The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1901-04-12
3tood River GLACIER
FRIDAY, APRIL l2, 1901.
From Orchard 10 Table.

Extracts from an address by j. W.
Nelson Of the California Fruit Gamers
Association, before the 25th annual state
Fruit Growers Conventions
"And the Lord God planted garden
eastward in Eden for man whom He Great
ed to dress it and to keep it, so says the
Oldest book in the world of which we have
any knowledge, and il ii proves any
thing, II proves that primeval man was
horticulturist and fruit eater before
the cultivation of grain was thought of.
There we're no Gamers In those days and
no fruit buyers, as producers and con-
sumers we're one and the same, and long
ages had passed by before the art or the
pecessity OF fruit preserving became
known.Some Of the products OF the or
chard keep tolerably well all the year
around but most of them donot thence ars
es the fruit Gamers art, and thanks 10 it,
the most delicious Of the products Of the
orchard can now be had in prime condi-
tion every day in the year.
When we reflect that this tonnage runs
over billion pounds, we have but a
faint conception OF the number of tables
necessary to accommodate il, to say
nothing Of the millions who gather
around them TO partake OF this most val
liable food. In almost every city and
hamlet in this country and the United
Kingdom, in the isles of the sea, in fact
in every city OF any prominence in the
commercial world, canned or preserved
fruits from California's orchards may be
found on somebody's table, and can be
obtained all the year round.
The growing OF fruit is as much a
science as is the profession OF civil engi-
neering, and the one most conversant
with IL will have the best success. 1t is
because Of lack of knowledge of this
science that many blunders have been
made in fruit growing all over the state.
For instance, apricots and cherries have
been planted in soil where peaches and
pears should have been set instead and
vice versa, and this has been true of
other varieties as well, but there is no
excuse for such errors from this time
forth as experience and better under
standing OF the subject has taught what
TO plant and when to plant it.
A matter of great importance is to
raise fruit of the proper size and quality.
The interest of the grower and Gamer is
reciprocal; the latter is large patron
OF the former, buying from him over
100000 pounds of fruit annually, and
10 be successful they must at all times
work hand in hand together. Often
times differences arise between them in
regard to the delivery of fruit which do
not come up to the requirements of the
~ al IN ifxto
er condition, and as consequence, the
Gamer makes vigorous kick, and is
compelled to make reflections.
1t is fact that some growers have
made a tender of fruit for canning that
should have been left in the orchard and
fed to stock. Nor is sufficient care taken
in picking fruit. Some actually throw
peaches and other fruit into the box as
though they were so many potatoes,
when they should handle them as care
fully as eggs to avoid bruising. When
fruit is bruised decay sets in and renders
1t unfit for canning. Then, again, fruit
is often shipped in large boxes contain
ing too much weight. Another objec-
ton is the picking OF fruit too green in
stead OF in a ripened state.
If our tables are to be properly sup
piled, then fruit must be clean, OF prop
er size, free from insects, and gathered
and shipped in proper condition. Do
not imagine for a moment that people
are not particular as to what they get in
canned fruit; they are very discriminat-
ing indeed and any old thing will not
satisfy them.
1t will not do to send to market trashy
fruits, expecting first-rate returns; nor
is it to be supposed that the consumer
will accept it without a remonstrance.
1t were better thousand times to keep
1t on the ranch, and ship only such as
will be acceptable to the buyer
II our western fruit growers are alive
to their interests, they will put forth
their best efforts to produce an article
OF unexceptional quality and be willing
to offer it at price that will enable the
average wage Garner to purchase it, 1t
is the man with the hoe, so to speak,
whom the growers of the state must look
to as a steady consumer of their fruit,
when sold at a mode ate price; every
dinner pail or table may be expected to
contain some variety of fruit every day
in the year.