Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1904-10-21

pippins from Hood River sold as high
as 1896 bushel, netting the grower
1925.
The Clark's Seeding strawberry
first made the Hood River valley
famous as a fruit producing section.
The berries are shipped in refrigerator
cars to the markets of the Mississippi
and Missouri river states. This years
crop of 10000 crates netted the growers
$4,000.
THE FRUIT FAIR.
The sixth biennial fruit fair of Hood
River was held while the Editorial
convention was in session, and proved
a revelation to all who had never seen
display Of the products of the famous
Hood River valley. Language is in
adequate to describe this exhibit-it
was simply beyond comparison. Two
long tables running through the
center of the pavilion were covered
with apples, peaches, pears, grapes
and ounces On plates, while on either
side, banked six boxes deep and rising
tier after tier, were apples packed in
boxes as if for shipment. 1t was not
an uncommon sight to see As apples
completely filling 5O-pound box.
Such wealth of color, quality and
size has never been seen at any other
fruit show in the world 1t will be
good news to every citizen Of Oregon
to learn that this magnificent display
Of fruit is to be forwarded to the ST.
Louis Fair, to be placed on exhibition
in the Oregon section. The expense
Of shipping the entire display will be
borne by voluntary subscriptions by
members Of the Portland Chamber of
Commerce, the Lewis and Clark State
Commission and the citizens of Hood
River. This fruit display will go
further toward advertising the pro-
ductiveness of Oregon than anything
else that could be sent from the state.
President E. L. Smith, that grand
old citizen of Eastern Oregon, was
always on hand to look after the
comfort and entertainment Of visitors,
and the newspaper men will never for
get him for the many kindnesses
shown them. The writer also desires
to thank Superintendent g. r. Castner
and F. O. Chandler, both prominent
orchardists, for personal favors, not
the least of which was the filling Of
our travelling bag with the choicest
specimens of prize-winning apples.
The press gang also remember with |
kindness Editor Arthur D. Moe, of the
Hood River Glacier, and his able
assistant, E. N. Blythe, who were
always on hand to see that the boys
did not miss any of the good things
provided for their entertainment. The
Glacier office kept open house, and the
editors were shown every courtesy and
kindness. The Daily Glacier, pub
lished during the the three days of the
Fair, and containing the late tele-
graphic dispatches, local news, and
full reports of the proceedings of the
press convention, was triumph of
up-to-date journalism.
VISIT TO oDELL.
One of the pleasant incidents of the
trip to the writer was his visit to Odell,
where he was entertained at the
hospitable home of Mr. and Mrs. Ros-
we'll Shelley. We were met at the train
by Mr.. Shelley, Thursday morning,
and after our luggage had been safely
slowed away in the hotel, we visited
5he fruit fair and were privileged to
meet and talk with many of the lead
ng business men and apple growers.
At the close of the press session in the
Mr.. Shelley called for us
With his horse and buggy, and we
we're soon out on the country road |
among the strawberry fields and apple I
orchards. Mr.. Shelley's driving horse G
las track record of better than 2 80,
ind the seven miles between Hood '
River and Odell were soon covered, c
he roads being in perfect condition c
or fast driving.
Odell is properly termed the hub Of 9
Cast Hood River. 1t is situated at the !
JUNCTION Of the Cloud Cap Inn and the |
Falls roads, and has church, school q
house, blacksmith shop and store. q
dr. Shelley is the founder of the little l