Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-04-09

year: the rapid increase Of popula-
ton III the surrounding country, CATS
ing an unlimited demand for fruit, and
the building of the railroad, about to
be finished, giving assurance of pos
sibilitv to supply that demand. That
this changed condition is appreciated
bv our land owners is evidenced by the
fact that numerous orchards have been
planted within a few years, in extent
many times surprising those in bear
ing now, and that many more are
being planted this spring.
Besides producing apples, pears, cher
rics, plums, prunes, in such quantities
and of such high quality as to astonish
visitors when they first behold them,
these valleys are eminently fitted for
growinP the tenderer fruits, such as
peaches, almonds, nectarines and april
cots. 1t is true that occasional hard
winters destroy this latter crop, but
this occurs less frequently even
than in those portions of the eastern
and middle states, which have become
justly celebrated for their ability to
produce these crops.
But the one fruit which surpasses
all others in excellence, and seems to
find here the very conditions essential
to its hest development, is the grape,
nor is its cultivation restricted to the
hardy varieties such as are grown in the
Atlantic sea-board and in the Missis-
sippi valley, but includes the very fin
est varieties of the European grape of
the WINS vinifora family, whose sue
cessful growth in America has ever
been believed to be restricted to Cali
fornia. AS grown here, this grape not
only rivals the California product, but
in quality is even pronounced by con-
noisseurs as eXceiling it, and this has
again been demonstrated by the YER
dict of the jury experts at the Portland
Mechanics Fair last fall, who pro-
nounce! grapes, grown in the Clear
water valley, AS of higher quality than
the same variety grown in California,
both being exhibited side by side. 1t
is Il remarkable fact but one which has
been recognized for years in Europe,
that the finest favored grapes are
grown near the northern limit of their
possible cultivation. 1t may seem
strange, but is true, that varieties
which can be grown as Il field crop
here, by giving them light winter
protection, cannot be produced in the
eastern or southern states, excepting in
glass houses and at a great expense,
and, of course, are of such high price
that only the wealthiest can afford
them rs II luxury. A climate which
affords such possibilities can certainly
in all fairness be considered one of the
assets of Il country.
/ But limited number Of varieties Of
/ the grape have as yet been planted ex
tensively, and their success has in
duced the planting, in an experimental
way, of nearly the whole list of TIL,
finer grapes grown in California, anf
the chances are that some of them viii
still show better results in this climate
but, should none of them prove o
more value than those already grown
the fitness Of the country for grape
growing is established beyond a doubt
and this will eventually become tn
largest branch Of the fruit industry.
The uneXcel!ed combination of con
ditions favorable to fruit tree growtl
is, however, proven in the most forcibl
manner by the high quality present il
Seeding fruits originating here, ther
being number of apple and pear seed
lings growing now bearing better frui
than many Of the we'll known olde
varieties. The most remarkable cas-
in point is the "Idaho Pear" origina