Report of the Field Horticulturist for 1 906. 
O. B. WHIPPLE. 
My time as field horticulturist has been largely devoted to 
the study of orchard conditions in Mesa county.' During the 
season I have made two trips to Delta county to investigate the 
conditions there. I find it nearly impossible to divide my time 
to any great extent with other counties. After more experience 
in field work under these conditions the work can, no doubt, 
be carried on over a larger territory. Very little experimental 
work has been undertaken during the past season as it seemed 
best to follow conditions in the field one season that we might 
take up experimental work more intelligently the ensuing year. 
In my work I have given special attention to plant diseases, 
cultivation, watering, pruning and the collection of data on the 
fruit industry. 
The interest taken in the work by the growers has been very 
gratifying, and at no time have we experienced any difficulty in 
securing the co-operation of careful growers in carrying on ex¬ 
periments. The success of our work depends to a large extent 
upon this friendly co-operation of the fruit growers. Our cor¬ 
respondence with growers has not been all we desired but will 
no doubt increase as we become better acquainted and the plan of 
our work better known. Requests for information have been 
numerous but on account of the limited time spent in the office, 
some growers have no doubt become discouraged in trying to 
reach us by telephone. I have tried to spend as many evenings 
as possible in the office where I hope the growers will learn to 
find me. 
The orchard survey work has not progressed as rapidly as 
we at first hoped it would on account of the time required for 
other investigations. This survey has been carried on in con¬ 
nection with other work as far as possible. This part of the in¬ 
vestigations can no doubt be pushed more rapidly during the re¬ 
mainder of the year, and, while the summer season is the ideal 
time for this work, I think the object of the survey can be accom¬ 
plished during the winter season. 
PLANT DISEASES. 
Observations on plant diseases have been very interesting 
and some important conclusions have been reached. 
