CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE CIRCULAR 18 APRIL, 1928 The Agricultural Situation in California AS PRESENTED BY THE STAFF OF THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE PUBLISHED BY THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Cooperative Extension work in Agriculture and Home Economics, College of Agriculture, University of California, and the United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. Dis- tributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. B. H. Crocheron, Director, California Agricultural Extension Service. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRINTING OFFICE BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 1928 THIS cii'ciiljir i'('|)|-(k1ik'('s, as Tail lil'iilly as possihic, the addresses delivered at the eeoiiomie coMl'ereiR'es held in connection with the visit of the demonstration train, known as the '^California Agriculture Special," to twenty-four communities of the interior valleys of Cali- fornia during- the last two weeks in March, 1928. The addresses, limited in total time for deliverance to an hour and a quarter, do not, of course, give a complete picture of the economic situation nor all of its possible remedies. They do, however, give what has been termed the ''best portrayal of the present situation" practicable within the time limits involved. Those w^hose interest was roused by this presentation or who read it as reproduced in this circular, will perhaps be interested in obtaining circulars and bulletins from the College of Agriculture which treat certain of our California special crops in great and individual detail. The section on "Fruit Crops" was prepared and pre- sented by Dr. H. R. Wellman, Director W. L. Howard and Professor R. W. Hodgson. The section on "Livestock" was prepared and presented by Professor E. C. Voorhies, Dr. G. H. Hart and Dr. C. M. Haring. The section on "Remedies and Adjustments" Avas prepared and presented by Professor R. L. Adams, Professor C. P. Shaw and Professor Frank Adams. The final section on "Local Progress" was prepared and presented by Professor C. W. Rubel, Professor LeRoy B. Smith, Mr. T. C. Mayhew and the writer. This circular is therefore a contribution fi'om rei)resentatives of the staff of the College of Agri- culture. B. H. Crociieron, Director of Agricultural Extension. THE AGRICULTURAL SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA as presented by The Staff of the College of Agriculture THE FRUIT SITUATION Much has been written and said about the post-war agricultural depression. Everybody agrees pretty well that there has been a depression in agriculture. The farmer's dollar is not worth as much as it used to be. That is to say, the farmer cannot purchase as much of other commodities with the money he receives for a unit of his product today as he could before the war. His purchasing power is lower. Annual AT9rag» 110 100 90 80 70 £ S £• S 9? "o t- O Oi o> o>* o o> o o to to oi «ii O) -^^ m i o> i to ■>»■ i s t- Fig. 1. — Purchasing power of farm products in terms of non-agricultural commodities, 1910-1927. The changes in the purchasing power of farm products in terms of non-agricultural commodities are shown in figure 1. You will notice that the purchasing power began to decline in 1919, and continued downward through 1920, reaching a low point in 1921 and 1922. Between 1922 and 1925 there was considerable recovery. The drop in 1926 was chiefly due to the low ])rice of cotton ; but now the curve is again back to the level it reached in 1925. In this curve of ])urcliasing power of farm ])r()ducts the clumges are of course different from the ex|)erieiices of many of oui- California crops. This curve is largely made up of the ])rices ol* the gi-ent national crops such as wheat, corn, barley, potatoes, and the livestock products. CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL P:XTENSION SERVICE L<^ii^^'- 1^ TABLE 1 Percentage Change in the Acreage of Ce,rtain Field Crops in California Between 1919-1920 and 1924-1925 Crop Per cent Wheat -.. — 46 Grain sorghums — 46 Corn - — 43 Beans -.. — 42 Eice - - — 39 Potatoes --. — 35 • Sugar beets — 30 Oats —22 Barley — 19 Hay (tame) .-. — 13 Field crops — 26 Data from California Cooperative Crop Reporting Service. Now, what effect did this depression in the great national crops have upon California agriculture? For one thing, the farmers in this state greatly reduced their acreage of these commodities, as is shown in table 1. Between the two periods shown here, namely, 1919-1920 and 1924-1925, the acreage of every one of the important field crops grown in California declined, the percentage decrease ranging from 13 per cent in the case of hay to over 40 per cent in the case of corn, wheat, grain sorghums, and beans. In the total field crops in California there was a decline of a million and a half acres, or 26 per cent. TABLE 2 Percentage Change in Total. Acreage of California Fruits Between 1920 AND 1925 Crops ■ Per cent Croi).s Per cent Figs + 156 Cherries + 19 Grapefruit + 103 Prunes + 14 Ahnonds + 82 Oranges + ^ Apricots + 55 Lemons — 5 Pears + 48 Peaches + 46 Table grapes + 130 Plums -f- 46 Raisin grapes + 66 Walnuts + 33 Juice grapes + 46 Olives + 22 Total grapes + 71 Grand total + 43 Data from California Cooperative Crop Reporting Service. 1928J THE AGRICULTURAL SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA 5 What did the farmers do with their land? Many of them turned to the production of California specialties : crops which are grown only or chiefly in this state. These specialty crops are, of course, our fruit and vegetable crops. So we find that during the same i)eriod that farmers reduced their acreage of field crops, they greatly increased their acreage of fruit and vegetable crops. The increases in the acreage of the main fruit crops are shown in table 2. You will notice that there was an increase in the acreage of every one of them, except lemons. With some of them the increases were very large : figs, 156 per cent ; grapefruit, 103 per cent ; almonds, 82 per cent ; vines, 71 per cent ; apricots, 55 per cent ; pears, 48 per cent ; peaches, 46 per cent, and so on. The total fruit acreage in the state was increased by 573,000 acres, an increase of 43 per cent. The relatively high prices of fruit were the chief cause for this enormous increase. It will be recalled that the prices of the great staple crops were very low in 1921 and 1922. On the other hand, the prices of most of our fruit crops remained high. While the corn and wheat farmers of the Middle West were in many instances going broke, the fruit farmers of California were still riding on the wave of prosperity. And evidently many of us believed that this period of prosperity would continue indefinitely. So we went blithely on our way planting more and more fruit. TABLE 3 Percentage Change in Prices of California Fruits Between 1921-1922 AND 1926-1927 Crops Per cent Crops Per eeiU Figs —44 Walnuts +10 Primes — 37 Cherries +18 Plums -.. — 33 Oranges +27 Peaches - —30 Olives — 26 Table grapes — 64 Pears — 20 Juice grapes — 39 Apricots .-.. Raisin grapes — 33 Almonds + 2 Data from California Cooperative Crop Reporting Service. Well, what was the result? Just exactly what Ave might have expected. Prices began to drop. Table 3 shows a list of the important fruit crops, together with the percentage increase or decrease in their average prices between 1921-1922 and 1926-1927. The minus signs which indicate a decline in price become almost monotonous in their 6 CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE [ClRC. 18 regiilarity. Look down the list. There have been price declines in fig^s, prunes, plums, peaches, olives, pears, and all classes of grapes. Fortunately there are a few bright spots. Apricots, almonds, walnuts, cherries, and oranges are still in a favorable price position. But this in itself does not carry the guarantee that they will always remain there. Now an over-expansion in tree and vine crops is in some ways more serious than an over-expansion in annual crops such as wheat, corn, and potatoes. In the first place, since the production from tree crops does not increase until several years after they are planted, there is not a quick check on plantings caused by lower prices. In the second place, readjustment of fruit acreages takes place slowly. One hesitates to pull out an orchard which will continue to bear for another 15, 20, or even 40 years. Now let us look more carefully into the situation regarding some of these fruit crops. Space will not permit going into detail here regarding each of them, so only a few Avill be discussed. Peaches. — Clingstone peach growers received lower prices for peaches this past year than they have in any year since 1910, with the single exception of 1915. Some of the important factors bearing on the canned peach situation are shown in figure 2. The solid line represents the pack of canned peaches in California, which is, of course, the United States pack. The dashed line represents the pur- chasing power of Clingstone peaches, that is, the amount of other commodities which growers can buy with the money they receive for a ton of peaches, as compared with the pre-war average. It is par- ticularly significant that the trend of purchasing power has been downward. This means that if growers are to enjoy the same income per acre they had on the average between 1910 and 1914, they must either get higher yields at the same cost per acre or reduce their costs per acre with the same yield. One obvious reason for the decline in purchasing power was the enormous increase in the canned pack, as indicated by the rising line of trend. In 1910 the pack amounted to 2,500,000 cases, in 1926 to 14,500,000 cases, and in 1927 to 11,200,000 cases. You will notice that the canned peach pack has increased much faster than the United States population. There has been a substantial increase in the per capita consumption of canned peaches in the United States. A part of this increase in per capita consumption has been due to lower prices. Consumers can 1928] THE AGRICULTURAL SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA buy canned peaches more cheaply now ; consequently they eat more of them. On the other hand, a part of the increase in per capita consumption has been due to the change in the buying habits of the American housewife, namely, the buying of easily prepared foods. Instead of buying fresh peaches and canning them, many housewives now buy canned peaches. Thus we find that while there has been a substantial increase in the per capita consum])tion of canned i)eaches there has been some decrease in the per capita consumption of fresh and dried peaches. Production 1000 caseB •O to IT) Purohaalng ^ g power '-' ,000 ^ ^ \ ^/ 800 / V / ^ f Production / "*-" w 7 s 1 r ^ 400 A ^ / H ^ A r r 1 1 1 tJnited States >\ r^ Population .«. — — — — — — " ^^ *" 100 80 60 1 1H y f / / / "~ \ \ / \ \ / V \ s "^ == == ==== u= =_^ Lj / \ \ / \ r \ \ / 1 'n / / -^ "^ \" \ 1 Purchasing Power \ 40 \ 1 CJ •-• 0> o> O ao ft i~ r)> c^ 0> U3 0> r-l (» ^ o> to \a O <0 t~ 00 CM ^ to rt> ^C ^ lO <0 « W O 5f Tf 0> iH O t-f t- o o CO lo ^ o> t- 00 § 8 200 •fc*^ 100 90 rod acti on ^ k 7 / \ ^ -== s. / \ \ / r \ \ .** •' , ••^ / ^1 — ■" " " — 1 — -■ y ' ^ ^ / \ ' \ — / __ i™ Wiifi! ^ T~ IT MH h -"1 ; — / r= / *^ '• *"^ / * V - Pu \ rcht isin \ g power \ \ / / f o» 1 ' -t c n c n ! c f u ^ o ■< f- 5 « > t; a 4 »- - « 3 5 < 1- c 2 5 P> ■> r- 1 K 1 ( \ > < 5 ? 3 t- 5 2 Fig. 3. — Production, bearing acreage and purcliasijig power of apricots, California, 1909-1927. in production of many of our fruits. This comparatively small increase in production was not sufficient to cause a decline in pur- chasing power, which is re])resented by the dashed line, because the demand for apricots increased more than the supply. As a result growers can normally buy slightly more of other commodities with the money they receive for a ton of apricots today than they could five, ten, or fifteen years ago. This situation is unusual. Apricot growers have felt the agricultural depression less than most farmers. The relatively high prices received for apricots as compared with most commodities has been an important cause for the recent expan- sion in apricot acreage. Between 1918 and 1927 the bearing acreage of apricots increased 100 per cent, and it is likely that there will be a 1928] THE AGRICULTURAL SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA 11 still further increase during: tlie next few years. The recent increase in bearing" acreage, however, has not as yet resulted in a corresponding increase in production ; the increase in production between 1918 and 1927 amounted to only 13 per cent. The failure of production to keep pace with the rapid increase in bearing acreage was caused in the main b}^ two factors: (1) A relatively large proportion of the trees listed as bearing during recent years have not yet reached the age of maximum bearing. (2) The newer plantings were more generally Per-capita Supply Purchasing Power 180 140 100 80 60 40 o o> c> to -^ Oi t~ i r~ en O iH CM to "(f \£i (O ^^ iH CM CM CM CM CM CM CM CM u> O o> o> OJ o> CJ> CJ> o> Fig. 4. — United States per capita, supply of almonds (average 1913-1915, 100) and purcliasing power of California almonds (average 1910-1914, 100). made in sections less favorable to high production. Indications are that the first factor has exerted the dominant influence. Therefore, if the i^resent acreage comes into full bearing and if favorable climatic conditions prevail during the next few years, there will undoubtedly be a substantial increase in production. Is it likely that this probable increase can be absorbed at the relatively high price level that apricots now occupy? Almonds. — The almond situation oifers a curious contract to that of most other fruits. The ])urchasing power of almonds, as shown by the solid line, was at the lowest point in 1920 (fig\ 4). Between 1915 and 1920 the trend of purcliasing power was downward. The most important cause for this downward trend was the rapid increase in the supplies of almonds in the United States. The increase in almond supplies came from two sources : ( 1 ) increased production in California, and (2) increased imports, mainly from Italy and Spain. After 1920 the trend of purchasing power turned upward, and it has continued in an upward direction since then. However, it has 12 CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE [ClKC. 18 not yet reached the level that it occupied prior to the war. This upward trend in purchasing power was largely a result of the decline in the supplies of almonds available for consumption in this country. Although there was a substantial increase in California production during this period it was not sufficient to offset the large decrease in imports. Two factors were mainly responsible for the recent decline in almond imports: (1) increase in the tariff*, and (2) recovery of European markets. However, a considerable part of the effect of these two factors has by this time already occurred so that no further substantial decline in imports is likely to take place. We cannot, therefore, expect the supplies of almonds in the United States to go much lower. Nor can we expect prices to go much higher. Unless we should greatly increase our plantings, however, the present favor- able price position can probably be maintained. The most serious situation in the almond industry in this state at the present time is the low" yield per acre. Many orchards yield so little on the average that they could scarcely make a profit if prices were twice as high. Some of them are so located that they will con- tinue to be unprofitable for the remainder of their life. On the other hand, well managed almond orchards in favorable locations have every prospect of returning their owners satisfactory profits during the coming years. Summary. — The past decade has witnessed great changes in Cali- fornia agriculture. Among the more important of these changes has been a phenominal expansion in the acreage and production of our fruit crops. The relatively high prices of fruit were the chief cause for this expansion. Growers followed a logical course of action in turning from the production of low-priced staple crops to high-priced fruit crops, but unfortunately Wiqj went too fast and too far. As a result the production of many of our fruits is now in excess of demand at profitable prices. On the other hand, a few of our fruits are still in a favorable price position, but they are not likely to retain their positions if production is greatly increased. It would seem, there- fore, that now is not the time to further expand our frui-t acreage. From an industry point of view it is clear that we are faced with two alternatives, the expansion of market outlets which has promising possibilities, or the curtailment of production. The latter would undoubtedly result in a larger total gross return for the croj:), but it will be difficult and costly to accomplish. 1928] rYUE AGRICULTURAL SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA 13 From the point of view of the individuals engaged in fruit ])roduc- tion it is evident that a period of more intensive competition is here. The area of potential fruit land in this state and in other parts of the country is so great that continued heavy supplies of fruit on the markets and competition among the various fruits may be expected. However, we have not lost our optimism toward the fruit industry. Growers who have good orchards should hold on to them, provided they know their business, are favorably situated with regard to handling and marketing and are willing to adopt every reasonable method to hold down production costs and still have high yields and good quality. Such growers will undoubtedly weather the storm. But for the city speculator, the unskilled, the incompetent and the unfit no hope is offered. The sooner they realize their true position and make a change in their farming programs the less they will stand to lose. THE LIVESTOCK SITUATION The livestock situation in this state differs from the horticultural in two ways which should be kept in mind by all who are seriously interested in any of the animal industries. First, with the exception of eggs and perhaps lamb, California is an importer rather than an exporter of livestock and livestock 'products. The excess of imports over exports is an advantage to local producers which should not be lost to view. Second, increases or decreases of the animal population in California do not greatly affect the total numbers of livestock in the nation as a whole. In analyzing the livestock industries, there- fore, it is impossible to separate the California situation from that in the United States, and in most instances the world situation cannot be ignored. TABLE 5 Percentage Change in Numbers of Live,stock in the United States and California Between 1920 and 1928. United States California Per cent Per cent All cattle — 16.5 — 0.7 Milk cows + 2.4 + 19.9 Sheep + 27.1 + 47.0 Swine — .6 — 32.5 Horses —26.4 —27.9 Chickens + 13.8 (1925) + 22.6 (1925) It was pointed out in the previous section that the acreage of practically all of the fruits in California has been greatly expanded 14 CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE [CiRC. 18 since the war. Table 5 shows the clian^es in the numbers of livestock in the United States and Calif oi-nia between 19l!() and 192S. In the United States all cattle have decreased while milk cows have increased but slightly. Sheep have had a large increase and swine are about on the same levels as they w^ere in 1920. In California there were material increases in milk cows, sheep and chickens while the total number of cattle, swine and horses decreased. TABLE 6 Percentage of Change in Prices of Animal Husbandry Products in California Between 1921-1922, 1926-1927 Per cent Beef Cattle + 12.6 Veal calves + 16.4 Milk cows + 1.8 Butter + 8.1 Eggs — 11.3 Hogs '+ 25.1 Lambs + 33.6 Horses — 11.7 Generally speaking, the prices of livestock and livestock products with the exception of eggs have been rising since 1921 (table 6). This statement should not be interpreted to mean that there is need for a wholesale increase in the i)roduction of dairy i)roducts, beef, sheep and swine — nor does it mean that there should be a decrease in the number of poultry in the state. There perhaps are places in which adjustments might take place. Let us examine our animal industries more in detail so that w^e may see actual conditions more clearly. The Dairy Indtistry. — The dairy industry is in a fairly strong posi- tion as compared with many of the agricultural crops of this section. The purchasing powder of butter in the United States and in California in 1927 was again up to the prewar level (fig. 5). Most of the other agricultural products are still substantially below their pre-war levels. The present tendency in the dairy industry seems to be toward a stabilization of values such as existed between 1910 and 1915. This is indeed a healthy condition, because it is much better to have stable ])rices than to have periods of very high and very low prices. Further- more, there appear to be no forces yet apparent which are likely to cause a permanent change in this situation, unless it is through influences outside of the United States. First, however, let us con- sider the factors that are responsible for the present strong posi- tion of the dau-y industry, ])articularly as they apply in this state. 1928] THE AGRICULTURAL SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA 15 (1) There has been but a small increase in the number of milk cows in the United States during recent years. Between 1920 and 1928 the increase was 2.4 per cent, whereas the increase in human popula- tion was over 12 per cent. Again, the increase in the number of heifer calves saved for milk in 1927 over 1926 is probably only sufficient to cause an increase of 1 or 2 per cent in the number of mjlk cows in 1930. Relative Price oSooSSSSS Parohaslng Power S«3So>St??oo 180 / \ / \ Relative Price > \ \ 140 1910-U = 100 / 1 1 / \ \ .K / / ^^^^^ / f ' .^.z K f !>^^ -^ tw / / / ^^»« ?* ^ .-^ ^ ^ yA ^ ' — ■ ^ 60 V '^ Purchasing Power - ^__ n 1 J-^ 1 ■ 1 ~T^ ^r ~~~1 _ J .. r ■l ~ T" r 1 1 T ^ o s o> s o> in s at CO 3 Si us Fig. 5. — Relative prices and purchasing power of butter at San Francisco, 1910-1927. (2) Only a small i^roportion of the dairy cows in the United States are in California. On January 1, 1928, there were approxi- mately 21,948,000 dairy cows in this country, of which only 602,000 or 2.7 per cent are in this state. It is evident therefore that although the number of dairy cows in California increased by 20 per cent during the past eight years, this increase has added less than one-half of 1 per cent to the total number in the United States. (3) There has been a general tendency towards the increased utilization of dairy products in higher valued forms such as whole milk, table cream and ice cream. This means that the dairy sections near the large cities are disposing of an increasing proportion of their supplies in fluid form, which gives the outlying districts considerable additional outlets for butter, cheese, etc. Every year many dairy herds in this state require large numbers of replacements and additions, for its herds. In order to secure the necessary number of cattle it has been necessary to go outside the state. For example, last year the Los Angeles area purchased 20,000 16 CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE [ClRC. 18 COWS for replacement purposes costing; $2,500,000. Two-thirds of this number, costing' upwards of $1,500,000 were purchased outside the state. There seems to be, therefore, a definite need for the production of high producing-, disease-free dairy cattle in the sections of the state which have an abundance of feed. On the other hand, there is one unfaA'orable factor which should be mentioned ; namel}^ the increasing competition of foreign countries. Production and prices of dairy products in foreign countries tend to affect the price level to which our domestic prices can rise. Now foreign dairy production has recovered from the effects of the war and continues to increase. It is not likely that foreign markets can absorb any greatly increased supply over what they received in 1927. With a large surplus production in countries such as Denmark, New Zealand and Australia, foreign market prices have been lowered and shipments have increased to this country. It should be recognized, of course, that a too rapid increase in dairy herds in this country will result in over-production and depressed prices. Since the trade of the United States in dairy products is some- what delicately balanced as between imports and exports, expansion of production should take place only at about the rate of increase in the demand for dairy products in the United States. Beef Cattle. — Beef cattle are also in a strong position at the pres- ent time. Figure 6 shows the purchasing power of beef cattle in the United States and California for the past 58 years. During this period the beef industry has experienced three distinct price cycles. At the present time we appear to be on the up-grade of a fourth cycle. The number of cattle other than dairy cattle in the United States the first of this year was the smallest since 1912 and the second smallest since 1898 ; both of these years representing low points in the cattle production cycle. Conditions are similar in many respects to those existing at the beginning of 1913. It is expected therefore that from now on the trend of production will be gradually upward for several years to come. The relatively small numbers of cattle in the country at present together with the relatively high prices which have pre- vailed for several months past, are expected to provide a strong incen- tive for cattlemen to re-stock farms and ranges and increase their herds. In order to take advantage of fairly high levels of prices, plans should be made to market contemplated increases within the next three years. However, do not expect that present prices will continue indefinitely. A radical increase would undoubtedly bring prices again to the unprofitable levels prevailing between 1920 and 1926. With 1928] THE AGRICULTURAL SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA 17 only a moderate increase, however, it is probable that they can be sold at profitable prices. The present is a favorable one to increase the quality of our beef cattle by better breeding. With the more strict grading^ in effect with beef cattle and the increasing interest in feeding, the possibility of finishing more beef presents itself. If this can be done some of the surplus could be removed from the grass cattle season. The California cattlemen might well take advantage of the high prices now prevailing to wipe out debts incurred during the lean years and put their business on a safe and sound basis rather than to use returns to increase inventories greatly. ^ California /\ United States / \ / \\ 1 1 1 J 1 / / \ . ^ A \ ^/ 1 / N \ \ \ \ > \ Wvr / \ \ A ^N. / \ \ /V -<-^v ^.: / ( 1 —— ~— — w- . ^ Fig. 6. — Purchasing power of beef cattle, United States and California, 1870-1928. Swine. — The swine industry is passing through the low period of a hog price cycle as a result of expansion in production stimulated by the high hog prices and the favorable relation between corn and hog prices prevailing in 1925 and 1926 ; also by the sudden official regulations in the British Isles preventing importation of fresh meats from Continental Europe, due to the existence there of foot and mouth disease. This forced Denmark, a large exporter of fresh pork, to suddenly change its method and ship cured products to Britain, where they came into competition with our cured pork products, and this reacted unfavorably on price levels. It is not likely that hog prices will go much lower and there will probably be a substantial recovery within the next two years. The number of cars of live hogs being imported into the state in order to supply the demands for pork and pork products is remark- able. However, it is extremely doubtful whether anyone should be 18 CALIB^ORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE [Cmc. 18 urged to start a large scale swine enterprise — depending almost entirely on purchased or home-grown barley. Barley is an excellent feed but fluctuations in price have been such that it is exceedingly difficult to make plans from year to year (see fig. 7). There are sections in California in which there could be a considerable increase in the number of swine and these could be fed on waste products of various agricultural enterprises. Such feeds as cull fruits, dairy by-products, etc., might enable hundreds of farmers to keep one or two brood sows, thus bringing in a considerable income from waste and by-products and keeping considerable sums of money at home which now find their way outside the state. Fig. 7.— Barley-hog ratio, California, 1910-1927. (Number of bushels of barley equal in value to 100 pounds of pork.) If you are going to raise hogs, the present is the time to plan for it. Prolific sows should be kept and more pigs i)er litter saved. The ])rospective and present hog ])roducer shoidd increase his own pro- duction by introducing sanitary measures which wdll serve to keep disease and parasites in check. Sheep and Wool. — Sheep ])rices have been on the upgrade for six or seven years (fig. 8), and it is most difficult to see how this move- ment can continue in view of the fact that the number of sheep in the United States on January 1, 1928, was the largest in 16 years. Consumer demand for lamb is not likely to improve sufficiently to off-set the prospective increase in production. On the other hand, wool stocks in this country are light and with a strong foreign 1928] THE AGRICULTURAL SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA 19 demand, duo to drought in Australia, reducing exports from that country 100,000,000 pounds, the outlook for wool appears favorable. Numbers of sheep have increased in this state at a rapid rate. Further g-eneral increases are not recommended. Such increases as appear to be feasible should be made with caution. A dry year in this state may spell trouble for many. As a permanent proposition, there is apparently a place for more sheep on some farms — especially those which have some grazing land available. Besides acting as agents for the clearing- of weeds from ditches, waste places, etc., small flocks are a considerable source of income in May or June — often at a time Avhen most convenient. 100 i California A. y- ^7^ . ^ /^ ^ If --P^ -sJ' Utalted States A^ 'J 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 IS Fig. 8. — Purchasing power of sheep, United States and California, 1870-1928. We are in a favorable position on account of climatic conditions for early lambing-. This allows our lambs to reach the Chicago market when prices are hi^h and before competition from eastern lambs is possible. With the rapid increase in production the greatest attention should be paid by the producer to the quality of lamb and in view of the present hig-h costs of labor and feed, efficiency should be stressed. Poultry. — Poultry raising has suifered from a too rapid expansion in the United States and in California. Egg and feed prices were such during the year 1927 that many flocks were sold. Indications point to an up-swing in the price in the next two or three years. Those with poultry flocks who have been weathering the storm should be urged to produce efficiently — if profits are being made by such people under present conditions and prices, a better day is in store for them. For those who wish to enter the poultry business per- manently the present is an excellent time as prices of inventories are low. 20 CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE [CiRC. 18 Summary. — (1) California should expand its dairy industry only at the rate at which dairy products are demanded. The industry has made progress along conservative lines and should continue in that direction. There is a demand for disease-free, high producing dairy cattle in this state and this need should be filled. In view of the relatively high beef prices prevailing, dairymen should take advan- tage of the situation in order to dispose of their cull cows. (2) Beef cattle values are relatively high and should continue on relatively high levels for the next three years at least. The extension of cattle feeding activities might be investigated as more finishing would tend to remove some surplus from the grass cattle section. (3) In general, owners of large bands of sheep are cautioned against further expansion, but certain orchardists and some other farmers might well consider the keeping of a few sheep. (4) For those contemplating the keeping of a few^ brood sows whether either cull fruits or dairy b^^-products are available, the present is an excellent time to make plans for a start. (5) The poultry industry has suffered from "growing pains" and should rest for a while. Prices of eggs reached the bottom in 1927 and indications point to a gradual improvement during the next two years so that the efficient producers in the business should see better times ahead. REMEDIES AND ADJUSTMENTS The two previous sections have analyzed the fruit and livestock situations and the probable outlook for the immediate future. The facts indicate that the agricultural industries of the state were thrown out of balance by developments following the World War. Our fruit crops have apparently generally been overplanted, and as a result are now in an unfavorable position. On the other hand some of our important livestock enterprises are in a relatively favorable position. The problem which now faces us, individually and collectively, is to so readjust our agricultural industries as to bring about a better balance. There is no simple solution, no one simple and effective remedy to be applied. We can, however, suggest some ways in which the general farming situation may be bettered. There appear to be two distinct lines of attack, (1) through organized effort and (2) through indi- vidual effort. By organized effort we mean cooperative or group activities centered on problems which can only progress through the coordinated team-work of a whole community or an industry. By individual effort we refer to those means whereby the farmer himself may improve his condition without the aid or support of his neighbors. 1928] THE AGRICULTURAL SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA 21 Whether we are to lean upon organized (community) effort or stress what the individual can do, we start with the premise that farm- ing is a business. This means that it is subject to the same test as any business — namely, profits stated in terms of dollars and cents. It is the business farmer's task to use his resources for profit-making. His resources consist of land, its improvements and equipment; labor — that of himself, his family, and hired ; capital — owned or borrowed ; and management — that is, brains. Successful farming today is more a test of one's knowledge, intelligence, and administrative ability than of mere chores and muscle. The income, if it is to meet the business test, must not only pay the expenses of the farm, e.g., cash outlays for seed, feed, taxes, labor, etc., and depreciation (to offset wear and tear), but also a sum sufficient to pay for the operator's time, to pay a fair rate of interest for use of capital, and to pay a reasonable profit. Any farm business which does not meet these obligations may be satisfactory to the individual, but it fails to meet the business test. The farmer who raises products primarily for his own use is not greatly concerned Avith either markets or profits, because he does not sell what he raises. There are undoubtedly many farmers in Cali- fornia who would find it both possible and profitable to raise more of the products required for consumption on the farm, such as dairy and poultry products and vegetables, and doing this would materially improve their financial situation. In the main, however, our agricul- ture is based on producing food and raw materials for market, making it necessary to apply to farming ordinary business principles. Improvement Through Organized Effort. — Community efforts toward improvement in agriculture are today largely centered on means of improving and extending the markets for California products. This is slow work, but ultimate success is reasonably sure. The markets of the Orient and South America are more easily access- ible today than the Eastern markets were to our fathers a generation ago. Success in establishing these markets, however, demands well planned, consistent and continuous work by cooperative efforts. No individual farmer or small group of farmers can finance the adver- tising, demonstration, and other pioneer work necessary to estab- lish such over-seas markets. Community or industry cooperative organizations are necessary. In all these efforts the necessity for honest grading, good pack and strictly enforced standards are obvious. The use of trademarks on quality goods usually results in increased returns. All these sugges- 22 CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE [ClRC. 18 tions call for quality in production rather than quantity, and to the maintenance of uniform and honest standards. To secure these it is necessary to have whole-hearted cooperation between all the farmers in the pool or community. Cooperative organizations are already in existence, and others are being formed. It is possible that these may follow the examples of chain stores and branch banking enterprises and link themselves into super-cooperatives of sufficient strength to handle the work of market extensions abroad. Undertakings of this magnitude require the most capable direction. The cooperatives or corporations need the service of the very best men available, men who by training and experience are peculiarly fitted to visualize and direct this difficult work. And when such men are obtained, they should be adequately paid and loyally supported so they can give their full attention to the work in hand. Improvement Through Individual Effort. — There are many sepa- rate factors to take up when we consider the best use of the farmer's land, operating capital, and time. Only the more important can be referred to here. These are: (a) the net income; (b) the size of the farm; (c) the amount of labor required in connection with each farm product. When a farmer's goal is to increase his net income he faces the job of finding out what are the factors that influence his net income. Net income is the sum remaining to pay a farmer for his work, for use of his capital, and to give him possible profits. It is that sum which can be applied to payments of interest and installments upon loans. Net income is determined by the three factors of (a) yield, (h) price, and (c) expense of doing business. These can be resolved into a simple formula: yield times market price (residting in Gross Income) less expenses equals net income. The first requisite is to find out just what the farm is doing and what factors are affecting the yield, the value, or the expense. This means keeping full records of all farm operations, of keeping books which will show the yields, costs and returns on all farm enterprise. Bookkeeping is not a direct way of making money, but does so indirectly, by showing what enterprises are profitable and what are not. Cow testing is but a form of record keeping. The sale of unprofitable ''boarder" cows has decreased cost and increased returns for many dairymen. Poultrymen who grade and cull their flocks tend to obtain the best returns per hen and to make the biggest profits. One of our most successful orange growers has determined the indi- 1928] THE AGRICULTURAL SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA 28 vidua! production of every tree in his very extensive groves, and has been able to determine whether low yielding blocks or individual trees could be made profitable by fertilization or special treatment, or whether they should be ])ulled out and replaced. Through the farm advisor's office one can obtain advice regarding bookkeeping systems and methods suitable for farming operations, and we urge every farmer to institute at once an accounting system that will show his costs and give him a real knowledge of his opera- tions. When the farmer knows the costs of crop production and farm operations, he is in a strong position to plan for improvement. There is a close relationship between the size of business and required net income. California farms have tended to become rather small in acreage, too small in man}^ cases to provide an income needed to care for a family and to meet business tests. For instance, the 1920 census showed that 29 per cent of the total number of farms in Cali- fornia were under 20 acres in size, and 56 per cent under 50 acres. This was an increase from 49 per cent under 50 acres when the census was taken ten years previous (in 1910). One of the troubles with agriculture today is that businesses are too small in many instances to meet the demands made upon them when prices drop or expenses continue at high levels. This is what has actually happened during the past six or seven years. Changes in acreage, to fit changing conditions, are going on. In one locality, for instance, the original subdivision into forty acres has been found inefficient. As a result, the trend is toward either 30 or 80 acres. It has been found that a family can handle 30 acres with but little hiring of additional help ; while if the hiring of help is to pay, the size of the business must be greater than 40 acres; hence, the move toward 80-acre units. There may be a need these days for a readjustment in the sizes of acreages. Possibly some will move off, selling their holdings to their neighbors. It is not too much to expect. One of the tasks facing every farmer is to so use his labor that he will be employed at some profifahle job for as much of the year as he can arrange it. Much of our California farm industry is based on specialized effort, with few crops per farm. This has resulted in an unbalanced labor condition and a serious waste of the farmer's time. Professor R. L. Adams has, worked out the days of man labor required to care for ten acres of apricots, peaches, prunes or table grapes and the num- ber of days of this labor that the owner himself can put in (see 24 CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE [CiRC. 18 table 7). Under these conditions if we consider that there are 300 available work days in a year, the farmer will be profitably employed only from 29 per cent to 41 per cent of his time. TABLE 7 Total Man Labor Amount Operator's Required Can Do Crop 10 Acres No. of Days Peaches 254 days 100 Apricots 208 '' 90 Prunes 200 '' 123 Table Grapes 119 '' 88 Efficient Use of Operator's Time 33%% 30 41 29 It is not logical to expect that a farmer who can be profitably employed only one-third of his time can secure results equal to those obtained by one who puts in full time throughout the year. The previous section has suggested the possibility of profit with hogs, poultry, sheep or cattle, under suitable conditions. Table 8 shows the more effective use of the farmer's time if ten dairy cows and 500 hens are added to the fruit farming operations. TABLE 8 Percentage Use of Total Time (e.g. 300 days) Business Fruit Alone Fruit & Livestock Peaches 331/3% 94% Apricots 30 91 Primes 41 102 (May require more hired m 1 T /-< c,(\ nr\ help in connection with Table Grapes 29 90 fruit; longer hours; or more days than 300 per year.) The farmer's time then becomes fully occupied in productive effort. Of course, this can only be done Avhen cattle feed is obtain- able economically, when the necessary capital is available, and when the farmer is by temperament and experience capable of successfully handling the stock. It may not be attractive, but it is decidedly suggestive. Diversification in the industries on the farms of the East has been established through years of experience and travail. The rotation of corn-oats-wheat-grass, with some cows, pigs and chickens, keeps the farmer busy throughout the year. Our California farm enterprises, with more crops to choose from and a longer growing season, are in 1928] THE AGRKUJLTURAL SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA 25 position to select suitable crop combinations that will supply con- tinuous profitable employment and give maximum returns without undue drudgery. The farmer should expect to keep at work if he expects continuous pay or returns. By use of a variety of fruits (in place of the one-crop plan shown in the table) by introduction of truck crops, and by the use of field crops, there are combinations which will produce the same results as are here shown with animals. Increasing yields is not desirable from the marketing standpoint, but if the increased yield can be obtained at a lowered cost per unit, it can be defended against any objector. Careful seed selection, well considered fertilization, better tillage or more consistent irrigation may result in lowered cost of production, as well as in increased yields. Lower prices can be endured if the net returns are increased. Better farming practices will give higher quality, and better quality usually means better prices or lower cost of selling, with larger net returns. At this time an endeavor for quality of produc- tion seems much more promising than for mere quantity. Higher prices may be not only due to quality but also to care and skill in picking, packing and handling the crop on its way to the markets. These efforts increase the gross return, and, indirectly, the net return. Conscientious effort can well be directed to the reduction of expenses of operation with a direct increase in the net income. We have already indicated means of reducing the per unit cost of pro- duction, by making the cow, or tree, or hen, more effective, and by eliminating the lazy or idle units. There are so many ways in which waste and losses can occur on any farm that a material increase in net income may be secured by a study aimed at eliminating readily preventable wastes. A further suggestion is that more of the vege- tables, meats, milk, eggs consumed by the farm family may be produced on the farm. We desire to reiterate our belief that farming must be considered as a business, subject to the same tests as any business, namely, profits stated in terms of dollars and cents. Farming is a business and as such ought to pay as any other business is expected to pay. Tliere is no simple way to bring about this desirable condition and to solve the farm i)roblem of today. It must be worked out by ])ainstaking effort. AVe have endeaA'ored to indicate certain ways in which community effort may aid and other ways that must be applied individually by each farmer. 26 CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE [CiRC. 18 LOCAL PROGRESS The question now is, what are you ^oing- to do to help malve farming pay better? It has been ]:)ointed out that some of the problems can probably not be solved. Some men are located on bad land on Avhich the yields are always low. Such land never makes a ])rofit except in a year of high prices. Men thereon are out of luck. We know no cheap way by which bad land can be made into good land. Farmers on such land will probably always be the poor people of the locality. Some men have too little land ; small tracts have been taken up, and except in a time of very high prices, or on those few acreages where very high yields can be made, there isn't enough gross income, let alone net income, to make a good living for a family. These men are under-capitalized. They haven 't a big enough business. In some cases about the only thing that can be done is to unite two or more little farms into one larger unit. Somebody may have to move off and go to town, take a job and let the remaining farmers farm the land. The trouble with other farmers is that their expenses are too high. They produce at too high costs. Everything is expensively done instead of economically. These farms need to be studied to see how the leaks can be stopped, how labor can be used to better advantage and where improved methods may be used. On many farms the yields per acre are low because the men don't use the best methods. This makes the cost per ton high. Many of, our farmers can get larger returns by increasing the yield per acre. One of the ways to cut down the cost is to get larger returns per acre ; more tons of peaches, more pounds of butterf at per cow, more dozens of eggs per hen. On some farms the quality is low ; everything that is produced is second rate. In general, California farmers cannot afford to produce second rate products. IVIost of our markets are three thousand or more miles away. We have to pay the same freight whether the quality is good or whether it is poor. We cannot afford to ship stuff across the continent unless it is the best that can be grown. In many cases our marketing methods have been bad. We have been trying to improve these through our cooperative marketing associations and every support should be given to these associations because they are more likely, in general, to give better returns than 1928J THE AGRICULTURAL SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA 27 will individual enterprise. No cooperative association is perfect, all of them make mistakes; but the principle of cooperative marketing is one that should be encouraged everywhere. The farmers of California should back it. In many places our farming- is too specialized ; we grow one crop on a farm. The grower gets along all right so long as that crop brings a high price, but when the price goes down, as it always does in the coui'se of time, that man has to tide over a number of lean years because he has no other crop. If he has saved his profits during the good years so as to tide him over the lean years, he may successfully survive. All crops fluctuate in value. No croj) brings a high price over a long term of years. No matter what crop you choose you are bound to find a price depression some time during your lifetime. One of the ways to help solve your farming problem may be to quit putting all your eggs in one basket ; have more than one string to your bow. Prices do not all go u}) and down together. It is true that the decidu- ous fruit crops usually fluctuate more or less together, but livestock products are often up when fruit products are down. The man Avho has both fruit and livestock may be able to tide himself over a period of low prices in one or the other without so much reserve money in the bank to draw upon. Diversified farming then is one of the ways to make safe farming. The difficulty is people often don't like diversified farming. The previous section has stated that diversified farming helps to use your time profitably throughout the whole year. Some people don't want to be busy the year around, they'd rather have one crop and more leisure. If so, they must expect to have times of low prices. As a California fruit grower expressed it, ' ' When I drive the car to town, I don't want to leaVe a heart-beat on the place." The price of that freedom must be paid during the period of low prices for the specialty produced. The specialty crop problem is still further aggravated by too rapid expansion. In several cases the national and even the world's l)roduction of specialty crops is grown in this state. For examj^le, California produces all the canning peaclies that are grown in the United States. We have recently increased our acreage of these peaches by 35 per cent. This means we shall have 35 per cent more peaches to market, which means a national increase of 35 per cent in the volume of canning peaches. It looks as though we had plenty of peaches for the present moment, and those folks should be checked 28 CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE [CiRC. 18 who want to develop new lands, sub-divide them and put them in orchards with new farmers to g'row more peaches, to make more competition for our present farmers. This is not the time to add to the acreage of our deciduous fruit specialties in California. It is, moreover, the time to proceed only with much caution in any proposal to add to the acreage of any California specialt}^ The farmers of California, by force of public opinion, can do much to hold down this increase. 42 m Cost per ton ^_^ L 1 Yield per acre Selling price 35 o " 11 - ton yield 1 1 In ~" ■ ■ n i 1 i - - - - - t 14 I o 1 1 1 1 1 7 1 Cost per ooc.^J^-«oo^^JH«J.„ca ton ■^ Yield p acre «r D C D C -^ C M t D C < n c 3 O «J o J "i 03 CO o o to 26 ^ Fig. 9. — Relation of the yield per acre to the cost of producing peaches Stanislaus County, 1927. in In other words, it is hard work to tell what is wrong with farming until we study the individual farm. Any one of several things may be wrong, and often several of them are wrong. Figure 9 is worthy of considerable study. It shows the actual conditions on a group of peach farms in Stanislaus County. These records were carefully made and are representative examples of a large number of peach orchards in that county of which we have records. The figure shows the yields ])er acre and cost per ton of peaches. Here are some farmers getting large yields per acre, some of them getting more than 20 tons per acre. The yield is so high and their costs therefore so low that they are making a good profit even in these years of bad prices. These farmers probably aren't complaining; they are sitting tight and put- ting the money in their pockets. But, look down at the other end of the line, shown at the left side of the chart. These men are getting low yields ; their cost per ton is high. They are growing peaches at 3 0-^ J THE AGRICULTURAL SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA 29 higher cost than they can sell them so that the more ])eaches they ^row the more money they lose. Exactly the same situation would be shown for any other crop in any other community. There is a wide variation between neighboring farms and the success with which they are operated. In other words, what is one man's meat is another man's poison. The price that will make a profit for one man will mean a loss for another. There is no repeal of the law^ of the survival of the fittest. In a time of low prices only the fittest survive. These are the best farmers who use the best methods and who are located on the best lands. Such men don't have to worry so very much about low prices. They go right on farming. The other fellows are squeezed out first. So, no one could state w^hat is wrong with agriculture. There are a good many things wrong and not all of them can be cured, but much can be done by careful study and wise action. Many persons seem to speak of agricultural economics as though it were something new. But, the study of the financial problems of our farms is far advanced. The county farm bureaus of California and the Agricultural Extension Service have been engaged in consid- eration of these problems for many years. This economic trouble that we are all now discussing is nothing new to them. They saw it coming years ago and have been preparing for it. There are thousands of people on the farms of California who have long been weary of hearing the farm advisor talk about the four factors essential for profitable agriculture, namely, (1) increased production per unit, as tons per acre, or pounds per cow; (2) economy of production, (3) quality of products, and (4) efficiency of marketing. The Agricultural Extension Service, fostered by the State Univer- sity and the Federal Government, has established resident agents in most of the counties of California w^io are known as farm advisors, home demonstration agents and club agents. These men and women have been studying the farm problems locally and know some of their solutions. They haven't found solutions for all of the problems and never will find them. There never will be a time when all the farmers are prosperous any more than there ever will be a time when all the business men are prosperous. Nevertheless, the Agricultural Exten- sion Service does know some of .the ways to increase the profits of farming, and many farmers who use these methods are getting fair returns on their money, even in these times of so-called agricultural depression. 30 CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE [CiRC. 18 The Agricultural Extension Service in cooperation with the other agencies for agricultural progress in the state, has drawn up a program of Avork which has been going forward in the rural regions of Cali- fornia. The farm advisors and other agricultural agents have been hammering away on a series of definitely planned projects which are important for economic success. Each of these projects is susceptible of analysis as an attempt either to increase the tonnage per acre, decrease the cost of production, improve the quality of the product or increase the efficiency of its marketing. Expressed in the terms of the previous section, these projects are designed either to increase the yield, increase the price, or decrease the expenses. The widespread cow testing associations of California are enabling dairymen to increase their yields of butterfat. The poultry culling demonstrations have shown many persons how to increase the output of eggs per hen. The field variety trials of grains have shown the way toward better yields of cereals. The systematic cost studies under way on many of our crops are enabling farmers to compare their methods with those of the best farmers of the community. In our opinion, everyone in the rural communities of California should get to work on these and other similar projects to improve the status of agriculture. After all, agriculture creates most of the wealth of California. The towns of rural California, their business men and bankers, depend mainly upon the success of farming for their financial support. The improvement of agriculture is not a task for farmers alone ; it is a job for everyone. To put farming on a safer and better basis is a community task. Farmers need the help and cooperation of all agencies in the state. Business men and bankers should promote the program of the county farm bureaus and of the Agricultural Extension Service for the sake of their own pocketbooks. What is needed in rural California is not so much a program for agricultural advancement. In the main, that program exists and is under way. The effort needed is to put more impetus and cooperation in the prosecution of the program already drawn. Many of the feasible and logical solutions have already been advanced ; the agencies are at work; the field is ripe for larger service from those who seek the permanent prosjierity and stability of California agriculture. STATION PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION BULLETINS No. No. 25.1. Irrigation and Soil Oonditictns in the IJSfi. Sierra Nevada Foothills, California. 2()2. Citrus Diseases of Florida and Cuba o87. Compared with those of California. 388. 2(\3. Size Grades for Ripe Olives. 268. Growing and Gi-afting Olive Seedlings. 389. 273. Preliminary Report on Kearney Vine- 390. yard Experimental Drain, Fresno County, Calif. 391. 277. Sudan Grass. 278. Grain Sorghums. 392. 279. Irrigation of Rice in California. 393. 283. The Olive Insects of California. 394. 304. A Study of the Effects of Freezes on Citrus in California. 310. Plum Pollination. 395. 313. Pruning Young Deciduous Fruit Trees. 396. 324. Storage of Perishable Fruits at Freez- ing Temperatures. 397. 328. Prune Growing in California. 331. Phylloxera-resistant Stocks. 398. 335. Cocoanut Meal as a Feed for Dairy 400. Cows and Other Livestock. 402. 340. Control of the Pocket Gopher in 404. California. 405. 343. Cheese Pests and Their Control. 406. 344. Cold Storage as an Aid to the Mar- 407. keting of Plums, a Progress Report. 347. The Control of Red Spiders in Decid- uous Orchards. 408. 348. Pruning Young Olive Trees. 409. 349. A Study of Sidedraft and Tractor Hitches. 350. Agriculture in Cut-Over Redwood Lands. 410. 353. Bovine Infectious Abortion, and As- sociated Diseases of Cattle and New- born Calves. 411. 354. Results of Rice Experiments in 1922. 357. A Self-Mixing Dusting Machine for 412. Applying Dry Insecticides and Fun- gicides. 358. Black Measles, Water Berries, and 414. Related Vine Troubles. 361. Preliminary Yield Tables for Second- 415. Growth Redwood. 416. 362. Dust and the Tractor Engine. 363. The Pruning of Citrus Trees in Cali- 417. fornia. 364. Fungicidal Dusts for the Control of 418, Bunt. 366. Turkish Tobacco Culture, Curing, 419. and Marketing. 367. Methods of Harvesting and Irrigation 420. in Relation to Moldy Walnuts. 368. Bacterial Decomposition of Olives 421. During Pickling. 422. 369. Comparison of Woods for Butter Boxes. 423. 370. Factors Influencing the Development of Internal Browning of the Yellow 424. Newton Apple. 371. The Relative Cost of Yarding Small 425. and Large Timber. 426. 373. Pear Pollination. 374. A Survey of Orchard Practices in 427. the Citrus Industry of Southern California. 428. 375. Results of Rice Experiments at Cor- tena, 1923, and Progress in Experi- ments in Water Grass Control at the 429. Biggs Rice Field Station, 1922-23. 430. 377. The Cold Storage of Pears. 431. 379. Walnut Culture in California. 380. Growth of Eucalyptus in California 432. Plantations. 382. Pumping for Draininge in the San 433. Joaquin Valley, California. 385. Pollination of the Sweet Cherry. Pruning Bearing Deciduous Fruit Trees. Fig Smut. The Princii)les and Practice of Sun- Drying Fruit. Berseem or Egyptian Clover.- Harvesting and Packing Grapes in California. Machines for Coating Seed Wheat with Copper Carbonate Dust. Fruit Juice Concentrates. Crop Sequences at Davis. I. Cereal Hay Production in Cali- fornia. II. Feeding Trials with Cereal Hays. Bark Diseases of Citrus Trees in Cali- fornia. The Mat Bean, Phaseolus Aconitifo- lius. Manufacture of Roquefort Type Cheese from Goat's Milk. Orchard Heating in California. The Utilization of Surplus Plums. The Codling Moth in Walnuts. The Dehydration of Prunes. Citrus Culture in Central California. Stationary Spray Plants in California. Yield, Stand, and Volume Tables for White Fir in the California Pine Region. Alternaria Rot of Lemons. The Digestibility of Certain Fruit By- Products as Determined for Rumi- nants. Part I. Dried Orange Pulp and Raisin Puli). Factors Influencing the Quality of Fresh Asparagus after it is Har- vested. Paradichlorobenzene as a Soil Fumi- gant. A Study of the Relative Value of Cer- tain Root Crops and Salmon Oil as Sources of Vitamin A for Poultry. Planting and Thinning Distances for Deciduous Fruit Trees. The Tractor on California Farms. Culture of the Oriental Persimmon in California. Poultry Feeding : Principles and Prac- tice. A Study of Various Rations for Fin- ishing Range Calves as Baby Beeves. Economic Aspects of the Cantaloupe Industry. Rice and Rice By-Products as Feeds for Fattening Swine. Beef Cattle Feeding Trials, 1921-24. Cost of Producing Almonds in Cali- fornia : a Progress Report. Apricots (Series on California Crops and Prices). The Relation of Rate of Maturity to Egg Production. Apple Growing in California. Apple Pollination Studies in Cali- fornia. The Value of Orange Pulp for Milk Production. The Relation of Maturity of Cali- fornia Plums to Shipping and Dessert Quality. Economic Status of the Grape Industry. Range Grasses of California. Raisin By-Products and Bean Screen- ings as Feeds for Fattening Lambs. Some Economic Problems Involved in the Pooling of Fruit. Power Requirements of Electrically Driven Manufacturing Equipment. No. 434. 435. 436. 437. 438. 439. BULLETINS— Investigations on the Use of Fruits in Ice Cream and Ices. The Problem of Securing Closer Relationship Between Agricultural Development and Irrigation Con- struction. I. The Kadota Fig. II. Kadota Fig Products. Economic Aspects of the Dairy In- dustry. Grafting Affinities with Special Refer- ence to Plums. The Digestibility of Certain Fruit By- products as Determined for Rumi- nants. Part II. Dried Pineapple Pulp, Dried Lemon Pulp, and Dried Olive Pulp. (ConlmAied) No. 440. The Feeding Value of Raisins and Dairy By-Products for Growing and Fattening Swine. 441. The Electric Brooder. 442. Laboratory Tests of Orchard Heaters. 443. Standardization and Improvement of California Butter. 444. Series on California Crops and Prices : Beans. 445. Economic Aspects of the Apple Iii- dxistry. No. 87. Alfalfa. 115. Grafting Vinifera Vineyards. 117. The selection and Cost of a Small Pumping Plant. 127. House Fumigation. 129. The control of Citrus Insects. 136. Melilotus Indica as a Green-Manure Crop for California. 144. Oidium or Powdery Mildew of the Vine. 157. Control of Pear Scab. 164. Small Fruit Culture in California. 166. The County Farm Bureau. 173. The Construction of the Wood-Hoop Silo. 178. The Packing of Apples in California. 179. Factors of Importance in Producing Milk of Low Bacterial Count. 202. County Organization for Rural Fire Control. 203. Peat as a Manure Substitute. 209. The Function of the Farm Bureau. 212. Salvaging Rain-Damaged Prunes. 215. Feeding Dairy Cows in California. 217. Methods for Marketing Vegetables in California. 230. Testing Milk. Cream, and Skim Milk for Butterfat. 231. The Home Vineyard. 232. Harvesting and Handling California Cherries for Eastern Shipment. 234. Winter Injury to Young Walnut Trees During 1921-1922. 238. The Apricot in California. 239. Harvesting and Handling Apricots and Plums for Eastern Shipment. 240. Harvesting and Handling California Pears for Eastern Shipment. 241. Harvesting and Handling California Peaches for Eastern Shipment. 243. Marmalade Juice and Jelly Juice from Citrus Fruits. 244. Central Wire Bracing for Fruit Trees. 245. Vine Pruning Systems. 248. Some Common Errors in Vine Prun- ing and Their Remedies. 249. Replacing Missing Vines. 250. Measurement of Irrigation Water on the Farm. 252. Support for Vines. 253. Vineyard Plans. 254. The Use of Artificial Light to In- crease Winter Egg Production. 255. Leguminous Plants as Organic Fer- tilizers in California Agriculture. CIRCULARS No. 257. 258. 259. 261. 264, 265. 266. 267. 269. 270. 273. 276. 277. 278. 279. 281. 282. 283. 284. 286. 287. 288. 289. 290. 292. 293. 294. 296. 298. 300. 301. 302. 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310 311 The Small-Seeded Horse Bean (Vicia faba var. minor). Thinning Deciduous Fruits. Pear By-Products. Sewing Grain Sacks. Preliminary Essentials to Bovine Tu- berculosis Control in California. Plant Disease and Pest Control. Analyzing the Citrus Orchard by Means of Simple Tree Records. The Tendency of Tractors to Rise in Front; Causes and Remedies. An Orchard Brush Burner. A Farm Septic Tank. Saving the Gophered Citrus Tree. Home Canning. Head, Cane and Cordon Pruning of Vines. Olive Pickling in Mediterranean Countries. The Preparation and Refining of Olive Oil in Southern Europe. The Results of a Survey to Deter- mine the Cost of Producing Beef in California. Prevention of Insect Attack on Stored Grain. Fertilizing Citrus Trees in California. The Almond in California. Milk Houses for California Dairies. Potato Production in California. Phylloxera Resistant Vineyards. Oaic Fungus in Orchard Trees. The Tangier Pea. Alkali Soils. The Basis of Grape Standardization. Propagation of Deciduous Fruits. Control of the California Ground Squirrel. Possibilities and Limitations of Coop- erative Marketing. Coccidiosis of Chickens. Buckeye Poisoning of the Honey Bee. The Sugar Beet in California. Drainage on the Farm. Liming the Soil. A General Purpose Soil Auger and Its Use on the Farm. American Foulbrood and Its Control. Cantaloupe Production in California. Fruit Tree and Orchard Judging. The Operation of the Bacteriological Laboratory for Dairy Plants. The Improvement of Quality in Figs. Tlie publications listed above may be had by addressing College of Agriculture, University of California, Berkeley, California. 20m-4,'28