The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-01-17
Our Progress.
Northwest Horticulturist.

Northwest HOrticulturist
The past year has been one of general
prosperity for the fruit grower and dairy
man in the Pacific Northwest Fruits have
averaged very fair prices throughout the
entire season, and where orchards were
properly tended the fruit assorted and neat
ly packed, good prices have been realized
in nearly all cases. The dairy business has
Increased with wonderful rapidity. We are
improving very fast in our methods of man
afacturlng butter and cheese and
producing superior qualities. During the
late spring months the supply rather OK
ceeded local demand, and in certain sec
lions, where no storage facilities had been
provided, small sacrifice from prices
which otherwise might have been realized
was caused, but with increased butter prod
ucts, provision for its storage will be made.
In the western parts Of Oregon, Washing
ton and British Columbia fruit raising and
dairying are now tn. leading rural indus
tries (not considering numbering and fish
ing). The humid atmosphere and even
temperature 1nsures both quantity and
quality of the standard fruits generally
grown in this latitude. There ls more
money made from fruit growing than from
any other cultivated product in this section.
Following this, dairying ranks second in
profit because both clover and oats, which
are the best dairy feeds, are produced lux
uriantly and in great abundance and the
suitable conditions for handling dairy prod
ucts.
East Of the Cascade mountains wheat
raising leads, with fruit second and dairy
ing third. In the arid regions orchard
planting has progressed rapidly the past
year, and prices obtained for fruits have
averaged much better than during the two
previous years.
During the spring planting season of last
year, the prune was planted more extern
sively over this entire Northwest than anv
other class, and beginning with the last
planting season winter apples are taking
the lead. According to present prospects.
continued planting of prunes, apples, cher
ries, apricots and pears in sections suitable
to each respective class is advisable There
is a growing demand for each and all of
these fruits, either in the fresh form or
put up according to the best established
methods.
AS rule orchards have received better
care than during previous years. We are
beginning to make spraying a regular part
of the culture. We have also learned that
the soil must be thoroughly titled trees
kept growing, pruned and trained SO as TO
bear the largest crops possible without de-
terioratlng the quality of the fruit or in
juring the trees. We are more particular
about the purchase Of our trees, to procure
them from the best and nearest home
nurseries, and to require that thew shall
have large roots, smooth trunks, not head
ed too high and free from all injurious in
sects and plant diseases.
We are beginning to make a free use Of
vitriol and lime, Bordeaux mixture. for nre-
venting shabby fruit. Much improvements
was noticed in sections on the western di-
vision in this particular last year. Several
reports have been received where. bv MS
ing these mixtures as directed, perfectly
smooth fruit had been produced, which sold
at the highest market prices while fruit
from the same trees the year previous was
SO scabby as to be scarcely salable at any
price.
In the irrigated districts growers are be-
ginning to understand how to make bet-
ter and more moderate use of water. using
the cultivator more freely. When the frnit
is nearly grown and ready to rpen the
water is more promptly withdrawn from
the field.
With the improvements made during the
year. complaints still come from merchants
N the local and through markets that the
fruits must be more carefully assorted. A
few Of the leading fruit growers have
taken special pains, and are now building