Horticulture iij Oregon. 223 



When President Jefferson warned us that America would degenerate as soon 

 as it ceased to be an agricultural and horticultural nation, he touched the 

 keynote, for he foresaw the coming greed for money ; that fearful fight for 

 political power, which seems to have reached its height just now ; that getting 

 something for nothing, and that struggle for social position and prominence. 



It is said that John Ruskin "somewhere marveled at the wonderful con- 

 ception of God's mind, when he first thought of a tree." 



There could have been no paradise for man without trees. He caused 

 to grow those trees that were pleasant to the eye as well as good for fruit. 

 Just fancy what this world would be without trees. There is an inseparable 

 companionship between trees and man not readily accounted for, and there are 

 few men who lack the desire to plant and surround themselves with trees. I 

 can not conceive a perfect home devoid of trees. What is more beautiful to 

 the eye than a well laid out and perfectly kept orchard? 



Horticulture is no longer an experiment in Oregon. The incessant drudg- 

 ery, the numerous and keen disappointments which are peculiar to all new 

 enterprises, and which horticulture in Oregon did not escape, are things of the 

 past. We have reached the era of scientific management of the orchard, and 

 of remunerative prices for the product. 



Fruit-growing is not only a healthy and pleasant occupation, but a profitable 

 one. It has been proven, year after year, that those who have fruit to sell, 

 whether it was raised alone or in connection with other crops, always have 

 money to meet their obligations. It is stated on reliable authority (Bradstreefs 

 Commercial Agency) that throughout the United States there are fewer failures 

 among those engaged in horticultural pursuits than any other branch of farming, 

 and then the question jP asked, "Is it owing to the business, or the men that 

 engage in it?" I think it is both, especially the latter, for it requires brains 

 to be a successful horticulturist. Horticulture is an art of the highest order. 

 The planter must keep abreast of the times ; he must study and keep posted 

 on the latest improved appliances. 



Though fruit has been grown in Oregon for fifty years, it is only recently 

 that horticulture was reduced to a scientific basis. The backwardness, which 

 was the ruling condition until a short time ago, was due to a lack of knowl- 

 edge about tree planting and fruit-growing. Very few growers were thorough- 

 ly equipped for the business in which they had invested their capital, and 

 were it not for the fact "that crops in Oregon never fail," many more disap- 

 pointments would have to be reocrded. The State took horticulture in hand, 

 and now supplies an abundance of practical information to all who care to 

 ask for it. This information is distributed through the members of the State 

 Board of Horticulture, of which body I had the honor to be a member for 

 twelve years past, and the faculty of the Agricultural College. There now 

 exists no reason for failure because of the absence of useful information about 

 soils, stock selection, tree planting, cultivation, pruning, and the science of 

 pollination. Progressive horticulture does wonders. It makes the old trees bear 

 fruit ngnin. nnd gives the young ones a good start from the time they are set 

 out. 



Horticulture, as we understand it, is no longer the problem it was, thanks 

 to the scientific investigations of the professors of the experiment stations 

 throughout the world, and to practical, up-to-date fruitgrowers. We know the 

 soils best adapted for various fruits, the best varieties to plant for family 

 use and commercial purpose, and know how to evaporate them. We also 

 know what varieties to plant together for pollinating purposes. We know 

 the diseases and insects infecting trees and fruit, and how to combat them. 



Failure and discouragement in horticulture often result from too much real 

 estate booming. Glowing accounts of this or that locality are published, fruits 

 <>t abnormal size are exhibited, ridiculous results are given, all of which 

 creates theimpression that horticulture, in certain localities, is a veritable gold 

 mine. Credulous persons, tempted by these stories and exhibits, give up occu- 



