WORK OF THE UMATILLA EXPERIMENT PAEM IN 1912. 27 



ders it liable to occasional loss from spring frost. Peaches are not as 

 dependable a crop as apples and grapes, which blossom later in the 

 season. 



Desirability of small nursery stocJc.— Large or old trees in which there is an excessive 

 quantity of wood frequently dry out, thus preventing proper growth and frequently 

 causing heavy losses in newly planted orchards. As a check upon the observations 

 made under field conditions a small experiment was carried out at the experiment 

 farm in 1912 in which pear and cherry trees were used. These friiits have been the 

 most difficult to get started. One-year-old trees, varying in size from the largest 

 o])tainaljle down to those less than 2 feet in height, were planted and cut off at varying 

 distances from the ground. The experiment has shown conclusively that large trees 

 are not desirable on account of the wood drying out, that small and medium-sized trees 

 cut at 18 inches make a strong growth and are susceptible of being properly trained, 

 and that medium-sized trees cut down lo 4 or 6 inches in height have made the best 

 sliowing. This treatment will be found advantageous in getting sweet cherries and 

 pear trees started where the soils are sandy. Trees that were not cut off sustained 

 heavy loss and the surviving ones made biit little growth. 



Stm scnhl.—The effect of sun scald, which has caused the loss of a large number of 

 trees throughout the district, can be nnich reduced by sliading the trunk of the tree 

 at the ground with straw or shingles. Wrapping with wood veneer is not advisable, 

 because of the fact that it frequently prevents the proper distribution of branches on 

 the body of the tree and involves more outlay than the use of straw or other inexpensive 

 materials. A sod of rye or small bunches of straw placed on the south side of the trees 

 near the base will practically insure them from being injured by sun scald. Trees in 

 need of water are more susceptible to sun scald than those which have sufficient 

 moisture. 



Grapes.— Vinif era, or European, grapes freeze down frequently if not covered during 

 the winter. The best covering material to use is the vineyard soil, which can be 

 plowed or shoveled over the vines after they have been pruned at the beginning of 

 cold weather. Sultanina (Thompson Seedless) is the most hardy of the varieties so 

 far grown in the vicinity. The Flame Tokay makes a strong growth and produces an 

 abundance of fruit, which is slow to mature unless the vines are pruned to prevent 

 excessive shading. The Alexandria and Black Hamburg do well. 



The American varieties are better adapted to this locality than the Viniferas. They 

 are hardy, withstanding' the most severe weather, and yield abundant crops of very 

 sweet fruit. The Worden appears to be hardier than the Concord on sandy soils. 

 These two varieties are preferable on account of their superior market value, but they 

 can be supplemented by the Salem, Niagara, and Moore, all of which do well. The 

 proposed establishment of grape-juice factories at Kennewick, Wash., and other 

 places in the Northwest increases the possibility of greater demand for Concords and 

 Word ens. 



Crown-gall is prevalent throughout the district on Vinifera grapes. It has also been 

 noted to some extent on cane fruits, prunes, peaches, and apples. Care should be 

 taken in planting not to use any infected nursery stock. Where this trouble is known 

 to exist it is importan t to prevent its spread to other orchards and vineyards. Because 

 of the present general infection of Vinifera grapes it seems advisable that their cul- 

 ture should be discouraged. 



Cane /rmis.— Blackberries, raspberries, dewberries, and goosebemes thrive on the 

 fine soils; and on sandy locations loganberries, Lucre tia and Premo dewberries, 

 and Evergreen, Lawton, Mammoth, and Himalaya blackberries grow fairly well. 

 Loganberries require covering during winter to prevent the freezing of the canes. 



;Siraw6emes.— Strawberries yield abundantly on silt soils, but as a rule they do not 

 pay on sandy soil unless it has been well fertilized. The Clark is preferable for com- 

 LCii-. 129 [ 



