The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-08-06
PRUNE GROWING IN SOUTHWEST.
ERN WASHINGTON.
By 0. M. Mois, Hor.iculturist.

FHlS bulletin discusses the cause Of
Z the frequent failure of the prune
crop in few localities in South.
western Washington and suggests some
changes in orchard management for the
improvement of these conditions. There
are many orchards that have each year
produced medium heavy crops Of good
fruit; but each year there are many
orchards that produce little or no fruit.
The crop failures of any one year are
usually prevalent in some particular
localities; and only on rare occasions
are the fruitlcss or barren orchards sur
rouadcd by productive ones. 1t is COM
mon to find one part of the orchard
more productive than other parts. This
uneven production is most noticeable
in orchards bearing light crop, and
those orchards have increased in num-
Der in the last few years
The crop conditions during 1912 and
1913 have been studied very closely. A
survey of the soil and orchard condi-
tions and a study of the weather records
seem to Justify somo conclusions that
may be helpful to the prunc growers
of the region. This bulletin is only
preliminary report and may be followed
by others based on more definite expert
mental data.
The Italian Pr1Ine.
The Italian prune has been planted
in greater quantity than all other
varieties. The other varieties have not
proved to be its equal in vigor of tree,
produetiveuess, size and quality of fruit.
1t grows and fruits best on deep fer
tile loan or clay loan soil. The tree
is vigorous and hardy, but is liable to
show weakness in resistance to disease
aud insect attacks when grown ON soil
to which it is not adapted. This weak
ness is also often indicated by the loss
of crop during inclement weather. The
tree has a strong tendency to produce
more twigs and small branches than it
can continue in growth. 1t is subject
to over. production of fruit also and will
not thin its fruit by dropping the sur
plus or overload like some other vari
eties of pruns. This over production of
fruit and wood weakeas the entire tree
1t blossoms about the middle of the
plum blossoming season.
Tho French pruue
The French prune WIS planted to some
extent about twelve to eighteen years
ago. The tree is vigorous and product
i've. 1t is less popular than the Italian
because of the small size Of its fruit,
and because of its disfavor in the mar
ket. There are very few localities, if
any, where this variety should be plant
ed in commercial orchards in Clarke
County.
The Sugar Plum.
A few trees of the sugar plum have
been planted in several orchards. The
trees bear young and heavily. The
fruit is of good size and appearance, but
does not dry so well as the Italian va
riety and is often severely criticised
on that account. Until it has been bet
ter tested and its value more fully
proven, it can not be recommended for
commercial planting.
The blossoms, leaves and fruit Of the
prunes are frost tender and escape Sc
we're injury when frosts occur, only by
the existence of an especially favorable
condition of the soil and air preceding
and Immediately following the frost.
Plants that are vigorous are most able
to resist unfavorable weather condi |
tions.
Soil.
The orchards of Clarke County have
been planted on every variety Of soil
available. One extreme type is repre- !
sented by the heavy loan and clay soils
with deep clay subsoil. This is common