The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1879-03-14
NEW ORCHARDS.


the valley counties, have closely observed
the condition of the old orchards in them
That fatal winter of 1862 killed, or PLACED
on the decline, nearly all the fruit trees ii
this valley. Multitudes of them have beer
dug up and thrown away. Those yet
standing are generally moss-covered, and ir
dying condition. In consequence of the
price of fruit coming down SO low
here, and not much demand for it while
green, there has been great neglect in nur.
turing and trimming the old fruit trees OF
setting out Others. But this course is
wrong The demand for our dried and can
ned fruits is permanent, lasting and remun.
erative. Our exhibits of such at the centen-
NAL have rendered our fruits world wide in
fame.
Thirty years experience in fruit growing in
Western Oregon has certainly taught our peo-
pie many useful lessons in pomology. Nearly
all that nursery-men and fruit-growers
here in early times knew, was obtained in
fruit books published in the States. These
were made up from data there. But it is a
well-known fact that west of the Rocky
Mountains the climate, soils and seasons
are very different from those of the
States. Not considering this fact, most of
fruit growers here selected and cultivated
fruit trees according to the system in the
East. Hence we found that number one
fruit for late keeping, here often turned out
second rate fall fruit. Hardy trees there
were easily killed here. It is, therefore,
only from actual experience here that we can
have a sure guide to direct us in selecting
fruit trees for new orchards-which are loud
ly called for here.
And the mode of culture here must also be
determined byactual experience. High culti-
walton, manuring and fall blowing of our Or
chards, should be abandoned The tender
young growth of the trees, if highly stimu-
lated, is liable to be killed by our cold snaps
in winter. I have observed that every
where have been, fruit trees planted out on
low, wet lands-especially 'oAite lands-have
nearly all died out. 1t is suggested that all
of our fruit trees, not injured on their
trunks, can be restored by cutting off, near
ly all the tops of them. This may succeed
in some cases, but it would be far better to
dig up all the old fruit trees and use the
land for grain or grasses. Never should
new orchards be planted out on the same
land where old orchards have grown.
The small rootlets of old trees'run under the
ground, as feeders, for twenty or thirty feet
each way. These have taken up the tree
food, and the proper elements that 60 to
make up wood and fruit are nearly ex-
hausted.
When set out large orchard, in 1853
to '5S, planted out twenty four varieties of
apple, and dozen varieties of plum and
pear trees. If 1 had the same to perform moa0,
1 should plant out about nine varieties, all
told, of apple, and four of plum and five of
pear The era of fruit growing here is at
hand. The fruit dryers of Plummer and
one or two others, have opened up to our
people new, a sure source Of wealth.
And it is we'll known that our canned sweet
corn, our delicious plums, blackberries,
raspberries and strawberries are in great de-
mand in outer ports. This is a profitable
and sure business for our people. The
preparation of the land for orchards, kinds
of trees and mode of culture can be known
from our nursery-men; but in no case should
fruit trees be planted on white or low, wet
lands. 1t is to be hoped that our people |
will never again buy fruit trees of tree ped
dlers, nor trees from the States that
are not acclimated here. Our nursery men
here are honorable, responsible persons, and
sell trees true to the labels upon them, and
we should encourage home trade and home
Rotation in crops, and more va
ried product of our articles for commerce, are
loudly called for. Our favored country has
varied resources of wealth besides wheat. |
Good economy would point out a rota-
tion in crops. DAVID NEwsoME.
Corvallis, February, 1879