Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-06-10
FRUIT CROPS PRICES
AND THE OUTLOOK
Cherries PrOblematical, and
Prunes Probably Normal,
Markets Want More

In some respects fruit growers of
the Willamette valley are facing large
opportunities this year in the matter Of
markets. The opening of new field
for the prune growers in particular is
probable and Manager Paulus of the Sa-
lem Fruit union, is giving this problem
considerable attention.
In the east and middle west market
for green prunes has always existed but
in past years the demand has been sup.
piled by Idaho growers. Gem state
fruit men, however, viii be unable to
supply prunes. in any considerable
quantity t1is year because of the de-
structiye frost early in the season which
practically ruined the prune crop.
Ordinarily Idaho has q big advantage
in shipping green fruit east as it is
several days nearer eastern markets and
railroad rates are lower. The demand
will be as heavy or heavier than last
year but Idaho will not be table to send
much more than a fourth as much fruit
east as it did last year. Clearly this
is chance for Willamette valley grow
'ers to put an entering wedge into a
market hitherto closed
In the bottom lands around this city
a normal crop of prunes will probably
the crop will be smaller than usual
All will be of good quality and ought
to command top notch figure in the
east as well as locally. No indication
of break in prices is seen yet and
the market promises to be firm through
the season.
Many fruit men consider it splendid
time to make a bid for the eastern
trade in green prunes. BY taking ad.
vantage of Idaho's inability to furnish
all the fruit demanded Oregon will have
a chance to place her crop before east
ern men at time when comparison in
quality will result favorablysto the local
product, -
1t is going to be a big apple year
throughout the valley."@, Trees are in
fine condition and the quality OF the
fruit as well as the quantity promises
to be up to the standard of any recent
season.
There. is a dearth Of strawberries,
however, while the cherry crop is prob
lematieal. In the Ashland and MedfOrd
section the strawberry yield has been
extremely light and local berries have
been shipped out in considerable guam
titles Canneries of this section have
found difficulty in securing enough
berries this season on this account
though this may be remedied when a
few days sunshine ripens the later
ones.
Cherries are falling off the trees in
some cases and they are growing red
before they are ripe, according to Fruit
Inspector Constable, Whatever crop
there is will be late and it is: too early
to make even an approximate estimate
as to what percentage Of normal crop
is due.
The proportion of logauberries to be
dried this year will be smaller than
heretofore as the juice factories will
consume large quantities Large guam
titles of berries of the finest quality
are in prospect in the Salem district.
Something serious has happened to
the pears from the Rogue river to the
Columbia. The trees wintered badly.
warm weather, followed by cold snap
couple of months ago proved too sud.
den change and the fruit suffered ac.
cordingly. Leaves have fallen off and
the bark has split in many instances
For what good fruit there is top price
will undoubtedly prevail.
The peach blight has appeared in this
vicinity and as a result the crop prom.
ses to be very light. Curl leaf too. is
retarding the growth of the fruit gen.
orally.
Fruit experts hesitate to make any
definite predictions as to the ultimate
conditions Of the various crops at harv-
est as the season thus far has been
erractic. While some fruits do not seem
to promise any too well at present. a
few weeks Of warm weather may
change the situation to a large cx.
tent.