24 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 



to give all the fruitgrowing portions of the state that thor- 

 ough examination contemplated by the law. I have, how- 

 ever, traveled over three thousand miles since date of quali- 

 fication, m}^ visits extending from Malheur County on the 

 eastern to Rogue River Valley near the southern boundary 

 of the state. 



It is gratifying to note that in ever}" portion of the country 

 that I have visited I have found fruitgrowers inspired with 

 new confidence and the conviction that they can overcome 

 the many adverse conditions that, in recent years, have threat- 

 ened the fruit industry of the state. 



At my suggestion the board authorized the publication of a 

 spray calendar, giving the most approved formula for com- 

 bating insect pests and fungus growths. An edition of five 

 thousand copies w^as printed, but so great was the demand 

 that it was soon exhausted. All the members of the board 

 united in an earnest effort to induce the fruitgrowers to spray 

 their orchards, with the result that in the more progressive 

 districts the unsprayed orchard is the exception. Commis- 

 sioner Schanno estimates that eighty jDer cent, of the orchard- 

 ists of the fourth district are now provided with spraying 

 outfits. 



Experience has demonstrated that ninety per cent, of sound 

 apples can be realized by the thorough application of modern 

 methods. The evidence is accumulative as to this fact. 



In the large orchards the hand pump must give way to the 

 power sprayer, which does more thorough work with less than 

 half the expense. Those up-to-date horticulturists, the Olwell 

 Brothers, of Jackson County, make use of a small mounted 

 gasoline engine, which drives the pump and agitator, and with 

 which they are enabled to spray one thousand fourteen-year- 

 old trees in a day. With this engine, two teams and four 

 men, they perform the work that formerly required four spray- 

 ing outfits and twelve men. 



I am, however, inclined to the opinion that eventually we 

 will discard the pump for compressed air, using a small 

 stationary engine ; compressor and tank carrying compressed 

 air, and connected directly with the tank carrying the spra}^ 

 liquid. For further information on this subject see article in 

 sixth biennial report, copied from the Rural New Yorker. 



I have endeavored to keep in frequent communication with 

 the commissioners of the five horticultural districts of the 

 state, and commend their industry and fidelity in performing 

 a large amount of labor with so small an allowance for time 



