The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1890-10-03
HORTICULTURAL,

That the Willamette valley and, in fact,
all western Oregon is pre-eminently fruit
producing country is attested by the phe-
nomenal growth of native fruits. That the
dissemin alton of information relative to
this subject is of much Importance in the
building up of our commonwealth will not
be denied; but that such information should
be beyond the semblance of ''fishlness" is a
point that apparently seems not so well
agreed to. Only few weeks since we read
follows in an Oregon paper: can or
chard seven years old with one hundred
and eight trees bearing eight to ten bushels.
This gives two hundred sixteen bushels to
the acre, and making the low estimate of
one-third dried fruit from the green product
would give twenty pounds of dried fruit to
each bushel, twenty-five pounds would be
nearer correct, but at twenty there would
be four thousand three hundred thirty
pounds of product ready for market. This
can be easily marketed at a total expense
of three and one half cents per pound,
leaving all over that sum for profit. This
years crop is being marketed at from nine
to ten cents per pound, there is profit of
fully six cents, and on yield Of two bush.
els to the tree this gives profit of at least
$3.50 per acre." New, while this may be
generally speaking near enough for news
| paper it is far from satisfactory when used
az the basis of argument for immigration.
So far as our best published information
on this subject is concerned these figures
are some distance from actual experience.
| The above figures are gi ven as averages, ex-
cept the price this year, and as such ought
| to be modified. So far as the bulk of green
fruit Is concerned that is well enough, but
| from actual test, one bushel of Italian
| prunes weighs 56 pounds and when we'll
dried ID. It is a question whether they
can be put on the market in first-class con-
dition for three and one.half cents per
pound. Our best producers are inclined to
say one cent more. Then the figures of
this years market ought not to be quoted
as an average but rather use prices for an
ordinary season. Eight to nine cents is
fair. On this basis the figures would be
changed to read about like this: 2l6
bushels equals 1906 pounds green fruit;
when dried this is equal to about 1924
pounds of frst-class dried product. This
at nine cents per pound would give $272. l6
total alue of the FIRST grade. From this
take cost of production at four and one-half
cents per pound-$l36. 0S-and we have left
$l36 OS for profits. So far we have left out
the fact of a certain amount of second
L II. 80,
stance increase the figures to $3.50. These
are safe figures for every year in well titled
orchards for the age given. As they get
older of course larger profits would result.
But it is not prunes alone that afford such
splendid profits. Apples, pears, and cher
ries are equally good. In some localities
we may in a few years, be able to say
peaches also. Even now much larger profits
are obtained from this latter fruit in the
Rogue river valley but we are speaking
more especially of the Willamette valley.
This year orders were received in Port
land for carloads (?) of Royal Ann cherries
; after the whole available product had been
marketed. Next year the orders would
inc rease had we been able to meet them
this year, for wherever frst'class Oregon
frui goes it is ever welcome.
This is not an exceptional year. speaking
. broadly. Many other sections have had
good crops. But each year sees steadily
| increasing consumption; and many of the
i. foreign fruit producing centers have reached
their utmost capacity of production it is
E left for these newer sections, among which
the Pacific coast, and especially the favored
e northwest valleys-is foremost, to furnish
the increased amount required. There is
! 10 danger Of OVERRIDING this matter. Only
about one man in every ten that has any
} inclination towards fruit culture will make
) a success of it-simply because it requires
more skill, tact and forethought than they
are willing to give-so that to the earnest,
industrious man who can ''stlck" through
the first five years while the orchard is
;. starting, give it good culture and not starve
8 it by taxing off other crops, it offers an ex-
, ceptionally bright opening. UNo.