BOARD QF HORTICULTURE 101 



Estimating the yield for the State at 2,500 tons the past season of 1920, with 

 an average price of $250 per ton, we have $625,000 as produced by the cherry grow- 

 ers of the state, while the amount Coming into Oregon for the finished product 

 must have exceeded this sum by a large amount. 



HORTICULTURE IN OREGON 



By Henry E. Dosch 



Hon. W. H. Sevvard, in a speech delivered in the United States Senate as 

 far back as 1852, said : "The Pacific Ocean, its shores, its Islands, and the vast 

 region beyond, will become the Chief theater of events in the world's great here- 

 after." 



This hereafter is here right now, perhaps much sooner than this great states- 

 mau anticipated, but he did not know then that he was standing at the thresh- 

 hold of an electrical age, where events pass with lightning rapidity, and what Is 

 new today is old toniorrow. The new fields opened out to us offer one excep- 

 tional opportuuity for the horticulturist in Oregon. 



Oregon, the state of plenty, and which has long since earned the sobriquet as 

 the "Land of red apples." is uothiug if not a horticultural State. All fruits, 

 including the tender olive and fig, do exceedingly well here. 



Oregon is happily situated, that the planter can not only find the location best 

 suited to the different varieties of fruits he wished to plant, but in addition has 

 his choice as to the climate. 



He can select Eastern Oregon with its extreme seasons, Southern Oregon 

 tempts him with its enchanting Valleys, clear skies and balmy air ; then there is 

 the Willamette Valley, of 200 miles or more in length, with its equable climate 

 throughout the year ; or, if fond of extreme seasons, the various Valleys along our 

 seacoast line. Oregon, therefore, offers an inviting field for the orchardist. 



When the Creator of the Universe laid out the Garden of Eden and planted 

 trees for ornament as well as fruit, he placed therein the first couple and in- 

 tended them to be horticulturists. They were happy as long as they remained in 

 their country home. But, in an evil hour, they left it, and ever since man has 

 striven to place those who were given him to love and care for in a similar 

 Garden of Eden. Perhaps nowhere on earth do they come as near to it as here 

 in Oregon. 



The arid lands of the vast Inland Empire, located east of the Cascade ränge 

 of mountains, and especially along the canyons and flat areas of the Snake River, 

 has proven wonderfully fertile under Irrigation and under the management of 

 progressive, up-to-date farmers and fruit growers. Canals have been dug varying 

 in length from twelve to thirty miles, covering thousands of acres of these lands, 

 which are now being brought into cultivation. I have repeatedly visited these 

 reglons, especially along Snake River, and have seen the transformation of a des- 

 ert into an oasis. Hundreds of acres have been sowed to alfalfa, with surprising 

 success, with an average yield of seven tons of hay per acre for the season, and 

 which at this writing is selling for $25 per ton in the Stack. Orchards planted 

 to peaches. apples. pears and prunes. now in füll bearing, are in a most perfect 

 condition, both as to health. vigor, luxurious foliage and bearing capacity. It is 

 almost beyond belief what water. under the control of intelligent endeavor, will 

 produce on these soils. Along these benches is room for thousands of happy and 

 contented homes, amid plenty to eat and drink, and pure, invigorating, health- 

 giving air to hreathe; finer fruit and melons are not grown anywhere than 

 right here. 



The heautiful Grande Ronde. Wallowa, Burnt River. Powder River, Baker, 

 Eagle Creek. Pine and numerous smaller Valleys, scattered throughout these 

 higher plateaus, and Blue Mountains, as well as Hood River, Mosier, Dufur and 

 The Dalles Valleys along the Columbia River, and which do not depend upon irri- 



