The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-04-04
LOCAL FRUIT GROWERS
Met Last Saturday and Effected
a Temporary Organization.

Pursuant to call recently issued, several
prominent fruit growers assembled in the
county court room last Saturday for the
purpose of discussing the adrisability of
organizing horticultural society. The
Injecting was called to order by w. III. Hart
less and Prof f. R. Lake was chosen tempo.
lrary chairman. and f. P. Sheasgreen, tenn
porary secretary. On taking the chair Prof.
Lake stated, ,that:th object of the meeting
was to effect an organization for the encour-
agement of the fruit interests. He thought
1.-THE society would not at once be able to at :
tain the prominence and influence enjoyed
iby the older organizations, such are in
fourishing condition at Newberg, Hood Ri.
yer, Vancouver, Ashland, Portland and else.
where, but by active, energetic work a socie.
ty here could be made of much benefit to
the horticultural interests. Mr.. Lake
thought the large orcharoists would be able
to care for themselves, but organization was
essential to promote the interests of small
growers The matter of properly grading
fruit, so that it will command the best
prices, was subject in which all growers
were mutually interested. He further stat
ed that there were two separate fields OF
the organization of the society-one educa.
tional, the other commercial-and believed
that it should combine both.
w. FL Hairless stated that some ], 600
acres of prunes would come into bearing
either this season or next, and believed the
organization contemplated was one in the
fright direction. He was also of the opinion
that Linn county growers should be request
ed to identify themselves with the move
ment as their interests were identical with
ours By making the society a distinct
organization it would be stronger and COM
mand more attention.
/ Mr.. Woodward believed that organization
was the only salvation for the fruit interests.
He paid Prof. Lakea deserved mpliment
for the interest he had taken in the old
society, which he said had died shortly after
Mr.. Lake left for Washington several years
tago. He was of the opinion that the room
formerly occupied by the society, in the
south east corner of the court house, could
again be had from the county court for a
similar purpose.
Samuel Daw, a representative from Linn
county, stated that in his cornty 1000 acres
of prune trees would come into bearing this
year. He thought growers from his section
would take an active interest in the new
society, providing the meetings were held
portion of the time in Linn county. He
made some interesting statements regarding
results attained byeehimself in pruning. He
said that prune trees ought not to be pruned
back after they were five years old, as trees
pruned after that time would make no wood
growth He heartily favored combining the
commercial and educational features and
claimed that best results could be secured
in marketing fruit, by shipping in large
quantities to prominent dealers in large
commercial centers.
I'll. NJ Finley favored organization, and
believed that an assoca tion of ideas would
result in great benefit. He believed that
incorporation of the commercial feature into
but thought it would come in due time In
speaking of the probable yield of trees, Mr..
Finley related his experience, stating that
he had an orchard of 1000 italian trees
which bore only two hundred bushels when
five, years old, but the following year the
same trees produced 5000 bushels. He was
of the opinion that the normal yield of FIVE
year old italians would be one-half bushel
per tree.
Geo NJ Mcdonald and others were also
enthusiastic in favcriug the organization,
believing that the movement was exactly
what the fruit growers needed.
On motion committee of five on perma-
nent organization wassappointed and instruct
ed to draft a constitution and bylaws and
report the last Saturday in April, at which
time it is che intention to effect q perma-
nent organization. This committee includes
E. r. Lake, as chairman, Geo. nj. McDon-
aid, H. NJ. Finley, P. H. Sheasgreen, w. H..
Hairless and B. w. johnson. They are
corresponding with several prominent fruit
men in different parts of tho state, and hope
to have ct least one speaker from abroad
present at the next meeting.
Those who are interested in the new move
ment are all actual fruit growers. They
seem to be enthusiastic for the success of the
society, and if the first meeting be taken as
a criterion; they will succeed. The society
is one with which all fruit growers of the
county should become identified. It is
something that has been needed, and as the
beneficial effect of tho organization will ac-
crue to all alike, it is very probable that
every enterprising, progressive orchardist in
this section will become an active member.
The names of those who;signifed will
| ingness' to become members are as follows:
: w. II. HAIRLESS, F. P Sheasgreen,
o G. NJ. Mcdonald, S. McLain,
: j. ID. Howell E. Woodward,
. is. n. Lilly, A. w. Rose
]. s. Heron, J. w. Heron,
H. M. Finley, B. w. johnson,
a r. Taka n I.oksor