The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1914-06-19
INTERESTING NEWS
FROM STATE CAPITOL
Some Ways to Eradicate Blight-Wage
Commission Still Busy-State May
Build Powder Factory

Refusal to permit Fruit Protective
Association inspectors either to eradi-
cate or inspect the blight inroads in his
orchard led to the arrest Of Grandview
orchardist last week. The incident is
expected to demonstrate that the pro-
tective associations, 81 in number in
the Yakima valley, mean to brook no
interference in pursuing their work Of
cleaning the orchards.
The owners Of an orchard near Sunny
side also, it is reported, offered resist
ance to inspectors and officers of the
protective associations, and as soon as
the necessary provisions of the law have
been met, the county stump puller will
be at work on the place and the badly
infected trees consigned to the fire.
During the past week eight protect
i've associations in Spokane county were
organized. Assistant Commission ers
T. o. Morrison of the department of
agriculture, who spent last week in
Spokane and Chelan counties giving
demonstrations OF the surgical work
necessary to eradicate blight, is this
week in the Yakima valley assisting In
spector F. E. DeSellem, in similar
demonstrations. t
Public sentiment aroused" says
Mr.. Morrison, is the only way to get
the work done when once it appears in
any locality. You will notice it first
by the leaves curling and having the
appearance Of being burned. Examine
the trees and if you find cracks, bis
tiers or exudations, report it Immediately
to your inspector of this department.
Cutting away the infected parts, with
instruments kept sterilized in bichloride
of mercury and Immediately burning
the severed parts, is the only sure
method of controlling it"
The state can build a state powder
factory for about $4,000, exclusive Of
the cost of site, and can manufacture
20 per cent dynamite with such plant
for about 7 cents pound, the special
commission, named by Governor Lister
to investigate the subject, says in its
report, just submitted.
However, the committee states,
though manufacture of powder at this
price would represent a considerable
saving to farmers, who now pay 10 to
IA cents a pound, the appropriation of
$4,000, made by the last legislature,
contains no provision for operating ex-
penses or for a revolving fund, into
which proceeds of sales could be paid.
This would necessitate action by the
next legislature before the factory
could be operated.
R. S. Waddell, an eastern expert en-
ployed by the commission to make a
thorough investigation and report on
the subject. while finding the state
powder factory a feasible plan, suggests
as better solution on the land clearing
problem the following:
Establishment Of rigid powder stand
ards by the state, that will compel
manufacturers to furnish high grade
powders.
Experiments by the state to deter
mine the best method of using powder
in stump blasting and training OF an
expert crew that could be used by
farmers and others in land clearing.
Even more loss is caused by waste and
extravaganza in using powder, which is
encouraged by the manufacturers, than
by high prices of powder, Mr.. Waddell
states.
State Chemist Elton Fulmer, mem
Der Of the investigating commission. in
the report takes opportunity to deny the
statement, widely used by grange lead
ers and others throughout the state, and