The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1914-04-23
.SIEG DECLARES
OUTLOOK GOOD
OFFICIALS IN WILLAMETTE VALLEY
Growers Warned to Look Toward DeereaS-
ing Cost Of Producing Apples
Berry Demand Good

Wilmer Sieg and H. F. Davisdon left
Saturday for southern Oregon and the
willamette valley, where during this
week meetings are being held at all
the principal fruit centers for the pur-
pose of informing growers associations
Of the plans for the coming year. Mr..
Sieg stated Saturday that the Distrib-
utors were very optimistic over the
outlook of market conditions and the
crop prospects in all districts.
The Distributors, " he said, have
not only held the tonnage handled by
them the past year, but have increased
it for the coming year. Prospects
look good in all the northwestern dis
tricts. 1t is the opinion that Hood
River is nearer the absolute assurance
of full crop than any other district.
We have no frost damage to fear here
nor losses by possible drouths.
Last week the Distributor officials
met with the Transcontinental Traffic
Association at Spokane for the purpose
of adjusting tariffs. A minimum apple
weight will be established. Hereto
FORE" said MIR. Sieg, the average
minimum weight of box of apples has
been so pounds, We think that 1t is
very probable that this will be reduced
to 40 pounds, which will mean a saving
of $3.50 on every carload OF apples
shipped. The total saving next year
will reach about $500, 600.
The local strawberry crop was han
died last year through the local Apple
Growers Association without the aid OF
the Distributors. The central agency,
however, will take charge Of the ship
ments of the present season, which viii
begin in carload lots about June ].
Mr.. Sieg will be located here in the in
terest of the local strawberry growers
while Mr.. Davidson will go to Spokane
Paid representatives will be stationed
at Omaha, Butte, Minneapolis and al
far east as Winnipeg in Canada.
I'VE will establish offices at all othel
points demanding them," says Mr.
Sieg. 1--WE are looking for good prices
for the berries, which should be made
more of factor in northwestern apple
districts; for there is great deman'
for them in the market. Every cen
gained back from the strawberry cul
ture means a saving in the cost OF ap
pies.
Northwestern berry districts wer
much alarmed in the early winter owe
the new tariffs of the express com
panies, which increased the cost o
transportation about rs per cent owe
the old tariffs. However, by organize
effort and with the aid of Congressma
Sinnott the express companies hav
been forced to withraw the tariffs, an
the fruit will go forward with no il
crease in the cost of transportatici
The minimum weight of cars, whic
was also increased, making it imposs
BILE to ship carloads lots to markets c
moderate size, will also remain tn
same.
Mr.. Sieg is optimistic over the futur
outlook of the apple business in tn
Northwest. 1--WE hear great man
exaggerated ideas expressed as to tn
big acreage of apple trees that hav
been planted. In fact, great deal
this acreage, when it comes into beai
ing. will eliminate itself. ! know {
one company that has planted 2sC
acres to Jonathans in Idaho. Iakln
into consideration the marketing pc
iod and natural life of the Jonathan
this company will find It necessary
pack and ship 100 carloads of apples
dav, when their orchards reach matu
ity. The futility of trying thing
this kind will eliminate them from Il
market.
"We see the result of just such
condition in the citrus belt of Califo
MIA, where a great percentage OF q
growers planted Washington Navel
More fruit than can be handled h
been coming on the market. The Y
riety is short lived and as a result Z
orange market has been hurt. Nj
have planted the other varieties,
longer keeping quality, have and
yays will find a profit in their tran
actions. Numerous similar sltuatio
can be cited in the apple industry.
' is natural that such ventures are gol
to cause mean periods, but the stu
tion is going to equalize itself to t
extent that the natural districts a
going to be here when a great ma
unadapted districts will be out OF I
4 game
4 Hood River is ona of the natul
i districts and the growers should -devc
all of their efforts toward lowering
4 cost of production. Apples here can
Il produced at as fully low cost as
Z any other Northwestern district. [
\ operation should bring in the benefit
y having the fruit marketed at absolr
4 cost, and study must be made to
Il god, we'll packed apples on the car
II a cost not to exceed GO cents per box
II MIR. Sieg stated that he had recen
had some communication with A.
/ Schenck, of Omaha, Neb., one of
II chief engineers of the Northwestt
II line, who owns 40 acre orchard on
II East Side. MIR. Schenck, who has be
H keeping the cost of his operations
II the past several years, had noted Il
bis apples were costing about 60 Gel
III per box.
iii NAINTNH ENrTUEMC