Reports of Chas. A. Park. 29 



OCTOBER MEETING, 1912. 



Salem, Oregon, September 30, 1912. 



To the Honorable the State Board of Horticulture: . 



I herewith submit my report for the term ending Septem- 

 ber 30th of this year. 



During the growing season of this year the weather con- 

 ditions were not favorable for the production of a first quality 

 of fruit. On the 13th, 14th and 15th of April the temperature 

 dropped to 27 degrees, 29 degrees and 30 degrees on the 

 respective nights. This condition occurred when the pears 

 were the size of large peas, apples were in bloom, prunes were 

 in bloom, peaches were set, and strawberries were in bloom; 

 the loganberries had not yet bloomed. This frost thinned out 

 the pears and left frost marks on much of the fruit that stuck 

 on the trees. The skin of the fruit was roughened ^.nd some- 

 what marred, the apples were greatly thinned and weakened, 

 pollination was greatly hindered, peaches were practically 

 killed and prunes were cut very short. There was a ,?;reat deal 

 of cloudy and rainy weather in the latter part of May which 

 was an ideal condition for the development of scab on the 

 pears and apples, and also for the rapid increase of the aphis 

 on apple trees, so much so that the aphis did more damage 

 generally to the apple crop and trees than has occurred in 

 years. August contributed more than its share of precipita- 

 tion. We had only ten clear days during this month, which 

 condition had also a tendency to prevent the pears, apples and 

 prunes from finishing up properly. The result from the 

 foregoing condition was that there was a practical failure 

 of the peach crop, about one-third of a pear and cherry crop, 

 one-fourth of an apple and prune crop, but the smaller fruits, 

 including the loganberry, produced a füll crop. 



The county fruit inspectors in all of the five counties in 

 this district have been doing efhcient work. They have 

 accomplished a great deal in giving proper Instruction to 

 those engaged in the fruit business, in the way of taking care 

 of the orchards and caring for the fruit. They have also 

 been diligent in keeping the markets free from infected and 

 diseased fruits. A thorough inspection of all the markets 

 in Marion County revealed the fact that not one box of 

 wormy or diseased fruit could be found in the market. The 

 county inspectors have been kept exceedingly busy with the 

 inspection of nursery stock. Marion County grows a great 



