Discover California prune history and how a sun-dried fruit shaped a state’s economy.
This book explores the rise of the prune industry in California, tracing its roots to France and following its growth into a leading agricultural sector. It combines historical narrative with practical insight into soil, climate, propagation, and curing methods.
From early experiments in San José to the modern distribution that reaches markets around the world, you’ll see how growers selected stock, managed orchards, and perfected drying processes. The text also introduces stock choices like the Myrobalan plum and explains why California’s climate and soil conditions matter for producing high-quality prunes. It blends anecdotes with standards for pruning, irrigation, and harvest, giving a clear picture of what it takes to sustain a prune operation at scale.
- Origins of the prune in Europe and its adaptation in California
- How climate, soil, and irrigation influence drying quality and flavor
- Stock and grafting choices that support healthy prune trees
- Traditional and modern methods of curing, grading, and packing
Ideal for readers of agricultural history, horticulture, and food production, this edition offers both a historical overview and practical guidance for prune growing and processing.