The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-05-19
EXTENT OF INJURY TO FRUIT
Estimate of Loss as Figured by
those In Position to Know.

tn big freeze of last week is given in
the Boise Statesman as follows:
There will be no shortage of refrig-
orator cars for the transportation of
the northwestern fruit crop this year
If reports of damage by frost in all
states of he northwest prove to be
correct.
Idaho, Washington and Oregon
have suffered about alike, according
to information from all official
sources.
While there will likely be a few
apples and smattering of other
fruits in places, commercial produc-
tion has been cut down to zero, in the
opinion of those best qualified to
judge. Small fruits have also suf-
fered, likewise garden truck. Alfal-
ia has been set back and grain nip
ed in spots.
The farmers and fruit growers ac-
cept the situation philisophically
and have already set about making
the best of conditions. 1t is the
first serious setback they have had
in southern Idaho in seven years and
most of them were prepared. They
have something besides fruit to fall
back upon.
Thursday morning, May IL, was
the lowest that was ever recorded in
May at the Boise station, covering a
period of SO years.
At the weather bureau office on
Thursday rs degrees was recorded,
and the detailed reports for II years
show the temperature has never fall
len before to 25 degrees after April
11th.
w. G. Scholtz, state director of
farm markets, announced officially
that the commercial fruit crop in Id
aho was practically total loss. The
Lewiston district he said seemed to
have suffered the least. Emmett,
considered he warmest and best pro-
tected spot in the state, was hard
hit, and the peach crop is ruined
No serious damage was done to
tree fruit in the northwest districts
of Oregon and Washington, except
that Yakima reports loss of Is per
cent.
These districts come into direct
competition with Idaho fruit, and the
loss here of 2200 cars will help them.
Mr.. Scholtz said Thursday evening
that southern Idaho will be short
1900 cars.
Taking southern Idaho as a whole,
the prune crop is believed to be a
total loss, so far as shipping is con-
cerned. There may be enough for
home consumption here and there
but none for the market. The same
is true of peaches and pears. Apples
are almost totally destroyed, but
there will be a few car loads for
home consumption. Apricots are
wiped out completely.
Joel L. Priest, general agent of the
o. S. L. in Boise, made a personal
inspection of the territory around
Payette and Weiser, interviewing
reliable horticulturlists, who in
formed him that they did not expect
to save more than per cent of the
fruit crop.
They are preparing to plant peas,
corn, tomatoes, and other vegetables
in their orchards and to devote con-
siderable attention to poultry and
hogs. The peas and corn can be can
ned at the Payette cannery and poul-
try is always marketable. 1t is not
to late to produce a good crop of
vegetables.
Last year the territory from Boise
west to Weiser produced between
100 and 1900 cars of prunes and
about 1900 cars of apples.
| c. o. Ellsworth of the Earl Fruit
company says no fruit shipments will
be made from southern Idaho this
year.
1T looks as though we would have
the same experience as we had in
1s09.'" said Mr.. Ellsworth, THAT
year / recall the shipment of 5 cars
of apples from California to Boise.
We may not have to get apples from
california this year. Our reports in
dicate that there will be no prunes
for shipment. We have cancelled all
orders for boxes and shipping paper
Once in years is not such bad
humping. 1t is unfortunate, how
ever, that we should get such a set
back on the eve of so promising a
season.
While the reports of ice at Tacoma
and blighting frosts all over the
northwest were not consoling to Ida.
no growers. they proved that the