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Prof. John Craig of Cornell University, then addressed 

 the meeting on 

 SOME LESSONS EASTERN FRUIT GROWERS CAN 



LEARN FROM THE ORCHARD PRACTICES IN 

 VOGUE IN THE NORTHWEST PACIFIC 



The orcharding of the oldest of the leading fruit grow- 

 ing areas of the Northwest Pacific is little more than a 

 quarter of a century old, yet, in that time, very important 

 innovations have been introduced. Many of these can be 

 profitably copied by the fruit growing fraternity of the 

 East. The natural conditions are conducive to the produc- 

 tion of a handsome product. Bright sunshine and clear air 

 discourage fungous diseases, and encourage the develop- 

 ment of high color and handsome finish. 



In the irrigated regions, the character and amount of 

 growth of tree and fruit may, to a certain extent, be con- 

 trolled. Aside from these natural conditions, the men and 

 their practice are the important influencing factors. To 

 offset this is the long haul to the world's great markets. 



The fruit growers are possessed of great faith in the fu- 

 ture of the country. They have unbounded optimism ; they 

 realize the necessity of advertising, and more than all they 

 appreciate the advantages of cooperation. In their case, ne- 

 cessity has driven the lesson home and experience has fixed 

 it. The carefully worked out systems of cooperative mar- 

 keting in vogue in the apple and citrous belts of the Pacific 

 are especially worthy of study and emulation. 



Tillage is thorough, not desultory and spasmodic. The 

 need of conserving soil moisture has emphasized the value 

 of tillage in utilizing the natural supply and its influence 

 on liberating plant food. Orchards are tilled as a matter 

 of course, not as an occasional practice. 



Spraying is practised because the Pacific slope grower 

 cannot afford to produce culls. These cannot be shipped 

 and the home market has little use for them. A first-class 

 product is the only one he can use in his business. Spray- 

 ing to prevent injury from insect pests and such fungous 

 enemies as prevail is thorough and persistent. Trees may 

 be sprayed three or five times or more if necessary. 



Packing — and here is where the great lesson of im- 

 portance to growers in the East can be learned. The box 



