on apricot roots 
 are satisfactory, but plum roots are more resistant to wet soil and are 
 not so subject to sour-sap. 
 
Fig. 10. — A well cared for apricot orchard in Imperial Valley which has 
 paid well. 
 
 
 -%% 
 
 Hi 
 
 ^30 
 
 1 
 
 
 . <i '} 
 
 ». ]^QIBKfir> . 
 
 
 Hi- V '*'^Wp t *' > 
 
 ^%L, 
 
 .**" > 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 % ^fci* 
 
 n 
 
 IP 
 
 ii#fr- ■■' ): -- 
 
 ^1 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 ■ 
 
 p 
 
 ■ '*fT: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 
 
 
 
 / *>.'* 
 
 Fig. 11. — Neglected trees which are neither a success as a commercial venture 
 nor as a home orchard. 
 
35 
 
 The trees are usually set 24 feet apart and pruned comparatively 
 low to avoid sunburn. Thinning the fruit in the early spring will 
 help to increase the size and the quality of the apricots produced. 
 Sowing a summer cover crop will prove valuable. Apricot trees should 
 not be irrigated for too long a time during the hot days of summer, 
 as many trees are thus killed, a condition known as sour-sap often 
 developing. Water should not be allowed to come too close to the 
 trunks of the trees, as scalding at the surface of the ground is very 
 common. It is well to stir the soil about the young trees frequently 
 to prevent a crusting of the surface and an accumulation of alkali. 
 
 Market. — Most of the apricots shipped at present go to the Los 
 Angeles market, where the bulk of the crop is sold before strong 
 competition starts from other sections. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — Crown gall is the most serious disease of 
 apricots in this section. Sour-sap, resulting from over-irrigation dur- 
 ing the summer months, must be guarded against. Root rot, also 
 resulting from over-irrigation, is common. There are no insects of 
 any economic importance, although San Jose scale has been reported 
 in one instance. 
 
 DATES 
 
 Adaptability. — Coming from the oases of northern Africa and from 
 the Persian Gulf region, the date finds its natural environment in 
 this desert region. 
 
 Varieties. — Over two hundred varieties of dates have been im- 
 ported from north Africa and the Persian Gulf region, many of which 
 have produced crops. Many of the varieties are very promising, while 
 others are rather inferior or not suited to the conditions. One point 
 stands out prominently, however, and that is that no one variety is 
 superior in all sections. 
 
 The Deglet Noor, for example, finds congenial conditions in parts 
 of the Coachella and Imperial valleys, but in sections of lower total 
 heat units and of high humidity, as in Tempe, Arizona, and in parts 
 of the above named valleys, it is not always successful in ripening its 
 crop on the trees. The proximity of large alfalfa fields, for example, 
 will so affect the humidity in a locality that certain sensitive varieties 
 suffer. More has to be learned regarding the climatic conditions of 
 the date-growing sections of the old world from which the various 
 varieties come and regarding the climatic conditions of general local- 
 ities in this country in order to make intelligent plantings and avoid 
 mistakes such as have been made in the past. 
 
36 
 
 The following varieties are perhaps the most promising among the 
 dates so far tried, although they are suited to various conditions: 
 Deglet Noor, Hayani, Saidi, Yatimeh, Taziza'oot, Thoori, Asharasi, 
 Maktum, Menakhir. 
 
 There is a greater opportunity for the development of superior 
 varieties of date palms from seed than there is with other kinds of 
 fruit, such as grapes, apples, or olives, for example. Grown by the 
 Arabs, the palms have not been scientifically selected, the present 
 varieties being the product of chance. Scientific selection by a study 
 of the vegetative characters, which are very distinct for the different 
 varieties, will no doubt develop better varieties than any on the market 
 at present. Every one interested in the culture of dates should plant 
 
 Fig. 12. — A good practice to follow in a young date garden. Onions planted 
 between rows as a cash crop, while dates are reaching bearing age. 
 
 as many seedlings as possible with the idea of selecting the few superior 
 palms that may appear, and from them develop varieties of special 
 merit. The larger the number of seedlings planted the greater the 
 chances of getting a really superior date. No one should plant seed- 
 lings, however, with the idea of developing a commercial date planting, 
 as but a small proportion will be of value. 
 
 The large number of miscellaneous dates produced will soon spoil 
 the market unless great care is exercised in the selection and stand- 
 ardization of the fruit shipped. This should be controlled by a date 
 growers' association, such as the one now organized in both the Coa- 
 ch ella and Imperial valleys. 
 
 Varieties differ greatly, of course, in size, shape, color, taste, sugar 
 content and consistency. In some cases each date must be picked off 
 
37 
 
 separately and ripened artificially; others can be shaken from the 
 bunch, practically ripening at once; still others must be packed and 
 sold as a quickly perishable product. Dry or bread dates can be 
 produced at a very low cost and sold at a profit for a very few cents, 
 while others, such as the Deglet Noor, demand more time and care in 
 the production and must be sold as a confection. 
 
 Cultural Requirements. — As the proverb goes, the date palm wants 
 its feet in the water and its head in the fire. The tree does well on a 
 large variety of soils, but seems to be most at home on the sandier 
 types. Although alkali is not necessary or desirable for the successful 
 growth of date palms, the plants will stand large quantities of alkali 
 and will grow well when the total salts do not exceed 2 per cent. 
 However, on account of its high potentialities, it deserves to be planted 
 on the best land. 
 
 Dates are usually set 30 feet apart each way, which allows some 
 crops to be grown between the young palms. In Africa citrus trees, 
 apricots, figs and vegetables are grown in the shade of the large palms. 
 
 Date palms are not so sensitive to excessive irrigation as most other 
 plants. The soil about the bases of palms may be submerged for 
 months at a time without the trees being injured. Too little water, 
 however, will stunt the growth and lessen the yield. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — The Parlatoria and Marlott scales have 
 caused much trouble to the early importers. Fumigation has not 
 proved successful in eradicating these insects, but careful quarantine 
 is now exercised to prevent their spread through new importations. 
 Much experiment work is being done to find a means of exterminat- 
 ing the scale, and, if successful, the date industry will not be subject 
 to the enormous annual tax that the citrus industry now pays for 
 fumigation. 
 
 The injury done at ripening time can be successfully prevented 
 by cheesecloth coverings over the date bunches. Fumigation at the 
 time of packing is essential with some varieties in order to prevent 
 damage by weevils and their larvae. The souring of dates has been 
 the source of much loss, especially in the shipments of fresh dates, but 
 it appears that this can be successfully handled by better methods of 
 curing and packing and by handling soft, delicate varieties like any 
 other fresh fruit. 
 
 POMELO (GRAPEFRUIT) 
 
 Adaptability. — The Pomelo, or grapefruit, has perhaps greater 
 possibilities than any other citrus fruit in this section. The trees 
 grow vigorously and bear heavy crops. The quality of the fruit is 
 
38 
 
 excellent and on account of its earliness has a distinct advantage in 
 California markets over fruit from other sections. Green fruit can 
 be picked from the trees and relished, as the required sugar-acid ratio 
 is reached before the fruit is colored. At present, quarantine measures 
 prevent outside grapefruit from being brought into California. 
 
 Particular attention should be paid to the remarks on soils given 
 elsewhere in this bulletin before locating a citrus orchard, for many 
 mistakes can thus be avoided. 
 
 Young trees should not be exposed to the hot sun when being 
 transplanted and the trunks should be protected from the sun until 
 the trees are large enough to give ample shade. The soil immediately 
 about the trunk should be thoroughly mulched with straw or hay to 
 prevent baking or the formation of an alkali crust and to aid growth. 
 Water should be applied often, the frequency depending upon the 
 type of soil and subsoil. Water should not be allowed to come in 
 contact with the bark of the tree, but should be run in furrows long 
 enough to soak the ground well. The Florida Sour stock has given 
 the greatest satisfaction, although Trif oliata is being used considerably. 
 
 The Marsh's Seedless is the only variety grown commercially in 
 the valley. Some of the earlier but smaller varieties may prove 
 profitable. Only trees from well selected stock should be grown. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — Citrus trees have not yet become infested 
 with scale in Imperial Valley, and it is probable that the extensive 
 fumigation carried on in the citrus belt will not be necessary in this 
 region. Gum disease is a serious factor, but by proper care can be 
 successfully handled. Mottled-leaf is not uncommon. 
 
 OLIVES 
 
 Adaptability. — The olive, a native of the hot, dry country of north- 
 ern Africa, is a very promising fruit, standing second only to the date 
 in its adaptability to the climatic conditions of southeastern California. 
 It ripens in the fall when labor is plentiful and the climate delightful. 
 
 The" records of the yields of the few olive trees now growing in 
 this section are meager, but from the data at hand it appears that 
 good varieties, such as the Mission or Manzanillo, would bear regu- 
 larly and well. Several trees so far have not borne good crops, but 
 it is the opinion of the writer that good yields will be secured in well 
 cared for groves, unless an unusual dry spell coincides with the time 
 of ripening. Along the lower river bottom, especially in the Palo 
 Verde Valley, it is a question whether or not any but the Mission 
 would thrive on account of the heavy frosts. 
 
39 
 
 Varieties.— The standard, broad-leaved or San Diego Mission is 
 undoubtedly the best olive for general purposes. The buds or cut- 
 tings from which young trees are started should be selected from trees 
 of known merit, as many Mission trees are inferior. 
 
 The Manzanillo is a good olive for pickling. It is larger than the 
 Mission, but tends to ripen all at once, thus making the harvest more 
 difficult. 
 
 The Sevillano is a large olive known commercially as the ' ' Queen 
 olive. It is very attractive, but is somewhat coarse in texture, is cling- 
 stone and does not have the good flavor of the Mission. 
 
 The Ascolano is also a large variety of much promise. 
 
 Varieties highly satisfactory for olive oil making are Mission, 
 Correggiola, Pendulina, Razza, and Nevadillo. 
 
 In transplanting young trees from the nursery to the field great 
 care should be taken to prevent sunburn of the trunk at the surface 
 of the ground and to prevent drying of the roots. The young trees 
 are very tender and require good care. It is a good practice to place 
 a deep mulch of dry straw around each tree to stop the radiation of 
 the heat from the hot soil, and to keep the surface of the soil from 
 crusting about the trunks of the trees. The careful treatment of the 
 young trees will be well repaid, as the loss is often great when the work 
 is carelessly done. 
 
 Olives require less water for successful growth than most trees, 
 but to produce a profitable crop the trees must receive more water 
 than simply enough to keep them alive. Olive trees do not do well on 
 ditch banks where the roots stand in water. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — Olive trees grown in this section are free 
 from black scale, which hampers the industry on the coast. Olive 
 'trees are therefore clean and healthy and require no expensive spray- 
 ing. Sunburn of the fruit has been reported, but has caused no serious 
 loss, especially when the trees have been well taken care of. 
 
 OEANGES 
 
 Adaptability. — The dry air and bright sunshine of this section has a distinct 
 advantage in the production of the Navel orange, since the fruit sweeteus earlier 
 and gives a deeper red color than is secured on the coast. This marked advantage 
 is not possessed by the Valencia, however, and it is doubtful whether the culture 
 of this variety would be sufficiently profitable to warrant commercial planting. 
 The Navel orange ripens before damage may be expected from frost, which is 
 another advantage in its favor. The fact that the Washington navel bears a 
 comparatively light crop in sections where high summer temperature and very 
 dry air exist is a rather serious drawback to the industry, and will undoubt- 
 edly have an influence on the acreage planted. The Navelencia has borne well 
 
40 
 
 in some cases and may prove to be valuable commercially. Many other varie- 
 ties, however, may be grown in gardens for home use, such as Sweet Seedlings, 
 Valencia, Mediterranean Sweet, Paper Rind, St. Michael, Ruby Blood and others. 
 
 FIGS 
 
 Adaptability. — Figs grow luxuriantly and bear heavily in this 
 section. In the Coachella and Imperial valleys fig raising should de- 
 velop into a very profitable industry, but the advisability of planting 
 figs on the lower lands along the Colorado River is questioned because 
 of the danger of frost. 
 
 Cultural Requirements. — Figs can be successfully grown with com- 
 paratively little pruning and cultivation. They will stand more water 
 than most trees, which makes them desirable for planting on ditch 
 banks. 
 
 Varieties. — Accurate data on the comparative value of the common 
 varieties are very meagre. The Black Mission, White Adriatic, and 
 Black San Pedro are known to produce well wherever they receive 
 sufficient water and a reasonable amount of care. 
 
 The Smyrna class of figs do very well and will probably develop 
 into a crop of considerable importance. The Smyrna, unlike other 
 figs, must be artificially pollinated (caprificated) to produce a crop. 
 Successful introductions of the Blastophaga (fig wasps) have been 
 made and much advance made in this industry, especially by Mr. 
 Francis Heiny of Brawley, who has been able to produce three crops 
 of Smyrna figs in a season. This variety is especially good for drying. 
 
 Yield.— Fig trees bear three crops a year, the second crop being 
 the main one. Trees but a year old will bear some figs, but they do not 
 come into heavy bearing until four or five years old. 
 
 Market. — The market for fresh figs is limited by the difficulty of getting the 
 product to market in good shape. Express shipments of caprified Smyrnas 
 packed in chests of cracked ice have been made as far as Boston with good 
 results, but the future possibilities are unknown. Fresh figs are safely shipped 
 to the Los Angeles market. The market for dried figs is good, although little 
 developed. The industry will, of course, have to face competition with the old 
 world product. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — The figs are quite free from injurious insect pests and 
 diseases. Some figs are injured by birds and wasps, but usually not unless 
 bruised. The "Fig eater" (Allorhina mutabilis) of Arizona, the large green 
 beetle, which is so destructive in the Salt River Valley, has not yet entered 
 California. 
 
 GRAPES 
 
 There are strong reasons for believing that the growing of early 
 table grapes will be one of the most profitable industries in this section. 
 
41 
 
 Vines grow with remarkable rapidity and vigor and the fruit ripens 
 before that of any other region. 
 
 Many vineyards have been dug up as unprofitable and others yield 
 less profit than was expected. Many reasons are given, but the main 
 
 Figs. 13 and 14. — The way a vineyard should and should not be cared for. 
 (1) A profitable vineyard. Vines pruned high with plenty of fruiting wood. 
 (2) Low-pruned vines where grapes lie on the ground. A large proportion of 
 the crop has to be thrown away. 
 
42 
 
 causes of failure seem to be planting in hard, unsuitable soil and 
 failure to use suitable cultural methods. 
 
 Over two hundred varieties have been tried in the Imperial and 
 Coachella valleys, but not over a dozen have shown much promise. 
 
 Varieties. — The Malaga is the most common variety.. It ripens late in June 
 to early in July. It ships well and brings from $1.25 to $2.50 per crate. The 
 yield has not been heavy. 
 
 The Sultanina (Thompson's Seedless) is a favorite with many. The fruit 
 is small, seedless, of pleasing amber color and good quality. It ripens about 
 two weeks before the Malaga and brings from $2 to $3.50 per crate. The vines 
 bear well when trellised. 
 
 The Persian varieties 21, 23 and 26 are attracting attention. They are 
 earlier than the Sultanina and nearly as large as the Malaga. They have an 
 attractive, rich, amber color and loose bunches which are easy to pack and ship 
 well. They have brought from $2.50 to $4.50 per crate. The crops have been 
 small, but their great vigor indicates that trellising and long pruning may 
 increase their fruitfulness. 
 
 The Chavushi is a large, elongated grape of pleasing flavor, almost as early 
 as 21. It is recommended for home planting. 
 
 The Hutab and Eish Baba are similar Persian varieties, ripening a little 
 earlier than the Malaga. They are of striking appearance but poor shippers. 
 
 The Muscat of Alexander, Muscat Albadians, and Black Monukka are good 
 or promising varieties. 
 
 The Cornichon is a large, elongated grape of fair shipping qualities, ripening 
 two weeks later than the Malaga. It is a good grape for a late fall crop in a 
 home planting. 
 
 Soil and Cultural Treatment. — Only soft, sandy soil is suitable. 
 Cuttings are planted during the last part of February or the first part 
 of March, preferably in the nursery, to be transplanted to the vine- 
 yard a year later. The young vines should be staked and carefully 
 looked after. Owing to the vigor of the vines, the pruning should be 
 relatively long. When this results in an exceptionally large crop the 
 bunches should be thinned to increase the proportion of fine clusters. 
 
 Market. — The grapes are shipped to all parts of the United States. 
 Prices vary with the season and the variety. The earlier shipments 
 bring from $2 to $3 or more per box. In many cases the grapes are 
 sold on the vines at from $30 to $40 per ton, the grower agreeing to 
 haul them in lug boxes to the cars. 
 
 Irrigation. — The irrigation of the vineyard is one of the most important 
 operations, but one that as yet is not clearly understood. Various systems have 
 been tried, such as heavy winter irrigation with no spring irrigation, or light 
 irrigations every two or three or four weeks during the growing period, and 
 even up to picking time. From moisture determinations made in a number of 
 vineyards irrigated at different times it seems that the number and time of 
 
43 
 
 irrigations is a more or less minor detail which has to be worked out by each 
 farmer for his individual type of soil, the important point being to supply a 
 liberal amount of moisture during the whole growing season. On some soils 
 this can be done by heavy winter irrigations, while on the harder types, includ- 
 ing even some sandy loam soils, water must be added at intervals during the 
 spring, even up to within three or four weeks of picking time. Too little water 
 seems to have as much to do with the formation of "water berries" as too 
 much. A sudden change of moisture conditions during the sugaring period 
 caused by an irrigation at that time apparently causes a water growth, and 
 such a condition should be avoided. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — The grape leaf hopper is a pest in this section, although 
 most of the grapes are shipped before the bunches are much damaged. The 
 hoppers give the leaves a mottled appearance by August and causes a good 
 many to drop, which no doubt weakens the vines. 
 
 Thrips are found in large numbers on the blossoms, but. cause no apparent 
 damage. 
 
 Phylloxera has never gained a foothold in this section and will probably 
 never be a problem on account of the strict quarantine on vine cuttings from 
 the phylloxera section of the state. 
 
 It may be necessary in some seasons to treat the vineyard with sulfur for 
 odium or powdery mildew which occasionally occurs. 
 
 Water berries are soft bluish grapes which occur frequently on vines re- 
 ceiving improper care, especially on young vines. They must be culled out, as 
 they do not ship well. 
 
 FRUITS OF MINOR IMPORTANCE 
 
 The following fruits are well adapted to conditions, but have no 
 special commercial advantage. Some may be grown commercially at 
 a profit, while all can be successfully grown in a home orchard. 
 
 PEAR 
 
 Adaptability. — Among the fruits of secondary importance the pear stands 
 first. Pear trees make a very healthy and normal growth and bear heavily in 
 certain cases. The climate, however, is not adapted to the production of pears 
 of the best quality; the flavor and aroma of a northern-grown pear seem to be 
 lacking. 
 
 - Varieties.— The Chinese pears, including LeConte, Kieffer, and Garber, suc- 
 ceed well when cross-pollinated. They bloom early and set well. The Winter 
 Nellis has proved to be more generally satisfactory than any other shipping 
 pear in the Colorado and Salt River valleys in Arizona. The Winter Bartlett 
 is also one of the most promising varieties, and is the only variety which has 
 been planted commercially in the valley. It ripens in the late fall. The fruit 
 is apparently of good texture, but is apt to be rough and unattractive. The 
 summer Bartlett, the great pear of commerce, does fairly well and will serve 
 for home planting. The Kieffer is a large attractive variety, ripening about 
 the same time as the summer Bartlett, but its quality is very poor. The 
 Madeline and Clapp's Favorite are summer varieties, too soft for shipment but 
 very desirable for home use. 
 
44 
 
 Soil and Cultural Requirements. — Pear trees can be treated much like other 
 deciduous trees. Care must be taken to prevent sunburn and the trees should 
 receive a plentiful supply of water. 
 
 Yield. — In general, the pear trees receiving good treatment in the valley 
 have borne well. The blossoms are seldom killed by spring frosts and the trees 
 bear early and are full of fruit wherever the proper varieties have been planted 
 together to insure cross-pollination. It is probable that the suitable varieties 
 will yield satisfactory crops. 
 
 Market. — The market for the early varieties will probably be limited, as 
 direct competition will have to be met. Winter Bartlett pears will have to 
 compete with the summer Bartletts produced in such localities as the Antelope 
 Valley or Tehachapi, but as they ripen for Thanksgiving and Christmas markets 
 prices will probably be good. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — The pear blight, which has caused so much loss in 
 other pear-growing sections, has not been reported as yet, although it may 
 appear at any time. A peculiar knot appears on many pear trees, but appar- 
 ently causes no serious trouble. The knot appears on the limbs at the joints 
 and probably starts in a bud injured perhaps by some insect. 
 
 ALMONDS 
 
 Adaptability. — Although in general the climate of this section is well adapted 
 to almonds, as the cool winters, followed by warm, sunny and dry weather at 
 blooming and setting time, seem to supply just what is needed for the best 
 bearing of almonds, commercial plantings should not be attempted until more 
 is learned regarding the requirements of the trees in this section. Some trees 
 in Imperial and Coachella valleys have borne well, but many of the trees are 
 almost barren and have yielded little up to the present time. Almond trees 
 make a splendid growth and may ultimately prove profitable, although at present 
 commercial plantings would not be a safe investment. 
 
 The trees are handled as recommended for apricots. The Nonpareil is a 
 good variety, but in planting it is necessary to plant one tree in four of Drake 
 Seedling or Texas Prolific for pollination purposes. The Jordon almond is also 
 recommended. 
 
 APPLE 
 
 The climate of this section is not well suited to the growing of apples. The 
 high summer temperature, dry air and low altitude make it very unlikely that 
 apples will ever be grown on anything like a commercial scale; in fact, it is a 
 question if it is profitable to grow apples even in a home garden when good apples 
 can be purchased cheaply. Only a few varieties bear well, and these are likely 
 to fail early on account of sunburn, root rot and other troubles. The Bismark, 
 Eed Astrachan, Gravenstein, Black Ben Davis, and White Winter Pearmain do 
 fairly well for home plantings. 
 
 BLACKBEEEIES 
 Some varieties of blackberries grow thriftily and produce very well when 
 given proper care. They seem to delight in the heat of summer and produce 
 a tremendous growth of canes, which should be cut back considerably after the 
 crop is harvested. They require an abundance of water. Only small patches of 
 blackberries have so far been attempted, but some of these have proved fairly 
 
45 
 
 profitable. The Crandall's Early or California Everbearing is perhaps the most 
 successful variety so far tested. 
 
 Loganberries do not seem so well suited to the climate as blackberries and 
 are grown with difficulty. 
 
 GUAVA 
 The lemon guava is too sensitive to frost to succeed in this section, except 
 in especially favored localities where conditions are almost frostless. The 
 strawberry guava is somewhat more hardy and might be expected to grow in 
 slightly protected situations. 
 
 DEWBERRY 
 
 Dewberries, particularly the Gardena variety, produce abundantly and the 
 fruit is of excellent quality, both as to size and flavor. The Gardena is har- 
 vested during the first two weeks of May. Vigorous roots planted in the fall 
 will often produce good crops the following spring. In fact, the fruit may 
 prove profitable for shipment to northern markets. The practicability of such 
 shipment, however, has not as yet been thoroughly determined. 
 
 JUJUBE 
 
 The Jujube, sometimes called the Chinese date plum, succeeds admirably, 
 bearing very heavy crops the first year after transplanting from the nursery. 
 The tree is hardy and grows well, but not luxuriantly. The fruit is used in 
 making a certain type of confection, but is of no special commercial value. 
 The tree makes a good ornamental plant, as the bright green leaves make the 
 tree attractive. 
 
 KUMQUATS 
 
 This species of citrus fruit is not grown in California to any extent as a 
 commercial product. Kumquats are very desirable for eating fresh or for 
 making preserves. They will grow and produce several crops of fruit a year, 
 although they are likely to be killed back to some extent by the frost unless 
 protected. The variety Magumi is said to be more hardy to cold than Nagami. 
 Kumquats deserve to be much more generally planted in home gardens. The 
 trees are small and do not need much room for development. 
 
 LOQUATS 
 The loquat tree grows slowly, but makes a very attractive evergreen for 
 ornamental purposes, as the broad leaves form a marked contrast to the foliage 
 on the more common trees. It blooms in mid-winter and the flowers, being 
 tender to frost, are usually killed. Trees budded on quince stock are more 
 resistant than those grown on their own roots. 
 
 LEMONS 
 Lemons do well, but are not at their best in the hot, dry climate of this 
 region. The spring winds injure much of the fruit unless well protected. As 
 the crop comes into competition with that of other sections it has no advantage 
 in this locality except for home use. The common Eureka lemon is perhaps the 
 best to plant, although other varieties do about as well. The remarks regarding 
 the care of the Pomelo apply to the lemon also. 
 
46 
 
 MULBEKEIES 
 
 All varieties of mulberries may be expected to grow well and produce 
 abundant fruit. They are valuable for avenue shade trees, but are subject to 
 criticism by many for this purpose because of the litter made by the dropping 
 fruit. The trees are especially useful both for shade and fruit in poultry yards. 
 
 The Russian mulberries ripen very early, while the Black Spanish (Morus 
 nigra) ripens later. The Black Spanish mulberries leaf out late in the spring, 
 but they make an extremely dense shade during the summer. The fruit of 
 this kind is larger than that of any other variety and is quite palatable, con- 
 taining more acid than the insipid Russian kinds. The varieties recommended 
 are Black Spanish, New American, Downey, Black Russian, and Victoria. 
 
 PEACH 
 
 Peaches have not been a marked success up to the present time, although 
 the trees grow very vigorously and in some instances bear well. In general 
 the crop is light. The early blooming varieties are not generally subject to 
 frost injury, and they usually bear more fruit than those which bloom later, 
 when the air is so dry and hot that pollination is interfered with. Such varie- 
 ties often produce quantities of very small, inferior and often double fruits 
 which have abortive pits. The trees suffer more or less from sunburn of the 
 trunks unless headed very low and pruned to thick, compact heads. Crown 
 gall of the roots has caused much loss (see article on Diseases). Although 
 peaches will probably never be an important or very profitable crop in this 
 section, they can be grown for home use. The varieties doing well are: 
 Japanese Saucer, Honey and Waldo, Admiral Dewey, Alexander, McKevitt's 
 Cling, Georgia Cling. The Alberta has been reported as doing well in certain 
 cases. 
 
 PECAN 
 
 The pecan is native to the moist alluvial lands along the river bottoms of 
 southern states. While the pecan is not at home in desert conditions, the tree 
 will grow well and produce good fruit in this section. The pecan, however, is 
 not a promising tree from a commercial standpoint, as it would be necessary 
 to compete with the produce coming from the cheap lands of the south. 
 
 PERSIMMONS 
 
 Persimmons are quite sensitive to the dry heat of this section. Young trees, 
 if not protected, are sunburned badly and are easily killed. The ground im- 
 mediately about the trunk should be well mulched with straw to withstand this 
 danger. The trees when mature bear good crops of excellent quality. Fruit 
 grown here seems to lack the extreme astringency found in the product of other 
 localities. The Tane Nashi and Hashia have done well and can be recommended 
 for home planting. 
 
 PLUMS 
 
 The different species of plums, and even in some cases the different varieties, 
 react very differently to the climatic conditions and environment of Imperial 
 Valley. Much work in testing varieties and new seedlings has yet to be done 
 before anything approaching a complete report can be made. The remarks 
 following should be taken as a summary of indications based on such evidence 
 as is available at the present time. 
 
47 
 
 As a rule, the varieties derived from American and Asiatic species and 
 hybrids between these species succeed much better than the European varieties. 
 Such varieties as Lombard, Bradshaw and the various prunes either fail entirely 
 or produce so little fruit as to be unprofitable. On the other hand, a number 
 of American and Japanese plums succeed admirably and produce heavy crops. 
 
 The variety which has been observed to succeed best is the Marianna, which 
 is a hybrid of Myrobalan and Chickasaw. This is a small red plum ripening 
 in early May, which is especially suitable for jellies and preserves. It grows 
 readily from cuttings. Other promising varieties which are suggested for trial 
 as likely to be profitable are: Red June, Satsuma, Doris, Gonzales, McCartney, 
 El Paso, Wildgoose, Wickson, Climax, Chalco, Burbank, and Chabot. 
 
 All plum trees in Imperial Valley should be headed low and pruned so as to 
 provide shade for the trunks and main branches. The two great foes of the 
 plum in the eastern states, the curculio and brown rot, are not known in 
 Imperial. The roots are subject to crown gall disease, though not to a serious 
 degree. Plum culture in the Imperial Valley appears to us as an inviting field 
 for experiment. 
 
 POMEGRANATE 
 
 The pomegranate, coming as it does from Palestine and northern Africa, 
 finds a congenial home in this region. The plant thrives wonderfully and fruits 
 heavily, not being particular as to soil, withstanding a moderate amount of 
 alkali. No special pests of this plant have been reported, although the fruit 
 sometimes cracks and splits just before ripening. A bacterial disease, for 
 which no remedy is known, causes some loss in certain parts where it has be- 
 come established. All varieties succeed, but the variety called "Wonderful" 
 is the most handsome and prolific known to the writer. The plants strike root 
 readily from cuttings and are, therefore, very easily propagated. 
 
 Americans do not seem to appreciate this delicious and refreshing fruit as 
 the Mexicans do, and it is as yet hardly known in the northern markets. It is 
 quite likely that with a little enterprise shown in packing and marketing, this 
 fruit would find a market at least for purposes of decoration. They would 
 reach general consumption later as the people learn to know them. However, 
 it is certain that any family living in the Imperial Valley and failing to grow 
 a few pomegranates for home use is missing one of the opportunities of the 
 country. 
 
 QUINCES 
 
 Adaptability. — Quinces flourish and produce heavily in the Imperial Valley 
 whenever they are given sufficient water. They withstand admirably the heat 
 of summer, provided they are headed low and so pruned as to provide shade 
 for the trunk. Quinces are not very particular as to the quality of the soil and 
 are fairly resistant to alkali. 
 
 So far as known, quinces have never been injured by the cold of winter and 
 it is very rare that their blossoms are killed by spring frosts. Owing to the 
 fact that they are used almost exclusively for jellies and preserves, there is not 
 a great demand for the fruit on the open market. Abundant fruit for local 
 markets and home use may, however, be produced with ease. Varieties sug- 
 gested are Orange, Champion, Smyrna, Meech's Prolific, Rea's Mammoth, and 
 Pineapple. 
 
48 
 
 EOSELLE 
 
 This is a plant long cultivated in India for its fiber, but recently introduced 
 into this country and cultivated for the red fleshy calyces which are used in 
 making excellent jellies and jams. Sauce made from it may replace cranberry 
 sauce. It is an annual plant, somewhat resembling Egyptian cotton in size and 
 manner of growth. It is well suited to conditions in Imperial, making a very 
 satisfactory growth and producing well. No pests are at present known, and 
 the plant deserves wider planting. 
 
 The seed should be sown in beds under cover and the plants set out as early 
 as danger from frosts is over. The product is harvested in October and until 
 the plants are killed by hard frosts. 
 
 STRAWBERRIES 
 
 Successful strawberry culture in this section is beset with difficulties, and a 
 great deal of skill and patience is required to produce berries on a commercial 
 scale at a profit. Good strawberries of high quality can be produced, and it is 
 quite likely that the industry will eventually assume large proportions, as this 
 section offers an advantage in earliness. The industry is just beginning to 
 receive attention by commercial growers. 
 
 Strawberries should be irrigated every six to eight days to get good results. 
 Plants will usually last two to four years. 
 
 The Arizona Everbearing has proved to be a good variety for this section. 
 The main crop comes during the late spring and berries can be picked from 
 January to September. The Lady Thompson is good, but the picking season lasts 
 but three or four weeks. Other varieties recommended for home use are 
 Michel's Early, Texas, and Excelsior. Growers report that such varieties as 
 the Brandywine, grown so largely on the coast, die out entirely during the hot 
 summer. 
 
 TANGERINE 
 
 Of the citrus fruits the Tangerines are, perhaps, the best adapted to this 
 section. They bear heavily and regularly and have proved to be resistant to 
 frosts which have injured other trees. They deserve more attention and should 
 be planted in every farm orchard. The trees are, of course, sensitive to alkali, 
 as are all citrus trees. 
 
 The investigations thus far conducted in Imperial Valley do not 
 warrant planting the following named fruits except for experimental 
 purposes : 
 
 Avocado Loganberry Pineapple 
 
 Banana Mango Prune 
 
 Cherry Kumquats Raspberry 
 
 Citron Walnut 
 
 Currants Gooseberry 
 
 TRUCK CROPS 
 
 Adaptability. — The climate and soil conditions in southeastern 
 California favor the production of certain kinds of truck crops, such 
 as cantaloupes or early asparagus, for which this section is noted, 
 
49 
 
 while, on the other hand, many truck crops do not thrive on account 
 of the high summer temperatures. The vegetables of which the leaves, 
 stems or underground parts are eaten are, with few exceptions, hardy 
 to frost. They include cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, spinach, beets, 
 carrots, parsnips, turnips, radishes, and onions. None of these are 
 seriously injured by any low temperatures that occur here and most of 
 them can be successfully grown on a commercial scale during the 
 coolest months. On the other hand, all are quite sensitive to heat, 
 most of them being checked in their growth or killed by the heat of 
 summer. The profitable production of truck products on a commercial 
 scale will be limited largely to those crops which can be grown out 
 
 Fig. 15. — A cantaloupe field ready for picking. 
 
 of season, either during the winter or early spring. Conditions give 
 no advantage in production other than earliness, and it is not generally 
 considered profitable to compete with other sections where the crops 
 can be grown as successfully as here. A great variety of crops can 
 he, and most certainly should be grown for home use, however. This is 
 often neglected, when with a little care a garden would produce a 
 large part of the food of the family. If the garden is located near the 
 ditch where water can be secured by syphoning over the bank with a 
 hose or through a small gate, and if long rows are used where culti- 
 vation can be done with horse power, much of the drudgery of the farm 
 garden is removed. 
 
 Soil and Cultural Requirements. — The production of truck crops 
 on a commercial scale is almost limited to the sandy and sandy loam 
 soils. The heavier clays are too cold in the spring and do not allow 
 
50 
 
 favorable water penetration and consequent root development. Good 
 crops can be raised successfully on clay loam soils free from alkali, 
 but for early crops and for the larger yields the softer soils give the 
 best results. 
 
 Early and thorough preparation of the seed bed is essential to 
 success. The addition of organic matter either by applying stable 
 manure or by plowing under cover crops improves the soil wonder- 
 fully, and will both increase the crop and advance the ripening period. 
 Too much stress cannot be laid upon this point, for there is nothing 
 that will do the soils of this section so much good as the liberal addition 
 of organic matter. 
 
 Protection from early frosts or from damage by wind storms is 
 often necessary for crops such as cantaloupes or tomatoes. Various 
 devices are used, but oiled paper placed over each plant seems most 
 successful. The paper is held in place by dirt placed along the edge. 
 
 Truck crops are shallow rooted, as compared to perennials, and 
 require more frequent but less heavy irrigations. Water is often 
 applied every week or ten days during at least a portion of the season, 
 although careful cultivation will lessen the need for too frequent irri- 
 gations. The irrigator must know the condition of his soil and irrigate 
 according to the needs of the plants, for it is only through such careful 
 and intelligent study of conditions that success can he assured. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — Insects do considerable damage to truck 
 crops in this section, and in some instances limit or even prevent the 
 successful growing of such crops as cabbages. These are taken up 
 under the discussion of each crop. 
 
 
 
 TRUCK CROPS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Length of 
 
 
 
 Varieties 
 
 Dates 
 
 Dates 
 
 time occupy- 
 
 Crop 
 
 Adaptability 
 
 recommended 
 
 of planting 
 
 of ripening 
 
 ing land 
 
 Artichoke 
 
 Very good 
 
 Selected 
 
 Jan -Feb. 
 
 July-Dec. 
 
 All year 
 
 Asparagus 
 
 Excellent 
 
 Early Argentei] 
 Palmetto 
 Conovers 
 Collosal 
 
 1 Jan. -Feb. 
 
 Feb.-Apr. 
 Dec. 
 
 All year 
 
 Beans 
 
 Good 
 
 Blackeye 
 
 Mar.-Apr. 
 
 June-Oct.- 
 
 2-9 months 
 
 
 
 Pink 
 
 July-Aug. 
 
 Nov. 
 
 
 
 
 Tepary 
 
 
 
 
 Beets 
 
 Good 
 
 Klein 
 
 Jan.-Mar. 
 
 Jan.-July 
 
 5-9 months 
 
 
 
 Wanglebener 
 
 Sept.-Oct. 
 
 Oct.-Nov. 
 
 
 
 
 Early Blood 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Turnip 
 
 
 
 
 Cabbage 
 
 Very good 
 
 Any variety 
 
 Seeds planted 
 Aug.-Nov. 
 
 Feb.-May 
 
 5-8 months 
 
 Canteloupe 
 
 Excellent 
 
 Rockyford 
 
 Feb.-Mar. 
 
 May- June 
 
 4-5 months 
 
51 
 
 TRUCK CROPS— (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Length of 
 
 
 
 Varieties 
 
 Dates 
 
 Dates 
 
 time occupy- 
 
 Crop 
 
 Adaptability 
 
 recommended 
 
 of planting 
 
 of ripening 
 
 ing land 
 
 Carrot 
 
 Good 
 
 Any 
 
 Aug.-Oct. 
 Jan -Feb. 
 
 Jan.-July 
 Nov.-Dec. 
 
 5-9 months 
 
 Cauliflower 
 
 Good 
 
 Early Snowball 
 
 1 Aug.-Nov. 
 
 Feb.-June 
 
 7-8 months 
 
 Celery 
 
 Poor 
 
 Not 
 recommended 
 
 
 
 
 Cowpeas 
 
 Good 
 
 Whippoorwill 
 New Era 
 Unknown 
 
 Apr.-Aug. 
 
 June 
 Aug.-Nov. 
 
 4-5 months 
 
 Cucumber 
 
 Good 
 
 White Spine 
 
 Mar.-Apr. 
 
 June- July 
 
 4-5 months 
 
 Eggplant 
 
 Very good 
 
 Mammoth 
 Improved 
 Spineless 
 
 Jan. -Feb. 
 
 Sept.-Nov. 
 
 5-8 months 
 
 Lettuce 
 
 Very good 
 
 Any 
 
 Sept.-Feb. 
 
 Nov.-May 
 
 3-5 months 
 
 Onions 
 
 Very good 
 
 White Bermuda Seed, 
 
 Green, 
 
 7-8 months 
 
 
 
 
 Aug.-Sept. 
 
 Feb.-Apr. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sets, 
 
 Ripe 
 
 
 
 
 
 Oct.-Dec. 
 
 May-July 
 
 
 Peanut 
 
 Good 
 
 Virginia Red 
 Tennessee 
 White 
 Jumbo 
 
 Mar-May 
 
 Sept.-Nov. 
 
 4-8 months 
 
 Peas 
 
 Good 
 
 Yorkshire Hero 
 
 Telephone 
 
 Stratagem 
 
 Sept.-Nov. 
 Jan -Feb. 
 
 Dec-May 
 
 4-8 months 
 
 Pepper 
 
 Good 
 
 Red Chili 
 Peppers 
 
 Jan -Feb. 
 
 June-Dec. 
 
 8-9 months 
 
 Pineapple 
 
 Poor 
 
 Not 
 recommended 
 
 
 
 
 Potato 
 
 Fair 
 
 Burpee's 
 
 Jan. 1 5- 
 
 May 20- June 
 
 5 months 
 
 (Irish) 
 
 
 Extra Early 
 Early White 
 Rose 
 Triumph 
 
 Feb.15 
 
 Aug. 20- 
 Sept. 10 
 
 Nov. 
 
 
 Pumpkin 
 
 Good 
 
 Any 
 
 June- July 
 
 Oct.-Dec. 
 
 3-5 months 
 
 Radish 
 
 Good 
 
 Any 
 
 Sept.-Jan. 
 
 Oct.- June 
 
 1 month 
 
 Rhubarb 
 
 Fair to poor 
 
 Not 
 recommended 
 
 
 
 
 Roselle 
 
 Very good 
 
 
 Jan.-Feb. 
 
 Oct.-Nov. 
 
 5-8 months 
 
 Spinach 
 
 Good 
 
 Any 
 
 Sept.-Feb. 
 
 Nov.-Apr. 
 
 
 Squash 
 
 Fair 
 
 Yellow 
 Crookneck 
 Mammoth 
 White Bush 
 
 Feb.-Mar. 
 
 June-Sept.- 
 Nov. 
 
 3-6 months 
 
 Sweet Potatoes Very good 
 
 Vineless Yam 
 
 Mar.-May 
 
 Sept.-Nov. 
 
 7-8 months 
 
 
 
 Jersey Red 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Southern Queen 
 
 
 
 
 Tomatoes 
 
 Good 
 
 Stone 
 
 Dwarf 
 
 Champion 
 
 Feb.-Apr. 
 
 June 
 Oct.-Dec. 
 
 6-8 months 
 
 Turnips 
 
 Good 
 
 Any 
 
 Aug.-Mar. 
 
 Oct.-May 
 
 3-6 months 
 
 Watermelon 
 
 Very good 
 
 Chilian 
 
 Mar.-May 
 
 June-No v. 
 
 4-5 months 
 
52 
 
 ARTICHOKE 
 The Globe artichoke (Cynar seolymus L.) is a large, coarse-growing, hardy 
 perennial which does well in this section, bearing heavy crops. The artichoke 
 is not raised commercially here, but probably production on a small scale would 
 prove profitable. It furnishes a very acceptable delicacy for the table. The 
 plant exudes a sweet honey which attracts flies by the hundred. No way has 
 been devised to overcome this objectionable feature. 
 
 ASPAEAGUS 
 
 Adaptability. — Climatic conditions in southeastern California are 
 apparently ideal for the production of early asparagus. Grown on a 
 sandy loam soil, asparagus produces well and is ready to be cut sooner 
 than that of the delta region near Stockton, where the great bulk of 
 California asparagus is raised. 
 
 Land planted with asparagus must be well fertilized with manure 
 to add the necessary humus and nitrogen. Applications of twenty to 
 twenty-five tons of barnyard manure per acre have given wonderful 
 results in increasing the yield and in improving the quality. Aspara- 
 gus grown on good land, well fertilized with manure, yields from 100 
 to 200 crates per acre per year. The Bermuda grass which is apt to 
 be scattered in the manure must be kept down with a hoe or shovel 
 and not allowed to get a good start. 
 
 Asparagus seedlings can be purchased on the market or grown at 
 home. The usual method is to plant the seed in April in rows 4 feet 
 apart and to thin the plants to 6 inches in the row. The seedlings 
 produced (male preferred) are transplanted in the field when a year 
 old, in rows 8 feet apart and 16 inches in the row, the roots being set 
 in a trench from 9 to 12 inches deep. The asparagus is not cut until 
 two years old, or three years from seed. 
 
 After the spring cutting, the asparagus is irrigated and allowed to 
 grow to maturity. Water is applied as required by the soil and plant, 
 the purpose being to produce a large top. The last irrigation is 
 usually given in August. The tops are cut and burned in December 
 and water again applied early in January to start the new growth. 
 Cutting begins the first of February. 
 
 The early Argenteil gives excellent results and is the variety com- 
 monly planted. Conover's Collosal and Palmetto are good varieties. 
 
 Market. — Practically all of the asparagus so far raised has been 
 shipped to the Chicago market. Shipments continue until the aspara- 
 gus from Illinois begins to come in in large quantities. Some aspara- 
 gus is sold locally and in Los Angeles, the price going down gradually 
 
53 
 
 until it reaches $1.50, when further shipments stop. The season lasts 
 from six to eight weeks. 
 
 The market for green asparagus is much better in Chicago than in 
 New York, as the New York market prefers the large white asparagus 
 shipped from the delta region. 
 
 No asparagus is canned, although there is room for a cannery to 
 use the cull crop and to use the asparagus which can be grown after 
 shipments become unprofitable. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — No insects attack asparagus in this region, 
 and the rust, so damaging in other asparagus sections, is not present 
 here, and probably will never be a serious factor, as the dry air pre- 
 vents a growth of the rust spores. 
 
 A disease leading to a discoloration and final drying of the tops 
 in the fall, resulting in some weakening of the plants and a consequent 
 reduction of yield, is prevalent. The disease is caused by a fungus 
 (Cercospora asparagi), which has been reported in other sections, but 
 has never proved serious. 
 
 BEANS 
 Beans, being sensitive to dry air as well as to frost, are grown as a spring 
 and fall crop. Small experimental plantings have been tried in several parU 
 of the valley, but no commercial plantings of any importance made until 
 the spring of 1915. Although fair crops of lima beans have been secured by 
 planting in the spring and harvesting in the fall, it is probable that limas will 
 never be an important crop, as they are not naturally adapted to this dry 
 climate. To a less degree the same applies to Pink, Bayou, and White Beans. 
 A fair spring crop of Pink beans can be secured by early planting and a fall 
 crop secured by planting in August. Blackeye beans do well and will yield a 
 satisfactory crop, and probably are the best commercial beans for this section. 
 They require from 120 to 140 days to mature. Tepary beans mature from 65 
 to 90 days and yield fair crops, but are probably not so profitable for this 
 valley as the blackeyes. The main advantage of Tepary beans is their ability 
 to withstand drought, which is of no value in this section. The market for the 
 Tepary has not been developed, although the demand for them is increasing. 
 
 BEETS 
 
 Adaptability. — All kinds of beets do quite well when grown during the fall 
 and winter months. Beets are sensitive to heat and are somewhat stunted by 
 sharp frosts, but can be successfully grown for home markets. 
 
 The seed is planted in the fall, any time from August to November. The 
 November plantings have given the best sugar percentage in tests made with 
 sugar beets. If planted too early the cold winter weather is apt to stunt the 
 plant and cause premature seeding. Too much water produces a rapid growth 
 and makes a coarse beet, low in sugar content. No rule can be followed, as 
 one has to use judgment in applying the water to get results. The Klein 
 Wanzlebener and the Early Blood Turnip are the varieties most commonly 
 
54 
 
 planted. Sugar beets have been tried with fair success. The sugar percentage 
 ranged from 11 per cent to 22 per cent, averaging about 13 per cent to 14 per 
 cent. Swiss Chard, grown for its succulent leaves, thrives and produces well. 
 Mangels are also successfuly grown. 
 
 Market. — Sugar beets have been grown in commercial quantities and shipped 
 to the Glendale factory in Arizona, but such an arrangement was unsatisfactory. 
 Table beets are grown for home market only, although a beet of very good 
 quality can be raised. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — The beet leaf hopper has caused some damage in the 
 beets raised in experiment plats and a small beetle has caused a scarring of 
 some beets. Sugar cane is being tried as a substitute for sugar beets in Arizona 
 on account of the damage done by the beet leaf -hopper. 
 
 CABBAGE 
 
 Adaptability. — Cabbages have been raised very successfully in this section. 
 The plants thrive during the fall and winter months and mature early if not 
 attacked by aphis or the cabbage worm. These two pests have prevented any 
 recent commercial planting. The cabbage, however, is well adapted to this 
 region and should make a successful winter crop. All varieties so far tried 
 have been reported as satisfactory. The seed is planted from August to October 
 under a light protection and the young plants are reset in the field in October 
 or November. The crop is harvested from the last of February to May. Cab- 
 bages need a plentiful supply of water. Irrigation should be frequent but not 
 heavy. 
 
 Market. — The market for first-class cabbages is good at the time when the 
 crop ripens in this section. The product so far has been sold in Los Angeles. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — The main enemy to cabbage is the aphis, which appears 
 in great number during the winter and early spring months. The cabbage worm 
 and a small worm known as the cabbage pulsia cause considerable damage. 
 
 CANTALOUPES 
 
 Adaptability. — The cantaloupe is unusually well adapted to this 
 region and produces abundant crops of early fruit of high quality, 
 which carries well for long distances. Owing largely to the quick 
 money returns, the cantaloupe has been a major crop. In 1915 nearly 
 6000 cars were shipped during May and June to all parts of the United 
 States. N 
 
 Old alfalfa land is especially suitable for cantaloupes. Liberal 
 application of barnyard manure gives marked results in yield and 
 earliness. The use of various protectors, especially parafined paper, 
 has enabled growers to plant in midwinter and secure a very early 
 crop. Four weeks can be gained in this way. The seed is planted 
 in February and the melons are harvested in May and June. The 
 various strains of the Rocky Ford are universally grown. A number 
 of new varieties have been introduced, but with only slight success. 
 
55 
 
 Market. — Cantaloupes grown in this section are shipped all over 
 the United States. The problem of placing 125 to 200 carloads a day 
 is rather complicated, requiring co-operation among growers for the 
 best results. Very efficient help has been rendered by the Department 
 of Markets. 
 
 Yield. — Cantaloupes yield from 120 to 400 crates per acre. On 
 the average, 65 per cent of the crop are standards (45 melons per 
 crate), 15 per cent Jumbos, and 20 per cent Ponies. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — The aphis is the main enemy to the canta- 
 loupe industry, practically destroying the late crop in some seasons. 
 Nematodes have caused some loss in some sections. (See Insects and 
 Diseases.) 
 
 Fig. 16. — Cantaloupe field, showing paraffined paper used in protecting young 
 vines from late frosts. Very early cantaloupes are produced in this way. 
 
 CARROT 
 Carrots grow well and yield heavy crops on soft soil. They should be 
 planted in the fall and grown during the winter months. 
 
 CAULIFLOWER 
 
 Cauliflower is well suited to the climatic conditions of this section. The plants 
 are more sensitive than cabbage plants and require more careful handling, but 
 a cauliflower of good quality can be raised successfully. 
 
 The aphis, which is such an enemy to the cabbage, attacks the cauliflower 
 as well. 
 
 CELERY 
 
 For the best development of the celery plant a cool, moist climate is required. 
 For this reason celery will never be grown on a commercial scale in the Imperial 
 Valley. Those who wish to produce a small amount of celery for home use may 
 do so, however, by planting the seed in January or February in a shaded bed 
 
56 
 
 in a cool place where the soil may be kept constantly moist. The plants may 
 be set out in the garden in September or October and shaded with brush until 
 they obtain a start. The crop should be ready to harvest in December and 
 January. 
 
 CUCUMBER 
 Cucumbers produce well when planted either in the spring or fall. If well 
 matured the vines may live through the hot weather of summer, although they 
 produce very little good fruit during midsummer. The spring crop is planted 
 during March, while the fall crop should be sown in September. The White 
 Spine and Early Greens produce well. 
 
 EGGPLANT 
 
 This vegetable is quite sensitive to frost, but decidedly resistant to heat. 
 The plants nourish in this climate and the fruit matures from the middle of 
 May through the summer, provided an abundance of water is given. The seed 
 may be planted under a protective covering in January and the seedlings trans- 
 planted once in protected beds to make them stocky and strong. When there 
 is no longer danger from frost they may be set out in the field. The Mammoth 
 Improved Spineless has been reported as producing well, and we presume that 
 other varieties also would succeed. 
 
 LETTUCE 
 Lettuce produces very satisfactorily when grown during the cooler part of 
 the year. Seed may be sown in succession from the latter part of September 
 to the end of February. All varieties so far grown have given satisfaction and 
 seem about equally adapted to the region. Commercial plantings have proved 
 profitable for winter markets. 
 
 LICORICE 
 The licorice plant is a low-growing perennial which spreads rapidly by under- 
 ground stolons. It thrives wonderfully in the Imperial Valley and should be 
 regarded as a pest and not allowed to gain a foothold. 
 
 ONIONS 
 
 Adaptability. — Onions are very successfully grown as a winter crop. The 
 seed is planted in seed beds in September and the young plants, with tops and 
 roots trimmed, are transplanted in October to December and harvested in 
 March to May. The White Bermuda and Crystal White Wax are commonly 
 planted. The sets are usually planted in two rows on top of a flat ridge, two 
 feet or so wide. Water is run in furrows between the ridges and is applied 
 plentifully, but gradually withheld as the harvest approaches in order to secure 
 a firm, good shipping onion. 
 
 Market. — The market for onions has been so unstable and variable that some 
 years the growers realize good profits and in others they have lost money, 
 after producing a good crop of fine class onions. It is hoped that some system 
 of marketing may be devised which will place onion culture on a more satisfactory 
 and stable basis. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — Thrip and flea beetles cause some damage to young 
 plants, but if the land is well irrigated and cultivated the onions will usually 
 come through with little serious injury. Most of the injury is done to the tops. 
 (See Insects and Diseases.) 
 
57 
 
 PEAS 
 
 Adaptability. — Garden peas do very well during the cooler parts of the year, 
 and the raising of winter peas has become a rather important industry. The 
 fact that peas are often injured and sometimes killed by frosts adds an element 
 of chance that must be considered. Peas are sensitive to heat and will not 
 endure the summer temperatures. 
 
 Varieties. — The Yorkshire Hero gives most general satisfaction, although a 
 large number of varieties have been tried and all do well. The Telephone 
 Stratagem, Gradis, and Champion of England all give good results and are 
 recommended. 
 
 Peas should be planted in rows from 2 to 3^ feet apart, sometimes two rows 
 being planted on one ridge. The ground is cultivated until the vines begin to 
 run. 
 
 Peas should be irrigated lightly every eight or ten days or two weeks, 
 depending upon the character of the soil. The ground should be kept moist 
 enough to keep the plants in a thrifty condition. 
 
 Markets. — Some peas have been grown for the Los Angeles market, but most 
 of the product has been sold locally. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — The aphis is the most serious enemy to the peas, although 
 they withstand its attacks better than cantaloupes or cabbage. Grasshoppers 
 are a serious pest, especially when the plants are young. 
 
 PEANUTS 
 
 Adaptability. — Peanuts are adapted to this section and if properly handled 
 will give good yields. The tops make good hay, which is relished by stock, and 
 as the plant is a legume it may prove profitable as an intercultural crop. 
 
 Peanuts must be grown on a sandy soil in order to give the bearing stem a 
 chance to penetrate into the ground. The sandier the soil the better, as clay 
 tends to stick to the shells and it is often hard to clean off. A good practice 
 is to throw dirt over the center of the plant to hold the stems close to the 
 ground. The peanuts are planted any time in the spring after danger from 
 frosts and are harvested in about five months. Peanuts are of course irrigated 
 through furrows. Water should be applied frequently to keep the plants in a 
 vigorous condition, but the soil should not be soaked during the seeding and 
 ripening period. No serious pests have yet appeared. 
 
 The common varieties planted are Virginia Eed, Tennessee White, and 
 Jumbo, although any variety will do well. 
 
 Market. — Peanuts bear as well in this section as in the established peanut- 
 growing sections, judging from the yield secured from individual plants or from 
 small garden plantings. The market for peanuts is good. The valley product 
 is sold locally at prices ranging from 5 cents to 8 cents per pound. 
 
 PEPPER 
 Red peppers or Chilis are well adapted to Imperial Valley, but up to date not 
 enough have been produced in the valley to supply local markets. The seed is 
 planted in hotbeds in January and as soon as danger of frosts is past the 
 seedlings are transplanted into permanent rows in the field. The pepper requires 
 much water and during midsummer should be irrigated weekly. Picking begins 
 
58 
 
 in the latter part of June and continues until frost kills the plants in the fall. 
 Medium soft soil comparatively free from alkali is best, for the pepper plant is 
 quite sensitive to alkali. 
 
 No insects or diseases have so far been reported. 
 
 POTATO 
 
 Adaptability. — The Irish potato is not adapted to this region, but 
 can be grown profitably on a limited scale for the early market. 
 Being sensitive to both the cold of winter and the heat of summer, 
 the plants have but a short time in which to mature a crop. The yield 
 has not been high compared with those of other sections, but yields 
 ranging from 40 to 100 sacks have been obtained in favorable seasons. 
 During the growing season, potatoes should be watered quite fre- 
 quently, but the land should not be allowed to remain saturated. As 
 harvest time approaches, the water should gradually be withheld to 
 improve the keeping qualities, which at best are poor. 
 
 Burpee's Early, Early White Rose, Triumph, and Salinas are vari- 
 eties which have been tried with fair success. 
 
 Market. — The potatoes grown in this locality are sold locally and 
 in Los Angeles. The early potatoes of good quality bring high prices. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — Seed potatoes should always be treated (see 
 article on Insects and Plant Diseases) before planting, as danger from 
 loss through disease can then be avoided. 
 
 PUMPKIN 
 
 Although but little grown, the pumpkin is adapted to the country. 
 If planted in June or July the vines will grow throughout the summer 
 and mature fruit before frost. The ordinary pie pumpkin and the 
 stock pumpkins do well. They are used chiefly as a supplementary 
 food for milch cows. 
 
 RADISH 
 All kinds of radishes so far tested seem to do exceedingly well when grown 
 during the cool part of the year. Seed may be sown in succession from late 
 August until April. Good quality is usually secured and no particular skill is 
 required to grow the crop. Soft soil is, of course, most desirable. 
 
 EHUBARB 
 Rhubarb makes a fair growth in winter, but the plants die out in summer 
 unless a considerable expense is incurred to shade and protect them from the 
 hot sun. In fact, rhubarb is so out of place in Imperial Valley that it is not 
 worth while to attempt to grow it. 
 
59 
 
 SPINACH 
 This delicious vegetable may be grown during fall, winter, and early spring 
 with the greatest ease. It does best on land which has been well manured. 
 Seed may be planted from early September to February. It requires an abund- 
 ance of water. All varieties do well. 
 
 SQUASH 
 The squashes are quite tender to frost, but resistant to heat. Both the bush 
 and running varieties may be planted in late February or early March. They 
 require soft, rich land with plenty of water for the best development. Growth is 
 checked somewhat by the dry, hot weather of June and July, but some kinds, 
 especially the running varieties, will live over the summer and produce a second 
 crop in the fall. The summer squashes, such as Yellow Crookneck and Mam- 
 moth White Bush, do much better than the winter squashes commonly grown 
 in the north. 
 
 SWEET POTATOES 
 
 Adaptability. — Sweet potatoes are adapted to this section, but intelligent care 
 is required to produce a crop of good quality as there is a tendency to allow 
 the roots to grow too fast and become coarse and stringy. The plants make a 
 wonderful growth and if properly handled a large yield of good sweet potatoes 
 can be secured. The seed potatoes are usually planted in sub-heated beds in 
 February and set out into the fields when the slips are large enough, usually in 
 March. The rows are six feet apart and the plants set every two feet in the 
 row. 
 
 The White Vineless Yam, Southern Queen, Jersey Reds, and Yellow Jersey 
 have been tried with success. 
 
 Markets. — The local market has been partially supplied and some shipments 
 have been made to Los Angeles. The price obtained varies from $1.50 to $2.50 
 per 100 pounds. 
 
 Insects and Diseases. — The sweet potatoes are free from any special insect 
 pests or diseases. 
 
 TOBACCO 
 Tobacco has been tried in a small experimental way in the Imperial Valley, 
 but it has not been grown sufficiently to warrant commercial plantings. In 
 the tests, Sumatra and Cuban made a fair growth and produced a leaf of fine 
 quality. Great damage is done by the wind in whipping the leaves to pieces. 
 
 TOMATOES 
 
 Adaptability. — The spring and fall climate of this region is quite well suited 
 to the growing of tomatoes. Although the plants are sensitive to the intense 
 summer heat, they will live through that period and start a fresh growth in 
 the fall. The production of tomatoes by fall planting is not usually a safe 
 commercial undertaking, as the plants are apt to be killed by the sharp frosts 
 which sometimes occur in the winter months. 
 
 Soil and Cultural Requirements. — The seed is planted in covered beds in 
 February and transplanted in a month to six weeks. The plants should be 
 allowed to grow large enough so that the stems have strength and appear to 
 
60 
 
 be slightly woody. Some get better results by planting the seed directly in the 
 field. But as the young seedlings are quite tender better results are usually 
 secured by growing the seedlings in a bed. The plants are set out from 18 
 inches to 2 feet apart in the rows which are from 4 to 6 feet apart. 
 
 Yields. — Tomatoes have yielded from 100 to 300 crates per acre. The yield 
 is usually not large on account of the comparatively short season of growth. 
 
 Varieties. — The Dwarf Champion and Stone are the varieties chiefly grown. 
 The Earliania is apt to sunburn; the Bulgaria has not given very good results. 
 
 Market. — Tomatoes have been grown for home market and for shipment to 
 Los Angeles. Prices varied from 80 cents to $2.50, depending upon the con- 
 dition of the market. Tomato production has not proved to be as safe or as 
 profitable an industry as was anticipated. 
 
 TURNIPS 
 Turnips easily endure the cold of winter, but are killed by the heat of 
 summer. They are, therefore, easily grown during the cool part of the year, 
 their culture being very simple. Seed is planted at any time from October to 
 March, either in rows and watered through furrows or broadcasted and flooded. 
 They require an abundance of water in order to grow rapidly and produce crisp, 
 tender roots. No serious pests have been reported. All varieties succeed. 
 
 WATERMELONS 
 Watermelons are suited to the Imperial Valley. They grow vigorously and 
 produce abundantly melons of high quality. Seed is planted in March after 
 all danger from frost is past, the subsequent treatment being much the same as 
 for cantaloupes (which see). Watermelons are grown extensively for home use 
 and local markets, but commercial shipments out of the valley are limited to 
 the earliest market. The first shipments are usually made during the last week 
 in June. 
 
 ORNAMENTAL PLANTS 
 
 Without artificial ornamentation the Imperial Valley is not an 
 attractive place in which to live and too much cannot be said in favor 
 of encouraging the planting of trees, shrubs, and ornamental climbers 
 to relieve the monotony of the natural surroundings. There is no 
 excuse for living in a house surrounded by a dusty yard, with nothing 
 to make the environment pleasant and attractive, when there are so 
 many quick-growing ornamental plants that with little effort can be 
 set out, and a hot, dusty and wholly uninviting farmyard transformed 
 into a cooler, shady, dust-free park, as beautiful as any that can be 
 found elsewhere in southern California. 
 
 Every house should be surrounded by a lawn, as it adds much to 
 the comfort of the surroundings. Bermuda grass is already present 
 in the valley and as it forms a most excellent lawn, it is undoubtedly 
 the most satisfactory grass to plant. A little occasional attention will 
 prevent it from spreading, especially if cut regularly, but if neglected 
 
61 
 
 it soon spreads and the lawn becomes lumpy. Some follow the practice 
 of cutting off the surface grass with a sharp hoe each spring to get 
 rid of any rough places that may have come through neglect in cutting 
 regularly. 
 
 GRASSES 
 Bluegrass will grow well during the winter and will survive the summer if 
 the lawn is irrigated every day or two. If watering is neglected the grass will 
 soon die out. Bluegrass and white clover have been planted together in a 
 number of cases. This combination makes a very attractive lawn, but requires 
 constant care to prevent its dying out. 
 
 Fig. 17. — Flowers are easily grown and add much to home life. 
 
 Australian rye grass has been planted with considerable success. This like- 
 wise makes an attractive lawn, but it requires the same constant care that 
 bluegrass does. It is possible to plant this rye grass in a Bermuda grass lawn 
 in the fall and thus keep a green lawn all winter long, when the Bermuda is 
 more or less dormant. 
 
 Lippia nodiflora has been used quite extensively as a lawn plant. This is 
 not a grass, but a plant allied to Heliotrope and Verbena. It spreads rapidly 
 by runners, but is not hard to eradicate when desired. It is started bj' planting 
 runners at intervals of a foot or so over the lawn space. Lippia stands drought 
 very well and does not require the care that is necessary for any of the above 
 mentioned. The main objection to Lippia is that it is quite succulent and 
 stains the clothing much more than Bermuda does. 
 
62 
 
 SHADE TEEES 
 
 There is nothing that will add more to the beauty of the landscape and more 
 comfort to living conditions than shade trees. Trees should line every main 
 road in the district and every farm should have a liberal planting of trees, not 
 only to furnish shade and comfort but to supply fence posts and fire wood. 
 
 The most satisfactory tree for all purposes is the Eucalyptus. Several varie- 
 ties have been grown successfully, but the following are perhaps the most 
 favored: E. Eostrata (this variety grows well and furnishes good fence posts, 
 but is very crooked in its habit of growth). E. Eudis (this variety makes a 
 very attractive ornamental tree and furnishes good wood). E. Tereticornis 
 (gray gum). There are offered for sale two types of Gray gum, the broad leaved 
 
 Fig. 18. — An avenue lined with Eucalyptus trees. 
 
 and the narrow leaved. The narrow-leaved type, E. tereticornis var. linearis, is 
 much the better type for this section. E. Leucoxylon (White gum). E. viminalis 
 (manna gum). E. polyanthema (red box or Australian beech). E. Eobusta 
 (swamp mahogany). The ordinary blue gum (E. globulus) does not endure either 
 the heat or the cold of this region. 
 
 The following deciduous trees are recommended for planting: Cottonwood 
 (male or staminate trees); Arizona Ash; China Umbrella tree; Mexican Elder 
 (a small tree which puts out fresh green leaves very early in the spring and 
 is covered with white blossoms during the summer); Honey locust; fig; Mulberry 
 (for varieties see Mulberry), Albizzia jubibrium and Sterculia acerifolia. Of 
 evergreens the Pepper is perhaps the most ornamental. Carob or St. John's 
 Bread; Live Oaks, Bagote, Sterculia diversifolia (Australian Bottle tree); 
 Camphor tree, Monterey Cyprus, Eucalyptus, Chinese Arbor Vitae, Mission 
 
63 
 
 Olive, Acacia longifolia, Citrus, Washingtonia Canary or Date palms are all 
 satisfactory for ornamental plantings. 
 
 SHRUBS 
 Shrubbery is very useful for planting at the sides of the houses and for 
 banking along the borders of a front lawn as a boundary and to act as a back- 
 ground for the flowers. The Pomegranate (Punica granatum) and the Japanese 
 privet {Legustrum japonicum) and Euonymus japonica are especially suitable 
 for this purpose. Quick-growing shrubs are useful in screening ugly outbuildings 
 and undesirable views. The Giant reed (Arundo donax) and the castor bean 
 
 Fig. 19. — The Arizona ash is a good tree for planting around a settling pool. 
 
 are very quick growing and thrive in the climate of this section. With these 
 two plants available and so easily grown there is no good excuse for having the 
 cow lot, pigpen, etc., in view from the dining and living room windows. The 
 oleander in many varieties makes most excellent growth and blooms profusely 
 in this section. The only objection to the oleander is that the leaves are pois- 
 onous, and for this reason care should be exercised that stock or children be 
 not allowed to chew them, for, although very bitter, cases of poisoning have 
 been reported. Several tamarisks have been planted and grow well, especially 
 Tamarix hispida var. aestivalis. The lantana grows and blooms profusely. 
 Several varieties of cactus and yucca are available for those who admire these 
 types of ornamentals. The yucca bear beautiful white flowers and attractive 
 
64 
 
 dark blue berries. The Tuna (Opuntia tuna) grows well and may be used for 
 a hedge or for its fruit. All kinds of roses do well. The lilac has been planted 
 in a number of cases, although it is not especially adapted to the region. The 
 Burning Bush (Pyrocantha) and Pampas grass can be successfully grown. 
 
 CLIMBING PLANTS 
 
 There are several kinds of annuals which will climb and cover a porch in 
 a few months' time, although the perennial climbers are, as a rule, the most 
 satisfactory. If these are deciduous they will not only keep the sun out in the 
 summer but will let it in in the winter. 
 
 The Virginia creeper is one of the best known climbers in the United States; 
 it thrives fairly well in this section. One of its most beautiful features is its 
 brilliant red autumnal coloration. The Periploca graeca is a rapid and vigorous 
 grower and is fairly resistant to alkali. Different varieties of grapes can be 
 used to cover arbors. The Golden Queen is a rapid grower, with a very large 
 dark green leaf that makes a very attractive arbor vine. Hall's Honeysuckle 
 is also very desirable, almost evergreen and especially attractive on account 
 of the fragrance of its flowers. The trumpet creeper (Tecoma radicans) is a 
 rather diffuse grower and is adapted as an ornamental rather than a sunshield. 
 It bears large red flowers all summer. Tecoma gradiflora also has attractive 
 flowers. Other desirable flowers are Bignonia tweediana, Clematis paniculata, 
 Parthenocissus tricuspidata (the Boston ivy), and the Bougainvillea. The latter 
 is somewhat sensitive to frost and should have some protection on frosty nights. 
 In the warmest places it may be possible to grow the beautiful Solanum wendlandii, 
 which bears profusely large blue flowers. 
 
 The most desirable plants for covering an arbor are the grape vines, Bignonia 
 tweediana, and the climbing roses. For quick growth the Japanese morning- 
 glory perhaps exceeds any other mentioned, but is not very satisfactory for a 
 permanent growth, as the dead leaves and stems soon give the arbor an untidy 
 appearance. Mina looata makes a very quick growth and produces a very at- 
 tractive red and yellow blossom in the fall. The Kudsu is attractive and quick 
 growing. The Japanese lantern plant is quite extensively planted and makes a 
 rapid growth, although not so attractive as many perennials. 
 
 ANNUAL AND PERENNIAL FLOWERS 
 There is a large number of annual and perennial flowers which do well here. 
 The following list is not given as at all complete, but as a suggestion for desir- 
 able plantings. Sweet peas do very well during the winter time (planted in 
 September or October). The chrysanthemum does well. The California Poppy, 
 Mignonette, Nasturtium, Phlox, Marigold, Aster, Canna, Dahlia, Geranium (in 
 protected places), Hollyhock, Daisy, Sunflower, Smilax, Verbena, Sweet Alyssum, 
 Stock, and Wallflower can all be planted with success. 
 
 ROSES 
 The following roses are especially recommended: White Kaiserin Augusta 
 Victoria (a good white climber) ; Lamarque (a white climber) ; Crimson 
 Rambler; Etoile de France (crimson, very good); Gruss aus Teplitz (deep red 
 everbloomer, very good) ; Governor Wood (red, very good summer bloomer) ; 
 Black Prince (red, very good) ; Papa Gontier (brilliant carmine, very good) ; 
 
65 
 
 Baby Kambler (deep pink, good); Caroline Testout; Captain Christy; General 
 Arthur; Geo. Pernet (pink, good); Safrano (deep faun); Madame de Watte- 
 ville (salmon, white, good); Perle von Godesburg (deep yellow, good); Sunset; 
 Dorothy Perkins; Catherine Mermet; Helen Gould; Marie van Houtte; Golden 
 Gate; Bridesmaid; Eainbow; M. P. Wilder; Mary J. Lang, and many others. 
 
 The Mannetti stock thrives exceedingly well in this section and most roses 
 will do well if budded upon it. It frequently happens, however, that the great 
 vigor of the Mannetti causes it to sucker and if the suckers are not continually 
 cut out they will soon entirely choke out the scion. 
 
 WEEDS 
 
 Weeds have been introduced into this section largely through the 
 irrigation water and by the importation of impure seed. Although 
 noxious weeds are present and cause much trouble, there is no section 
 where eradication is easier on account of intense summer heat, to- 
 gether with the fact that on most of the soil the moisture conditions 
 can be almost completely controlled. Land can be irrigated to sprout 
 the weed seed and then plowed or disced when the plants come up, 
 thus destroying a large proportion of the annual weeds. By plowing 
 in the summer time many of the perennial weeds can be controlled. 
 Rotation of crops, however, is the most successful method of combat- 
 ting the weeds, and a definite system of rotation should be adopted on 
 every farm. 
 
 The following is a list of weeds which have proved more or less troublesome: 
 
 Johnson grass (Andropogon halepense) is found in a few places and is being 
 eradicated as rapidly as possible, through the office of the Horticultural Com- 
 missioner. Although constant pasturing with hogs or cattle will eventually kill 
 this weed, it is usually necessary to dig the roots up entirely or keep the plants 
 cultivated down to the surface of the ground for a period of two years. A 
 commercial weed killer has been used with fair success by the Horticultural 
 Commissioner. 
 
 Wild Morning-glory (Convolvulus incanus) is another noxious weed found in 
 very limited areas. This weed is hard to eradicate, as the time required is an 
 important factor and too often the work is neglected before the results are 
 complete. Constant cutting of the plants as soon as they appear or a regular 
 cultivation with a weed cutter before they appear will eventually kill out the 
 roots. If the work is neglected, however, the plants soon regain their original 
 vigor. Various chemicals have been tried, but with only fair results. It is 
 possible to kill out a small patch by treatment with carbon bisulphide, but such 
 treatment is expensive. 
 
 Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is very common and usually spreads 
 through the irrigation water, although the seed is spread by cattle pasturing 
 on patches of the grass. When found in large areas, Bermuda grass can be 
 eradicated by plowing during the hot summer months. The land should be 
 plowed shallow and the roots turned up and allowed to dry. In small patches 
 Bermuda grass can be dug up and the roots dried out, or it can be killed by 
 
66 
 
 covering with tarred paper of which the edges are covered with dirt to keep out all 
 air. In asparagus plantings, where the land is apt to become foul by the intro- 
 duction of Bermuda grass through the application of manure, the only way to 
 keep the land clear is by a systematic search for the young grass and digging 
 it out by hand labor. If this work is done often enough the grass will not start 
 sufficiently to prevent control. If plants are allowed to get too big the work 
 and expense is great. No chemicals have proved satisfactory so far in eradicating 
 Bermuda grass. 
 
 Bermuda grass makes a valuble feed and on certain soils is a fair crop. 
 The presence of Bermuda grass in alfalfa pasture, how r ever, is of course not 
 desirable. Eotation of crops is the only way of controlling it in pastures. 
 When there is a good stand of alfalfa the Bermuda grass will not thrive and 
 will only get a foothold in the bare spaces. By good farming, then, this grass 
 can be practically controlled. 
 
 Dodder (Cuscuta) usually occurs in alfalfa fields and can best be killed by 
 burning. An easy way is to pile dry hay on the spot and burn it. This should 
 be done as soon as the dodder appears, as it spreads rapidly. 
 
 Wild asparagus (Aster spinosus) is a troublesome weed, especially on more 
 or less neglected fields. It sprouts from underground roots and is quite a persistent 
 weed. It is easily eradicated when the land is planted with alfalfa and the 
 crop cut once a month, or by good cultivation. 
 
 Water grass (Septochloa imbricata) is common on wet land or in alfalfa 
 fields, especially in flooded places where alfalfa has been killed out. It is a 
 quick-growing annual which is easily killed by cultivation. 
 
 Many weeds of minor importance give considerable trouble when allowed to 
 get well started. They can, however, be eradicated by good farming, including 
 a crop rotation. 
 
 HEEBICIDES 
 
 Thorough cultivation, crop rotation and prevention of seeding are 
 the best methods of fighting weeds, but in some cases chemicals may 
 be used to advantage. Some of the herbicides not only kill the weeds 
 but poison the soil to such an extent that nothing will grow. This 
 would, of course, make no difference in the case of walks or roads 
 which are to be kept clean. 
 
 Salt. — Acts as any "alkali" salt. 
 
 Iron sulfate. — A 10 per cent solution sprayed on at the rate of 50 
 gallons per acre will usually kill all weeds except grass, but it will also 
 injure some crops. 
 
 Copper sulfate. — A 3 per cent solution sprayed as above is effective 
 on some weeds. 
 
 Kerosene. — This is rather weak in efficiency and sometimes dan- 
 gerous. 
 
 Distillate. — Has been reported as being very effective. 
 
 Carbolic acid. — This is one of the best herbicides, as it acts quickly. 
 
 Sulfuric acid. — Effective, but not recommended. 
 
67 
 
 Caustic soda. — Used for deep-rooted or woody plants. 
 
 Arsenical compounds. — Are lasting and very effective. (White 
 arsenic, 1 pound; washing soda, 2 pounds; water, 3-9 gallons.) 
 
 Formalin. — Is effective, and the crude product in bulk can be 
 purchased cheaply. 
 
 Various commercial products have been used with fair success, but 
 as all contain some one of the compounds mentioned above the various 
 products have no special merit over these and are, moreover, as a rule, 
 too expensive. 
 
 INSECTS AND PLANT DISEASES 
 
 Insect pests have caused much loss in this section, and owing to 
 the fact that there is no severe freezing the control is often difficult. 
 Although satisfactory methods of combatting certain pests have not 
 as yet been worked out, the following account gives the best methods 
 known at the present time. 
 
 Aphids, or Plant Lice, 28 are among the most serious pests, causing 
 damage on cantaloupes, watermelons, cabbage, corn, barley, cotton and 
 most garden crops. Spraying with tobacco extract is an effective 
 remedy if applied thoroughly in a fine spray reaching every part of 
 the plant, especially under the leaves. If a few aphids escape they 
 will soon reinfest the entire field. Fumigation has been tried, but the 
 expense is considered too great. 
 
 Destroying every infested plant in the early part of the season by 
 burning or covering with dirt is recommended as a satisfactory ex- 
 pedient. Early planted barley is not apt to be so seriously damaged 
 as a late planted crop. In the case of barley, it is well to let the field 
 get as dry as possible, since aphids do not thrive on any but succulent 
 growth. Aphids on roses or ornamental plants can be removed .by a 
 forceful spraying with water. If the aphids are completely washed 
 off the plants there is little danger of reinfestation. 
 
 Grasshoppers have become a serious pest in alfalfa fields and in 
 gardens. They become most plentiful in August. Good farming 
 methods, with rotation of crops and thorough cultivation of all crops, 
 including alfalfa, will do much to minimize the injury. Hopper- 
 dozers have been used, but are not effective unless used on every farm 
 in the immediate vicinity and before the hoppers reach the winged 
 stage. Poisons have been used successfully and are recommended for 
 protection of garden or fruit trees where chickens are not apt to be 
 poisoned. A good poison mixture is made as follows : Mix forty 
 pounds of bran, two gallons of molasses, five pounds of arsenic in six 
 
 28 A satisfactory method of spraying is described in Bui. No. 174, 111. Expt. 
 Sta. 
 
68 
 
 gallons of water, and distribute at the base of trees, or around a garden, 
 by some system of broadcasting. 29 
 
 Turkeys and chickens are great destroyers of grasshoppers and 
 are often allowed to roam in the alfalfa field. 
 
 Crickets cause some loss, although their work is not very notice- 
 able. No satisfactory control has been worked out. 
 
 Flea beetles injure young corn and young onions. No remedy is 
 known. 
 
 Fig. 20. — This picture shows the cage used in catching grape leaf-hoppers. 
 Experiments conducted in 1911 on McPherrin ranch. 
 
 Grape Leaf-hoppers appeared in Imperial Valley in 1909 and have 
 spread to all vineyards. 29a They cause a mottled appearance of the 
 leaves and perhaps weaken the vines, but do little damage to the early 
 crop, as the grapes are picked before the leaf-hoppers become numer- 
 ous. The leaf -hoppers have been more or less satisfactorily controlled 
 in other sections by the use of a hopper cage, clean winter cultivation, 
 and a nicotine spray for the nymphs. 
 
 The alfalfa worm (Eurymus eury theme Boisd.), or larva of the 
 common yellow alfalfa butterfly, causes considerable damage to alfalfa 
 in some seasons. 30 The damage from this insect can be greatly lessened 
 
 29 Bui. No. 142, Cal. Agr. Expt. Sta., Grasshoppers in California, by C. W. 
 Woodworth; Cir. No. 143, Cal. Agr. Expt. Sta., Control of Grasshoppers in 
 Imperial Valley, by W. E. Packard. 
 
 2»a Bui. No. 198, Cal. Agr. Expt. Sta., The Grape Leaf -hopper. 
 
 so For a complete discussion of the work so far done on the control of this 
 pest refer to Bui. No. 124, Bureau of Entomology, U. S. D. A., by V. E. Wilder- 
 muth. 
 
69 
 
 and, in fact, made negligible by growing the alfalfa as rapidly as 
 possible and by cutting early. Such operations accord with the best 
 farm practice and will, therefore, not only prevent loss but will in- 
 crease the yield. The alfalfa can be cut before the larva matures 
 by this practice, and by keeping the edges of the fields clean and 
 by cutting close, most of the worms will be destroyed before damage 
 is done. By allowing the alfalfa to come into full bloom, millions of 
 butterflies are attracted by the flowers and the eggs laid will soon 
 develop into worms that will destroy the crop. 
 
 A bacterial or fungous parasite attacks a large portion of the 
 worms present in the fields in the latter part of July or August, when 
 the humidity is relatively high, and often destroys 90 per cent of the 
 larvae. 
 
 The Corn Ear-worm makes commercial planting of sweet corn, 
 pop corn and certain varieties of field corn very uncertain and usually 
 unprofitable. The thick husk on the Mexican June corn prevents 
 serious injury to that variety, but in the case of other varieties the 
 damage is very serious. No satisfactory remedy is known. 
 
 Thrips are very common on many plants. The Heliothrips fasci- 
 atus causes a mottled appearance on the alfalfa leaves and often attacks 
 cotton, causing portions of the field to turn brown, as after a frost. 
 The Euthrips tritici infests nearly every kind of blossom, but causes 
 little apparent damage. No remedy is known. 
 
 Parlatoria and Marlatt scales on the date palm are the only serious 
 scale insects so far reported. Fumigation has not proved entirely 
 satisfactory in combatting these insects. Offshoots may be freed of 
 the scale by dipping in a cresol solution for fifteen minutes and re- 
 dipping again in twenty-four hours. 31 
 
 Nematodes are present and have caused some loss in truck crops, 
 but have not as yet become serious. No satisfactory remedy is known, 
 although rotation of crops is advisable. 
 
 Ants. — The red "farmer ant" (Pogonomyrmex calif ornicus Buck.) 
 causes considerable annoyance in this section. They strip young trees, 
 vines, or alfalfa near their nests and are reported as the cause of death 
 in young pigs. This latter report, however, has not been proved, 
 although circumstantial evidence indicates that young pigs are killed 
 by the sting of this ant. The ants are easily killed by a treatment of 
 potassium cyanide or carbon bisulphide. Either of these poisons kill 
 the ant quickly, but do not kill the eggs, and are apt to kill the vege- 
 tation adjoining the nest. One method that has been tried is to soak 
 
 3i For more complete description refer to "The Scale Insects of the Date 
 Palm, ' > by E. H. Forbes, U. of Ariz., Bui. No. 56. 
 
70 
 
 a small bunch of cotton with carbon bisulphide, place this over the 
 nest, preferably in a small hole dug in the center of the hill, and cover 
 the hole with a bag. When time enough has passed for the fumes to 
 penetrate to the bottom of the hole the bisulphide can be set off with a 
 torch, thus exploding the hole and entirely disrupting the nest. This 
 should be done at night. Paris green or London purple can be used 
 effectively and is perhaps the best ant destroyer, as the poison does 
 not injure the vegetation. The poison can be scattered in a ring about 
 the nest in such a way that the ants will have to walk across it in 
 getting food. The poison is thus carried into the nest and mixed with 
 the food, so that both adults and young are killed. This should be 
 repeated until the entire colony is destroyed. 
 
 Among the fungous and bacterial disease we find that those which 
 attack the above-ground parts of plants are rare and do but little 
 damage. Parasites such as asparagus rust, celery blight, and grape 
 mildew can scarcely endure the hot sun and very dry air. Soil fungi 
 and bacteria, on the other hand, such as Crown gall and Fusarium 
 diseases of the roots of plants, may be expected to become unusually 
 troublesome. 
 
 Smut on wheat or barley can be controlled by soaking the seed 
 for ten minutes in twenty-five gallons of water containing one pound 
 of formalin, then drying and seeding. 
 
 The root knot of apricots, peaches, plums, etc., causes much loss. 
 No satisfactory remedy is known, but it is advisable to cut off the galls 
 and paint the scars with bluestone paste. 
 
 Boll rot in cotton is more or less damaging, especially in the large 
 leafy stalks which form dense shade. No satisfactory remedy is known. 
 
 Gum disease in citrus trees can be controlled by cleaning the 
 infected parts and painting them with bluestone paste. 
 
 All potatoes should be treated before planting. The following 
 formula taken from Circular No. 120, University of California Agri- 
 cultural Experiment Station, by W. V. Shear, is recommended: 30 
 gallons water, 1 pint 40 per cent formaldehyde ; soak potatoes in this 
 solution for two hours before cutting. Remove from solution, dry and 
 cut them. 
 
 Corrosive sublimate may be used 1 to 1000 parts water. 
 
71 
 
 INDEX 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Alfalfa 19 
 
 Almonds 44 
 
 Apple 44 
 
 Apricot 33 
 
 Beans 31, 53 
 
 Blackberries 44 
 
 Beets 53 
 
 Cabbage 54 
 
 Cantaloupe 54 
 
 Carrot 55 
 
 Cauliflower 55 
 
 Celery 56 
 
 Climatic Conditions 5 
 
 Climbing Plants 64 
 
 Clovers 28 
 
 Corn (Maze and Indian) 26 
 
 Cucumber 56 
 
 Dates - 35 
 
 Dewberry 45 
 
 Economic Conditions 15 
 
 Egg Plant - 56 
 
 Figs ~~ 40 
 
 Field Crops 16 
 
 Flax 30 
 
 Flowers 64 
 
 Fruits 33 
 
 Grapes 40 
 
 Grasses 61 
 
 Guava - 45 
 
 Hemp 30 
 
 Herbicides 66 
 
 Insects and Plant Diseases 67 
 
 Irrigation 10 
 
 Jujube 45 
 
 Kumquats 45 
 
 Lemons 45 
 
 Lettuce 56 
 
 Licorice 56 
 
 Mulberries 46 
 
 Oats 29 
 
 Okra 30 
 
 Olive 38 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Onions 56 
 
 Orange 39 
 
 Ornamental Plants 60 
 
 Peanut 57 
 
 Peach 46 
 
 Pear 43 
 
 Peas 57 
 
 Pecan 46 
 
 Pepper 57 
 
 Persimmons 46 
 
 Plum 46 
 
 Pomegranate 47 
 
 Pomelo 37 
 
 Potato 58 
 
 Pumpkin 58 
 
 Quinces 47 
 
 Eadish 58 
 
 Rhubarb 58 
 
 Rice 29 
 
 Roselle 48 
 
 Roses 64 
 
 Sesbania 30 
 
 Spinach 59 
 
 Spineless .Cactus 30 
 
 Shade Trees 62 
 
 Shrubs 63 
 
 Squash 59 
 
 Soils 1 
 
 Sorghums 26 
 
 Strawberries 48 
 
 Sudan Grass 29 
 
 Sugar Cane 30 
 
 Sweet Potatoes 59 
 
 Tangerines 48 
 
 Tobacco 59 
 
 Tomato 59 
 
 Turnip 60 
 
 Vetch 31 
 
 Watermelon 60 
 
 Water Supply 6 
 
 Weeds 65 
 
 Wheat 28 
 
STATION PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION 
 
 REPORTS 
 
 1897. Resistant Vines, their Selection, Adaptation, and Grafting. Appendix to Viticultural 
 Report for 1896. 
 
 1902. Report of the Agricultural Experiment Station for 1898-1901. 
 
 1903. Report of the Agricultural Experiment Station for 1901-03. 
 
 1904. Twenty-second Report of the Agricultural Experiment Station for 1903-04. 
 
 1914. Report of the College of Agriculture and the Agricultural Experiment Station, July, 
 
 1913-June, 1914. 
 
 1915. Report of the College of Agriculture and the Agricultural Experiment Station, July, 
 
 1914-June, 1915. 
 
 No. 
 168. 
 
 169. 
 178. 
 184. 
 
 185. 
 
 203. 
 
 207. 
 208. 
 212. 
 213. 
 216. 
 
 225. 
 230. 
 241. 
 242. 
 244. 
 246. 
 248. 
 
 249. 
 250. 
 251. 
 
 No. 
 65. 
 
 Observations on Some Vine Diseases 
 in Sonoma County. 
 
 Tolerance of the Sugar Beet for Alkali. 
 
 Mosquito Control. 
 
 Report of the Plant Pathologist to 
 July 1, 1906. 
 
 Report of Progress in Cereal Investi- 
 gations. 
 
 Report of the Plant Pathologist to 
 July 1, 1909. 
 
 The Control of the Argentine Ant. 
 
 The Late Blight of Celery. 
 
 California White Wheats. 
 
 The Principles of Wine-making. 
 
 A Progress Report Upon Soil and Cli- 
 matic Factors Influencing the Com- 
 position of Wheat. 
 
 Tolerance of Eucalyptus for Alkali. 
 
 Enological Investigations. 
 
 Vine Pruning m California, Part I. 
 
 Humus in California Soils. 
 
 Utilization of Waste Oranges. 
 
 Vine Pruning in California, Part II. 
 
 The Economic Value of Pacific Coast 
 Kelps. 
 
 Stock-Poisoning Plants of California. 
 
 The Loquat. 
 
 Utilization of the Nitrogen and Organic 
 Matter in Septic and Imhoff Tank 
 Sludges. 
 
 BULLETINS 
 
 No. 
 252. 
 253. 
 
 254. 
 255. 
 256. 
 257. 
 261. 
 
 262. 
 
 263. 
 264. 
 265. 
 266. 
 
 267. 
 
 268. 
 269. 
 270. 
 
 271. 
 
 272. 
 273. 
 
 274. 
 
 70. 
 
 107. 
 
 108. 
 109. 
 
 113. 
 114. 
 115. 
 717. 
 
 118. 
 121. 
 
 124. 
 126. 
 127. 
 128. 
 129. 
 130. 
 131. 
 132. 
 
 133. 
 134. 
 135. 
 
 The California Insecticide Law. 
 
 The Extermination of Morning-Glory. 
 
 Observations on the Status of Corn 
 
 Growing in California. 
 Hot Room Callusing. 
 The Common Ground Squirrels of 
 
 California. 
 Spraying Walnut Trees for Blight and 
 
 Aphis Control. 
 Grape Juice. 
 Community or Local Extension Work 
 
 by the High School Agricultural De- 
 partment. 
 Correspondence Courses in Agriculture. 
 Increasing the Duty of Water. 
 Grafting Vinifera Vineyards. 
 The Selection and Cost of a Small 
 
 Pumning Plant. 
 The County Farm Bureau. 
 Some Things the Prospective Settler 
 
 Should Know. 
 Alfalfa Silage for Fattening Steers. 
 Spraying for the Grape Leaf Hopper. 
 House Fumigation. 
 Insecticide Formulas. 
 The Control of Citrus Insects. 
 Cabbage Growing in California. 
 Spraying for Control of Walnut, Aphis. 
 When to Vaccinate against Hog 
 
 Cholera. 
 County Farm Adviser. 
 Control of Raisin Insects. 
 Official Tests of Dairy Cows. 
 
 CIRCULARS 
 
 No. 
 136. 
 137. 
 138. 
 139. 
 
 140. 
 
 142. 
 
 143. 
 
 144. 
 145. 
 
 146. 
 
 147. 
 148. 
 149. 
 150. 
 151. 
 152. 
 
 153. 
 
 154. 
 
 155. 
 156. 
 
 Deterioration of Lumber. 
 
 Irrigation and Soil Conditions in the 
 Sierra Nevada Foothills, California. 
 
 The Avocado in California. 
 
 The Citricola Scale. 
 
 Value of Barlev for Cows Fed Alfalfa. 
 
 New Dosage Tables. 
 
 Melaxuma of the Walnut, "Juglans 
 regia." 
 
 Citrus Diseases of Florida and Cuba 
 Compared with Those of California. 
 
 Size Grade for Ripe Olives. 
 
 The Calibration of the Leakage Meter. 
 
 Cottony Rot of Lemons in California. 
 
 A Spotting of Citrus Fruits Due to the 
 Action of Oil Liberated from the Rind. 
 
 Experiments with Stocks for Citrus. 
 
 Growing and Grafting Olive Seedlings. 
 
 Phenolic Insecticides and Fungicides. 
 
 A Comparison of Annual Cropping, Bi- 
 ennial Cropping, and Green Manures 
 on the Yield of Wheat. 
 
 Feeding Dairy Calves in California. 
 
 Commercial Fertilizers. 
 
 Preliminary Report on Kearney Vine- 
 yard Experimental Drain. 
 
 The Common Honey Bee as an Agent 
 in Prune Pollination. 
 
 Melilotus Indica. 
 
 Wood Decay in Orchard Trees. 
 
 The Silo in California Agriculture. 
 
 The Generation of Hydrocyanic Acid 
 Gas in Fumigation by Portable Ma- 
 chines. 
 
 The Practical Application of Improved 
 Methods of Fermentation in Califor- 
 nia Wineries during 1913 and 1914. 
 
 Standard Insecticides and Fungicides 
 versus Secret Preparations. 
 
 Practical and Inexpensive Poultry Ap- 
 pliances. 
 
 Control of Grasshoppers in Imperial 
 Valley. 
 
 Oidium or Powdery Mildew of the Vine. 
 
 Suggestions to Poultrymen concerning 
 Chicken Pox. 
 
 Jellies and Marmalades from Citrus 
 Fruits. 
 
 Tomato Growing in California. 
 
 "Lungworms." 
 
 Lawn Making in California 
 
 Round Worms in Poultry. 
 
 Feeding and Management of Hogs. 
 
 Some Observations on the Bulk Hand- 
 ling of Grain in California. 
 
 Announcement of the California State 
 Dairy Cow Competition, 1916-18. 
 
 Irrigation Practice in Growing Small 
 Fruits in California. 
 
 Bovine Tuberculosis. 
 
 How to Operate an Incubator.