The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-06-15


of Mt. Vernon, Skagit Co. He was at
one time State Commissioner of Horti-
culture and filled that office very ac-
ceptably. I. take pleasure in laying
before our readers the following letter
from Mr.. Cass. He does not fully
agree with me in the matter of "af-
finity" of apples in cross fertilization.
That is no reason that he should not
be heard. The policy of the Horticul-
tural Department of The Ranch is
not to set up the views of its editor
as infallible No one will ever be de-
barred because he does not agree with
the editor, but any we'll written article,
such as this, will be cheerfully pub
lished, and our readers will be left
to think as they please about the mat
ter. Nor will the editor try to have
the last word The Dutchman's rule
is a good one in such cases: "You pays
your money and you takes your
choice"
I might say, however, that l think
friend Cass and I do not differ very
much, but rather we look at the subject
from different angles. Be that as it
may, here is Mr.. Glass; statement and
l cheerfully commend it to the care
full consideration of our readers:
Your remarks as to the superiority
of the vase form in the training Of
fruit trees is the best practical treat
ment of the subject have ever come
across. Is there not another advan-
tage of that form over the pyramidal
in the fact that in the cultivation of
the soil of the orchard the disc or cut
away harrow can get in its work clos
er to the stem of the tree with less
hindrance from interference with the
lower branches?
Seldom or ever taking exception to
your views as published in The Ranch,
yet l must to your statement that
one variety of a species is as good
as another in the matter of cross-fer-
tilization, subject only to the blooming
period being Identical. There can be,
of course, no equality among individ-
ual members of family or species,
and I haven't. any doubt at all but
that varieties approaching more near
ly the wild or original type as found
in nature (the type best fitted to sur
vive in the struggle for life) partake
of a stronger force of character in
every function of growth or of pro-
creation than others. / have found in
my observations such to be very
marked in cross-fertilization in the
case of the cherry, and have no doubt
but such obtains as a fact in every
branch of life or growth, vegetable and
animal. }. +. CASS.
Mt. Vernon, Wash.
The following letter explains itself
and commend it to our readers:
l desire to secure a location for
fruit growing and would like loca-
ton particularly suited for peaches
and cherries-where it is as free as is
possible to get from late frosts. I
noticed in a recent Ranch you spoke
of a few locations you knew of that
were exceptionally free from frosts,
and that such land was very valuable
for peaches Will you kindly mention
those places? I have in view an island
in the Columbia River-Blalock's Is
land-just below Umatilla, Oregon
What would be your opinion OF this?
l would be pleased to have you write
me in full and your suggestions will
be appreciated, assure you. What
do you think of the Hanford tract?
take great interest in your writ
ings in The Ranch; in fact, that Is the
only reason take the paper. Thank
ing you in advance for all favors, l
am very truly yours, ]. ]. WORLEY.
25 Union Ave-, Portland, Ore.
While l have answered this letter
personally, I take it that the questions
raised are of general Importance and
others will be interested in what we
have to say. There Is no question but
some localities are better suited to
tender fruits, like peaches, apricots
and nectarines, than other localities.