Arizona republican., 1894-04-22
FRUIT GROWERS.
Interesting Meeting at the
 Court House Yesterday.
Figures Shown By the Fruit Tree Census-An Institute to Be
 Organized.

The mass meeting of farmers, held at the court house yesterday afternoon under the auspices of the Marlcopa Horticultural soclety, was we'll attended The object of the meeting was primarily to organize an institute of farmers and fruit growers.
 Chairman Hurst presided and Farmer J. P. King of the Saturday Review was made secretary.
 The compilation of the census of fruit trees, recently taken by MT. J. N. Armstrong, chairman of the executive committee of the horticultural society, and county fruit inspector J. B. Bettler, has been completed and was presented by MT. Armstrong.
 It contained many interesting and surprising facts concerning the fruit industry in the valley. A careful esti- mate showed that the crop this year would be five times as large as that of last year, and if satisfactory rates could be obtained of express and railroad companies, an average of carload of fruit day could be shipped from the valley for three months after the open ing of the season.
 The reading of the report was inter- rupted by frequent discussions of facts presented.
 The census showed that there are in the county 25 ,000 apricot trees over three years old 93, ,000 under three years, and 11,000 giving promise of an enormous crop.
 Of pears there are 15,747 three year old trees, and 43,000 under; plums, 1000 trees, which will yield several car loads. The quince crop will be heavy, though until lately little attention has been paid to this fruit.
 There are 1000 bearing almond trees and 55, 900 under bearing age.
 Of orange trees there are 90,000 of which 2,500 are heavily laden. There are ,000 lemon trees the fruit of which has been pronounced superior in size, thinness of rind and acidity to any other grown on the western continent. There are "A, 900 fig trees and 5000 olive trees.
 The strawberry crop throughout the valley was found to be almost without limit and the berries particularly those of the Arizona ever bearing variety are of unusual size, color and flavor.
 Mulberry trees were found every where. There are l 100000 grape vines in the county.
 The apple and the cherry trees are doing well and are well set with fruit proving to horticulturalists that those fruits supposed to belong exclusively to more rigorous climate are equally well adapted to the soil and sun of the valley.
 Much interest is being taken in the growing of blackberries and similar fruits.
 The orchards and vineyards of the valley were generally found to be in @ thriving condition notwithstanding 8 want of intelligent care in many in- stances.
 The subject of fertilizing which has heretofore never claimed the attention of farmers and fruitgrowers was dis cussed.
 The matter of the institute was taken up and it was agreed that the best method was to organize it by branches in the various communities of the county. The following executive com- mittee to arrange the dates of general meeting of the farmers and growers was appointed: W. <. Johnson, Mesa Rev. w. H. Winter, Tempe; J. N. Arm strong, Phoenix; H. W. Adams, Glen dale, and Chaplain Scott, at large. A meeting of the institute was appointed to be held at the court house next Saturday.
 B. N. Johnson and J. N. Armstrong were appointed delegates to the Hor. ticultural convention to be held at the midwinter fair. They left last night for San Francisco.