Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-09-10
FRUIT MEN
FAVOR IRRIGATION

ing of the Rogue River Horticultural
society held at the rooms of the Com
;mercial club last Saturday afternoon
pursuant to call OF the secretary
with the announcement that tho
topic OF irrigation would be dis
cussed, shows the eager interest OF
the rural element in this valley In
water at this time. While Medford
Is engrossed with the matter of city
water, the fruitgrowers are even
more interested in securing at the
earliest possible moment a sufficient
supply of water to put the hlgh-lne
orchards under irrigation. This cry
iny need was never more In evil
dence than the pre- ent season, wheh.
with the lowlands somewhat short OF
fruit. owing to late spring frosts, the
valley was confident OF great in
come from the foothill orchards,
which are loaded to the limit with n
crop which cannot mature In It's u.s.
ual excellence In a dry season like
the present. Our orchardlsts are
fully convinced now that Il Is only
In the production OF the very high
est type OF fruit that this valley can
keep up its reputation. and about
once every ten years water is a ne
cessity to give the necessary size.
color and flavor to bring the highest
prices.
The discussion was opened by
few remarks from II. T. Pankey,
foreman of the Snowy Butte Or
chards. relating to the effect OF water
upon the heavier soils OF the valley.
He was followed by Mr. Broback OF
the Orchard Home tract, lately from
the Wenatchee section. who called
especial attention to the earlier ma
turity OF the fruit trees In irrigated
sections. where the crop secured In
advance OF non-lrrigated fruit trees
would repay any expenditure for
water in growing the trees. to say
nothing OF the good results from the
application OF water 10 trees In sea-
sons like the present. where ten
boxes OF fruit are set. and repeated
trimmings necessary TO induce the
crop TO mature in marketable shape
would gradually reduce the yield 10
three or four boxes 10 the tree. In
his opinion this fruit section could
AFFORD 10 go the limit TO obtain the
little water necessary 10 perfect the
orop set on the trees each year into
premier fruit. He thinks that every
acre OF fruit land In this valley could |
be encountered 10 the extent OF $50 |
per acre. just as was done In the |
Wenatehee section 10 secure their
highline ditch. with the assurance
that few years would repay the
grower for the expenditure and leave
him In a permanently independent po-
sition in future.
w. W. Gillett OF Los Angeles was
called upon for his personal experl-
enee In irrigation in the orange bel.,
and he also called attention to the
small amount OF water really needed
IN fruit culture TO perfect the fruit.
provided the water Is available n
he right time. He called attention
o the possibility OF securing sum
lent water in many orchards from
plants. deep wells. with
'asings performated at the respective
water bearing gravel levels. such as
'ieided water enough 10 irrigate 40
'eres in many sections OF lower Calf
ornia.
], d, olwell delivered a brief ad-
lress, stating that with irrlgatioa
ueh as Is possible In this valley n ,
pipeline Is installed. with our eli
matte advantages and adaptibility TO
he production % choice high-prieed
rults. ideal conditions for hortIenl.
ure exists; and 4 is up TO the grow
RS TO supplement the efforts OF ma
ure by securing al the earliest pos
ihle moment enough water 10 irrI-
ate, not single trui,growlng sec
Ion. but the whole valley, aud keep
! the front as the best horticultural
eetion In America, With his usual ,
athasiasm conserving this valley,
II. dwell deseanted on the posi-.
ilities 10 resalt from the practical.
'odeFats use Of water IN fruit grow
ls. and Il Was evident he had the
attire sympathy Of his hearers.