Report of President and Commissioner at Large. 13 



MARKETS. 



There were many more apples grown in the United States in 1904 

 than in 1903, and consequently the demand for the common grades 

 has not been so strong. The bright, high-colored, high-qualitj' 

 product always commands a good price whether at home or abroad. 

 California was short in apples this year, but a low transportation 

 rate brought large quantities from Colorado, and largely supplied 

 the demand. Oregon Spitzenburgs go largely to New York, and 

 Newtowns to Europe, where they have been selling this fall as high 

 as 14 shillings per box. Our growers are beginning to learn that 

 the best prices and the perfect pack can be secured through or- 

 ganization. 



What to do with our surplus and second grades is the vital ques- 

 tion. Given as low a trans-Pacific rate as obtained in San Fran- 

 cisco the past year, we can unload enormous quantities in Asia, but 

 in the absence of such a rate we must find at least partial relief 

 through fruit-preserving factories. 



insect pests. 



No especially dangerous pests have appeared in this State to my 

 knowledge during the past two years. The ravages of the codlin 

 moth can be reduced to about 10 per cent. The San Jose scale con- 

 tinues to enlarge its territory, and as it lives upon the willow, the 

 rose, and the thorn, and other native shrubs, it can never be 

 wholly eradicated by artificial means. If ever exterminated it must 

 be by some insect or parasitic enemy, and the General Government 

 is experimenting in that direction. The orchardist can, however, 

 hold it in check by once, annually, thoroughly spraying with lime 

 and sulphur. Repeated tests demonstrate that salt adds little or 

 nothing to the value of the compound, and can be eliminated from 

 the formula. The larger orchardists, ever alive to their interests, 

 will take care of the pest on their own premises. It is the owner 

 of a few trees, who is not prepared to spray, and does not spray, 

 and as a result this miserable pest is being diffused over the whole 

 country, and even some of our nurseries have become involved. If 

 we would protect our fruit industry, and we have none more prom- 

 ising, we must wage an active and annual campaign against the 

 San Jose scale, and the query arises, Who will do this and who will 

 pay for it ? and this leads to a discussion of our present 



