The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1905-11-09
COMPLIMENTS The
HOOD RIVER FRUIT
Portland Oregonian.

Portland Oregonlan.
II. f. Van Deman, who judged the
fruits at the Fair, and said that Ore
gon had siIered great loss through the
incompetency OF the people in charge
of the exhibits, returned from a trip
of inspection of the fruitlands in the
valleys of the Hood, Rogue and Will
annette Rivers yesterday and left for
the East last night,
IL think Oregon fruit compares
favorably with that from any section
of the country" he said while walt
ing for his train. 'That of the Hood
River district is especially good. The
Winter apples of that section are the
leading fruit of the Pacific Northwesti ;
the Winter Ncwtowns and the Spitz-
enbergs command the highest prices
for their flavor, keeping qualities ana
appearance. Hood River made fine
showing at the exposition attendants
from there we're among the few men
who knew horticulture and agriculture
thoroughly.
"Another thing about the Hood
River apples that impresses one is
the honest manner in which they are
packed. The same care is taken with
them that would be given to so many
eggs; those in the bottom Of the box
are of the same size and quality as
those on top. Spraying and good cul,
tivation have done much to put the
Hood River and Rogue River orchards
on a paying basis and keep them
there.
"In the Willamette Valley | have
not found conditions nearly so good.
Not enough care is taken in the cul-
ture Of the t; ;ees, which in many cases
are allowed to take care of themselves.
Above all things in fruitralsing, at.
tention should be given to the cult
vation of the trees. The soil should
be cultivated frequently in the Spring
and Summer months, and plowed, but
not deeply What is wanted is to
have thin dust blanket over the
ground, which will retain the mois-
ture for the roots of the trees to OK.
tract nourishment from.
"Too often, in the willamette Val
lev, | have come across orchards where
weeds are growing profusely, and tax,
ing the best qualities of the soil from
the trees. Cultivation will keep these
down. The nitrogen and humus OF
the soil should be renewed frequently.
For this purpose, it is well to plo"
the orchard deeply about the first OF
September, planting it III crimson
clover or vetch, both rich in humus
and nitrogen. Before the first buds
come out in the Spring, this should
bo plowed under to nourish the
ground Undor no circumstances
should the crop be moved and used
for hay. Where trees are closer than
30 or 40 feet, some should be pulled
out by the roots.
"The Willamette Valley Is not a
very good prune country, as there IL
too much rain in the drying season.
1t Is better adapted to the production
of apples and pears.
"lhe raising of nuts in Oregon
should be encouraged. This is an
ideal country for their culture. Eng
lish walnuts will be especially pro
ductive. At Dundee, in Yamhlll
County, saw an orchard belonging
to Thomas Prince, who has 100 acres
of walnuts in cultivation. The trees
are just getting to the producing age,
and before long he will find the
money rolling in faster than he
knows what to do with.
Oregon berries are the equal Of
any the Logan berry is especially
fine. The country is admirably ad-
apted to raising strawberries, rasp-
berries, blackberIies and other small
fruits.
Rotation In crops is not practiced
by willamette Valley farmers. Instead
of raising wheat alone, which impov-
erishes the soil, he says crops of oloV-
or should be planted frequently. Some
of this should be plowod under Much
stock should also be kept, from which
the soil could be fertilt2ed.
Mr.. Van Deman Is one Of the most
distinguished horticultural experts III
the United States. His knowledge il
the result of practical experience OF
many years on fruit farm. He held
the position of United States Pomol-
ogist for eight years, and taught ag-
rioulture aud horticulture in the Kan.
aas Agriculture College lie is pres
idont of company which has lOOl
acres of nuts in cultivation in Lou
isiana. lie left for Washington, ID.
c., last night by way of Chelan
County, Washington.