The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1920-12-30
GROWERS TO HEAR
SMALL. FRUIT TALKS
(By Leroy Childs)

In view of the fact that many Hood
River orchardists have shown keen
desire to obtain further information
relative 70 raspberry and small fruit
culture in general, a meeting has been
arranged to discuss the various phases
Of the problem as related to Hood
River conditions. j. H. Stahl, horti-
culturist of the Puyallup Experiment
Station, will be present. Mr.. Stahl
has been closely associated with the
development of the berry industry in
the Puyallup section for number of
years and is in at position to speak with
authority on the subject. Prof. w. S.
Brown. chief Of the division of horti-
culture of the Oregon Agricultural
College, will discuss the history of the
berry industry in Oregon and offer
suggestions in handling, and market
ing as well as production. Prof.
Brown has been closely linked with
| the development of this industry in
Oregon.
Hood River fruit growers should
give this subject serious thought.
Many orchardists are in a Guandry to
know what to do as a result Of last
years freeze. Berry culture seems to
offer a very definite means of financing
the reconstruction of injured orchards
as well as source of revenue on
tracts that have not been in orchards.
Hood River, to large extent, built
its reputation and financial success
upon one industry the apple. Our
geographic location and present sub
divisions are such that general agricul-
tural diversfcation is imposs BILE, yet
diversification is the crying need of the
valley today. This will be true in the
future. Year in and year out single
commodity is dangerous in a section as
large as Hood River. We are primar-
lily a fruit growing community; we
have developed our marketing, har-
vesting and cultural practices-t these
are understood to degree not attained
in most sections and it would be folly
to try other forms of general diversity.
Our development depends upon expan-
sion and enlargement of our fruit
industry. A diversification of fruits is
needed which will involve the returns
in money during most of the season
and which will equalize and improve
cur present labor and harvesting prob
lens. This community betterment is
within reach and may be realized by
ClOIb dApllB ilIlSo
of planting. Miscellaneous, or limited
paintings will not accomplish the
desired results.
Small fruit culture, as well as the
planting of pears and cherries offers a
distinct means of improving our
present conditions. All growers should
attend these discussions even though
they are not primarily interested in
increasing their planting along these
lines. MIR. Brown and myself, of
the local station, will briefly discuss
some of the phases of this subject that
have come to our attention.
The meetings are to be held on the
5th and 9th of January. On the 5th |
Mr.. Stahl and Mr.. Brown will be
taken over the valley and made famil-
lar with the different soil types and
locations of the district. Growers in
terested should join the party at the
Pine Grove store at 9 O'Clock. From |
there hurried trip will be made over
the valley. On the 9th the discussions
will take place at the Commercial Club |
rooms and every one is invited to
attend. This meeting will begin at 10
a. m. sharp.