The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1913-01-30
NEW ASSOCIATION
MAY BE FORMED
LAWRENCE MAY BE RETAINED
Many Growers Attend Saturday Meeting
at Commercial Club, When Dry Rot
is Discussed.

Almost 200 of the valley growers
were in attendance Saturday afternoon
at the meeting called to discuss the
dry rot in apples. A great deal of dis
cussion was brought out as to the
cause of the dry rot. One of the hap
penings of the gathering that will per-
haps be of more interest to the orch
ardists than any other thing that
happened was the action taken by
many Of those present toward forming
an organization here to employ Prof.
W. II. Lawrence as plant path0logist
and horticultural expert. As a result
of the report of the grand jury. the
county court will not pay a sum l5rger
than So per day for actual work done
for a fruit inspector, and a great many
of the orchardists feel that the work
that has been done by Prof. Lawrence
should be continued. The proposed or
ganization will be similar to the Eel
lowship Association the members of
which secured the services of the
Washington expert.
The main plans of the proposed as
sociation of growers are embodied in
circular letter that has been sent out
to growers and the terms of which fol-
low.
"The plan suggested is to maintain
an Office in town where the members
of the association may find the expert
on Saturdays. The remainder OF the
time shall be spent in Institutional and
research work. All work of the asso-
citation shall be done under the diiec-
tion of board of directors. The work
will be a continuation of the more i'm
portant work now being done by the
county. With the smaller acreage,
however. and the elimination of so
much lost time in travelling and routine
| inspection work, much more time can
| be occupied with the research work.
| Any additional time can be used to
| keep watch for fire blight and other
contagious and infectious diseases; the
spread of insect pests: protect the in
terests of the growers relative to the
quality of spraying materials, CONNER
cial fertilizers, etc. against unjust
competition; prepare and distribute lit-
erature of immediate use to the
grower; hold meetings of the members
at such times as deemed advisable; to
secure the assistance of all station and
college representatives., also of the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture or any other parties who can rem
der assistance without cost to the asso-
citation; and any other work that
ultimately reduce the cost of produe-
tion.
,, "Under this plan the members Of the
: association are the oiny parties entitled
J lto the services of the pathologist am
the only ones who will receive help
|, To meet the expenses of the associa
tion charge of 81. so per acre is sug
gested. This will give funds so that
! the acreage will not be more than car
be handled with advantage and results
to the grower. Each member will be
entitled to more time of the patholo-
: gist who will also have time to study
conditions and work upon the prob
lens.
The discussion of the dry rot insthe
apples brought out great many opin-
ions. f. p. Friday stated that he
; thought the disease was caused alto
gether by climatic conditions. "As you
know, said Mr.. Friday, I'VE had a
sun spot the past year. The weather
, was cloudier than usual and every ything
grew more luxurlantly than usual.
We had abundant crops of everything
not only in apples but in wheat, oats,
corn and potatoes. Dry rot did not
prevail in certain localities, but was
found all over the country. | think
that it may be 10 years or longer be-
fore we will ever see repetition OF
, such climatic conditions as cause the
dry rot.
Many other growers made talks on
: the subject in addition to Mr.. Friday
and Prof. Lawrence. Among them
were E. II. Shepard W. w. Rodwell,
K. II. Wallace, Peter and John Mohr,
A. |. Mason, 0. b. Nye, Roy Brock,
A. M. Gooch. Prof. l.. f. Henderson,
Paul X. Hughes and j. Lewis. The
meeting was presided over by Secretary
Ray +. Scott.
Another open meeting of the Valley
growers and business men will be held
at the rooms of the club on the after
noon of February 8, when stereopticon
slides showing scenes of roads and
bridges will he presented, after which
general discussion of good roads will
follow. This will be a very inter.
esting meeting and everybody is in
vited to attend.
! On Monday, February 10. the regular
! monthly meeting of the club will be
held at 7.30 in the evening. The clubs
officials declare that the meeting will
begin promptly at this hour. After q
short business session, o. Z. Dabney
will deliver lecture on his travels
through Europe. He will exhibit be-
tween 60 and 100 slides of views thai
; will be of particular interest to resi-
: dents of community similar to HooC
River. Views will be shown of one
. city in Switzerland where there are q
tourist hotels.
A resolution was adopted asking thai
the endorsement of horticultural bill
/ now before the Legislature having beer
d submitted by the State Horticultural
!, Society be sent to Representative
Stranahan. In case the whole bill sub
! mitted by the society fails to pass, th'
: club members desire Mr.. Stranahan Il
!, introduce that part of it which will
: permit the county court of any count!
! to employ an expert and pay whatever
sum is considered necessary.
I