The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1907-05-15
GREAT GROWTH Of THE
HORTICULTURAL INTERESTS

orchard acreage of the whole state,
total footings of both orchards and
nurseries tables were used. Apple
trees. cherries and English walnuts
are. as iule, planted at a greater
distance apart than other fruits, such
as pears, ounces, peaches, plums,
apricots and almonds. The general
average distance of the former was
found to be twenty-four feet each
way, and of the latter eighteen feet
each way.
Because of superior quality, Wash
ington's fruits are in demand in the
most discriminating markets IN for
eign countries, as well as in Ameri
ca. Commercial ideas have very
general encouragement by reason OF
the stimulating influence of broad
ening markets for better fruit pro-
ducts. The highest prices reamzed
anywhere have been paid to the
growers of this state. Fruit grow
ing is an intensive industry. Every,
detail requires the personal atten-
ton and skill of one who is prac-
tically qualified. In proof of this
we find that the small orchards, man.
aged by their owners, are the ones
paying the largest profits.
Checking Insect Pests.
"Some of the most efficient means
of checking the ravages of insect
pests and fungus diseases are of re-
cent discovery. Improved methods
of grading, packing, handling and
marketing have all contributed to
the business of fruit growing. In
the management of orchards greater
care is shown in the selection of va
rieties and nursery stock; also in
planting, cultivating, pruning and
spraying.
"The different and widely varying
natural conditions existing between
sections of country have served to
make specializing prominent fea-
ture in fruit production. Some To-
calities are best adapted to the de-
yelopment of all the qualities desira-
BILE in apples. The same is true Of
peaches. Other situations produce
the choicest grapes. Divisions of
country surpass in the raising of
small fruits; and cranberry culture
has been established where the con-
dtions are ideal in every respect.
Such special features have proved to
be important factors in making the
best of everything in horticulture
contribute to the magnificence OF
Washington as fruit growing state
Horticultural Societies.
LESS than four years ago the
Washington State Horticultural as
ISOLATION was organized in the city
of Spokane. Meetings of this as
ISOLATION have been held at Spokane.
Wenatchee. North Yakima and Ev-
erett. The next annual meeting will
be held in the winter at Walla Walla
The Officers of this association for
1907 are President, Mr.. E. l..
Stewart of Benton county: first vice
president, Mr.. w. A. Ritz of Walla
Walla county; treasure, Mr.. W n.
Ilish of Yakima county; secre .ary.
Mr.. L. G. Monroe of Spokane.
Grows Thirty Per Cent.
Neutrality-suspicious. nursery stock,
by estimate, has supplied about thirty
per cent of the states nursery trif
fic. Owing to the fact that most
nurserymen are dealers as well as
growers, buying elsewhere to sell ID
a local trade, it is quite impossible
to secure a correct estimate of the
homegrown product. Inventories OF
nurseries. if taken three c. four
times a year, would renda' such in
formation fairly accui ate. Nursery
men are sending in more carefully
prepared reports than ever before.
but it is claimed TO be a matter CT
difficulty with them to list their
thousands of small trees accura l.,
during the extremely busy season
Of distribution
"Many letters come to this office
asking about qualities of homes r- wn
nursery stock as compared with thar
from outside the state In reply it
is fair to say that Washington-grown
trees average with the best, and are
often to be preferred to those propo-
gated elsewhere
Canneries.
"The fruit canning business is a
comparatively new undertaking in
this state. Within the last two years
more has developed in this line than
ever before. Large canneries have
been established at Wenatehee, Puy-
allup, North Yakima, Spokane and
Seattle.