56 Report of State Board of Horticulture. 



utilized by the remaining fruit, thus resulting in the produc- 

 tion of a much superior article of fruit. 



The formation of fruit growers' unions should be encour- 

 aged in every fruit-growing community, in order that the 

 fruit may be sold direct. The advantage to the grower in 

 selling direct is manifest ; it saves middlemen's profit, and 

 he receives more near the full worth of his fruit. 



Cherries, peaches, and prunes were a light crop this year, 

 running from 50 to 75 per cent, owing to hardiness of variety. 

 Alexander and Hale's Early made nearly a full crop, while 

 the Crawfords, both early and late, were nearly a total failure. 

 Apples and pears, I think, will averrge 95 to 100 per cent 

 throughout the district. Hood River Valley, long noted for 

 its strawberries and apples, this year has exceeded all expec- 

 tations, having produced of strawberries 57,000 crates or 95 

 car loads, which were nearly all sold f. o. b. cars at Hood 

 River, and brought to the valley the enormous sum of $125,- 

 000. The apple crop here will amount to 120,000 boxes, 

 which with pears, prunes, cherries, and other small fruit will 

 bring another $125,000, making a grand total of $250,000 

 brought into the valle}^ for fruit this season. Nor has the 

 limit been reached yet, and I am satisfied that within five 

 years this amount will be doubled, as numerous young 

 orchards containing thousands of trees will come into bear- 

 ing in that time. Neither has strawberry growing reached 

 its limit, for many new plantations are going out, and the 

 acreage is increased annually. 



Another part of the district that will be heard from with its 

 "Big Red Apples" is Mosier. Here the orchards are for the 

 most part young, some just coming into bearing. The extent 

 of the fruit crop here is about as follows : Apples, 10,000 

 boxes; prunes, mostly Italian, 200 tons; plums, 25 tons; 

 besides this there are some cherries and pears, but these are 

 very limited. 



At The Dalles we find the fruit growing more diversified. 

 The soil here seems particularly adapted to prunes, peaches, 

 cherries, and grapes. There are also a great many apples 

 and pears grown here. The tendency here now is toward 

 cherries and peaches, on the lower plateaus where these 

 varie'ties attain perfection. Apricots and nectarines are also 

 being planted quite largely the last few years. Nut culture 

 should receive some attention from our planters, as it has 

 been fully demonstrated that soft-shell almonds and English 



