The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1904-06-01
HORTICULTURAL NOTES
by f. WALDEN

member Prof. S. w. Fletcher, who at
one time filled the position of profess
sor of horticulture in Pullman. On &C
count of the death of his wife he re-
signed his position and returned to the
state of New York. He now has the
position of supervisor of Extension
Teaching and Farmers Reading
Course" in the Cornell University col
lege of agriculture. In recent letter
to the writer he says: 81 am very
pleasantly located here, and my work
is most congenial. Some time | hope
to be able to renew my acquaintance
in the Northwest" The occasion of
writing was the transmission OF a
copy of paper read by Prof. Fletcher
at the twenty-eighth biennial session
of the American Pathological Society,
entitled ga Sketch of Fruit Growing
in the Pacific Northwest The fact
that Prof Fletcher spent some two or
three years in this section of country
enabled him to write with a degree
of discrimination that no man living
in the east alone could possess. 1T
is fortunate for us that we have such
a competent man to write up the fruit
growing of the northwest.
IL.
into three distinct countries known
as the Coast Region, the Inland Val
leys, and the Inland Uplands. These
countries are described as to their
climate, their rainfall and their eleva-
ton. He shows what fruits can be
grown most successfully in the differ
ent regions. He says the Coast region
is we'll adapted to the growing Of
prunes, cherries, small fruits, seeds
and bulbs. Other fruits, such as pears
and apples, are grown here but not so
successfully as in other sections. The
Inland Valleys are espe cially adapted
to the growing of peaches, apples and
pears. Now, I believe that Prof.
Fletcher has rendered the fruit grow
ers of the northwest a very valuable
service in this classification. He is
fair and candid, as we'll as disinter-
ested. Let the fruit growers learn
what kind of fruits are best adapted
to their particular sections and then
grow these and success is much more
sure. 1t would be unwise for the
people of the Yakima valley to try to
compete with the Puyallup valley in
raising berries. 1t would be equally
foolish for the Puyallup people to try
to compete with Yakima or Wenatchee
in raising peaches. Certain KINDS OF
apples can be raised in one section
and not in another. These things must
be known in order that the best re-
suits may be secured.
Prof. Fletcher has so well discrim-
mated in this sketch that | feel L
can do no better than give his conclud-
ing words, which are as follows:
1t seems to me that there are five dstinc-
tive features of northwestern fruit growing.
Eastern fruit growers may consider each or
these with profit.
"a 1t places emphasis high culture.
I believe that northwestern orchards are as
a rule, titled better, pruned better and
orchards in the Atlantic states. There is a
special reason for this. The markets of
northwestern fruit growers are mostly dis
tant, not nearby, as in the east. They nave
found by dear experience that it will pay to
ship long distances only the best fruit; and
the best fruit can be grown only under the
best culture. Poor fruit, even medium
grade fruit will not pay the freight.
(2) 1t emphasizes the Importance OF care
full grading and tasty packing. When freight
rates are 60 per cent. of the selling price
there is little use in shipping poorly packed
fruit. Northwestern fruit growers nave
found that the way their fruit is graded
and packed is fully as important as It's
quality. Hence they pay especial attention
to securing neat packages, attractive lapels'
fancy wrapping paper and aim to nave apso.
lutte uniformity in the size and quality OF
the fruit in each package. Many OF our