anaheim-gazette 1929-01-17

Citrus Industry And Irrigation Probable Amount of Water to Use is Important Problem The following article on the subject of irrigation was written by H.E. Wahlberg, Orange county farm advisor: Citrus production is dependent upon irrigation in practically every section where that crop is grown in California. Without irrigation, the citrus industry would be almost an unknown quantity with us. The rowth of the industry in California has been coincident with the development of water and the organization of irrigation districts in the thermal belts. As a matter of fact, the demand for citrus acreage has in many instances been responsible for the extensive and intensive development of irrigation water resources in the arid southwest. Desert areas have been converted into blossoming and golden fruit-bearing groves by directing the meager stream flows into life-giving ditches and canals and thence to the thirsty land. Where streams were insufficient to supply the required moisture throughout the growing season the underground water strata were tapped with wells and power-driven pumps were put into action. In many areas, these sources of water had to be augmented by the conservation of run-off waters during the wet season. Check dams and storage dams were constructed to furnish a more even flow through the season and thus insure an adequate supply for either gravity flow or pumping from the underground reservoirs during the entire season of crop demands. In many cases the first concern of the Little attention was given at first to developer was to get water on the land. The economic use of water in relation to tree growth, vigor and fruit production. Water was water and the more that could be secured for the land, the better. As the orchards matured and soil-management reactions became evident in the appearance and response of the trees under varying conditions, more attention was given the possible relation to production. More water has been applied, adding insult to injury, as it were. Some are still clinging to the idea that by heavy application of water a veritable reservoir can be created beneath the orchard from which the root may draw sustenance from the capillary moisture. It is now definitely known that capillary movement of moisture is of such slight significance as to be of little value to agriculture, especially orchard crops. Soil investigations have exploded the old theory of optimum moisture—that is, the idea of keeping the moisture content of the root zone at a constant or even tenure. The best tree growth and productive power are obtained, we find now, by allowing the moisture content of the root zone to fluctuate between irrigations from field capacity to almost the wilting point of the soil. This fluctuating condition, which actually demonstrates the rate of absorption, may be called the optimum moisture condition. There is no advantage in applying water to wet soils. It is, on the contrary, a decided disadvantage and will eventually upset the normal soil processes, such as bacterial activity, nitrate availability and resultant root activity. More caution could well be taken by citrus growers generally in timing the first irrigation in the spring. Too often the water is rushed on the grove when the soil is still actually wet throughout the root zone from the spring and winter rains. It is the premature irrigation in the spring that oftentimes retards tree growth and holds yields down. One irrigation can often be saved by watching the moisture condition closely in the spring and applying water only when the soil augur or shovel reveals the reasonable exhaustion of moisture. Probably only a shallow application may be required to replenish a dry surface layer. There is much room for improved irrigation practice in all citrus districts. The orchard efficiency studies now conducted by the Agricultural Extension Service in Orange county are revealing some pertinent facts and information that should challenge the thought of the industries involved and the community at large. Among the many lessons brought out by an orange production cost study covering seventy-five representative orange groves in the county last season is the fact that the highest-producing groves applied less water than did the immediate production orchards. The best that use of 20 acre-inch had a depressing effect on other words, the average cording to these economical using better than 4 acre-inch of the amount that appears many cases this is accounted extra early application in this. If the average grower, then an excess of four inches of mature groves (and the acres of bearing groves county), the total excess water used last year by this dustry alone in this county is 184,000 acre-inches, or an irrigation requirement area of good yielding citrus a 16 acre-inch usage. The value of this amount county last season, $123,750, would total $146,393. As a representatent at least an extra requiring extra labor for la an extra cultivation, it wouls enable to add this expense of the water. The average ing the ground up for one inch cost $2.90 per acre.year was $2.44 per acre.a acres, the extra handling cost $245,640. The total surplus water and its atting by the citrus industry at a little less than $400,000. From the standpoint of it y, we cannot say that the inches was entirely lost, percolation of the excess waters into the subterranean returns some of it for ree lower areas. However standpoint of the individual is a matter of waste, not extra cost of the water handling, but also in attion of fertility by leaching soils or impaired root growth heavier soils. The grower who applies than the trees actually use paying in terms of water,a but to a greater extent induced yields per acre. This is a phase of our wation program in the south well receive more serious deals with the immediate water conservation, but l Answering your questions about Electric Refrigeration THERE are certain questions you should ask about any electric refrigerator before installing it in your home... some of these questions are answered here, others will follow in succeeding advertisements. Is the temperature always satisfactory for perfect preservation of food? Scientific authorities set 50 degrees as the danger line, above which food spoils rapidly. Automatically, the General Electric Refrigerator maintains a temperature that is always below 50 degrees, scientifically correct for the THERE are certain questions you should ask about any electric refrigerator before installing it in your home... some of these questions are answered here, others will follow in succeeding advertisements. Is the temperature always satisfactory for perfect preservation of food? Scientific authorities set 50 degrees as the danger line, above which food spoils rapidly. Automatically, the General Electric Refrigerator maintains a temperature that is always below 50 degrees, scientifically correct for the preservation of food. Is it constructed with a maximum of food shelf area for size of the cabinet? The small, compact chilling unit of the General Electric Refrigerator leaves more room for food storage. This food storage capacity, rather than interior or exterior dimensions, is the fair basis on which to determine refrigerator value. Is the interior of the cabinet conveniently arranged? Domestic science experts, women well versed in the proper arrangement of food in a refrigerator, worked with General Electric engineers. The sturdy shelves are properly placed and properly spaced for the most convenient food arrangement. BECAUSE it answers every requirement, the General Electric Refrigerator has won overnight popularity among the home-makers of America. We invite you to see it in any of our offices or those of your own dealer. that the use of 20 acre-inches or more had a depressing effect on the field. In other words, the average grower, according to these economic studies, is using better than 4 acre-inches in excess of the amount that appears optimal. In many cases this is accounted for by the extra early application in the spring. If the average grower, therefore, used an excess of four inches on every acre of mature groves (and there are 46,000 acres of bearing groves in Orange county), the total excess of irrigation water used last year by the citrus industry alone in this county amounted to 184,000 acre-inches, or an equivalent to the irrigation requirements of 11,500 acres of good yielding citrus, based on a 16 acre-inch usage. The value of this amount of water at county last season, $12.73 per acre, the average cost of water in Orange would total $146,393. As 4 acre-inches represent at least an extra irrigation requiring extra labor for laying up and an extra cultivation, it would seem reasonable to add this expense to the cost of the water. The average cost of laying the ground up for one irrigation last cost $2.90 per acre. For 46,000 year was $2.44 per acre, and a cultivacres, the extra handling of the land cost $245,640. The total cost of the surplus water and its attendant handling by the citrus industry is computed at a little less than $400,000. From the standpoint of the community, we cannot say that the 184,000 acre inches was entirely lost, because the percolation of the excess and waste waters into the subterranean water strata returns some of it for repeated use in the lower areas. However, from the standpoint of the individual grower, it is a matter of waste, not only in the extra cost of the water and labor of handling, but also in attendant depletion of fertility by leaching in the open soils or impaired root growth in the heavier soils. The grower who applies more water than the trees actually use is not only paying in terms of water and labor costs but to a greater extent in terms of reduced yields per acre. This is a phase of our water conservation program in the south which might well receive more serious recognition among the water users. It not only deals with the immediate question of water conservation, but is at once iden- after reviewing the situation in the state and in the nation, "indicate that California grapefruit growers are likely to experience much greater competition during the winter months in the coming years than they have in the past few years. With the return to normal conditions in Florida, it is expected that the supplies of both grapefruit and winter oranges from that state will be substantially larger. In addition, the larger shipments of grapefruit from Texas, Arizona and California will probably add greatly to the future supplies. Some further increase in the demand for grapefruit, both here and abroad, may be expected, but it is doubtful if the demand will be increased as rapidly as supplies are likely to increase. In view of the probable developments during the next few years, it does not appear likely that the present high level of prices in the winter months can be maintained. "Growers of symmer grapefruit, however, are in a more favorable position. In recent years there have been practically no plantings of grapefruit in sections which ship during the summer months. Consequently the supplies of fresh summer grapefruit are not likely to be increased. On the other hand, if a large expansion in the canning of grapefruit occurs, it will tend to extend the marketing season for winter grapefruit into the summer months." The bulletin points out that more than 90 per cent of the grapefruit produced in the United States comes from Florida with California and Texas supplying less than four per cent each, and Arizona growing about one per cent. Walnut Growers To Hold Institute Walnut growers of Southern California will get together at the Whittier High school auditorium Saturday, February 9, 1929, for the Annual Walnut Growers Institute. This institute will be held by the Farm Bureau Inter-County Walnut Growere' Department of Southern California. The general key-not of the meeting will be "Quality of Production." This was the decision reached when the directors of the Farm Bureau Walnut Growers' Department met on December 1, at the California Walnut Growers' association building, Los Angeles. production and the marketing of nuts. W. B. Hooper, extension specialist in Walnut Culture, will summarize and correlate the talks on cost of production bringing in comparisons of different areas involved. Farm Advisors for the several counties will present their data relative to costs in their own territory. Walnut growers are urged to set aside February 9 as a special day and come to Whittier High school, where an interesting program is assured. Daily Radio Program Beginning each day at 12 o'clock noon and continuing ten minutes, talks of interest to farmers, growers and producers. Mother! Clean Child's Bowels "California Fig Syrup" is Dependable Laxative for Sick Children No. 413 E Children Love Its Pleasant Taste Grapefruit Bulletin Growers of summer grapefruit are in much better position to increase their plantings than are those who produce for the winter markets, according to Bulletin 463 of the University of California. College of Agriculture, just off the press. This bulletin, written by Dr. H. R. Wellman and E. W. Braun, extension specialists in agricultural economics, may be obtained free from the farm advisor. "The available facts," say the authors. Walnut growers of Southern California will get together at the Whittier High school auditorium Saturday, February 9, 1929, for the Annual Walnut Growers Institute. This institute will be held by the Farm Bureau Inter-County Walnut Growere' Department of Southern California. The general key-not of the meeting will be "Quality of Production." This was the decision reached when the directors of the Farm Bureau Walnut Growers' Department met on December 1, at the California Walnut Growers' association building, Los Angeles. With quality as the keynote, there will be talks on cost of production, bringing out factors which these surveys have developed as having bearing on the quality question. The effect of irrigation on filling of kernels, on shrivelling, and on shell perforation, will be brought out insofar as the data has been developed. The relationship between cultivation and water penetration and quality of nuts is also an important one and will be shown us in these talks. A thorough discussion of the newest walnut pests, concerning which there is yet much discussion as to common name, but which is now known as the "black walnut fly," will be made by Mr. A. M. Boyce of the Citrus Experiment discuss relationship between quality of Station, Riverside. Carlyle Thorpe will Children Love Its Pleasant Taste If your little one is out-of-sorts, won't play, seems sick, languid, not natural—suspect the bowels. A teaspoonful of delicious "California Fig Syrup" given anytime sweetens the stomach and soon moves the sour fermentations, gases, poisons and indigestible matter right out of the bowels and you have a well, playful child again. Millions of mothers depend upon this gentle, harmless laxative. It never cramps or overacts. Contains no narcotics or soothing drugs. Say "California" to your druggist and avoid counterfeits. Insist upon genuine "California Fig Syrup" which has directions for babies and children of all ages plainly printed on bottle. Whatever your Job printing needs may be, Whatever your Job printing needs may be, they and turn out a job that will be a delightful importance of good printing cannot be tenfold. We can take care of both small jobs at very low prices turned out promptly—no wait, it says "promptly" but it's likely "promptly". The word "tenfold" is clearly visible. Come in and consult us on printing problems. Estimates cheerfully furnished. Anaheim Ga PAGE THREE ers will be given during the week beginning January 21, under the auspices of the Agricultural Extension Service, co-operating with radio station KFI, as follows: January 21—"Coccidiosis in Rabbitts and Poultry."—H. A. Janks, of the county livestock inspector's office, Los Angeles. January 22—"A Tree Planting Campaign."—Lee Roy Smith, assistant su-Angeles city schools. pervisor of elementary agriculture, Los January 23—"Port Inspection."—A. L. Messenger, supervising quarantine officer, San Pedro. January 24—"A Forestry Talk."—C. M. Meredith, assistant fire warden, Los Angeles county. January 25—"Citrus and Walnut Extension Schools for 1929."—W. R. Schoon over, extension specialist in citriculture Citrus Experiment Station, Riverside. NOTICE TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF THE ANAHEIM UNION WATER COMPANY Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Anaheim Union Water Company will be held at the office of the Company at Anaheim, Orange County, California, on the 26th day of January, 1929, at the hour of 10 o'clock a.m. of said day, for the purpose of electing Directors to serve for the ensuing year, and to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. By order of the Board of Directors. L. J. SHERIDAN, Sec'y. January 26—"Agricultural Extension Service Doings."—M. B. Rounds, farm advisor, Los Angeles county. Death Valley Tours SEE America's strangest, most wildly beautiful and romantic region in perfect comfort. DEATH VALLEY TOURS—Lv. Los Angeles every Tues., and Fri. 9:30 p.m. All-inclusive cost, 3-day tour $53.25. (Pullman extra). Side Trips En Route East—all expanse cost—$35.50. 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