The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1899-05-20
AN APPEAL TO FRUITGROWERS
They Are Urged by the Horticultural
Board to Care for Trees.
PORTLAND. Ore. May 6, 1899.
EDITOR TIMEs-MoUNTAINEER.

IOhILAND, Ore., MAY oi iO00'
EDITOR TINES -MoUNTAINEER.
The season is at hand for the culti-
vation of and caring for our fruit trees
this summer. The small crop likely
to be gathered this fall. owing to the
unreasonable climatic conditions, will
have tendency to cause many grow
need the utmost care and nursing. 1t
is very human to do our utmost when
everything is fourishing, and~profts
apparently large, to force matters;
and equally human to drop everything
| when the reverse is the case.
In several of the reports issued
through the press and leaflets, by the
U. 5. Weather Buread, it is asserted
that the unreasonable cold wave in
February had done little or no damage.
These reports are no doubt compiled
from the statements received from
local observers and correspondents
throughout the state, and coming
from such source and high authority
as the q. S. Weather Bureau. are pre-
sumed to be correct and reliable, and
are very naturally believed by the
frultgrowers. Advices received a.
this office, however, from practical
fruitgrowers and members of this board
from the various districts, are of a
different nature, and the damage done
is becoming more and more apparent
every day, especially in the middle
Willamette valley and parts OF Eastern
Oregon; the Umpqua and Rogue River
valleys escaped without injury. we
know now that thousands of prune
trees have been killed on lands not
adapted to fruit raising, and thousands
of others planted on more favorable
land have been seriously injured, and
if neglected many will either die or
become permanently crippled, and
such trees need utmost care right
now.
The continued cold rain, which
makes the fruit drop, naturally tends
to discouragement. and in addition,
neglect of the orchard will invite
fungus diseases and insect pests. and
for these reasons alone the spray
pump must be kept going, regardless
of any crop or no crop. We would
therefore urge most earnestly upon
owners of injured or fruitless trees,
not to become discouraged, but to give
their trees extra care, by pruning off
injured limbs, spraying, and most
thorough cultivation of the soil, for
they need it much more right now
then if in healthy condition. Good
result is certain to follow by the fruit
some of these trees may yet bear
this year being larger and
finer, and by reason of this extra care
such trees will start with renewed
viyor and reward their owners for this
additional work with an abundant
crop the coming year.
Reverses are met with in all walks
of life-the merchant. the banker. the
artisan and. grain farmer, all share
alike in off years, SO to speak-why
should the fruitgrower be exempt even
in this most favored state of ours?
Oregon fruits are finding favor in
many old markets, and with the new
markets opening up to US, the demand
is certainly increasing, but this
demand is only for first.class fruit. and
such fruit cannot be grown on neglect
| ed and diseased trees. The up-to-date
fruitgrower who will give his best
thoughts. care and attention to his
trees at such time as the present. is
sure to win in the end, by abundant
crops and remunerative prices; hence
we would say to all orchardists:
"Don't despair, don't be discouraged.
but keep on right along, as if we ex-
pected a most bountiful harvest, and
good results are certain to follow"
State Board Of Horticulture,
h. B. MILLER. Pres.
HENRY E. DoSCH, Sec.