anaheim-gazette 1908-05-07

TRI-COUNTIES REFORESTATION Paper by Francis Cuttle, Read Before the Riverside Meeting—Importance of Conserving water Prior to the organization of this committee, little attention was paid to the conditions existing on the watershed from which practically all of the irrigating and domestic water for the counties of San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange had been secured. Each fire which spread over the mountain side brought its outburst of indignation from the citizens and the press. Each time the attention of the public was called to the destruction of large timber by the lumbering men, more indignation was expressed by citizens and press. The dry season, which ended in the fall of 1905, called, in no uncertain terms, the attention of irrigators to the fact that they were facing an increasing population and a decreasing water supply. The most expensive litigation that had been carried on, and is still being carried on, brought no aggregate relief. It might for a short period of time give one company, or community or individual, a little more water than he formerly had, or assure him of a little more permanent flow; but every such addition to the supply of one company, or individual or organization meant the lessening of Third, by reforestation areas. Fourth, by afforestation practicable, all areas not ered with sufficient timber serve to the best advantagecipitation falling on the serve. This committee consists twelve members from each county of San Bernardino side and Orange. The met again, as provided in it in January 1907, at San Benedict and since that time has held quarterly meetings in the towns of the three counties. In January 1907 the manuring financial aid from the government was brought to tention of our delegation in and of Forester Pinchot, and mise was secured that $500 be set aside for this work, an equal amount could be from the state legislature ofnia, then in session. The of the committee immediately to Sacramento and through forts of the representatives three counties, in the le secured the passage of a b prizing $5000 for this work used in connection with the promised from the forest. This, together with the $30 by the first committee, have the forest service to constrain forty miles of fire lanes and foothills, ranging in width to seventy-five feet; to prespread of fire and the destru brush and timber. This work has been done expensive litigation that had been carried on, and is still being carried on, brought no aggregate relief. It might for a short period of time give one company, or community or individual, a little more water than he formerly had, or assure him of a little more permanent flow; but every such addition to the supply of one company, or individual or organization, meant the lessening of the amount, in just the same proportion, to some one else. About this time Mr. Gifford Pinchot, forester of the United States, stated in a public address that many instances had been recorded in history, and it had been scientifically demonstrated, that streams had been entirely dried up by the destruction of the timber and brush on their water sheds; and in other instances, streams of water had been made to flow perennially by scientific forestry. The writer interviewed Mr. Pinchot with reference to the statement and he was assured that such were the facts, and that it would undoubtedly be possible to largely increase the summer flow from the San Bernardino mountains, and possibly double the same by protecting the timber and brush, and planting trees and protecting the same from destruction by fire and lumbermen. This was called to the attention of the Riverside chamber of commerce at the annual meeting in December, 1906, and a committee was then and there appointed to confer with the San Bernardino and Redlands boards of trade, to see whether or not some action could not be had that would insure the protection of the timber and brush on the south slope of the San Bernardino mountains and to increase the same. The suggestion of the Riverside committee met with hearty cooperation from the San Bernardino and Redlands boards of trade, when the matter was called to their attention, and a committee of ten was named to serve on the work force used in connection with the promised from the forest. This, together with the $300 by the first committee, has led the forest service to construct forty miles of fire lanes and foothills, ranging in width from seventy-five feet; to prevent spread of fire and the destructive brush and timber. This work has been done under the supervision of Forest Service R. H. Charlton of Los Angeles, the most thorough and well like manner. All of the grass brush and timber has been by the roots so as to prevent growth. Many miles of tree been constructed and repaired abling the rangers to reach their early stages. The construction of these lands trails is still going on. An effort is now being made cure a large appropriation of federal government to be used completion of this fire p system and in the reforestation denuded areas. The forest officials have rightly insist the first money should be used for the fire protective system would be useless to plant them less the same were protected destruction by fire. With thepletion of the fire protective the planting of trees will be on on a large scale, and in a tion of this, an immense numbe been started on Lytle creekions of seeds have been sow hundreds of thousands of tr be ready for planting by the fire protective system he completed. Up to date so or sixty thousand trees have planted in the mountains.amination of these trees in of 1907, before the rainy season, showed that a large perof them were alive and nicely. Persistent efforts have beeand will be continued, to secrol of the private holding the protection of the timber and brush on the south slope of the San Bernardino mountains and to increase the same. The suggestion of the Riverside committee met with hearty cooperation from the San Bernardino and Redlands boards of trade, when the matter was called to their attention, and a committee of ten was named to carry on the work, five from each of the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino. During the early part of 1906, they raised from the different irrigation interests in the two counties $2000. This was supplemented by an additional $1000 from the forestry service at Washington. This money was used for the construction of fire lanes and trails on the San Bernardino mountains. During the summer of 1906 the committee decided that a permanent organization should be formed to carry on the work, and on December 15, 1906, at San Bernardino, the Tri-Counties Reforestation committee was organized, having for its object: To diminish the winter and spring run-off and increase the summer flow of water from the San Bernardino water shed. First, by securing to the federal government the ownership of all lands within the outside boundaries of the San Bernardino forest reserve. Second, by preventing the further destruction of timber and brush within the said reserve. WALNUT GROVES OF FRANCE No Organization Nor Co-operation Among Growers—It Is With Difficulty that Nuts are Secured for Shipment An account of a visit to the French walnut growing district, written by Mrs. Emily M. Vrooman, as a personal letter to Mrs. Harriet K. Strong, was read at the University farmers' institute at Whittier. Mrs. Vrooman has consented to the publication of her paper. Mrs. Vrooman is well known as the planter and owner of the famous walnut orchard at Santa Rosa: To write what I saw and think of the French walnut industry must involve the partial rending of a long sustained halo and the revealing of many shadow pictures. Concerning the halo—French walnuts (the best only) are justly credited with two qualities which are vital in most localities, and desirable in all. 1st. They are late blooming and hardy, thus escaping late frosts and securing more regular and reliable crops. 2nd. The flavor excels in richness and quality, and its excellence has been faithfully perpetuated by grafting, which process of culture alone secures fruit invariably true to variety. Tullins is a small French hamlet commencement of harvest case did we see a tree experienced judgment pounds of nuts. To crop of 1907 was less than of normal. The trees rallied from the unusual son of 1906, and then hot winds of June, judgment the small also directly traceable impoverishment caused tinual cropping. The French walnut many enemies to face dry up his growing storms cut off the frigripens, the red worms, ant in dry seasons, destiny per cent of the crop black nuts are ever varying degrees according character of the season earnest effort to secure some grafts from trees free from black nuts. Impossibility. Nursery sants all declined my upon that condition. The regard the blight as a pear upon the black nuts in tombeaux or windfalls dies, no sprayings are able to destroy the pests named. There is absolutely no relation, nor organization walnut growers. The ignivical peasant knows the choice product, and he every man's hand is again considers it necessary to knowledge of his treasurers, and friends as connection with the $5000 from the forest service. Together with the $3000 raised forest committee, has enabled a service to construct near-miles of fire lanes along the ranging in width from fifty-five feet; to prevent the fire and the destruction of timber. Work has been done under Division of Forest Supervisor Carlton of Los Angeles, in thorough and workmaner. All of the growth of the timber has been removed so as to prevent futureMany miles of trails have constructed and repaired, en- rangers to reach fires in early stages. The work of colon of these lanes and still going on. It is now being made to seige appropriation from the government to be used in the town of this fire protective aid in the reforestization of areas. The forest service have rightly insisted that money should be used on protective system, as it useless to plant trees, uname were protected from by fire. With the com- the fire protective system, king of trees will be carried large scale, and in anticipa- an immense nursery has led on Lytle creek. Mill- dles have been sown, so that of thousands of trees may for planting by the time protective system has been built. Up to date some fifty thousand trees have been in the mountains. An ex- of these trees in the fall before the rainy season be- d that a large percentage were alive and growing efforts have been made, continued, to secure con- private holdings in the hardy, thus escaping late frosts and securing more regular and reliable crops. 2nd. The flavor excels in richness and quality, and its excellence has been faithfully perpetuated by grafting, which process of culture alone secures fruit invariably true to variety. Tullins is a small French hamlet situated about twenty-five miles west of Grenoble, in the narrow, undulating, fertile valley of the Isere river, which has its origin in the Alps. And this is the center of that walnut growing district of France which produces the finest of table walnuts, known as the Grenoble walnuts. These trees are all grafted upon seedling stock when four to six years old, and unlike our method of grafting at the ground, their grafts are inserted eight or ten feet higher. The grafting is done only by experts who receive one franc, or twenty cents, for each graft that matures. The trunks are kept free from limbs for a space of fifteen to thirty feet. No pruning is done, and the trees grow tall and spreading, as do forest trees. The trees are usually planted in two to three rows in hollow squares around the owner's little farm, along creek banks, lanes and roadsides, and sometimes scattered through large vineyards- Very few acres are devoted, as with us, entirely to the walnut, but the planting is being slowly extended. One peasant has sold 500 grafted trees of last year's preparation, and intended to graft 500 more in the spring of 1908. Some of his grafted trees were exported to America. In planting trees the spacing is done to suit the fancy of the planter and varies from 15 to 50 feet. In many cases these trees have grown to be 100 to 150 years old. With increasing years, however, the quantity of fruit decreases until the old tree is valued by the owner only for its wood, from which most, if not all, of There is absolutely no relation, nor organization of walnut growers. The ign-vincial peasant knows the choice product, and he has every man's hand is again considers it necessary to knowledge of his tree strangers, and friends as possible, lest they depose some advantage. We were doubly cautious consular office and by the less we seemed to walnuts during our tourion, the more we might direct question would be silence or refusal. The two artificial driers in all lins region. It is with greatest difficulty the nuts can be securedment. If a buyer comes season the poor suspicious believes it is because price up—and there is no sale. Offers good prices, he tha are going higher, and a are no sales. The grower received from six to 10 pound, according to qual- The peasant, his wife and harvest their own crop sumably cure and prepare market, but through their a sorry product is offered Everything is jumbled dirty nuts, black nuts, half-hull-covered nuts, no poorly cured nuts. These to the warehouse rooms wware washed and assorted may be, and shipped America. A branch of walnut into us, was found in one where a dealer in cracked hundreds of fifty-five-pound half meats nicely packed for shipment to New York ton. Two tables in this piled high with cracked nut meats. At one table Up to date some fifty thousand trees have been set in the mountains. An ex- of these trees in the fall before the rainy season be- d that a large percentage were alive and growing it efforts have been made, it continued, to secure con- private holdings in the Gardino mountains where more valuable for conserv- than for lumber. If it is possible to secure these an effort will undoubtedly no compel the cutting of under such regulations as the least damage to the. This is no new or novel early every civilized coun- world supervises the cutter on private property prevent famine in lumber. In this case there is an incentive than either of the conservation of water. Recently compiled show are about 100,000 acres of land from this source of dry. This land is produc- 15,000,000 worth of prod- ly, and on it are located. The committee that is doing this work is not doing its sentimental motive, but they are compelled to do it because business necessity; self being the first law of In planting trees the spacing is done to suit the fancy of the planter and varies from 15 to 50 feet. In many cases these trees have grown to be 100 to 150 years old. With increasing years, however, the quantity of fruit decreases until the old tree is valued by the owner only for its wood, from which most, if not all, of the gunstocks of militant Europe are made. The trunks and main limbs of these trees are universally and thickly covered with moss, which ultimately kills them; and yet I saw no dead limbs or other evidence of the so-called "die-back," anywhere. The high limbing of the trees permits the growing of crops, grain and maize close about them, and that this is a source of soil depletion is clearly shown by the small product of nuts per tree. One fact must be borne in mind: walnut growing about Tullins is never a business, but an accessory. The farms upon which the walnut trees grow are universally owned by the peasant, who lives upon and works them. His holdings range from three to five, and in rare cases even to thirty acres. And when a peasant plants a walnut tree, it is planted for his children. The trees do not commence to bear until fifteen years of age, and only at twenty five years do they average a product of one hundred pounds per tree. Our visit was made at the very A branch of walnut inc- to us, was found in one where a dealer in cracked hundreds of fifty-five-pound half meats nicely packed for shipment to New York. Two tables in this piled high with cracked nut meats. At one table sat at work separating halves from the broken whole halves were shipped confectioners' use, while thrift found a revenue from gotten from the broken milk culling gave a possible cause handled by women but 30 cents a day for the So much for the "Honor Walnut," the trees, the get their methods. Now to most vital to the American planter. And my notes, understood, apply solely section of France which exports the famous Grenoble nut. And about one-third walnuts exported from France from this region. There are four varieties of walnuts known to commi- Grenoble or Mayette, quette, the Parisienne and berte. The Mayette alone ed under its own name. They are mixed together, and wi sent from Bordeaux are sho der the name of "Grenoble Walnuts." This was THE BEST CUTS OF MEAT can be had here any time. We don't reserve them for a favored few and compel the others to take what is left. FIRST COME IS FIRST SERVED in this market. We believe in giving everybody a square deal. Also in selling the very best meat we can get hold of at the lowest prices possible. Try us with an order. CITY MARKET, W.F. Gelderman, Prop. Odd Fellows' Bldg. Center St. Sunset 201 LUMBER Sash, Doors, Shingles Shakes, Lath, Cement Lime : : : : C. Ganahl Lumber Co CHAS. F. CRIM, Manager EAST CENTER ST. ANAHEIM Provident Mutual Building and Loan Association PAYS Provident Mutual Building and Loan Association PAYS 6 Per Cent on 1 year Term Deposits 5 Per Cent on Monthly Balances Assets $1,467,947 Security— Trust Deeds on Improved Real Estate DIRECTORS L. W. BLINN, Pres., WM. D. BABCOCK, L. J. CHRISTOPHER, VicePres., NILES PEASE, E. A. WILSON, M. H. HELLMAN, N. BONFILIO Send for Booklet No. 65 J. M. HUNTER, Mgr. 135 S. Broadway Los Angeles 1906, and the same caper will be continued. The quality and flavor is alike in the Mayette and Franquette. Of the Parisienne I could learn nothing except that there were some trees of that variety grown about Tullins, but that the nuts were not esteemed and that the variety is not being propagated now. The Chaberte, delicious in flavor, but very small, is called a wild nut, because it grows on stony hillsides where no others will thrive. It is never grafted, and is sold exclusively for a cracked meat to confectioners. The Mayette is similar in size and shape to the ordinary California soft-shell, and is always described as being able to "set up on end." Its flavor is par excellence, and all the best points of table walnuts are found in this variety. The Franquette is like the Mayette in all unch of walnut industry, new was found in one warehouse, dealer in cracked meats had lots of fifty-five-pound boxes of nuts nicely packed and readyiment to New York and Bos-wo tables in this room were tough with cracked and shelled nuts. At one table ten women work separating the whole from the broken meats. The halves were shipped for the owners' use, while French found a revenue from the oil from the broken meats. This gave a possible profit, be-handed by women who get clients a day for their services. Much for the "Home of the trees, the growers and methods. Now to the point final to the American walnut And my notes, it must be good, apply solely to that of France which grows and is the famous Grenoble walnut about one-third of the exported from France comes region. We are four varieties of French known to commerce—thee or Mayette, the Fran-the Parisienne and the Cha-The Mayette alone is export- its own name. The others and together, and with others in Bordeaux are shipped un-name of "Grenoble Commer-nuts." This was done in The Mayette is similar in size and shape to the ordinary California soft-shell, and is always described as being able to "set up on end." Its flavor is par excellence, and all the best points of table walnuts are found in this variety. The Franquette is like the Mayette in all points except shape. It is longer and slightly larger. I went to this center of the walnut industry intending to regraft my Franquette walnut orchard if a better variety were found. Knowing the points of excellence similar in the Mayette and Franquette varieties, I anxiously inquired why the latter was considered second in rank. An honest peasant enlightened me. "The Mayette has a soft shell, while the Franquette has a hard shell." I tested his statement then and there, and found it true. I could crush the Mayette in my hand. I could not crush the Franquette with the same force. Samples brought home, however, proved that our soil or climate had eliminated this objectionable feature from our Franquette walnut, for as grown here, it is as easily crushed as is the shell of the Mayotte. Again, the long nut carries, ounce per ounce, more meat than does the round nut, hence I am giving my purchaser more value for his money than the vendor of the round nut can give. And since I have never known walnuts to be served or sold "setting up on end," but rather in a recumbent scramble, that objection was waived, and having found nothing better, my Franquette walnut orchard at Santa Rosa will not be regraft.