The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1910-11-10


tation and experience, was on thu
Richfield tract for two days thi:
week, investigating the fruit posi-
biiities. Mr.. Littooy was for long
time connected with the state harti
cultural department of Washington
and then at the head of the great
Wenatchee fruit association He is
now living at Mountain Home, de-
veloping some extensive orchards OF
his own down on the Snake river, at
Grand View and other points, and
doing exper. horticultural work for
big orchardists who can not trust
their interests to the ordinary good
tree doctor.
Mr.. Littooy's two days spent in a
trip over the tract was a real revela-
tion to him. He had had some good
information as to conditions here,
but he was not prepared to believe
that conditions were nearly as good
as they are He is of the opinion
that nowhere can better winter ap-
pies be grown than right here. The
success of the few commercial orch
ards on the Little and Big Wood riv.
ers, on the old farms where settle
ment was made long enoug ago to
allow them to now have bearing or
chards, augurs well for similaree
success here Not exactly similar,
either; for all of the old ranches
are in the alleys, where there is
more frost, while the hills that are
now being brought under cultiation
are the ideal orchard sites. If or
the McFall orchard pay as much per
acre as the prize Yakima or Wenat-
chez orchards--they should pay bet
ter here.
Mr. Littooy emphasizes the excel
lence of number of conditions to
be found here The country is arid
enough that the water supply is al
most altogether at the command of
the orchardist This is one of the
best assets. The wates supply is as
good as can be found anywhere, so
that water is always at command as
it is wanted. The soil is of the cry
best quality for good fruit The
rolling country gies air drainage, onsl
of the greatest essentials in getting
sound, well-ripened fruit and free
dom from dangerous frosts. The
high, dry, sunlit atmosphere insures
sound, well-colored, well-flaored APP
pies, freedom from insect pests, and !
a sound growth of tree that means
long and certain bearing ability. The
excellent drainage of this
tract was one of the points on which
he laid espevcial stress; for the ap-
pie is peculiarly sensitive to water
and lack of good drain
age has ruined countless good orch
ard prospects.
While not saying that this is a
superior locality for
peaches or any of the less hardy var
eties of frit, Mr. Littooy does suay
hat apples should do superlatively
WE'LL Apples grow profitably at a
nush higher altitude than this; at
Carey, Bellevue, Preston, Blackfoot,
md many other places great deal
higher than this. And in none of
hese is there better, If as good, con-
litions for soil, water, drainage or
It'll eT vital vital clements for orchard sue
,ess.
Incidentally, brief study of the
lpple market will show why apples
hould pay The crop has been fall
ng off steadily for the past ten
ears, until it Is now only one-third
What it was then; yet the demand,
through the rapid increase in pop
llation, is much greater. The rapid
development of the cold storage in
Iustry, too, has made it possible to
Itilize a larger quantity of fruit in
season than could be done ten
ears ago. There is a brilliant fu-
ure for intelligent orcharding, with
n untitled demand and high prices
ssured for years to come.
Mr.. Littooy is undertaking to put ,
ut commercial orchards, from five
ores up furnishing especially selec-
ed, pedigreed trees, and looking af-
er their culture for the first few
ritical years. 1t is a real education
1 horticulture to hear him tell what
, do and what not to do to an or
hard, and the reasons therefor. 1t
a most fascinating study, one that
Gems to offer great financial posi-
ilities for this immediate locality,
nd it would be worth the while of
very farmer and land owner here
} make little study of the sub
,ct. Mr.. Littooy will probably be
ngaged to direct the development OF
everal commercial orchards here, SO