The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1903-03-15

connection with this study OF It's lie history we
wish to carry out some spraying experiments
preferably in cooperation with good or
chardist in the valley. If possible we also wish
to test certain power sprayers. | am writing you
to ascertain whether or not you think such work
will meet with the earnest support and encourage
ment of the commercial apple growers of the val
ley AS matters stand the codling moth prob
lem in the Yakima valley is, think the most i'm
portant one in connection with that insect which
now exists in this state. In case my preliminary
correspondence proves satisfactory l shall visit
the valley very soon so as to determine upon the
best point points in which to carry out the in
vestigations. 1t is our desire to carry these out
wholly with view of benefting the apple indus
try in the valleys of Eastern Washington"
This is splendid opportunity for Yakima
valley. The codling moth does us more
harm than any other insect if not more than
all other combined. To have the direct as
sistance of one of the leading entomologists
in the country in helping us to combat this
insect, will be great help to us. I am sure
that Prof. Piper or any other man whom he
may send to Our valley on such mission,
will meet warm welcome from the entire
brotherhood of fruit growers of the valley.
The results of these tests and experiments
will be published from time to time in The
Ranch and will no doubt be published final
ly in bulletin by the experiment station.
Let every fruit grower in the valley be
ready to extend helping hand as far as
may be necessary for the successful carry
ing out of these plans.
The writer of these notes is indebted to
some one in Oregon for copy of the sew
enth biennial report of the Oregon State
Board of Horticulture. 1t is valuable book
and shows that Our Oregon horticulturists
are fully abreast of the times in their work.
There are many valuable papers in this re-
port. There are also formulas for preparing
the various compounds used in spraying. L
know of no work on horticulture of which it
can be so truthfully said that it contains
"multum in parvo" There are many fine
engravings consisting of pictures of the lead
ing horticulturists of that state, orchards,
spraying outfits and the like. In many re-
spects, Oregon is decidedly in advance of
Washington We have no state board of
horticulture, but we ought to have. We
have state horticultural commissioner and
county fruit inspectors but they do not con-
stitute board of horticulture. The trouble
with us is that we have allowed the North
west Fruit Growers Association, which
takes in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Mon
tana and British Columbia, to take the place
of state organization. And that or
ganization has largely departed from
it's original purpose as indicated in
its name. 1t is not now strictly nor
chiefly an association of fruit growers. 1t
is composed now of some fruit growers, col
lege professors, commission men, railroad
and express agents. 1t is doing good work,
but it should not be allowed to take the
place of an organization of the Washington
fruit growers similar to the one in Oregon
and in most of the other states interested in