The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1915-11-11
APPLES HAVE
COMPETITION
CULTURE METHODS BRING QUALITY
Iowa and Nebraska Growers Listen to Ex-
pertinent Stations and Have a
Fine Crop Of Apples

FOR the nrst time slnca the Hood
River orchards came into bearing has
the quality of the fruit raised in orch
ards in Nebraska and Iowa come in
competition with the product of local
fruit men. For number of years the
agricultural colleges and experiment
stations of these two states have been
busy teaching growers how to produce
and pack fruit of quality. Juding from
advices received by local market men
from their connections in cities tribu-
tary to these states, the work of the
horticultural experts have borne fruit.
A letter received by Wilmer Sieg from
Lagomarcino-Giupe & Co., of Cedar
Rapids, says: I'VE do not think Iowa
has had crop of apples in 20 years like
this year, when the quality was so good
or the quantity so great"
While such status of the middle
west causes the market of cities to
remain uncertain, Sales Manager Sieg
reports good demand for local apples
from Pacific coast cities and from the
extreme east.
"The south, too, says Mr.. Sieg, "is
sending out more inquiries each day.
The present situation is Misunderstood by
many shippers. or else they are afraid
to wait for better markets. Many
sales are being made by other districts,
and especially by Washington commun-
tiles at little cuts in price-just enough
to draw the order from the other fei-
low.
Southern Oregon is practically
cleaned out, and other districts are fast
cleaning with the exception of such
points as are in position to conserve
their crops. Hood River, | think,
stands in the lead in this respect.
Local Spitzenburgs of all grades are
practically sold. For the negligible
quantity that remains, the buyers OF
the larger cities. where they are we'll
known for their table and domestic pur-
poses, are making good bids for them.
AS to Newtowns, they are a later
proposition. Still we have not enough
of this variety in all the northwest to
begin to fill the export orders.
"The apple situation has an under
current of strength. However, lot of
independent shippers are not keeping
in touch with the market and are being
constantly taken in by shrewd buyers.
''lt is an assured fact that the apples
of the local growers will be cleaned up
sooner than any year before in the his
tory of the industry"
The optimistic feeling pervades the
community of growers. In addition to
having carried its members for paper,
boxes, spray and all materials used in
bringing the crop to maturity, the APP
pie Growers Association has made an
advance of 25 cents, cash, for the ex-
penses of harvesting. From now on, il
announced, monthly dividends will be
paid to the orchardsts. With the sales
being made so quickly and drafts pour
ing into the local Office, the pools will
be closed far earlier than usual this
season. The season is far different
from that of last year, when the value
of the apples was determined for the
most part at destination. The value is
made at the shipping point this year.
Nor do the warehouses show the same
disorder of last season. when fruit was
piled from cellar to garrett.
Local Arkansas Blacks are bringing
profit to growers this season. The
Association has been selling blocks of
this long keeping variety for So per
box, net, for extra fancies; $1.75 for
fancy, and $l.25 for C grade. How
ever, last week, it is reported, Port
land buyers secured 700 boxes of this
stock from local grower. shipping in
dependently, for 81 per box.
Another peculiar condition is reported
by the Association this year. Whereas
on former years the complaint has been
that apples have been held at too high
a price by local grocers, the Association
reports that local dealers are offering
fine stock of Winter Bananas at Sl.25
per box. The organization is receiving
for this fruit at outside markets, such
as Portland. the sum of $3.50 per box.