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The following article is based on a detailed report, “Hops: Statistical-Economic Analysis of Marketing,” No. 139, by the same authors which may be obtained without cost by writing to the Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics, University of California, Berkeley 4

Harvesting accounts for more than 40% of the total costs of almond production as found in a 5-year study in Stanislaus County. Over one-half of the harvesting cost is in getting the nuts from the trees to the huller.

Davey, a new almond variety with good tree growth, yield, and nut characteristics has been released for general propagation.

DDT is the most effective and economically feasible material to use for the control of the codling moth on walnuts in southern California. It has been used successfully under a variety of conditions for a number of years in the field. At present there is no indication that the codling moth larvae are becoming resistant. DDT is compatible with all of the more effective aphicides and miticides recommended for use in walnut pest control.

Nitrogen is the most important single fertilizer element in the economic production of cotton in California.

A single treatment—with one of the several available insecticides—could control aphids on walnuts for an entire season if migrating aphids could be kept from the orchard.

Successful biological control of the purple scale in California may be proven in experiments underway in citrus groves in Orange County.

DDT and dieldrin have shown the most promise in experiments to control the vinegar fly—Drosophila melanogaster Meig.—on tomatoes. However, field investigations with insecticides have not progressed to a point where treatment recommendations can be made.

Accidental introduction of the oriental fruit fly—Dacus dorsalis Hendel—to the mainland as it was to the Hawaiian Islands is a distinct threat to California agriculture.

Effects of a plow-pan in an orchard— interference with normal distribution of tree roots and with the rate of water penetration into the deeper soil layers— can be counteracted to a considerable degree by a soil management program.

Soil testing for fertility control in carnation production showed that large quantities of nitrogen and of potassium are removed from the soil—by plant absorption or through leaching—when cultural methods for bench grown carnations are typical of those in use in the San Francisco Bay Area.

A total of 428 samples of packaged spinach and 346 samples of bulk spinach were examined in a laboratory study to determine extent and character of defects and the relative price of the edible spinach.