The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1912-03-01
Varieties of Fruit for
Western Washington

One of the most instructive and
interesting addresses delivered be-
fore the convention of Western
Washington Horticultural Associa-
tions at Rellingham last week. was
that of F. A. Huntley, state horti-
cultural Inspector. on the subject of
Varieties of Fruit for Western
Washington" Mr.. Huntley's ad-
dress was particularly applicable to
the Puget Sound country. He dis
cussed the general principle of dis
tribution of the varieties of fruits
on the Pacific coast and in the state
of Washington. stating that "the
wide range of soil and climatic con-
ditions found in this state is most
extensive. and surpasses that of any
other equal area" and then refer
ing specifically to Western Washing
ton, said in part:
Apples can be raised successful
~ almost anywhere IN Western
Washington by the application Of
proper methods in pruning, spray
ing and cultivation. However, it
costs more to raise good apples on
the coast than it does in some of
lhe districts east of the Cascades,
but fungus troubles are more preva-
leLt and are more difficult to con-
tend with than the insect pests Of
Eastern Washington and trnes on
the west side are slower to nature
and come into bearing. The moist
climate of the coast favors the
propagation of fungi, while on the
other side of the mountains but
few fungous troubles are encount-
cred. The selection Of varieties
suit ,ble to the coast is very i'm
portant matter. The list is COM
paratively small one, but, fortunate
ly, a selection can be made of some
of the choicest standard varieties
and tt ere are enough Of these for
all practical purposes. Early ma
turing varieties should be selected.
to conform to the .sh0rt season Ut
active growth that we find here.
The market apple should appeal to
the eye, as well as to the taste;
therefore colors of pale yellow and
light red are recommended for
good appearance, and generally
denote early maturing qualities.
For summer apple l do not hesi-
tate to place the Yellow Transparent
at the head Of the list. AS a fall
variety the Gravenstein has no RI
val. AS winter apple, my first
choice is the Wagner for red var
iety, and the Swaar is the best in
the yellow class, with the Grimes
a close second. However, the lat
ter is inclined to grow small in size
on light soils and on old trees. |
would emphasize my choice Of the
Wagner as the best for high quality
and fruit that everybody likes to
eat.
The markets, both near and dis
tant. call for standards Of quality.
Such standards are designated by
the names of varieties, most general
". If we would standardize cur
products we must select and grow
only few of the choicest varieties,
and let their n ines be known.
In Nosember | attended the an
nual meeting Of the Oregon State
Horticultural Society in Portland.
and was much Interested in the dis
cussion IN pears. Tne commercial
side of the question received a
great deal of attention.
The varieties most in favor were
the Bose, Anjol and Clarigean.
Car lots shipped from both the Una
ford district in that state and the
Willamette valley. to markets OF
New York and Chicago, were re-
ported upon. In every instance the
Bose yielded the best returns, and
summary of the seasons business
gave this variety a decided leaG
over all others in net returns. This
variety is comparatively 2 new
market standard, and is increasing
in favor every year. It proved the
best shipper and the longest keep
er of any of the high-class vaieties.
The Southern Oregon Anjou is not
a first-class shipper, owing to its ear
" ripening in that warm section.
The Anjou grown in Northern Or
egon stood up better than the
southern product. Here IN Wash
ington We have q still better ad-
vantage in growing the Anjou Tor
the late markets on account of our
more favorable latitude.
Clarigean, while not 0f Z high
quality, proved first-class shipper
and withall proved second in proht
ablcness to the pear raisexs of our
sister state. Bose ind Clarigean