Report of President and Commissioner at Large. 17 



If it was known that Portland and otlier market towns had an 

 inspector who would not permit diseased, damaged, and infested 

 fruit to be offered for sale, it will stimulate our growers to raise a 

 better quality of fruit and to build preserving factories in our 

 large fruit sections. It will encourage the careful, intelligent fruit- 

 grower, and it will drive the careless, negligent one out of business. 

 This system will clean up the orchards of Oregon and popularize 

 the most intelligent methods. It will multiply orchards, advance 

 land values, build homes, and give our State a yet greater reputa- 

 tion for the superior quality of her fruits. Did we not all rejoice 

 when, at Buffalo, Oregon received the highest award for her ex- 

 hibit, and again a little later at St. Louis, where our fruits were 

 awarded 127 medals'? And, better yet, the only county in the 

 United States receiving a grand prize was an Oregon county. 

 Respectfully submitted, 



E. L. Smith, 

 President of Board and Commissioner at Large. 



Hood River, Oregon, December, 1904. 



HOR. 



