The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1905-02-15
HORTICULTURE
:. WALDEN

apple business will not be overdone.
That is a hard question to answer.
Some lines of fruit growing have been
overdOne. This is notably true of the
prune business on the Pacific Coast.
The same is true of the raisin bust
ness in California. Some men are
claiming that the orange business,
both in California and Florida, is over
done. Others contradict this and claim
that the business would still be profit
able if the railroads would deal fairly
with the people. One thing we do
know. and that is, that the orange
business has increased enormously in
California and if it continues the
business must be overdone sooner or
later. A writer in the Pacific Fruit
World recently made the statement
that in 1884 the navel orange ship
ments to the eastern markets amount
ed to about 225, 900 boxes, but in 1904,
inst twenty years after, it had reach
ed the enormous business OF lO,ooo'ooo
boxes. Such an expansion if kept up,
must in time swamp the business. IL
is the characteristic of the human
family that if any business proves
very profitable, many, far too many
will rush into the business. The
apple business has been very proht-
able in past years and there mas peen
a consequent rushing into the busl
ness. 1t would, therefore, not be with
out precedent if in few years we
should find the business in some local
tiles, and in certain varieties OF ap-
nles. overdone. In view of the proba-
bility of such a thing occurring what
should be done? One thing we must
do. whatever else we may attempt
and that is to raise such fruit as Will
be in demand in any market In the
limited States and in other countries
The finest of Northwestern Spleen
bergs are selling now in New YORK
for $3.50 and $500 per box. This
statement is made on the authority OF
w. K. Newell, of Hood River, Ore, In
the Rural New Yorker. There is nc
danger. but the sale of such apples Will
be profitable for many years TO come
prOyided we have a section OF country
where we can raise such Spltzen
bergs. 1t is we'll known that Yellow
NeWtons can be sent across the con
tinent and then across the Atlantlc
ocean to Liverpool and London ano
sold at a good profit to the grower IN
Oregon and Washington. There are
comparatively few sections OF our
country where the Newton can be
grown in the highest type. This apple
can be grown in some parts of Wash
ington. Then it is safe to predict that
such apples will be profitable for some
years to come.
The exporting of apples promises &c
be a fine outlet for our Washington
and Oregon apples. Some will go east
to Europe, but | am confident that we
can open a great trade in our apples
in the Orient. Ocean transportation
across the Pacific will soon be revolu
tionized. A big ship, called the Min
nesota has been loading in Seattle
for Japan, China and the PHILIPPINES
and takes a cargo amounting to over
10000 tons. That is enough freight to
fill LAO cars. Another ship, the Da
kota, will be on this run with the
Minnesota inside of a year and Will
carry as large loads of freight. 1t is
said by those who claim to know
that this will greatly reduce freight
rates to the Orient. Apples can be
sent across the Pacific almost as
cheaplv as they are carried across the
Ns.nE1 RI