History of Orange County, California : with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its earliest growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 22

Author: Armor, Samuel, 1843-; Pleasants, J. E., Mrs
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1700

USA > California > Orange County > History of Orange County, California : with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its earliest growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 22

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Hogs

Very few people, if any, in Orange County raise hogs for the market. Most of the stockmen and general farmers raise a small number each year for home con- sumption, and may occasionally market a few when they have a surplus. These few animals can be raised on the waste of the farm; but the fruit growers can utilize their ground more profitably than in raising feed for hogs.

The statistical report of the number and value of the hogs in the county in 1910 was as follows: Swine, 1,037, value $12,444. The 1919 assessment roll shows 1,356, worth $27,120.

Evidently the citizens of Orange County would rather buy their ham and bacon already grown and cured, than to buy high-priced feed for hogs or produce it on high-priced land, for the 1,356 hogs in the county in 1919 would make but a small part of the pork consumed annually in the county, to say nothing of the stock animals carried over from year to year. Only enough hogs are being raised to consume the waste from the canneries, the kitchens and the packing houses.

Poultry

In the early days this state abounded in nearly every kind of wild game. The swamps and lagoons near the coast afforded food and shelter to myriads of wild ducks and geese. These birds, in passing from one place to another, would frequently alight in the grain fields and destroy more or less of the growing crops. In order to protect such crops and to provide meat for the table, a systematic war was made on these birds for many years. In some parts of the state pot- hunters were hired by the farmers to slaughter the wild game that was devastating their fields. Now this game is protected by game laws, which require a license for hunting, regulate the open seasons and fix the bag-limit for the various kinds, in order to prevent such game from becoming extinct. Hence what could be obtained for the table hy a few hours' hunting in the early days must now be pro- vided through the rearing of domestic fowls.

From quite an early date chicken raising, as it is commonly called, has been followed in the territory now included in Orange County. It offered the quickest returns on the investment and the most ready support for families that could not wait for fruit trees to come into bearing or even for annual crops to mature. In fact, eggs were legal tender through the seventies, and helped to tide many a family over the dry spell of 1875 to 1877, before the irrigation facilities were well developed. Followed as a separate enterprise, poultry raising has proved profit- able or otherwise, according to the careful attention and capable management of

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those engaged in the business. It is a business, however, that can be sandwiched in with fruit growing, general farming and stock-raising without material loss or inconvenience to those industries. The fowls do better when they have consider- able freedom, including the range of the barnyards and alfalfa fields. Thus they pick up much of their living from the waste of the farm. The mild climate and green feed the year round are conducive to making hens lay more here than in the East, and to distribute their eggs more evenly throughout the year. This helps to equalize the price, and the large cities near by with their tourist popula- tion keep up the demand. As to the profits of producing hens' eggs for the market, one example must suffice. A careful record of all receipts and expenses of thirty-four hens, confined in a yard 22x150 feet and fed entirely on purchased food, showed a net profit per hen of $2.60 per year. Allowing more time and space for the care of the fowls, the profits on a greater number ought to increase in proportion to the number.

With the improved facilities of incubators and brooders, the raising of broilers for the market is a paying part of the business. It can be carried on all times of the year in this mild climate, and the demand is great. With so many people to feed in the cities, it is almost impossible to glut the market. This demand, too, is at our doors; there is no long haul of freights to consume the profits. The Jubilee incubator was manufactured at Orange for a number of years and the Santa Ana incubator was manufactured at Santa Ana. Other styles of incubators were shipped in as needed.

In 1907 a poultry association was formed at Fullerton. Later in the same year the Orange County Poultry Association was formed, by a union of all the poultry men, and held an exhibition at the county-seat. Various exhibits have been held since that time, which have done much to improve the fowls of the county.

The county statistician gives the following figures on the poultry and eggs of Orange County in the year 1910: Chickens, 16,500 dozen, value $115,500; ducks, 2,200 dozen, value $17,600; geese, 150 dozen, value $3,520; turkeys, 225 dozen, value $4,500; eggs, 236,750 dozen, value $71,025. Total value of poultry and eggs $212,145. The Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce report for 1919 gives $1,500,000 as the value of poultry and eggs.

Poultry raisers complained during the World War that chicken feed was so high and the price of poultry products was so low they couldn't make any money in the business; so they sold out or ate up their flocks without replacing them, until after the war it was found next to impossible to collect enough broilers in a day's ride to furnish a chicken supper for a church social. And eggs, follow- ing the law of supply and demand like other commodities, mounted higher and higher until a single egg sold for more than a whole dozen did in the same terri- tory thirty-five years ago, and a single egg sold for 100 per cent more in New York City than Henry Ford's character was rated at by a jury of his peers.

CHAPTER XXXI THE BEE INDUSTRY

By J. E. Pleasants

The history of beekeeping in California is the history of beekeeping on the Pacific Coast, as the first bees to be brought west of the Rockies were those brought to California in 1857 by John S. Harbison. This shipment was brought by water from Pennsylvania to California via the Isthmus. Samuel Shrewsbury was the first man to bring bees into what is now Orange County. This was in 1869. He first kept them on the Montgomery ranch at Villa Park. In 1871 he moved them into the Santiago Canyon. Beekeeping as an industry has grown gradually until there are now about 10.000 colonies kept in Orange County. There are from

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75 to 100 practical beekeepers who make it their chief business. The average yield of honey during a good year is about 200 tons. This year (1920) there will be over 300 tons. The cash income from honey and wax, at the present prices, is something over $100,000 annually. The main sources of nectar supply are from the native mountain plants, such as the sages, sumac, wild alfalfa, wild buckwheat, etc., the sages being the best nectar yielders both for quantity and quality. There is undoubtedly no better or more delicately flavored honey in the world than that produced from the sages of Southern California. There is also a large amount of honey produced from the orange and bean blossoms of the valleys. The orange honey is white, and has the spicy flavor of the orange blossoms. The great economic value in honey production lies in the fact that such a delicate and whole- some food is produced from a source which requires no manipulation from the hand of man save the care of the bees. The vast quantities of nectar, commercially . speaking, would go to waste were it not for the bees, and their presence in the orchards are a positive value in the production of fruit owing to cross-pollination.

Orange County appointed its first inspector in 1902. At that time the "foul brood" had spread to over fifteen hundred stands, and these were scattered all over the county. The inspector, with the cooperation of the keepers, had, up to 1910, about stamped out the disease and at that time it affected only about fifty stands. This means those stands that are handled, for there may be some in out of the way places that are not known to the inspector. However, the disease is now under control. This disease is known as the American foul brood, and it is known to have existed for more than eight hundred years, though it was not called the American until importations were made from Italy to this country.

In 1905 a disease known and called the European foul brood was discovered in New York, and was so severe that it was certain death to the bees infected. It spread with such rapidity that it reached California in 1908, and was found in the San Joaquin Valley, north of the Tehachepi, and exterminated the bees in nearly every section of the Valley. Mr. Pleasants was sent from Orange County to that region to make a study of it in order to be able to recognize it if it made its appearance in this section. He found it was very disastrous and that it men- aced the industry in the state should it get beyond control. It has not made its appearance in this county up to the time of this report.

J. E. Pleasants was in charge of the California honey exhibit at New Orleans in the winter of 1884-85, and it was there that he met with some of the most prominent men engaged in this business in the United States. He was appointed the first inspector for Orange County and has been continued in that position to the present time. He has made a study of the bee for the benefit of those engaged in the business, and has always had their hearty cooperation, the men working in harmony with him on every occasion. The men interested in the bee business in Orange County are in it for commercial purposes only, not from a scientific point of view. The county now has a "clean slate," but holds a quaran- tine on bees from any infected district. The duties of the inspector necessitate a thorough knowledge of bees, and he is expected to look into each stand in every apiary if possible. Even though the keepers know the signs of the disease ,they insist upon the inspector doing the work.

It is a well known fact that bees save for the keepers, injure nothing, and for those engaged in the fruit business are a boon, as they carry the pollen from flower to flower and tree to tree. The valleys and canyons were the richest and best producing places in the early days, the best flowers were to be found there. especially the kind most needed, but when the settlers began to come in they wanted the ground to raise hay and other farm products, and this drove the bee men from their haunts, as the shrubs that were so abundant were grubbed out. This condition has been changing back to the old order again, the more fertile land in the valley has been sought out by the ranchers, and the places once occupied by the bees are fast returning to the original condition.

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CHAPTER XXXII SEMI-TROPIC FRUITS IN ORANGE COUNTY

By C. P. Taft

The history of the semi-tropic fruits, other than citrus, in Orange County, quite similar in most particulars to that of the other counties of Southern California. The first Spanish settlers introduced little that is still of especial value, except the Mission olive and grape, and there are yet some trees and vines in existence once planted by the padres. Other and better varieties have prac- tically superseded them, and there are numerous vineyards and olive orchards which are profitable, but not to an extent to induce very extensive further planting.

Of more recent introduction, if not yet of equal value, and quite successfully grown, are the avocado, or alligator pear, feijoa, many kinds of guavas, the loquat, cherimoya, persimmon, pomegranate and sapota. When Orange County was first organized the persimmon, pomegranate and cherimoya were' known to a slight extent, planted by a few of the more enterprising citizens, and there are today in Anaheim, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin and vicinity some specimens of each which are approximately thirty years old. The avocado, carissa, feijoa and sapota, in the county, are in a few cases over twelve years of age.

While other semi-tropical trees and plants have been tried, it is the very rare exception that any have consented to live even a year, and only those men- tioned above have been sufficiently enduring and prolific to result in or to justify extensive propagation. For instance, the banana, pineapple, eugenia, mango. papaya, etc., have been repeatedly tried, but as yet without satisfactory results, though it is not impossible that among the multitude of varieties of these fruits, there may yet be found some which will prove themselves adapted to this region. In fact. the avocado, which is now so full of promise, was long regarded as of very dubious value. The first trees grew well indeed, but bearing only in the rarest instances.

It is not necessary to enter upon a detailed description of each of these fruits, such as may be found in almost all first-class nursery catalogues, but mention may be made in a general way of their special development.

The loquat is in a way the most characteristic fruit of Orange County. for it is here that it has been most highly developed, and so far as yet ascertained, has reached a perfection unknown elsewhere, not only in California, but in the world. At any rate, as a result of new varieties originated here, Orange County has the largest and best loquat orchards. Approximately from one hundred to one hundred fifty tons are marketed annually. Relatively this is not a large amount, to be sure, but it is the most and best of any.

Of more recent introduction, the avocado or alligator pear, is by all odds the most desirable fruit on the list. Attention has been especially called to prove that this superb and fascinating fruit can be grown in many portions of Orange County with great success. It is not unlikely that there will soon be extensive development of this industry, rivalling the orange it may be, in value and acreage. Excellent and prolific varieties have been established and orchards of budded trees are making their appearance. There is every reason for believing, that by proper selection of varieties, the avocado may be made to mature fruit every month of the year and be a constant source of income and gratification. If it is so desired, the grower may confine his attention to varieties ripening at such a time as he may regard the most profitable and market his entire crop in a few months.

Persimmons, especially the Hachiya, a Japanese variety, here attain a perfec- tion unsurpassed anywhere. While the market does not as yet absorb a very large quantity, the demand is increasing and from ten to twenty tons are mar- keted from Orange County each season, at good prices. A limited number of

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pomegranates also find a ready market, principally as a very interesting novelty to tourists, though they are not without an intrinsic value.

The feijoa sellowiana is the most recent introduction on the list and has not yet been tested on the market, nearly all of the fruit going to furnish seeds to nurserymen who wish to increase their stock. It has a most delightful flavor and perfume, as well as unusually excellent keeping qualities. It ripens in Novem- ber and December, at a time when fruit begins to be scarce. There is no doubt that it will prove very profitable and should be largely planted.

Guavas of all kinds have their representative varieties, which find a con- genial home in many portions of the county and ripen according to variety, at all times in the year. They are mostly used to eat out of hand, but the largest and handsomest are principally used for jellies and preserves, for which purpose they are unsurpassed.

The carissa is a thorny bush, bearing an abundance of fragrant blossoms. more or less bright red, and very handsome fruits, which can be used for sauces much like the cranberry. The sapota is a large handsome tree, bearing somewhat fitfully, a considerable quantity of yellowish-green fruit about the size of a peach. Occasionally one finds a desirable variety, but most of the trees bear relatively poor fruit. The time for ripening is October, when other fruits are plentiful, and this puts it at a disadvantage. Thus it is not likely that even the best varieties will ever be much grown. The carissa, however, may develop into something more than a successful curiosity.

During the nine years since the foregoing description of "semi-tropic fruits" was written, the status of the less grown fruits in Orange County has changed relatively little. The avocado continues to take the lead and considerable planting has been done in spite of some drawbacks from frost, which injured some trees and nursery stock in the more exposed situations. New varieties from Guate- mala. by Mr. E. E. Knight of Yorba Linda, have proved quite adaptable and prolific, one, the "Linda," having fruits weighing from two to four pounds or more each. Other new kinds furnished by the department of agriculture, also from Guatemala, are being tested. Individual trees of the older planting have established new and remarkable records for productiveness, notably the "Taft," which produced over five hundred dollars' worth of fruits in 1917 and over six hundred dollars' worth in 1919. The "Sharpless" tree, owned by B. H. Sharpless of Tustin, has done equally well. Both are among the oldest trees in the county. and they give some idea of what to expect when trees of later planting attain bearing age.

The persimmon has advanced considerably in the estimation of the public. which now takes all that are offered it at very good prices. There has been and is a good demand for trees, more than exhausting the entire available supply of nursery stock, of which there bids fair to be a shortage for several years. In Orange County the Hachiya, which is the best commercial variety, has rarely been known to fail after the trees have reached the full-bearing age, which is ahout eight years from planting. On the oldest trees the production amounts to 400 pounds or more annually.

Among the feijoas new varieties have been developed, which are not only larger, but extend the season so that it now lasts from September to December inclusive, and the fruit is in increasing demand, not only for immediate con- sumption, but for preserves.

The jujube, a recent introduction by the department of agriculture, is proving very well suited to this section, being both a vigorous grower and very prolific. It is likely in due time to take place among the standard fruits of Orange County.

Originating in this county, a seedless sapota is the latest novelty to attract the attention of horticulturists. In addition to its seedlessness it has other very

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surprising characteristics, and it may be heard from again. The original tree has only lately reached the bearing stage; it is very prolific.

As one object of this article is to show what semi-tropical fruits can be grown with confidence and profit, and what are at best only experiments, we will recapitulate: The avocado, loquat and feijoa are very desirable and may be grown extensively with good results financially. The persimmon and pomegranate also are reasonably desirable. The carissa and sapota should only meet with indi- vidual favor and a few specimens be grown in every collection.

CHAPTER XXXIII THE ENGLISH WALNUT INDUSTRY

What is generally called the English walnut in this country should more properly be called the Persian walnut. Its scientific name is Juglans Regia. Be- cause of its thin shell and rich flavor it has been grown in the old world for many centuries. In America, however, it has not been very successfully grown except in parts of California. Not every kind of soil and climate, even in Cali- fornia, is suitable for securing the best results. The walnut requires a deep, rich loam, or even adobe soil, free from hardpan or standing water within reach of the roots. It also requires a mild and equable climate, such as is found in the southern part of the state near the coast.

More than a third of a century's experiments seem to have demonstrated that the best conditions for the successful growing of walnuts are found in Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The tree does not do well farther up the coast, while in the hot valleys of the interior it grows to an enormous size, but produces few nuts and those of an inferior quality.

All the early planting of walnuts, both in Europe and the United States, was done with seedlings, and even now many such trees are planted, either to save the expense or because grafted trees are not always available. Many prefer the seedlings, for the results secured are as satisfactory, when they have been bred up to a high standard, as those obtained from the grafted stock. However, many growers prefer the grafted stock. According to some authorities, the Mayette type is not profitable and is only suited for high altitudes. Experi- ments show that these foreign walnuts do not grow as vigorously when grafted upon roots of their own species as they do on some of the American species.

. Professor Van Deman, in an article in the Rural New Yorker, says there are four species of native walnuts, Juglans nigra, Juglans cinerea, Juglans rupestris and Juglans Californica, upon all of which he has experimented, and he prefers the latter two, which are very much alike. Prof. W. J. Clarke, in the California Fruit Grower, says: "The native black walnuts, strong, vigorous growers and self-adapted to the different climatic and soil conditions of the state, should be used as stocks upon which to graft or bud the less vigorous European varieties and their seedling progeny."

The seed nuts are carefully selected from trees bearing the largest nuts of the desired variety and planted in layering beds, the soil of which is composed of equal portions of sand and loam well mixed. The nuts are spread evenly over the beds and covered to a depth of two inches with the same kind of soil. This layering is done in the latter part of the winter and the beds kept moist until the nuts germinate. As soon as the nuts crack open and the caulicle or root-stem appears, the nuts are transplanted to the nursery row, care being taken not to injure the caulicle. They are replanted two inches deeper than before to allow for settling of the dirt, and about four or five feet apart in rows at least thirty inches from each other, the soil having been prepared for their reception. Constant attention with the judicious use of water and the necessary cultivation bring forward the little plants until large enough to bud or graft to the desired variety.

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If, however, an orchard of seedlings is wanted, the right variety of nuts is selected for planting and the budding or grafting dispensed with. One suc- cessful grower, George W. Ford, of Santa Ana, took his selected nuts, when the time came, in April, for planting, put them in barrels and covered with water, letting them soak for forty-eight hours. The water was drained off and the nuts spread evenly over a surface and covered with wet sacks for another forty-eight hours, during which time they crack open and sprouts show, then they were set out in prepared beds, five feet apart, and were kept well irrigated.

The nursery stock is usually one, two or three years old when transplanted to the orchard. The prevailing price for seedlings in 1910 was from ten to thirty cents apiece, while the grafted trees usually cost from fifty cents to $1.25 each, or at the rate of ten cents per foot in height. On rich, heavy soil the trees are planted forty-five or fifty feet apart; but on lighter soil they are fre- quently planted forty feet apart.

The quantity of water used in irrigating the trees, the number of times and the best season of the year to make the application, are questions that every grower determines for himself by observation and experience. There is more or less variation in the seasons and different kinds of soil require different kinds of treatment. As a general rule no more water is applied than is neces- sary to keep the trees in a thrifty condition. More than enough increases the expense and injures the trees and soil. On good walnut land, in seasons of average rainfall, one irrigation each year is all that is generally given.

Mr. Ford stated that he had not plowed his walnut orchard for fifteen years. His production from 283 trees in 1909 was 28,040 pounds, for which he received twelve and a half cents, orchard run. Some of his trees yielded 300 pounds each. They weighed sixty-eight pounds to the sack. In 1910 the crop weighed fifty-eight pounds to the sack and he received fourteen cents orchard run for the crop. By careful experiment he had found that a "plow-hardpan" is formed by cultivating, and also that it breaks off the small shoots sent up by the roots to draw the necessary nourishment from the air. This retards the development of the tree to some extent, besides the nut is not as perfect. He had planted his trees the ordinary distance apart, but by cutting out every other tree, found his vield much greater.

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History of Orange County, California : with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its earliest growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 22

Author: Armor, Samuel, 1843-; Pleasants, J. E., Mrs Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1700

Author: Armor, Samuel, 1843-; Pleasants, J. E., Mrs
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1700