the capital and chief market place of New South Wales have been: Valencias, choice, 10 to 11 shillings a case; Washington Navels, 16 to 19 shillings; ordinary local oranges 6 to 7 shillings; choice of lemons 3 to 5 shillings. Victoria

The main orange and lemon growing areas of Victoria are in the northeast of the state, in the so-called Mildura irrigation district, which is also the principal source of raisins as well as in the Coulburn Valley and near Swan Hill. It would, indeed, be difficult to find a place in Victoria, except in the mountains where oranges and lemons will not thrive, under proper care. Grape fruit are grown in the Mildura and Swan Hill districts, but the growers are finding it difficult to market them, as the Victorian taste has not yet been as much "Americanized" as that of New South Wales.

The season 1918-19, figures of which have been quoted above, was rather a bad one for Granges in Victoria. In 1919-20 the orange crop was a third greater than 1918-19, namely 17,184 bushels, but the production of lemons decreased to 74,427 bushels.

Present Number of Trees

The Victorian Department of Agriculture, which is deeply interested in citrus fruits, and is supplying expert assistance to prospective growers, is a bit more minute in its information than that of New South Wales, and from the Victorian Department we learn that the number of tree in the state at present (end of 1919-20 season) is:

Lemons

Oranges

Not

Bearing Bearing 82,673 72,994 .240,297 247,105

The Victorian yield per tree has varied as follows:

1910-11 1913-14 1916-17 1919-20 Oranges 1.49 bus. 1.16 bus. .59 bus. .57 bus. Lemons 1.48 bus. 1.49 bus. 1.11 bus. .90 bus. Recent Melbourne prices are: choice navels 8 to 11 shillings per case; other oranges 5 to 8 shillings per case; choice lemons 5 to 7 shillings.

South Australia

fruits being 1,160 bushels.

Western Australia

Citrus fruits in Western Australia grow mainly in the Southwestern coastal area, the climate of which is very like that of California around Los Angeles. The acreage of citrus trees at the end of the 1919-20 season was: Oranges ..3,210 Lemons 590

The production for the season is not available, but it was probably about 170,000 bushels of oranges and 45,000 of lemons. Most of this fruit is consumed locally, but last vear about 750 cases were shipped to other Australian states and 500 to Java and the Straits Settlements. The best West Australian oranges are Washington Navels, but a small sweet local orange is of excellent flavor and of good keeping quality.

Much attention is being given to the development of the industry in West Australia. Last year 61,000 orange and 3,600 lemon seedlings were imported.

Preliminary plans for the Twelfth National Orange Show to be held in San Bernardino in the near future, were outlined at the Annual Bear Valley Duck Dinner held at the Stewart Hotel in San Bernardino the night of November 29th. Many prominent Californians interested in this nationally known project were present and partook of the seasonal feast. The show will undoubtedly be of even greater interest and proportions than it was last year. Elaborate plans for decorating are under way.

Mr. F. W. Tucker of Azusa attended the annual meeting of the M. O. D. He is affiliated with the Golden Orange Groves of Covina. Considerable amusement hinged about his visit to Redlands. It happened that, in his hurry to leave the banquet hall, he inadvertently took the hat of O. D. Brouse, director, and was forced to spend the rest of the afternoon in giving explanations.

This department is instituted solely for the purpose of disseminating general legal knowledge. In case you require legal advice in a business or other matter, we advise you to secure the immediate services of a reputable practicing attorney.

Ivan G. McDaniel

C

AN a wife under California law convey any of her property without the consent of her husband? What is meant by "community property" under the California law? Mrs. A. R., Fullerton.

A. The wife may convey all her separate property without the consent of her husband. Her separate property consists of all that property owned by her before her marriage and that acquired after marriage by gift, bequest, devise or descent, together with the rents, issues and profits from the same. The husband may possess separate property which consists of all that he owned before his marriage and that acquired afterwards by gift, bequest, devise or descent and the rents, issues and the profits therefrom. Community property is that acquired by the husband or wife, or either, during marriage when not acquired as separate property. It must also be borne in mind that the earnings of the wife are not liable for the debts of the husband.

Q. If the lessor of a dwelling house refuses to make necessary repairs within a reasonable time after notice has been given him by the lessee, has the lessee any recourse? M. S., Pomona.

A. If the lessor fails to act within a reasonable time in repairing dilapidations which he ought to repair, the lessee may repair the same himself, where the cost of such repairs does not require an expenditure greater than one month's rent of the premises, and deduct the expense of such repairs from the rent. The lessee also has the alternative of vacating the premises. The lessor need not repair deteriorations or injuries to the dwelling house occasioned by want of ordinary care on the part of the lessee.

Q. If my bank does not pay my check, can I sue and recover from them? M. O., Los Angeles.

A. Your question does not state whether the bank failed to pay the check because of mistake, error or malice. No bank is liable to a depositor because of non-payment through mistake or error and without malice, of a check which should have been paid, unless the depositor shall allege and prove actual damage of such non-payment. In such event, the liability does not exceed the amount of damage so proved.

Q. If a person comes on to my land and does damage, must I bring suit at once, or is there a law allowing me to wait for some time? J. H. D., Anaheim.

A. It is specifically provided under the California law, that actions for trespass upon or injury to real property may be commenced within three years after the right of action accrues. Because of the possibility of securing your evidence more easily, it is generally wisest to bring suit at once, in case the matter cannot be successfully settled out of court. The action is commenced when the complaint is filed.

Q. If I have a deed recorded on Saturday afternoon, is the recording invalid? R. C., Lindsay.

A. Although every Saturday afternoon from twelve o'clock noon until twelve o'clock midnight is a holiday as regards the transaction of business in the public offices of the State, yet the California law specifically states that this does not prevent or invalidate the recording of any written instrument on such Saturday afternoons.

Q. I paid the contractor who built a barn on my land, the cost of the lumber, believing that he would pay the same to the lumber company which furnished it. Now the lumber company states I must pay them the amount. The contractor has left the State and did not settle with them. Must I pay the amount twice? A. G. S.. Long Beach.

A. Materialmen furnishing materials to be used or consumed in the construction of any building shall have a lien upon the property upon which they have furnished materials, for the value of such materials, whether furnished at the instance of the owner of the property or of any other person acting by his authority or under him, as contractor or otherwise. Every contractor having charge of the constuction of any building is held to be the agent of the owner of the property for this purpose.

Q. Must my will be witnessed to make it valid? G. S., Rialto.

A. This depends upon the type of will desired. There is a type known as an "olographic" will. To be valid it need only be entirely written, dated and signed by the hand of the testator (one making the will) himself. It is subject to no other form, need not be witnessed and may be made in or out of the State of California. Care must be taken to see that such a will is written on paper that is entirely blank.

A CORRECTION

Through an error on our part, the article in last month's issue regarding the Fullerton Mutual Orange Association stated that Mr. G. E. Shaw began his citrus training at La Habra. It should have shown that Mr. Shaw first operated at Yorba Linda in co-operation with Mr. E. Gilman of the Foothill Groves.

F

ARTICLE ONE

ROST! the silent menace of the night that turns apparent citrus fortunes to debts in a few fleeting hours, is causing protective activity among citrus growers, as they mass their forces to combat its inroads.

In common parlance, frost, or "hoar" frost, is the deposit of feathery white ice crystals seen on house tops and vegetation when the temperature falls to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Technically, whenever the temperature falls to this point, there is a frost, whether or not this white covering is visible. Investigations have shown that there are several well-known conditions present just prior to frosts.

Usual Frost Indications

The prime factor involved in frost control is radiation of heat from the earth. Five general indications are: (1) no wind, or a very slight wind, which prevents the stirring up of the warm air above with the colder lower layers (2) clear skies, hastening rapid radiation of the heat from the earth and its coverings of vegetation (3) the wind, if any, coming from the northwest (4) an evening temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower and (5) the dew-point below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, which prevents the formation of a fog blanket. None of these indications are conclusive, per se. Conditions vary rapidly. These are, however usually concomitant in case frost does occur. Low humidity is necessary for rapid surface cooling, so the presence of moisture in the air is a consideration.

Psychrometer Explained

To determine the dew-point, an instrument known as the sling psychrometer is generally used. This is made of two thermometers fastened on a common frame, the frame in turn being attached by a cord or chain to a handle, so that the whole may be easily whirled in the air. One bulb is left dry and bare and the other covered with a piece of muslin saturated with clean water. When the instrument is whirled in the air, the water in the muslin evaporates and if water is added the covering cools to a temperature below which additional whirling will not reduce it. Upon reaching this minimum point readings of both thermomters are taken. It usually takes about three minutes to arrive at this point. The dry thermometer registers the air temperature. By comparing the two readings and applying certain wellknown and available tables, the dew-point is found.

When the temperature of the air is between 45 and 65 decrees, multiply the difference in the readings between the wet and dry bulbs by two and subtract the product from the temperature of the dry bulb. If the reading is above 40 degrees F. there is little danger of frost. As it gets below that point, the further it drops, the more dangerous and severe the frost.

These five general conditions all influence heat radiation. Heavy clouds act as a blanket and keep radiation at a minimum. Winds stir and mix up the cold and warm stratas.

Orchard Thermometer

SO

Various methods for detecting frost approach have been utilized, but the commonest one is the orchard thermometer. In some cases it is connected with electrical warnings. Care must be exercised in placing the thermometers in critical points and seeing that they are located as to be sheltered from the sky and direct sunlight, and in such a way as to prevent the gathering of moisture on them. Free air circulation is necessary. In making readings, growers must avoid rasing the temperature by using matches, etc., for light, as the difference of one degree may mean disaster. One standard thermometer should be kept by every grower, in a critical location, if his grove is in a susceptible district, which with others in other portions of his groves, may be compared from time to time and corrections noted.

The sling psychrometer and the thermometer are two of the main instruments for frost purposes, although instruments for testing radiation are of value.

Citrus fruit protection must be considered from a different angle than that of other products. Usually the fruit, if oranges, is well on towards maturity so that a large bulk is involved. The rind is a protection and is often instrumental in keeping the inside temperature of the fruit as much as 5 or 6 degrees warmer than the surrounding air. Orange juice freezes at 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Oranges exposed to the sky freeze first as radiation is more rapid. In the case of ripe oranges a temperature of 25 or 26 degrees is highly critical, while 27 or 28 degrees injure them in their green state. These are mere approximations and not indicative of the frost dead-line. In the case of green lemons, if small, a continual temperature of 29 degrees is injurious and ripe lemons cannot usually withstand a temperature of 27 degrees. The blossoms do not endure a 30 degree temperature. The above statements depend upon the length of time during which the low temperature continues and the atmospheric conditions during the day. A day of low temperature preceded the 1913 freeze.

To be continued in January issue

E. J. Sackett

W

ITH the advent of foreign and domestic competition, the haphazard methods prevalent in the agricultural industries in past years, have rapidly been abolished. New and efficient machinery has replaced the oldfashioned implements; time and labor saving devices conserve the golden moments of sunshine and give the grower an added margin of possible profit. No farmer can afford to overlook the necessity and value of stopping every possible source of loss, whether it be large or small. In the tight for success as a producer, the average grower is compelled to safeguard himself at every turn. Too much emphasis cannot be placed upon this thought. The day of competition is here. No longer can the farmer sit idly by and let Nature do all the work. Modern methods of cultivation, fertilization, irrigation and marketing have stimulated the industry. To the grower, however, is left the opportunity of shaving down expenses and closing the loopholes through which profits slip

away.

Every Grower Should Keep Records Every grower of citrus fruits should keep an accurate check upon several features of his work including (1) receipts and disbursements, (2) total crops produced, both in weight, loose and packed boxes, and (3) cost of machinery, up-keep and repairs, operation and depreciation. The subject of recording the production of each particular tree was very carefully treated in a previous issue (September) of "Citrus Leaves."

Proper Accounting Vital

Proper accounting and records concerning all products produced, as well as capital investment, is a vital requisite of good citrus. production. The results to be obtained from such records are not theoretical, but have proven beyond a question of a doubt that the returns from such a record in dollars and cents are enormous. It can be readily seen that a record showing the original investment, together with receipts and expenditures would enable the grower to know exactly where he stood at all times; to know how much each division of the expense amounts to. and the amount of the returns for the fruit shipped. This would aid him in analyzing expenses to determine if some part of the expenses could not be eliminated, or possibly some of his equipment could be replaced by labor saving devices at a saving.

The Income Tax Problem Another features not to be overlooked is the

matter of income taxes. There is no doubt that a large amount of income taxes are paid each year in excess of the amount which is legally required. These excess payments invariably are from the persons or firms who do not keep proper records. Again, there exists a penalty for fraudulent returns. This statment would be invaluable in securing additional working capital at the bank or any financial house as it would show the bank that the person knew where he stood. In a great many cases credit is refused persons who are entitled to same on account of the fact that when called on for a financial statement they are unable to furnish it, and the banker naturally assumes that if the prospective borrower does not know where he stands financially it is certainly difficult for him, the banker, to decide.

No Need for Elaborate Books

It is not my intention to convey the idea that an elaborate set of books be installed for a bookkeeper to record the transactions. A small amount of time could be spared by the grower each evening for record work. A few moments so spent may mean the difference between profit and loss. It would, of course, depend upon the amount or volume of business as to what books to use. The records for one grower might consist of only one book subdivided into a Cash Book, Journal and Ledger, with still another section to record statistical information, such as the number of loose boxes delivered to the packing house, or the total number of pounds, the total number of backed boxes, and the average for each received. Some growers might require all these records kept in as many different books. The Cash Book would show receipts and disbursements of all moneys and balance on hand. The Journal should be used to record other than cash transactions, such as depreciation, etc., and the Ledger to carry all accounts which the opening of the books or statement of condition reveal (assets and liabilities), together with revenue and expense accounts, which will be used during a period. When disbursements of cash are made, charge the account receiving the benefit of such expenditure (cash being automatically credited), and when money is received, credit the source of revenue from which it is derived (cash automatically becomes debited). In this manner, correct cost records may easily be maintained, and the net worth (which will be the difference between the assets and liabilities, plus or less profits or loss, as the case may be) may be easily obtained at any time.

Proper Accounting Pays

To some people the word "bookkeeping" or "accounting" brings a picture to their mind's eye, of a mass of figures and detail. Some acquire a dislike to records of financial trans(Continued on Page 9)