The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-11-15

hl6SOS' iCbuiAN'
This inquiry opens up wide field
for discussion and | cannot now do
more than make a few suggestions.
In answering such a question as this,
I want my readers to bear in mind
what I have often stated in these
columns, viz: Cd the variety of ap
Piles that yields the biggest crops does
not make the most money; and (2)
the variety that sells the highest does
not prove to be the most profitable.
The Ben Davis and Missouri Pippin
yield enormous crops, but in years OF
great plenty return no profit to the
grower in the Northwest. This
know by experience, and hence nave
top-grafted all my trees of these two
varieties. Then on the other hand,
such apples as the Esopus Spitzen-
burg and the Newtown Pippin have
usually sold the highest in our mar
kets, and yet. after years of expert
ence, l am constrained to say that
have made twice as much money from
the same number of acres planted to
Winesap, Jonathan and Rome Beauty.
Arkansas Blacks, while somewhat
shy in bearing for the first six, to
eight years, are now, at thirteen years
old, regular and enormous bearers
and make me good money. So no one
need to be surprised to learn that
prefer the Winesap, Jonathan and
Rome Beauty as money makers to
all other apples with which | am &C
quainted Next to these | would plant
the Arkansas Black and then the Spit
zenburg and Newtown. After pretty
thorough investigation I believe that
the Delicious and Winter Banana will
prove to be very profitable apples to
grow. I have them both top-grafted
mas this year and they are very fine.
They are an apple that must be han
dleu with much care. My Delicious
CRAFTS have not yet borne, but | hear
good reports concerning this apple
where it is grown.
One thing must not be overlooked,
viz, the apple that sells the highest
one year may not sell the highest the
next year Last year our NeWtOWns
sold the highest of any apple we
raise; but this year we received more
for our Jonathans than for our New
towns. At present a highly colored
red apple is in the greatest demand.
1t may not always be so, but it is
pretty safe to bank on the "big red
apple of good quality.
The Yakima Fruit and Produce AS
ISOLATION, Granger, Wash, has issued
valuable circular in which they pro-
test against the passage by the Con-
gress of the United States of the Por-
ter bill, changing the size of the ap-
pie box in the Northwest. The assO-
citation has sent me a copy of this
circular which | hope to be able to
publish in our next issue. The assO-
citation also writes me as follows:
I'VE have read with much interest in
recent issues of the Ranch your OBJ
jections to the Porter bill now pend
ing in the u. S. Congress. In line
Herewith the trustees of this assOcia-
ton, at meeting held October 3rd,
adopted resolutions as per inclOsed
printed copy. We are ready to aid
further in this work in any way you
may suggest. Assuring you of our ap.
probation of your valuable articles
in said publication, we remain, etc."
This is a move in the right direc-
ton. If other associations would act
in like manner and acquaint their
congressman with their wishes as
these people have done, it would do
great good. Our greatest danger lies
in Indifference and failure to act. No
time should be lost in this matter
If we allow that Porter bill to become
a law it will give apple growing on
the Pacific Coast the blacklist eye it
has ever received. Be up and doing!
Write your congressman!
Frank Jordan, of Priest Rapids, is
reported to have raised Is tons of cab
I'd Of of