106 Report of State Board of Horticulture. 



consider these as the drawbacks to cherry culture; namely, the diseases 

 and insect pests that work on the trees. The first, and worst, is the 

 cherry gummosis, which, our professors at the experiment Station teil 

 us, is a bacterial disease and rather difficult to handle. The only remedy 

 known as yet is cutting out the gum spots clean, to the sound bark and 

 disinfecting the wounds with corrosive Sublimate 1 to 1,000; also 

 disinfecting the tools before cutting into another tree. If wounds are 

 large, as soon as dry, they may be covered with paint to protect the 

 wood. The trees should be watched closely for this trouble during the 

 early part of the season. 



In some sections a shothole fungus is doing some damage. To control 

 this, spray with Bordeaux mixture after the bloom has fallen and again 

 in about two weeks. 



There are three insect pests that do more or less damage to the 

 trees, the San Jose scale, black aphis and the cherry slug. The scale 

 soon shows its work on the trees, but is easily controlled by spraying 

 with lime and surphur while the trees are dormant. The black aphis is 

 more difficult to fight. It works on the under side of the terminal leaves, 

 causing them to roll and later to fall off. The remedy is black leaf 

 sheep dip or coal-oil emulsion applied when aphis first makes its appear- 

 ance. Repeat as often as necessary. 



The slugs are not hard to destroy. On bearing trees, if a dust 

 sprayer can be obtained, air-slacked lime may be used with good results. 

 On young trees arsenate of lead or any contact spray may be used. 



Successful cherry culture, as well as any other business, requires 

 close attention to. the several details. 



While there has been more attention given to growing the sweet 

 cherry, there is a demand for many more of the sour cherries for 

 canning purposes then are being raised. This variety is not quite so 

 exacting in its culture, not so subject to disease and a sure bearer. The 

 sour cherries are mostly a little earlier than the sweet cherries, making 

 the harvesting season a little longer. 



Since cherries can be grown successfully here it seems that this 

 branch of horticulture might be stimulated far beyond what it now is; 

 for it has been conclusively proven that the Pacific Northwest, and 

 especially the Willamette Valley, produces a cherry unsurpassed in 

 beauty and flavor anywhere in the United States. 



In conclusion, while Hood River has become famous for its apples 

 and strawberries, Rogue River for its pears and Newtown apples, why 

 may not the Willamette Valley stand out prominently for its quantities 

 of the finest cherries in the world, as one of its horticultural products? 



