The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-03-16

'>NS "a ~ uiiO tiCCS, OIlC-iIstlI vi Gllc
trees being s years old and one half 5
years old, ten tons of dried prunes,
worth, at market price, $250O. A. 7.
Weston, near Vancouver, from IT'S
trees (about one and a half acres)
dried 9314 pounds, worth $1116.6S.
take these as examples, merely be-
cause am familiar with the facts.
Hundreds of similar results were re-
corded all over the western half of the
state.
These figures are mostly in regard
to prune culture, which is found to be
the most profitable of all fruits, be-
cause it is made staple article by
drying and does not have to be rushed
upon the market in limited season.
And it dries so we'll, too, that cooking
restores it's freshness and juicy flavor.
SO 1T is exactly the kind of fruit for
miners, loggers, railroaders, or any
body away from markets, to keep in
supply. 1t is incompatible also for
winter use I think I am conserva-
tive in saving that prune orchards in
this state: at any rate west of the
mountains, average $500 to $500 net
annually per acre, and there is not a
failure on record
"Of course, peaches and pears do
almost as we'll here as prunes, but
their market is more limited. Peaches
and pears can be grown anywhere !;
prunes have favorite localities.
"Isn't there danger of OVERRIDING
the prune business?
"Not in the least. At the present
time California supplies nine-tenths
of all the prunes produced in the
United States. California's output
last year amounted to 46,O00,O0O
pounds. The most of the other tenth
was furnished by Washington. How
far this 81 100000 pounds will 60 may
be judged when it is remembered that
the population of the United States is
65,OOO,OOO. This is, approximately,
three-fourths of pound for every
person through the whole year. Ma
turally enough, we have to import
from Italy, Spain and France to make
up the annual shortage. Last year
alone we imported 1886, 100000 pounds.
That represents the neat sum of $24,-
100000.
"Surely, these figures will throw
light upon the subject for those who
have been familiar with the facts.
II believe every town in the state
ought to take up this matter. 1t
seems to me to be the most available
as we'll as the most profitable of Wash
ington's numberless resources. We
want our lands improved, and planted
to the best crops. In that way we
create business. The iron, coal, lum-
ber, silver and lead industries need
just such cooperation as prune cul-
ture will afford"
Mr.. Kaufman explained the pro-
cess of drying. He said the prunes
were dipped into preparation OF
water and lye, for the double purpose
of cleansing and lessening the tenacity
of the skin. The skin thus gave way
better and protected the meat more
closely than it would without the ef-
fects of the lye dipping.
Grating, Mr.. Kaufman added, calls
| for good decree of skill. The prune
sprout is grated upon peach stock
to insure the best fruit, for the peach
is inclined to have fewer stringers
than the prune tree. These stringers
sap the strength, and therefore they
should be avoided by the grating
method.
He confidently believes that the
| prune orchards in the state will this
year be increased by 10000 to $4,000
acres.-Ledger.