Report of W. K. Newell. 



fruit growers' societies and try to agree on the changes that 

 we wish made in this bill. Some kind of a measure we must 

 submit to, it seems, but we cannot allow the size of our box 

 to be increased arbitrarily some ten per cent, and that by 

 parties who do not use the box package at all. 



We need some careful experiments this season as to the best 

 methods of protection of orchards from frost. There is but 

 little doubt that they can be successfully protected from mod- 

 erate frosts, but the question is how to apply the heat or 

 smoke in the most effective manner. I wish that you would 

 each of you obtain as much light on this subject as possible. 



W. K. Newell, 

 Commissioner at Large. 



CCTOBER MEETING, 1909. 



Gaston, Oregon, October 11, 1909. 

 To the Honorable State Board of Horticulture: 



I herewith submit my report for the term ending Septem- 

 ber 30. 



The fruit crop of the State as a whole is not a heavy one 

 this year, but it is encouraging to note that the quality is 

 uniformly excellent and that good prices have, in the main, 

 been received. 



It is yet too early to give accurate figures on the yield or 

 values received. The only noticeable shortage is in the apple 

 crop, which is also uniformly light over almost the entire 

 United States. Peaches were a short crop in some sections 

 where trees were injured last winter. The pear crop was 

 very heavy in the Rogue River Valley, and a large crop of 

 prunes is now being gathered and evaporated in the Wil- 

 lamette Valley. 



, A noticeable new feature of the season was the shipping 

 of prunes from the Willamette Valley in the fresh or green 

 stage. This has been practiced from the Snake River and 

 Grand Ronde Valleys for many years, practically the entire 

 crop of those sections being handled in this manner, but it 

 has been commonly believed that the Valley prune, being so 

 much larger and juicier, would not carry well. 



The experience of the season seems to show that when 

 properly packed they can be shipped successfully. Although 

 the Profits received were not very large they show^ a sufficient 

 marq-in above the Drices r>aid for fruit for evaporating to make 

 their further shipment in this manner attractive. 



