Part IV.  Soils, Fertilizers and Irrigation

What is Intensive Cultivation?

From whom can I receive instruction or information regarding intensive cultivation?

Intensive cultivation has, so far as we know, not been made the subject of any treatise or publication.  Intensive cultivation means the use of a maximum amount of labor, fertilizers and water for products of high market value.  There is no better example of intensive cultivation in the world than is afforded by the practice of the best market gardeners and producers of small fruit.  Next to them, on larger areas, would be the policies and methods of the fruit growers of California.  Intensive culture, then, is not a particular method or system, but consists in doing the best thing for maximum production of any product which is valuable enough to spend the large outlay which is required.  Just how this cultivation should be done depends upon the nature of the product and the conditions of soil and climate in whatever locality intensive cultivation may be undertaken.

Can a Man Farm?

Is it possible for a man with a few acres well cared for and carefully tilled to make a living and pay out on a purchase of land at $123 per acre?  Could a good carpenter make wages and take care of a small tract for a year or so until well under way?

We consider $125 per acre for good land with a good water right a fair price.  Financing a farming operation depends more upon the man than upon the good land.  There are men who would, by intensive cultivation of salable stuff and right use of water, pay off the full value of the land from its produce in a couple of years.  Others will never pay off.  Of course, the nearer you can come to paying for the land at the beginning, and the more money you have for improvements, the more satisfactory your situation should be in every respect.  There is a good chance for carpenter work in colony development, and considerable self-help could be secured in that way.  You do not say whether you know anything about farming.  Farming is a very complicated business and a basic knowledge derived from experience is a proper foundation to build upon in the light of the fuller application of scientific principles.

Soil Depth for Citrus Trees.

I have a top soil of rich loam containing small rocks and pebbles.  Underneath it is washed gravel, rocks, boulders, yellow sand, etc.  What is the limit as to thinness before trees will not grow, or thrive?

Orange trees are growing quite successfully on shallow soil overlying clay where the use of water and fertilizers was carefully adjusted so as to keep the trees supplied with just the right amount.  Under such conditions a good growth may be expected so long as this treatment is maintained.  There should be, however, not less than three feet of good soil to make the large expenditure necessary to establish an orange orchard