44 Report of State Board of Horticulture. 



REPORT OF COMMISSIONER FOURTH DISTRICT. 



The Dalles, Oregon, March 31, 1905. 



To the Honorable State Board of Horticulture : 



The Lewis and Clark centennial year gives every indication 

 of being a most prosperous one for the fruit growers of our 

 great State. 



•All kinds of fruit promise .abundant crops, to judge from 

 the bloom at this time in evidence. 



Cherries, peaches, apricots, nectarines, and almonds are 

 now in full bloom and each tree resembles a huge bouquet of 

 white and pink. So thickly set is the bloom that at a little 

 distance from the tree the wood of the branches is entirely 

 hidden. 



Owing to the advanced season, bloom has appeared much 

 earlier than usual this year. This condition has been the 

 cause of much apprehension among the fruit growers who 

 have been fearing destructive frosts. But neither frost nor 

 cold rains have appeared so far to threaten or destroy the 

 crop. At this date, April 7, no reports of serious damage 

 resulting from cold weather in any section of the fourth 

 district have been received. 



That our people have confidence in the future of the fruit 

 industry is evidenced by the many young trees being planted 

 this season. The increase in the acreage of apples will be 

 enormous, while many peach, cherry, apricot, almond, and 

 prune trees are being planted. 



Apricots are receiving more than usual attention this 

 spring, due probably to the great demand and high prices 

 obtained for this fruit last season. Conditions along the 

 Columbia River seem very favorable for the production of 

 this fruit, chief of which is freedom from late spring frosts, 

 w^hich is most essential, since their blooming season is very 

 early, being in advance of all other varieties. 



Many visitors will be attracted to our State this year 

 T^y the Lewis and Clark Exposition, and our fruit growers 



