Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1909-01-22
Document Showing Con
ditiOnS In District.
HELP TO HORTICULTURISTS
A Discourse on Soils on Which to
Grow Apples, Pears, Peaches
and Other Fruits.

The Courier has received the bi.
ennial report of Commissioner A,
II. Carson of the Third District OF
the State Board of Horticulture.
1t is document containing much
valuable information, showing care
full investigation, and a thorough
knowledge of the subject which he
treats. The report covers condi-
tions In Josephine, Jackson, Coos,
Curry, Douglas, klamath and Lake,
seven counties In all and these CON-
prise Southern Oregon. We quote
from the first paragraph of the in
PRODUCTION in which will be found
some highly important suggestions
regarding good conditions in the
counties named and also notes on
soils and cultivation of land gener-
ally. This part of the report
should be carefully read by the sub
scribers of the Courier as these opin-
ions OF Mr.. Carson have been gained
from experience during long per-
iod of activity among the soils Of the
Rogue River Valley.
The report Is In part as follows:
The topography of this sub-divis-
ion OF the state with mountains,
foothills, and valleys, Is such that
there are varied climatic conditions,
as we'll as soils existing that one Sec
tion of Oregon may be adapted to
the growth, and maturity of one
variety of fruit that In some other
section OF the district the same var
iety would be failure and yet all
parts of the section known as
Southern Oregon is adapted, by rea-
son of soil, or prevailing climatic
conditions, to some special CONNER
cial fruit-growing.
On deep hill soils | have seen corn
that produced 35 bushels to the acre
without drop of rain from planting
to gathering. Without cultivation
the corn would have perished for the
want Of moisture.
Deep, alluvial, sandy loan soils
along the rivers, and creeks never
fail to yield, though the cultivation
may be poor, as these soils are al.
ways sub-irrigated.
Many Eastern men who come here
desire to engage In apple, or pear
growing. Not being judge OF
our Coast soils, purchases land from
surface indications, and in time finds
he has made a mistake.
To succeed here in fruit growing
the grower must plant the variety OF
fruit his soil, and location is adapt.
ed to. Soil and location that the
peach and grape would succeed or
with reasonable attention to detail
might be of such a character, and
depth that the apple, and pear
planted on the same would be fail.
ure.
1t is my purpose in this report
to call the attention of the prospect.
i've purchaser to the various soils
as they exist in this district, with
their character, and adaptability OF
fruits that will grow with success
The Apple and Pear.
The apple and pear to be a source
Of profit here should be planted or
the best alluvial soils along the
streams, or II the hill lands are chos.
on, they must be deep, not less thar
Ave to six feet in depth, and a great.
er depth would be better.
There are no soils too good, and
rich to grow the best apples, oil
jears. The greater success, and
profits Of the Rogue River Valley ap
pie and pear growers is in proportion
to the good quality OF the soil his or
chards are planted on, and the at
tention of the grower to details in IT.
management.
A shallow soil will spell failure 4
planted to the apple and pear, ex
ceptIng water is available for irri
cation during the months OF Aug
ust and September. However, I
must be remembered that not al