The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1907-03-07


ing at the Sargent orchard, was called
to give expert testimony concerning
this system. He said: 81 can pack
more rapidly and more uniformly Is
this system than by the old method
of placing them on table,"
A. |. Mason favored the table and
regarded this system too expensive
and complex.
j. L. Carter thought that this sys-
tenn would induce more elaborate
storage and thus inveigh on the room
in the packing house.
The discussion was followed by an
extempoIaneous address by E. III.
Shepard on the subjet of "Couclus
ions from the Past and Present Years
Experience. In a few we'll chosen
words Mr. Shepard highly commend
ed the system in use by Mr.. Sargent.
He said. "Ihe system outlined by
Mr.. Sargen. is preventative against
bruising the fruit. l have inspected
Nh. SargenE's apples very closely and
have found them practically free from
bruises. Growers and packers are not
careful enough in preserving the fruit
fl ON bruises. 1t is not question OF
few cents that may be saved in
picking or packing, but it is a matter
of hog your fruit reaches its ultimate
market. " The speaker spoke dispar-
aeingly of our fruit LABELS and said in
substance that the label placed on or
apples boxes, from the standpoint of
art, are not commensurate with the
grade and quality of our fruit We
ought to have the best labels known
to'srt. Continuing he said, "Private
shippers in the Willamette valley have
much finer display label than the
Hood River Apple Growers union. 1t
behooves;us to repent and do better In
the future. "
Mr.. Shepard also advised the grow
ers to be more faithful in spraying
and to spray in the fall for anthra-
guose, as this is the only time of the
season when this fungus can be con-
trolled. and to avoid the use of the
Dunno spray, as it was without effica-
cv. In speaking of the demands OF
the apple market Mr.. Shepard said
"The buyers demand uniform pack
of sound fruit. The six varieties COM
manding the highest prices last year
we're the Spitzenberg, Yellow New
town, Jonathan, Arkansas Black,
Winesap and Ortley." Mr.. Shepard
advised the setting of larger per cent
of Yellow Newtown, as the market for
them was more extensive and the
trees we're more prolific than the
Spitzen berg. A market for the latter
was somewhat limited and ccmpeti-
tion was becoming exceedingly keen,
which would perhaps result in low
er price in future years.
The speaker recommended as little
irrigation as possible, and deemed
once or twice each year as sufficient,
stating that apples grown with excess-
sive irrigation, as 10 the Yakima val
Iev. would decay more rapidly than
non irrigated fruit. The grower was
cautioned not to irrigate late in the
season, as this would keep the san
flowing and cause serious injury TO
the tree by the bursting of the bark.
Mr., Shepard stated that moderate ir
rioatiun enhanced the color of the ap-
nle and advised the use Of potash as
fertilizer, stating that bis experience
has verified that this method prodnc
az better color, larger crop, betteI
size and longer keepers. He said:
eve raised a larger per cent o.
large appIes this year than ever be
fore, but the apple that commands th'
highest price in the foreign market II
the four tier. The 72s sold In Eng
land this year for 9s, while the l2S
brought IA s. cd. So my advice wor L
he TO thin your apples to produce "
to l2S tier, for by this method yo'
!, will realize the most out OF you
J crop"
| The speaker proved by comparatiV
| statistics that Hood River apple
: brought a much higher price IN Eng
land, on the same day and date owe
the same kind of apples from Cali
: fornia and Rogue River Mr.. Ssep
J ard stated that many of the orchard
, in New York we're becoming so pes
} ridden that they getting unwieldy
and this fact would create create
! demand for western fruit.
. G r, Castner then presented res
3 olntion requesting the governor TO re
annoint X. II. Weber as fret commits
: sioner for this district for the ensuin
year. The resolution was unanimous
ly adopted.
On motion of e. L. Smith 1t wa
. ordered to hold an adjourned sessio
Saturday, March l6, at 10 o'clock
m. This motion carried In view
] the fact that time would not perm
Q the presentation OF many vital topic'
A motto to adjourn carried. =.
T About 250 people gathered at u
hall to enjoy the program OF the So
sion. A large number OF ladies wei
present. The meeting was spirited
Q with a healthy exchange OF opinion
I and expet tiences, aud animated vii
i an oyarmastering ambition to impro'