The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-07-02
Far Famed Hood River.


BY d. A. Hanna in Chicago Packer
Hood River, Oregon, June l5.-As a
irult growing district, this valley has
become famous for its Yellow Newtown
Pippin apples and strawberries. The
apples are almost all exported. while
the strawberries are shipped to the Mid
uie west, and on account Of their fine
color and keeping qualities they com
mand the very highest market price of
any shipped to the Eastern markets.
Last season there we're 95 cars of ber-
RES shipped East. The crop this season
IS estimated at l25 cars They are now
Oelng shipped East at the rate of 10 cars
per day.
APPLE ACREAGE INCREASING.
There are estimated to be l25 cars of
export apples. The new acreage con-
stantly coming in will cause the crop to
increase each year. The Spitzenbure
apple Is also great favorite here as one
OF the export apples. The packing is
done by the Davidson Fruit company and
the Hood River Fruit Growers union
The latter has 175 members. mostly
berry growers and handles about one
hall the crop.
IDEAL FRUIT COUNTRY.
Il BOD River has about 1900 people and
is located on the hills of the Columbia
river at the junction of the Hood river.
1t has fine climate and good water. The
success Of the fruit business is partly
credited to the fact that the farms are
all small, in some cases three or four
acres. There are no large farms or orch
ards here.
FAMOUS HOOD RIVER BERRY.
The Hood River strawberry has be-
come famous on account of its firmness,
high color and keeping qualities, which
enables it to be shipped long distances
without loss. During the past season
there was shipped from Hood Rivel
about 80 cars, bringing net returns of over
$l25,OOO to growers. The usual average
net to growers has been for two years
about 50 per crate.
Remarkable success has been obtained
in realizing large returns from small
piece of ground. +. G.. Church from a
space OF II acres received gross for his
crop $SO2. ID. S. Crapper has harvested
from 4118 acres 1850 crates, worth about
" per crate. IL. G. Hengst from "a
acres, 400 crates. Mr.. Trenor of White
Salmon, realized 5000 from little over
q acres in strawberries, without irriga.
tlon. 5. G. Zeigler, of White Salmon.
700 crates from - acres-his receipts
were $l,736. d. K. Miller in one day
shipped 100 crates from 10 acres, and for
the season 1920 crates William David.
son from acre 1859 crates, worth about
$2 per crate. Markely Bros gathered
200 crates from l acre set the previous
July. A. N. Rahm cleared $l400 from
y acres in 1901. In 1902 he gathered
1928 crates worth So Aaron Butts
on 10 acres, $500 crates. E. d. Eatinger
on l4119 acres, 1913 crates. G. G. Met.
calf, 1856 crates of fine berries from 2-3 OF
an acre.
SUCCESS IN APPLES.
The apples of Hood River have be-
come as famous as its berries. There is
very long growing season, freedom
from extreme heat and cold, and abun-
dance OF rain or water for irrigation.
The apples are remarkable for size, Quail
lty, color and long keeping qualities.
The highest prices are obtained for these
apples of any raised in any portion Of
the United States 1t is one of the few
sections of the United States where the
Newtown Pippin and Spitzenburg meet
with perfect success.
Sufficient acreage has been planted to
yield in few years 800 carloads of this
fruit annually. IL. Prigge from II acres
OF apples, several varieties, sold $735
worth. Sears d Porter gathered from
pa acres in 1901, 1,414 boxes of apples
worth 9S9 cents box, and from same
trees in 1902, 2,700 boxes. From 10 Red
Piss,i trees YEARS years 3id, Gi sold 203
Boxes at 81 .35 for $253.75. From Bald
win trees gathered 104 packed boxes,
sold for $104-this is at the rate of 81 200
per acre. G. Dethman from 5 acres in
1901 sold 81 800 worth, in 1902 his crop
was 2,30O boxes, worth $4,000.
AND CHERRIES, TOO.
Cherries of all kinds are very success
full and profitable Are used also extern
sively for canning. Growers realize from
to Z cents per pound net. From one
tree of the Royal Ann II. T. Williams
realizes 400 pounds annually, which he
sells for $40. From trees, same variety,
Robert Rand realizes $50. L. Locke
has trees producing still more abundant
ly. One hundred trees can be planted
per acre. The cherry is exempt here
from bursting.
OTHER FRUITS.
The pear is an unqualified success.
No blight is known, and every variety
can be grown with certain assurance Of
health. w. j. Baker in 1901, gathered
10 tons of Bartlett pears from about 2
acres in 1902 nearly 20 tons. Il. Locke
from Beurre D. Anjou trees, an average
of 10 boxes per tree. This is over 1900
bushels per acre.
Mr.. Byrkett of White Salmon gath
cred, in 1902, from 2pear trees, 75 bushel
boxes Of pears. NJ. Stranahan has gath
cred over J ton Of prunes from one tree.
Alfred Boorman gathered over 100 crates
of blackberries from less than d OF an
acre. Mr., Bailey, jr., realized 800 from
a acre of blackberries.
Tomatoes are successful and in great
demand by Gamers at $40 per ton, A
conservative estimate gives yield Of Is
or more tons per acre.