Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1903-08-21
CROP IS NOT DAMAGED
Prune Growers Say Hot Weather
Has Not Injured the Fruit to
Any Great Extent.


Has Not Injured the Fruit to
Any Great Extent.
The hot weather of the past few
days has been hailed with satisfaction
by the hopgrowers, for the reason
that it has checked the spread OF
vermin and frightened the prospects
for clean crop; but among some OF
the prune men there has been no such
spirit of rejoicing. A few days ago, a
number Of the prominent orchardists
were greatly alarmed lest the prune
crop might be seriously damaged by
the hot, dry weather, but it now ap-
pears that in most instances these
fears were groundless and that no bad
results are likely to follow. In
dividual estimates Of the crop differ,
but, after careful investigation Of
the situation, it is safe to say that the
1908 prune crop will be about up to
the usual average.
The OBSERVER has eldeavored to
ascertain as nearly as possible the
true condition of the orchards in the
hills around Dallas, and to this end
has personally interviewed a number
ofthe leading growers. Their opinions
are given herewith:
NJ M. Ellis-''I have rot examined
any except my own AID the Hayes
orchards. While there are many
prunes on the ground, the drop is not
all off yet, and from present appear
ances it will be much heavier than
usual The hot weather does not ap-
pear to have dwarfed the growth of
the fruit, and I think it will be of
good, fair size. I estimate that my
orchard will fall short from 25 to 40
per cent this year. would safely
place the crop at go per cent of that of
last year."
r. L. Chapman, the owner of a So
acre orchard north of town, said
'"There is q considerable drop in my
orchard, but, judging from present
prospects, sufficient fruit will remain
on the trees to insure good crop.
The dry weather has not injured the
fruit in the least on the contrary, it
has helped it, as it has developed the
sugar in the prunes and will cause
them to dry heavier. In wet seasons,
the prunes grow to good size, but
they are usually watery, and dry
light. Notwithstanding the fact that
we trimmed the trees heavily last
year, I look for larger crop than
usual Thorough cultivation has
kept the moisture close to the surface
Of the ground, and the trees are green
and healthy"
II. S. Butz-'Polk county will pro-
duce more prunes this year than it
did last year, and from all appear
ances they will be large. I have
talked with many growers, and
almost without exception they report
good for large crop. 1t Is
true that many prunes are dropping
off the trees, but it should be remem-
bered that they do this every year.
The drop in my orchard this year is
no heavier than usual. My trees are
fine, and SO are those of my
E. H. Hibbard. In some
localities in the county, curl leaf is
more noticeable than usual do not
know whether this is caused by dry
or moi"
J. B. Nunn-"There is no question
IN my mind but that the hot weather
If the past week has injured the prune
crop. The heat has checked the growth
If the fruit, and much of it is dropping
rom the trees. [ estimate my loss at
IS per cent"
H. G. Campbell-''My trees are full
@ the point of breaking. They are as
'ull as / want them in fact, it would
De better for them If some of the fruit |
we're removed. The trees are green
Ind healthy. | will have a larger
'rop than had last year"
DR.. Mark Hayter-"Tt is not too l
arly to say that Will have larger |
rop than ever before. My orchard is c
n healthy condition, and the young {
rees, especially, have made a sur l
'rising growth. I cannot see that the
lot weather has injured the fruit in t
he least. =
VIM. Grant-"If there is any indi- h
alton of a short crop, am unable to :
iscover it, My orchard will yield !,
eavier than ever before. The trees i
re laden with fruit-all they will d
tand. The Italians are bluing rapid s
Y, and will be Of good size"
1t is reported that the Kimball, .
lowe, Elliott and Ems Sisters
richards are in a thrifty condition, d
nd that an average crop is expected b
q each. y
General Debility n "