The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1910-02-09
HAPPENINGS FROM AROUND oregon
APPLE PROFITS GREAT.
Former Mail Carrier Extols Life of
Up-to. Date Fruitraiser.

Former Mail Carrier Extols Life oi
Up-to- Date Fruitraiser.
Portland One of the most interest
ing addresses delivered before Portland
Apple Growers association was given
by |. A. Mason, a prominent Hood
River orchardist. The subject was
"The Apple from Start to Finish" the
speaker giving the large audience pres
ent clear, concise story of apple pro-
duction from the practical standpoint.
Perhaps the most interesting part OF
Mr.. Mason's address was that in which
he gave exact figures on the proceeds
from an Oregon apple orchard. In his
Hood River orchard he has just two
varieties, Newtown Pippin and Spitz-
enberg. In 1906 his receipts from the
Spitzenbergs were 1886 an acre, and
from the Newtowns $3.50 an acre. This
was the only year, he said, in which
the Spitzenbergs brought larger returns
than the other variety. In 1907 the
average returns were $3.50 an acre; in
1908, 1900 an acre, and in 1909, $500
an acre. This year his trees are 13
years old.
''These figures are exact and not col
ored in any way" said Mr.. Mason.
"It will be seen that my orchard has
brought me in gross receipts Of $70C
an acre as an average for five years.
All expense of maintenance amounted
to about 5000 an acre, leaving net
profit of $500 an acre.
"This, of course, is paying 10 pei
cent on valuation of $4,000 an acre.
1t looks big, but it is nothing more
than any young man who gets hold of q
good piece Of Oregon apple land can do.
1t can be done in the Willamette val
ley. If you will only select the right
land, plant the best varieties and give
them proper attention.
"You will notice that my orchard
brought in only $500 an acre last year.
This, believe, was because the CROP
was 30 heavy the year before. The ex.
traordinary cold snap Of last winter
also contributed to it. But want to
say right now that this year gives
every indication of being one of the
best that Hood River has ever expert.
enced. l believe confidently that my
orchard will again bring in at least
1900 an acre.
In raising apples it must be borne
in mind that it takes time before the
trees begin to pay. You will get 9
small crop in five years, and better
yield each subsequent year. But al
that time you have been paying out
with nothing coming in. 1t will take
the crops of the seventh and eight
years to bring you out even. Their
you are in clover. It's all velvet aftel
that"
Mr.. Mason advocated planting not
more than three varieties in one orch
ard, and said two are better, if tht
right two are selected. He also de
clared that in Oregon he does not con
slider the slope of the ground as max
ing great deal of difference, just 8,
the soil is of the right quality.
Say Eugene-Coos Bay Road Assured
Eugene-F. B. Kidder, one of tn
promoters Of the railroad from Eugen
to Coos Bay, via Siuslaw, has returned
to this city from Minneapolis, wher
he has been conferring with peopl
who are backing him. He will be fol
lowed in a few days by ]. H. Thomas
q civil engineer, who has built severa
lines in the Middle West, and Joh
Baird, another railroad man, who vii
be associated with Mr.. Kidder in thi
enterprise. All have left good posi
tions in Minneapolis to take up this ne,
work, and will make Eugene thei
home with their families.
They say that as soon as the surve
and right Of way are secured larg
railroad corporation is ready and wi
ling to build the road. A fund I
complete this work is now being sui
scribed and the promoters say 1t can b
raised in a few days.
These men have come here at the IL
stance Of the Lane County Asset con
pany, body of local business mel
who have worked hard on the propos
tion for the past year. and who no
believe that their work has begun
ahow frtlit