The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-06-02

If there was nothing to attract atten-
tion in Hood River valley but the straw
berries, there is enough interest CEN
tered in the growing and harvesting OF
this delicious fruit to make it worth
going a long journey to see. 1t is the
strawberry that has made Hood River
famous, and there is, so far, but one
variety of the strawberry that can make
any claim to distinction in Hood River,
that one is the Clark's Seeding. No
other berry has the frmness, high coll
oring, flavor and shipping qualities that
has this variety. In no other known
location will this berry reach such a
state of excellence as in Hood River.
These are the prime reasons that they
have gained such reputation for Hood
River. One thing that has brought this
about is that they have been grown
under conditions here which develop
these qualities and make for rs berry
that is unapproachable. Some day
there may be found a spot on the big
round earth where the equal to Hood
River berries may be grown, but it has
not been discovered as yet.
No one appears able to give salts
factory reason for this, and it is doubt
less due to several causes. Perhaps the
climate, mild and moist in winter, tenn
perate in summer; the soil, rich in iron,
potash, decomposed granite and quartz,
and the location relative to the Column
bia and the surrounding country, thus
.tempering the winters cold and the
summers heat by the sheltering hills
and the ocean breeze coming up the
Columbia's passage way to the sea, has
much to do in making this the only
spot on earth where the best CONNER
cial strawberry that grows can be raised.
Be the causes what they may, no
where but in Hood River valley can
Strawberries be raised which will stand
the shipment to such distant points as
Hood River berries. They have been
shipped to New York, Philadelphia,
Hong Kong, China, arriving in good |
condition.
Neither is there berry grown in any
other location that will retain its color
after being canned as does the Hood |
River berry, Open can of bereies
grown anywhere but in Hood River and !
notice how pale and faded they look
Place it beside can of Hood River
berries and note how bright the color
of the latter, just as if freshly cooked |
These properties give Hood River ber-
ties a premium far above any berry |
from any country.
There is one thing to be done which |
cannot be insisted upon too strongly.
Each grower should form himself into
a special committee to look after this
one thing 1t is the marketing of the
berries. The careless work of market
ing may ruin the profits of splendid
crop of berries. The berries should
be carefully sorted and graded, then
four and five tier berries separated, no
two grades in the same box. No bruised
berries should be packed No berries
should be gathered when the vines are
wet A little bit Of this kind Of ship
ping lost hundreds of dollars to the
growers last year. 1t is hoped that
growers will be more careful this year
If we are not careful in the selection
and packing OF our berries it will be but
a short time until the reputation of our
berries will be ruined, while if we do
our work properly, pack nothing but
first class berries, in first class shape,
no two grades in the same box, it will
not matter what berries we come in
with, Hood River berries
will take the top prices.