32 Report of State Board of Horticulture. 



with an assured and unlimited market the grower can do a 

 profitable business at those figures ; and surely no place on 

 earth can grow finer or cheaper strawberries than the Wil- 

 lamette Valley. I confidently expect to see the Willamette 

 Valley grow to be the leading source of supply for the world 

 of all kinds of jams, preserves, etc., of all such fruits as straw- 

 berries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, etc. 

 The opportunity is ours, let us grasp it. 



W. K. NEWELL. 



FIXAL REPORT, OCTOBER, 1902. 



DiLLEY, Oregon, October 13, 1902. 



To the President of the State Board of Horticulture — 



I herewith submit my report for the quarter ending October 

 13, 1902. The season of 1902, tliough in its early months not 

 very encouraging to the fruit growers of my district, is 

 making abetter final showing than might have been expected ; 

 the fine quality of the fruit and the increased prices, in some 

 degree, compensating for the reduced yield. 



The strawberry crop was very much short of the normal, 

 but prices were excellent compared with former seasons ; the 

 bulk of the crop bringing from 5 to 8 cents per pound. Ow- 

 ing to the scarcity, the canneries put up only about one third 

 the amount of last year's pack. The planting of new vines 

 has been very heav}'^ and with a favorable season the crop of 

 1903 will be very large ; but even then the growers can rea- 

 sonably expect very good prices . Small fruits have for several 

 years past been cheaper in Portland than in almost any other 

 market in the United States, — much too cheap, — at many 

 times below the cost of production ; but it is safe to say that 

 the day of strawberries at 2 and 2i cents per pound are past. 



The value of the crop of small fruits marketed fresh in my 

 district is estimated at $200,000, and the amount canned at 

 $75,000. 



The nearest a complete failure experienced in any line was 

 that of the cherry crop. The Royal Ann, the money maker, 

 was practically ruined by unfavorable weather ; but in a good 

 year this cherry bears so bountifully and commands such good 

 prices that it is profitable. I believe the best cherry for plant- 

 ing in the first district is the Lambert ; being very late it will 

 escape injury from the June rains, and it is a good and sure 

 yielder, of fine quality and firm enough for shipping long dis- 

 tances. 



