The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1902-01-14
TO PROTECT FRUIT.
County INSPECTOR Beck Outlines Work for the
Coming Year.

Coming Year.
County Fruit Inspector Beck has been
notified by the state inspector that he
would he required to give more attcn-
ton to the fruit pest in this valley here
after and that the law on the subject
must be rigidly enforced during the year
1902. This is not Il recommendation of
the state inspector, but an imperative
command based on Il decision OF the at
torney general. There had been some
question as To- the constitutiunaltv of
the law and in many of the counties the
inspectors hcsitatcd about acting for
fear of legal implications. County
commissioners had, in some instances,
also hcsitated about supporting the
county inspectors on account of the uues-
ton that had been raised. The attor-
ney general in an opinion recently held
that the law was constitutional, that
the state inspector had full power to en-
force it and that the counties must foot
the bills
State Inspector Van Holdcnbcke in
formed County Inspector Beck of the
attorney generals opinion and directed
him to at once begin vigorous fight
against the pest in the valley. Before
doing anything Mr.. Beck brought the
matter before the commissioners and
they readily gave their consent to coop
crate with him in the work. With this ac-
complished the inspector feels free now to
do some work that he hopes will become
effective. His first step will be to cut
down all the cottonwood trees in the
city. They are the most prolific breed
ing grounds of the scale in the valley,
and those trees within the city limits
are covered with that pest. After this
is done the trees adjoining orchards in
the county will also be eliminated. Fol-
lowing this work he will put in use
systematic plan OF spraying fruit trees
that are not looked after by their owners.
The solution will be prepared by the in
spector and with two assistants all
orchards found unspraycd after GER
tain date will be attended to by the in
spector at the expense of the owner.
The cost of such enforced spraying will
be at the least possible expense and
those who refuse to meet the bill will
ingly judgement will be entered against
them and collection enforced.
1t is recognized by the people of the
valley that the pest must be combatted
by every means possible to keep it from
spreading. While it is not as bad here
as in many others parts of the United
States it is the plan of those who have
the future interest of the valley at heart
to prevent it from spreading and be-
coming more formidable. 1t is to be
hoped that the people will readily lend
their aid to the county inspector in
carrying out his plans of fighting the
fruit pest.
Mr.. Beck has secured the aid of the
mayor and city council in his work of
cleaning this city of the cottonwoods.
A number of residents who have the
trees surrounding their property have
also consented to the tree cutting, and
there will not likely be any trouble in
getting rid of them entirely.
With regard to the spray the inspector
says he will use nothing but that which
has been tested in California and east
ern states and proved to be the best
This is the solution of lime, salt and sui
phur. No other kind will be permitted
to be used for this is the only spray
that proved effective last year. Any
body who wishes trees sprayed can
have it done at actual cost by apply
ing to the inspector.