The Columbus journal., 1896-06-17
Grp.um for Alkalt Soils.

Robert H. Forbes, chemist of the Ari-
zona experiment station makes the
following statement in bulletin 1S OF
that station respecting the use of gyp-
sum on alkali land:
1.-The cost of gypsum depends
largely upon freight rates. 1t may be
gotten as low as two cents a pound.
Arizona contains undevel0ped supplies
Of gypsum.
1t is said that a surface dress
ing Of gypsum will enable tender plants
to make start in alkaline soils. When
the crop is large enough to shade the
ground, evaporation and rise of aikali
is retarded and the crop may be safely
matured.
3.-In the case Of fruit trees as with
annual plants injury most usually re-
suits from the corrosive action of the
alkaIi Just at the surface of the ground.
The soil, however, and its bottom
waters, may be SO salty as to injure
the trees through its roots.
4.-Gypsum improves the tilth of
alkaline soils by acting upon and
changing the sodium carbonate to
which the lumpy character of these
soils is largely due.
5.-The water of Salt river contains
small amounts of gypsum in solution.
The use of this water for irrigation
ought therefore to result in a gradual
disappearance of black alkai wherever
it is applied.
6.-Wood ashes contain consider able
amount of potassium carbonate, a sub
stance having properties similar to
those of sodium carbonate. The use
of ashes on land already afflicted with
alkali is therefore not advisable.
Prune Growing tn Oregon.
The prune industry has grown to be
one OF the most important interests in
the state. Already it has assumed great
er proportions than all other orchard
industries. AS the favorite fruit crop
Of Oregon, it has much in its favor;
the trees are sure to bear, there are no
climatic conditions to overcome, the
finished product is not perishable, and
Its insect pests and fungOus diseases are
less numerous than other fruits. The
trees suffer, it is true, from several pests,
but they are slight Affections in COM
parison to the Goblin moth and apple
scab of the apple and pear, and, until
We have curculio and black knot, which
render plum growing in the east almost
impossible. We can say that prunes are
free from diseases. Moreover, there is
a growing demand for the product, dried
and green, which promises we'll for the
industry. There are about $4,000 acres
devoted to prune growing in Oregon.
Prunes are grown throughout the west
ern part of the state and along the COi-
umbia and its tributaries in northern
and eastern Oregon. but the major part
OF the industry is comprised in the Will
annette and Gmpqua river valleys. In
the Willamette Valley. there arc about
1900 acres of rrune orchards. As yet
most of these orchards are on the black
ailuvial soil near the river. and have
not to any appreciab!e extent en-
croached upon the red hill soil farther
away, though that this soil will produce
prunes is certain. The second largest
prune district is the Umpcua River VAL
ley. Here there are about $500 acres of
prune orchards. The valley of the Ump-
qua seems to be the most favored region
for prunes, trees and fruit reaching
their highest perfection there. The
Petite or French prure especially seems
to thrive; the Italian can be as well,
and perhaps better. grown in the Will
annette Valley. The Petite prune, and
the Italian more or less, are grown very
successfully in the Rogue River Valley
also, where there are approximately
1.50O acres. Attempts are being made
to grow prunes in Hocd River Valley
and along the Columbia in eastern Ore
gon. but experienced orchard;sts say
that these sections cannot we'll com
pete with the more favored prune To-
calities. and that their splendid fruit
resources can be used to better advant-
age In growing other fruits. In these
districts there are about $500 acres
u. p. Hedrick.