SUGGESTIONS TO SETTLERS IN COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY. 15 



past, and the question is not iiilly settled at tlie present time. For 

 this reason it is difficult to say just what should be planted, and the 

 following recommendations are only made in the light 'of the best 

 obtainable information. 



There are many orchards in the vicinity of Kennewick, Wash., that 

 are 6 or 7 years old and a few that are 12 or 14 years old. This is the 

 oldest and most higldy developed district in the sandy soils along the 

 Columbia River. Considering the experience of this district, it would 

 ai)pear that winter apples and pears are tlu> most promising tree 

 fruits to plant. While peaches, apricots, and cherries can he pro- 

 duced, they do not bear full croi)s regularly on account of the damage 

 done by the early spring frosts. Although apples and pears are 

 sometimes injured, they are much hardier than peaches, apricots, and 

 cherries, and they bear more regularly. It is probable that the tender 

 fruits may be profitably grown by using smudges and orchard-heater 

 pots to counteract the efTect of frosts. Since most of the tree fruits 

 blossom during the latter part of March and the month of April, a 

 study of Table I, page 5, which gives the dates and temperatures 

 of 32° or lower for April for the last five years, will show the impor- 

 tance of making provision for the use of frost preventives.'' 



Of the winter apples, the Winesap has proved itself especially 

 adapted to the irrigated districts with low altitudes. It requires a 

 long season in which to mature, comes into bearing early, is prolific, 

 and ships and sells well. Some of the other varieties that are being 

 planted are Rome Beauty, Jonathan, and Esopus (synonyms, Esopus 

 Spitzenburg and Spitzenburg). 



Of the pears, the Bartlett is the standard commercial variety. 

 Some are planting the Comice and the Anjou. 



If peaches, apricots, and cherries are planted, they should be placed 

 on the highest ground, where the air drainage is best. The varieties 

 that are usuallv recommended for the irrigated vallevs are as follows: 



Peaches.— Elhertsi, Salway, Early Crawford, Late Crawford, Foster, 

 Hale, and Alexander. The Elberta is the standard commercial peach 

 and should form the principal part of the orchard. The Salway is an 

 excellent peach, but is a little too late. 



Apricots. — Hemiskirk and Moorpark. 



Cherries. — (Sweet varieties) Napoleon (synonym, Royal Ann), 

 Bing, and Lambert; (sour varieties) Olivet and Richmond. 



POULTRY. 



Poultry can be made a profitable adjunct to fruit raising, especially 

 orcharding, and should be given a place on practically every farm in 

 the Columbia River Valley. Spokane, Portland, Tacoma, and Seattle 



ffl For a discussion of the use of heater pots in Colorado orchards, see the December, 

 1909, and January, 1910, numbers of Hetter Fruit. 

 [Cir. 60J 



