The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1916-06-01
Is
GIVEN PUBLICITY

(From an article by H. II. Bushnell in
the Oregon Farmer)
The Apple Growers Association Of
Hood River is healthy, we'll organized
body. Last year it handled about 8o
per cent of the apples Of the district,
so per cent of the pears and 98 per
cent of the strawberries. 1t has a
splendid storage warehouse, which will
care for 600. 900 boxes of apples at one
time, so 1t is never necessary for the
Asso citation to send out tramp cars.
For it's members the Association has
produced most excellent results, when
the condition Of the fruit market is
considered.
Wilmer Sieg, sales manager of the
A Association, regards the coming season
with confidence. 1--WE mean to get all
we can for our growers, not alone for
this season. but for all seasons, and to
do that we must maintainnasbig, strong
organization. A 100 per cent organic.
alton is what we want and what we
must have to get 100 per cent results.
Until We get that we cannot present
united front to the market and get the
returns We ought to have. However.
we are strong now and getting strong
er all the time"
What is 1.-THE situation in the north
west today, MIR. Sieg?''
1T is practically the same every
where. The independents hold out and
prevent unanimity. 1t is worse in
some districts than in Hood River.
Take Wenatchee for example. If there
ever was country just created for the
express purpose of producing fine fruit
it is Wenatchee. But the Independents
have prevented best returns. In North
Yakima there are about 20 shipping Or
ganizations. In the Willamette valley
California comes in and beats the local
stuff because of lack of effective 100
per cent organizations. The lack of
it leaves local growers without talk
ing point in marketing"
what do you think OF the auction
system?"
Auctions are good for second d-hand
furniture. Perhaps if they were prop
erly conducted, as the California grow
ers conduct them or get them conduct
ed. they would be good for apples. As
they are now, they are not satisfac-
tory. We have not reached the place
where we can sell to advantage in that
way. The best buyers do not buy their
apples at auction. They get them
through different trade channels and
the psddlers and fruitstand proprietors
are the patrons. Perhaps-some day.
but not now."
"How about the governments mar
keting plant"
''In many ways it is very good in
deed. Many of its provisions are in
effect now. In a great area of country
where different conditions rule in diff
ferent sections a policy which is good
in one is not so good in another. For
that reason it is advisable for districts
to be controlled by elastic rules, allow
ing them to meet their own peculiar
problems in their own way. think it
will be of benefit to study the govern
ment plan and probably some changes
will be made. Perhaps it is too soon
to criticise it, favorably or otherwise"
Wherein is Hood River strong?"
"In great many ways. We have
very strong organization, as said be-
fore. 1t isn't 100 per cent yet, but we
are well organized, and the members
are loyal. Others are coming, and
more and more will come. Hood River
district has water. Without water,
fruit cannot develop. Irrigation is
vital in any fruit district. A soil
where the supply of moisture is insuf-
ficient in summer, while the fruit is
maturing, cannot produce good apple
crop. Water is the life of tree. 1t
carries the food. The soil may be rich
in fruit making materials. but unless
there is water to carry it the to tree,
the tree will starve to death. Without
irrigation the trees will thrive for
few years and then the fruit will de-
teriorate."
The Fruit Growers Exchange of
Hood River reports about 1877 members.
1t was established two years ago and is
purely cooperative. 1t buys spray ma
terials, boxes and other supplies for
its members whenever it can do so eco.
nomically and is organized purely for
service.
1t is not branch of the Northwest
ern Fruit Exchange, as some have be-
lieved, but has yearly contract with
that organization for marketing pur-
poses.
This organization has well built
warehouse sufficient to provide storage
for its members. Kenneth Mckay is
local manager and E. W. Sweany, pres
dent.