56 Report of State Board of Horticulture. 



for that reason, and fully appreciate the help they have given 

 me in my work during the past year. In only four counties 

 of my district, Umatilla, Union, Baker, and Malheur, did I 

 feel that the fruit interests of the county were great enough 

 to demand the services of a county inspector, and would 

 justify the expense. With the aid of deputies in my work, I 

 have been enabled to more rigidly enforce the law in regard 

 to the sale of affected fruits in the markets. It seems the 

 only method of raising the standard of our fruits, and pro- 

 tecting the interests of the grower. 



The family orchard must ever be a matter of taste or pref- 

 erence on the part of the grower, a majority of them con- 

 taining as large a variety of kinds as the space will permit. 

 The owners do not expect to derive any profit therefrom, hence 

 it is hardly in order to offer any suggestions in regard to 

 varieties to this class of growers. The commercial grower 

 views the question in a different light. He will do well to 

 stud}^ most carefully every phase of the question, from the 

 very best sources obtainable, before he ventures to make a 

 final decision. Of course the first point to be decided, is 

 location. I know of no better way to decide than to person- 

 ally visit orchards in the vicinity in which you contemplate 

 choosing your ground. Ascertain what varieties attain per- 

 fection in the given location, and be sure these are such as 

 have an established reputation for real commercial value. 

 Find out .what market you can depend upon and what your 

 means of transportation must be, and if help will be easily ob- 

 tainable during the picking and packing season. Above all, 

 examine carefully the soil, conditions vary so in a mountain- 

 ous region. Some of the choicest land for fruit purposes may 

 lie very near to that which is entirely worthless from a com- 

 mercial standpoint. If you have found the right location, the 

 first cost of the land is of minor importance, by all means 

 get.it at a low price if possible, but get it. It is poor econ- 

 omy to battle with adverse conditions for years, perhaps for 

 life, in order to utilize cheap lands for fruit growing. Better 

 by far buy a smaller tract where conditions are favorable 

 to your success. 



