-6- 



A most in\;eresting forenoon was spent at the HLrchmont Orchard whichi'is 

 efficiently operated by the Vfells and Wade Fruit Company Foundation. This orchard 

 is unique in that the profits are used for community enterprises. This particular 

 orchard consists of 2^0 acres and produces pears and peaches as well as apples. The 

 spraying is done mth a stationary outfit which is capable of delivering 210 gallons 

 per minute and can supply sufficient material for 10 nozzle men to operate at the 

 same time. Stationary sprayers are particularly popular in orchards v/hich are 

 irrigated by a series of ditches since portable sprayers interfere v/ith the flow of 

 water. Another observation in this orchard is vrorthy of special mention and this is 

 concerned with the freedom from bruises. Regardless of the size of the orchard and 

 the large number of pickers employed, bruised fruit is difficult to find. This is 

 due to the work of one young lady whose job is to check a sample of fruit harvested 

 by each picker and record the number and type of bruises. This record is given to 

 the foreman of the crew who directs the careless picker to be more careful or look 

 for another job elsewhere. While this system may add to the total harvesting cost, 

 Mr, Robinson, Manager of the orchard, feels that it pays real dividends. These are 

 but a feviT of the many interesting observations made in this orchard. 



As the headquarters of the Washington State Apple Commission is located in 

 Wenatchee, I dropped in for a brief visit there and learned that in 1937 the 

 Washington State Legislature passed an act placing a tax of 1^ per box on all apples 

 shipped from the State, Later, this was raised to 1 l/2/. The money thus collected 

 is used by the "Jashington State Apple Commission for advertising purposes. The 

 money is collected by the sale of stamps to shippers who must attach the proper 

 amount to the bill of lading before a car of apples may be shipped. Truckers of 

 apples are required to report to an inspection station and pay the tax before leaving 

 the State. In addition to the promotion of an extensive advertising campaign of 

 its own, the Washington State Apple Commission contributes one-third of the operating 

 budget of the National Apple Institute, 



— 0. C. (Toby) Roberts 



PROGRESS ra STRAWBERRY VIRUS CONTROL 



Virus diseases have become so common and so serious in strawberries that 

 certain susceptible varieties like Midland can no longer be grown in this area. 

 This situation needed attention. 



Several years ago v/orkers in the U.S.D.A. started a search for virus-free stocks 

 of the various. strawberry varieties. Such stocks of several varieties have been 

 found and increased for distribution to nurserymen . 



A release from the U.S.D.A. dated December 1, 19^2, states that "Last April 

 virus-free stocks of k varieties — Blakemore, Catskill, Howard 17 ( Premier ), and 

 Sparkle — ^vrere furnished 3 cooperating nurseries." Plants may be obtained from these 

 nurseries. Their names are available from your county agent and will be furnished 

 stravfberry plant grov/ers on request. 



Special care was used by the cooperating nurseries to keep the stocks virus- 

 free by isolation and aphid control. They appear to have been successful as 

 indicated by the following statement: "We believe these stocks to be substantially 

 virus-free. They have grwm vigorously and appear superior to most stocks, particu- 

 larly the plants of the Catskill and Sparkle varieties. The h nurseries have agreed 

 to sell up to one-half their plants to other nurseries as foundation stock plants at 

 prices not over 50 percent above the price of regular stocks for strawberry plants. 

 This is an opportunity to obtain superior foundation stocks from which to propagate 



