Reports of W. K. Newell. 19 



will materialize this year, the agitation of the question will 

 result in good, by calling attention to the absolute necessity of 

 strong local organizations as the only basis upon which the 

 structure can be erected. 



Recent press reports show that the railroads have granted 

 a material reduction in freight rates on fruits from California 

 points east. Our growers should at once demand the same 

 concessions. 



In accordance with an act passed at the last session of the 

 legislature, the members of the experiment Station staff at 

 Corvallis will establish a number of branch stations for the 

 purpose of studying fruit pests throughout the State. I trust 

 that each of you will make it a particular point to co-operate 

 with them in every way possible. 



W. K. Newell, 

 Commissioner at Large. 



APRIL MEETING, 1912. 



Gaston, Oregon, April 8, 1912. 



To the Honorable the State Board of Horticulture: 



It is the unanimous opinion among Oregon fruit-growers 

 at the present time that this is to be the "big" year in fruit. 

 All indications point to a heavy yield, and only extremely 

 unfavorable weather can prevent it. The great amount of 

 new acreage that will come into bearing will swell the total, 

 and it will likely tax our machinery for harvesting and dis- 

 tributing. However, it is not well to count our chickens before 

 they are hatched ; the time for spring f rosts is not yet entirely 

 passed, and our ideas may be materially reduced. 



But, in the event of a big crop, the problem of marketing 

 will be a big one. This, of course, is not directly in our line 

 of work, but indirectly we can have a decided influence. First 

 of all, the Standard of fruit marketed must be raised materially 

 over that of last year. In a light-crop year the quality of 

 fruit is always lower, and a little more latitude is advisable 

 and even necessary, in the rules regarding marketing, but with 

 a füll crop we must draw the lines closer. The producer is 

 entitled to protection against competition from inferior fruit 

 and the consumer is certainly entitled to a pack fully up to 

 Standard. Not only must we be careful in insoection of the 

 export fruit, and in that of the large markets, but in that of 

 the smaller markets as well. The interior towns must not 

 be made a dumping ground for stuff that will not stand inspec- 



