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Olives, Figs,

Oranges and

others engaged in the business. Wine grapes are also very profitable. They require less handling than the raisins, as they are picked and carted to the winery at once.

Deciduous trees of all descriptions thrive and the orchard business is one of Fresno's most profitable enterprises.

The fig in Fresno county deserves particular menLemons. tion, as there is no other locality in California where this fruit will do as well or where so much has been done in cultivating and improving the fruit. As the result of the efforts of Mr. George C. Roeding, a prominent horticulturist, Fresno now produces the Smyrna fig, an achievement which has not been accomplished anywhere else in America.

Alfalfa and

Dairying

Oranges are grown successfully, but the oldest groves are located in the eastern part of the county, at the base of the foothills. The citrus fruits of this district have repeatedly taken prizes at district citrus fairs, State fairs and international expositions. The advantages that Fresno claims are freedom from frost and certain conditions of soil that produce a superior fruit, but the chief advantage is the fact that Fresno county oranges ripen and are ready for market about November 1st, thus reaping the benefit of the early high prices in the Eastern markets. Orange trees begin to bear the fourth year after planting. At five or six years of age the trees should bear well and yield a handsome income. Lemons are also successfully

grown.

Alfalfa grows luxuriantly and is the basis of success Profits. of the dairy industry. The yield from an alfalfa field is very large. The hay is shipped from Fresno in large quantities to Southern California and Arizona. One acre of alfalfa will keep a cow the year through. Raising alfalfa provides the surest and quickest means of obtaining an income, and dairying is one of the most attractive occupations, as it provides the opportunity to raise money during the time required for trees and vines to come into bearing. Fresno has some very extensive creameries and these have established skimming stations all over the

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What

Dairymen

Say.

Poultry, Eggs and Melons.

Cattle, Hogs and Sheep.

county, where the farmers sell their cream. To any thinking man who knows about dairying, these conditions suggest the way to a profitable business. The late Mr. McNulty, manager of the San Joaquin Creamery, said in an article on dairying :

"The question is often asked, 'does dairying pay?' It is my opinion that there is no other place on the map of the world where one's finger can be placed where feed can be grown so abundantly and cheaply as in the San Joaquin valley. Alfalfa is pre-eminently a cow feed, and the butter produced from the milk of alfalfa-fed cows, if skillfully and scientifically handled, produces a texture and a flavor that cannot be surpassed."

The manager of the Danish Creamery, Mr. Murphy, says the average amount paid for butter fat is $55 to $60 per cow annually. This is exclusive of the value of the calf and the skim milk. Another Fresno county dairyman says: "I milked last year an average of forty-three cows per month; sold during that time butter fat to the amount of $55.93 per each cow; also raised and sold calves and hogs to the amount of $19.71 per each cow, making the total earnings of each cow for the year, $76.65."

All kinds of cereals are successfully grown in Fresno county without irrigation. The area sown to wheat and barley is 335,981 acres annually. The gross value of cereals, alfalfa, hay, wine and raisins aggregated for 1902 $8,749,958.

Poultry farming is a source of large profit to the farmer. There is always a good market for eggs and chickens. Honey is another source of profit. Alfalfa honey is very fine and ranks with the clover honey of the East. Vegetables, smali fruits and berry farming are other means by which the farmer may easily add largely to his income.

Cattle, hogs and sheep are all raised in large numbers for both home use and for shipment. In fact, so favorable are the conditions for this business in Fresno that thousands of cattle are brought from Arizona and coast districts to the pastures of Fresno county, where they are

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BREAKFAST FOOD IN ITS EARLY STAGES. SWINE ENJOYING A SKIMMED MILK LUNCHEON ON A SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY STOCK FARM.

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