The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1893-11-04
.Hood River Glacier.
HOOD RIVER, OR. NOV. 1, lSgS
The Hood River Fair.

izens of the Hood River district deter
mined to hold local fair tAjs year Wbd
carried out their determination }u u
very successful way. The fair was held
at Hood River, saturday Srptemhc,
30th. by a fortunate coincidence that
was the day fixed upon hN the Oregon
Editorial Association for taking an eN,
.cursion, and Hood River at once eN.
tended an invitation to visit that place,
which was accepted. The excursion ot
about $50 members Of the Oregon and
Washington press associations, mclud-
ing ladies, not only had the pleasure OF
witnessing the beautiful fruit display,
but were most pleasantly entertained
in the hospitable homes of the citizens OF
Hood River who deeply regretted the
short stay of their visitors. \ special
train was furnished for the excursion
by the Union Pacific railway company,
and General Passenger Agent Hurl-
burt accompanied the excursion to see
that everything went right Secretary
Sargent of the state board of horticul-
ture and Fred { Smith, agent of the
South Australian government and spe-
.cial correspondent Of Il number Of lead
ing papers of AGstrIia and New Xea-
land, Were special guests upon this occa,
sion.
of nf l4a F,ir
the display of apples. There was Il
,creditable showing of other fruits, both
fresh and canned, and of vegetables,
etc, but the apple exhibit was the best
probably that was ever made in the
state, and was pronounced by recent
visitors to the Columbia exposition as
fine as could be seen there. More than
100 varieties of apples were shown, and
as competition was keen, the leading
varieties were each represented by II
large number of plates. Some criticism
has been made upon the fact that SO
many varieties of apples have been
planted at Hood River, but it is TO be
remembered that the era of commercial
fruit growing is but just commencing
there, and this experimental WORK
which the fruit growers are engaged in
is likely to result in benefit in demon-
strating what varieties will prove most
profitable for raising on u large scale
At present Strawberries are the lead
ing fruit at Hood River. The ship
ments from that station the present
year amounted in value TO $780, The
strawberry business will grow, but
there can be no doubt that in time it
will be exceeded in importance by the
apple growing industry. The fact
must be accepted that the soil and eli
mate of the Hood river valley is pecu-
liarly favorable for raising apples, and
particularly winter apples. While the
majority of the residents of the valley
have not had much experience in fruit
growing, there appears to be a good
deal of disposition to learn, and the
hearty spirit of emulation SHOWN by
the large number of exhibitors AZ the
fair augurs we'll for future success.
One very pleasing feature at this fair
was the fact that, so far as cuTsory eX-
animation could determine, there was
not among the great number of apples
and pears upon the tables single spe-
,cimen which showed signs of either
worm or scab. 1t is sincerely to be
hoped that every fruit grower in that
valley will be impressed with the i'm
portance of Keeping in subsection the
insect and fungus foes which are al
lowed to ruin for shipping purposes the
great rart of the apples and pears
the state.
1t seems to be the general impression
that irrigation is necessary in raising
fruit at Hood River. 1t is true that ir-
rigation is necessary for strawberries
and other small fruits, but the greater
part of the apples and other tree fruits
are grown without irrigation. No ir-
rigation is used in the nursery of Dr.
Pilkington at that place, and yet his
stock shows as vigorous growth as
any one could possibly desire. This
growth was secured, however, by very
thorough and frequent cultivation
throughout the growing season, and
orchards which are not irrigated re.
quire the same kind of culture. There
can be no doubt that better results are
obtained by thorough culture without
irrigation than in carelessly cultivated
orchards which are irrigated.
The committee which had charge of
the Hood River fair was composed of
Messrs. E. L. Smith, NJ. V. Harrison,
T.. Z. Heald, w. P. Watson and w. J. /
Baker, and they deserve credit for the
successful manner in which they car
Tied out the fair.
Of the fruit at Hood River, ten boxes
were selected for the Columbian exposi- /
ton, and very fine exhibit was also
made up for the Portland exposition.
The OregOaid,a of October 1st devotes
q column To the visit of the press asso-
citation to our fruit exhibit last Satur- /
hav We nIiOta halnNy Cop1a of tha BIND /