All Issues

The pistachio nut tree (Pistacia Vera L.), which is native to the Mid-East and Central Asia, was introduced into California in the :arly part of this century. Commercial plantings were few and small inti1 the last several years, but -here are now over 1,000 acres in xoduction and about 23,000 acres will come into bearing in the next l to 4 years. The majority of the dantings are in Kern and Kings, ounties, with some over 2,000 icres in size.

A number of variables govern the amount of feed consumed daily by full-fed laying hens. Most important are body weight, ambient temperature, energy level of the feed, and egg production rate. A change in any one of these variables causes a compensatory change in feed intake as the birds attempt to adjust energy consumption to energy needs. But chickens are not all equally proficient in making that adjustment.

Deteriorating water quality is a problem in many California agricultural areas. Effects of increased salts on crop yields, farm income, and future soil deterioration are of great concern to agriculturalists.