'^^H 1 1 ■;|! ■ ■ ;', ";■ '■' ■ JIUBMHIIlHBBIUa \ iiJf-.'Zl'JtliV. r !-■ n:-'-0 ':ji^.%f:k^ Compliments of mm STATE BQAPiD OF HOBTiCULTMl GEO. H. LAMBERSON, Sec'y. ALIS rOLAT PROPR IIS." SIXTH BIENNIAL REPORT OK TIIK BOARD OF HORTICULTURE TO niK TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THK STATE OF OREGON 1900 SALEM, OREGON W. H. LEEDS, STATE PKINTER 1900 A^ Ifoo c X "X o c a, TO THE FRUITGROWEK. This report is sent to you with the compliments of the board, trusting you may find something of personal interest to you. For further information, kindly address the commissioner of 3'our district, wlio will cheerfully answer all communica- tions appertaining to horticultural matter, and who will also visit you, and neighbors, if you so desire. The commissioner of your district will deem it a special favor if tou will inform liim of anv orchards in vour neifich- borhood which are infected, and the owners thereof counseled with, in order to cleanse and eradicate any insects on their premises. In order to avoid confusion and simplify matters, we have given only such sprays as we have found by personal experi- ments to be of anv value and vet coverall insects and fungous diseases known to exist in Oregon. OFFICERS OF THE BOARD. E. L. SMITH, ..----..- President L. T. REYNOLDS, -----.--- Treasurer HENRY E. DOSCH, - - - Secretary Office, Portland, Oregon. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. state at large. E. L. SMITH, --------. Hood River first district. W. K. NEWELL, ---------- DiLLEY second district. L. T. REYNOLDS. --------- Salem third district. A. H. CARSON, - - - Grants Pass FOURTH DISTRICT. EMILE SCHANNO, - - The Dalles FIFTH DISTRICT. .JUDD GEER, - - Cove DISTRICT BOUNDARIES. FIRST DISTRICT. Multnomah, Clackamas, Yamhill, Washino-ton, Columbia, Clatsop and Tilla- mook Counties. SECOND DISTRICT. Lincoln, Marion, Polk, Benton, Linn and Lane Counties. THIRD DISTRICT. Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Josephine, Coos, Curry and Lake Counties. FOURTH DISTRICT. Morrow, Wasco, Gilliam, Crook and Sherman Counties. FIFTH DISTRICT, Umatilla, Union, Baker, Wallowa, Malheur, Grant and Harney Counties. HORTICULTURAL LAW. AS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE, FEBRUARY, 1895. An Act to amend an act entitled "An act to create a State Board of Horti- culture and appropriate money therefor," approved February 25, 1889, and an act amendatory thereof entitled "An act to amend an act entitled ' An act to create a State Board of Horticulture and appropriate money therefor,' approved February 25, 1889,'" approved February 21. 1891, and to protect the horticultural industry in Oregon. Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon : Section 1. There is hereby created a Board of Horticul- ture to consist of six members, who shall be appointed by a board, consisting of the Governor, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer. One member of the said Board of Horti- culture shall represent the state at large, and one member shall be appointed to represent each of the five districts as hereby created, to wit, provided that the commissioner-at- large shall not receive any pay for his services : First — The first district, which shall comprise the counties of Multnomah, Clackamas, Yamhill, Washington, Columbia, Clatsop and Tillamook. Second — The second district, which shall comprise the counties of Marion, Polk, Benton, Lincoln, Linn and Lane. Third — The third district, which shall comprise the coun- ties of Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Josephine, Coos, Curry and Lake. Fourth — The fourth district, which shall comprise the counties of Wasco, Sherman, Morrow, Gilliam and Crook. Fifth — The fifth district, which shall com^Drise the counties of Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Baker, Malheur, Harney and Grant. Section 2, The members shall reside in the districts for Avhich they are respectively appointed. They shall be selected with reference to their knowledge of and practical experience in horticulture and the industries connected therewith. They shall hold office for the term of four years, and until their successors are appointed and have qualified ; but the members of said board now in office shall hold office till the expiration of the term for which they were appointed. 8 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. vided. As soon as, in the opinion of any member of the board or the secretary thereof, the danger from such quaran- tine locality shall have ceased, he may suspend the said quar- antine, and shall immediately report the fact to the board, who may confirm such action or may re-establish the said quarantine, in which case it shall not be again suspended but by action of the board. Section 8. The board, and, in case of necessity during the recess of the board, the member residing in the quarantined district, or the secretary, may appoint such quarantine guar- dian as may be needed to carry out the provisions of this act, whose duty it shall be to see that the regulations of the board and the instructions of the secretary are enforced and carried out. They shall also report to the board all infractions or violations of said regulations or the law in regard to quaran- tining, disinfection and destruction of pests. The salary of quarantine guardians shall be fixed by the board at not to exceed $2.00 per day, and shall be paid by the owners of orchards or other places under quarantine, and they ma}" maintain an action therefor before any justice of the peace in any district in which an}" quarantined locality is wholly or in part located ; but in no case shall the}' have any claim upon the state for such services. Section 9. The powers conferred in the two preceding sec- tions of this act shall be exercised only in great and immi- nent danger to the fruit interests of the state, and with the utmost caution and regard for the rights of individuals affected, consistent with the safety and welfare of the fruit interests of the whole state. Section 10. It shall be the duty of- the several members of the board, and of the secretary, under their direction, whenever they shall deem it necessary, to cause an inspection to be made of any orchard, nurseries, trees, plants, vegeta- bles, vines, or any fruit packing-house, storeroom, salesroom, or any other place within their districts, and if found infested with any pests, diseases or fungous growths injurious to fruits, plants, vegetables, trees or vines, or with their eggs or larvae, liable to spread to other places or localities, or such nature as to be a public danger, they shall notify the owner or owners, or persons in charge of or in possession of such articles, things or places, that the same are so infested, and shall re- quire said persons to eradicate or destroy said insects or pests, or their eggs or larviie, or to treat such contagious diseases within a certain time, to be specified in said notice. Said REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE'. 9 notices may be served upon the person or persons, or any of them, owning, liaving charge, or having possession of such infested phice, article or tiling, by any member of the board, or by the secretary thereof, or by any person deputed by the said board for that purpose, or they may be served in the same manner as a summons in an action at law. Such notice shall contain directions for the application of some treatment approved by the commissioners for the eradication or destruc- tion of said pests, or the eggs or larvte thereof, or the treat- ment of contagious diseases or fungous growths. Any and all such places, orchards, nurseries, trees, plants, shrubs, vegeta- bles, vines, fruit or articles thus infested are hereby declared to be a public nuisance ; and whenever any such nuisance shall exist at any place in the state on the property of any owner or owners upon whom or upon the person in charge or possession of whose property notice has been served as afore- said, and who shall have failed or refused to abate the same within the time specified in such notice, or on the property of any nonresident, or any propert}' not in the possession of any person and the owner or owners of which cannot be found by the resident member of the board or the secretary, after diligent search within the district, it shall be the duty of the board, or the members thereof in whose district said nuisance shall exist, or the secretary under his or their direction, to cause such nuisance to be at once abated, by eradicating or destroying said insects or pests, or their eggs or larvae, or by treating or disinfecting the infested or diseased articles. The expense thereof shall be a county charge, and the county court shall allow and pay the same out of the general fund of the county. Any and all sums so paid shall be and become a lien on the property and premises from which said nuisance shall have been removed or abated, in i^ursuance of this act, and may be recovered b}' a suit in equity against such prop- erty or premises ; which suit to foreclose such liens shall be brought in the circuit court of the county where the premises are situated, by the district attorney, in the name and for the benefit of the county making such payments. The proceed- ings in such cases shall be governed by the same rules, as far as may be applicable, as suits to foreclose mechanics' liens, and the propert}' shall be sold under the order of the court, and the proceeds applied in like manner. The board is hereby invested with the power to cause such nuisances to be abated in a summary manner. Section 11. It shall be the duty of the secretary to attend 10 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. all meetings of the board, and to preserve records of the pro- ceedings, correspondence and actions of the board, to collect books, pamphlets, periodicals, and other documents, contain- ing valuable information relating to horticulture, and to pre- serve the same ; to collect statistics and general information showing the actual condition and progress of horticulture in this state and elsewhere ; to correspond with agricultural and horticultural societies, colleges and schools of agriculture and horticulture, and such other persons and bodies as may be directed by the board, and prepare, as required by the board, reports for publication. Section 12. The board shall, biennially, in the month of January, report to the legislative assembly a statement of its doings, with a copy of the treasurer's report for the two years preceding the session thereof. The members shall receive as compensation their actual expenses while engaged upon the work of the board or the enforcement of the provisions of this act, and shall be allowed $3 a day for the time actually employed. Section 13. The treasurer shall receive all moneys belong- ing to the board and pay out the same only for bills approved by it, and shall render annually to the board a statement in detail of all receipts and disbursements. Section 14. There is hereby appropriated for the uses of the State Board of Horticulture, as set forth in this act, the sum of $4,500 for the year beginning January 1, 1895, and the sum of $4,500 for the year beginning January 1, 189G, out of any moneys in the state treasury not otherwise appro- priated, and the Secretary of State shall draw his warrant in favor of the treasurer of the board for said sum upon tlie State Treasurer. Section 15. That the fruit and horticultural interests of this state being in urgent need of tlie protection afforded by this act, an emergency exists, and this act shall take effect from and after its approval by the Governor. Passed by the house February 11, 1895. CHARLES B. MOORES, Speaker of the House. Passed by the senate February 15, 1895. JOSEPH SIMON, President of the Senate. Approved February 23, 1895. WILLIAM P. LORD, Governor. REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 11 AX ACT [S. B. 61] To amend an act entitled "An act to create a State Board of Horticulture and appropriate money therefor, approved February 25, 1889, and an act amendatory thereof entitled 'An act to amend an act entitled an act to create a State Board of Horticulture and appropriate money therefor, ' approved February 25, 188J), approved February 21, 1891, and to protect the horticultural industry in Oregon, and an act amendatory thereof en- titled an act to amend an act entitled An act to create a State Board of Horticulture and appropriate money therefor, approved February 25, 1889, and an act amendatory thereof entitled an act to amend an act en- titled An act to create a State Board of Horticulture and appropriate money therefor, approved February 25, 1889,' approved February 21. 1891, and to protect the horticultural industry in Oregon," approved February 23, 1895. Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon: Section 1. That section 1 of an act entitled "An act to amend an act entitled 'An act to create a State Board of Horticulture and appropriate money therefor, approved Feb- ruary 25, 1889,' and an act amendatory thereof entitled 'An act to amend an act entitled 'An act to create a State Board of Horticulture and appropriate money therefor, approved February 25, 1889,' approved February 21, 1891, and to pro- tect the horticultural industry in Oregon," be and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows : Sec. 1. There is hereby created a Board of Horticulture, to consist of six members, who shall be appointed by a board, consisting of the Governor, Secretary of State, and State Treas- urer. One member of the said Board of Horticulture shall represent the state at large and shall be the president and executive officer of the board, and one member shall be ap- pointed to represent each of the five districts as hereby cre- ated, to-wit : (1) The first district, which shall comprise the counties of Multnomah, Clackamas, Yamhill, Washington, Columbia, Clatsop, and Tillamook ; (2) the second district, which shall comprise the counties of Marion, Polk, Benton, Lincoln, Linn, and Lane ; (3) the third district, which shall comprise the counties of Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Jose- phine, Coos, Curry, and Lake ; (4) the fourth district, which shall comprise the counties of Wasco, Sherman, Morrow, Gil- liam, and Crook ; (5) the fifth district, which shall comprise the counties of Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Baker, Malheur, Harney, and Grant. Section 2. That section 2 of an act entitled "An act to amend an act entitled 'An act to create a State Board of Hor- ticulture and appropriate money therefor, approved Febru- 12 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE, arj 25, 1889,' and an act amendatory thereof, entitled 'An act to amend an act entitled an act to create a State Board of Horticulture and appropi'iate money therefor, approved Feb- ruary 25, 1889,' approved February 21, 1891, and to protect the horticultural industry in Oregon," be and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows : Sec. 2. The members shall reside in the districts for which they are respectively appointed. They shall be selected with reference to their knowledge of and practical experience in horticulture and the industries connected therewith, and shall be engaged in iDractical horticulture during their incumbency of the office of commissioner. They shall hold office for the term of four years, and until their successors are appointed and have qualified, unless removed by the appointing board for failure to perform their duties. It shall be the duty of the president to visit, at least once a year, ever}^ district, and ex- amine the orchards, nurseries, and work of the district com- missioners, and ascertain whether or not the law and regula- tions of the board are being properly executed. He must personally inspect most of the orchards during the fruit- growing season, see that the regulations of the board regard- ing spraying are being faithfully executed wlierever insects, pests or disease injurious to tree or fruit are to be found. He must visit the principal fruit-shipping points during the ship- ping season, inspect the fruit shipped, and prevent the ship- ment of insect and pest-infested fruit. He shall give notice through the public press one w^eek in advance of his visit to each county, giving the time and place of his visit, where he shall receive complaints of fruit-growlers and distribute to them printed and oral instructions regarding destruction of pests, and ^ther information, including proper methods of handling, packing and shipping fruits. It shall also be his duty to visit, when possible, if requested by an association or a number of fruitgrowers, the meetings of such associations of fruitgrowers, and aid them in the organization of proper associations beneficial to the growing and marketing of fruits. The president shall preside at all the meetings of the board, and may call special meetings whenever an emergency may require it. He shall make an annual report to the appoint- ing board of the general condition of the fruit interests of the state and success of the commissioners in the work of exter- minating pests and executing the law. •Section 15. Inasmuch as the provisions of this act are of REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 13 immediate importance to the horticultural interests of this state, tliis law shall take effect from and after its approval by the Governor. Approved February 17, 1899. AX ACT [H. B. 238] To protect the fruit and hop industry iu the State of Oregon. Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon: Section 1. That it shall hereafter be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation owning or operating any nursery, fruit orchard of any kind, hop yards, flower gardens or orna- mental trees to throw any cuttings or prunings from any fruit trees, nursery stock, ornamental trees or hop vines into any public road, highway, lane, field or other inclosure, or into any water course of any kind ; but shall destroy such cuttings or prunings with fire within thirt}^ days from the time such cuttings or prunings are made. Section 2. It shall hereafter be the duty of any person, firm or corporation owning or operating any such nursery, fruit orchard, hop yard, flower garden or ornamental trees and knowing such to be infected w^ith any kind of insects, pests or disease to immediately spray or destroy the same in such manner as the fruit commissioner for his district may direct. Section 3. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation doing business in the State of Oregon to sell paris green, arsenic, london purple, sulphur or any spray material or compound for spraying purposes, in quantities exceeding one pound, without providing with each package sold a cer- tificate duly signed by the seller thereof guaranteeing the quality and per cent, of purity of said materials. Section 4. Any person, firm or corporation selling any of the above materials which do not conform with the certificate furnished therewith shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine of not less than twentv-five ($25) dollars nor more than one hun- dred ($100) dollars. Section 5. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to import or sell any infested or diseased fruit of any kind in the State of Oregon. 14 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Section 6. Every person who packs or prepares for ship- ment to any point without the state, or who delivers or causes to be delivered to any express agent, or railroad agent, or other person, or to any transportation company or corpora- tion for shipment to any point without the state, any fruit or fruits, either fresh, cured or dried that is infected with in- sects, pests or diseases injurious to trees, shrubs, plants, fruits or vegetables, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Section 7. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this act shall be deemed guilty of a mis- demeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five ($25) dollars nor more than one hundred ($100) dollars. Section 8. It shall be the duty of the Commissioner of the State Board of Horticulture of the district in which a viola- tion of this act occurs, to present the evidence of the case to the district attorney, whose duty it shall be to prosecute any person guilty of a violation of this act, which prosecution may be brought in any of the justice courts of this state. Section 9. Inasmuch as the horticultural interests of the state demand immediate attention, this act shall be in full force and effect from and after its approval by the Governor. Approved by the Governor. QUARANTINE REGULATIONS. At a special meeting of the Oregon State Board of Horti- culture, held in Portland, April 2, 1895, all members present, the following regulations were adopted, in accordance with the laws regulating such matters, and are, therefore, binding upon all persons : Rule 1. All consignees, agents or other persons, shall, within twenty-four hours, notify the quarantine officer of the State Board of Horticulture, or a duly commissioned quaran- tine guardian, of the arrival of any trees, plants, buds or scions at the quarantine station in the district of final destina- tion. Rule 2. Air trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds or scions REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE, 15 imported or brought into the state from any foreign country, or from any of the states or territories, are hereb}- required to be inspected upon arrival at the quarantine station in the district of final destination ; and if any such nursery stock, trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds or scions are found to be free of insect pests and fungous diseases, tlie said quarantine officer or duly commissioned quarantine guardian shall issue a certificate to that effect. And, furthermore, if any of said trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds or scions are found infested with insect pests, fungi, blight or other diseases injurious to fruit or to fruit trees, or other trees or plants, they shall be disinfected and remain in quarantine until the quarantine ofiicer of the State Board of Horticulture or the duly com- missioned quarantine guardian can determine whether the said trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds or scions are free from live injurious insect pests or their eggs, larva? or pupae or fungous diseases before they can be offered for sale, gift, dis- tribution or transportation. All persons or companies are hereby prohibited from carrying any trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds or scions from witliout the state to any point within the state beyond the nearest point on its line or course to the quarantine station in the district of uhimate destina- tion ; or from any point within tlie state to any other point therein, until such trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds or scions have been duly inspected, and, if required, disinfected as hereinbefore provided ; and all such shipments must be accompanied by the proper certificate of the inspecting officer ; provided, however, that after such persons or company have given the proper officer four days' notice, he or they shall not be required to hold such shipments further, without directions from such officer. Rule 3. All peach, nectarine, apricot, plum or almond trees, and all other trees budded or grafted upon peach stocks or roots, all peach or other pits, and all peach, nectarine, apricot, plum or almond cuttings, buds or scions raised or grown in a district where the " peach yellows " or the " peach rosette " are known to exist, are hereby prohibited from being imported into or planted or offered for sale, gift or distribution within the State of Oregon. Rule 4. All trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds, scions, seeds or pits arriving from any foreign country found infested with insect pests or their eggs, larvae or pupae or with fungi, or other disease or diseases hitlierto unknown in this state, are hereby prohibited from landing. 16 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Rule 5. Fruit of any kind grown in any foreign country, or in any of the states or territories, found infested with any insect or insects, or with any fungi, blight or other disease or diseases injurious to fruit or fruit trees, or to other trees or plants, is lierel)y prohibited from being offered for sale, gift or distribution within the state. Rule 6. Any boxes, packages, packing material and the like infested by insect or insects, or their eggs, larvae or pupae, or by any fungi, blight or other disease or diseases know^i to be injurious to fruit or to fruit trees, or to other trees or plants, and liable to spread contagion, are hereby prohibited from being offered for sale, gift, distribution or transportation until said material has been disinfected by dipping it in boiling water and allowing it to remain in said boiling water not less than two minutes ; such boiling water used as such disinfect- ant to contain, in solution, one pound of concentrated potash to each and every ten gallons of water. Rule 7. All trees, plants, grafts, cuttings, buds or scions may be disinfected by dipping in a solution of three-fourths of a pound of whale-oil soap (eighty per cent.) to each and every gallon of water; said whale-oil soap solution shall be kept at a temperature of one hundred to one hundred and fifteen degrees. Said trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds or scions shall remain in said solution not less than two minutes. After said trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds or scions have been disinfected they shall remain in quarantine fourteen days, unless otherwise directed by the inspecting officer, for subsequent inspection, and if deemed necessary by the quar- antine officer of the State Board of Horticulture, or a duly commissioned quarantine guardian, for further disinfection. Rule 8. All trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds or scions may be disinfected by fumigation with hydrocj^anic acid gas, as follows : Said trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds or scions shall be covered with an air-tight tent or box, and for each and every one hundred cubic feet of space therein, one ounce of C. P. cyanide of potassium (ninety-eight per cent.), one fluid ounce of sulphuric acid, and two fluid ounces of water shall be used. The cyanide of potassium shall be placed in an earthenware vessel, the water poured over the said cyanide of potassium, afterward adding the sulphuric acid, and the tent or box to be immediately closed tightly, and allowed to remain closed for not less than forty minutes. After said trees, plants, cuttings, grafts or scions have been treated with hydro- REPORT OP STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 17 cyanic acid gas, as above directed, they shall remain in quar- antine for fourteen daj^s, unless otherwise directed by the inspecting officer, for subsequent inspection, and if deemed necessar}^ by a member of the State Board of Horticulture, or the quarantine officer of said board, or a duly commissioned quarantine guardian, for subsequent disinfection. Rule 9. All trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds or scions imported or brought into the state shall be inspected upon arrival at the quarantine station in the district of final desti- nation, and if found infested with any injurious insects or diseases which cannot be destroyed by the remedies required in rules seven and eight of these regulations, are hereby pro- hibited from being planted or offered for sale, gift or distri- bution, and shall be proceeded against as a nuisance. Rule 10. If any person or persons having in their posses- sion trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds, scions, seeds or pits infested with an insect or insects, or with any fungi, blight or other disease or diseases injurious to fruit trees, or to any other trees or plants, shall refuse or neglect to disinfect the said trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds, scions, seeds or pits as is required by rules seven and eight of these regulations, after having been notified to do so by a member of the State Board of Horticulture, the quarantine officer of said board or a duly commissioned quarantine guardian, the said trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds," scions, seeds or pits shall be declared a public nuisance, and shall be proceeded against as provided by law. Rule 11. Animals known as fl3'ing fox, Australian or Eng- lish wild rabbit, or other animals or birds detrimental to fruit or fruit trees, plants, etc., are prohibited from being brought or landed in this state, and, if landed, shall be destroyed. Rule 12. Quarantine stations : — For the first district, comprising the counties of Multno- mah, Clackamas, Yamhill, Washington, Columbia, Clatsop, and Tillamook, shall be Portland. W. K. Newell, quaran- tine officer, or any member of the board or the secretary thereof. For the second district, comprising the counties of Marion, Polk, Benton, Linn, Lincoln, and Lane, shall be Salem. L. T. Reynolds, quarantine officer, or an}" member of the board or the secretary thereof. For the third district, comprising the counties of Josephine, Coos, Curry, Douglas, .Jackson, Lake, and Klamath, shall be 18 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Ashland, A. H. Carson, quarantine officer, or any member of the board or the secretary thereof. For the fourth district, comprising the counties of Morrow, Wasco, Gilliam, Crook, and Sherman, shall be The Dalles. Emile Schanno, Cjuarantine officer, or any member of the board or the secretary thereof. For the fifth district, comprising the counties of Umatilla, Union, Baker, Wallowa, Malheur, Grant, and Harney, shall be Milton and Pendleton. Judd Geer, quarantine officer, or any member of the board or the secretary thereof. At all stations such other quarantine officers as may be from time to time appointed by the board, notice whereof will be given, and complete lists of whom may be obtained from the secretary or any member of the board. Rule 13. Importers or owners of nursery stock, trees or cuttings, grafts, buds or scions, desiring to have such nursery stock, trees, plants, cuttings, grafts, buds or scions inspected at points other than regular quarantine stations may have such inspection done where required ; provided, hoivever, that such importers shall pay all charges of inspection; such charges and expenses to be paid before a certificate is granted. TransjxJrtation companies or persons and consignees or agents shall deliver and cause to be detained all nursery stock, trees, plants and fruit at one or other of the quarantine stations, for inspection, as provided by the rules and regulations of the board . Rule 14. The fee for the inspection of apple, pear, plum, peach,! nectarine, prune, cherry, apricot, nut-bearing trees and all other trees, shrubs or plants, shall be as follows : Thirty cents per hour, including the time from leaving home, inspec- tion and return home of the inspector, and actual traveling and other expenses. On all fruits, the fee for inspection shall be $1 on any sum up to $35, and $2 on any sum over that amount, and $5 for carload lots. Rule 15. All persons growing nursery stock, trees and plants for sale, or to be offered for sale, are hereby required to report to the commissioner of the district in which said nursery stock, trees or plants are grown for inspection during the months of September, October or November of each and every year ; and the commissioner of such district, or his duly appointed deputy, shall inspect such nursery stock, trees or plants prior to shipment and delivery. When said nursery stock, trees or plants are found by said inspecting officer to be REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 19 worthy of a certificate setting forth the freedom of such nur- sery stock, trees or plants from live, injurious insect pests, their eggs, larvae, pupae or fungous diseases, the said inspecting officer shall then issue to the owner or owners of said nursery stock, trees or plants a certificate of inspection. The con- dition under which this certificate is granted is, that the party or parties receiving sucli certificate shall be compelled to dis- infect by fumigation with hydrocyanic acid gas, as described in Rule 8, all pear and apple trees or other stock grown on apple roots, after lifting the same and before delivery to pur- chaser or carriers ; and in case said fumigation is neglected, said certificate of inspection shall be void and of no effect. Passed at a meeting of the State Board of Horticulture at Portland, Oregon, April 3, 1895, and amended at a regular meeting of the State Board of Horticulture at Salem, Oregon, October 15, A. I). 1895. Henry E. Dosch, Secretary, is hereby appointed quarantine officer for the Port of Portland. Portland, Oregon, April 10, 1900. To the Governor, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer — Sirs : In accordance with the law passed at the last session of the legislature, I hereby present my annual report as President of the State Board of Horticulture : GENERAL CONDITIONS. This state contains many hundred old orchards, mostly small home places, the fruit from which has been used for home consumption and local markets. Since pests and dis- eases have been increasing, these orchards have been neg- lected, and as the soil is being drained of its fertility, most of the old places have become little else than breeding places for insects and fungi that endanger any commercial or well- kept orchard in their vicinity. The fruit from most of these unkept trees is of little value even for home consumption, excepting cherries, and where these old trees have been found infested in proximity to clean orchards, the commissioners have enforced the law, and had them cleaned or taken out entirely. From now on a more vigorous policy must be pur- sued, and all unkept places must be trimmed and kept clean, or taken out entirely. 20 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. NURSERIES. Several nurseries were in bad couditiou, being infested with canker, scale and aphis. Some have been condemned and cleaned by burning, and all diseased places have been cleansed and put in good shape, and others have cleaned up and retired from the business. The low price at which nursery stock had been selling made the business unprofitable, and more than half of the IDCople engaged in the work have retired during the past few years . The past year has seen a very healthy revival of the nurs- ery business, and good, clean stock, up to date in varieties, has been in good demand at fair prices. Washington, Idaho, Montana and California have been buying largely of Oregon nurserymen during the past year, and some shipments have been made to the Orient. APPLE CANKER. The worst difficulty found with nursery stock was that much of it was infested with canker, without the knowledge of the nurseryman. By tracing up the disease found in many young orchards, it was discovered that many young apple trees had become infested while in the nursery, some- times coming from cuttings, but generally from cankered trees in the vicinity of the nursery. As the spores are blown about, and can be carried as far as half a mile, and perhaps more, it is of the utmost importance that all old trees near to nurseries should be carefully sprayed and the disease killed. This disease has been widely distributed throughout the state, and in all parts of Western Oregon its growth is so rapid as to endanger the success of apple growing. It seems to thrive equally well in all parts of Western Oregon, In Eastern Oregon, in the dryer regions, it does not seem to be so injurious ; but as it is found doing well in the vicinity of the timber line of Eastern Washington there is danger of its extending over Eastern Oregon. Prof. A. B. Cordley, of the Oregon Experiment Station, has been doing some valuable w^ork for the state in connection with this pest, and in his further researches wull no doubt find an efficient method for mastering it. For the present the most important work is to keep it out of the nursery stock. REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 21 SAN JOSE SCALE. This insect is to be foiiiid now in almost every orchard section of the state, and in many places is doing serious damage, having in some places entirely ruined good orchards in two years from its first appearance. It is to be found generally in most of the towns, where it attacks not only fruit trees and berry bushes, but ornamental trees and shrub- bery as well. Much good work has been done by the commissioners this year in enforcing regulations in regard to sprajdng in the dooryards of the principal towns and cities. A continued and more rigid enforcement of these regulations will no doubt be necessary in the future. Recent reports from Jackson County report that some enemy of the scale is destroying it in that section, and orchardists are encouraged with a hope that this pest my be held in check. The most successful method of combating insects is by the introduction of efficient enemies, and much good work might be done in this way if funds were provided for this purpose. The attention of the State Entomologist, Prof. A. Cordley, has been called to this condition of destruction going on in Jackson County amongst the scale, in the hope that if the enemy is discovered, it may be introduced into other por- tions of the state where the scale is doing its deadly work. CONDEMNATION OF FRUIT, Scale, scab and codling moth have become so common in most parts of the state that clean fruit can no longer be grown without proper spraying. During the past year fruit was so scarce that a thorough execution of the law regarding selling diseased fruit for home use would have prevented many people from getting any fruit for family use ; and for that reason the law was not strictly enforced, excepting with scaly fruit. It is the intention of the board during the coming year to enforce the law in every respect regarding wormy and diseased fruit, and growers bringing this kind of product to the markets will find it condemned and destroyed. In this connection I wish to report that good success in keeping the codling moth in check has been achieved in many large commercial orchards, where not to exceed five per cent, of the fruit has been damaged. It has been accomplished, however, by the closest attention as to time, method and / 22 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. tlioroughness of spraying, usually five sprayings being re- quired. Success in this work is only to be secured by the most minute thoroughness in the application of the spray, and a certainty of the purity of the material used. Hundreds of failures in spraying are reported to the board, but, in every case examined, the cause was found either in impure materials, not a sufficient number of applications, or general carelessness in methods of application. Inasmuch as diseased and wormy fruit will not be allowed sold, even in local markets, it is quite important that growers should understand this, and be governed accordingly ; the board has therefore constantly notified the public, through the press, of its intention to strictly enforce every feature of the law regarding the selling of fruit. It is very gratifying to learn, from the reports of the various commissioners and quarantine officer of the port, that the dealers in fruit are heartily in accord with the law which prohibits the sale of all infected, wormy, or diseased fruits, and will give every assistance in carrying out the provisions of this law. And in this connection I would suggest that the fruitgrowers of this state urge upon the legislature the necessity for a small appropriation for the importation of beneficial insects, the value of which cannot be overestimated. Our neighbor- ing state to the south has expended thousands of dollars in this line, with most beneficial results, and we could easily profit by this experience. ADULTERATED SPRAYING MATERIALS. The board has earnestly endeavored to enforce the law re- garding the sale of impure and adulterated materials for sprays. So far there has not been much good accomplished, because of carelessness on the part of the growers. Laws cannot be made effective to protect joeople who do not want protection, and until those who use this material feel the necessity for an execution of the law, the work of the board will not be successful in that direction. A great many of the disappointments in spraying come from adulterated materials. This is especially true of paris green and blue vitriol, and every orchardist should be sure that he is not being defrauded in these poisons. > The work of the board for the year has not been as effective as a whole as I had hoped. The individual work of the com- missioners has been earnest and faithful, and the improved . to REPORT OF STATE BOARD Ol' HORTICULTURE. 23 condition of horticulture in the state is due to the generous work and real sacrifices of the members of the board. Each member is an enthusiastic fruitgrower, well qualified by- knowledge and inclination for the position, and I am sure that no better work could be done by any other body of men with an equal amount of money at their command. The work of the Secretary, Mr. Henry E. Dosch, has been painstaking, efficient and effective, and his generous services for the public in this position are deserving of the highest commendation. The active interest in the work of tlie board by all persons connected with it indicates that valuable services are being performed. The vast amount of inquiry coming to all of the commissioners from all sections of the state ; the renewed and continued interest in the board's activities from the fruit- growers, give assurances of value in the law and general support in its execution. The appointment of so earnest, capable and extensive a fruitgrower as Hon. E. L. Smith, as my successor, gives assurances of continued and more effectiveness of the work. Respectfully submitted, H. B. MILLER, President. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT. To the Honorable, the Governor, Secretary of State, and Treasurer of the State of Oregon — Gentlemen : Section 2 of the act of the legislature, ap- proved February 17, 1899, amendatory of the horticultural law, provides that the President of the State Board of Horti- culture "shall make an annual report to the appointing board of the general condition of the fruit interests of the state and success of the commissioners in exterminating pests and exe- cuting the law." In conformity with this requirement I have the honor to submit the following report : My incumbency of the office of President of the State Board of Horticulture, dating from April 1, 1900, has been too brief 24 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. to give all the fruitgrowing portions of the state that thor- ough examination contemplated by the law. I have, how- ever, traveled over three thousand miles since date of quali- fication, m}^ visits extending from Malheur County on the eastern to Rogue River Valley near the southern boundary of the state. It is gratifying to note that in ever}" portion of the country that I have visited I have found fruitgrowers inspired with new confidence and the conviction that they can overcome the many adverse conditions that, in recent years, have threat- ened the fruit industry of the state. At my suggestion the board authorized the publication of a spray calendar, giving the most approved formula for com- bating insect pests and fungus growths. An edition of five thousand copies w^as printed, but so great was the demand that it was soon exhausted. All the members of the board united in an earnest effort to induce the fruitgrowers to spray their orchards, with the result that in the more progressive districts the unsprayed orchard is the exception. Commis- sioner Schanno estimates that eighty jDer cent, of the orchard- ists of the fourth district are now provided with spraying outfits. Experience has demonstrated that ninety per cent, of sound apples can be realized by the thorough application of modern methods. The evidence is accumulative as to this fact. In the large orchards the hand pump must give way to the power sprayer, which does more thorough work with less than half the expense. Those up-to-date horticulturists, the Olwell Brothers, of Jackson County, make use of a small mounted gasoline engine, which drives the pump and agitator, and with which they are enabled to spray one thousand fourteen-year- old trees in a day. With this engine, two teams and four men, they perform the work that formerly required four spray- ing outfits and twelve men. I am, however, inclined to the opinion that eventually we will discard the pump for compressed air, using a small stationary engine ; compressor and tank carrying compressed air, and connected directly with the tank carrying the spra}^ liquid. For further information on this subject see article in sixth biennial report, copied from the Rural New Yorker. I have endeavored to keep in frequent communication with the commissioners of the five horticultural districts of the state, and commend their industry and fidelity in performing a large amount of labor with so small an allowance for time REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 25 and expense For detailed information as to tlie field work accomplished by these gentlemen you are respectfully referred to their accompaning reports, and from which I beg leave to note a brief summary. The first district comprises the counties of Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Yamhill, Columbia, Clatsop and Til- lamook. W. K. Newell, Commissioner. Mr, Newell, since his last report, has visited five hundred and twenty-five orchards comprising seven thousand three hundred and ninety-four acres. The value of the product of these orchards, including canned fruits, amounted, in the year 1900, to $439,940. The items forming this aggregate will be found in Commissioner Newell 's report. The second district comprises Marion, Lane, Polk, Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties. L. T. Reynolds, Commissioner. Mr. Reynolds has visited five hundred and twenty-six orchards and answered eight hundred and fifty letters. This district has about twenty thousand acres in fruit culture, largely in prunes. Value of crop for 1900, not including products of canneries, which was large, amounted to $134,642.50. Mr. Reynolds reports that growers have grown in strength and purpose during the year. The third district embraces .Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Klamath, Coos and Curry counties. A. H. Carson, Com- missioner. Since last report Mr. Carson has answered one hundred letters, mailed one hundred and twenty copies of fifth biennial report, and two hundred notices of disinfection, with copy of house bill No. 238, to growers whose orchards were infested with scale. He has visited, during this period, two hundred and six orchards. Value of fruit products of Jackson, Josephine and Douglas counties : Exported S 444,950 .Sold in district 50,000 Total S 494,950 Orchards constantly improving. The fourth district embraces Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, Wheeler and Crook counties. Emile Schanno, Commissioner. Data at hand insufficient to form estimate of value of crop, which was large. Spraying becoming general in principal fruit sections. The fifth district comprises the counties of Union, Umatilla, Grant, Baker, Wallowa and Malheur, nearly half the area of 26 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. the state. Jucld Geer, Commissioner. Mr. Geer has an- swered, since last report, two hundred and twenty-seven letters, and visited four hundred and seventy-eight orchards, with an area of two thousand four hundred and seventy-six acres. Fruit industry in this district rapidly increasing, and orchards from six to ten years old yielding a carload to the acre. Two counties in this district, Umatilla and Union, produced, the year 1900, the following : Apples 305 carloads Green prunes 45 carloads Peaches 4 carloads Pears . 17 carloads Strawberries 11 carloads Evaporated prunes 40 carloads Cherries 5 carloads Blackberries 6 carloads Value of products not estimated, from the fact that a con- siderable portion of the crop is unsold. Baker and Malheur counties, in this district, were also exporters o-f fruit to a considerable extent. About thirteen thousand acres in fruit in the fifth district. The foregoing summary will give some idea of the extent of the fruitgrowing industry in our state. The commissioners were requested to report the amount of lands in their respect- ive districts adapted to fruitgrowing, and their approxi- mations, so far as they have come to hand, are as follows : Second district, adapted to fruit culture, four hundred and thirty-five thousand acres ; now in fruit, twenty thousand acres. Third district, one-fifth of land adapted to fruit now de- voted to that purpose. Fourth district, large areas along Columbia River suitable for grapes and peaches, one-fifth now in fruit. Fifth district, four hundred and fifty-six thousand acres in cultivation, twenty per cent, adapted to horticultural pur- suits, only three per cent, now in orchards. Large amount of land not in cultivation also suitable for fruitgrowing. After giving the subject much study and examination, I am of the opinion that only about five per cent, of land suitable for fruitgrowing is now in use for that purpose, and that possibly no state has a greater area adapted to liorticul- tural pursuits than Oregon, No small amount of money and energy has been lost from planting trees on lands unsuited for the purpose, probably five per cent, of the total acreage. Orchardists have been sJow to learn that only deep, well- REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE, 27 drained soil, rich in the elements that enter into the growth of trees, is adapted to their purpose. Other common errors are too close planting and too many varieties, I recommend that standard apples be set not less than thirty feet apart and not more than four or five varieties for the largest orchard. Our nurserymen are partly responsible for the numerous varieties in oui- orchards in sending out trees not true to name. In my own orchards I have some twelve varieties that were never ordered, and my neighbors have suffered equally with myself. While there are many conscientious men in the nursery business, but few raise all the trees the}' sell, and some are careless in methods of propagation. Greater care should also be exercised in cutting scions only from healthy, vigor- ous, fruitful trees, to be grafted on only thrifty, healthy seed- lings. A law defining the liabilities of nurserymen who sell trees that prove not true to name would have a salutary effect and greater care would be exercised. It is unfortunate that our commissioners are unable to in- spect only the leading fruitgrowing sections of their districts. Each of our horticultural districts is as large as several east- ern states, and it is impossible for a commissioner, with an allowance of but $450 per annum for time and travelling ex- penses, to cover such an immense territory. To remedy this the board had in contemplation the policy of recommending a change in the law to the effect that the county court of each county should appoint a fruit inspector, in line with our sys- tem of stock inspector, but, on more mature consideration, this plan is not deemed advisable. Some county courts might not be willing to make a reasonable appropriation for this pur- pose. It would be expensive to call such a large number together for council, and what is more important, it would be difficult, in many instances, to find men well qualified for the work. For the present, therefore, it seems the wdsest plan to create two new districts, one on the east and one on the west side of the Cascade Range. I therefore respectfully recommend that the state be divided into seven horticultural districts, as follows : First — Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, Washington, Mult- nomah and Yamhill. Second — Marion, Polk, Lincoln, Benton, and Clackamas. Third — Lane, Douglas, Coos, and Linn. Fourth — Curry, Josephine, Jackson, Klamath, and Lake. Fifth — Wasco, Crook, Sherman, and Wheeler. 28 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Sixth — Gilliam, Morrow, Umatilla, Grant, and Harney. Seventh — Union, Wallowa, Raker, and Malheur. ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW. The Horticultural Board has endeavored to secure compli- ance with the law without resort to drastic measures, and has succeeded so far as spraying and disinfecting of trees are con- cerned. More or less infested fruit still finds its way to our markets, but the quantity is small compared with former years. It has been held that the commissioners have no authority to pay deputy inspectors, and it is utterly impossible for any one man to inspect all the fruit sent out of his district. The commission merchants, in many instances, have reported to our secretary violations of our quarantine laws. It is not just to the grower who raises sound fruit to de- moralize the markets by flooding them with trash that cannot pass inspection. We have endeavored to create a public sen- timent in favor of the enforcement of wholesome regulations for the better protection of our orchards and markets. MARKETS. Fruit production, not only in the United States but in Eu- rope, in the year 1900 was the greatest ever known, and fears were entertained that the markets would be utterly demoral- ized. This, however, has not been the result in Oregon. The superiority of our Italian prunes and apples attracted many buyers, and remunerative prices have been realized. There is a great incentive to fruitgrowing in Oregon, on ac- count of rapidly expanding markets. Our facilities for dis- tribution are unequaled. We are in reaching distance of sev- eral trunk lines of railway, which give us connection with all important transportation lines on this continent. They carry our fruits to New Orleans, to the Atlantic seaboard for expor- tation to Liverpool ; to Manitoba and all the intermediate country. Our steamships, also, take large quantities of our horticultural products to Alaska and to our insular posses- sions. Slowly but surely we will invade the markets of East- ern Asia, and already inquiries come from Japan for quota- tions for a thousand-barrel lot of apples. That immense country, Siberia, the northern portion the counterpart of Alaska, is being rapidly developed, and I am confident, in time, will be a great market for Oregon-grown fruits. Pajaro (Pathro) Valley is California's greatest apple sectioa REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 29 and claims to raise one per cent, of all the apples grown in the United States. The value of the orchards of this valley run up to millions of dollars, and mansions costing thousands of dollars are found on these apple farms. The value of orchard lands exceeds those devoted to any other industry in the state, yet Los Angeles buyers came, in October, past the Pajaro Valley, one thousand two hundred miles north, to Oregon to buy their fancy fruit. Lands in Nova Scotia, that were purchased six years ago, then in trees and stumps, for $10 per acre, cleared and planted to orchards, are valued at $500 per acre. There is no other way apparent to me whereby we can enhance the value of the fruitlands of our state so greatly as to plant them in orchards. There are only one thousand four hundred to one thousand five hundred acres in fruit in Hood River Valley. No large commercial orchards, yet her growers will realize $125,000 for the fruit crop of the year 1900. This industry is rapidly expanding, and the time may not be remote when the orchards and berry plantations of this little mountain valley may have increased tenfold, with a revenue in a favorable season amounting to $1,000,000. From fifteen acres of Newtown Pippins, in Jackson County, I understand were gathered seven thousand boxes of apples, that no country could excel, and sold at Medford for $7000 for foreign export. The timbered slopes of our noble Willamette Valley, up to an elevation of two thousand feet, are far more inviting to the orchardist than the flat lands below. And orchards will creep up these slopes and up the slopes of the Blue Mountains. And the grape and the peach will occupy every available position bordering on the Columbia in Oregon . Great orchards are being planted below the irrigating ditches in Malheur, and even the high plateau of Southeastern Oregon produces to perfection the hardier fruits. Nature invites the horticulturist to Oregon. Soil, climate, and commanding position as to the markets of the world invite him. And the pursuit itself, the most beautiful of all related to the soil — every stage of growth, of bud, flower, and fruit, a miracle — invites him. Respectfully submitted, E. L. SMITH, President. Hood River, Oregon, December 1, 1900. 30 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. FIRST DISTRICT. "Nothing is truer in the experience of life than that selfishness overreaches itself. He that would get the most out of life must conti'ibute of his thoughts, sympathy, time and substance, for the good of others." — Lucien C. Warner. Hillsdale, Oregon, April 10, 1899. To the President and Members of the State Board of Horticulture, Greeting: Kindly permit me to hand you herewith my first quarterly report for the current year. Since my return from Omaha last November, where I spent the summer as commissioner and general superintendent of the Oregon exhibits, the results of which are just beginning to materialize by the arrival of many immigrants, inquiries for lands of various kinds and the investment of capital in different branches of industry, I have attended the fruit- growers' convention, held at Corvallis in January, and deliv- ered the closing lecture to the students of the farmers' short course at the Agricultural College, which was the largest class — nearly one hundred — that ever attended these studies since the course was inaugurated, — students from twenty-four coun- ties being present, — showing that this course is gaining in popularity, the students being of both sexes and many ad- vanced in years. I have been busily engaged in the inspec- tion of the nurseries located in my district, and in examina- tion of the fruit and tree shipments arriving at the Port of Portland. While on this point allow me to state that these shipments during fall, Avinter and spring are of. almost daily occurrence, and in the absence of a quarantine guardian, or money to provide one, the duty of inspection falls upon the commissioner, requiring much time and expense. As it is deemed best to remove the office of the board to the City of Portland, for many good reasons, allow me to suggest that the secretary be made quarantine guardian of that port, thus avoiding any unnecessary delay in the delivery or forwarding of fruits and trees, as I am frequently away on field work, and these shipments have either to await my return or be de- livered without inspection ; and further, it would save many a dollar to be devoted for orchard inspection, where it would be of much more benefit. •REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 31 HORTICULTURAL TEXTBOOK. According to custom, and agreeable with your instructions, I have compiled, edited, and read the proofs of our iifth bien- nial report, now ready for distribution. In the absence of any horticultural literature specially adapted to our various soils and climatic conditions, I concluded to make this report a "horticultural textbook," so to speak, so that any novice, or one already engaged in fruitgrowing, could find all he wislied to know about any particular fruit, soils best adapted for their production, and sections most favorable to successful results; also insects and fungous diseases, and how to combat them, as well as a comprehensive spray calendar, as to how to spray, when to spray, why to spray, and what to spray for, so that there is no good reason for an}" one interested in horticulture to make mistakes. For this purpose I have, for the past two years, gathered material ; hence the articles in the appendix, which are from the pens of our most advanced and successful fruitgrowers, and, based upon practical experiences — not the- ories merely — are most valuable, and implicit reliance can b6 placed in them. I spent over nine weeks with the State Printer, editing, compiling, and proofreading every galley-. I feel that I have carried out your ideas faithfully, and, judg- ing from the many flattering editorial notices, satisfactorily. NEW LAW BENEFICIAL. What spare time I had at my disposal I spent in orchard inspection, and am gratified to state that much pruning and spraying has been done, and the click of the spray pump is heard in all directions. The new law, known as the "Morton Law," which makes it a misdemeanor to disregard notification to spray, had almost beneficial effect in my district, notably among smaller growers and home places near Portland, which were difficult to reach heretofore. I know of places, the owners of which had positively refused heretofore to do any- thing, which have been pruned and sprayed since the passage of that law, the owners not waiting to be notified to do so-. Yet some aggressive work is now necessary, especially against old dilapidated apple orchards which are still to be found in many sections. These will either have to be thoroughly pruned and sprayed, or, better still, dug up bodily and burned, as most varieties are worthless and unmarketable at best. With this point in view I have thus far notified twenty-nine owners of orchards to prune and spray within thirty days under the law. 32 REPORT OP STATE BOARD OP HORTICULTURE. NECESSITY POR TELLING THE TRUTH. Shortly after the cold wave which passed through the center of the Willamette Valley early in February, I was invited, while at Salem, to examine the orchards in that vicinity, and reported that I found all prune orchards planted on low, wet, heavy clay bottom lands badly injured, and predicted that these trees w^ould die, while orchards located on hill land, and planted in proper soil, were in perfect condition, and from appearances would yield a fair crop. I w^as somewhat criticised for this, as many persons, some living one hundred miles from there, took it for granted that my remarks applied to the whole state, though I never could understand just why. I also received several sharp letters from prune land sellers, stating that I had no right to express my opinions as such were calculated to ruin the prune industry. Eight here per- mit me to say that the planting of orchards, on lands not adapted to fruit culture, and selling them at fancy prices to newcomers, has done more injury to the fruit interests of Oregon than any other one thing, and it is high time to warn intending buyers that all lands, even in this favored region, are not suited to fruit raising, nor the enormous results figured out on paper likely to be realized. I hold that it is the duty of this board to give the actual facts, the truth, which is right, and right wrongs no man. We have many favored localities adapted to fruitgrowing, but heavy, clay, wet soils, or lands from which the water will not drain, is not fruit land. Permit me to add that upon recent examina- tion of the trees that I said two months ago would die, many were found to be dead even now, thus verifying my prediction. NEW MARKET IN THE ORIENT, In my last report I spoke about marketing our fruit, which is the great problem confronting the fruitgrowers at this time, and called attention to the new market opening to us, giving statistics and other data in connection therewith, especially the market of England ; but more particularly the Orient. I have made considerable inquiry since then into this Oriental market, which, it seems to me, belongs to us of the Pacific Northwest, and from information gathered, am more than ever convinced that this is the field for us to operate in. The difficulty wdiich seems to lie in the way is the long ocean transportation, and whether our fresh fruit will stand this REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 33 long voyage on board steamers. I have learned that a number of boxes of apples, well selected and carefully wrapped, were sent to Manila, and arrived there in most excellent condition. There is no doubt in my mind that China, Japan, the Philip- pine Islands and Siberia, will consume all our fresh apples and evaporated prunes and pears, if properly introduced in those markets. Our fruit o;rowers should combine and send someone to tlie Orient for this purpose — a man of business training — one who enjoys the confidence and commands the respect of his community. The business of these countries are in the hands of the German, English, and Americans, I am told, and tlierefore it requires some one wlio can come in close touch witli these business people, and who will inspire that confidence and possess that business integrity which allows no failure. Tlie field is of such importance that it should be taken in hand at once, and so vast that the end can not now be seen. OUR FRIEND THE BEETLE. Before closing, I beg to report that our little friend (pentillia mesilla) the coccenella beetle, which I first reported upon some years ago, has increased and spread over a larger territory than I anticipated, and has been feeding on San Jose scale and oyster shell bark louse all winter, and am more than gratified to find that it has extended its field of operation. On examination of the woods adjacent to the infested orchards, where scale has fastened on crabapple, liawthorne and other shrubs, I find these same beetles industriously busy in their work exterminating these various scales, so if the orchardist will keep his orchard well sprayed, I feel confident that these little friends of the fruitgrower will do the rest. Respectfully submitted. Commissioner First District 34 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. FIRST DISTRICT. FIRST SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT. DiLLEY, Oregon, Oct. 9, 1899. To the President and Members of the State Board of Horticulture : Herewith I present my first semi-annual report. My ap- pointment, in April last, to succeed Mr. Henry E. Dosch as commissioner for the first district, was very much in the na- ture of a surprise to me. The work being all new to me, I have endeavored, during the present season, to obtain a gen- eral idea of the conditions over the most important parts of ni}- district, leaving it to be worked more thoroughly later. Therefore I have visited mainlv the larger orchards and in- terviewed the most prominent growers. In Yamhill County I have visited McMinnville, Carlton, North Yamhill, Lafayette, New^berg, Dundee, and Dayton, stopping at all the principal orchards, dryers, and packing houses ; in Washington County the Dilley, Gaston, Forest Grove, Cornelius, Hillsboro, and Cedar Mills districts ; in Columbia County, between Scappoose and St. Helens ; in Clatsop County, the Youngs River, and Lewis and Clark River Districts, and the Clatsop Plains ; in Clackamas County the Milwaukie, Oregon City, Springwater, New Era, and Canby districts; in Multnomah County, the Columbia Slough, Sandy, Base Line, Section Line, and Powell Valley roads, each to a point about ten miles distant from Portland. Tillamook County I have not visited at all. In parts of my district I find many orchards badly infested with the San Jose scale, especially between Oregon City and the Columbia River. In this region it is so prevalent that it was useless to attempt to fight it with summer sprays, but I propose to wage vigorous war on this dangerous pest during the winter months. In one orchard, tw^o miles south of Or- egon City, I found a few scale on young apple trees, undoubt- edly brought there on nursery stock, and at Newberg one pear orchard was found slightly infested with it. With these two exceptions, which were ordered cleaned up, I have failed to REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 35 find auy San Jose scale south of Oregon City or west of the Willamette River, so that by vigorous measures it may be stamped out before it spreads all over the district. They ap- pear to attack prune and pear trees, and currant bushes, in preference to anything else. All kinds of aphis seem to have been especially active this year. The black aphis attacked the cherry trees in May and June in such numbers that it was feared for a time that the trees would be ruined. In many places they were nearly de- nuded of thcii* leaves, and even the fruit was covered with the disgusting pest. Happily they disappeared with the com- ing of settled warm weather, and I believe that with an ordi- narily favorable season they will not do much damage. They are difficult to fight, on account of their causing the leaf to curl up around them, thus preventing the spray from reach- ing them. Should tliey appear again next spring, I would recommend a strong spray of quassia chips and whale-oil soap, applied at the very first appearance. In the only or- chard and nursery that I found where this pest was success- fully combated this spray was used. The apple canker is everywhere, and is undoubtedly the most serious disease confronting the Western Oregon orchard- ist today. It is causing the utter ruin of man}^ young- orchards, while but few growers seem to recognize the neces- sity of fighting it. The knife, followed by frequent and thorough washings and sprayings, is the remedy. Badly diseased trees should be dug out and burned at once ; while others may have the spots cut out and sprayed with bordeaux mixture. As the spores ripen up, and are spread by the wind in the fall, a strong spray applied immediately after the leaves fall will be most efficacious. Many prune trees were killed by the last winter's freeze, though the damage was not so great as was at first feared. Two classes of orchards seem to have suffered the worst, the neglected ones, and the overcultivated ones. The latter, especially where planted on undrained soil, or with a southern exposure, were almost ruined. Taking the district over, probably fifteen per cent, of the prune trees have been de- stroyed by the freeze. As is well known the prune tree has alwa3^s suffered more or less from freezing of the trunk, in this climate, and I believe that the so-called prune canker is nothing more nor less than frozen trunk. I can see no remedy but to wrap the trunk of every tree when planted, and keep 36 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. it wrapped until the tree is seven or eight years old, when, if properly grown and healthful otherwise, it should be able to withstand the elements. The almost complete failure of this year's fruit crop is very discouraging, and many small growers are grubbing up or neglecting their orchards, but those men who have gone into fruitgrowing as a business are mainly taking good care of their trees and still looking hopefully forward to next year. I was requested to visit the country around Astoria with a view to seeing what might be done to encourage the fruit industry there. It seems to me, and I so reported, that apples and all kinds of small fruits could be grown very suc- cessfully along the foothills, a few miles from the coast. I certainly never saw^ finer raspberries and blackberries than are grown in a few gardens on Bear Creek and Youngs River. What few apple trees are planted are very healthy, and, prob- ably owing to the fog and salt air, the fruit is not troubled by the codling moth. In regard to enforcing the law concerning the sale of wormy and diseased fruit, I have had the sections of the law applying directly to this published in one or two papers in each county, and have personally delivered or mailed a copy to every dealer in the towns outside of Portland, and have condemned several lots of fruit. WILBUR K. NEWELL, Commissioner First District. SECOND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT. DiLLEY, Oregon, April 9, 1900. To the President and Members of the State Board of Horticulture — Gentlemen : I herewith submit my report for the term ending April 9, 1900 : During the past six months I have carefully inspected all the nurseries in my district and visited several hundred orchards. With two or three exceptions I have found the nurseries in excellent shape, and I think I may truthfully say that nothing but sound, healthy stock has been sent out to purchasers. Notices have been served on over three hun- dred owners of fruit trees to either destroy their trees or prune and spray them ; these were mainly for trees infested with San Jose scale. In every instance the notice has been complied with, but frequently, I fear, in a manner that has REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF PIORTICULTURE . 37 done little good. I see no remedy for that, under our present system, but to wait until a reasonable time proves that no good has been accomplished, then require them to do it over again. In localities where fruitgrowing is a prominent industry public sentiment is strongly in favor of tliorough pruning and spraying, of clean trees and clean fruit. But in many other places it is almost impossible to secure effective work. In my last report I stated that San Jose scale had been found in an orchard at Newberg ; this has been stamped out by removing the infested trees and thoroughly spraying the remainder of the orchard. I also found scale in an orchard at Hillsboro ; here the same plan was adopted. For some months past I have been noticing the large number of prune trees that have died without any apparent satisfactory reason therefor. The cause has generally been attributed to sour sap caused by the severe freezing in winter. But this seems to me hardly adequate ; I fear there is some disease among our trees. Of course a great number of trees have died from freezing, but many otliers are lost apparently from other and unknown causes. One of the well-known and best-informed orchardists of Oregon advances the idea that the cause is a disease somewhat similar to the dreaded peach- yellow — a disease of the circulation or sap. I am inclined to agree with this, and think it should be investigated by some competent scientist. The remedy would be to at once remove and burn all dying trees the same as is done with peach- yellow. Pending investigation, tlie remedy should be applied anyway to prevent needless risk. The prospect is now most excellent for an enormous crop of fruit of all kinds. Should there be a full apple crop all over the United States a wormy apple will be unsalable at any price. Therefore, apple-growers should plan to wage vigorous warfare against the codling moth. There is great diversity of opinion as to where the first spray should be applied ; some authorities saying that the early spray, just after blossoms fall, is the only one of much use ; others that the later sprayings are the effective ones. I think it safer to compromise and do both. While the moth seldom appears before June 20 in the Willamette Valley, I think the first spraying should be done much earlier, as by that time the calyx end of the apple is closed so that no spray can enter. Applied earlier it can not wash out and is there awaiting the 38 REPORT OP STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. worm when he does come . Of equal importance with spray- ing is the destruction of the full-grown worm to prevent the breeding of more moths. Pigs or sheep should be kept in the orcliard to eat every apple as soon as it falls. The plan of banding the trees is also of great benefit. This is largely practiced in Idaho and has proved a very important help. A piece of burlap is tied around the tree below the limbs, and as the worm crawls along hunting a place to hide away and spin his cocoon, he finds this and immediately crawls under. The bands can then be removed and the worms destroyed. As it takes only a few days for the moth to emerge, the bands must be examined every week or they will prove only a pro- tection to the worm. Houses in which apples are stored during the winter should be screened to prevent the moths emerging in the spring. With these precautions carried, out all along the line, the codling moth would soon cease to be a terror and Oregon once more become famous as the land of big red apples. WILBUR K. NEWELL, Commissioner First District. FINAL REPORT. FIRST DISTRICT. To the President and Members of the State Board of Horticnltv.re: Herewith I submit my first biennial report. I have served as a member of the board for a year and a half, my commis- sion bearing date of April 22, 1899, and this report will cover my work during that time, together with such suggestions as may have occurred to me. I was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Mr. Henry E. Dosch, who resigned as commissioner, to become tlie secretary of the board. My district comprises Multnomah, Clackamas, Yamliill, Washington, Columbia, Clatsop, and Tillamook counties, a section entirely too large to be covered in the time, or witli the means,] at my disposal. I have endeavored to put my time to the best advantage, giving the nurseries my first and most careful attention, bestowing the remainder of the work on the most important fruit sections. Tillamook County, I REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTIRE . 39 must confess, I have not visited at all, and Columbia and Clatsop only a very few localities. The other counties have been fairly well covered, that is, in the main orchard districts. A large number of letters have been received, asking in- formation of various kinds, all of which have been answered to the best of my ability. So many inquiries in regard to spraying were constantly being received by all the members of the board that, in April, President Smith suggested the issuing of a special spray calendar. Secretary Dosch under- took the task and published a small bulletin, giving complete, up-to-date formulas for making, and full directions for apply- ing, all the best remedies. This filled a long-felt want and met with a heart}" reception, the edition of five thousand copies being soon exhausted. During the past eighteen months T have visited five hundred and twenty-five orchards, containing seventy-three hundred and ninety-foui* acres, divided as fol- lows : Twenty-two hundred and thirty -four acres of apples, thirty-eight hundred and eighty-eight prunes, and twelve hun- dred and seventy-two miscellaneous — comprising pears, cher- ries, peaches, nuts, etc. The principal fruit of the district is, of course, the Italian prune. This variety comprises four- fifths of the prune acreage and brings in more money than any other single fruit. Other varieties of prunes are the Pe- tite (which this year has been so unprofitable on account of its small size), the Silver (a fine fruit, but not profitable be- cause the tree is so tender and short lived), and the Willam- ette — a promising prune of the Italian type, whose merits are just now beginning to be recognized. Small fruits and berries, grown for the local markets, bring in a large sum of money — much greater than is generally recognized. Nut culture is slowly but surely coming to the front as a branch of horticulture. It has been proven that such varie- ties of soft-shelled walnuts as Mayette, Francjuette, and Paris- ienne, Languedoc almonds, and many varieties of chestnuts, can be successfully and profitably grown in Western Oregon. Two large plantings of walnuts have been made, one of sev- enty acres by Mr. Thos. Prince, of Dundee; and one of twenty acres by Mr. Chas. E. Ladd, at Oak Hill Farm, near North Yamhill. One man near Portland sold over $50 worth of chestnuts this year from a few trees along the driveway from his gate. The saddest thing observed is the state of the apple industry in Western Oregon. The Willamette Valley, once so famous for its magnificent apples, is now scarcely recognized by the 40 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. commercial world as an apple producer. The development of the fruit industry in California largely cut off the profit- able market, the building of railroads brought in all the pests from the outside world, prices became low, and fruit diseased, and the apple was cast aside for the prune. This should not be, for while I think the prune will lead in value, I see no reason why the apple should not regain its old-time promin- ence. But first the old, neglected, diseased apple orchards must go. They have served their time, and must now be re- placed by young, vigorous stock of improved varieties, on new soil, and with the latest and best methods of culture. I have succeeded in accomplishing something in the way of removal of these old trees, but vastly more remains yet to be done. Near Portland great difficulty is experienced in finding owners of tracts of land containing old trees, where former orchard lands have been platted and sold in small tracts. The law requires that the owners shall be notified, and where they cannot be found we are helpless. This should be changed, allowing the commissioner to have diseased trees removed, after due search for the owner, or due notice posted on the property. The general condition of commercial orchards is steadily improving. The crop of 1898 was a remunerative one, and stimulated growers to renewed efforts, so that the disastrous season of 1899 did not cause discouragement. Marked progress has been made in the last two years in the matter of spraying for codling moth and San Jose scale. Careful growers are now able to obtain ninety-five per cent, of apples free from worms. The use of the new arsenite of lime spray has been a great help. San Jose scale in my dis- trict is confined chiefly to Multnomah County and Clackamas County, from Milwaukie to Oregon City. I have found them, however, in Hillsboro and Newberg, in small quantities, and in both instances took immediate steps to destroy them, and think their farther spread in these districts can be prevented. One good heavy winter spray of lime, sulphur, and salt applied each year will hold the scale in check so that it need not be feared. Its total extinction can hardly be hoped for, and if it is accomplished it must be through the aid of nature. ( California has spent large sums in importing insects and birds to prey on the scale, and Oregon might well profit by her example. The scale here seems to prefer mountain ash and currants to any other trees or shrubs, but they also attack the REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 41 prune, peach, pear, plum, apple, cliei-ry, except the sour varieties, apricot, nectarine, almond, and quince. Any per- son owning any tree of these varieties should inspect them carefully, at least once a year, for this pest. During the last winter I sent out, or personally served, over four hundred notices to spray for scale, authracuose of the apple, and pear l)light ; principally for the former. Lack of time and funds prevented my following up all the cases in time, but the great majority complied with the instructions in a reasonably thorough manner. The board's educational work, through the wide dissemi- nation of the fifth biennial report and the spray bulletin, iind the correspondence and personal visits of the members, has been of great value. In the great majority of cases we are met by a gratifj'ing desire for information and an eager interest in our work. I have attempted, insofar as possible, to obtain an accurate estimate of the fruit output for the past year, but it is a diffi- cult undertaking; as is well known, even the census bureau, with all the facilities at its command, can scarcely obtain reliable figures ; hence, aside from the prune figures which I liave received direct from the evaporators, the estimate can not be taken as authoritative. The output of dried prunes for my district for this season was approximately two million two hun- cause of this trouble. In some cases, however, I think I have found the difficulty to be in the soil. Wherever I find an underlying strata of alkali soil I am pretty sure to discover a hardpan subsoil from eighteen inches to two feet below the surface. Blight, I consider, would be a logical conse- quence in trees grown upon such ground. But again, in other places, where tlie soil and every other condition seemed favorable for the growing of the tree, this same blight would make its appearance sooner or later. The limbs of some of these trees I have sent at times to the experiment station at Corvallis, but it seems that the people at that place were hardly in a position to discover the cause of the blight. They usually recommended that we trim back to the affected por- tion of the limbs. This has been done, only to result the next year in the growth of the tree acting in the manner iibove described. In my travels dui'ing the summer, I found a new kind of aphis, of a darker color and much larger than the common green aphis. This insect got after the cherry trees princi- pally, which fact, I think, is accounted for by the coolness of the summer. The aphis seemed to prefer to commit its depredations during cool weather rather than in tlie very warm season. I am firmly of the opinion that one of the greatest needs of this state, at least so far as horticulture is concerned, is the permanent assignment of some competent person, an expert, whose sole duty it should be to treat upon the various fun- gous diseases that are peculiar to Oregon fruit ; for example, the apple canker, the pear blight, the tomato blight, etc. Sev- eral of these specialists are stationed in different sections of California, and it seems to me nothing would be lost by hav- ing somebody in Oregon to cope with the difficulties that con- stantly confront the orchardist as well as the fruit commis- sioners, who are not generally in a position to deal with these things as would an expert. Of course, we have the experi- ment station at Corvallis, but the fact is that the professors there have not sufficient time to properly attend to such cases of diseased fruit trees as come to their notice ; hence the need of a man to devote his undivided attention thereto. Two of such experts would not be too many. One might be stationed in the western part of Oregon, or Washington for that matter, somewhere west of the Cascade Mountains. Another might give his time to the fruit in Eastern Oregon and Washington. 68 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Under such an assignment, I am sure each man would find sufficient work to keep his time occupied. In Eastern Ore- gon, especially, a competent fruit specialist would have his hands full for a while, analyzing some of the soils in which our orchards are grown. Some carelessness is clearly appar- ent in the eastern part of my district, where many trees are suffering because of having been set out in soils by no means adapted to the growing of fruit — and a specialist, if he were in the field now, might be directly instrumental, by an analy- sis of the soils, etc., in remedying all such mistakes. Thus, in the course of a few years, the fruit sections east of here would be prosj)erous and thriving, where they are now so wofully scant and unprofitable. EMILE SCHANNO, Commissioner Fourth District. SECOND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT. The Dalles, Oregon, April 9, 1900. To the President and Members of the State Board of Horticulture — Gentlemen : The following is a statement of my work and observations for the last six mouths : I find the prospect for a good fruit crop in my district the best that I have ever seen for this time of the year, and most especially the peaches and cherries ; and, if we do not have any frost later on, this class of trees will have to be thinned out, or else by reason of the heavy bearing this fruit will be very small and hardly fit for market. The danger of frost, how- ever, is veiy remote, as there is very little snow along the foothills and the mountains to cool off the air and thereby cause frost. The fruitgrowers in my district have already been spraying this winter and spring, as the weather has been very mild and warm and particularly favorable for this kind of work. The fruitgrowers are taking better care of their orchards than in former years, as they have begun to realize that it pays to take the best care of their fruit trees, and especially so when apples are worth from $1.50 to $1.75 per box. As an evidence of this fact, I now find spi-aying pumps and spraying apparatus wherever I go, when but a few years ago it was a very rare thing to see a spray-pump in an orchard. There are several fruitgrowers in my district who are mak- : S.H Ai-L KHOVI ffllM nturn mnT^^' /^-'» V ^H" - -S/ILCIM _ 1K^>= 131.— HOOD RIVER APPLES. REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 69 ing a success in spraying for the codling moth. One grower especially, Mr. C. Sayers, of Hood River, saved about ninety- five per cent, of his apples last year by spraying, and his apples brought him from $1.50 to $1.75 per box, although they were of the Ben Davis variety. Some fruitgrowers may say tliat this was mere luck, but I consider it no luck at all, but merely the result of the care he took of liis trees, as those of his neighbors who did not spray hardly had any apples at all but what were wormy. I shall endeavor to obtain a cor- rect statement from Mr. Sayers in the near future showing the number of times he spra3'ed his orchard, and what kind of spray he used, and also the price he realized for his apples. The output of apples tliis year in my district will be greatly increased from that of former years, as there is in tlie neigh- borhood of four or five hundred acres of young trees that are from five to six years old, and will come into bearing this summer. They are mostly all in large tracts, and if nothing happens, I am satisfied there will be from seventy-five to one liundred carloads of apples shipped out of here this next fall. Respectfully submitted, EMILE SCHANNO, Commissioner Fourth District. FINAL REPORT. The Dalles, Oregon, December 1, 1900. To the Honorable State Board of Horticulture — Gentlemen : I respectfully submit to you herewith my report as Commissioner of the Fourth Horticultural District, from January 1, 1899, to January 1, 1901 : My district comprises the following counties : Sherman, Wasco, Gilliam, Morrow, Wheeler, and Crook. To attempt to give anything new in my report of the hor- ticultural condition of my district is quite difficult, as I have gone over this same work about four or five times in the last ten years and there is hardly anything new. There has not been a great many changes in my district in the last two years. The fruitgrowers are improving and they understand the planting, and the soil, and the variety of fruit better at 70 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. this time than they did a few years ago. They learn a great deal by experience and a good many learn from their neighbors. In the last two years I have visited five hundred and eighty- one orchards. I have not visited all the orchards in my dis- trict but have made it a point to visit the principal orchards, and especially those that were affected with the San Jose scale and other insects. That there is a growing interest in horticulture is mani- fested by the number of letters received pertaining to that subject ; the number which I have received being two hundred and seventeen in the last two years, from different parts of the country. As to the acreage of fruit in my district, it is very hard to get at, as there is a large acreage in small orchards that I have not visited at all, but I should judge there is approxi- matelv four thousand to five thousand acres in fruit. About seventy-five per cent, of this is in Wasco County. The variety of fruit grown in my district is about sixty per cent, in apples, about twenty per cent, in prunes, about ten per cent, in peaches, and about ten per cent, in other varieties, such as pears, cherries, and grapes, as every locality has different varieties of fruit. I should judge there is not over twenty per cent, of the land in fruit that is suitable to fruit. In my district there is a large amount of land lying along the Columbia River that would raise excellent peaches and grapes. There is also a large amount of land in the foothills of the Cascade Range ,. and in the foothills of the Blue Mountains on the west side, in Morrow and Crook counties, that would raise excellent apples for commercial purposes. There is a large j)ercentage of land suitable to apple growing that is not yet taken up on account of it being too far from transportation. There are fruitgrowers in some of the localities who raise fruit only for home use, and they are not taking as good care of their orchards as those who are growing fruit for the market. In all parts of my district, where there is fruit raised for com- mercial purposes, they are taking better care of their orchards than when they raise it only for home consumption. I find it is very poor policy to let an orchard run down. Last year there was a very small fruit crop, and in some localities no fruit at all, and they have taken hardly any care of their orchards. REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 71 There has been a great deal of progress made in my district iu the last two years in spraying. You will find that about eighty per cent, of the growers have spray-pumps, and espe- cially in the Hood River District they liave made great prog- ress in spraying for the codling moth. There are some of the fruitgrowers tliat save as much as ninety-five per cent, of their apples ; others have not done quite so well. I think the cause of it is that they have not given the matter as close attention as they should have done. I noticed where the trees had been sprayed with a heavy coat of lime they had better results than those who had used less lime. 1 believe that the lime is a preventive for the codling moth. The fruitgrowers have also got a better price for their fruit in the last two years than they have before. There is very little fruit sliipped from here on consignment. Most of this fruit is sold for casli f. o. b. There were eastern buyers in the market this summer who bought our prunes, and they were ready to pay for it as the fruit was delivered to them. There are three things that are most important to any one starting into the fruitgrowing business : First — Planting an orchard. In planting an orchard ninety- five per cent, of the beginners make a mistake by planting their trees too close together. A great many plant their trees from fifteen to twenty-five feet apart, and this is one of the most serious mistakes they can make. I have seen orchards that were from twelve to fifteen years old, and they were al- ready at their best and the trees were dying. The limbs had interlocked one another, so that you could not get through it, and the fruit was of a very small, inferior variety. Any one who contemplates planting an orchard should study the rainfall in the locality. In the largest portion of my dis- trict the rainfall is only fourteen inches, and you will readily see that that is hardly enough for a tree to mature its fruit, if they are planted so close together. Apple trees should not be planted any closer than thirty or thirty-five feet, and forty feet would be better. Downing says fift}^ feet. Pear trees should be from twenty-five to thirt}^ feet apart, and other kinds of trees should be no closer than twenty-five feet. About ninety per cent, of the fruitgrowers whom I visit say to me, "I made a mistake and can see it now; I planted my trees too close together.'' Second — Variety of fruit. One should be very careful and 72 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. find out what variety of fruit is best suited to the market, and also what variety would do the best in that neighborhood where he intends to plant his orchard ; and also study the soil. After an orchard is once planted, and two or three years old, then it is too late to correct the mistake. I have noticed some of the fruitgrowers who made this mistake started to topgraft, but they had better cut some of the young trees down than to try to topgraft, as they can never make an orchard ; I have seen that tried often. In planting a tree most of the fruitgrowers are not careful enough, and they plant too deep. The better way would be not to plant deep enough . The ground on which you intend to plant an orchard should be subsoiled at least eighteen inches deep, and the ground should be well underdrained so that the water will not stand about the trees in the winter time . The varieties which I find do well in my district, and are the best for commercial purposes for early summer, are the Red Astrachan and the Gravenstein . These are the very best. If you are handy to market, or a railroad or steamboat, I would advise you to raise these varieties. For a fall apple there is the King and the Canada Renet. These are very good apples for the fall trade. The Spitzen- berg, the Genitian, and the Yellow Newtown, are the three very best winter apples, which will sell when nothing else will sell. There are buyers in the market who will buy Spitzenbergs w^hen they will not buy anything else. Third — Pruning and cultivating. There is one very import- ant thing, I find that some of the fruitgrowers go to extremes both ways. Some prune their orchards too much, and others not enough. But I had rather take my chances wdth an orchard that was not pruned at all than one that was pruned too much, and especially apples. An apple tree should never be pruned after the second year from planting. The tree should be shaped as it is wanted to be and never have any- thing done to it afterwards, only to take off in the summer months some of the water sprouts that happen to come out. I read in an article in a German horticultural paper last summer, of a meeting in Germany, at which a professor remarked that there was more injury done to fruit trees by the knife and saw than anything else. This has reference to the trimming of apple trees, pears, and cherries ; prunes and peaches can hardly be trimmed too much. REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 78 I find some of the fruitgrowers, when they plant a young orchard, start to top tlieir trees about two feet from the ground, and three or four years afterwards they find out they have made a mistake, by growing their trees too low to the ground. I would consider the best way in starting an apple tree would be to cut it not less than four feet from the ground. I find a good niany orcluirdists that have been heading their trees too low, and in about three or four yeaivs afterwards they find it out to their sorrow. Then some of them undertake to •cut off these lower limbs and try to head their trees higher ; but I would not advise anyone to do that. Thev had better Jet them alone, or grub them up, as they will never make a tree again. In starting a young orchard you want to be careful and get good healthy trees, not less than five feet in height, and about the size of the stock of a buggy whip, and, if possible, get trees that were grafted on whole roots, and not on pieces of roots ; and get the very best. Never undertake to buy cheap trees. In Germany tlie trees that are grafted on pieces of ..roots; are sold from thirty to thirty-five per cent, less than trees that are grafted on whole roots. There is one important matter in cultivating an orchard : I find that some of the fruitgrowers plough their orchards too deep, and a person should use good judgment in cultivating an orchard. Whei'e tlie soil is shallow, and the roots are very i'lose to the top of the ground, you should never plough that orchard ; the harrow is the best thino; to use. In an orchard where the soil is deep,. you might jDlough, but never over six inches deep. You must keep up the cultivation of your or- chard until the first of August. You should run some kind of a cultivator or liarrow thi'ough it about twice a month ; after that it is not necessary to cultivate it any more. There are a good many orchardists who are struggling against nature, trying to raise an orchard on land that is not suitable to grow fruit on. That is the land which is called bunchgrass land. If it was natural for a tree to grow there, nature would have made one grow. I do not find many or- chards that are over six or eight years old on bunchgrass land. -As soon as they strike what is called hardpan the limbs be- gin to show it on the top of the tree on the young growth, and it dies back every year. There are some localities on bunch- grass where trees do very well. For instance, on the flat, or on some of the north hillsides, where the soil is deep, you 74 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. may raise trees. I also find a good many peacli trees and prune trees that do very well. Almost any kind of a tree that is grafted on a peach root does better on bimchgrass land than any other kind of a tree. The reason of that is they have no deep roots. There was a large fruit crop raised in my district this year that was not so much on account of the older orchards, but there Avas a great many young orchards began bearing this year. As to the amount of fruit shipped from my district, I could not tell exactly ; but there were about forty cars of jDrunes and plums in the green state, then there is about ten cars of dried prunes that will be shipped, and some that will be used here in the local market, and about eight carloads of pears. There were about ten thousand boxes of apples shipped from here from different localities ; but the largest amount of apples are still in the hands of the growers. There were also a great many peaches and grapes shipped. This has reference only to The Dalles. I think there was about as much fruit shipped from other localities in my district, say Hood River, Hosier, Grants and Blalocks. Often the question comes up in my district, whether manuring an orchard is a benefit or whether it is an injury. My experience is this, that I would not advise anybody to put fresh barnyard manure on an orchard, as I believe it to be injurious ; but a well-rotted manure will be all right. In the last two years I have found two orchards in my district that were planted side by side ; the same variety of fruit, the same soil, and planted at the same time. One of the orchards has had a good deal of care and cultivation, and also had a good deal of manure hauled into it, while the other orchard has had hardly any care at all ; and this orchard has produced about five boxes of apples, while the other orchard has pro- duced but one box, and trees on this orchard have mostly all died out. I give my reason foi- that that it had too much barnyard manure hauled into it. I tried the same experience in my orchard, where I put some barnyard manure about a tree, and the second year I noticed that the tree was not doing- well, and the limbs began to show signs of decay ; and for that reason I think the fresh barnyard manure is an injury to a tree. As to laws governing the State Board of Horticulture, I think it would be a good idea if the laws were changed so as REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 75 to have a commissioner in each county, appointed by the county court — the same as the stock insjDectors are — and to be paid by the county in which this commissioner resides, or there should be more commissioners. I find my district is too large for one man to undertake to visit all the orchards. I think there should be four more commissioners in Eastern Oregon. Two should be east of the Blue Mountains, and two west of the Blue Mountains, say between the Cascade Moun- tains and the Blue Mountains. EMILE SCHANNO, Commissioner Fourth District. REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. FIFTH DISTRICT. FIRST SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT. Cove, Oregon, October 9, 1899. To the President and Members of the State Board of Horticulture : I herewith submit to you my first semi-annual report of the fifth district. I have visited all of the larger fruitgrowing- districts in Union, Baker, and Malheur counties, except the Burnt River district in Baker County. In the latter part of July I visited Malheur County and was greatly susprised to find so many large and thrifty orcliards in that part of the state. I visited the orchard of the K. S. D. Fruit Land Company, situated seven miles south of Ontario. This orchard is on the line of the Oregon Short Line Railroad and is all under the great Owyhee ditch. About one hundred acres of it are in prunes, seventy-five in winter apples, twenty in pears, and ten in assorted fruits. The entire two hundred acres is on level ground, and, with the exception of two trees that had woolly aphis (which*Mr. Danielson, the manager, immediately destroyed), the orchard is free from fruit pests. I had been earnestly requested by these people to call on them, as they had never had a visit from a com- missioner of this district, and at that time (the first of July) an apparently fatal disease had struck a forty -acre four-year- 76 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. old apple orcliard. After seeing the trees, I decided it was undoubtedly a winter kill, and advised tliem to try trimming out all of the water-sprouts but five or six, as these were forcing out by the hundred near the crotch of the trees. If it were winter kill this would have a tendency to force the growth to the upper limbs that were lying dormant. I re- ceived a letter a few days since from Mr. Danielson saying the entire orchard had come out in first-class condition. Adjoining the K. S. D. Company is the Ontario Fruit & Nursery ComjDany. Certain varieties of their trees were affected the same way. Mr. Van Gilsey, the manager, was not at home when I called and I do not know if they gave their trees the same course of treatment or not. At Huntington I took a team and traveled down Snake River twelve or fifteen miles. The orchards all look thrifty in that district, but I was informed that the codling moth was obtaining quite a foothold in their orchards. It ought not to be a difficult pest to subdue, as their orchards are young and miles apart. In Powder River Valley the orchards are not large and are apparently quite free from pests. In Grande Ronde Valley there is some moth. A good deal of spraying has been done, but, as the crop is very light, it has been difficult to get a certain class of growers to spray with no returns in sight. I have condemned two shipments of pears that were literally alive with San Jose scale. They were from Walla Walla and were shipped by different firms. I wrote to them requesting them to send no more such fruit to this country or I would be compelled to adopt stringent measures in regard to it. JUDD GEER, Commissioner Fifth District. SECOND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT. CovE, Oregon, April 6, 1900. To the President and Members of the State Board of Horticulture — Gentlemen : I herewith present you m}- second semi- annual report of the fifth district : My work during the six months just past was confined to Umatilla and Union counties. On the twenty-fourth of Feb- ruary I left Cove to make a tour of Umatilla County. I met c c < < REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 77 President Miller in Milton on the 26th, and during that week I inspected orchards in the vicinity of Freewater and Milton. I find the San Jose scale is being subdued to a great ex- tent, as nearly all orchardists are spraying for it thoroughly, but there is almost nothing being done to exterminate the codling moth, and I was informed that it was very hard to ob- tain an apple in that section last season that was not infested with a moth. It is a bad state of affairs, and the people are apparently of the opinion that it is useless to spray for it. I also found strong indications of apple canker in some of the orchards. In and around Pendleton the orchards are mostly small and in good condition. At La Grande and Union the orchards are in good shape, about the only disease noticeable being crater blight on pears. I was greatly surprised a few days since to find a young orchard in Cove literally ruined with apple canker. The trees came from the Willamette Valley and were planted three years ago. Fully fifty per cent, are now dead, and twenty-five per cent, dying. JUDD GEER, Commissioner Third District. FINAL REPORT. FIFTH DISTRICT. Cove, Oregon, October 27, 1900. To the President and Members of the State Board of Horticulture: Gentlemen : Permit me herewith to present to you my first biennial report : The fifth district comprises the counties of Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Baker, Malheur, Grant, and Harney. In extent it embraces nearly half the territory of the state. Mr. Schanno, the commissioner of the fourth district, very kindly consented to relieve me of the work in Grant County, and as it adjoined his district the board decided that it was advisable to give that portion of my work over to him. My commission dates from April, 1898, hence my work ex- tends over a period of one and one-half years. During that 78 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. time I have received two hundred and twenty-seven letters and visited four hundred and seventy-eight orchards, with a combined area of twenty-four hundred and seventy-six acres, which is probably less than one-fifth the acreage of the dis- trict. There are few sections in Eastern Oregon where the farmer cannot grow in abundance all the hardy deciduous fruits, and in many localities the more tender varieties. Ap- ples, pears, cherries, prunes, plums, apricots, peaches, and grapes abound. Berries of every variety seem to flourish, and in some favored places tomatoes and melons are grown and shipped by the carload. It is not so much a question of the kinds of fruit which may be grown as the special varieties which are of greatest commercial value. There are many things to be considered before entering into the business in a commercial way. Experiments and mistakes are expensive when conducted on a large scale, hence one cannot study too carefully the location, soil, climatic conditions, likewise the varieties, marketing, freight, etc., at the outstart. The fruit industry is yet in its infancy. Every year demonstrates more clearly that the larger the supply of good fruit we have, the better it is for the producer. We find more buyers in the field, and, all things considered, better prices rule. Of no product of the farm is it more apparent that we must not only have a choice quality, but must have it in large quantity to enter the world's best markets. Cheap and rapid transporta- tion we must have, and that can only be obtained from the transportation companies by sending large quantities. Two years have made some important changes in my dis- trict. Many fruitgrowers that had not enough apples for family use two years ago are now gathering in their crops, estimatiilg them by the carload. A few instances that have come under my immediate observation : One man with a ten- acre apple orchard of five-year-old trees has four carloads of choice apples ; another, with a twenty-acre apple orchard of trees the same age, has ten carloads. I do not like to make an estimate of the apple crop of 1900 ; I am afraid of making it too small. If the actual yield could be determined this early in the season, I am sure it would astonish many people. The owners of young orchards are more than ready to adopt new methods, and anxious to learn in every possible way. I have had many requests, both in peison and by letter, for copies of the fifth biennial report, from those who wished to own a copy. Some have expressed surprise that so able a REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 79 work on the subject could be distributed gratuitously, and, rarely, I believe, has a state report found a more appreciative class of readers. But there is one class of fruitgrowers hard to reach. Their orchards and dooryards are prolific breeding places for many dangerous foes to the fruit industry. Noth- ing will help to convince them so much as a practical illustra- tion. When they have seen a few of their more progressive neighbors reap a clear profit of $100 per acre from well-kept orchards bearing clean fruit, they will begin to understand, — and many are being convinced this fall in my district from just such illustrations. I believe a majority of the fruit pests are more easily subdued or exterminated in our climate than where the atmosphere is more humid. We do not have so many broods of codling moth, the later broods doing the most damage. The San Jose scale is diminishing, and in some places is entirely gone. Owners of commercial orchards are quite generally willing to spray. A carelessness exists on the part of those "who see no money in it" tliat is hard to over- come. In several instances I have found diseased fruit in the market and I had the fruit and packages destroyed. I find the dealers quite ready to co-operate with the horticultural board in enforcing the law. One of the first fields to which my duties as commissioner called me, was to Ontario, Malheur County. The K. S. D. Company requested me to examine some of their young orchards, wdiich were not doing well. The trouble proved to be, not a disease or blight, but the eflects of the severe winter of 1897 and 1898 that had partially winter-killed some of the more tender varieties. I advised them to trim the trees freely, cut- ting out besides all dead wood the water-sprouts, and later received a letter from the manager to the effect that the de- sired result was obtained, and that the trees were assuming a normal condition again. My visit was indeed a surprise and pleasure. There are some large orchards in the vicinity of Ontario, notably those of the K. S. D. Company, of one hundred and thirty-five acres, and Mr. Van Gilsey's, of one hundred and seventy-five acres. They are under a fine sys- tem of cultivation. The land originally belonged to the arid lands of Eastern Oregon, and has been brought into produc- tiveness by means of irrigation. The soil, climate, and every- thing here is especially adapted to fruit culture. They claim to have produced apples weighing twenty-four ounces, and peaches measuring twelve inches in circumference, on thisi 80 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE, land. The ditch covers twenty-five thousand acres of land apparently susceptible of high cultivation. Another ditch is being put in which Avill cover forty thousand acres when com- pleted. Possibilities not dreamed of for Eastern Oregon would come with the development of this vast tract of land. The- culture of fruit should play no insignificant part. A few months lateral visited the valleys of Eagle and Pine,, and some scattering orchards that lay along my route. We found some good orcliards at Medical Springs. Pine Valley has an altitude of three thousand feet. There are a good many young orchards. Ax)ples and j^ears excel all other fruits in quality and quantity. The growers find a good market for their surplus in the neighboring mining camps. Their great distance from a shipping point would hamper the industry if fruit was produced in large quantities. Eagle Valley is a veritable little paradise for the fruitgrower. The soil is won- derfully prolific, and the condition for irrigating ideal. All kinds of fruit suited to our climate mature to perfection. It partakes of the nature of the Snake River fruit lands. The valley is small, and every available spot under cultivation. A specimen of their apples which I saw this year measured seventeen and one-half inches. The Milton fruit district is probably the best-known of any portion of my district, and deservedly so. I visited some progressive orchardists in this vicinity. In no j)art of my district do grapes mature so perfectly ; even the Flaming Tokay, the Muscat, and Muscatel, may be grown here. All of the deciduous fruits thrive, and may be grown with profit. It is likewise a convenient shipping point. There are many thousand acres in this portion of the Walla Walla Valley awaiting the progressive orchardist. The nurseries I found here were clean and in excellent condition. This section has been much troubled with both the San Jose scale and codling- moth. Many of the orchardists have made a determined and intelligent eff'ort to keep their orchards clean, with most gratifying results, but there are still only too many who are grossly careless. Wallowa County has little of what might properly be called fruit land, however, I saw some very nice orchards, and there is a ready market at home for more than they can produce. Apples, pears, prunes, and plums, of hardy varieties do well along the foothills. The Imuaha Valley in the extreme eastern part of the county has. the Snake River climate, and produces REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 81 peaches of fine quality. It is difficult of access, and what fruit is grown is hauled in wagons, and distributed over the surrounding country. Harney County, I have not visited, but I understand there is very little fruit grown there. It is principally a stock country. Grande Ronde Valley being my home in the district, I, per- haps, see fewer of its faults and appreciate its advantages more fully than do some, hence I will not write at great len Oakland . - - 50 \oncalla . _ Roseburg _ __ . _ 75 75 75" 100 75 Woodville 60 Dillard- _ _ . 100 Days Creek 75 Medford — 60 I-.anglois _ __ — _ 100 IMilton Baker City - . 60 10 100 100 100 75 Union . 10 100 100 30 10 100 100 30 10 Eagle Valley . _ _. _ 100 Pine Valley . _ - . 100 Ashland 50 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 89 PROBABLE AVAILABLE QUANTITIES IX CARLOAD LOTS. County. Fresh Apples. Fresh Pears. Fresh Peaches. Evapo- rated Prune*. Y;iinhill _ - - ... 17 1 2 5 1 15 30 25 . 5 2 5 1 3 2 5 25 15 100 3 2 14 Washington s Miiltnoniah . - 4 <'liU"kanias . . . . _ 6 ^'olumbia - - 1 \\'itSCO - - - . . . 3 10 5 -. 1 Umatilla . . 3 I^iiion - .- . Baker . . . . .• Malheur - 1 1 1 2 Marion . . _ . _ . _ . 5 Ijincoln 2 Lane. - .. 1 2 5 1 5 45 1 12" ""ioo' 3 Benton .. . - 3 Polk . . 3 Josephine .. . .. . _ ... 6 Douglas 90 Jackson 25 Coos and Curry. ... .. .. . 1 Berries of all kinds are reported a full crop from every sec- tion. It will be observed by comparing the table of percentage of fruits of a normal crop with the table of the actual output, or amounts available in carload lots for commercial purposes, there is quite a difference, which is caused by the report from some section giving the highest percentages not being shipping points, and the observations are made from small orchards and holdings for home suppl}' only, these orchards being mixed A'arieties, in most cases, and the failure of one or the other kinds are not being figured. This same table further shows in all districts given that there will be plenty of fruit for home consumption, and therefore the fruit crop cannot be considered a total loss, as has been reported. Many factors, however, enter into tlie total or partial failure of fruits this year in one or the other locality, which must be taken into consideration, and it is not altogether chargeable to the cold wave which passed all over the United States — from the Atlantic seaboard to the sunny shores of the Pacific — in February, damaging as it was to tree and fruits alike ; nor to the unseasonable climatic condition which has existed since, such as orchards planted on lands not adapted to fruit culture, ai^d in other instances, extra heavy crops borne by some varieties last summer, nota- bly apples and pears, and consequent failure to set fruit buds for the year. From the various reports received, other deductions are to be made ; for instances, orchards with southern exposures ; 90 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. and again, orchards on bottom lands show more damage to trees and fruits than on hillsides and higher plateaus, while orchards located well up on mountain sides are reported as- having sustained no damage whatever to either tree or fruit. On July 23, 1899, the following report was issued on the world's yield of fruit. Some months ago this board entered into correspondence with the experiment stations, state boards of horticulture^ horticultural societies, and principal fruitgrowers and dealers throughout the United States, as well as the American consuls in all the various fruitgrowing districts in China, Japan, England, France, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria, Hun- gary, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, and Holland, for the purpose of ascertaining the condition of the various fruits throughout the world, possible markets either at home or abroad, and what fruits and quantities our fruitgrowers would likely come into competition with. We have received over six hundred replies from which the following tabular statements were compiled, and will prove valuable to the grower, the dealer, and shipper alike : apples. Arkansas reported early in the season a good prospect for a full crop, but fruit has dropped badly since, and now they do not expect over fifty per cent, of a normal crop. Connecticut, half crop. Illinois, half crop. Iowa, sixty per cent, of a normal crop. Kansas, only thirty per cent., though prospects were very favorable early in the season. Missouri looked for the largest crop ever had, now reports scarcely thirty per cent. Michigan still reports sixty per cent, of a full crop. Ohio also reports sixty per cent., but fruit small and of inferior quality. ' Vermont, forty per cent. These states represent the large apple-growing districts, showing Michigan in the lead. California has two apple-growing districts, and reports fair prospects, with a probable shipment of one thousand cars. REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 91 Other states show as follows : Colorado, fifty per cent, of a normal crop. Idaho, sixty per cent, of a normal crop. Indiana, fifty per cent, of a normal crop. Kentucky, ten per cent, of a normal crop. Maine, thirty-three per cent, of a normal crop. Massachusetts, forty per cent, of a normal crop. Montana, thirty-three per cent, of a normal crop. Mississippi, ten per cent, of a normal crop. Minnesota, forty per cent, of a normal crop. New York, twenty-five per cent, of a normal crop, their main variety, Baldwins, being a total failure. Nebraska, ten per cent, of a normal crop. New Mexico, thirty-three per cent, of a normal crop. New Jersey, fifty per cent, of a normal crop, being mainly summer and fall fruit ; winter apples a failure. New Hampshire, twenty-five per cent, of a normal crop. North Carolina, fifty per cent, of a normal crop. Oregon, fifty per cent, of a normal crop. Oklahoma, fifty per cent, of a normal crop. Pennsylvania, no fall apples, fair crop of winter apples. Rhode Island, sixty per cent, of normal crop. South Carolina, failure. Tennessee, only raise summer apples, poor crop. Texas, failure. "West Virginia, fifty per cent of a nominal crop. Virginia, forty per cent, of a nominal crop. (This is the home of the Yellow Newtown Pippin ; expect to ship one hundred thousand barrels) . Wisconsin, thirty per cent., but will have nothing to export. Washington, fifty per cent, of a normal crop. PEARS. New Jersey reports seventy-five per cent, of a normal crop. California, Florida, Maryland, and Minnesota, report fifty per cent, of a normal crop. Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and' Washington, twenty-five per cent, of a normal crop. Louisiana, New York, Texas, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia, ten per cent, of a normal crop. Massachusetts and New Hampshire, forty per cent., but report poor quality. Montana, thirty-three per cent. 92 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Ohio, sixty per cent. Oregon, thirty per cent. Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Michigan, Maine, and Pennsylvania, report a total failure. PEACHES. The principal peach-growing sections in the United States, report as follows : California, full crop. Colorado, half crop. Florida, nearly a failure. Georgia, total failure. Idaho, twenty per cent, of a normal crop. Maryland, total failure in the Blue Mountain ridge belt, and report twenty per cent, on tidewater lands. Southern Oregon, very full crop. Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio, about twenty per cent, of normal crop. Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mis- souri, Massachusetts, Montana, Mississippi, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the Virginias, all re- port a total failure. PRUNES. California reports sixty-six per cent, of normal crop, rang- ing from twenty to eighty per cent, in different sections. Idaho will have a half crop. Oregon and Washington will not have over twenty-five per cent., these ranging from failure to one hundred per cent., according to locality, the highest percentage in Oregon being French prunes. The picture is not a brilliant one, as far as fruit prospects are concerned. All of the reports state from a total failure of one or all of their crops to some sixty per cent, of some par- .ticular variety, which holds true throughout the world, except two bright spots in Oregon, one being Eagle Valley, Union County, in Eastern Oregon, and the other the Rogue River and Umpqua valleys in Southern Oregon, where all varieties of fruits, apples, pears, French and Italian prunes, peaches, grapes, French walnuts and almonds have a full crop, while other portions of Oregon share with the rest of the world. The reports are a unit as to the cause of these failures. In REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 93 the United States the same unseasonable climatic conditions prevailed. The cold wave which rolled from the Atlantic sea- board to the shores of the Pacific in early February, followed by cold rains, destroyed in many states what promised earlier in the season to be a bountiful fruit harvest. Throughout Europe the most of the damage was done in April, continuing into June, and what the cold rains did not destroy was finally annihilated by many hailstorms. While these conditions are very much to be regretted, and while we do not wish to rejoice over the misfortunes of others, yet it cannot help but be gratifying to the Oregon fruitgrower to know that we are not the only ones who have suffered. We have enough, yes, more than enough for home consump- tion of all kinds of fruits, and in some districts hundreds of carloads to ship to our less fortunate neighbors. This cer- tainly will relieve the Oregon fruitgrowers from discourage- ment, and ought to be a stimulant for the future care of our orchards, especially so as the damage to trees reported from elsewhere is much more severe than here in Oregon. Permit me to quote a few extracts. Hon. Talbot J. Albert, Consul at Brunswick, Germany, says, among other very pertinent things: "The fruit crop is almost everywhere a failure."' Hon. Frank H. Mason, Consul-General at Berlin, says : "The spring season was late, cold, and wet ; heavy rains continued until after the first of June, and this, with the cold weather and a hailstorm which fell in this region about three weeks ago, has, according to all accounts, so damaged the young apples, pears, and plums that only an inferior crop will be realized." Mr. Cunningham, Consul at Chemnitz, a large man- ufacturing center, writes : 'I wash I had time to detail the de- sires of the people here for our fruits. The fruit crop outlook here is bad ; very, very bad. Weather was wicked all spring, is villainously cold now (May 29) . Germans hunger for our fruits, apples before all others." And so are all other reports of foreign states, many stating that instead of exporting they would have to import more and more each season. The demand for apples is very great in England and Ger- many, for our fresh products, and in France principally for what is known as "chops." Allow me to quote only one letter, which voices the contents of nearly all others. Mr. Joseph I. Brittain, Consul at Nantes, France, says : " There is a good opening for evaporated apples known as 'chops.' These apples are sliced thin and dried, including skins, seeds, 94 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. and cores ; tliey are packed in plain barrels. The poorer classes here use large quantities of these apples for making cider. Last season one firm sold more than twelve thousand barrels, and they sell at present for seven cents per pound. Prunes sell at sixteen to twenty cents," etc. A few days ago a letter of inquiry came from Bordeaux, France, to this office, in regard to evaporated prunes, showing that there is not only an increasing market for our goods, but also that Oregon fruits are becoming favorably known, and that the trade is reaching out to us for them, which certainly is very gratifying. Several noticeable facts are to be empha- sized, however. One is that all consuls say there is a good market for our fruits, and place the apple, either fresh or evaporated, first on the list, which endorses my statement in my January report that the apple is the commercial fruit of the world today, with the evaporated prune as a good second ; the other is the attention called to the packing of all fruits by all correspondents, saying that only goods packed honestly and in a merchantable manner will command high figures, and evaporated goods should be packed in small, neat boxes. In conclusion, we beg to say that the outlook, present and prospective, for Oregon fruits, is most encouraging, which will increase with developing markets abroad, notably the Orient. While prices rule high this season, we cannot rea- sonably expect them always, but may feel confident that generally they will be remunerative to the progressive horti- culturist. GOOD MARKET FOR FRUIT. To the President and Officers of the Oregon State Board of Horti- culture, Greeting : I have the honor to present to you herewith my report of the doings and proceedings of this office since our meeting at Salem in April. Agreeable with your instructions, this office was removed from the State Capitol at Salem and located in the Assembly Hall of the Chamber of Commerce, this city, Mr. J. L. Hart- man kindly furnishing us the room and space required for our exhibits free of charge. The location is a fairly good one, for the reason that all persons arriving in our state, either seeking farm or orchard lands, or for the purpose of making investments in either mines, manufacturing, or other REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 95 business pursuits, naturally seek the Chamber of Commerce as the supposed center of unbiased information. This sur- mise proved to be a correct one, as hundreds of people called for information of every kind, which was given to the best of my ability. It is particularly gratify to state that a great many horticulturists of our own state called while in the city for enlightenment on many subjects in which they were -deeply interested. COMMERCIAL INFORMATION. For a number of years I have been convinced that this board should enlarge its scope of usefulness by reaching out to seek reliable information regarding the fruit crops in other states likely to come into competition with our own fruits in the world's markets, as well as to seek new fields for our own •choice fruits. With this object in view I entered into corres- pondence with the experiment stations, state boards of horti- culture, horticultural societies, and the principal fruitgrowers and dealers throughout the United States, as well as the American consuls in all the various fruitgrowing districts in Germany, France, England, Russia, Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Holland, Chinese Empire, and Japan. AVe have received over six hundred replies, the results of which have been published in the Oregonian and the horticultural press, from time to time, for the benefit of our fruitgrowers, the summary of which is, however, that the fruit crop throughout the world this year was exceedingly small, and in most cases inferior in qualit}^, owing to un- seasonable climatic conditions, notably in Europe, where hailstorms in July destroyed almost completely what little fruit the frosts and cold rains left on the trees. As expected, many letters came from dealers in response to the statement published by this board of a large crop of fruit in certain sections of our state, all of which were answered, and dealers and growers brought into direct communication with each other. I have taken great pains to impress upon our fruitgrowers these facts, and stated that in consequence of these conditions good fruit would bring high prices, and to hold out for them, so that they would reap the benefits sought to be bestowed by the inquiries made by this board. This work has no doubt been appreciated, for many of our progressive orchardists who have called were pleased with the results of the voluntary work done by this board. 96 REPORT OP STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. SCARCITY OP FINE FRUITS. The last Fruit Trade Journal, of New York, says: "The exact situation regarding the apple crop is still a question of doubt ; even those who are well informed on this subject ex- press themselves as being at a loss in judging conditions this season. While there is undoubtedly a large crop, its quality seems to be constantly deteriorating. Adverse reports are still being received from all sections. The fruit is dropping badly, and where picking is in progress, the yield appears to be lighter than anticipated, and the quality somewhat inferior. Fruit Trade Journal has believed that earlier estimates were far in excess of the jDrobable yield, and its reports have been more or less to that effect, which present information tends to- con firm." It will be seen that while there will be plenty of apples of ordinary quality, there will be no surplus of fine fruit. Pears sold at auction in Chicago realized, for Doyenne du Comice, $2.85 ; Bartlett, $2.50 ; Beurre Clairgeau, $1.85 ; and Winter Nellis, eighty-five cents per box. Prunes: Italian, $1.25 ; Pe- tites, $1.65 ; and Silvers, $1.60 per crate, which certainly are most satisfactory figures. It will be observed that the Doy- enne du Comice brought the highest figures, and they gener- ally do. This pear does not receive the attention it should, as it is unquestionably the finest pear grown today ; the tree being a healthy, vigorous, upright grower. Notwithstanding the "bearing" of the market on the part of evaporated prune dealers, there seems absolutely nothing to warrant it. We know that Europe will have to import, instead of exporting, as heretofore, and that the Eastern mar- kets are depleted ; hence the figures offered seem very low. ORIENTAL MARKET. When I stated a year or more ago that we should reach out for this market, the advisability was called into question, but that there is a market there for fruits is evidenced by the fact that importations of fruit have been made in 1898, towit : British East Indies, $12,346 ; British Australasia, $260,611 ; other Asiatic possessions and Oceanica, $147,151 ; Hong- Kong, $67,718; rest of China, $23,761; Japan, $22,713. Here are markets which should be cultivated and developed, and are i^ractically our own, especially for our fine apples and Italian prunes. The evaporated product of this prune is too- REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 97 fine to bring into competition with sun-dried French prunes, as is done now in our Eastern markets, w^hich competition would be eliminated in the Orient, as the inhabitants of that climate demand a semi-tart fruit, a quality not possessed by the sweet, insipid, sun-dried French prune of California. Therefore this market belongs exclusively to the Pacific Northwest, and these people should not be compelled to send to Europe to supply the increasing demand. But, in order to compete with European fruits, we must prepare our goods as these markets demand it. Hon. A. Burlingame Johnson, Consul at Amoy, covers this ground completely in his report to our government, based upon the inquiry made by this board. Permit me to quote : " There is a steadily increasing demand among the natives for foreign fruits, Avhether canned, dried, or preserved. The European population look to these imported fruits almost exclusively to supply their tables. Tinned pears, peaches, and apricots, come principally from America, while preserved fruits, jams, and dried fruits still come largely from Europe. The reason is apparent. The American manufacturer will not, or does not, meet the con- ditions required. Since there are no peaches or pears in Europe which can compete with tliose of California, the Oriental merchant has no choice ; in other lines he is not so restricted. Prunes and raisins are largely used. The dried fruit is put up in bottles and sealed. In no other way can it be shipped to the tropics without great loss, as the humidity of the climate, or insects, will soon render it unsalable. No fruit, biscuits, crackers, or any other food product can be safely shipped to central or southern China, or the Philip- pines, without being sealed in glass bottles or tinned. The English and Continental merchants and manufacturers under- stand this, and put up their fruits accordingly. If tinned, the tins are either painted or varnished to prevent rust and consequent loss to merchants. The American manufacturer has found a market for his product without these extra expenses, and is slow to meet the demand ; hence dried fruit, jams, and tinned fruits are usually bought in other countries where these necessary details are looked after. If our exporters of fruit expect to hold the market in the Philippines, or to gain a better footing in China, they should begin by studying the conditions, and promptly meeting them. Prices realized in China for fruits justify the expense necessary to put them up so as to insure their being in good condition when they reach the consumer." 98 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. * This is a decidedly plain statement of the conditions, and we should not fail to grasp the situation. Lord Beaconsfield said : " The great secret of success in life is to be ready when the opportunity comes." FRUIT INSPECTION. In order to carry out the amended law regarding the sale and shipment of diseased or infected fruits, I, as quarantine officer of this port, informed all dealers in this city that the law would be enforced, gave them copies of said law, and re- quested them to notify their customers to that effect, in which they co-operated heartily. Since the beginning of the ship- ping season I have examined fruits arriving on Front Street daily, and am pleased to state that I was forced to condemn only one lot, consisting of twenty-four crates of Italian prunes infected with San Jose scale. Owing to some fruits being condemned at places in other states which our shippers con- sidered unjust, I offered to examine fruits prior to shipment, free of charge, and issue a certificate to that effect. Those who have availed themselves of this offer report having had no trouble since. FRUIT IN EASTERN OREGON. Compliant to numerous requests to visit the Eastern Ore- gon fruit section, President H. B. Miller, Commissioner W. K. Newell and myself made the journey and extended our in- vestigations into tlie Snake River region, both Oregon and Idaho sides. The primary I'eason for going as far as the Boise Valley was to look into the economic aspect of horticul- ture under entirely different soil and climatic conditions from those prevailing in the Willamette Valley. The Snake River region, extending from Huntington to Mountain Home, a distance of some one hundred and fifty miles, belongs to the arid region, with a light soil, and here- tofore was considered worthless, but under irrigation it has blossomed out most wonderfully. Some seventeen thousand acres have been planted in fruit of various kinds, and up to now the trees have made good growth and produced good crops. We have found that in this entire region the top soil is underlaid with a strata of hardpan, impervious to water or roots. This top soil varies from six inches to eiglit feet in REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 99 depth, and the thickness of this strata of hardpan is from three inches to fifteen inches. Underneath this hardpan is gravelly loam, rich in plant food, but not available at present on ac- count of this hardpan. Had the orchardists of that region examined into this soil condition, and adopted the advice given by this board for years past, by dynamiting the soil, thus shat- tering the hardpan and allowing roots and water to go down, they would not now be confronted with the problem they are. The trees jDlanted on this light, shallow topsoil have about used up all the available plant-food, and in consequence stopped growing and soon will cease to bear fruit — the roots have spread out on the surface, and are therefore liable to injury from freezing, and the trees become loose and easily thrown over by strong winds. The only remedy now is to bore a hole into the hardpan between the rows of trees, and dynamite it, which will materially assist the feeding root to go down and prolong the life of these trees. However, all this should have been done prior to planting. We are also of the opinion that if the soil is properly dyna- mited irrigation will be more perfect, as the water will go down easier, and in consequence will require less irrigation and more cultivation, and bring up the water from below by capillary attraction. Tliat this theory is correct is evidenced by the fact that wherever it has been tried it has proven suc- cessful. Mr. J. S. D. Mannville, of Boise, dynamited his soil Avith good effect. Mr. David Dunbar, near Vale, Malheur County, planted an orchard, but it did not do well — the trees grew slowly and were continually blown over. After five years of experimenting, his hired man, who had read our re- ports, suggested dynamiting, which they did, and planted an orchard alongside the old one, and now these later trees are three times the size of the old ones, are strong, healthy, and bear abundant crops of fruit. In view of such conclusive ob- ject lessons, it seems to us that intelligent, progressive horti- culturists would not be slow in adopting the methods suggested . One of the most remarkable observations is that trees in the Grande Ronde, Powder River, Burnt River, Malheur River, Weiser, Payette, Boise, and Snake River valleys go into bearing at such an early age, and attain such large size. Orchards at four years bear good crops of fruit, and the trees are fully as large as six and seven-year-old trees in the Willamette Valley, which can only be explained by the large quantity of available phosphoric acid, potash and nitrogen in this soil, which, how- 100 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. ever, is exhausted at ten years, as explained above, and new feeding ground must be provided by breaking up the underly- ing hard pan. Mr. Richardson has an apple orchard of thirty-five acres near La Grande, now four years old, which yielded six hun- dred boxes of most excellent fruit this year, which is consid- ered an off year on all kinds of fruit. IRRIGATION. The entire Snake River district, both Oregon and Idaho sides, is susceptible to irrigation by the waters from Snake River itself, but more easily obtained from Malheur, Owyhee, Boise, Payette, and Weiser rivers, several large canals being now in use for the orchards and alfalfa fields planted under their lines. Irrigation, however, does not seem to be thor- oughly understood, for we found nearly all the feeding roots to be close to the surface, which would indicate too much irri- gation on the one hand and not cultivation enough on the other, and we reached the conclusion that if the hardpan were thoroughly dynamited to allow the water to percolate through, much less irrigation would be necessary, and by thorough and frequent cultivation the roots would be forced down, making healthier, stronger, longer-lived trees, and less susceptible to disease. FRUITS TO GROW. Owing to the entire absence of apple scab and pear blight, which is, no doubt, due to the lighter, drier atmosphere, we are of the opinion that the growing of winter apples, and especially winter pears, would be most profitable, as the latter can be grown only with difficulty west of the Cascade Mountains. The demand for winter fruits is very large and increasing, aiid the soils of the Eastern Oregon valleys and Snake River region seem specially adapted for apples and pear culture. It is essential, however, to select such varieties as mature late, say the last of October or early in November, for fruits which mature during the hot weather will not keep, as the fruit juices are warm when the fruit is picked, and will ferment and soon decay ; but such fruits as ripen when the cool season has set in will keep well, and have excellent shipping qualities. We would particularly recommend the planting of such varieties as will stand ocean transportation, to supply the ever-increasing demand for our fine apples and i REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 101 pears in the markets of England, German}^ and France, and from now on the rapidly developing Oriental trade. In the foothills, however, especially about Cove, in the Grande Ronde Valley, we find the seasons very short, hence such varieties should be selected which come to maturity rapidly, in order to make it profitable. Another fruit adapted for that region is the Italian prune. The trees now in bearing seem strong and healthy, and the fact of their ripening late in the season, in fact, after all prunes of Western Oregon and California have long been consumed, give them a special market value as a fresh fruit. The Italian prunes which were sent to us at the Trans- Mississippi Exposition, at Omaha, last year in October, from Ontario and Payette, were the finest on exhibtion. Owing to their lateness they will always command high prices. French Prunes do not do well there. Owing to the cheapness with which ice can be procured along the Snake River for cold storage, they possess a great advantage over other sec- tions, and fresh fruits can be kept to humor the market, and fruitgrowers of that section would do well to consider this point. Ver}^ few prunes are being evaporated in this section. The facilities for it are limited, but will develop, no doubt, as occasion demands. In the Grande Ronde Valley prunes, and especially cherries, mature even later than in the Snake River country, and at a time when such fruits are sought after, and would, therefore, make a most profitable crop to grow VARIETIES. The choice for apples so far planted is : Ben Davis, Wolf River, Jonathan, Golden Reinette, Gano, Rome Beauty, York Imperial, and Shakelford. In pears we would suggest : Win- ter Nellis, Beurre Easter, Fall Butter, Beurre d'Anjou, and Doyenne du Comice — all excellent fruits, good keepers, and commanding the highest market prices. In the K. S.& D. two-hundred-acre orchard, near Ontario, we were shown a number of apple trees, all of one variety, the j'oung growth of which was severely injured by last February's freeze, which checked its growth completely, though not all in one place, and not touching other varieties alongside, and as this is the second time it occurred, it would be well to watch them closely, and possibly remove them for others, as they would not be profitable to grow. 102 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Speaking of frosts, we learned that it is impossible to locate any spot exempt from it, but all orchards are not always in- jured, as the blooming varies materially even in orchards close to each other. Frosts, however, seldom do any damage, except during pollination ; after the fruit has set it will stand quite a freeze, Mr. McPherson, Horticultural Commissioner for Idaho, tells us that often in sj)ring fruit and leaves are frozen stiff, but for some unknown reason they generally thaw out without injury. INSECTS AND DISEASES. Of insects there are the San Jose scale, green aphis, and red spider, which, however, are easily controlled now by ap- plying remedies given by our bulletin and reports ; but by far the greatest enemy is the codling moth, of which they have some three and one-half broods per season, owing, no doubt, to the warm nights which prevail during the season. The band system is used extensively, and spraying followed, religiously, but the best results have only been obtained by those who persistently watched and examined the band every week, as the larvae develops in about that period, and sprayed almost continuously — many growers going over their orchards twice and three times in succession when the apple has at- tained the size of a hazelnut and before the calyx closes, so as to fill this place full of poison for any codling moth larv8& which may find its way there, the usual point of attack, many orchardists going so far as to pick off all wormy fruit. We further found that along the foothills of the Grande Ronde Valley, notably near Cove, the codling moth has not obtained foothold, very few apples there being wormy. This is no doubt attributable to the cool nights prevailing there the year round. As regards the development of the moth, there is a vast difference between the Grande Ronde and the Snake River districts. The codling moths are more severe in the Boise River Valley and its tributaries than any part of the fruitgrowing district of the Northwest. In the Grande Ronde Valley, however, the injuries from it are as light as anywhere, except directly on the coast line, where the moth does not propagate at all, which is evidently due to climatic conditions. As stated before, we have been unable to find any apple scab or pear blight, or even the dreaded apple canker or dead- spot, but have found the crater blight of the pear quite seri- ous, and unless taken in hand at once and stamped out it REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 103 will prove very disastrous to existing pear orchards and those being planted. In conclusion we would state that the adaptability of the soil and cheapness of alfalfa-growing would make that country an ideal creamery field, and by way of diversified farming, with the additions to horticulture, or growing hogs, cattle and sheep, make it a great field of operation and promise. Early in January, 1900, it was deemed necessary to inform growers and dealers as to the enforcement of the new law, so all might govern themselves accordingh^, and the following bulletin was issued : " To the Public: "Agreeable with the conclusions arrived at by this board at its last fall meeting, all the commissioners of the various districts have been very active in field work, inspecting orchards, nurseries, home places, etc., and hundreds of notices have been served to clean up neglected places in accordance with the horticultural law governing such cases, and for their benefit and guidance these sections are herewith given in full. We also give the sections covering the sale of diseased fruits, so that shippers and dealers may govern themselves thereby : " Section 2. It shall hereafter be the duty of any person, firm, or corporation, owning or operating any nursery, fruit orchard, hop yard, fiower garden, or ornamental trees, and knowing such to be affected with any kind of insects, pests, disease, to immediately spray or destroy the same in such manner as the fruit commissioner for his district may direct. " Section 5. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to import or sell any infested or diseased fruit of any kind in the State of Oregon. " Section 8. It shall be the duty of the Commissioner of the State Board of Horticulture of the district in which a violation of this act occurs to present the evidence of the case to the district attorney, whose duty it shall be to prosecute any person guilty of a violation of this act ; which prosecu- tion may be brouglit in any of the justice courts of this state. "We call special attention of growers and shippers to sec- tion 5, and notice is hereby given that diseased, scabby, wormy or scaly fruit will not be allowed to be sold in any of the markets of this state hereafter. While the board hopes that 104 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE, it will not be necessary to use harsh measures, it must be fully understood that in case of noncompliance the law will be strictly enforced." This notice proved timely and beneficial, as jobbers in this city expressed a willigness to co-operate and handle nothing but clean fruit. These facts were published far and wide, and many a spray-pump which otherwise would have re- mained idle was called into requisition with most gratifying results. Never since the early days of Oregon horticulture were apples cleaner, freer from fungous diseases and worms, and in consequence found more buyers at higher prices. At this time it became apparent that our office was not located to be very convenient for those who wished to visit it, and for the display of our horticultural products. As there were no funds for the renting of a suitable room or office, I conceived the idea of enlarging our sphere of usefulness by starting a permanent exhibit of Oregon products and informa- tion bureau concerning Oregon industries. Knowing that this would cost about $2,000, and in order to enlist the assistance of transportation companies and merchants of Portland gen- erally, I laid the matter before the Chamber of Commerce for co-operation. The idea was received very favorably, and they appointed a committee to assist me in raising the necessary funds to carr}^ out the project. After a good deal of hard work we succeeded in raising $2,000 — $1,200 for rent, $480 for jan- itor, $300 for fixtures. I had agreed to give my services and personal supervision for one year free of charge, and early in April moved our office and exhibits to the large storeroom. No. 246 Washington Street, where I have since maintained a complete exhibit of Oregon resources in horticulture, agricul- ture, mines, forestry, dairy, fish, and stock. This has been of great benefit, not alone to visitors from abroad who come here to see what the state produces, either for settlement or investment, but to our fruitgrowers in particular. Here they can see ail the various fruits grown on different soils and un- der different climatic conditions, thus being enabled to com- pare the fruits of the various sections, and it is therefore a great educator. I am pleased to say that our fruitgrowers see the advantage of the opportunity offered, and make free use of our office and exhibit. Our semi-annual meeting was held at this room April 9, A. C. This was a notable meeting. The morning session opened with a general discussion on the efficiency of spraying REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 105 fruit trees for the extermination of codling moth. Most satis- factory results, it was shown, were produced, where the spray was properly prepared and tlie spraying persisted in. Olwell Brothers, of Central Point, who have one hundred and sixty acres of apple trees, sprayed systematically five times during the season, and have secured ninety-eight per cent, of clean fruit thereby and two per cent, only containing worms. They .sold $14,000 worth of apples last year. E. L. Smith and II. C. Sayres, of Hood River, reported as the result of thorough spraying the securing of ninety-five per cent, of clean fruit, with only five per cent, showing worms. LaSalle Brothers, of Albany, who have fifty acres of apple trees, by persistent spraying, saved ninety-six per cent, of their fruit. Many others reported equally satisfactory results from following this plan. All these fruitgrowers have used the particular sprays recommended by this board, and, in view of such testimony, the conclusion was reached that the contention, " That spraying is inefficient," is fallacious, as well as absurd. The retiring President, Hon. H. B. Miller, who resigned his position to accept the appointment as United States Consul to Chiang Kiang, China, read his report, which will be found elsewhere in this volume, after which he introduced his suc- cessor, Hon. E. L. Smith, of Hood Kiver. In this connection the following resolutions were adopted : Whereas, Hod. H. B. Miller, the President of the State Board of Horti- culture, has voluntary resig-ned the commissionership-at-large, in order to accept a foreign consulship; Bfsolvcd. That it is the sense of the members of the State Board of Hor- ticulture that it is with regret that they see President Miller sever his rela- tions with the board, and, as members of the board, would reg-ard his loss to the horticultural interests of the state irreparable, were it not that he is succeeded by such a well-known horticulturist and energetic g'entleman as the Hon. E.L. Smith of Hood River. Besolvcd. That the g'ood wall and wnshes of the members of the board will g-o with President Miller on his foreign mission, and that we believe he will use great energy in the Orient in securing the introduction of Oregon fruits in that section of the world. Many letters were received at this time regarding the en- forcement of the quarantine law. Growers and dealers seemed alike anxious, and it was decided that inasmuch as there would be a full crop of fruits, the law should be strictly enforced, whereupon the following letter was issued, inclosing a copy of the law, to wit : 106 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OP HORTICULTURE. To Dealers in Fruit — Dear Sir : We beg to hand you appended a copy of the law governing- the sale or shipment of diseased fruits. This law will be strictly enforced, and no diseased or infested fruits will be allowed sold in this market. We- hope you will govern yourself accordingly. Copies of this letter were mailed to the retail dealers in all the cities of this state, with most gratifying results. I have personally inspected the wholesale districts of Portland daily^ and as many of the grocery and fruit stores as I could ; but very few dealers had to be reminded of the law, and, in con- sequence, the fruit offered for sale was exceptionally free from disease and worms, so much so, that it created consid- erable comment on the part of the consumers. FRUIT CROP OF OREGON. Continuing the work outlined by this board a year ago, our commissioners have again made an estimate of the present fruit crop throughout Oregon, based on personal examination of the orchards, as well as upon many replies to inquiries sent froiii this office early this month. The work done by the board along this line a year ago has been much appreciated and proved very beneficial to our growers, as it drew the attention of dealers and eastern ship- pers to the various sections having a surplus for export, which otherwise would not have done so. This is evidenced by the number of letters reaching this office making inquiry as to the probable available quantity of the various fruits for east- ern markets this year. For the benefit of our own growers and exporters I have written to all the consuls in the fruit-consuming districts of the world, as to the condition and prospects of the fruit yield, and as soon as the replies are received, will tabulate them for publication. A similar report from all the fruitgrowing sec- tions of the United States is now being compiled, and will be published later. ESTIMATED FRUIT YIELD. Morrow, Wasco, Gilliam, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, and Sher- man counties : Per cent. Apples ^ Pears 75 Fellenberg (Italian) prunes 80 French prunes 90 Cherries 70 Peaches 7n. REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 107 Uniou, Umatilla, Baker, Malheur, and Wallowa counties : Per cent. Apples 100 Pears 95 Fellenberg (Italian) prunes 100 Cherries 90 Peaches 95 Apricots 95 Douglas, Josephine, and Jackson counties : Per cent. Apples 80 Pears 20 Fellenberg (Italian) prunes 10 French prunes 50 Peaches 10 Grapes 75 Coos and Curry counties, full crop of all kinds of fruits. Multnomah, Clackamas, Yamhill, Washington, Columbia, Clatsop, and Tillamook counties : Per cent. Apples 1 100 Pears 95 Fellenberg (Italian) prunes 30 French prunes 100 Cherries 65 Grapes 65 Lincoln, Marion, Polk, Benton, Linn, and Lane counties : Per cvnt. Apples 80 Pears 90 Fellenberg (Italian) prunes 30 French prunes 100 Cherries 65 All percentages being based on a full crop of one hundred per cent. Berries of all kinds are reported a full crop in every section, and never in the history of Oregon were wild strawberries and blackberries larger, finer flavored, or more abundant than the present year. From these reports it will be seen that Eastern Oregon will have the largest fruit yield ever harvested in that section, and the apple crop will be especially large all over the state. The peaches in Southern Oregon, and the Fellenberg prunes throughout the Willamette Valley are the only fruits which have been injured primarily by frosts. This means a loss of about ninety carloads of peaches to Southern Oregon, and possibly four hundred carloads of Fellenberg prunes to the Willamette Valley. There has been much speculation as to the partial failure 108 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. of the Fellenberg prune, and many theories have been advanced, but there is no question but that frosts gave the finishing stroke, while many other factors enter into the ques- tion, such as weak pollination, cold rains, check of sap flow, starvation, etc. Primarily it must be remembered that the Fel- lenberg prune is a weak pollinator under the most favorable conditions. Pollen is very sensitive to climatic changes, and if injured or weakened by cold rains, as was the case this year, it makes a feeble offspring, easily destroyed. Had warm 'and pleasant weather followed these cold rains, there is no doubt that many orchards would have pulled through with a fair crop of prunes, l)ut the severe frosts which followed were too much for the embryo prunes in their weakened condition, and they dropped off, which could have been prevented by smudge fires. However, I do not wish to enter into this con- troversy at this time, as it has been thoroughly and conclu- sively proven a correct method of preventing injury to fruits, grains, and vegetables from frosts, and it is too lengthy a subject for a report of this kind. Those who are interested and desire to inform themselves more fully on this subject are referred to page 451 of our last bienniel report, Farmer Bul- letin No. 104, Weather Bureau Bulletins Nos. 186 and 219, United States Department of Agriculture, and to growers in our state who have saved their fruits by smudge fires. (See article on frost in this report.) These reports are far-reaching, hot only for fruit people, but, being copied in hundreds of eastern papers, act as an immigration literature. FRUIT CROP OF UNITED STATES. Last year I sent out letters of inquiry as to the probable output of fruit in the various fruitgrowing sections of the United States for the benefit of our growers and dealers . The replies received and published proved of great benefit, and were so much appreciated that I have this year again mailed some three hundred letters of inquiry to the officers of horti- cultural societies, state boards of horticulture, principal fruit- growers, and dealers. Two hundred and seventeen replies have been received up to date, from which the following tabu- lated statement was compiled, and I hope it will again prove valuable to the grower, the dealer, and shipper alike. The percentages given are based on a full crop of one hundred per cent. REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 109 FRUIT CROP OF UNITED STATES. state. Applet!. Pears. Plums. Peaches. CIttrries. drapes. Italian prunes. French prunes. Arkansas 50 70 .50 75 60 100 a5 75 50 90 25 90 100 40 80 50 80 85 85 65 80 90 100 60 .50 30 60 80 60 90' .50 80 40 100 30 20 10 80 .50 80 20 30 40" 60 40 65 40 20 80 95 .50 .50 50 75 40 10 75 60 75 90 100 30 70 50 25 95 80 25 70" 95 100 90 100 75 100 100 40 100 Connecticut California 80 Georgia Illinois _ _ - -' 100 100 15 .50 60 40 75 90 m 40 Idaho 100 Indiana - - - Iowa -- _ - Kansas Maine Maryland - _ _ 75 .50 ........ 25 100 60 80 50 70 100 100 65 30 90 70 90 35 100 90 40' 75 100 70 80 MichiRan Minnesota Missouri _ 25 60 Montana - New Hampshire 80 100 100 90 New .Iersey_. — 100 100 90 50 70" North Carolina Ohio Oregon— 10 10 95 6.5" 90 100 75 100 10 .so 100 .50 Western . 100 Pennsylvania _ - - South Dakota __ ""ioo" 90' 90 95 30 70 60 100 " ioo" Virginia _ Washington — Western 25 85 50 Eastern _ . Wisconsin -- - - Nova Scotia, Ontario and Canada report a full crop, espe- cially of winter apples, and, as these districts are great factors in the export trade, they must be taken into consideration. In looking over the list one cannot help noticing the immense fruit crop to be harvested throughout the United States, and it will be further noticed that, like a year ago, Oregon stands at the head. One fact is very much empha- sized and dwelt upon by my correspondent, and that is the dropping of apples in many districts, but they say it is only in neglected orchards. Those orchards which have been sys- tematically sprayed and thoroughly cultivated hold their fruits, are clean, well-shaped and free from scab or worms — which can also be said of our own commercial orchards as well as many smaller places — all progressive fruitgrowers having learned this lesson long ago. Unlike a year ago, we are confronted with an immense ap- ple crop for export, and if w^e desire to obtain the highest, or even remunerative prices this year, only choice, clean fruit should be selected, carefully wrapped and packed in four-tier boxes, especially such as are destined for England, France and Germany. To illustrate, permit me to state that early 110 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OP HORTICULTURE. last March a car of four-tier apples were shipped by a Port- land house to Hamburg, Germany, which came from a com- mercial orchard in Southern Oregon. These apples sold for fifteen marks ( $3.65 ) , notwithstanding that plenty of five-tier apples were in that market at the time, and netted the growers $2.45 per box after paying freights, commissions and all other expenses. The reasons for such fancy figures were simply absolutely clean fruit, honestly packed and labeled, all apiDles being of the same size and quality. I have repeat- edly stated that to do otherwise is commercial suicide, and sincerely hope that our growers, dealers and shippers will follow the example set by our Southern Oregon friends, and will not make a fatal mistake in this year of j)lenty. This brings us back to the old question of competition in European markets, and the more the question is studied the more I become convinced that the Orient is the market for us to develop. The Oriental market is practically our own, and, when we realize this, and turn our attention to it, we will sever the Gordian knot of competition with one clean cut. FRUIT CROP OF EUROPE. Agreeable to my statement in the report of the expected and estimated fruit yield throughout the United States made a month ago, I now present the fruit prospect of foreign countries, based on several hundred replies received to a letter of inquiry sent out by me to United States consuls and dealers immediately in touch with importation of fruits from America to their respective countries, being percentages based on a full crop of one hundred per cent : England France Belgiuna Russia Holland Servla Bosnia Switzerland Hungary Italy Poland Austria Prussia Bavaria Wurtenberg Hessen-Darmstadt _- Turliey Sweden and Norway Apples. Pears. Prunes 100 100 75 100 90 80 80 95 90 50 100 100 55 60 90 100 70 80 90 85 60 40 70 80 75 80 60 40 80 90 40 40 &5 90 40 30 50 100 100 30 100 100 100 100 100 50 100 100 60 90 90 100 100 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Ill China and Japan are not reported as they are principally consumers. It will be noticed that, like the United States and Canada, nearly all Europe expects to harvest a bountiful crop of fruits, and, as Consul Adolf L. Frankenthal, of Berne, aptly re- marks, " This is what is called a fruit year." But, unlike ourselves, they seldom produce enough for home consump- tion, except prunes, leaving still a fine field for exportation of our fine apples and Fellenberg (Italian) prunes. The most noticeable fact in looking over the estimated percentage is the large yield of prunes, notably the French prunes in the districts of the valley of the Loire, and the small prunes of Turkey, Servia and Bosnia, though inferior in every respect to the Pacific Coast grown prunes, are nevertheless a factor in keeping down prices, especially for sizes running from eighty to one hundred and twenty to the pound. The consuls report to me at great length, and some of the suggestions are of so much value that I trust you will kindly allow me to quote : Mr. Hugo Henzelman, of Prague, says : "If only you could iind a way by which your fruit could be gotten into this market here, referring especially now to fresh fruit, you would be sur- prised at the quantity that could be sold here, for it is a fact not to be disputed that the people here, both rich and poor, are really wanting our fruits, the rich because it has a finer flavor and excels the home fruit here in every way, and the poor because they could buy our fruit cheaper here than the fruit grown here." Mr. Talbot J. Albert, Consul at Brunswick, says : "Each year the demand for our fresh and dried fruit increases in (lermany. This is ascribed to the improved condition of the working population, which now enjoys the consumption of fruits more than formerly." Consul-General Frank H. Mason writes from Berlin : "From all the sources, and from a special report just made, I learn that the outlook in Prussia is meager for apples, pears, and prunes (see percentage table) . The spring was very late, •dry and cold, late frosts injured the blossoms in many dis- tricts ; then came profuse and continuous rains, which have greatly injured all fruits. There will be an eager and abun- dant market for American dried fruits in Germany this year." The Consul at Bordeaux, France, Mr. Albion W. Tourgee, Avho writes at great length, makes some very good points. 112 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. He says in part : "The season has been unusually favorable to most kinds of fruits, having no late frosts, a dry time at blossoming, frequent and abundant rains afterwards. Apples in the south of France are never good, but the pear crop promises well — to be exceedingly large, and wijl certainly he of fine flavor. The pears of this region are deservedly noted for their quality. They are, of course, affected by the same plague of woi'ms as the apples, an evil that seems so little re- garded that the fruitdealer will sometimes regard your objec- tion to such occupancy with surprise. The yield of prunes promises well, both in quantity and quality, and I think American growers may safely count on the competition of an unusually large and unusually good prune crop from this consular district ; scarcely anything can now occur to reduce the quantity, and the weather is not likely to impair the quality. However, the almost universal destruction of all sorts of birds in this part of France, in my opinion, will soon render the production of good fruits well nigh impossible." Mr. A. M. Thackara, Consul at Havre, says, among other matters: "I have been informed by one of the largest im- porters of American fruits, that apples are now selling here for future delivery at a price one-third of that asked this time last year. He is of the opinion that there will be no apples or pears imported this year, or, at least, very few. There may be a small business done in prunes in the larger sizes.'' Summing up all the data obtainable, I find that there is a very large crop of fruit this year throughout the world to compete with, yet I feel that there is a market, and a fair market for absolutely clean, first-class apples and large-sized prunes, carefulh^ packed, to meet the demand of the best trade. It is a pleasure to state that most of Oregon apples this year are not alone of good size, but, through the care of the progressive orchardists, are, comparatively speaking, free from insects and scab. Our Fellenberg prunes are also very large — ideal conditions to meet this demand. As a guide of what the demand of apples for export this year will be, I give shipments of the season 1899-1900. The total shipments of apples from all American ports except Pacific Coast, were 1,293,121 barrels distributed as follows : Barrefft. Liverpool t>44,857 London 319,869 Glasgow 211,5.55 Hamburg 72,150 Various ports 44,690 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 113 In addition to the above there were exported of Pacific Coast apples, I'/a New York, 149,515 boxes, distributed among foreign ports as follov/s : Boj-es. To Liverpool 58,922 To London 70,724 To Glasgow 13,11S To Hamburg 4,82(i To Hull 1,92.-) In this connection the complaint comes from European merchants that our boxes are too light. They say apple boxes intended for export should be heavier, and strapped with iron. In conclusion I desire to state that the loss in the season 1899-1900, on account of poor keeping ciualities of apples grown east of the Rocky Mountains and in Canada will make buyers wary, and it is reasonable to expect this to act favor- ably for Pacific Coast grown apples. These reports, which involve a great deal of correspondence and labor, I assumed voluntarily ; they have never been attempted heretofore, but have been far-reaching and proven of great value, not alone to the grower and shipper of Oregon, but to dealers in the world's markets. By reason of these reports being published in all the leading papers of our state, growers kept fully informed as to the prices likely to rule in season, and sold their fruits accordingly. Shippers were kept posted as to the outlook in other states, so as to look for the most favorable markets for our choice fruits ; but, perhaps the most benefit our growers received is that these reports were copied by hundreds of horticultural and commercial papers throughout the east, and even Europe, drawing the attention of fruitbuyers to our crops, thus opening new markets, and enlarging new fields to operate in. Letters are continually received at this office from dealers abroad, asking to be placed in communication with growers and shippers of Oregon fruits, the superiority of which have been proven time and again. Consumers are beginning to discriminate, and by reason of our exhibits at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago, and Trans-Mississippi Exposition at Omaha^ where tons of Oregon fruit were distributed gratuitously to visitors. The placards on fruitstands in large eastern cities, where formerly none were to be seen, now read : " Oregon 114 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Apples," " Oregon Pears," " Oregon Cherries," " Oregon Peaches," etc., which cannot help but be gratifying to our fruitgrowers. It has been my aim to continually enlarge the usefulness of this ofhce, reaching out in all directions for expansion of our fruit industr}^ ; by reason of these efforts, a beginning of fruit shipments to the Orient has been made. Through corre- spondence with consuls and dealers, it has been learned that there is quite a field for operation in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and other large cities of China, as well as Nagasaki, Tokio, Japan, and even Siberia. A shipment of apples was recently made to Vladivostock, Siberia, which found a very sympa- thetic market among the Russian inhabitants, with every promise of expansion. One firm in Nagasaki asked me to have shipped to them, last year, as a trial order, one hundred boxes of apples by first steamer, and a like quantity on the following steamer, paying cash for them . These orders were turned over to a commission house in Portland, which filled them with evident satisfaction, as the trade since then has steadily increased. While I do not wish to repeat m3^self, these Oriental markets are of so much importance that I can- not help talking about it, and recommend the closest investi- gation of it, as it will give us an outlet for all our surplus fruits. We cannot always expect failures in some of the eastern or European fruit centers for the marketing of our surplus. There are years when all sections have abundant fruit crops, and then the necessity of a market to the west of us will be very apparent ; as this is liable to occur at any time, it is well to be prepared. Remember the old adage, "In time of peace prepare for war." GERMAN MARKET. For a number of years I have kept in close touch with Con- sul-General Frank Mason at Berlin, Germany, Avhere some of our line Italian prunes found a friendly market, and were sold as high as one mark (twenty-four cents) per i30und. He wrote to me recently, and said : "The popularity of American dried and preserved fruit in this country has increased from year to year — by reason of both their relative cheapness and their unrivaled flavor and excellence — until a leading wholesale dealer in such products at Berlin informs this consulate that his applications from his customers — who are mainly grocers REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 115 iind provision dealers in other towns and cities — are larger this season than ever before, and relate almost exclusively to American fruits. OUR PRUNES SUPPLANT FRENCH. " Pacific Coast prunes are rapidly supplanting the fine but expensive French product and the low-grade Bosnian prunes in the German market, and there is nothing here that can successfully compete with the dried pears and peaches and evaporated apples from the United States. It will, therefore, be of interest to American exporters to know that the tedious and annoying inspection of dried fruits at the German fron- tier, as a precaution against the supposed danger from the San Jose scale, has been discontinued since the first of last month, so that the way is now open to an unrestricted trade. " Last year the supply of American dried fruits was insuffi- cient to meet the demands of the German market, but this year large contracts have been made by American merchants, who, after visiting the Paris Exposition, have come to this country, and by way of combining business with travel, have visited the principal German cities and personally offered their products to the more important dealers. CAREFUL PACKING NECESSARY. "As to fresh fruits, the inspections at the frontier will be still maintained, but, it is believed, in a fair and liberal spirit. It is noted in this connection that hitherto cases of San Jose scale have been found most frequently among the highest and most expensive class of apples, such as are wrapped in tissue paper and put up in boxes for family and hotel use, whereas such infection has rarely been detected in the common grade of apples, which are packed loosel}" in ordinary barrels. This probably results from tlie fact that the choicest American apples come from a state or district specially infected by the scale, whereas the states along the northern frontier, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa, are generally free from it. It is suggested by the German importers that if, before being wrapped and packed, the high-class apples could be wiped or brushed, especially at the ends of the core, whatever scale exists might be easily removed and thus whole shipments of such expensive fruit, now liable to be condemned, would be enabled to pass the inspection without danger." 116 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. THE APPLE AS A COMMERCIAL FRUIT. Speaking of apples so continually referred to by all consuls and dealers from every foreign port, we stand head and shoulders above our neighbors as producers of fine apples. Oregon has acquired the sobriquet of "The Land of Red Ap- ples," and justly so, ever since that healthy fruit was first introduced by Mr. Luelling in the early forties. While apples are grown to perfection all over our state, yet certain sections are better adapted for apple culture than others. In our Willamette Valley apples grow everywhere in great profusion, but they have not the keeping qualities of those raised either in Southern or Eastern Oregon, though equally fine flavored and highly colored. Apple trees stand- ing on my own grounds near Portland and planted nearly fifty years ago — Baldwins, Spitzenbergs, Fall Pippins, Gloria Mundi, and Bellefleur — bear as fine fruit to day as they ever did. The total acreage planted to apples at present in Oregon is about sixteen thousand five hundred acres, but now that it has become apparent that the apple is the commercial fruit, many new plantings are being made, notably in Southern Oregon, Hood River Valley, and the higher plateau regions of Eastern Oregon, Avhere apples can be grown to perfection commercially. My observation at the Columbian Exposition, held at Chi- cago in 1893, and more recently at the Trans-Mississippi Ex- position at Omaha, led me to the conclusion that the apple is the commercial fruit par excellence of the whole Avorld as a fresh fruit, followed by our fine prunes as an evaporated product. We only need to keep track of production and con- sumption to become convinced soon that such is the case, as people become more educated, or civilized, so to speak, if you will allow me to use such a terse expression, the more the}" learn that fruit, especially apples, is the best food for man. In 1896 America had one of the largest ajDple crops up to that time, and the cry came from every quarter " over pro- duction ;" yet this year's crop, which is equally as large, if not larger, finds that prices are very firm — apples which sold in 1896 at New York at seventy-five cents per barrel are quoted this day at $1.50 per barrel, and the market in Oregon is very fi rm in sympathy with these conditions. First-class four-tier apples are now selling at from eighty-five cents to $1.25 per box, for shipment east and to Europe, and in a short time will reach a higher figure. REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 117 What does this all mean ? Just simply this : that the market is better organized. The grower and dealer have come into closer touch with each other for their mutual benefit. Apples have become further distributed than heretofore, and Europe has learned the value of American apples as a food. To illustrate : last spring a commission house sent one car of Newtown Pippins of South- ern Oregon growing to Hamburg, in Germany, which were sold for hfteen marks or $3.65 per box. About a month ago a gentleman came into my office and presented his card ; he proved to be a commission merchant from Hamburg. He said to me that he was present when this car of apples was auctioned oft', and was one of the bidders ; he was so im- pressed with the fine quality of these apples that he came over in person to make arrangements for this winter's supply. The outlook for the apple in the future, as a commercial fruit, is certain!}' a most promising one. A commercial apple orchard, located where climatic and soil conditions are most congenial to their perfection, is one of the best-paying propositions of this day. From observa- tion I find that the demand and consumption of apples in- creases from year to year, to the exclusion of most other fruits in the fresh state, followed closely by our fine prunes as an evaporated product. The apple is to the fruit what the potato is to the vegetable line — whenever once introduced, it is there to stay. THE APPLE ORCHARDS OF OREGON. There is perhaps no more fascinating or ennobling pursuit in life, and possibly none more profitable, than the growing of apples. The poet who has watched and raved over the development of a beautiful girl bab}^ into maiden — and ulti- mate womanhood — will find its counterpart in an Oregon apple orchard. To stand and watch in early spring the quickening of the apple tree ; the gradual development of leaf and bud, and the gentle, timid opening of its bewitching blossoms, filling the air with its intoxicating fragrance ; the final fruitage of the magnificent red apples for which Oregon has become famous, is a poem in itself. William Cullen Bryant must have had an Oregon apple orchard in mind when he wrote : 118 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. " What plant we in the apple tree ? Sweets from a hundred flowery springs To load the May wind's restless wings, When from the orchard row he pours Its fragrance through the open doors ; A world of blossoms for the bee, Flowers for the sick girl's silent room, For the glad infant sprigs of bloom. We plant with the apple tree." This healthful fruit has only recently received proper recognition in a commercial way in Oregon since we learned that apples grow to such perfection as to size, color, palata- bleness, quantity and long-keeping qualities, making it an extra fine article, not alone for home consumption, but for export trade. In Oregon the planter cannot only find the localities best suited to the difi'erent varieties of fruit, but in addition has his choice as to climate. He may select Eastern Oregon with its extreme seasons, the arid lands of this vast inland empire, located east of the Cascade Range of mountains, especially along the canyons and flat areas of the Snake River, which were heretofore considered only fit to grow sage- brush and greasewood, and the home of the jackrabbit and toad, has proved wonderfully fertile under irrigation, and under the management of progressive and up-to-date fruit- growers. The beautiful valleys that lie scattered throughout the higher plateaus and Blue Mountains, as well as the now famous Hood River Valley, along the Columbia River, and which do not depend upon irrigation, are most fertile spots for the fruitgrower ; perhaps nowhere do apples grow to greater perfection as to size, flavor and color than in these valleys. Southern Oregon tempts him with its enchanting valleys, clear skies and balmy air. The decomposed granite soils, as found in the Rogue River and the Umpqua valleys, ofi'er the same advantages to the horticulturist. The commercial apple orchards in this section, Avhicli embrace from one hundred to one hundred and sixty acres, ship their apples mostly to England and German}^, where they have found a sympathetic market at good figures. Then there is our own Willamette Valley of two hundred miles or more in length, with equable climate throughout the year, which does, and always did, grow fine apples. True, they have not the keeping qualities, owing to our humid cli- mate, of those raised in the more dry localities and higher altitudes. But for size, color and flavor they are not excelled anywhere. Apple-growing is no longer an experiment in REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 119 Oregon. The incessant drudgery, the numerous and keen disappointments whicli are peculiar to all new enterprises, and from which horticulture in Oregon did not escape, are things of the past. We have reached the era of scientific management of the orchard and of remunerative prices for the product. The apple orchards of Oregon are conducted along business lines and scientific basis. They are pruned each season, plowed and cultivated from time to time, as required, and thoroughly sprayed with the proper compounds five or six times each year to combat and subdue fungous dis- eases and insect pests, notably the codling moth, and in con- sequence are enabled to market from ninety-five to ninety- eight per cent, of good, clean, wholesome apples. While apples are now selling in the Middle West and East at $1.50 per barrel, our apples bring readily eighty-five cents to $1.25 per box of fifty pounds each, or more than double, as one barrel is equal to three boxes. Many cars of first-class four- tier apples for export trade were sold this week at $1.25 per box. Horticulture is a special work — an applied science. In it expectations are never realized without painstaking work and trying patience. Good results come only to those, even in this favored state of ours, who go into the business under- standingly, give to it their best thoughts and care, manage the apple orchard as they would any other business venture, and keep abreast of the times. AMERICA IS A LAND OF FRUITS. Prof. L. H. Bailey recently said that "America is a land of fruits because, for one thing, its agriculture is so recent and so little bound by tradition, that the farmer feels himself free to discard old and unprofitable enterprises for new and relatively profitable ones." There is, perhaps, no state to which this applies with more force than Oregon, and it can be said truthfully that in the constellation of states none shine brighter in that particular than our own Oregon, espe- cially in the growing of fruit for the export, or, rather, trans- Atlantic and trans-Pacific trade. This particular trade demands a hard apple, as ocean trans- portation is a very severe test, but, as I have stated elsewhere, while we grow good apples all over our state, certain localities are better adapted for the growing of hard apples, and such localities should confine themselves to as few varieties as 120 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. possible, SO that if the trade for a certain kind is once estab- lished, the demand can be continually supplied. There is nothing so disastrous in all trades as the substitution of one kind when another is required ; the consumer is very discrim- inating in this particular, and when he wants a Newtown or Spitzenberg he will not accept a Baldwin or a Jonathan if ever so tempting. Europe wants our fruit and is willing to pay good figures for it, but we must cater to their tastes, and grow what they demand, and not what we wish them to take. The buyer has the privilege to choose, and if we forget that we make a serious mistake. APPLE SHIPMENTS FOR THE SEASON OF 1900. Early in the season the outlook for a large crop of apples all over the United States was a most promising one, and it looked as though the bountiful year 1896 would be surpassed, and prices rule correspondingly low. When the September gale blew off fifty per cent, of the apples all along the apple- growing states of the Atlantic seaboard, then came the report that over sixty per cent, of the apples in the famous growing states of Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Illinois, and Iowa were spoiled by bitter rot and codling moth. In addition to this the remaining fruits failed to mature perfect, but remained small and ill-shaped. This acted very stimulating on the apple market. Dealers and exporters kejDt the wires hot with inquiries for Oregon apples. In consequence they began to sell at eighty-five cents per box f. o. b., and desirable hard apples, such as Jonathan, Spitzenbergs, Spys, Winesaps, Newtown Pippins are now selling for $1.20 to $1.30 per box f. o. b., with a steady upward tendency. Extra choice apples for local trade readily bring $1.50 to $1.75 per box on this December 1, 1900. APPLES SHIPPED TO EUROPE. Up to December 1, 1900, shipments from Atlantic ports are as follows : Barrels. ¥ov Liverpool 2()(),578 For London llii,805 For Glasgow lo7,932 For Hamburg oS,659 For various ports 28,028 Total 603,002 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 121 Up to the same date there were shipped from Oregou, as near as can be ascertained : Boxes. For Liverpool 42,000 P'or London 27,000 For Glasgow 6,000 For Hamburg 3,()00 For various ports 3,000 Total 81,600 From the present outlook of stocks on hand it is safe to predict that the total European shipment from Oregon will reach one hundred and fifty thousand boxes. By way of comparison, I may state that the fruits exported to Germany alone amounted to $456,656 in 1899, and, up to December 1, 1900, to $1,416,596, an increase of over two hundred per cent. world's prune crop. <'aHfornia : Oregon and Washington- France Bosnia and Servia Totals . 1899. Pounds. 114,227,000 6,000,000 20,000,000 110,000,000 250,227,000 1900. Pounds. 12.5,000,000 Io,00H,(^K) 110,000,000 8:3,000,000 313,000,000 Notwithstanding this large increase, our fine Fellenbergs (Italians), and known in eastern markets as the "Oregon Prune,'' brought very good figures, ranging from four and one-half cents per pound for early sales to six and one-fourth cents for later sales for thirties to forties, while the French prunes sold for two to three cents for the four sizes, sixty to one hundred to the pound. In this connection permit me once more to refer to EVAPORATORS AND FRUIT EVAPORATION. In speaking to dealers, packers and shippers I find the uni- versal complaint of lack of uniformity in evaporated prunes from the various growers, and only for this reason I refer to this subject again. The construction of evaporators on correct principles, and the art of evaporating fruit, has engrossed the minds of scientists and laymen alike, both at home and abroad, and it seems as 3'et we have not reached the wished-for goal, but we are on a fair way to do it. 122 REPORT OP STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. To dry fruit is one thing, but to evaporate it quite another — simply to put a lot of fruit on a tray, put it into an oven^ fire up and wait until it is shriveled away to a bony state, almost any one can do ; but to properly " evaporate " fruit, so it is a fine marketable article, requires a good deal of care and intelligence on the part of the operator. It is in this, like in all other business or trades, the princi- ples involved must be thoroughly understood, in fact the operator must be educated to it, the same as any master me- chanic. The two great principles involved are heat and circulation. Without these two, it is useless to attempt to make good fruit — it cannot be done. And it matters little whether the heat is supplied by a brick furnace, with large radiating pipes or by coils of steam pipes, so long as it can be controlled ; for re- member, liot air in space is a very difficult thing to control, and can only be accomplished in a proiDerly-constructed evapo- rator, with thorough circulation. I have experimented for many years in fruit evaporation in variousl}^ constructed evaporators, and we have made rapid strides forward, and as I said, while we have not yet reached our goal, we are very close to the line. I will not attempt to describe the many patented and non-patented evaporators, all of which have good points, and while some operators can make fair fruit on any one of them, none are yet perfect. My own .experience, however, has led me to the conclusion that all fruits must be started at a low heat and finished at a high heat, in order to prevent the loss of the aromatic juices and fruit meats essential to fine fruits ; and in order to accomplish this, the evaporator must be so constructed that the trays of fresh fruits are placed in furthest from, and be made to grad- uallly advance toward, the furnace or steam pipes. There are now two evaporators made in Oregon in which this principle is employed, but it is hardly proper for me to recommend any particular evaporator. The dipping-in-lye solution, so objectionable to consumers of refined tastes, must be done away witli. Thanks to Prof. Hoersch-Durren, this is no longer necessary, as fruits "steamed" prior to evaporation make a much finer product. He says it will open the pores of the skin to facilitate evapo- ration and prevent dripping.; it makes the skin tender and eliminates that leathery substance found in most of our dried French prunes; it requires less heat, and "fruit will dry heavier or more meaty" than unsteamed fruit. This alone is REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 123 a strong recommendation, and worth all the trouble and ex- pense. The pressure in the steam box should not be over one-eighth pound, prunes to be subjected from ten to fifteen minutes ; pears, fifteen to twenty minutes ; and apples, one and one-half to two minutes, and on removal immediatelv transferred to the evaporator. Experiments made recently by Mr. Adam Fleckenstein in his new evaporator, in which both the foregoing principles were introduced, proved decidedly successful ; French prunes yield forty-five pounds to the hundred, and Italians, thirt}^- three pounds of evaporated product to one hundred pounds of fresh fruit. Rapid evaporation, as claimed by some patentees as a point of merit, is a great mistake. Nature, if left to her good offices, will dry fruit very slowly in order to develop the saccharine matter, and the closer we follow her the nearer right we are — nature makes no mistakes. French prunes should never be evaporated in less than twenty-four to thirty hours ; Italian and Silver prunes, thirty-six to forty-two hours ; apples, in six hours ; peeled pears, in twenty-four hours, and unpeeled pears, forty-eight to sixty hours, I further find by actual experience that jDrunes should be allowed to cool ofi^" while in process of evaporation, or, in other words, the fires should be allowed to go out nights, and re- lighted in the morning. Experiments made again by myself and some others showed that prunes thus treated were mucli sweeter, larger, heavier, more golden inside, meaty, and alto- gether a superior fruit to those which were finished in a con- tinuous heat. I hardly think it necessary to add that all prunes should be dead ripe. POTASH AS A PRUNE FERTILIZER. While on the topic of prunes, the subject of fertilizing in order to obtain larger prunes should be well understood. It is a known fact that our soils are deficient in potash, and it is another known fact that prunes are gross feeders of potash, most of which goes to form the pit, and if there is any left it helps to ]Dut on meat, and if not, the prune will be small. In seasons when but few prunes are on a tree they are uni- formly large, because there is usually potash enough for both pit and meat, but if we have a full crop the prunes are sure to be smaller, and sometimes very small, especially so with 124 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE, the Petites or French prune, because there is not potash enough to go around ; hence, we must supply this deficiency by sowing broadcast throughout the prune orchards in the spring, just before the first plowing, from two hundred to four hundred pounds of muriate of potash per acre, and the result will be satisfactory. In an article published recently in the Northwest Horticul- turist, Prof. G. W. Shaw gives the reason for the using of potash so concisely that I will give it here in full : ABOUT THE USE OF POTASH. "First — Potash is essential for the assimilation of carbon and its elaboration into starch, giving strength to the cell tissue. Thus the plant suffers greatly in its woody portions in the absence of potash in requisite quantities. "Second — It is associated with starch in its trans-location from cell to cell, and in its formation into sugar. Hence, the size and quality of fruit is materially affected by a deficiency of potash. ' ' Third — It is required for a proper development of fruit acids, so important in imparting an agreeable flavor to fruits. " Having thus set forth the above functions, which science has demonstrated to be true concerning the relation of potash to plant growth, it remains to state the evidence on which rests my belief in the need of potash on the soils of the Northwest, west of the Cascades. Soils are formed by the natural disintegration and abrasion of the original rock masses. This being the case, it follows that a study of the chemical characteristics of the rocks of a specified region will at least give some clue as to what may be expected to be present in relatively large and small quantities in the result- ing solid. To illustrate : In regions in which limestone rocks are abundant, soils are materiall}^ calcareous. It may be argued that the process of weathering, including the solvent action of the water, changes the proportions in which these soil ingredients are present. "This I admit in certain cases, but it cannot in any case go so far as to supply material which is not present in the parent rock, nor to make a soil even fairlj^ supplied with an element which is present in only limited quantities in the parent rock, and, in fact, in this particular case, the soluble salts of potash as developed from the insoluble minerals, largely feldspar, as shown by Merrill, will be to a considerable REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 125 extent lost, provided tlie soils thus formed are subjected to heavy leaching, which will be the case throughout the region in question. The character of the parent rock of these soils is mainly basalt, resulting from the great laA'"a overflow, and the lesser subsequent ones which covered the whole of North- ern California, and a great part of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. It is true that basalt is a complex rock, and carries the fertilizing elements of a variety of rock, but it is still further true that the composition of the constituent minerals in the basalt influences the chemical characteristics of the soil. "The idea that clay soils are rich in potash sprang from the wide predominance of such soils resulting from the orthoclase feldspars of the«east. It is a great mistake to make this con- clusion a general one, for the plagioclastic division of feld- spars, including, as it does, oliogoclase labradorite, anorthite or andesite, are all non-potash bearing, but it is one or more of the plagioclastic feldspars — soda lime compounds — which ex- ists in the basalts of this region. From a prior reason of soil origin we would expect to find the soil to be quite limited in potash contents. This condition is still more to be expected from the tendency of the potash ingredients toward loss in the progress of soil decomposition. This is illustrated by a rock of this character carrying eighty-one per cent, of potash, after decomposition by weathering showed but twenty per cent., a loss of seventy-one per cent, of the total. Still further, there might be added the annual loss of available potash compounds through the medium of very heavy rains common to this sec- tion during the winter months." SPRAYING. This is an old yet ever new subject, and it seems surprising that after so much has been said and written about it that there should still be unbelievers in the beneficial results obtained from spraying, or others meeting with poor results. For this latter there are many reasons, but absolutely none for the former. In different parts of this report I cite numerous instances of the beneficial results obtained by systematic spraying with the properly prepared compounds, and I do not desire to refer to it again here. 126 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Most failures to achieve good results are reported in spray- ing for codling moth. In speaking about this to Mr. Olwell of Central Point, who is now most successful in spraying, he tells me, and which is confirmed by my own observations, that the largest percentage of failures is attributable to the settling of the poisons used in the spray tank or barrel, or in other words, the agitator or paddle is not sufficiently used to keep the poisons thoroughly mixed, so the last few trees sprayed out of each barrelful get an overdose, and the rest none. An- other reason for the failures is that the spraying is not done often enough, nor late enough in the fall. Six times during the season, or at least every three weeks, is none too often. Prof. E. A. Popenoe, of the Kansas Experiment Station, says, in this connection : • CAUSES OF FAILURE IN SPRAYING. i I A belief exists in the minds of some fruitgrowers that recommended metliods for the destruction of the codling moth are worthless ; that spraying with arsenic compounds has proven of no avail. Disregarding the opposition of some whose ill-cliosen statements furnish their own refutation, we must still admit that trials of spraying methods by our fruit- growers have too often resulted in apparent failure, and, in consequence, have measurably destroyed confidence in these methods. "These reported failures may have come from one of several causes : First, an exaggerated idea of the results to be obtained by spraying has led to anticipations of a degree of success not warranted b}^ the experience of the most suc- cessful experimenters ; second, proper spraying demands such close adherence to several indispensable points of prac- tice that even careful men may fail through oversight of these particulars ; or, finally, the adverse report is made without the just estimate of the result of the experiment; for it will be granted that a true judgment of the degree of success can only be had by the comparison of trees treated with trees untreated in the same surroundings, and this com- parison lacking, the estimate of success or failure is alto- gether a matter of opinion, and not to be admitted as evi- dence. "As to the first : No one qualified to advise in the matter will claim that a single season's trial of spraying against the codling moth can alone bring perfect success, especially REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 127 where the neighboring fruitgrowers do not follow the same methods, and where these have not been practiced for several j^ears together, or long enough for the cumulative effects to become apparent. It must also be remembered that it is only the worms of the first brood that are killed by the spray- ing, however effectually done, while from the individuals escaping this attack come the moths that are the parents of the worms that spoil the apples at maturity. "Moreover, spraying alone, though successful within its own limits, cannot insure the fullest product of perfect apples without the concurrent practice of other methods looking to the final reduction of the numbers of the pest. The most important of these associated methods is the banding of the trees and the destruction of the attracted worms every ten days, from the fall of the first wormy apple till the fruit is all in the bin. The second is the immediate destruction of all fallen wormy fruit ; and the third is the destruction of as many as possible of the worms wintering over under bark -scales, in old birds' nests, in cracks in apple bins or barrels, or elsewhere in the fruit room. These associated practices are not to be expected to show their full results in the season in which the work is done, though the immediate value of the first is considerable as a means of reducing the number of worms of the second or later broods of the same season: "It is also possible that some of the reported failures are referable to the use of adulterated or low-grade poison. In several states the experiment stations find greatly inferior samples of paris green on the market ; and, while tests made at the Kansas Experiment Station a few years ago showed a fairly uniform high-grade in samples analyzed, it is quite pos- sible that those at jDresent in our market may be found de- fective, as has been reported from neighboring states. "It is the purpose of the Kansas station to repeat this year its former careful tests in spraying, if the apple crop gives opportunity, and we hope to be able to correct, by fresh evi- dence, the idea hastily expressed in some quarters, that spray- ing against the codling moth is time and money wasted." 128 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. TOP GRAFTING ITS ADVANTAGES AND POSSIBILITIES. This topic is suggested by several causes. First, nurseiy stock purchased which did not prove true to name, and second, the many old, neglected orchards throughout the state. Some twelve years ago I purchased about five hundred trees of vari- ous fruits, among which were one hundx*ed French prunes, only about seventy-five being Petites, the others all kinds of little measley plums. Among the cherries I ordered twelve- Kentish, only one proved true to name, the other eleven are all sorts of worthless sour cherries, and the trees stand on my grounds today living monuments of man's inhumanity to man, though a stronger term would be more applicable . The same is the case with the apple and pear trees ordered. A few days ago a fruitgrower came to my office for advice along this line. He had bought one hundred apple trees and only fifteen proved true to name. While I feel, and no doubt hundreds of others feel that there should be a severe penalty attached to the sell- ing of nursery stock which proves untrue to name, I do not wish to discuss this outrage at this time. The question naturally arises, what to do with these trees? The only solution is to topgraft them as soon as possible with the desired varieties ; and right here I wish to call attention to the selection of the proper scions. These should be cut only from trees known to bear their fruits to perfection, and by all means, never from nursery stock. Many of the apple trees planted years ago, of varieties now obsolete and no longer salable, are allowed to run riot and waste. All such trees can and should be worked over to such varieties which have a commercial value, and instead of being a nuisance to their owners and neighbors, will become in a very few years ob- jects of pleasure and profit. Professor Sears discusses this part of the toj^ic very much to the point, in an article recently published, and on account of its valuable suggestions, permit me to give it in full : "The use of top-grafting in the propagation of the apple is very general in Nova Scotia, where conditions seem to be especially favorable for its success, and my object in the discussion of this is to call attention to some of the advantages to be secured by this method of propagation, but which might, perhaps, be overlooked by the orchardist. Top-graft- ing, as usually practiced, has this advantage over the other methods of propagation, that we know the character of the stock on which we are grafting, and can, tlierefore, tell REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 129 somethiuo- of what the effect of this stock will be on the variety we are propagating. That the stock used does in- fluence the scion cannot be doubted, and in proof of this let me cite one or two instances. A most interesting case of this kind was related to me by my friend, Mr. Robert Starr. Briefly stated it was this : Some years ago Mr. Starr bought a dozen Baldwin apple trees, and when they came into bear- ing it was noticed that one of the trees bore apples a year in advance of an}^ of the others, and the fruit was so highly colored and ripened so early as to be scarcely recognizable as Baldwins ; yet the true Baldwin flavor was there, though somewhat intensified, leaving no doubt as to their identity. The last tree of the lot to come into bearing produced very large, light-colored apples that ripened very late indeed, and though, when they finally did ripen, there was no doubt as to their being Baldwins, yet tlie flavor was exceedingly weak, by no means as pronounced as the typical Baldwin flavor. A few years after sprouts came from below the graft on botli trees, and were allowed to grow in order to determine what characters the original stocks had. It was found that these sprouts exhibited showed the same diflerences which had characterized the apples. In one case they were small and short jointed, reddish in color, both leaves and twigs, and ripened early in the autumn, the leaves falling before frost. In the other case the sprouts were coarse and green, long jointed, and did not stop growing in the fall until nipped by frost. " Without prolonging further this phase of the discussion, I may say that numerous similar instances might be given, showing conclusively that the characters possessed by the stock are shown to a greater or less degree by the fruit borne on the tree. " Accepting this as true, let us see what practical applica- tion can be made of the principle involved in securing desir- able qualities in our fruits, more particularly in apples. First, we recognize that more highly colored fruit is, as a rule, desirable. Is it not possible then to profoundly modify the color of any of our fruit by top-grafting them upon trees of more highly colored sorts? For example, would not Grav- ensteins be improved in color if they were w^orked upon Ben Davis trees? Undoubtedly they would. From our present knowledge it cannot be accurately predicted to just what ex- tent this influence would be shown, but enough has already 9 130 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. been stated to show that whatever influence is exerted by the stock will be toward making the fruit approach in color to the fruit borne by the stock." Again, as to season of ripening : if so variable and elusive a character as color of fruit is likely to be transmit- ted, is it not reasonable to expect that the period at Avhich a certain variety ripens might be changed by varying the stocks upon which the variety is grafted? In this connection Prof. Baile}'^ says : " Grafting often modifies the season of ripening of fruit. This is brought about by different habits of ma- turity of growth in stock and scion. An experiment with Winter Nellis pears showed that fruit kept longer when grown upon Bloodgood stocks than when grown upon Flemish Beauty stocks. The latter stocks in this case evidently com- pleted their growth sooner than others. Twenty-Ounce apple has been known to ripen in advance of its season by being worked upon Early Harvest. If all this has been done, is it not reasonable to suppose that if the Gravensteins were grafted on the Ben Davis, as was before suggested, not only would the color be improved, but the result would be Grav- enstein apples with better keeping qualities? Some one may object here that if the Gravensteins be thus grafted on the Ben Davis, it will not only partake of the character of the latter in color and season of ripening, but in other qualities as well, and we shall have our Gravensteins, the pride of Nova vScotia, tending to become as dr}^ and tasteless as is pi'overbially the case with the Ben Davis. In answer to this objection I would say that there might be some ground for it ; yet it is not a real objection, since in the common practice of root-grafting we graft the Gravenstein unto seedlings, not one in ten thousand of which would probably be equal to the Ben Davis. " One other point in this connection is worthy of the most careful consideration, and that is the importance of selecting scions from the best and most prolific trees in propagating any variety. Every observant orchardist knows that certain of his Gravenstein trees, for example, bear more and better fruit than certain others do, and the same is true of other varieties. Not only this, but certain branches of a tree bear better than others. As a proof of this fact that even all branches of the same tree are not alike, I need only to cite the case of the Red Gravenstein, which originated on a single branch of a Gravenstein tree. With these facts before us it is scarcely necessary to state the conclusion that the selection REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 131 of scions for grafting deserves greater consideration than it usually receives. What would be thought of a stockbreeder who paid absolutely no attention to the individual character- istics of the animals he bred from? Why, even in an ordinary dairy herd, kept simply for milk, we recognize the importance of individuality, and save the heifers only from the best cows. And yet when it comes to plantbreeding we take scions from any tree, and from any part of the tree — suckers, water- sprouts, anything, so long as it is the desired variety. The time has come to make a decided change in this respect, and top-grafting offers the most simple remedy, since it gives an opportunity for each man to select his own scions from his best trees and set them in whatever stock he prefers. ' ' That in this discussion we are treading upon ground not quite so fully understood as some other fields of horticulture, I am quite well aware ; yet it seems to me that we do know enough to warrant tlic belief that with sufficient care in the selection of stocks and scions we may greatly improve, not only the productiveness of our trees, but the color and keep- ing qualities of our fruit as well." In connection with this, Mr. C. G. Patton of Iowa, has done a good deal of experimenting to learn the influence of stock on scion in top-grafting, and among the conclusions he has reached are, that the seedlings of any species make much better unions with varieties of their own kind than with cross seedlings. Old orchards, top-grafted, are longer lived and more fruitful than the same varieties when root-grafted. Top-grafting, when the top and scion are congenial, increases hardiness twenty-five per cent. Varieties productive as root- grafts are also productive when top-worked. The best age for top-working is from three to seven years, and the best time to do it is in March and April. Among the unions that have been found most satisfactory are the following : Fameuse on Soulard or Hibernal ; Yellow Transparent and Fall Orange on Hyslop ; .Jonathan on Hess ; Rebka on Plumb's Cider ; Rawle's Genet on Tetofsky ; Stark, Baldwin, Longfield, and Utter on Virginia ; Ben Davis on Whitney ; Wealthy and Grimes on Duchess ; Melinda and Pewaukee on Transcendent; Iowa Blush on Alaska. The list is suggestive only, not exhaustive, and local soils and conditions may offset results from these unions. 132 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. INSPECTING ORCHARDS. The following table has been compiled, for convenience of fruitgrowers and dealers, from the reports of the commis- sioners on file at this office : FIRST DISTRICT. Acres. Apples 2,2^4 Pears 363 Prunes 3,888 Cherries 332 Peaches 36 Mixed 536 Total 7,410 SECOND DISTRICT. Acres, Apples 2,320 Pears 180 Prunes 3,115 Cherries 31 Peaches 6 Mixed 186 Total 5,838 THIRD DISTRICT. Acres, Apples 2,116 Pears 367 Prunes 1,287 Cherries . Peaches 889 Mixed 513 Total 5,172 FOURTH DISTRICT. Acres. Apples 1,846- Pears 210 Prunes 441 Cherries 117 Peaches 257 Mixed 1,162 Total 4,033 FIFTH DISTRICT. Acre*. Apples 2,212 Pears 248 Prunes 998 Cherries 362 Peaches 214 Mixed 264 Total 4,298 RECAPITULATION. Acres. Total apple orchards 10,728 Total peach orchards 1,368 Total prune orchards 9,729 Total cherry orchards 843 Total peach orchards 1,402 Total mixed orchards 2,481 Grand total 26,551 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 133 TOTAL ACREAGE IN FRUITS. The total acreage of fruits in Oregon gathered from vari- ous sources, is as follows : ft Acres. , . es 16,500 Pears 2.100 Prunes 27,000 Cherries 1,200 Peaches 1,800 Mixed 4,700 Total _ 53,300 It will thus be seen that the commissioners have been able to visit and inspect about one-half of the orchards in two years, hence it has been suggested to reduce the districts and add two more commissioners, so justice may be done to all parts of the state. QUARANTINE OFFICER. As quarantine officer of the Port of Portland, I inspected the fruits arriving and offered for sale in tliis city, and am pleased to state that, with few exceptions, the fruits were very clean and acceptable. The notices mailed early in the season, to dealers and growers alike, stating that no infected or dis- eased fruits w^ould be permitted sold, had had a beneficial effect . I also inspected the nursery stock arriving from without the state, and was compelled to destroy several shipments. The rigid examinations and quarantine of tree shipments has a tendency to check the sending of fruit and ornamental trees, notably from the east, less than ten per cent, arriving now, as compared with former years. In conclusion, I beg to add that the several thousand letters received by me have all had careful attention and courteous replies, many arriving from without the state, and from in- tending settlers, asking about horticulture in Oregon. To these inquirers there was also mailed a copy of our fifth bi- ennial report. The edition of five thousand copies of this report is about exhausted, and judging from the demand for it, and the many favorable press notices, this report has done good missionary work. In compliance with the law, I have attended all horticul- tural meetings and read papers on pertinent topics wherever invited. It may be well to add that the fruit industry has received a great stimulus in the last few years — the educational work 134 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE, done by this board is not alone apparent, but it is appreciated by all progressive horticulturists, and horticulture is destined in the near future to become one of the leading industries in Oregon. Our fine apples, prunes, and strawberries, followed closely by our fine pears, peaches, and cherries, which are not excelled anywhere on earth, have made a reputation for them- selves throughout the United States, England, Germany, and France within the last few years, and have reached a very high plane, where they must remain, and not be dragged down again into the whirlpool of ordinary fruit. I feel safe in making the prediction that our progressive up-to-date horticulturists will see to it that the goal for which they have worked so hard, and the high-grade standard and excellence in every respect will be maintained, to the credit of the State of Oregon. Respectfully submitted. Secretary. SPRAY CALENDAR. This calendar has been prepared to answer the question, so often asked, ivhen to spray, what to spray with, how to spray, and what to spray for, thus obviating the error to use the wrong spray for any given insect or fungi. All fruit trees should be sprayed in the fall, as soon as all the leaves have dropped, with sulphur, lime, and salt ; if no scale are present, full strength of bordeaux mixture will be found sufficient. REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 135 SPRAY NO. 1. SULPHUR, LIME, AND SALT. This is a winter spray, and used for all scale insects, pear- leaf blister mite, green aphis, twig borer, bud moth, and clover mite. HOW PREPARED. Ingredients — Lime (unslacked) , fifty pounds. Sulphur, fifty pounds. Stock salt, fifty pounds. This will make one hundred and fifty gallons of wash. Directions — Slack fifty pounds of lime, then add the fifty pounds of sulphur, boil it over a brisk fire for one hour, then place all the salt with it in the boiler and boil for fifteen min- utes more, then add the necessary water to make one hundred and fifty gallons. This solution should be used at a tempera- ture of at least 100°. Before using, strain it. The utility of this wash depends a great deal upon the strength of the sul- phur. It is therefore recommended that those who use this wash have a Beaumes scale for acid. When it shows 8° when cold, it is of the proper strength. These scales can be ob- tained through any druggist at a cost not to exceed fifty cents. This combination is the result of Mr. Emile Schanno's ex- tensive experiments in the fourth district. FOR SAN JOSE SCALE, GREEDY SCALE, AND TURTLE-BACK SCALE, Sulphur, lime and salt in the fall as soon as the leaves have dropped, and again in the spring before the buds begin to swell. FOR GREEN APHIS. First application with sulphur, lime and salt in the fall after leaves have dropped, followed in the spring with Spray- No. 14, as they appear on the trees. FOR PEAR-LEAF BLISTER MITE, (Phptopfus Pyri.) Until recently the rough, brown-looking spots seen on the pear trees were passed by as being the fungus that attacks the pear so generally here, but upon closer examination it was 136 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. found that these spots are the work of this mite. In some localities this pest has gained a strong foothold, and in others it is as yet hardly noticeable. The Phytoptus pyri is a micro- scopic gall mite. It cannot be seen with the naked eye, ex- cept on a piece of clear glass held up to the light, when it appears as a minute speck. It is not nearly as long as the width of a hair. It is found only on the pear, the leaves of which are exclusively its home. It burrows into the pulp of the leaves, making a cave in which it lives and multiplies. A colony will work out an excavation, which becomes a slight puff or dark-colored gall on the leaf, from a speck to an eighth of an inch in size. The mite keeps open a hole on the under side of the leaf for a doorway. The injury to tree is caused by the leaves becoming dried and falling. This mite is sup- posed to desert the leaves after they have fallen, and seek winter quarters upon the tree. It would be a good plan to burn all fallen leaves from affected trees and spray the trees with No. 1 spray as soon as the leaves have dropped. In the summer the mite can be destroyed with powdered sulphur, but it cannot be expected to rid the tree entirely of the mite 1)y this means, as there are eggs and young in the caves, which the sulphur does not affect. In California they use a seeder on a wagon for throwing the sulphur on the affected trees. Eemedy — Sulphur, lime and salt before the buds swell, fol- lowed by dusting with sulphur when leaves have formed. FOR TWIG BORER AND BUD MOTH. Spray in the fall, as soon as all the leaves have dropped, with sulphur, lime and salt solution, followed up in the spring, as soon as the buds begin to swell, with the following wash : Sulphate of copper, three pounds ; lime, four pounds ; paris green, four ounces ; water, forty-five gallons ; and, again, with the same wash the latter part of May. FOR CLOVER MITE. Spray with sulphur, lime and salt in the fall as soon as all the leaves have dropped. REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 137 SPRAY XO. 4. RESIN WASH. By Professor Koebelk. This is a summer spray for all scale insects, woolly and green aphis. HOW PREPARED. Ingredients — Resin, four pounds. Sal Soda, three pounds. Directions — Place resin and sal soda in kettle with three pints of cold water. Use soft or rain water always. Boil or simmer slowly until thoroughly dissolved, when it will look black. The sal soda will adhere to the sides of the kettle, and must be scraped down. When it looks dissolved, if there are pieces of resin in the bottom of the kettle it needs more boiling. When sufficiently boiled, add enough hot water to make fiftv gallons. After adding the water it will become thick, but after boiling again it becomes thin. The above is ready for immediate use, and should be applied cold or only lukewarm. If desired for future use, boil the above amount of ingredients as directed, and add water to make five gallons ; boil until thick . This will stand any length of time, and is always ready for use. Wlien required, use one part or gallon of compound with the following number of gallons of boiling water, and stir thoroughly when applying : For hop louse, one gallon of compound to nine gallons of water ; for woolly aphis, one gallon of compound to seven gallons of water ; for San Jose scale, one gallon of compound to six gallons of water. The foregoing spray is not injurious to the tree, for after three or four days of sunshine it dissolves and leaves the pores of the bark open. SPRAY XO. 7. BORDEAUX MIXTURE. Used for apple scab, pear scab, leaf blight, apple canker or deadspot, curl-leaf on tlie peach, crater blight on the pear, gummosis, prune or plum rot, and black rot on the grape. This is the sovereign remedy against injurious fungous diseases, and its use is general throughout the world ; there- fore the combination of bluestone and lime, known as bor- deaux mixture, is indispensible in fruitgrowing. 1S8 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OP HORTICULTURE. BORDEAUX MIXTURE FOR FUNGI. Ingredients — Sulphate of copper, six jDouiids. Lime, four pounds. Water, forty-five gallons. MODIFIED BORDEAUX MIXTURE. Ingredients — Sulphate of copper, three pounds. Lime, four pounds. Water, forty-five gallons. Dissolve bluestone in a wooden vessel, slack the lime in another vessel or can, put both in a barrel of water and mix thoroughly. FOR APPLE SCAB, PEAR SCAB AND LEAF BLIGHT. First application — Just as the buds are swelling, with bor- deaux mixture. Second application — Just as the fruit buds break open, but before the flowers expand, with bordeaux mixture. ( Ready to spray second time.) Third application — With bordeaux mixture when the fruit has attained the size of a hazelnut. FOR APPLE CANKER OR DEADSPOT. Cut out diseased spots clean in the fall when leaves have dropped, and wash with bordeaux mixture ; repeat in mid- summer, if found necessary. REPORT OF STATE BOARD OP HORTICULTURE. 139 FOR CURL-LEAF ON THE PEACH. Prof. Newton B. Pierce says : " Curl-leaf on the peach is caused by a parasitic fungus which is known as Ta'phrino. deformans. The fungus lives within the tissues of the leaf, in the tender shoots, and in the buds. Within the past few months I have learned that lime, sulphur, and salt is a satis- factory preventive of this widespread disease. The applica- tion of this spray should be made three to five weeks before the buds open in the spring. The treatment should be very thorough. Or spray with bordeaux mixture six weeks, and again three weeks later, before the buds begin to swell." FOR CRATER BLIGHT OF PEARS. Prof. C. W. Woodworth, of Berkeley, California, says: " The nature of the disease is somewhat obscure, but the evi- dence seems to be that it is caused by an organism, and i« very similar to the dreaded eastern pear blight. It is not, however, the same disease. Crater blight first appears as a darkened spot, indistinguishable from any other form of blight. Like other blights, it commonly begins at the point on a branch where a twig is given off, or where one has been. There is this difference, however : The crater blight extends out only below the point of origin, whereas, in other blights, the disease extends upwards as well. The most characteristic feature of this blight is the sharp line of demarcation between the dead and live bark. When a spot has ceased to spread there occurs a breaking in the bark, separating the diseased portion. This soon dries, and the spot appears like a crater. This appearance is most striking when isolated spots are seen on the larger branches." Treatment — Cut out the dead and diseased tissue, clean and wash with bordeaux mixture ; cut off all dead and blackened limbs. Under date of July 27, 1896, Professor Woodworth adds : "We have made some progress in the study of the disease. in that we are very uniformly able to obtain pure cultures of a peculiar bacillus. Inoculation experiments have so far given only negative results. The disease occurs on many varieties of pears and only a few apples. The crater blight certainly occurs in Oregon. I have had very typical examples from there, and obtained the usual bacterial cultures from it. Economically, the crater blight in most localities is unim- 140 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. portant, but in some places it has done an immense amount of injury." FOR PEAR SCAB, CRACKING, AND LEAF BLIGHT. These diseases, caused by two different species of fungi, are successfully combatted by one line of treatment. In most sections all three dis- eases are found associated. Bordeaux mixture has given the best results in this work. The first spraying for these diseases should be made Just before the buds swell. In ten or twelve days the second treatment should be given, followed by a third and fourth at the expiration of two and four weeks, respectively. In the nursery, pear blight is often exceedingly trouble- some. It may be almost en- tirely prevented by spraying five or six times with the bordeaux mixture, making the first application when the leaves are about one-third grown, and the others at intervals of ten or twelve days throughout the season. The leaf blight of the cherry, plum, and quince, which so seriously affects trees, both in the orchard and nursery, may be held in check by using bordeaux mixture. FOR PRUNE AND PLUM ROT. Spray with bordeaux mixture as the buds are swelling, and again when the fruit has attained the size of a bean, with modified bordeaux mixture. FOR GUMMOSIS. Cut out gum jDockets, split the outer bark about one-eighth of an inch deep from roots to branches on three sides when sap begins to flow, as all gum-infected trees are barkbound, and wash with bordeaux mixture ; care must be taken in splitting the bark not to cut through to the wood ; repeat in midsummer, if necessary. REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 141 FOR BLACK ROT ON GRAPES. Spray with bordeaux mixture just as tlie buds are swelling, and again immediately after blooming with modified bordeaux mixture. LATEST ADVICES ON THE BORDEAUX MIXTURE. The combination of bluestone and lime, known as the bor- deaux mixture, is almost indispensable in fruitgrowing and gardening. It is almost a sovereign remedy against injurious fungi, and its use is general throughout the world. The best way to make the preparation is, consequently, a matter of the greatest moment. The division of vegetable pathology of the department of agriculture has just issued a bulletin on these lines which is very timely. It is four years since there was published, in Farmers' Bulletin No. 7, a summary of the more important methods of combating some of the destructive diseases of fruit. During this time many improvements have been made in the work, and for this and other reasons it seems desirable to now bring together, in brief, practical form, our present know^ledge on the subject. The question as to whether it will pay to spray has long since been answered in the affirma- tive, so it is not necessary at this time to enter upon any argu- ment in regard to this phase of the subject. It is, further- more, not necessary to go into details as to the relation of spraying to hygiene ; suffice it to say, that if the work is properly done no danger whatever to health need be appre- hended. Superiority of the bordeaux mixture — During the past four years numerous solutions, powders, etc., have been tested, with a view of determining their value as economical, effect- ive, and practical preventives of fungous parasites. While a number of these preparations have given promise of value, none have been found wdiicli fill so many requirements as bordeaux mixture and the ammoniacal solution of copper carbonate. Of the two preparations bordeaux mixture has long been recognized as possessing the most valuable qualities, and it is probably more generally used today than all other fungicides combined. The chief points in its favor are, — ( 1 ) its thorough effectiveness as a fungicide ; ( 2 ) its cheap- ness ; ( 3 ) its safety from a hygienic standpoint ; ( 4 ) its harmlessuess to the sprayed plant ; and ( 5 ) its beneficial efi'ects on plants other than those resulting from the mere prevention of the attack of parasites. 142 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OP HORTICULTURE. Bordeaux mixture formula — All things considered, it is be- lieved that the best results will be obtained from the use of what is known as the fifty-gallon furmula of this preparation, as follows : Ingredients — Water, fifty gallons. Copper sulphate, six pounds. Unslacked lime, four pounds. Must he well made — It has been found that the method of combining the ingredients has an important bearing on both the chemical composition and physical structure of the mix- ture. For example, if the copper sulphate is dissolved in a small quantity of water and the lime milk diluted to a limited extent only, there results, when these materials are brought together, a thick mixture, having strikingly different charac- ters from one made by pouring together weak solutions of lime and copper sulphate. It is true, furthermore, that if the copper sulphate solution and lime milk are poured together while the latter, or both, are warm, different effects are ob- tained than if both solutions are cool at the moment of mix- ing. Where the mixture has been properly made there is scarcely any settling after an hour, while the improperly made mixture has settled more than half. How to make it — Briefly, the best results have been obtained from the use of the bordeaux mixture, made in accordance with the following directions : In a barrel, or other suitable vessel, place twenty-five gallons of water ; weigh out six pounds of copper sulphate, then tie the same in a piece of coarse gunnysack and suspend it just beneath the surface of the water. By tying the bag to a stick laid across the top of the barrel no further attention will be required. In another vessel slack four pounds of lime, using care in order to ob- tain a smooth paste, free from grit and small lumps. To accomplish this it is best to place the lime in an ordinary water pail and add only a small quantity of water at first, say a quart or a quart and a half. When the lime begins to crack and crumble and the water to disappear add another quart or more, exercising care that the lime at no time gets too dry. Toward the last considerable water will be required, but, if added carefully and slowly, a perfectly smooth paste will be obtained, provided, of course, the lime is of good quality. When the lime is slacked add sufficient water to the paste to bring the whole up to twenty-five gallons. When the copper sulphate is entirely dissolved and the lime is cool, pour the lime milk and copper sulphate solution slowly together into a REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 143 barrel holcliug fifty gallons. The milk of lime should be thoroughly stirred before pouring. The method described insures good mixing, but to complete this work the barrel of liquid should receive a final stirring for at least three minutes with a broad wooden paddle. Testing the mixture. — It is now necessaiy to determine whether the mixture is perfect — that is, if it will be safe to apply it to tender foliage. To accomplish this two simple tests ma}^ be used. First, insert the blade of a penknife in the mixture, allowing it to remain there for at least one minute ; if metallic copper forms on the blade, or, in other words, if the polished surface of the steel assumes the color of copper plate, the mixture is unsafe and more lime must be added. If, on the other hand, the blade of the knife remains unchanged, it is safe to conclude that the mixture is as per- fect as it can be made. As an additional test, however, some of the mixture may be poured into an old plate or saucer, and while held between the eyes and the light the breath should be gently blown upon the liquid for at least half a minute. If the mixture is properly made, a thin pellicle, looking like oil on water, will begin to form on the surface of the liquid. If no pellicle forms, more milk of lime should be added. Preparing large amounts — The foregoing directions apply to €ases where small quantities of the mixture are needed for more or less immediate use. If spraying is to be done upon a large scale, it will be found much more convenient and economical in every way to prepare what is known as stock solutions of both the copper and lime. To prepare a stock solution of copper sulphate, procure a barrel holding fifty gal- lons ; weigh out one hundred pounds of copper sulphate, and, after tying it in a sack, suspend it so that it will hang as near the top of the barrel as possible ; fill the barrel with water, and in two or three days the copper will be dissolved ; now remove the sack and add enough water to bring the solution again up to the fifty-gallon mark, j^reviously made on the barrel. It. will be understood, of course, that this second adding of water is merely to replace the space previously oc- cupied by the sack and the crystals of copper sulphate. Each, gallon of the solution thus made will contain two pounds of copper sulphate, and, under all ordinary conditions of tem- perature, there will be no material crystalization, so that the stock preparation may be kept indefinitely. b 144 EEPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Stock lime may be prepared in much the same way as the copper sulphate solution. Procure a barrel holding fifty gal- lons, making a mark to indicate the fifty gallon point ; weigh out one hundred pounds of fresh lime, place it in the barrel and slack it ; when slacked, add sufficient water to bring the whole mass up to fifty gallons. Each gallon of this prepara- tion contains, after thorough stirring, two pounds of lime. When it is desired to make bordeaux mixture of the fifty- gallon formula, it is only necessary to measure out three gal- lons of the stock copper solution, and, after thorough stirring, two gallons of the stock lime ; dilute each to twenty-five gallons, mix, stir, and test as already described. One test will be sufficient in this case. In other words, it will not be necessary to test each lot of bordeaux mixture made from the stock preparation, provided the first lot is perfect, and no change is made in the quantities of the material used. Special care should be taken to see that the lime milk is stirred thoroughly each time before applying. As a final precaution,, it will be well to keep both the stock copper sulphate and the stock lime tightly covered. SPRAY NO. 10. PARIS GREEN SPRAY ARSENITE OF LIME SPRAY. These sprays are used for codling moth larvae, tingis, cater- pillars, slugs and all eating or biting insects. PARIS GREEN SPRAY. Proportions for first application — Paris green, four ounces. Lime, two pounds. Water, forty gallons. Proportions for later applications — Paris green, four ounces. Lime, one pound. Water, fifty gallons. Directions — Slack the lime ; make a paste of the paris green, mix thoroughly, and then add water to make the re- quired amount ; stir thoroughly while using, and should be thrown on the leaves and fruit in a fine spray. Paris green is one of our commercial articles which is shamefully adulterated. The foregoing formula is based upon pure paris green ; it is, therefore, of much importance that REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 145 one be able to detect impurities. So far as we know but two adulterants are used — gypsum and Glauber's salts. The method generally given for the detection of adulteration is to dissolve a small sample of the paris green in ammonia. If there is any gypsum it will not dissolve, but forms a sediment. Glauber's salts cannot be detected by this method, it being equally as soluble as pure paris green ; but if one has a strong- microscope at hand the adulterant granules can be easily detected, they being white, while the pure article is green. Ammonia, however, is generally a good test, gypsum being most commonly used as an adulterant. THE ARSENITE OF LIME SPRAY. Professor Kedzie's formulae : Ingredients — Commercial white arsenic, one pound. Carbonate of soda, four pounds. Water, two gallons. Use one and one-half pints to fifty gallons of bordeaux mix- ture . Directions — Dissolve one pound of commercial white arsenic and four pounds of carbonate of soda (washing soda) in two gallons of water, and use one and one-half pints to fifty gallons of bordeaux mixture. The easiest way to make the solution is to put both the white arsenic and carbonate of soda in a gallon of boiling water and keep boiling about fifteen minutes, or until clear liquid is formed, then dilute to two gallons. One and one-half pints of this solution should be added to each barrel of full-strength bordeaux mixture for earlier sprayings, and modified bordeaux mixture for late sprayings, increasing the arsenite solution gradually from one and one-half pints to one quart as the season advances and foliage matures. If used without bordeaux mixture or lime, it is liable to burn the foliage. As there is nearly always fungus to contend with , it is recommended that the two sprays be combined, with the additional advantage of making the poison stick longer. Un- less combined with bordeaux mixture, it is very important to use enough freshly slacked lime to insure the complete decom- position of arsenite of soda and formation of arsenite of lime. Use six to eight pounds of quicklime, freshly slacked, to a barrel of water. FOR CODLING MOTH. Paris green or arsenite of lime. First spraying, ten days after blossoms have fallen, and then at intervals not exceeding 10 146 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE, three weeks, up to within three weeks of harvesting the apples or pears. The arsenite of lime is preferably used with bor- deaux mixture, and, as the season advances and foliage ma- tures, increase the arsenite solution gradually from one and one-half pints to one quart to the fifty gallons of bordeaux mixture. FOR TINGIS, CATERPILLARS AND SLUGS. Spray as they hatch and appear on the leaves. SPRAY :N^0. 14. TOBACCO WASH. Used for green aphis and tingis as they appear on the trees. HOW PREPARED. Ingredients — Tobacco (sheep dip, sulphured tobacco), four pounds. Whale-oil soajD (or good strong soap), four pounds. Water, twenty gallons. Directions — Soak the tobacco in hot water for several hours ; dissolve the soap in hot water ; strain both ingredients ; add together and dilute to twenty gallons. On varieties of trees where the foliage is very tender, tests should be made before applying extensively. KEROSENE EMULSION. Used for woolly aphis and clover mite. FOR WOOLLY APHIS. Spray with kerosene emulsion diluted (7) seven times. FOR CLOVER MITE. Spray with kerosene emulsion diluted (8) eight times. HOW PREPARED KEROSENE EMULSION (GOVERNMENT FORMULA). Ingredients — Kerosene, two gallons. Water, one gallon. Hard soap, one-half pound. Directions — Make a suds of the soap and water and pour REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 147 boiling hot into the kerosene ; churn with a force pump or a syringe, pumping out of and into a bucket or barrel through a nozzle until completely emulsified. If the mixture is suffi- ciently hot, it will thicken in from five to ten minutes, and will be, when cold, of the consistency of butter or of soft soap. Dilute with seven to twelve parts of water to one of emulsion, as occasion requires, and this will kill almost anything in the form of phint lice. FOR CURRANT AND GOOSEBERRY WORM. Spray the bushes just before blooming, and again after the fruit has set, with one large tablespoonful of powdered white hellebore, dissolved in two and one-half gallons of water. HYDROCYANIC ACID GAS FOR NURSERY STOCK. Inqredients — C. P. cyanide of potassium, twenty-eight per cent., one ounce. SuliDhuric acid, one fluid ounce. Water, two fluid ounces. Directions — First place the vessel in which the gas is to be generated in a convenient place in the shed, and then put in the cyanide of potassium ; pour the water over the cyanide, and then add the sulphuric acid very slowly. Close the door and submit the trees to the fumes for about forty minutes. Open the door and allow the gas to escape before attempting to remove the trees, as it is poisonous to inhale. REMEDY FOR APHIS (LICE) ON CABBAGE, CAULIFLOWER, TURNIPS, ETC. Ingredients — Quassia chips, one pound. Whale-oil soap, one pound. Water, one gallon. Directions — Boil quassia chips for five hours, then add whale-oil soap, while boiling ; when dissolved, dilute to ten gallons of water and spray warm. PEACH-ROOT BORER. The worst insect pest of the prune and peach trees in the Willamette Valley, and probably over the entire state, is the peach-root borer. The moth lays its eggs at the base of the tree in the months of May, June, July, and August. The 148 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. eggs hatch in about a week, and the worm at once begins to gnaw the bark and bore its way down into the roots. It lives in the root for one year, and comes forth a winged insect the succeeding spring and summer, and lays the eggs for the next brood, as stated. The presence of the worm is always betrayed by the copious exudation of gum, which issues from the roots at the base of the trunk. Remedies — There are a large number of remedies for this pest which are more or less successful, but where trees are cultivated on a large scale many of the remedies become entirely too expensive. A very popular and successful plan in the peach region of the east is "mounding." Early in the spring, before the moth appears, the earth is drawn about the base of the tree to the height of twelve inches,, and removed later in the season, about September 1, in this climate. The use of washes intended to poison the worm have been much used, the following formula being the most successful : Ingredients — Corrosive sublimate (poison), two ounces. Hard soap; five pounds to ten gallons of water. Alcohol, one pint. Water, sufficient. Directions — Dissolve the sublimate in the spirits ; stir it into the soap solution ; add water sufficient to make a good paint ; apply with stiff brush from three inches below to six inches above ground. This must be done as soon as the first moth appears in the spring. The worm will be poisoned by the corrosive sublimate almost at the first mouthful. Great care should be observed in using this wash, as it is very poisonous and dangerous to have about the house. Of all the remedies we have known none has proven so sure and practical as cutting the grubs out with a knife and pre- venting their return by wrapping. In the fall of the year re- move the earth carefully from the base of the tree ; locate the worms and cut them out with a knife. Repeat this in the spring about April, and at the same time wrap the trunk of the tree with stiff paper or other close material, allowing it to extend six inches above and three inches below the ground. This will prevent the moth from laying her eggs in the bark, and is the surest w^ay we know of to defeat the ravages of this insect. Raubenleim and Dendrolene are used in Europe. The best wash for borers, all considered, that we have seen or tested, is made by the union of all the above ingredients in the following way : Dissolve as much common washing soda REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 149 as possible in six gallons of water, then dissolve one gallon of ordinary soft soap in the above and add one pint of crude car- bolic acid and thoroughly mix ; slack a quantity of lime in four gallons of water so that when it is added to the above, the whole will make a thick whitewash ; add this to the above and mix thoroughly, and hnally add one-half pound of paris green or one-fourth pound of powdered white arsenic and mix it thoroughly in the above. — Prof. J. M. Stcdman. FOR NURSERY STOCK. Use No. 1 spray as soon as the leaves have dropped ; again in spring, as first leaves appear, with modified bordeaux mix- ture ; fumigate all trees and shrubs with hydrocyanic acid gas before shipping. RECIPE FOR GRAFTING WAX. One of the best grafting waxes is made by melting together four parts — by weight — of resin, one part beeswax, one part tallow. When thoroughly melted, pour into cold water; when cool enough, take out and work by molding and pulling until it becomes quite stiff. It is neccessary to have the hands well greased with tallow while handling this wax. — From the Yearbook of the United States Department of Agriculture. INSECTS. Prof. Willis G. Johnson says : "At the present time, spray- ing is an important part of successful fruitgrowing. The regular and systematic application of insecticides and fungi- cides is one of the most valuable and profitable pieces of work done on the farm. The spray-pump, properly used, is worth as much to the growers of fruits and vegetables as the policy covering the insurance on his house or barn. In fact, you must 'insure' your crops from destructive insects and fungi, by practicing modern methods of spraying. There has been a decided awakening to the truthfulness of the above state- ment in the past few years, and thousands of growers are now spraying and seeking information, where only a short time ago they were counted by hundreds." In order that our readers may understand why one remedy is used for one insect and not for another it will be necessary for us to make some brief references to the structure and habits of certain types. For example, the great mass of injury to 150 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. plants by insects falls under two heads : first, where the plant itself has been eaten, and second, where the juices have been sucked out, leaving the tissues. Biting Insects — Insects causing injury of the first class are called biting or chewing insects, familiar examples of which are the beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, such as the cabbage worm, army worm, etc. They have well-developed jaws, fitted for cutting and chewing the plant. Such insects can be destroyed by use of direct poisons, such as the arsen- icals. Where applied to the leaves or other parts of the plant it is eaten by the insect, causing its death. Sucking Insects — On the other hand, the second type have long lance-like beaks, fitted for sucking. This class includes the scale insects, plant lice, squash bug, harlequin or terrapin bug, etc. They obtain their food supply by inserting their beaks into the tissues of the plants, sucking the juices from within. The external application of arsenical poisons to plants would have little if any effect upon this group of insects, as the poisons do not enter into the cells of the plants. It is necessary, therefore, to employ some other substances for their destruction. To this end materials are used which will act externally on the bodies of the insects, either as a caustic or to smother or stifle them by closing their breathing organs. I might say in this place that insects do not breathe through their mouths, as do higher animals, but through small open- ings on either side of the body, called spiracles. By spraying anything of a caustic or oily nature over the body of an insect these spiracles are closed and the creature is destroyed. Some- times the fumes of poisonous gases are employed to suffocate insects, as will be described later on. Insects are sometimes repelled by obnoxious substances. The above remarks apply especially to insects which feed upon the exterior of plants or pass the greater portion of their lives in an exposed condition, wdiere they can be readily reached by one of the methods mentioned. Certain other insects, of both classes, biting and sucking, are subterranean in their habits, that is, they feed and live upon the roots of plants below the surface of the ground. Among these the white grub and root lice are common examples. Still other insects live in stored grain, seeds, and the manufactured products of the mill, and even the mill itself. Here again the arsenics and irritants cannot be used and we must resort to various fumes and gases. REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 151 Professor Charles 0. Townsend says : WHAT IS A FUNGUS? A fungus (i^lural fungi) is a low form of plant. It has neither green stem nor leaves and therefore depends for its food upon other plants or upon animals. Sometimes fungi lives upon dead plants or animals or upon their products, and sometimes they live upon other living plants or upon living animals. They are very numerous and differ greatly among themselves in form, structure and habits of life. All fungi sooner or later produce small, round or oval bodies called spores. These spores under favorable conditions produce new fungi. They are not destroyed by ordinary weather con- ditions and often live over the winter in the fields and orchards. Sometimes they remain alive for several years in the soil and other suitable places, and begin tlieir growtli when the conditions are favorable. Many fungi are very small and can be seen only when greatly magnified. WHAT IS THE HOST-PLANT? The host-plant is the plant upon wliich, or in which, tlie fungus lives and from which it draws its food supplies. WHAT IS A FUNGICIDE? A fungicide is any substance which may be used to destroy fungi or their spores, or which will prevent fungi from estab- lishing themselves upon the host-plants. Fungicides may be either solids, liquids, or gases. The most common form of fungicide is liquid ; the kind of fungicide used, however, must depend upon the nature of the fungus, the nature of the host-plant, and the part of the host-plant attacked by the fungus. WHY SHOULD WE SPRAY? Liquid fungicides are best applied in the form of a fine mist or spray. This is economy, both in the quantity of material used, and in the time required to apply it. The real object in spraying is to prevent the fungous spores that have lodged upon the foliage, branches, or fruit, from germinating and producing fungous growths. Every fungus that grows 152 REPORT OP STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. into a leaf or into a fruit, and thus produces the destruction of the former or the decay of the latter, first lodges on the leaf or on the fruit as a tiny spore. If that spore can be destroyed without injury to the leaf or the fruit, disease may be prevented, and therefore the necessity of spraying. WHY SHOULD WE SPRAY EARLY? As already stated fungus spores are sometimes formed in the fall and remain in open fields all winter uninjured. These spores often lodge in the crevices of the bark of trees, or in other convenient places on the trunk and branches of trees. When the leaves and fruits appear the spores are blown onto these newly formed parts and cause them to be diseased. The object in early spraying, even while the trees are still dormant, is to kill the spores that are lodging on the tree and waiting for favorable conditions for development. Again, every spore must remain for a longer or shorter time in a dormant state, even after it reaches the proper place for its development, just as seeds remain for a little time under proper conditions for germination before they begin their growth. If the leaves or other plant parts are covered with a fungicide before or immediately after the spores are blown onto them, the spores will be destroyed, and the plant will remain free from disease. WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO SPRAY MORE THAN ONCE? After a plant has been sprayed new leaves or fruits are often formed, which are not covered with the fungicide. Spores may be lodged on these newly formed parts and de- velop into fungous growths, causing the parts attacked to be diseased. Or the fungicide originally sprayed onto the plant may be washed off by rains, thus leaving the plant unpro- tected against the spores that are constantly carried about in the air. HOW OFTEN IS IT NECESSARY TO SPRAY? No definite rule can be given in regard to the number of times any set of plants should be sprayed in a single season. The number of sprayings must depend to a large extent upon weather conditions. Warm, damp weather or a dry, hot season followed by rain, are favorable conditions for the de- velopment of fungi, hence, if these conditions prevail, it is REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 153 important that tlie siDvaying sliould be frequent enough to keep well protected the parts liable to attack. Sometimes it is necessary to spray every day or every two or three days, wliile at other times ten days may elapse between sprayings. tSpraying, like cultivation, pi'uning, and other field opera tions, is largely a matter of judgment, and the more thor- oughly the subject is understood the more effective the work will be. WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO SPRAY EVERY YEAR? Il is impossible to exterminate fungi. We may hold them in check, or we may even prevent entirely their growth upon certain plants ; but they are often so small, their habits of life so variable, and their spores so resistant that extermina- tion is out of the question. It is impossible to know at the beginning of the season whether the conditions will be favor- able or unfavorable for the development of fungi, hence, in order to be on the safe side, it is necessary to begin each sea- son with spraying. It is essential, therefore, that spraying should be as regularly a part of the field work for successful crop raising as plowing, fertilizing, and the other operations necessary for crop production. Furthermore, the effects of spraying are cumulative, that is, the effects of spraying and keeping fruit trees free from disease this year will give a bet- ter crop next year. Even with trucking crops that die down in tlie fall the danger from disease next year in a particular field will be greatly reduced if the field is kept free from dis- eases this season. DOES SPRAYING SOMETIMES IN.JURE FOLIAGE AND FRUIT? If fungicides are not properl}" made they will burn the foliage and discolor the fruit. It is a Avell-known fact that the foliage on some plants is much more tender than it is on others, and for this reason it is necessary to suit the strength of the fungicide to the host-plant. Certain fungicides, like bordeaux mixture, cannot be used in spraying fruit that is nearly ripe, since the fruit would be stained by the mixture, and thereby rendered unsalable. WHY' DOES SPRAY'ING SOMETIMES FAIL TO PREVENT DISEASE? There are several reasons why spraying sometimes fails to accomplish the results expected. It may be that the fungi- 154 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. cide was not properly made, that the spraying was not done early enough in the season, or that the applications were not thorough or persistent enough. If we wait until we see the disease at work before we begin spraying our efforts will not result in success, for the reason that when we see the disease it is certain that the fungus spores have germinated and the fungus has grown into the affected part of the host-plant. In such cases it is impossible to destroy the fungus without de- stroying the diseased part of the host. The most that can be hoped for in such cases is that the disease may be prevented from spreading to the healthy plants or plant parts. If the spraying is not thorough, so that all parts of the host are cov- ered, spores may fall upon the unprotected parts and grow as readily as if no fungicide had been used. Or if the appli- cations are not frequent enough, so that the fungicide is washed off, or new plant parts are developed and left un- sprayed, attacks of fungi may take place as readily as if no spraying had been done. It should be remembered that no fungicide will restore any plant part once destroyed or injured, hence the necessity of preventing attacks of fungi, and this can be done by an early, thorough, and persistent use of fungicides. WILL SPRAYING PREVENT ALL PLANT DISEASES? Several plant diseases, of which " peach yellows " is an ex- ample, are not, so far as known, produced by organisms, and these diseases can be neither prevented nor controlled by fungicides. Other plant diseases are produced by bacteria that live in the tissues of diseased plants. These minute organisms seldom appear on the surface of the host-plant and consequently would not usually be reached by spraying. Such a disease is the pear blight. It is often the case that a disease attacks only the underground portion of the plant. It is clear that a disease of this nature could not be prevented or controlled by spraying. Potato scab is an example of diseases of this kind. In short, it is only those fungous diseases that origin- ate from spores on the aboveground portions of plants that may be prevented by spraying, WILL IT PAY TO SPRAY? Whether it will or will not pay to spray must depend upon circumstances. It is of prime importance to know whether REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 155 tlie plants under consideration are subject to diseases that may be prevented by spraying. If so, and the crop is worth raising at all, it is worth bringing to the highest possible state of perfection, and it is now well known that spraying, if properly done, is one of the important factors in perfect crop production. However, unless one makes up his mind to use all possible pains in the preparation of fungicides, to be- gin spraying early and to carry it on persistently, the time, labor and money expended will be lost. On the other hand, if the fungicide is properly i)repared and the work is timely and thorough, it is probable that no equal amount of labor and money expended will yield larger returns, taking it year in and year out. This statement has been demonstrated many times by farmers, gardeners and fruitgrowers in nearly every section of the state. It is true that certain seasons are un- favorable for the development of fungi, but it rarely happens that they do not develop to some extent ; hence it will be an advantage to spray even during such seasons. Experience has shown that it pays to spray systematically and thoroughly, year after year, regardless of the season. PLANTING TABLE. So many mistakes have been made in planting trees too close together, that again we give a general table, taking in consideration the strength of soil, variety and nature of the tree, as well as climatic conditions : DISTANCES. Pears Apples Apricots Cherries Peaches Prunes and plums. Nut-bearing trees— Feet. •24 to 30 30 to 40 20 to 22 25 to 30 20 to 25 20 30 to 40 156 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. NUMBER OF TREES TO THE ACRE, Ten feet Twelve feet f'ourteen feet Sixteen feet Eighteen feet Twenty feet Twenty-two feet Twenty-four feet Thirty feet J-'orty feet 436 sm •222. 170 134 108 90 76 48 '27 500 347 255 195 154 120 103 86 56 831 571 415 317 249 193 177 133 83 APPENDIX. THE HELPING HAND. If I should see A brother languifehing in sore distress And I should turn and leave him comfortless, When I might be A messenger of hope and happiness — How could I ask what I denied In my own hour of bitterness supplied? If I might sing A little song to cheer a fainting heart And I should seal my lips and sit apart When I might bring A bit of sunshine for life's ache and smart- How could I hope to have my grief relieved If I kept silent when my brother grieved? And so I know That day is lost wherein I fail to lend A helping hand unto some wayward friend; But if it show A burden lightened by the cheer I sent, Then do I hold the golden hours well spent. And lav ine down to rest in sweetcontent. - Edith V. Brandt. APPENDIX. 159 TRANSITION IN AGRICULTURE. Read at the Northwest Fruitgrowers' Convention— E. L. Smith, Hood River. Qualification is the watchword of the hour. The horizon of human in- telligence has wonderfully expanded during the last half hour of the cen- tury now drawing to a close. The Magi of the Orient who interpreted dreams, read the stai\s, or sought the alchemy that would transmute the the baser metals to gold sink into insignificance when contrasted with the wise men of the West who invoked the hidden forces of nature to perform the service of man. With Bessemer converting iron to steel, a metal of infinitely greater utility than gold: with Edison, the wizzard of Menlo Park, exploring electrical science : with Roentgen sending his cross rays through the human anatomy or wall of iron and revealing their secrets: with Marconi and his wireless telegraphy, or with Fessenden, who astounds us with the intimation that our thoughts can be volted across the broad Atlantic, the only conductor the blue ether of the heavens. Agriculture, and when I speak of agriculture, I include horticulture and t>very branch of industry related to the soil, has shared in the wonderful development that has come to all the industrial arts during the past fifty years. The hand sickle and the cradle of our boyhood days have been fol- lowed by the reaper, the header, the self-binder, and finally by the combined machine, drawn by a multitude of horses, cutting, thrashing, and sacking forty acres in a single day. The music of the flail sounding on the old barn lloor is no longer heard, but instead the roar of great machines with thirty- two, thirty-eight, or forty-inch cylinders, propelled by steam and belching out rivers of straw and golden grain. And who shall number the varieties, of surpassing excellence, that the horticulturist has given to the world during the past fifty years, but we tarry only to point to a Burbank creating new species of fruit, of color and flavor, to suit his pleasure, to the astonishment and the delight of all pomologists. And what a prime factor is transportation in the evolution of this great industry. The steel rail intersects all our fertile areas, to bear away the products of orchard and field, and great transports, styled whaleback, with a capacity up to a quarter of a million bushels of grain, go down the great lakes to Cleveland and Bufl:'alo, to immense elevators, that snatch up their <;argoes and distribute them to the bread-eaters of the world. Wonderful indeed has been the development of the mechanical appliances of agricul- ture, and in this respect but little seems lacking. I approach now to the more important part of my message. In this age of transition and of high intelligent standards, let us inquire as to what has been done and what we propose to do for the education of the man in partnership with soil. AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES. The general government seemed tardy in recognition of the importance of this subject, for it was not until 1855 that the first agricultural college was established, at Cleveland, Ohio ; the second in 1857, at Lansing, Michigan. In 1862 the Department of Agriculture was placed in charge of a com- missioner at Washington, and in the same year congress appropriated to the several states an amount of public lands equal to thirty thousand acres for each senator and representative, the proceeds of sales to constitute a per- 160 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF PIORTICULTURE. petual fund, the accruing revenue to be devoted to the maintenance of at least one college in each state, whose leading objects shall be to teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts. In 1887 congress passed what is known as the "Hatch Act Establishing Experiment Stations,'' and appropriating for each $15,000 annually, to pro- mote scientific investigation and experiment respecting the principles and application of agricultural science. In 1890 the Morrill act made further liberal appropriation for the more complete endowment of agricultural colleges, and the respective states from time to time extended aid to these schools. We are informed by Doctor True, in charge of the office of experiment stations at Washington, that we now have sixty-four agricultural colleges, with resources amounting to $53,500,000, and that $10,000,000 had been ex- pended on our experiment stations. Have the objects contemplated by congress in making these liberal appro- priations, the wisdom of which is beyond question, so far as agricultural education is concerned, been realized in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, the three states represented in this association? Some time since it was my pleasure to attend chapel exercises at one of these colleges, and after song, scripture reading and prayer, a visiting graduate was called upon to address the assembled students. I gathered from his remarks that he was taking a law course, and the thought came to me, are these schools breeding lawyers and professional men instead of farmers and fruitgrowers'? And since that morning that thought has come to me again and again, and quite recently I addressed a note to one or more of the professors at Corvallis, Pullman, and Moscow, requesting to know how many of the graduates were following- husbandry, and how many at the present time were enrolled in agricultural courses. I thank these gentlemen for prompt and courteous acknowledg- ments, but they disclosed a condition of affairs most discouraging to every man who wants to see the science of agriculture exalted in our schools com- mensurate with the supreme importance that it bears in the economy of the world. In the University of Idaho there were three students in agriculture in the class of 1898, six in 1899 ; students enrolled, one hundred and eighty- three. Washington Agricultural College graduated twenty-seven students up to last year — two in agriculture, one in hoi^ticulture. In the senior class for 1899 not one student in agriculture. Of the three hundred and twenty- five students enrolled in this institution last December, only fifteen in agri- cultural and horticultural courses. There were thirty-two or thirty-three members in the class of 1898 at Corvallis, and four or five in agriculture. Class of 1899, thirty-four members, six in agricultural courses. Total enroll- ment, three hundred and fifty; girls, one hundred and thirty-one ; boys, two hundred and ninety-nine. In agricultural courses all told, forty-five or forty- six. In these three "farmers' schools," of eight hundred and seventy-one students enrolled, only fifty-four — less than six and one-half per cent, in agri- culture and horticulture. Fellow horticulturist, are you satisfied with this exhibit? If not, where lies the fault and where is the remedy? There is nothing farther from my thought than to deprecate the value of these schools. I acknowledge my personal indebtedness for the valuable in- vestigation of the experiment stations. I thoroughly appreciate the short courses in agriculture, and yet more the educational work that is being done at farmers' and fruitgrowers' institutes throughout the country. I admit that the usefulness of these schools has been lessened from the fact that from time to time they have been butt'eted by political partisanship, that too many of their regents have had no direct interest in the soil or me- chanic arts and too many of their presidents and officers have no special training along lines that afford knowledge and bring them in sympathy with industrial arts. But let us not hide behind the shortcomings of our tech- nical schools, for I am convinced that the greater fault lies in our own apathy and indifference to the subject of scientific agriculture. Why do our sons drift into every occupation save that of the farm ? Is it because the old APPENDIX. 161 folks want a lawyer or a iireacher or a doctor, professions now hopelessly over- crowded, in the family V Is it because he rebels at toiling alongside of the tramp who sleeps in the barn, and that there is too little of the golden rule exercised between the employer and the employed V Is it because civil and mining engineering and electrical science offer greater possibilities V Are these among the causes that lead the boys to drift away from the agricul- tural courses at our colleges ? We have the diagnosis, and I ask you, gentle- men, to ])oint the remedy. After much thought and correspondence with those whose o])inions are entitled to greater weight than my own, I conclude that we must first arouse the interest of the parent, and then, as the publii- schools are the recruiting stations of our colleges, demand that our boarTadeB of windfalls, are sliced thin and dried, including skins, seeds and (•ores — and inhabitants. They are packed in plain barrels. The poorer classes here use larg-e quantities of these apples for makingr an apple wine known as 'Piquette.' Last season one firm imported twelve thousand barrels of apple chops, at a cost of seven cents per pound." Mr. Albion W. Tourgee, Consul at Bordeaux, France, says in this connection, that in 1897 thirty-five million gallons of this piquette were used, which increased to fifty million g-allons in 1898: and as it takes one pound of chops to one gallon of piquette, it means fifty million pounds of apple chops. And so are all other reports of foreign states, many stating that instead of exporting, as heretofore, they would have to import more and more each season. Latest advices from Berlin say: ''In view of the circular sent by the German govei-nment to the chambers of commerce and other bodies, inquir- ing as to the desirability of a duty on fruit, the Society of Hamburg Fruit Dealers has adopted a resolution declaring emphatically that American fruit is indispensable there, and protesting energetically against a duty." But owing to the high freight and refrigerator charges from the Pacific Ckjast to the Atlantic seaboard, we of the Pacific Northwest are somewhat handi- oapped in European markets, which, however, is offset by our superior fruits and the higher prices they command in these markets, espec-ially England. Prices for apples ranged this fall as follows : Variety. Baldwins lien Davis Wiiiesaps London Market. Hamburg Market. r'-16 sliiirings per bbl 1.V2I marks per bbl. 12-15 shillings per bbl 9-18 marks per bbl. ...^ 11-13 shillings per bbl 10-12 marks per bbl. York Imperial lf5-is shillings per l)bl lii-17 marks per bbl. Kings ; l')-l!» shillings per bbl 15-17 marks per bbl. Northern Spy I 13-14 shillings per bbl 17-19 marks per bbl. Spitzenbergs 13-14 shillings per bbl 10-U marks per bbl. Now please note : Pacific Coast Newtowns. eleven shillings per box, equal to thirty-three shillings ber barrel, — more than double the prices realized for eastern apples. These figures will also form some guide to intending planters of apple or- chards, as well as to shippers. The total shipment this fall, up to December 1. was sixty-eight thousand nine hundred and twenty barrels. PRUNES IN GERMANY. Size. Italian prunes. Processed French prunes. -Ws to 40V ! IS to 20cents^ 14^ cents. 40's toSO's' , 15 to 17eents | 12 cents In France the prices range from sixteen to twenty cents. Small-sized prunes should not be sent, as they come into competion with the home-grown goods. But we have a market which is practically our own. When I became convinced that the Pacific Northwest would soon grow more apples than 170 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. could be used at home, as well as prunes, I put myself in communicatioa with the consuls of Europe, China, and Japan, regarding- the possibilitj' of exporting some of our fruits to these respective countries, and have re- ceived hundreds of encouraging replies, and it affords me great pleasure to state that I received the first cash order for a lot of apples from Nagasaki, Japan, which has been filled by one of our dealers. This oriental market is the one for us to operate in. It is a field of such importance that it should be taken in hand at once — its possibilities are so vast that the end cannot now be seen. Recent statistics show the expoi-tation of fruits in 1898 to oriental markets to have been about as follows ( the 1899 reports are not yet available ), viz. : British East Indies, $12,346; British Australasia, $260,611; other Asiatic possessions and Oceauica, $147,151: Hong Kong, $67,718: other pai'ts of China, $23,761; Japan, $22,713; exports of jireserved food, including fruits from Spain to the Philippines, $175,261; wine, $148,816; flour, $149,940. Here are markets which should be, in fact must be, cultivated and developed, and they are practically our own, especially for our fine apples and Italian prunes. The evaporated product of this prune is too fine to bring into com- petion with sun-dried French prunes, as is done now in our eastern markets. This competition would be eliminated in the Orient, as the inhabitants of that climate demand a semi-tart fruit, a quality not possessed by the sweet, insipid, sun-dried French prune of California. Therefore this market be- longs exclusively to the Pacific Northwest. But, in catering to this market, we must jjrepare our fruits in the way they want them, and not in the way in which we would like to have them taken. At the risk of repeating my- self, and only for the important matter contained therein, allow me once more to quote from the reply to my letter of inquiry, addressed to Mr. Johnson, Consul at Amoy, Japan: "There is a steady, increasing demand among the natives for foreign fruits, whether canned, dried, or preserved. The European population look to these imported fruits almost exclusively to supply their tables. Tinned pears, peaches, and apricots come principally from America, while preserved fruits, jams, and dried fruits still come largely from Europe. The reason is apparent : The American manufacturer will not, or does not, meet the conditions required. Since there are no peaches or pears in Europe which can compete with those of California, the oriental merchant has no choice ; in other lines he is not so restricted. Prunes and raisins are largely used. The dried fruit is put up in bottles and sealed. In no other way can it be shipped to the tropics without great loss, as the humidity of the climate, or insects, will soon render it unsalable. No fruit, biscuits, crackers, or other food products can be safely shipped to Central or Southern China, Ja^^an, or Philipines, without being sealed in glass, bottles or tinned. The English and Continental merchants and manufac- turers understand this, and put up their fruits accordingly. If tinned, the tins are either painted or varnished to prevent rust and consequent loss to merchants. The American manufacturer has found a market for his pro- duct without these extra expenses, and is slow to meet this demand, hence dried fruits, jams, and tinned fruits are usually bought in other countries where these necessary details are looked after. If our exporters of fruit APPENDIX. 171 expect to hold the market in the Philippines, or to gain a better footing- in C'hina or Japan, they should begin by studying the conditions and promptly meeting them. Prices realized in China and Japan for fruit justify the expense necessary to put them up so as to insure their being in good condi- tion when they reach the consumer." This is a decidedly plain statement of the condition, and we should not fail to grasp the situation. In the line of apples it becomes necessary to grow such varieties as will stand ocean transportation. A hard apple is what the trade demands, how- ever much of this question will be solved by shipping in cold storage. Meats have been transported in cold storage steamers, through all climes, to every land, especially from Australia to England, and so will be our fresh fi-uit; with the completion of the Nicaragua Canal, tramp steamers which are now traveling our seas in every direction, seeking cargoes from anywhere to anywhere, will crowd our docks, eager to carry oiu* surplus fresh fruits to the markets of the world, and competition will innkc freights low enough to allow a good margin to the grower. At a banquet given recently at the Waldorf- Astor by the New England Society of New York, the Hon. .Tohri Barrett, ex-minister to Siam, than whom no man is better qualified to speak on this subject, responded to the toast "The New Pacific," and said in part: "The Orient wants the llower and fruit of the Pacific Coast. * * * The lusty commonwealths of California, Oregon and Washington, looking out on the New Pacific, realizing that through its commerce they will attain the importance, wealth and population for which their location has designed them." Hon. D. P. Thompson said to me some time ago: ''I just received some letters from Tokio, Japan, from friends to whom I had sent a few boxes of evaporated Italian prunes for a present. They write me that nothing of the kind could be had there for love or money, and expressed a surprise that if we had plentj' of such fine fj-uit, why we did not ship it there, as there was practically an unlimited market for it." All these are markets of great importance, and as I have said before, should and must be cultivated, and as we shall have little or no competition, they are practically our own. I am firmly convinced that in these districts alone is a field for operation that will absorb all the surplus fruits raised in the Pacific Northwest, and that there is a market not only for our fresh, canned, and evaporated fruits, but for everything else we have for sale and can supply these markets with. But in reaching out for these foreign markets we must concentrate our strength, ship only first-class fruits, for poor grades come into competition with the home-grown fruits, and in con- sequence meet with poor or no sales. Permit me to quote from a report of United States Consul-General Mason, stationed at Berlin, Germany. In reply to the question, "Is there any com- plaint as to dishonest packing or grading of dried fruits from the United States, and what needs yet to be done to improve the trade, and render it stable and permanent?" he says: 172 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. ''There has been to my knowledge more or less complaint in regard to packing and assorting of American dried fruits. I never have investigated a case of this kind in which the complaint did not prove to be fully sus- tained. I examined yesterday the first box of dried apricots from this sea- son's crop, which just arrived from one of the foremost packing firms of California, a house whose brand on the packing case usually is accepted as a guarantee of quality. On removing the lid the fruit appeared in neatly- arranged layers, the pieces large, firm, and uniform size and color: the dried fiesh as translucent as gelatine, and of fine aromatic flavor. "The box being- turned over and the bottom removed, a wholly different picture was revealed. There the fruit had been loosely thrown in in pieces of all sizes, mainly small, irregular in shape, and of all shades of color, from the golden brown to deep mahogany, many pieces showing by their form that they had been saved from apricots which had been partially decayed. All these were good enough to be eaten, but were not what the buyer ordered and paid for, nor what the seller pretended to sell, and, as the disappointed importer somewhat bitterly remarked, 'If this is what we get from a first- class exporter, who puts up his own fruit, what may we expect from jobbers who gather up and export the miscellaneous products of small packers and individual farmers':" " This covei's the case completely, and what is true of the apricots is also true of the prunes. If we wish to capture these foreign markets then our fruit must be honestly graded, honestly packed, and honestly labeled. To do otherwise is commercial suicide. EAELY HOETICULTUEE IN OREGON. By .John Minto, Salem. As potatoes and peas were the first things planted, one year in advance of the seed of wheat, oats, barley, and maize, received from Hudson's Bay, it is safe to assume that the cultivation of vegetables received attention prior to or simultaneously with that of grain for breadstuffs by settlers as well as at Fort Vancouver, and as the garden precedes the field, in natural order, we have reason to believe that the most intelligent Canadian trappers, like Gervais and Luceir, began in the same order. We have this evidence that the garden preceded the field in their case, as it was most suitable as a means of experiment with one quart of wheat which Doctor McLoughlin gave Mr. Luceir to begin with. In the case of Mr. Gervais, we have the testimony of Daniel Lee's letter, that the garden was the most notable por- tion of his improvements ; as, to do the arrival of the missionaries, in 1834, special honor as his guests, he stretched a tent and placed beds, and they " slept in a garden of cucumbers and melons." APPENDIX. 173 J Human love, in its earliest movements, expresses itself with flowers, and the felicities of success are expressed with fine fruits. It is but natural, then, that we find among the first most important body of home-builders of 184,3, those who not only broug-ht garden seeds, but attempted to bring- grow- ing plants of choice fruit. .1. M. (iarrison started with some grafted apple trees but failed to get them through. In 1847, R. C. Geer bought a peck of apple seeds and about half as much pear seeds. But, as illustrative of the greater efficiency of the most advanced frontiersman to best meet the wants of a further advance, we have the grand action of Henderson Luelling, start- ing from Iowa the same year with a very complete nursery of growing fruit trees and succeeding in getting them to Oregon. The enterprise of these two men naturally supported each other, and their mutual dealings amounted to thousands of dollars; as Mr. Geer subsequently received larger quantities of tree seeds from Ohio, and scions of particular kinds of fruit he had shipped to him, in sealed cases, around Cape Horn. Later, Judge Cyrus Olney brought several bushels of apple and i)ear seeds and jilanted in the campus of the Willamette University, and after the wonderful enterprise of Mr. Luelling a Mr. Ladd brought a nursery of fruit trees via the Isthmus of Panama, from Ohio. These, however, were the consjiicuous horticultural enterprises. Less definable sources were by almost every family bringing the seed of some favorite garden or orchard product. It is not known whether the first missionaries of the Methodist Episcopal Board of Missions brought any seeds or plants, but as their pxirposes included an industrial school for the natives, it is presumed they did. The writer, who was the first resident owner upon the site, and in the first building erected at Walamet, and selling the right after four months of ownership, reserved and took to his chosen location for a home the horti- cultural plants deemed removable, of which the rosebush, since extensively designated as the "Mission Rose," and the rhubarb, currant, and gooseberry plants were the most important. There was then only left some six or eight peach trees, not less than eight or nine years old. There must have been some apple trees of the same age which were moved to the new location, as I saw trees on the campus of the ''Oregon Institute " evidently too old to have been grown there within the time since the Mission was abandoned. The foregoing indicates how the earliest homebuilders began. One family brought peach pits and plums, another cherries, another apjjles and pears, planted them and generously divided with others when they had to spare. Others marked and transplanted wild fruits. In this way the wild currant and choke cherry of Eastern Oregon, and w^ild plum and grape of Southern Oregon, were brought to, and planted in, the Willamette Valley in 1848 ; and the native Blackcap raspberry was transplanted to gardens before the discovery of gold in California. This brought the fact to the attention of the people of Oregon that Henderson Luelling, by his wagon load of choice varieties of fruit trees, had brought a magazine of wealth within reach of the farmers of Oregon. With the money results of the first sales of produce to the California miners orders went East for books and periodicals. Fruits, such as the seedling apples from the Gervais and Lataurette orchards, and peaches 174 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OP HORTICULTURE. from Rev. E. A. Parrish's, were eagerly bought at $3 per bushel, the seeds so secured being the most prized part of the purchase. It seemed in the nature of a special providence that Mr. Luelliug's venture and intelligent care began to produce specimens in 1849. Families who had beds of seedling apples readily sold all they would spare. These were transplanted with care and head-grafted, so that no time was lost. Where wild stock could be used, as the native thorn for the pear, or the crab for the apple, they were sometimes used with excellent results. Yearling or two-year-old nursery trees of choice varieties of apples were eagerly bought at fifty cents to $1 per plant, and prunings of the roots and branches or shoots used by the root- grafting process to make several more trees without perceptible injury to the purchase. So with pears, for Avhich $2 per plant was freely paid, when the bud giving its chief value was yet a bud only. Prices for the first fruit sold in California amply justified these prices for nursery trees, as, if a man and woman were passing Luelling's retail fruit stand in San Francisco at any time between 1849 to 1859, and the lady looked interested at the beautiful specimens, she got her choice without regard to cost. Five dollars was sometimes paid for a single apple, and as late as 1856 Esopus Spitzenbergs, of average size, retailed from the stand at seventy-five cents each. The writer sold his first crop of apples and pears on the trees at fourteen cents per pound. The purchaser picked them, packed them in light boxes with moss, and hauled to the mining camps of Northern California, selling such pears as the Seckle at $4 per pound. His second and third year's crops were picked without bruising, packed in boxes of forty-five pounds each, and hauled by wagon to Portland, selling at twelve and ten cents per pound in 1854 and 1855 resijectively. These prices, of course, stimulated great care and devotion to fruit cul- ture, and in addition to its being a new field of observation and interested labor, there was a very general belief that we would always have the Cali- fornia market — that the climate of that state would never admit of the suc- cessful culture of apples, peai's, j^lums and cherries. There were few natural enemies to perfect fruit production, and more blemishes from sun scald than any other climatic cause. But by 1856 orchard planting began in California. Foothill lands and those near the rivers being at first selected for the fruits I have mentioned: and even before these orchards began to bear, the rapid increase of Oregon's product began to lessen prices in California. Then, other fruits sought the golden market, and as early as 1856 monstrous fruits of the pear kind from Japan were in San Francisco markets. The Japanese pears had more the flavor of an indifferent turnii) than of such fruit as the Bartlett pear. In ten years fi^om 1850 apples and pears in the California market were not selling at much, if any, more profit on the labor of produc- tion than wheat farming would give, so that it was wise counsel the Oregonian gave Oregon farmers when it urged the expansion of wheat fields, so as to get into the world's markets with breadstuifs. Extensive orchards began to be neglected when not situated convenient to local market, or in the owner- ship of those who were fruitgrowers from love of the occupation, and pursued it, profit or no profit. Some, like the writer, kept on as long as choice cider APPENDIX. 175 could be sold, but the market for apples in that form was only local, and aw ■we had reached the point of no market, many orchards were suffered to be- come stock lots, and unfortunately left for fifteen to twenty years to become the nurseries and breedinj; jrround for every insect that preys upon neglected fruit and fruit trees. These, where alive and still neglected, ought either to receive thorough pruning, cleansing, manuring and general care, or should be grubbed up and consumed by fire, root and branch. The latter, as a rule, would be best economy. The use of good fruit has. from the changing habits of society, become an important product in all markets, so that many land owners of limited acre- age can make fruitgrowing a reliable as well as delightful occupation. I am not in favor of anyone making fruitgrowing a sole dependence. Ten acres I consider large enough for a family orchard, but I would always wish such a family to have ten acres more, so that butter, milk, eggs and poultry could be produced, and a light team kept. On this second ten acres, nut- bearing trees could and should be j)lanted — the kinds planted [selected for their value as wood whenever possible. FOREST INTEREST. The people of Oregon are blest with forest resources of immense value, of ■which (while they are waiting for the lumber demand which is surely com- ing), they can not be too careful to protect from fire — money spent that is as wisely invested as in the protection of city property. The home market for lumber in the United States has never paid for the use of the land on which the trees grew. The quantity of land in states like those of New England, tiew York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Michigan and Wisconsin which is left to these respective states by owners rather than pay taxes on it after the timber of God's planting has been cut off, is proof that up to'this time there has been no income from the land on which the trees grew; and only •where they have been cut and taken to market by most economical methods, lias there been encouraging profit in that business. Over half of the area of ^Vestern Oregon is yet in forest or wood land, the timber on which has averaged one hundred years of growth. The most recent estimate is nine thousand feet, board measure, per acre on wood land. Cut it today and put it into the world's markets by the most economical methods known, and, after paying cost for labor and encouraging profit for capital used, tell me, Avho can, how much would be left to pay taxes on that land at present rates on $2.50 valuation? The writer and his wife were recipients of three hundred and twenty acres each as pioneers to Oregon. Their chosen locations did not contain three acres of timber of size small enough for building purposes. It was fceautiful land for stock-growing purposes. We thought we would have to plant tree seeds. Grass fires stopped in 1846, and in ISoO^young firs of na- ture's sowing began to show above the grass on the broken lands. There is MOW thirty or more acres of timber from forty to fifty years' growth. Two ^'ears ago my wife sold the wood growing on eight acres of the oldest by the tfiord, and realized $200 for the wood grown on eight acres in forty-eight 17() REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. years. At a rough estimate, it requires the expenditure of that sum to put that lot into the best pasture grasses. Thirty years ago the writer, desiring better grass land than his donation claim, purchased a body of alluvial soil adjoining Salem. It had been talcen as a donation claim in 1850, and its wealth of timber growth taken oft' for lumber and cordwood duising twenty years. In that period it passed through seven different ownerships, yet was under mortgage for its full value at the time of my purchase. Less than three acres of it was clear enough for the more profitable use of potato growing. Laying between the low-water mark of the Willamette Kiver and twenty-five feet above that, nothing but con- stant use for richest field crops will prevent nature from covering it with trees and brush woods, — for water is the nursing mother of trees. After twenty years cutting of sawlogs and cordwood there was still mature ash and balm timber unculled. Taking the market price, $33 was received for mature ash logs and $130 for balm or water poplar for paper pulp. This $163 would not have paid for clearing the land of stumps and brush woods: im- mediately the fire, axe, and grubbing-hoe, grass seed, cattle, and sheep were freely used to kill the unpi-ofitable undergrowth of blackberry and salmon berry. It was found that the immense balm trees too large for jjaper pulp log contractors to handle while alive, and acting as pumps in taking the moisture from the soil lower than the roots of cultivated crops would reach, rendered even the culture of potatoes profitless within the radius of their live roots, and such trees have been either cvit and floated ott' on winter floods or girded, dried, and burned as they stood. On land yet incumbered with these large stumps, four hundred bushels of potatoes per acre was harvested in 1899, and from thirteen acres, two thousand sacks have been taken this season of 1900. On the lowest land producing trees field crops ai-e rendered unprofitable by live tree roots taking the soil moisture — these l<;illed — and corn, white, red, and alsike clover, blue and perennial rye grass, redtop and barnyard millet, grow down to the lowest plowable land. On the highest of this land from low-water mark suitable for intensified farming with any crops of fruits, grasses, or grains are grown. Twenty-two and one-half acres in hops have aggregated a cash return for the past four seasons, 1897 to 1900, inclusive, of $12,050.26. These results are not cited be- cause they are any way near what more thought, more labor, and skill in culture can produce ; but as a means of illustrating the proportion of family life sustainable from twenty-two and one-half acres of this land as compared with the value of its product as natural forest, — believing as I do that in all probability $12,000 is as much as wood product of the entire tract of two hundred and fifteen acres has returned to its owners in the twenty years preceding the present ownership — as much as it would sell for today in paper pull) material if it stood as the untouched forest growth for one hundred years. I do not mean by this to advise neglect of timber culture. Fai- from it. I am a lover of trees. APPENDIX. 177 TREES AND THEIR INFLUENCES — SILVIA t'ULTURI-:: AS A DUTY. The writer has no hesitation in confessing that he owes much of happiness of a long life to the influence of trees, both as massed in woodlands and for- ests, and to individual trees of particular beauty, strength, or grandure of dimensions. A well-grown fruit tree, in full bloom or laden with ripe, lucious fruit, is a joy to contemplate. A fine oak or other gi'eat forest tree, impells the dullest mind to dwell on creative power and to "look through nature up to nature's God," and so warrants the poet in saying : "The groves were lieaven's first temples." Starting from beneath the trees, which are natural shelter from the cold of winter or heat of summer, the natural man must have early in the world's age reasoned upward to the beneficient power we call *'God."' So that man now. when his inventions have taken him far from the wild, natural life, cannot frame the story of his own evolution in a manner more probable than that of the story of Eden — the garden consisting of every herb and tree-bearing fruit — yielding seed — "pleasant to the sight and good for food," into which man was put '"to dress it and to keep it." It is highly probable that there was not on the face of the earth a district ■so extended, carrying trees of so great variety, suitable for the highest uses of man, as North America was at the time of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers at Plymouth Rock. The native energy of those immigrants, and the natural nursery of further development of energy they found in the climate and other conditions to which they came, made them destroyers of living limber of necessity, in order to clear land from which to raise food. After that, to convert the living trees into merchandise, as logs, structural tim- bers, plank, and the finer manufactures of wood, was a natural evolution of economics, hastened in development by the mother country's policy of pro- hibiting the founding of other lines of manufacturing industry in her col- onies already established in England — a market for the products of which the American colonies were long held by the mother land. Yet, adding to land-clearing and sales of wood in various forms, including the arrow-marked kings trees of colonial days, and destroying it by great labor in many ways, it has taken the industries of the Atlantic seaboard states over two hundred and fifty years to note they may have overcut their timber lands. Happily, this perception has not come too late. Intelligence and public spirit has be- gun work, and many of the highest schools have taken up the teaching of forest management and silvia culture. Under the leadership of a comparatively few enthusiastic lovers of trees, however, the American Forestry Association has reached out beyond these overcut localities, and induced the adoption of a forest reserve policy by the national government, on grounds of questionable policy, in withdrawing the public lands from private ownership. The wisdom of sufficient fore; t preservation and care for the future is not only undeniable as good policy, but believed by the writer to be a high duty of the citizens of every state. I believe the people can be trusted. On almost every area of one hun- dred and sixty acres in every portion of the United States oa which falls an 12 178 REPOJIT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. annual average of thirty inches or more of rain, or its equivalent of snow, there are spaces r.ore. fitted for timber trees than for any other product, and these should be kept as woodlots, producing woods of the greatest value the situation for soil moisture will successfully grow. Take the land I have been describing. From the level of five feet above the low-water mark of the river even low meadow grasses like redtop, barnyard millet and alsike clover, the native ash. balm (water poplar), and wilow will grow down to within two feet of low water. The owner leaves about thirty acres in tim- ber, the ash, not using one-quarter the area, being deemed quadruj^le the value of the other woods combined; but any spaces from the five-foot level upward, such as permanent fence lines and the like, are utilized for the pro- duction of furniture woods — nut-bearing kinds, like black walnut, pecan, and hickory, being preferred. In this way the very waste portions of the farm can and ought to be made produce the most valuable wood and shelters for domestic stock and game, also a delight to the eye of owner or passer-by. This last may be deemed a far-fetched consideration, but those who have traveled in a treeless land, as western Nebraska, much of Illinois and Iowa were fifty years ago. and much of the main Columbia Valley was twenty years ago, know how much better than "a great rock in a weary land" is the little clump of fruit and shade trees with which the home-builders in a tree- less country hasten to surround themselves. Wherever soil moisture suffi- cient, secured from ditch or well, can be consei-ved — in which the house itself is often the best agent — a few trees can be and should be grown. While speaking thus earnestly for tree planting in land fit for trees only, and for use and beauty in other places, the writer is no believer in any cause foi- a timber famine. I have given a few pi-actical illustrations that present and past prices for lumber in the United States have paid no rent or profit on the land on which the timber grew, and not always fair wages for cutting it off and marketing. We have passed the wooden age in the United States, and from the warshij) Oregon down to sidewalks of streets, steel, nickel, pla- tinum, p,nd concrete cement, are better for defense, home use and health, thmi wood : for many uses more economical. Nor am I writing as a forest faddist, i)retending to believe the tree to be the mother of the fountain. My observation tells me all trees and plants are consumers of water, and part with it by evaporation into the air, to float off we know not where, to condense and fall as dew, rain, hail or snow; we can not know on what. Nor can I believe from any information I yet possess that it is necessarj^ or the best wisdom for our national government to guard our forest interests against its citizens. I am in favor of expansion of national power over new wild lands, but also favor the expansion of the national free- dom citizenship in its organized states. The citizens of Western Oregon are capable of marketing the vast timber wealth from the forest portion of our state, and for twenty-five years past a state officer, authorized to permit the taking of timber for buildings, fences, and fuel from the wooded lands of the Blue Mountains, would have been a blessing to pioneer grain farmers of Eastern Oregon, and would now. APPENDIX. 179 A DEAR SCHOOL. A TRIFLING CIRCUMSTANCE AND ITS RESULTS. By Dr. J. K. Cakdwei.i., Portland. It was in August. 1853. in the little villao-e of Portland, we met our first :surprise in the fruit product of Oreg^on. A small basket of peach-plums had attracted a crowd of fruit-hungry admirers. They were handed out, five for a quarter, the smallest change offered or accepted in pioneer days. Today you cannot understand the sensation of this occasion, or how, later, the first boxes of Italian prunes on a country wagon collected a crowd of merchants, clerks, and street people to the marketing, and how voraciously they were eaten out of hand on the spot. The price, though extravagant, was not considered. You cannot understand, for you were never young, a thousand miles away -from home, in a new country, isolated, without trans- portation, and without fruit. The peach-plums referred to were highly colored, large, and beautiful, as we know them in Oregon, but then they looked much larger and more beautiful, the aroma was most appetizing, and the melting, juicy pulp of the ripened fruit was enjoyed with a keen gusta- tory satisfaction. In our distant home in the west, then as far out as Illinois, we only knew the little wild red plum, stung by the curculio. and wormy. We boys ate them at the risk of the worms, which we no doubt often ate with the plum. The cultivated domestic plum had not been introduced : we had never seen it, scarcely heard of it, hence the surprise. Citizen P. W. Gillette, yet with us, was then a nurseryman, near Astoria, and had imported from his father's nursery in Ohio a fine stock of fruits and ornamentals. It was in 1855 I made my first considerable order, and I have been ordering and setting trees ever since, as I have been told I "had the t ree-setting craze, and had it bad. ' ' In the sober reflections of the present I must acknowledge it was true. I had to set trees. For many years I cleared our heavy timber land, and set out ten acres a year. Moderately speaking, I have set over two hundred acres in trees — not a large orchard now. The time had not come for the large commercial orchards of today. My friends tell me I have the honor, if honor it be — questionable — of setting the first commercial prune orchard on the coast. I was not alone ; the mania was infectious : seemingly nearly everybody was setting fruit trees and plums ; the front yards and the back yards had them. Much shrewder business men set orchards to plums — Meek & Lewelling. George Walling, Seth Lewelling, and others ; later, P. F. Brad- ford, Doctor Plummer. S. A. Clark, Dr. Blalock, and a multitude of or- chardists. It was not until 1871 I put out twelve hundred peach-plum trees. There was then a great demand for large-pitted plums in the eastern market, and our grocerymen called for them in considerable'quantities at home, and often ISO REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. said to me, "Set out pitting plums, and peach-plums, and don't set anything- you cannot pit, for the American people don't want a prune with the pit in it. They don't like them. A few of our large-pitted plums had reached the Saint Louis market, and were selling readily at thirty-five cents per pound. We figured two hundred pounds to the tree, then thought to be a conserva- tive estimate, one hundred and sixty trees to the acre, and forty acres in plums, at fiften cents a pound, dried. This was good, better than a quartz mine ; divided by two, it seemed good enough. Time passed. Market re- ports east showed active demand for pitted plums. Leading wholesale grocers ordered, and said we need not fear an oversupply of plums as ])er sample sent, and that there was nothing so fine in the market. We sold at sixteen cents per pound, and were assured they could not drop much below that price. A correspondent, a grower, Mr. S. .J. Brandon, of New York, had discov- ered, or thought he had, that a heavy clay soil, very like our hilled lands, was unfavorable to the curculio, the blighting pest of the east that had dis- couraged plum and prune gi'owing in all the states east of the Rockies. Mr. Brandon, however, was growing successfully a forty-acre orchard of Reine Claude plums on heavy clay land in New York State, and was reaping a golden harvest from the green product in New York City market. Another correspondent. Prof. C. V. Riley, then state entomologist of Missouri, afterwai'ds government entomologist at Washigton, had written me that the curculio did her vv'ork at night, and only when the thermometer was above 75° F. : lower, she was chilled and could not work. As our nights are uniformly below that temperature, I concluded, and yet think correctly, we should not be troubled with that pest, the one pest that had discouraged the growing of plums and prunes in the east. Set one thousand Italian prunes, and with the idea of filling in the dry- ing season from the early peach-plum to the Italian prune, successively, for some years I set out the following varieties: Five hundred late peach-plums, five hundred Washington, five hundred Jefl'erson, five hundred Columbia, five hundred Pond's, five hundred Reine Claude, fifteen hundred French prunes, twelve hundred Coe's Golden Drop: cultivated — plowed twice, hoed around trees twice, harrowed four times, and finished with clod-crusher and leveler, made of six-inch fir poles, five i^ieces six feet long, spaced six inches apart, 2x4 scantling spiked to ends, which has to this time proven the best implement for this purpose, and seems to me almost indispensable as a finishing tool in cultivating our clay hill soil. The winter of 1878 was cold, the thermometer falling to five degrees be- low zero, with stormy northeast winds for weeks, ending with a heavy snow storm. The cambium wood froze and turned dark, almost black, the bark burst loose almost entirely on many trees, particularly the peach-plums. Over in Clark County, Washington, and about Portland we thought our trees were killed; yet, in the spring, to our surprise, they nearly all grew and seemed not injured, excej^ting on the southwest the bark of the peach- plum died, as we judged, on account of the warm 2 o'clock sun while the trees were yet frozen. In a few years the damage was scarcely noticed. The first year of bearing I sent two carloads of peach-plums, wrapped in V APPENDIX. 181 papers and carefully packed in twenty-pound boxes, to the Chicago market. The weather was warm in ^Moeit, they were delayed, and arrived in bad condition, and were sold for a>v»ut the freiarht bill, commission, and other charges. I made other ventures of this kind and learned in the dear school of experience that the peach-plum did not carry well, and could not be profitably shipped so far east. Our commission merchants tried many such experiments, and 1 do not know that anyone ever made anything ship- ])ing peach-plums east, and I do know there were many losses, and the busi- ness was abandoned. Early in the seventy's I built the Acme Fruit Evaporator, bought a Lilly pitter. which, by the way, pitted three thousand five hundred pounds in ten hours, and, after the failure of my shipping scheme, dried the entire pro- duct of my orchard. For some years, starting at sixteen cents per pound, the business i^aid nicely, then prices dropped to fourteen, twelve, ten, and down, until 1890 they were a drug in the market at six cents, unsalable, and were held over, some for three years, and were then reprocessed and sold at a loss. The fashion had changed, the fad was off. people were tired of ])itted plums, the trade turned to prunes, the call now was for ])runes with the pit in, as it was claimed to give the true prune taste, which the pit alone could do. This was disastrous. What should I do with my plum orchard Here was a condition serious. I was theorizing: " Was it possible to graft new heads on these trees successfully V " This was questioned : orchardists shook their heads and thought it too big an undertaking. Some advised digging up the trees to set prunes. I was selling prunes at twelve and one- half cents per pound in fifty-jKnmd boxes, faced. Our Italian prunes led the market, and were readily salable at that figure. This was paying fairly well: a legitimate business, so to speak. We were then possessed of the idea that we had a little neck of the woods in Western Oregon and Wash- ington — the only spot in this great continent that could grow successfully the Italian prune. We were led to think this as they had failed in Cali- fornia, the east, and other localities, and. presumably, they required a heavy clay soil, and a cool, damp climate, and we didn't know of any other such country, and we were growing them successfully, and we had the verdict of the markets and all comers to that effect. In 1871 I secured an experienced top-grafter, started in April and grafted twelve hundred twenty-year-old peach-plums into the Italian prune_ putting- ten to thirty grafts in a tree. It looked destructive. Orchardists looked wise and said it was an experiment ; some thought it would not succeed. I had tried a few trees the year before with my own hands, and was hopeful. It did succeed. Fully ninety-five per cent, of the grafts grew ; enough so that no further grafting was necessary, while some trimming out was neces- sary. I did not lose a tree — this at a cost of ten cents a tree. I trimmed back the new wood annually, and in three years had a good bearing top, which thereafter bore the largest, finest prunes grown in the vicinity. These I wrapped, packed in twenty-pound boxes and shijiped east. They carried well and gave very satisfactory returns. I shipped seven cars one season. They averaged me $1.25 per box in the eastern market, leaving a nice profit. Continuously every year after this gratifying result I thus worked over about 182 REPORT OP STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. one thousand trees, until forty-four hundred phun trees were all worked over into Italian prunes, with like su'cceef^ and with a loss not exceeding fifty trees. It was said and believed bjj'i^^&y that the union would not be g-ood at the graft, and trees thus treated would break down under a heavy load of fruit or from our occasional heavy sleets. This has not proven true — only a suspicious foreboding. Under a heavy weight of fruit and in two heavy sleets the union of the graft, to the contrary, has proven to be as strong as any part of the tree, and it has transpired that this top-grafting is not so difficult and mysterious a handicraft as is generally supposed. Any careful, painstaking man can, in a few hours, learn to set a graft; and so with the waxing, etc. A sharp grafting knife, a trimming saw, a package of cotton Ijatting, a waxing brush, and a heating appliance with kettle of grafting- wax, is all the equipment required. For wax, linseed oil and resin, heated and mixed to a right consistence ( which is a matter of a little common- sense experience). A man who could not learn to top-graft in a day or two of experience I should not consider an orchardist or fit to work in an orchard. My grafting has been done in March, April and May, sometimes even after trees were in bloom and leaf. Scions cut in January, or Pebruai'y, tied in bunches and set (cut ends down) in loose earth on the north side of a building, under shed, have always kept well. Now it transpires that Eastern Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, and other localities, grow successfully the Italian prune, and could probably supply the market of the United States. California set great areas of French prunes, and overdid the business, as Californians are apt to do. Probably California, in the near future, will produce more prunes than the world now consumes, for these and other reasons prunes annually dropped in prices from twelve and one-half to four cents, and five and one- half cents, the present oft'ering. This year the four sizes of French prunes are held at two and one-half cents, and no jnovement. California is in the hands of a combine, even at these prices, and the eastern market proposes to hold off and break the combine and get prunes yet lower. The few prunes that are sold now are sold outside the combine at lower figures. Canned goods and green fruits are taking the place of the prune. It remains to be seen whether the combine will hold or break. To hold, possibly means that the opportunity to sell will be lost, and stock held over. To say the least the condition is not encouraging. The trade calls for a large black prune. The French prune grown in Oregon is small and light colored and cannot compete with the larger dark French prune grown in the Santa Clara Valley, not to speak of their advantage in sun-drying. I have one thousand five hundred twelve-year-old French prune trees yet to work over; am growing wood of the Burbank sugar prune for scions. California is setting and top-grafting into this prune extensively. Everything is claimed for it. It is three weeks earlier than the French, much larger, sweeter, drying- forty-five pounds to the hundred ; evei^-bearing enormously ; tree vigorous, free from blight, or disease of any kind, etc. In 1872 set three hundred Koyal Ann cherries, three hundred Black Republican, and later, four hiui- APPENDIX. 183 dred Bing, seventy-five Lambert, sixty Governor Wood, fifty May Duke, and one jhundred Early Richmond ; for some years the Royal Ann and Black Republican brougfht fifty cents to seventy cents pei- pound, in ten-pound boxes, for shipment east. This was fairly remunerative, but of late, for some reason, the Royal Ann has not carried well in the long haul ; is easily bruised, turns black on the facing, and altogether is an unattractive and unsalable fruit in the eastern markets. We have discontinued shipment. Canneries have come to the rescue and now contract our fruit at three and one-half cents loose, boxes returned. This, also, will be fairly remunerative. Large dark cherries ship well, sell well, and probably will remain profitable. The World's Fair of 18iK{ revealed the fact that we yrow the largest, showiest. and perhaps the finest cherry in the world. Somehow, we ought to do well with our dark cherries. Sixty Governor Wood, and fifty May Dukes, after ten years experience, were worked over into Royal Anns with the same suc- cess in the grafting as with the i)lum. Today only an expert would notice the graft or any change in the growth. The object of this paper is to say, •" Don't dig up old trees because the fruit does not suit you. graft into sorts that will suit you." Spraying, and deep cultivation, will rejuvenate old trees and bring them into vigorous, bearing long before you could realize from selling young trees, and at much less expense. THE OREGON PBUNE. By Prof. Ci. W. Shaw. In Bulletin Xo. 4") of this station appeared an article entitled "'The Com- position of Oregon Prunes." Since the ijublication of that article numerous analyses of both fresh and cured fruit have been made for various purposes. The present bulletin collects and discusses the results of these analyses. It is a continuation of the work there reported and in some measure the former results are here included in order to bring the comparisons to date. A com- prehensive review is here given of the proximate composition of Oregon prunes which is of value both from a scientific and a practical standpoint : First, in giving the composition of different varieties, thus furnishing a point of departure for development along certain desired lines. Second, in contributing to our knowledge of the average composition of the fruit, thus giving a basis of comparison in the study of food values; the physical data (proportion of pits to flesh, etc.). showing the relation of waste to actual food material ; the chemical data a basis for comparing the nu- trients of the prune with those of other fruits. The work here presented is too meagre for rigid comparison, but it is suffi- cient to give a close approximation to the character of this fruit. Questions 184 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. of the influence of climate, soils, and fertilizers, as well as of those pertain- ing to fruit curing, will require much more exhaustive work than this sta- tion has yet been able to do. These are questions requiring a large amount of time and painstaking labor, and, amid the multitudinous duties pressing in other directions, progress will necessarily be slow. COMPOSITION OF THE PRUNE. The composition of the prune may be expressed as follows : 1 Water. , c, I (1) Juice. ! |"4-- ^ . I ^ Soluble Solids. I ^^S^^,,,ids. ^™^^i .cellulose. ^ ^cids. 1 (2) Pulp. - Carbohydrates. ' Pectose. During the process of ripening the first division is increased much at the expense of the second. Water — This constitutes a very large proportion of all fruits in the fresh state, ranging from about sixty-five per cent, to ninety per cent. In the prune it ranges from sixty-five to eighty-five per cent, as will be seen on re- ferring to the tables which appear elsewhere in this bulletin. This water is no different from that occurring elsewhere in nature. Suy(ir — This exists in fruits mainly as grape or fruit sugar which is widely ditt'used in nature. It is much less sweet than cane sugar. In fruits this sugar is developed from starch and cellulose during the process of ripening as will be discussed later. Pectous bodies — These important bodies are scarcely ever wanting in fruit juices. They are substances, which, on proper boiling of the juice, causes it to form a jelly. The gummy exudation on a baked apple consists of a mixture of these pectous bodies. The pectin of the juice is formed by a chemical change from the pectose of the pulp which is a very characteristic constituent unripe fruit. Albumenous substances — This is a class of bodies which contains about six- teen per cent, of nitrogen and is commonly estimated by a determination of that element. They comprise vegetable albumen, fibrin, and gluten. They constitute a very important class of bodies inasmuch as it is their function, and theirs alone, to form flesh or muscle in the body. The adds — The acids of fruit juices are malic and citric, the former con- stituting the chief sour principle in the case of prunes. These acids are usually accompanied by a small amount of tartaric acid. Cellulose or vegetable fibre — This occurs in all parts of all plants. It is this which gives strength and toughness to vegetable matter and forms its frame- work. It is closely related to starch from which it is formed. It is well rejiresented by the fibre of cotton, hemp, and flax. Asli — The ash, or inorganic constituent of fruit, represents the mineral matter which has been removed from the soil. It comprises various salts of potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, calcium, etc., combined with phos- phoric, sulphuric, hydrochloric, and silici acids. APPENDIX. 185 A DISCUSSION OF THE RESULTS. The range of all analyses was from fifteen and eight-tenths grams in Ital- ian 955, to sixty-one and five-tenths grams in Silver 974, the average being twenty-nine and three-tenths grams, thus requiring fifteen and eight-tenths ])rune8 to the pound. The average weight of Petites was twenty-two and two-tenths, which is to be placed against twenty-three and six-tenths grams, the average weight of California Petites. so far as published. The averse weight of Italian prunes was twenty-nine and eight-tenths grams. The widest range is seen in Petites, fifteen and eight-tenths to thirty and five- tenths grams: the Italian ranged from twenvy-five and three-tenths to thirty-six and six-tenths grams. In Bulletin 45 attention was called to the large size of sample 584, grown in the Umpqua Valley, but this wider range of analyses indicates that there is really little difference in the size of the fruit grown in the Umpqua Valley and the Willamette Valley. Proportion of Pits to Fhxh — The percentage of pits range from one and fighty-tive hundredths in Petite 1044 to eight and seventy hundredths in German 983. The relation of pits to flesh is shown to be as follows in the two leading varieties: Petites. one to sixteen; Italian, one to sixteen and f^even-tenths. the latter of which is about the same as the average for all analyses made. The results still show the Oregon j)rune to carry a little larger pit than the California fruit. The tentative relation given in a former publication for the proportion of ])its to flesh in the Petite (one to fourteen) is shown to have been a little too narrow, and that for the Italian (one to seventeen) a little too wide. In the light of this larger number of analyses, it would appear that Petites carry about sixteen times as much flesh as pits, and Italians about seventeen times as much. Measui-ed by the propoi-tion of flesh, then, the Italian seems to be the more economical of the two varieties, but when the jjer cent, of water is taken into account, the Petites should be given the preference. Juice and Flesli — As compared with the Italian, the Petite shows the largest proportion of juice to flesh, the average for the latter being seventy- eight and six-tenths per cent., and for the former, seventy-six and four- tenths. If, however, the Silver prune be considered in a sufficient number of analyses, it would probably be found to carry even a higher per cent, of juice than the Petite. Sugar and Acid — It is about the sugar content of the prune that the chief interest centers. Examination of the table shows the average sugar content of all samples examined to be thirteen and twelve hundredths per cent, in the flesh, the soft-fleshed Petite ranging a little above the average, and the Italian somewhat below. The Petite has the advantage of the Italian by two and thirty-three hundredths per cent. — thirteen and eighty-nine hun- dredths per cent, against eleven a;nd fifty-six hundredths. The California Reports show the French prune to contain on an average (thirteen analyses) twenty-three and ninety-six hundredths per cent, sugar in the juice, which shows a difl'erence, when compared with ours on the same basis, of about four per cent, in favor of the California-grown fruit. The average sugar content is related to that of California prunes as sixteen and six hundredths to twenty 186 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. per cent, sugar in the juice. From the difference in climatic and soil condi- tions, this is no different than we might expect. Contrasting the Oregon fruit, with sixteen per cent, of sugar in the juice, with that of Germany, carrying six and fifteen hundredths per cent, sugar, we see that the home product is nearly three times as rich in this ingredient In their acid content, the prunes examined present a wide variation. The average acidity in terms of sulphuric acid was found to be thirty-five hun- dredths per cent., which was the same as that found for the Petite prunes. The Italians showed an average acid content of forty-two hundredths per cent : this larger acid content and the smaller sugar content giving this; variety of prune its marked characteristic in respect to acidity. Albumenoids — Of this important class of bodies, the maximum one and seventy hundredths per cent., is found in Silver 974, and the minimum, eighty-one hundredths per cent., in Petite 1049. The average for Petites. was one and fourteen hundredths per cent, in the flesh, against one and nine hundredths for Italians, still giving the Italians second place, as was indi- cated in our former i)ublication. In this connection, it is interesting to note that the reports of California analyses (twenty) show as an average eight hundred and thirty-seven thousandths per cent, albumenoids in the flesh, against one and fourteen hundredths per cent, for Oregon fruit. No analyses showing the albumenoids in the edible portion of European prunes are at hand, but in the whole fruit it is reported to be seventy-eight hundredths per cent. FOOD VALUE OF FRESH PRUNES. Proximntr Cninposition — A study of the data given in the table under this head shows that fresh prunes cannot be regarded as having a high food value, carrying as they do, an average of seventy-seven and thirty-seven hundreths per cent, of water. Of the two leading varieties grown here the Petites seem to have the largest per cent, of organic matter — twenty-six and ninety-eight hundredths for Petites against twenty-one and ninety-eight hundreths for Italians. Considered from this standpoint fresh prunes would have about the same food value as vegetables, which may be shown by a few analyses as follows : TABLE ^'. Fresh prunes (Oregon ; all prunes) Fresh prunes (Oregon ; Petites) Fresh prunes (Oregon ; Italians) -^ California (all prunes) Plums (California) Cherries (Oregon) ^-, Cherries (California;) Potatoes 1 String beans Turnips Water. 77.37 72.26 77.07 50. 20 78.40 51. SO 79.40 78.30 80.20 90. 46 IJry Matter 23.46 27.74 22. 93 19.80 21.60 18.70 20. 60 2] . 70 10.80 9.54 Protein. TA 1 Nitrogen free extract including fat and fiber 1.14 1.14 1.09 .80 1.00 .90 1.20 2.20 2.30 1.14 21.14 25.49 20.56 18.50 20.10 17. 30 19.00 17.50 7.70 8.63 .83 .76 .86 .50 .50 .50 .40 1.00 .80 .80 .35 . :!•> .42 .-Id' .10 APPENDIX. 187 A limited number of dietary studies have been made in this country to ascertain the effect of a liberal use of fruits and vegetables on the cost of living, and in this connection the results are interesting. The results of these experiments show the liberal use of either fresh fruits or vegetables increases the cost of living out of proportion to the nutrients furnished. However, it should be remembered that the value of an article of diet should not be measured entirely by its nutrients, as certain foods unoubtedly have a certain medical and mechanical effect in stimulating the appetite an counteracting any tendency to constipation. Prunes appear to be espe- cially beneficial in this respect. Although containing a relatively small amount of nutrients, they are nevertheless a very valuable article of diet, and should tind a wider use in the American household. SOIL DRAUGHT OF THE PRUNE. The Asli (lull itff ("(imjw.ft'tion — The ash ingredients are among the more important considerations of any crop, for they I'epresent the materials ex- tracted from the soil. The following, taken from the pen of Prof. W. F. Massey, is so apt that I quote : ''There is no doubt that the many failures in fruit productions in the east are due to the exhaustion of the important elements of plant food in the soil. The farmers realize the importance of keeping up the fertility of the soil for tlie production of their annual croi>s of grain and vegetables, but somehow the idea has been ])revalent that a tree can take care of itself. Men look at the great trees of the forest and see how they grow and that the soil increases in fertility under their influ- ence, and think that the same should be the result in the growing of fruit trees, while they are carrying off" continually, not only the fruit that the orchard produces, but in many cases expect the land also to produce food for their stock, and then when the orchard fails to give the expected fruit, and this decrepit condition makes the trees alike prey to insects and fungous diseases, they declare that the climate has changed and they can no longer produce crops for that reason. It has really been because they and their fathers have robbed the soil until the needed food for the production of healthy trees and fruit is no longer available.'" There is an old trite saying that "forwarned is forearmed, "" and it is well worth the while of the horticulturist to heed this warning, for he has no re- course to crop rotation, but makes a constant and one-sided drain upon his soil, which will surely show the effect of such cultivation, either in a lack of proper fruit development or a constitutional disease of the tree. Work in this direction has progressed sufficiently to give some valuable indications for the future, and when taken into account with the investiga- tions made concerning the soils of the state* the data seems to confirm the results there given, and to indicate the future needs of orchards in Western Oregon. No complete analysis of the ash of any of the fruits have been made, the work having been limited to the ash and those ingredients important from the standpoint of fertilizing. By referring to the ''Statement of Averages."' *Oregon Bulletin No. -50. 188 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. on page nine, it will be noted that the Petite prune draws measurably less on the soil than does the Italian. Considered as a whole, our prunes appear to draw more heavily on the soil than do those of California, and it is also interesting to note that in this respect the latter fall below the draught by European prunes, which stand about midway between those of Oregon and California. The conditions in this respect are set forth in the following table : TABLE VI. Showing plant food extracted from the soil by certain fruits. Fruits. Prunes: Oregon California European Cherries: Oregon European Strawberries: Oregon Other localities Apples (average) Wheat (grain)—. Oats (grain) Sugar beets Total ash. Per cent. .83 .49 .63 .;30 ..58 .42 .60 .39 1.57 2.98 1.04 Per cent, in total ash. Potash. .53.61 ft3.83 .59.19 40.37 34.83 .39.86 50.00 48.72 24.84 20.80 46.17 /■Aoe- phoric acid. Lime. Ifitro- _ , , gen per ^«f cent. "**• 15.60 14.08 10.79 11.06 10.34 13.99 23.31 2.66 44..58 24.16 9.61 4.66 Pounds removed in 1 ,000 pounds of fruit. 1.08 4.20 .220 .162 .122 .180 .190 .150 .130 2.36 2.06 2.20 8.3 4.9 6.3 5.0 5.8 4.2 6.0 3.9 15.7 29.8 10.4 Phos- Potaslv^ phoric acid. 4.45 3.10 3.73 2.01 2.00 1.67 3.00 1.90 3.90 6.20 4.80 Lime. 1.30 .68 .95 .55 .60 1.10 .10 7.00 8.20 1.00 .05 .18 Nitro- gen. 2.20 1.62 1.22 1.69 1.80 1.90 1.50 1.30 23.60 20.60 2.20 Potash — In the ash of prunes, cherries, strawberries, and apples, potash is the leading ingredient. In prunes and apples it constitutes about one-half of the total ash; in cherries it constitutes about two-fifths. Attention is called to the difference between the proportion of potash in the ash of the fruits and that of the grains, in the latter constituting only about one-sixth to one-fourth. Attention of horticulturists is especially called to this fact, and still further to the fact that the soil conditions as set forth in Bulletin •50* are such as to demand close attention to this element. The soils of the Willamette Valley are inclined to be weak in this ingredient, due partly to a limited amount in the parent rock and partly to the heavy leaching to which the soils have been subjected. When fertilizers are used on the fruit orchards west of the Cascades, they should invariably be rich in potash. It is quite likely that the low supply of potash of these soils has more or less to do with the smaller sugar content of the Oregon-grown prune, and the tendency to the trees themselves to succumb to fungus attacks. To gain some knowledge of the effect of potash salts applied to prunes, some experi- ments were inaugurated a few years since, but on account of untoward cir- cumstances, the data so far obtainable has not been as definite as is desirable, although the limited results pointed toward an increase in the sugar content of prunes. This is in accord with the results obtained at the California station, which indicated a slight increase in the sugar contents of the orange, and also ac- *Thls bulletin can be had free on application to the station. APPENDIX. 189 cords with the statement of Mr. Dosch, an observant horticulturist, as to a noticeable effect on his trees after a treatment with muriate of potash. Phosjihoric acid — It will be noted that the fruits mentioned above draw more lightly on this ingredient than do the cereals. On account of the abundant supply it is not at all likely that phosphate fertilizers will be needed to any great extent on prune soils of the northwest. Nitrogen — This element is not an ingredient of the ash, but inasmuch as it is one of the most important from the standpoint of fertility it demands some mention. Of the fruits considered, the prune draws most heavily on this element, but much less so than the cereals. On the bottom lands of the Willamette Valley, where the di-ainage conditions are very poor, and the available lime supply quite limited, there will early be a call to replace this element by the use of leguminous crops. Such crops should be grown in winter to good advantage and turned under in the spring, thus saving much plant food that would otherwise be lost through leaching. It is recom- mended also to make a liberal use of lime, which will tend to improve the condition for humifcation by neutralizing the natural acidity of these soils. This also applies to the bench lands, as they are, as a rule, more limited in their lime content than the bottom lands. fektilizp:r for prunes. In view of what is known relative to the soil conditions of Western Ore- gon, I beg to suggest the following formula as probably being well adapted to the needs of fruits in general, and prunes in particular : Per acre. Alr-slacked lime 2,000 pounds Muriate of potash 400 pounds This mixture may be well applied to some leguminous crop which is to be turned under as a green manure to furnish the nitrogen supply. Wood ashes may be substitued for the muriate if they can be obtained in consid- erable quantities at a reasonable price. It would take about one hundred bushels of ashes weighing four thousand five hundred pounds to be equiva- lent to the four hundred pounds of muriate of potash. This application should be sufficient for several years. Fruit trees, being slow growing, ap- propriate plant food slowly, and if it is thought' best to use any phosphate probably nothing would be better than finely ground bone. No mention is made of this material as it is not likely to be needed, except in special cases. It should be borne in mind that no specific rule can be laid down in this matter of fertilzers. as conditions are so variable, but the farmer must keep in mind general principles and use his intelligence in applying them to his conditions. THE COMPOSITION OF THE CURED PRUNE. Of all the methods for preserving fruit none is of so great importance to the American people as that of fruit evaporation. Of all fruits so presei'ved the prune certainly takes first rank. The reader must not confound the 190 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. term evaporated fruit with that of dried fruit of years agone, for the newer process gives a cured product much superior to the sun or oven dried article, retaining as it does much of the original color and flavor, being soft, pliable and palatable to eat out of hand. The process of evaporation has for its object, primarily, to drive off a sufficient amount of moisture to make the fruit keep, and to do this in sUch a manner as to leave the fruit in the condition above described, and leave the flesh of a transparent appear- ance ; a clear yellow in the case of the French prune, and an amber in the case of the Italian. No prune which has not these characteristics has been propei-ly cured. AVERAGE COMPOSITION OF CURED PRUNES. All prtines. Waste (pits) 12.95 Edible matter 87.04 Water 19. 27 Dry matter 80.73 Albumenoids 2.(P, Sugar .SO. 97 Carbohydrates (including fibre and fat) 45.51 Ash 2.22 Total 80.73 There are two or three samples in the table which are worthy of special attention. The first is 1284, called by the grower, Mr. Skidmore, of Wilbur, Oregon, " The American Seedling." These, I think, were the finest prunes I had ever seen. Mr. Skidmore informed me that the fruit sent was not exceptionally large. It will be noted that the fruit carries over ninety per cent, of edible matter, and is not approached in this respect by any except •'The Dosch,"' and the Willamette. Another point worthy of note is the exceptionally high content of albumenoids, over one per cent, higher than the average. If the tree is horticulturally suited to the Oregon condition it is certainly worthy of close attention. Other varieties promising distinct advantages over either the Petite or the Italian, from the food standpoint, would seem to be the Willamette and The Dosch. It is impossible to judge of .the sugar value of any of these varieties until samples of the fresh fruit have been examined. The average of all analyses shows prunes to contain about seven times as much edible matter as waste (pits). The fruit which had satisfactory keeping qualities carried about twenty per cent, of water, From the observations made I do not regard it as safe to leave a greater quantity of water than this in the fruit. In most cases where the fruit carried over this there was a tendency toward mould. Much of the fruit, it will be noted, carried con- siderable less than this, which accords with the idea of the better horticul- turists that much of the pi^oduct is overdried. The fact that this product carries about eighty per cent, of dry matter shows that it is of high food value. About three-eights of this is composed of the carbohydrates which serve to develop energy and fat, hence prunes must be considered as essen- tially a fattening food, and should be used with other foods rich in nitrogen. APPENDIX. 191 OREGON PEUNE INDUSTRY. By H. H. Mii.i.KK, Eugene. The shipment of five hundred cars of dried prunes from Western Oregon during the season of 1898 settled the question as to Oregon's future in the production of prunes. Western Oregon is, beyond all doubt, an excellent prime-growing section, and the industry is sure to increase for many years to come. The various productions of the world are rapidly concentrating into localities where the soil and climatic conditions are especially favorable for their most economic production : in fact, the most important problem of hor- ticulture is the selection of soil and climate particularly adapted to the fruit in hand. This fact is becoming so apparent that soil physics and chemistry are necessary sciences in all departments of agriculture, and much better o]iportunities are open for young men in these lines than in law or medicine. There is, perhaps, no greater waste of effort in all the industries of Ore- gon than in horticulture. The state is covered from one end to the other with fruit trees of many kinds that will never produce fruit at a profit. I feel perfectly safe in saying that not one tree in ten that has been planted in Oregon during the last twelve years will ever produce fruit at a profit, and am convinced that no other line of production will show nine-tenths of waste. Small and large monuments of ignorance and folly can be found in the scrawny, scabby, scrubby trees in evidence all over the state ; and this same wastefullness still goes on. A good year, with good prices for apples, starts [apple-tree planting on all classes and conditions of soil, and powder and dynamite are used to blow holes in uncongenial soils, where the tree is planted to become a source of disease, and finally wind up a failure. Prune trees by the thousand have been planted where their roots were covered with water for several months in the year, and as they grew sickly the owner would begin a scientific hunt for the difficulty in some insect or fun- gus that would appear active on the tree because the tree was weak on account of improper soil conditions. Again, thousands of trees are found planted upon soil too shallow to maintain a tree ten years old and mature a orop of fruit. In other places trees are planted on soil so deficient in lime and potash as to preclude the possiblity of growing a successful orchard. DO NOT PLANT IN SHALLOW SOILS. The one great mistake made in the planting of orchards lies in planting on shallow soils. An equally great failure is made by planting on soils where the physical conditions prevent the roots from penetrating to any great depths. A chemical analysis may show an abundance of potash> nitrogen and phosphoric acid in the soil even to a great depth, but some clay strata, water-level, or impervious condition may prevent the roots of the trees from securing the necessary food elements. 192 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. It usually requires from six to eight years to bring a good prune tree into good bearing, and in many cases, where the roots have only shallow soils from which to gather food, they will have the available food consumed shortly after coming into bearing, and the fruit production begins to fail. The orchardist, after spending years of care, toil, and expense, struggles then to overcome inevetable results, and finally gives up the task and pro- nounces i^rune growing a failure, while the true cause of his failure was his primary mistake of selecting improper soil or bad physical soil conditions. The greatest prune-growing section in the world, the Santa Clara district in California, where trees grow to great size and at thirty years of age con- tinue to produce excellent fruit at a fair profit, has such depth of soil that the roots of the trees continue to increase in depth and find available ele- ments for tree and frnit many feet below the surface. It is this great depth of soil and available elements of food that gives the value of $700 and more l)er acre to the best prune orchards of Santa Clara Valley. A ten-foot augur should be used in boring the soil to determine the conditions before planting an orchard. Many of our inferior orchards were planted in Oregon at a time when prunes were bringing ten and twelve cents per pound, and men were led to believe that the world would take all the prunes that Oregon could ever pro- duce at these prices. Hundreds of these orchards that have been profitable at high prices, are failing because the available soil has been exhausted and the fruit has become inferior, the price has been coming down, and we are having the cry of overproduction and that prune growing is a falure in Ore- gon. Prune growing is not a failure in Oregon, and, in my opinion, never will be, although prune growers are failing, and will continue to fail by the hundreds for years to come. Hundreds of men have failed in the sawmill business in Oregon, and hundreds more will fail in the future, but lumbering in Oregon is not a failure. Why will prune growing continue to be a success in Oregon":* First, the consumption of Oregon prunes is increasing at a rapid rate. Its food value, at the cost it can be given to the consumer, is such as to fix it permanently in the diet of the great mass of American people. I do not hesitate to make the statement that there is no fruit of equal food value with the Oregon prune that can be produced at as low a cost. If this proposition i^ true, its future is assured. COST OF PRODUCTION. Many orchardists are finding it unprofitable to produce prunes at five cents per pound, and are failures on that account. The Italian prune, the principal prune in Oregon, is grown in large quantities throughout the Wil- lamette and Umpqua valleys, and to a limited extent in Rogue River Valley. Marion County produced more than any other county in 1898. This prune can be grown successfully in almost every section of Western Oregon. In the Willamette Valley the cold, wet springs sometimes interfere with the forming of the fruit, and sometimes causes a failure of the croj). The Ump- qua Valley so far has proved to be the section where the crop is the most regular, although many of the orchai-ds in that valley failed in 189i). The APPENDIX. 193 warmer climate of Rogue River makes it a less desirable climate for the I)roduction of the Italian prune than the TImpqua or Willamette valleys. The Italian prune seems to require the cool and moist climate, such as pre- vails in the valleys of Western Oregon during the summer, in oi-der to reach perfection. In these localities, where planted on deep, well-drained soil, the trees thrive well and the production of fruit is enormous. The prune best adapted to the Rogue River Valley is the French prune. The warmer climate of this valley brings this fruit to a higher state of perfection than the cooler and more moist conditions existing further north. BASIS OF SUCCESSFUL PRUNE CULTURE. The permanent cost of production of fii-st-class fruit is the economic basis of successfiil prune growing. If the Italian prune is required in large quan- tities to meet the food demand of the people of the United States, and can be produced, the industry will thrive und'?r skillful direction. The present value of the choice prune land in Oregon ready for planting is about $;")() per acre, the cost of trees and caring for orchard for seven years will add $T.j per acre, so that a choice prune orchard at eight years, the beginning of good bearing, will be about $125 per acre. An eight-year-old tree should produce at least thirty pounds of dried l)roduct that should bring three cents per pound. The cost of gathering and drying prunes in Tulare County, California, where the total product brings the growers nearly $500,000 per year, averages between $15 and $17 per ton. The cost in the Santa Clara Valley is given at $12 to $15 per ton. It has generally been conceded that the cost of evaporating in Oregon was much in excess of this ; but careful accounts, by competent men, show that the cost will vary from one-half to three-quarters of a cent per pound. This makes the expense no greater than in California. The cost of production, then, and preparing for market will range from one cent to one and one-half cents per pound. Thirty pounds of dried prunes, at a profit of one and one-half cents per pound, would give forty-five cents per tree profit, and, with ninety trees to the acre, this would give an average profit of $40 per acre. A prune orchard that will not, on an average, bring these results, has either in its inception or management improper conditions. In order to maintain a successful and substantial condition of the industry, the grower must, through organizations for marketing, seek to give his product to the consumer at the lowest cost of marketing. It must become his duty now to find the cheapest and best method of marketing his fruit. The present method of marketing is awkward and expensive, and the great task now for the fruit men of Oregon is to develop associations for marketing their fruit. 13 194 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE, POLLINATION IN ORCHARDS. By Prof. (t. W. Fi.etchkk. 1. VARIOUS REASONS WHY Fl^OAVERS DO XOT SET. All observing fruitgrowers have seen trees which blossom full but do not set a fair amount of fruit: many have found their orchards unprofitable for this reason. It is a pi-actical point to know the causes of this loss and the best way to prevent it. NOT ALL THE FLOWERS CAN SET FRUIT. In the first place, but a small percentage of the blossoms set fruit any- way, even in the most favorable seasons and with the most productive varie- ties. In blossoming time a Japanese plum tree is a mass of white, carrying scores of flowers on a single branch: yet scarcely a dozen fruits may set on that twig, and some of those must be removed or the ti^ee will overbear. In the pollination work at Ithica in 1899, forty-seven hundred and twenty-five untouched blossoms, including apples, pears, plums, and apricots, set but six hundred and seventeen fruits. The blossoms counted were those on the tree at large, and were used for comparison with the hand crosses. This is about one fruit for every eight blossoms: yet most of the trees set what would be called a good crop. All of these blossoms were apparently uninjured by the winter, and the weather during the blossoming season was very favorable for the setting of fruit. This normal failure in the setting of fruit blossoms may be due to a num- ber of causes: as poorly nourished fruit buds, lack of pollination, or winter injury to the pistils which cannot be seen with the eye alone. It is usually a distinct advantage to the fruitgrower, as it saves thinning. If all plum blossoms set fruit, the expense of thinning would be multiplied many times. Only when the failure of fruit blossoms to set becomes general does the fruit- grower feel the loss and call for an explanation. This wholesale failure in the setting of fruit is often called self-sterility. Properly speaking, a self-sterile tree is one which is self-unfruitful; it must have other varieties near it in order to bear well. But it appears that self- sterility in orchard fruits is often confused with the unfruitfulness resulting from other causes. It would, therefore, be well to clear away this confusion at the outset, in order that the discussion of self-sterijity may be better un- derstood. The influences which sometimes make trees unfruitful, which are APPENDIX. 195 often confused with the unfruitfulness resulting- from self-sterility, are (1) heavy wood-growth, (2) the attack of fungi on the blossoms, (3) frosts, (4) un- favorable weather during the blooming season. It should also be said that a tree is not self-sterile when it does not blossom. This bulletin does not at- tempt to tell why trees do not bloom, except that it is generally due to poor management. The only thing which concerns us now is why trees which blossom full do not set a reasonable amount of fruit. BLOSSOMS MAY DROP BECAUSE OF HEAVY WOOD-GROWTH. Young trees generally set little or no fruit the first few years, when they are growing fast, although they may blossom full. With most varieties this early dropping of the blossoms occurs only two or three sea- sons, but Northern Spy and a few other varieties of apples are often unfruitful ten to thirteen years from this cause. Older trees may show the same results if stimulated too highly with nitrogenous fertilizers. The logical remedy is to check this excessive growth of wood by withholding nitrogen or by putting the orchard into sod for a few years. The direct cause of this unfruitfulness is not known. The stamens and pistils are usually well developed and pollen may be produced in abundance. Since young trees drop their blos- soms as badly in a mixed orchard, where other pollen is avail- able, as when alone, the trouble probably lies more with the pistils than with the pollen. Up to this limit of excessive growth there is a fairly con- stant relation between the vigor of a tree and its productive- ness. Lack of vigor causes much more unfruitfulness than excessive vigor. If a tree is unhealthy or dying because of poor nourishment, few of its blossoms are strong enough to set fruit. The same results may follow if the tree is ex- hausted by overbearing. BLOSSOMS MAY BE KILLED BY FUNGL If the weather is warm and wet in early spring, condi- tions are favorable for the growth of fungi, and it sometimes happens that fruit blossoms are "blasted" by the early growth of these parasites. The common brown-rot fungus often kills peach blossoms and may seriously decrease the setting of jn red fruit buds fruit. It is probable that this fungus sometimes attacks ofKoya'^-pricot. plum and cherry blossoms also. Apple and pear scab may kill the blossoms, but often it kills the young fruits soon after they are set. Wherever spraying is practiced faithfully, the killing of fruit blossoms by fungi need not occur, especially if one thorough apiilication is made to the trees before the buds open. The killing of pear blossoms by blight, however, cannot be prevented by spraying. The blossoms on Kiefer and LeConte trees are especially liable to be destroyed by the growth of blight microbes, which are carried from flower to flower. The only way to prevent this loss is to have no blighted trees in or near the orchard. 72 — Winter in- 196 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE, 73— Winter-in. I urf'd fruit bud.-- Bletigbelmer apple. WINTER AND SPRING FROST MAY INJURE THE BLOSSOMS. The unfruitlvilness arising- from winter or .spring- frost injury is some- times confused with self-sterility. Various forms of winter injury to fruit buds are shown in Figs. 72-77. At A in Fig. 72 is a fruit bud which has been completely winter-killed and has no growth whatever. B and C are buds which will never be able to open ; while D is a very weak blossom which can- not set fruit. The single open flower on this branch is the only one which can possibly set fruit, A winter-injured cluster of Bietigheimer blossoms is seen in Fig. 73, with a section of one bud in Fig. 74 to show the shriveled stamens and pistils. The leaves in this cluster came through all right, but the flowers were injured. The single flower which has expanded is too small and Aveak to develop into fruit. These winter- injured clusters were common on all va- rieties of pears, particularly Angouleme and Manning Elizabeth, and on some va- rieties of apples, in the spring of 18!j9. Two forms of winter or spring frost ii> jury to the pistils are seen in Figs. 75 and 76, with a normal blossom for comparison in Fig. 77. A common form of injury is that in Fig. 75, in which the pistil is blackened and stunted, having made no perceptible growth during the opening of the flower. These jjistils always drop from the tree soon after the petals have fallen. Another and not less common form of injury is that in Fig. 7(), in which the pistil has made a partial growth but has no well-developed ovary. Unless a careful exam- ination is made, blossoms like this would not be consid- ered as winter-injured. Of flfty which were tagged, none gave fruit, although several fruits grew to the size of peas. The killing of the pistils is the most common form of winter-injury to fruit buds. Some of the native and Japanese plums had as high as eighty per cent, of defec- tive pistils last spring, but with their enormous amount of bloom this did not materially decrease the crop of fruit which' the trees were able to carry. The Japanese plums bloom so early that their blossoms are liable to be injured by frost in the middle states and south. It is thus seen that the injury to fruit blossoms from cold is of all degrees. During the opening of a normal flower, the pistil grows. It is often taken for granted that if this growth occurs the pistil is uninjured ; but it may be that even though a pistil reaches its full size, it may yet be so injured that it cannot develop into fruit. In 1899 about ten per cent, of the blossom buds of a Royal apricot opened fully, like the one in Fig. 72. All of these blossoms appeared to be perfect, with long pistils, plump ovaries and well-developed stamens. Yet hardly a dozen fruits set on the whole tree, although the weather during the blooming season was ideal, bees 74 — Section of one bud in Fls. 73. 7.') — Catherine apricot: injured pistil. APPENDIX, 197 were numerous, and some of the flowers were even crossed hy hand with the pollen of other varieties. Since the variety had already shown itself so susceptible to winter-injury, it is probable that this wholesale failure was due to the weakened vitality of the pistils. Avhich could not be seen with the eye alone. Some of the imperfect development of flowers which we attribute to winter-injury may be caused by unfavorable conditions dur- ing the previous season, when the buds Avere being formed : yet it seems likely that winter- injury to pistils is more common and more serious than aj^pears at first sight. These re- marks on winter-injury ai-e introduced simply to emphasize the fact that all blossoms which do not set fruit are not sel f-sterile : and also to promote a more careful dis- crimination between the various causes which decrease the setting of fruit. Ttl— Catherine ; injured pistil. RAIN MAY INJURE FRUIT BLOSSOMS. The unfruitfulness which often follows a rain timing the blooming sea- son is sometimes confused with self-sterility. A careful fruitgrower watches the weather anxiously when his trees are in blos- som, for he knows this is the most critical period in the growth of the crop. Injury to fruit blos- soms from rain is common wherever fruit is grown, but is ])articularly serious along the Pa- cific Coast and near the shores of the Great Lakes. It has been estimated that more fruit- is lost in California from cold rains during blooming time than from all other causes combined. Like winter-injury to fruit buds, there is no way of preventing this loss except to secure a more favorable location, since it is not in man's power to prevent rain, however much he may be able to induce it by bombarding the sky. Nevertheless, it is interesting to know in what way rain decreases the setting of fruit. If a rain comes while the trees are in full bloom the pollen is washed from those anthers which have already opened, and is thus prevented from reach- ing the stigma. Should the rain be a short one, no serious harm need result from this loss of pollen, for the unopened anthers will burst and pollination will begin again soon after the sun comes out. The washing away of pollen has very little influence in decreasing the setting of fruit, particularly when the rain is short. There will generally be enough pollen to supply the pistils before or after the rain. . — Catiieriiie; muninl flower. 198 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. The poor setting of fruit, which often follows a long- pain and sometimes a shower, is due more to a loss of vitality in the pollen or to some mechanical injury to the pistils: also, in large measure, to the fact that bees and other insects which promote the beneficial cross-pollination be- tween varieties are absent. If the rain lasts for several days, the pollen may lose its vi- tality. After a week of rainy weather at Ithaca, in the spring of 1898, nearly all the pollen of the apricots then in bloom was dis- organized and stuck together, so that it could 7.S.— Pollen injured by rain. Much not possibly grow and fertilize the pistils. magnified. " Compare Fig. 80. g^^^ ^^ ^^.^ ^^^^^^ .^ ^^^^^ .^ j,.^_ ^g_ ^^ .^ also natural to suppose that a hard rain may wash off, dilute, or otherwise injure the juices of the stigma so that the pollen cannot germinate after it falls upon the stigma. Perhaps a long "spell" of wet weather may even kill the pistils after they have been fertilized. Thus a rain during the blooming season may decrease the setting of fruit in four ways : (1) By preventing the pollen from reaching the stigma, both because it is too wet to fly and because pollen-carrying insects are absent. This is imiDortant only when the rain lasts several days and most of the pistils pass their receptive state before the rain ceases. i2) By destroying- the vitality of the pollen. (3) By injuring the stigma. (4) By preventing- fertilization or the germination of the pollen because of low temperature. THE BLOSSOMS MAY BE INJURED BY STRONG OK DRYING W^INDS. Near the sea and large lakes, fruit blossoms may be whipped off by very severe winds. In such cases a mixed windlireak of deciduous and evergreen trees may be used to advantage. Drying winds during the blossoming season are not common in the east, but are often serious in some parts of the west. Luther Burbank, one of our best observers and experimenters in orchard pollination, says a dry wind sometimes causes a short fruit crop in some })arts of California by drying up the juices of the stigma so that the pollen cannot germinate. II. SELF-STERILITY. There have been described in the preceding pages some of the influences which decrease the setting of fruit. These were mentioned only to make more clear a talk about self-sterility, an influence which is second only to the winter injury of fruit buds in the loss caused to the commercial fruit- grower. Since the loss from unfavorable weather usually cannot be pre- vented, while the loss from self-sterility can, in a large measure, the latter subject deserves more than the brief notice which has been given to the former at this time. There are some trees which blossom full year after year, but set little fruit, even in the most favorable seasons. These trees are usually in solid blocks, or at a distance from any other variety. Planting near them other trees of the same variety does not make them fruitful: but if trees of other 70. — Coe Golden Drop. But one fruit has set; the other will soon drop. APPENDIX, 199 varieties are jjlanted near, they are often made fruitful. A self-sterile va- riety is one which is unable to set fruit when alone : in order to be produc- tive, it must be planted near some other variety. Two varieties very com- monly self-sterile are Miner and Wild Goose plums. Large blocks of the Kieffer pear and some of the oreat prune orchards on our Pacific Coast have been unprolitable from this cause. Besides these striking examples, there is reason for believing that much of the unsatisfactory fruiting of orchards all over the country is due to the isolation or indiscriminate mixing of va- rieties. THE MAIN CAUSE OF SELF-STERILITY. In general, the cause of self-sterility is that the pollen of a variety is un- able to fertilize the pistils of that same variety. That is, if pollen from a Wild Goose blossom falls on a Wild Goose pistil, whether on the same tree or any other Wild Goose tree, no fruit will result, as a rule. The pollen of a self-sterile variety may be, and generally is. iiroduced in abundance, and is well formed. Wild Goose generally bears pollen freely, although it is one of the most self-sterile varieties in cultivation. The Bartlett pear is often self-sterile, yet its pollen is perfect. (Fig. 80. i The pollen of a self-sterile vai'iety also has vitality, for it will fertilize the pistils of other varieties. For example, plant together trees of the two self-sterile varieties, Miner and Wild Goose, and both will often be made fruitful, because the pollen of each, though infertile on itself, is fertile on the other. It is not so —Pollen of Bart- ^^"^"^^'^ i° what way this infertility is usually shown, but iett. Much mag- with Wild Goose, at least, the pollen grain actually germi- nates and the pollen tube passes down to the ovule. Why the two sexes are unable to unite after having got thus far. the embryologist has not yet told us. MINOR CAUSES OF SELF-STERILITY. Aside from the impotency of pollen, the main cause of self-sterility, there may be several other incidental causes. Gott" and Waugh have shown that self-sterile varieties of native plums often have a large per cent, of pistils which are too weak to develop into fruit. This could not be a general cause of self-sterility, however, for self-sterile varieties can usually be made fruit- ful by planting other varieties near them. This shows that there are enough sound pistils on the tree for a good crop of fruit, provided they receive the right kind of pollen. Again, the blossoms of some varieties may produce but a small amount of pollen. When these varieties are planted alone they may not have enough pollen to set a good crop, even though the pollen is fertile on its associated pistils. The amount of pollen which flowers produce is greatly modified by weather conditions and the vigor of the tree. Many plums are w-orked on Marianna and Miner stocks, two of the most self-sterile varieties in common cultivation. It has been thought that possi- bly there might be an influence of the stock on the scion in the direction of self-sterility, but this assumption seems to be without foundation.- 200 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. Finally, the stamens and pistils of a tree may not mature simultaneously, which would make a tree unfruitful, unless pollen is supplied from other sources. With many varieties of orchard fruits the pistil of each flower ma- tures a little before the stamens : and not infrequently the stamens mature before the pistil is ready to receive the pollen. But there is usually enough variation in the opening of flowers on the same tree to promote pollination with each other, and so prevent serious loss from this alternate ripening of the sexes. Defective pistils, scanty pollen supply, and the premature ripen- ing of either pistils or stamens may often be important in determining the fruitfulness of a tree ; but the main cause of unfruitfulness in most self- sterile varieties is the failure of the pollen to fertilize its associated pistils. This cause cannot be removed, but its injurious results may often be pre- vented by a judicious selection of varieties. A PRACTICAL APPLICATION. The practical bearing of the self-sterility problem is this : There are cer- tain varieties of fruit which we wish to grow largely for the general market, but we And that they are not productive when planted alone. They need the pollen of other varieties to make them fruitful. Then we must do what some of our most intelligent fruitgrowers have been doing for years — j^lant other varieties near them as pollenizers. Orchardists along the Atlantic Coast have been obliged to do this with Kieffer. The Calif ornians often find it necessary with their prunes ; and many an unproductive orchard of Wild Goose has been made fruitful by being partially top-worked with another variety. Cross-pollination of varieties is no longer a theory : it is an estab- lished orchard practice. THE HISTORY OF THE SELF-STERILITY DISCUSSION. There are at least sixty species of plants which are known to be often sterile with their own pollen. The study of this problem had its origin mainly in the investigations of Darwin. While Darwin was not the first to ol)serve the value of cross-pollination, he so far exceeded his predecessors in this, as in most other work, that the beginning of a systematic study of self-sterility is usually dated from the publication of his "Origin of Species *' in 1859. Self-sterility in orchard fruits was first studied by Waite, under the direction of the United States Department of Agriculture. Since the publi- cation of his work, in 1894. ( Bui. 5, Div. Veg. Pathology ) many experi- menters have continued the lines of study indicated by him. The unfruitfulness arising from self-sterility had been noticed many years before by fruitgrowers. The benefit which some varieties gained by being- planted near other varieties also had been noticed, and mixed planting was often practiced with success, particularly with Wild Goose and Miner. There are now one hundred and twenty-six entries in my bibliography of ref- erences to "barren" trees in American literature before the appearance of Waite's bulletin in 1894. The real cause of this barrenness, however, was not known definitely before the experiments of Waite : although it had long- been supposed by many to be the pollen. Of late years, many experimenters APPENDIX. 201 have done careful work alonu- this line. Among these are Goff, Waugh, ("raig, Kerr. Crandall, and Heideman, on orchard fruits: Beach, Earle. T. V. Munson, Whitten, and Green on grapes. The California and Oregon .state boards of horticulture are also making a special inquiry on the self- .sterility of prunes. VARIKTIES WHICH ARE OFTEN SELF-STERILE. Self-Sterility is not a constant character with any variety. It is influenced hy the conditions undei' which the tree is grown, as are the size, shape, and <-olor of the fruit. The ada])tion of a variety to soil and climate has much to do with its self-fertility, and if a tree is poorly nourished it is more likely to be infertile with its own pollen. No one can separate varieties of fruit into two definite classe.s. the self-sterile and the self-fertile. Thus, Bartlett and Kieflfer are often self-sterile, but there are orchards of both which are self-fertile. The same may be said of many other varieties. The best that can be done, therefore, is to give a list of those varieties which tend to be more or less self-sterile and which it would be unsafe to plant alone. Following is a conservative list of these risky varieties, drawn both from experimental work and from the reports of over live hundred fruitgrowers who have favored me with their experience. Pears: Angouleme (Duchess)* Bartlett, Clapp. Idaho, Kietfer. Nelis. Apples : Bellefleur, Primate, Spitzen- berg. Willow Twig, Winesap. Plums: Coe (iolden Drop. French prune, Italian prune, Kelsey. Marianna. Miner. Ogon, Peach, Satsuma, Wild Goose, and according to Waugh and Kerr, all other varieties of native plums except llobinson. Peach: Susquehanna. Apricot: White Nicholas. Cherries: Napoleon, Belle de Choisy, Heine Hortense. Most of these varieties are .self-fertile in some places, but the weight of evidence shows them to be imcertain. It must not be inferred that all other varieties are always able to set fruit when planted alone. Thei-e are some, however, which have exceptionally good records for fruitfulness when planted in solid blocks, other conditions l^ing favorable. Among these are. Apples : Baldwin, Ben Davis, Fallawater, Janet, Oldenburg. Rhode Island Greening. Red Astrachan. Smith Cider. Plums : Burbank, Bradshaw. De Soto, Green Gage, Lombard, Robinson, and some of the common blue Damsons. All this goes to show that the problem of self-sterility is as much a study of conditions as of varieties. We can set no limits: we can only indicate tendencies. The great and growing Kieflfer pear industry in the Eastern United States warrants a fuller discusion of this variety. Many large blocks of Kieflfer are being planted with no other varieties intermingled, and it is an impor- tant point to know whether this practice will give the best results. Eight blocks of Kieflfer in New .Tersey and Deleware have been reported as com- pletely or partially unfruitful because of self-sterility, and there are also many solid blocks of Kieffer in the same states -which bear well, Kieffer is unreliable, especially on the Delaware peninsula. A large block of Kieffer may be productive, but it does not pay to take the risk, particularly since 202 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. the pollen of other varieties is likely to give better fruit, as will be seen later on. SELECTING THE POLLENIZER. Let us suppose that we intend to plant a larg-e block of an uncertain variety, as Kieffer, because it has distinct merit as a market sort. We wish to plant with it some other vai-iety to make it fruitful. There are two points to be considered when selecting a pollenizer for Kieffer or for any other self- sterile variety : the choice should not be indiscriminate. These are simul- taneous blooming, and mutual affinity. The first and most important point is that the two shall blossom together, since the only way in which a pollenizer can make a self-sterile variety fruit- ful is by supplying it with pollen. This means that the pistils of the self- sterile variety must be receptive when the stamens of the pollenizer are ripe, which is possible only with simultaneous blooming. The comparative blooming of varieties is more or less a local problem. Differences of latitude, altitude, soil, nearness to large bodies of water, and weather conditions during the blooming season not only hasten or retard the time of blooming, but also disturb the order in which the dift'erent varieties, open. Varieties blossoming together at one place may not at another. The best that can be done in the way of generalizing on the question of simul- taneous blooming for cross-pollination is to make a chart for each well- marked geograjjhical district. To this end several hundred fruitgrowers have kindly taken notes the past two seasons, and when sufficient data is collected these charts may be published. This will indicate in a general way which of our standard commercial varieties may be expected to bloom together ; yet each fruitgrower should be prepared to make minor corrections for his own farm. Until more definite knowledge is available, each orchard- ist should learn how varieties bloom in his own neighborhood before planting- them for cross-pollination. It is better, but not always necessary, that the two should bloom exactly together : if they overlap two or three days that is long enough. « It is sometimes desirable to plant varieties of different botanical species together for cross-pollination, but this jvill often be impracticable because of the dift'erence in their blooming seasons. Thus the oriental pears, as Kieffer, and the European pears, as Bartlett, usually do not blossom together. Kieffer generally blooms several days before Bartlett. hence it is necessary to pollinate it with a variety of its own class, as Le Conte or (barber. In some places, however, the two groups blossom approximately together, and then varieties like Bartlett and Seckel should be used in preference to Le Conte or Garber, since their fruit has a greater market value and the trees are less likely to blight. Whenever the European pears are used as poUinizers for Kieffer it would be well, if otherwise practicable, to work them on quince roots. Standard Kieffers will often bloom two or three years before standard Bartletts planted at the same time, and unless early blooming dwarfs are in- termingled they may be unproductive these first few years. The three classes of commercial plums, ^Japanese, domestic, and native, — will usually 'bloom at different periods in the order named : luit when a SI.— Sfcktl. FioiM KicHiT |H>Ili'ii iibiive, from liiiwiviice pollen below. S2.— Stark. From Wagnc-r pollen above, Ironi Stark ix.Uen below. .Marked benefit eross-polllnatii)n. APPENDIX. 203 'ispell" of warm weather succeeds a cold and backward spring, varieties of all these groups will come on nearly together and cross-pollination will re- sult. In some places the blooming seasons of these groups overlap so that some varieties of each might be used regularly for cross-pollination. THE MUTUAL AFFINITY OF VARIETIES. Another point to be looked after when selecting a jwllenizer for Kieffer. or for any other self-sterile variety, is the mutual affinity of the two. That is, will the pollen of the pollenizer fertilize the pistils of the self-sterile va- riety readily and also develop them into high-grade fruit V At present but little is known about this matter. Taking first the possibility of cross-pol- lination between varieties of different species, there seems to be no doubt but that many varieties of native, Japanese, and domestic plums will fertilize each other. Orchard experience in many places indicates this; as when Satsuma is used to pollinate ( "oe Golden Drop in California prune orchards. Several successful crosses between the three were also made at Ithaca the past season. Among these are Abundance X Grand Duke (Fig. 84), George- son X Way land, Berckmans X Goe Golden Drop, Coe Golden Drop X Sat- suma. That is, if we wish to use Satsuma as a pollenizer for Coe (iolden Drop, or Lombard for Wild (ioose, the probability is that the combination would work, if the two varieties bloom together ; but since the three groups usually bloom at somewhat different periods there can be no general cross- pollination outside the limits of the species. Numerous crosses and common orchard practice have also shown that the European pears, as Bartlett, and the Sand pear hybrids, as Kieffer, will fer- tilize each other regularly when they bloom together. Several Kieffer ruits from Bartlett pollen, and Bartlett fi-uits from Kieffer pollen, were se- cured in the crossing work of 1899. In fact, my experience has been that if Kieffer pollen is put on the pistils of our common pears, of the European class, it wdll usually produce larger fruit than pollen from most varieties of that type. Kieffer is a good pollenizer for Bartlett, Angouleme, Clapp, Nellis, and like varieties, when they bloom together. In Fig. 81, compare the size of the Seckels which received Kieffer pollen with those which had Lawrence pollen. The specimens shown are typical of thirty fruits secured from these two crosses in 189!». It is necessary to stndy not only the mutual affinity of varieties belonging to different species, but also of varieties of the same species. Some varie- ties will not fertilize each other, though blossoming at the same time. Kerr has found that Whitaker plum will not fertilize Wild Goose, nor will Early Red help Caddo Chief. Again, the pollen of some varieties will give better fruit than that of others when used on the pistils of self-sterile or even on self-fertile varieties. There is very little definite knowledge as to what va- rieties are best adapted for pollinating self-sterile sorts. Waugh and Ken- have studied this point with native plums for several years and their judg- ment is united in a table of recommended pollenizers for plums (Twelfth Report Vt. Ag. Ex. Sta. ). A few results from crosses made at Ithaca in 1899 will illustrate this point. Fig. 81 shows the comparative size of Seckel 204 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. when pollinated with Kietfer and with Lawrence pollen. Clapp pollinated with Kieffer was also larg-er than Clapp pollinated with Lawrence or Louise Bonne. Howell blossoms which received the pollen of Clapp gave fruits of nearly twice the size of those which received Bartlett pollen. Bartletts crossed with Ang-ouleme were larger than Bartletts crossed with Sheldon. In some cases no difference could be noticed, yet most of our standard com- mercial varieties will be likely to yield enough better fruit when planted with some varieties than with others, to make a study of this point worth the while. Some of the combinations which have been very successful in the com- mercial orchards of the country are: Bartlett with Nelis, Flemish Beauty, Easter, White Doyenne; Idaho with Bartlett; Kieffer with LeConte, Garber; Coe Golden Drop with French prune, Green Gage. Italian prune (Fellen- burg); Statsuma with Abundance. Burbank, Red .June: Miner with DeSoto, Forest Rose, Wild Goose; Wild Goose with DeSoto, Newman, Miner. DOES CROSSING CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OF THE FRUIT? In connection with the mutual affinity of varieties which are selected for cross-pollination there comes the question of the "immediate influence" of pollen. For instance, if Seckel pollen is put on Kieflfer pistils, will it impart the Seckel flavor, color and characteristic shape to the resulting fruit? Of course the characters of both may be united in the seeds, and the trees which come from these seeds may be expected to be intermediates: but is the flesh of the fruit ever changed by foreign pollen? The increase in sjze which often follows crossing cannot be called a true immediate influence, for the foreign pollen gezierally stimulates the fruit to a better growth because it is more acceptable to the pistils, not because it carries over the size-character of the variety from which it came. In 1899, Hyslop crab pistils, which were fertilized with pollen from the great Tomp- kins County King, grew into fruits of the usual crab size. An immediate influence in size may be possible, for the size of the fruit is nearly as con- stant a varietal character as is the shape; but most of the increased -size in crosses of orchard fruits jjrobably arises from the fact that the pollen is more acceptable. Setting aside the usual gain in size resulting from crossing, we wish to know whether there will be any change in the shape, color, quality, and sea- son of ripening of the fruit. A few undoubted instances of this influence have been noticed with soiue plants in which the seed is the principal part of the fruit, as the mixing of sweet corn and field corn; also, perhaps, in various peas and beans. When the seed is surrounded by a fleshy pulp, how- ever, as in our common orchard fruits, it is still in dispute whether this pulp is influenced, however much the seeds themselves may be. Most men have formed their convictions about the immediate influence of pollen from obser- vation, rather than from experimental proof. It does not necessarily follow that "sweet and sour" apples are due to cross-pollination, nor that the rus- set on Greening apples borne on the side of the tree next a Roxbury was produced by the influence of the Roxbury pollen. ■"^3.— LoNGFiELD. From Greening pollen below; from Longfield |»)llfM above. Marked benefit from cross-pollination. '<-^.— ABr^nA^•CE. From .Abundance pollen above; from Grand Duke pollen below. Some benefit from cross-polliuation. APPENDIX. 2(>.") Most of the changes in fruit which are attributed to the influence of cross- pollination are due to variation. Every bud on a tree is dift'erent in some way from every other bud on that tree, and may develop unusual characters, independent of all the other buds, accordinj^- to the conditions under which it grows. The best way to determine whether there is an immediate influence of pollen is by hand crossing. Among the forty-five different crosses which were made in 18!)9 with this particular jjoint in view, not one showed any change which could be positively attributed to the influence of pollen. Even the concentrated sweetness of Seckel made no impression on the poor quality of Kieffer; nor were there any constant differences in color, shape, or season of ripening in any of the other crosses. Nearly everybody who has crossed varieties of orchard fruits has had a similar experience. Most of the evidence supporting the theory that there is an immediate influence of pollen in the crosses of fruits comes from observation; most of the evidence against it comes from expeinment. The observer, however careful, is likely to Jump at conclusions ; the experimenter tries to give due weight to every influence which might bear on the problem. Since many observers and a few experimenters have found what seems to be an imme- diate influence of pollen on fruit, we cannot doubt but that this influence is sometimes exerted. But it is certainly much less frequent than is commonly supposed. THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE POLLENIZERS. Having selected a pollenizer with reference to simultaneous blooming and mutual affinity, the fruitgrower now wishes to know how many trees will be necessary to pollinate the self-sterile variety. There are three things to be considered here: The ability of the pollenizer to produce pollen, its market value, and the class of fruit to which the self-steril^ variety belongs. Varieties differ in the amount of pollen which they produce, and the pollen production of the same variety is also greatly modified by differences in locality and season. Other things being equal, the variety which produces pollen freely could be used more sparingly in a block of self-sterile trees than one of scanty pollen production. Little comparative observation has been made on this point as yet; but, as a matter of fact, most of our common varieties produce an abundance of pollen. The number of trees of the pollenizer would also depend largely on whether it has value in itself. If we are planting LeConte to pollinate Kieffer, we would naturally try to get along with the least possible number which will do the work ; but if Bartletts are to be used for the same pur- pose, we can afford to increase the proportion. Some growers plant every tenth row to the pollenizer, but the proportion should usually be greater. This might be enough if the weather during the blossoming season is very favorable for cross-pollination by wind and insects ; but if it is showery, the pollenizers should be more abundant, in order that cross-pollination may be more general during the bright weather between showers. If using Garber 206 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. or LeConte to pollinate Kieft'er, every third row may be the pollenizer ; if using the Bartlett, every other row. For apples, cherries, and domestic or .Japanese plums, the same proportion may be used. In a commercial orchard, the pollenizer should be j^lanted in a solid row. Theoretically, it is much better to have the pollenizer more evenly distributed among the self-sterile trees ; practically, it will not paj^ to so mix them, except in small orchards. THE ADVANTAGES OF GENERAL MIXED PLANTING. It would appear that the only thing to do now is to find out what varieties are inclined to be self-sterile and the varieties which are best adapted for fertilizing them. But as a matter of fact, cross-pollination gives better results with nearly all varieties, be they self-sterile or self-fertile. A variety may be able to bear good fruit when it is planted alone, but it will often bear better fruit if suitable varieties are near it. Mixed orchards are more productive than solid blocks, taking the country over. It is a common observation in Western New York that Baldwins in mixed orchards are more uniformly productive than Baldwins in large blocks. Furthermore, although a variety may be able to set an abundance of fruit with its own pollen, this fruit will often be smaller than if other pollen were supplied. From a num- ber of experiments made in 1899, a few representative results are here given to illustrate this point. Compare the size of self-pollinated and cross-pollinated fruits in Figs. 82-86. In some varieties the difference was very marked, as with Stark and Long-field apples ( Figs. 82-8.3 ) ; in others the difference was not so marked, as Abundance ( Fig. 84 ) ; while a few showed no appreciable in- crease in size from cross-pollination, as Talman Sweet and Bradshaw ( Figs. 85-86 ). The difference between the cross and self-pollinated Starks and Longfields is so striking that one would almost be tempted to think the self- pollinated fruits were wormy, but they were not. The self-pollinated Tal- mans and Bradshaws were apparently as fine in every way as the cross-pol- linated fruits. Manning Elizabeth pear also was not benefited by pollen from other varieties. The three self-pollinated Longfields here shown ( Fig. 83 ) had but five sound seeds ; while the two crossed specimens had seventeen sound seeds. In general, cross-pollinated fruits have more good seeds than self-pollinated fruits, but there is no constant relation between the size of a fruit and the number of seeds it contains. Some of the biggest apples or pears may have only two or three good seeds. In case the ovules in one cell of an apple or pear core are not fertilized, that jjart of the fruit adjoining is often stunted and the fruit becomes lopsided in consequence ; but this, likewise, does not always follow. All of the above varieties are self-fertile, at least in Ithaca. They will produce fruit with their own pollen. But we have seen that some of them will produce better fruit if other pollen is supplied. Is it not worth while, then, to plant pollenizers even with self- fertile varieties — that is, to practice mixed planting with all varieties ? There are three good reasons for doing this : First, some believe that self-sterility is likely to increase in the future, ■'^"'•— '1'ai-"*ian Swkkt. From Talnian Sweot | ollen above; from Wagoner pollen below. No benefit from eioss-pollination. S().— Bradshaw Pi.r.M. P'roni German Prune polli'n above; from Bradsbaw iiollen below. No benefit from eross-polllnation. APPENDIX. 207 under the stimulus of hiyh cultivation. Second, we can never be perfectly sure that any variety will be self-fertile on our soil and under our culture , even those varieties which are self-fertile elsewhere may be partially self- sterile with us. Third, most self-fertile as well as self-sterile varieties are tienefited by cross-pollination. It is taking risks to plant a very large block of one variety. The trees may bear just as much and just as fine fruit as though other varieties were with them, but the chances are against it. THE POLLEN CARRIERS. The pollen of one variety is carried to the pistils of another in two ways: By the wind and by insects. There are many kinds of insects which aid more or less in the cross-pollination of orchard fruits, principally bees, wasps, and flies. Of these, the wild bees of several species are probably the most im- portant. In a wild thicket of plums or other fruits, they are usually numer- ous enough to insure a good setting of fruit. But few, if any, wild bees can live in a large orchard, especially if it is well tilled. As the extent and thoroughness of cultivation increases, the number of these natural insect aids to cross-pollination decreases ; hence, it may become necessary to keep domestic honey-bees foi- this purpose. SUMMARY. I. Scarcely one fruit blossom in ten sets fruit, even in the most favorable seasons and with the most productive varieties. - ^ 2. Trees making a very vigorous growth may drop their blossoms. .3. Brown rot, apple or pear scab, and pear blight may kill the blossoms. 4. Frost injury to blossoms is of all degi-ees. Even flowers which appear to be uninjured may be so weakened that they cannot set fruit. 5. Rain during the blooming season prevents the setting of fruit "chiefly ty destroying the vitality of the pollen, injuring the stigma, or by preventing fertilization because of the low temperature. The washing of pollen from the anthers seldom causes serious loss. 6. Much of the unsatisfactory fruiting of orchards all over the country is due to self-sterility. A tree is self-sterile if it cannot set fruit unless planted near other varieties. 7. The main cause of self-sterility is the inability of the pollen of a variety to fertilize the pistils of that variety. 8. Poor stamens and pistils, or the premature ripening of either, are but minor causes of self-sterility. 9. An indication of self-sterility is the continued dropping of young fruit irom isolated trees or solid blocks of one variety. 10. Self-sterility is not a constant character with any variety. The same "variety may be self-sterile in one place and nearly self-fertile in another. II. Poorly nourished trees are more likely to be sterile \yith their own pollen than well-fed trees are. 12. The loss of fruit from self-sterility usually maybe prevented by plant- ing other varieties among the self-sterile trees. 208 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 13. The European and Oriental pears can fertilize each other, and many varieties of the domestic, Japanese and native plums are likewise inter- fertile, provided they bloom tog'ether. 14. The pollen of some varieties will give larger fruit than that of others when it falls on or is applied to the pistils of either self-sterile or self-fertile varieties. 15. Among' our common orchard fruits cross-pollination seldom has an immediate influence on the fruit itself. 16. Cross-pollination probably gives better results than self-pollination with nearly all varieties. 17. It is advisable and practical to plant all varieties of oi'chard fruits^ be they self-sterile or self-fertile, with reference to cross-pollination. 18. Insects are probably more important than wind foi- carrying pollen from tree to tree. 19. Final Suyyestions — a. When setting- out new orchards, do not plant a solid block of each variety, but mix them intelligently, b. If established orchards are unfruitful because of self-sterility, it may be profitable to put a few grafts of another variety in each tree. c. Keep fruit trees v^ell nour- ished, but do not stimulate them to an over-vigorous growth. APPENDIX. 209 "^ (iS.— At 7 A. M. 65.— The ."■iruetaiv ol'u pluiii l)li)ss<>iii. se. sepaln; p. petals; sta. staiii(>ns; o. ovary; s. style; st. stijrina. The pistil is comprised of the ovary, style, and stijrina. It eontains the female part. Thestamens are tippeil with anthers in whieh the pollen, or male part, is borne. The (ivary o, ripens into the fruit. till.— .VMO A. M. ce. — B, pollen escaping from anther. A, pollen germinating on the stig- ma. Enlarged. The transfer of pollen to the stigma is called pol- lination. 70.— At :{ P. M. 71._.Vt s A. M. the next niornir.g. rainating. Greatly magnitied. 6.'- r.— Details of a fruit blossom. (;-i-71.— The opening of a tlower of Kietter pear. The flowers of pears and apples have five styles and stigmas. All natu- ral size. „ , . (Oourtesy of American Gardening.} 14 210 REPOKT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. THE AITLE AND HOW TO GROW IT. By G. B. Brackett, United States Pomologist. INTRODUCTION. Every farmer, however small his possessions may be, who lives within the apple-growingf districts of the United States, should have an apple orchard, the product of which should be found on his table in some form every day of the year. It is the purpose of this bulletin to present briefly some of the reasons why the farmers of this country should give more attention to the planting and care of their orchards: to aid them in the selection of orchard sites, of the varieties they may profitably plant, and of the trees that will prove most thrifty and pi-oductive: and to give information as to after care of orchards and the best use and disposition to be made of the fruit when grown and ready for family use or market. If this should stimulate the apple industry among our farmers, although it be only for home use, it will be a sufficient reward foi- the prei)aration and publication of this treatise. The possible range of apple gi-owing within the territory of the United States is very great. Perhaps two-thirds of the settled portion of our country is more or less adapted to the growth of this staple fruit, and within that range there are but few cases where the fai'mer is excusable if he allows his family to go hungry for apples. HISTORICAL NOTES. Although the apple ( Fyrus malus ) is not a native of American soil, it seems to find a congenial home hei-e. It is true we have some nearly related species in our native crabs, and they give promise in the hands of the experi- menter of better things in the years to come, but as yet no specially valuable varieties haA^e been developed from this source. Our cultivated apples and crabs are the lineal descendants of the wild crabs of Europe, Fyrus malus and Pi/rus bnccata, which have had many years of careful culture bestowed upon them to bring them to our present standard of excellence. When our American species have had as many years of domestic life and careful cul- ture bestowed upon them they may rival their foreign cousins in many of their good qualities. In a short treatise like this, addressed, as it is, to the plain, practical farmers of our country, it may not be expected that an elab- orate scientific explanation of all the methods of improving and domesti- cating a wild species will be presented and discussed. It is deemed sufficient, therefore, under the present heading, to say that the apple in its cultivated varieties as grown in this country is a foreigner, but, like the Caucasian race of man, has found a congenial home in the major portion of the United States and in large areas of the adjacent territory of l^ritish America. APPENDIX. 211 USES OF THE APPLE. So well known are tlie uses of the apple that little need Vje said upon this subject. No fruit Icnowu to the cultivator in the north temperate zone can take the place of the apple as a food product. Manj- other fruits, indeed most cultivated fruits, rank as luxuries, but the apple in most parts of the United States is one of the leading: staple products of the farm. In its numerous varieties its season of maturity extends throu