The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1910-04-28
SNOW in EAST GIVES
OREGON OPPORTUNITY

The billiards and ususal cold weather
which has been sweeping over the
middle states during the past ten days
will give the Oregon fruit great
boost this year. AS Hood River and
Oregon have the best prospects for
fruit they have ever enjoyed, there
will be big prices to accompany the
bumper crop, which will mean big
prosperity. The apple crops of Utah,
Colorado and Missouri have been
seriously cut down and while these
apples have never offered any real
competition to the fancy apples OF
Hood River it will help the fancy
market to have a lot of cheap and low
grade apples removed from the run
ming.
In discussing the effect of the Middle
Western blizzard on the fruit market
prospects in this state, H. M. William
son, secretary of the State Board of
Horticulture, said yesterday:
'"The Eastern demand for nearly all
Oregon fruits will be increased this
year. While the damage may not be
as great as the early reports indicate,
there is no doubt that the loss has
been very severe. While the dis
patches do not state clearly the dam
age in Missouri and Northwestern
Arkansas, districts that come into
direct competition with Oregon, the
temperature reports would indicate that
the damage to the apple crop has pro
badly been large. We understand also
that apples in Colorado have been
badly hurt. Colorado Is one of the
strongest competitors of Oregon,
putting up high grade box apple.
Oregon apples do not go into those
sections, but compete with Middle
Western fruit in other markets.
The frost damage will have more effect
on the general apple market than on any
other branch of the fruit trade. Ore
gon this season will have the largest
apple crop of recent years, and there
will, without doubt, be an increased
market for the supply. Aside from
its effect on the demand and prices,
the disaster in the Middle West should
stimulate the growing of apples in
Oregon, as we never have any such
trouble in this state. At the same
time, it will tend to discourage the
apple-growers of the East and it may
send them to this state to pursue their
calling.
"There is another feature OF great
Importance in this connection. 1t is
the opportunity that is afforded Oregon
fruit growers this year to gain foot
hold in the great markets Of the Middle
West. Heretofore we have shipped
but little fruit into that section, aside
from Hood River strawberries. Our
apples and pears have gone from
Southern, Oregon to Europe and our
Hood River apples to New York. The
markets Of Chicago, st. Paul, Min
neapolis and other Middle Western
cities have been supplied by their own
territory and in some degree by Wash
ington. The latter state, with its
railroads, was enabled to build up a
trade with st. Paul and other Northern
Pacific points, but Oregon enjoys equal
shipping advantages and should estab-
lish firm hold on that trade this year.
Production of all kinds of fruit is
increasing in Oregon and the fruit
men will make great mistake If they
do not grasp this opportunity to widen
their markets, as there is sure to be q
great demand for Summer fruits over
wide extent of territory.
C. E. King, of Portland, spent Sun
| day here,