The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1905-11-02
ADVISES PLANTING
PEARS AND CHERRIES

The following letter TO ~. II. Shep-
ard from Henry r. Williams, Ozark,
Ark, offers valuable suggestions to
Hood River fruit growers interested in
pear culture:
You inquire about pears. have
studied them a good DEAL and they
will bear studying a good deal more.
The market question is the main ques-
tion, what the market likes best. Late
papers tell us Of the decline of the
pear business in California, and |
think there is a good chance for Hood
River to take It's place, in good salts
factory fru t.
A leading dealer in New York told
me they raised no such fruit as was
raised in California aud the Pacific
Coast, in the Eastern States. The
flavor might be better, but the marx
ct qualities were not there, OF size or
appearance. He has sold a car Of fine
Winter Nellis for 81. 90 box in New
York, that came from California,
when nothing in the Eastern States
would bring over Sl,OJ a busheI.
Those from California were bright
yellow or fine color and size, four
tier, end one glance sold the lot,
Nothing in the East could do this so
he said we need not fear anything in
the East.
When it comes to varieties of pears
he told me nothing outsold the Bari
lett. As it comes in just as there IL
"A shortage in the Eastern markts, the
price will be satisfactory for any
Bartletts that Hood River can furnish
But can not estimate on transpOrta
tion. If they will carry, the price il
there for them the very best Cf the
season. Pears raised under irrigati0
are not good keepers, nor good flavor
But on deep soil in Hood River, not
too wet, not too dry, pears will grow
there good enough to carry to any
market, if the distance is not tee
great, and surely ought to carry az
well or as quick as from California.
The varieties of pears you mention,
have inquired into a good deal, The
Beurre Bose Is a gem of pear for any
purpose. As far as quality is con
cerned everything Is in its favor in
desirability for market. It's main
trouble is that it needs to be double
worked. That means an intermediate
stock, to be worked upon. do not
know il the Oregon nurseTymen 60
to this trouble, but no good horti-
culturist in the East viii grow it with
out it is SO worked and on satisfactory
stocks. Otherwise there is no serious
objection to the fruit. 1t can be
grown large enough and has good col.
or and the best of flavor and Is good
all around in all the markets. Very
much among pears like Golden Grimes
among appIes. The b urre dc Comice
IL very tardy in coming into bearing
but bears well later. After ii reaches
the seventh year it il good bearer,
but before that it is not good bear
er. Its market values other ways is
extra. | do not think it is "a heavy
bearer any whore but Is good gener
ally.
The Beurre de Aniou is a model
pear in many respects; good shipper |
and good seller, not quite as high IN
standard value or demand AS some |
others, but is good and reliable. The
tree is model every way, the only !
fault is that the pear growing large !
and with many on the tree there VIII |
be a danger Of falling Off, If hero is
any motion of the wind to stir them
or move the trees any. This pear is
quite popular in New York markets.
1t ripens at timo when it sells we'll
The tree growth tends moro to spurs |
and loss to excessive wood than any |
variety | know. Still perhaps too
many of this variety might be raised |
for the market. But in general good |
large pears of good flavor and partic-
ularly good color, Will be sure to find |
good market.
The Winter N Lis grow we'll enough |
in Hood River. The main point nee |
essary to obtain fancy price is size, !
good four tier and bright golden col
or No one need expect fancy price
unless he will get the four tier size,
and the bright golden color. Then
the market Is ready.
The Oregon pears have this Difficult |
ty to meet-the lack of bright color
1t will be an obstacle wherever there
Is very damp atmosphere. read Of
an account of somo marvellous returns
for pears in an orchard near Boise
The secret is due to the color. The
orchard brought over $1,000 per acre.
The climate of Hood River should
grow any pear successfully, and | do
not SEQ any serious obstacle. The
summer climate Is quito moderate and !
! do not think it materially differs
from that of France, whore tho best
pears are grown.
do not think we need to fear the |
blight, AS to bearing qualities, we
need not expect thom to bear muoa
under the fifth or sixth year, but aft |
or that they should do we'll. The
Comice will be "A year or two later. |
The Bose will be nearly as good as
the Bartlett in bearing. 1t Is Il strag |
Cling grower and this is its only OBJ |
lection.
The Beurro Clairgeau il very !
snowy pear and sells we'll in the mark .
ct, hut it is not as good as tho Bart
lett, yet comes in when the market is |
bare, later than the Bartlett, So it |
sells fine anyhow. 1t is Il fine pear for
market.
The greatest difficulty with the
cherry business and CarlOt shipping,
is the different times eff ripeuing of
varieties in the valley. Hardly any
two parts of the valley ripcn together
just right to MAKO up CARROTS easy. If
the people 20 into it heavy this may
be made suitable. but | do not know
how all can be got together except by
cold storage, aud holding until car
lots are accumulated. then would
say the cherry question will ho sue