The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1905-07-06
HOOD RIVER, HOME
OF PERFECT FRUIT

clal HOOD River NUMBER, WHICH, VIII
make good advertising matter for dis
tribution among Fasteners who in
auire about this country. The de-
scriptive matter was written by John
Michel of The Dalles, and is taken
from the Wasco county booklet now
being published by the county court
for distribution at the Portland fair.
The article was well illustrated. 1t
follows:
This is the second city in the
county. and is situated on the Colum-
bia river, on the o. X. & N. com
pany's line of road, 66 miles east OF
Portland. There are three daily
trains east and west, the same num-
Der of boat lines to and from Port
land and way points. and stage lines
to points in the valley. In the last
few Years the town has enjoyed a
phenomenal growth, and from ham
let has develoVed to city of 1000
population-a ratio of over 300 per
cent increase since l00-with substan-
tial brick blocks, elegant church edi-
fees and beautiful dwelling houses.
As a site for city it Is an ideal one,
lying on gentle slope towards the
river, and the streets shaded in many
instances by giant oak trees, indig-
enous to this locality.
Springs of pure, cold water abound
in many places, and the city receives
It's supply from one OF those. This
makes the element as pure rs possible,
and the quantity and fall are ample
for home consumption and protection
against fire. Unquestionably the pur
ity of the water adds largely to the
healthfulness Of the locality, and for
many years Hood River has been Il
summer and health resort for people
in different portions of the state.
The fruitful valley stretches for a
distance Of 20 to % miles south to the
foothills of Mount Hood, large por-
tion of which Is cultivated in fruit
and berries. For scenic beauty a
ride through this valley cannot be
surpassed anywhere on the coast, and
the artist and tourist will be shown
views of mountains and fruitful plains
WHICH VIII oohhHhhnu ohoii ain
tion. Sloping gently from the foot
hills of the grand old upheaval, there
is presented continuous panorama
of orchards, berry fields and shady,
sylvan retreats, and in the distance
can be dlscerned the snow peaks Of
Hood in Oregon and Adams and St.
IIelens In Washington, mountains
that rise II, 900 to l4,OOO feet above
the level of the ocean. The ride to
Cloud Cap Inn, distance of "
miles, Is an ideal one for the lover OF
at an elevation of over 5000 feet, the
summit OF Hood IL easily attained In
from four to six hours travel, and
from the door of the inn can be dis
cerned the grandeur and beauty OF
Oregon. Mountains, valleys anf riv-
ers are apparently spread out before
the enraptured gaze as though on a
map of natures superb handlwork.
The fertile fruit and berry lands OK
tend on both sides OF Hood river, and
the soil, consisting of strong volcan-
ic ash. seems lneXhaustible. In 1889
the first strawberries were raised for
export, and last years crop produced
from 90, 900 to l00,0 900 crates, which
netted the growers about Sl25, 600,
These berries are carefully graded and
packed, and are generally marketed
In the Mississippi valley states. AT.
ter being transported 1000 miles they
arrive almost as fresh as when picked,
or the $1,000 acres Of tillable land,
about 900 are planted In Strawberries
The cost of picking and preparing
the berry for the market is about 10
cents per crate, and a crate OF berries
will command from 50 to 81, 10 in the
market. Berry fields yield from 100
to 200 crates per acre From an acre
3Il crates have been gathered in II
season, aud in one instance from 10
acres 2, 300 crates we're marketed in Il
year. During the picking season fully
1900 people came to the Hood River
valley, and those earn from 81 to
81. 80 day.
The attention of the people is being
called TO apple orchards more than to
berry patches, and this season from
800 to 400 acres have been planted in
young trees Last year II was esti-
lhHltN IllHJ AOtV hCItB Ill bub NhllbN
altogether we're devoted to the growth
of apples, and this year it will be in
creased to considerably over 1000
acres OF the late paintings over 80
per cent are Spitzenburgs and Yellow
Newtowns, varieties of the highest
excellence In flve years the yield of
apples in the valley will be 100000
boxes, or 1000 cars Of this rich and
mellow fruit will leave this station on
the railroad for tho markets of Amor
lea and Europe. In 1904 about 100,
600 boxes we're produced, and IL is Il
safe estimate that these sent in circu,
lation Sl25000. Trees bear fruit
three years nfter planting; but the
best yield is realized after seven and
eight years. We were creditably in
formed that, in one instance, from
three acres we're realized $500 in
single year, and In one season 5000
boxes of apples we're taken from 80
acres, 1000 of which brought 81 por
box and the remainder 81. % box,
making total income to the apple
farmer for his years work Of 80, 800.
The Spitzenburgs appear to command
the highest price, and these can road
lily be sold for from 81. 10 to 81. % per
1, ~