Report of State Board of Horticulture. 39 



That the Willamette Valley can still maintain its reputation 

 for the production of the "Big Red Apples" is illustrated by 

 the crop of 12,000 boxes of choice apples just picked at the 

 Wallace orchard, two miles from Salem. In this orchard 

 modern spraying outfits are in use, a gasoline engine being 

 used to furnish the necessary power. 



While the fruit crops, with the exception of apples, have 

 been lighter than usual, good prices have been realized, and 

 the year closes with the fruit growers in a hopeful frame of 

 mind, encouraged to continue steadfast in their chosen work. 

 When new plantations are made it is usually done by those 

 who are already engaged in the work and are prepared to 

 profit by the experience they have gained. 



While there is a small but steady growth in tlie orchard 

 acreage, I am glad to report there is no boom. It is the boom 

 in orchard planting that occasionally occurs which is respon- 

 sible for many of the troubles of those who make a business of 

 growing fruit. When a few stories of large profits in fruit 

 gtowing are published, many persons are induced to rush into 

 the business and plant extensive orchards without previous 

 experience. The result is usually disastrous for the too enthu- 

 siastic novice ; the profits figured out hopefully on paper prove 

 disappointing deficits in practice ; the trees are neglected and 

 become a source of danger to well kept orchards in the vicin- 

 ity. There are several such orchards, planted by stock com- 

 panies, in this district which should serve as warnings to 

 those who are inclined to invest in fruit lauds without previous 

 investigation. There have been too many trees planted on 

 lands entirely unsuitable for orchards and such places can not 

 be made profitable. 



There is a good demand for the Oregon prune this year and 

 few will remain unsold by January 1. 



The following is an estimate of the value of the fruits pro- 

 duced in the second district during the two years included in 

 this report, though no claims are made for its accuracy as some 

 of the necessary data is very hard to obtain : 



ESTIMATED VALUE OF FRUITS PRODUCED IN SECOND DISTRICT. 



1901. f902. 



Prunes S 225,000 00 S 200,000 00 



("berries 60,000 00 10,000 00 



Pears 6,000 00 5,000 00 



Apples 58,000 00 100,000 00 



Other fruits and fruit products .53,000 00 100,000 00 



S 382,000 00 $ 415,000 00 



L. T. REYNOLDS, 

 Commissioner Second District. 



