BOARD OF HORTICULTURE 145 



Why is it that some orchards seil for from $1000 to $1500 per acre, while 

 the average prune orchard will brins? only $400 to $500? Is it location entirely, 

 or soll, or appearance of the trees or conditions of the orchard for heavy produc- 

 tion, or is it not rather a general blending of these qualities which places the 

 high value on an orchard? 



Model Orchard 



It would be a fine thiug if we could choose an orchard in each prune grow- 

 ing district of the State so nearly perfect that it could be labeled as a model, 

 so that others might pattern their practices after it. As a matter of fact, it 

 would be difficult for any three prune growing authorities, such as Dr. Scar- 

 brough, Professor Lewis and George Zimmerman. to pick out any Single ideal 

 tract and label it as a model. Why not then pick out one on paper as the football 

 critics are doing just now in deciding upon all-star gridiron aggregations. 



Paying on Investment 



The first consideration is to win games consistently, which translated into 

 prune terms means to produce profitable crops annually. Because in the final 

 analysis other items lack attention such as pruning, spraying, cultivation, etc., 

 if they fall to result in yearly profits on the investment. 



Mythical Orchard 



Our mythical orchard then will produce two tons of dried prunes per acre 

 each season, 75% of which will grade out 30-40's. In other words, it will bat 

 300% . There are oecasionally orchards which will do this in one very favorable 

 season, perhaps. Why then, given the right conditions of soll depth and moisture 

 content, location wäth regard to frost and labor, vigorous health fruiting wood 

 free from moss, lichens, scale and heart rots, can not these results be secured 

 regularly ? 



Soil Adaptability 



Thin soils, wet soils, heavy soils — none of these are conducive to best results. 

 In our inspection work we notice that the likelihood of finding pests and 

 diseases inci'eases as the depth of the soil decreases or as either extreme of wet- 

 ness or drought prevails. Cultivation practices, spraying, etc., can not place trees 

 in this location on par, with regard to disease resistance, with orchards 

 located on moist, friable, rather deep soil. Where the roots are weak and im- 

 properly nourished, the fruiting wood can not function properly. On accouut of 

 frosts and occasional severe winters, the lowland Sites will not rate up to the 

 class of our mythical all-star aggregation. 



First place on this team for soil adaptability will be given to the foothill 

 districts extending from Sheridan north to David's Hill at Forest Grove. Here 

 we find good, rieh, deep, well drained soil adaptable to prunes. It is soil that 

 is economical to operate, easy to hold moisture, responds to fertilizers and is 

 deep enough to give the roots ample opportunity to develop. Due to the fact 

 that frosts seldom prevail in the rieh Missouri bottoms in the South Umpqua, 

 second place for this Position might be awarded to her, but this district is 

 being saved for another Position on the all-star team. 



Spraying 



Second position considered would be spraying. This is not the most important 

 place in prune growing, by any means, but nevertheless ranks high in the estimate 

 of fruit inspectors. The reason is apparent. Ordinarily San Jose scale is not 

 considered a serious pest in a prune orchard because it is so easily handled. 

 But the fact remains that the better growers spray pretty regularly with lime- 

 sulfur. This spray keeps the bark clean and free from moss and lichens and 



