Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-12-03

IOFe Iue dUuudl hlctblhS VI bhO
Oregon State Horticultural society
here today was the following pa
,er on the growing of sour cher
hes in the Willamette valley, read
by r. V. Brown Of Dallas:
"The commercial sour cherry or
chards at the present are all or
nearly all in. the eastern states
where the sweet cherry Is not sue
cessful. On the Pacific coast the
pie cherry is almost unknown COM
mercially, although a few orchards
Nre now in bearing and several
pres of young trees have recent
Iy been planted in Oregon and
Washington through the solicita-
tion of some canneries in Wash
ington state.
Location and Site.
'In selecting location for sour
,herries one should use the same
,are as with sweet cherries, that is
The community in which the fruit
3 to be grown, as this cherry is
rery perlshable, a nearby market
Is essential, and also near to plen-
sy of labor. In selecting the land
on which to plant care should
be exercised, My experiences has
been that the sour cherry VIII not
exceed on a wide range of soil. IL
In an exacting as the peach, and
nearly as much so as the sweet
cherry. This fruit is very sensl-
tive to poorly drained soil and
will, therefor succeed only on well
drained loan. The temperature in
its Influence at blossom time
should be considered about as you
would any other fruit subject to
frost injury.
Stocks.
"The selection of roots for the
pie cherry should be given care
full study by the planter. There
are two kinds of stocks now Delng
used in this coast country, the Ma
haleb and Mazzard, with one few
using the wild oregon seeding
The eastern nursery is using Ma
haleb almost exclusively for the
sour sorts, claiming they give good
satisfaction and they are much
easier to bud or graft. Growers,
and those who have studied the
matter carefully, however. are OF
the opinion that the Mazzard IS
much superior when compared
with the Mahalab stocks. In our
experience the Mazzard appears TO
make q much stronger growth, a.
larger tree, more vigorous In every
way.
Obtaining the Tree.
"A great deal of trouble was
found in obtaining trees Few
years ago. Some nurseries were
selling trees not true to name. and
the only chance to get true stock
was from the eastern nursery. At
the present time few of our Ore
gon nursery men are making an
effort to grow this fruit from our
bearing orchards, and the planter
should have no difficulty now In
obtaining the best varieties on
Mazzard roots.
When to Plant.
This is very important IL trees
are secured from the east. but not
so much so IL from local nursery.
In shipping trees from the east, we
found spring planting not desir-
able, especially if followed by dry
summer, the loss running up to-
over SO per cent. The trees usual
ly come in dry condition, and
could not overcome this when
planted late. II local trees are
secured, spring planting is salts
factory. One fact should be kept
in mind, however, and that is
the buds of the cherry swell and
start growth very early. and II
planting Is too late you are apt to
suffer a heavy loss. Very early
planting II soil is dry. and In good
tiith, is the wisest plan.
Preparing the Land.
THE same general care In
planting should be given this fruit
as given the sweet cherry. The
sour cherry will respond to well
prepared soil and careful planting.
and likewise carelessly handled
will respond in kind.
The distance to plant depends
somewhat on soil and variety, but
Cor the soils recommended and va
rieties advised in this paper we
would recommend 20x20 as best.
Pruning at Planting.
Much differences exists in the
manner Of pruning at this time.
the eastern planter and nursery
says to not cut back at all, but to
thin out only. Our experience has
caused us to disapprove of this
method for this coast country, and
have settled on the policy of shap-
ing and tipping back about as you
would in peach or apple with an
open center. only that We tip back
but a very small amount of the
previous growth, about one-fourth,
thin branches out TO 4 OF 6. cut
out the main leader and start the
tree very low.
Tillage.
Cultivation should start very
early and be thorough. The crop
comes off early in the year and re-
uuires that you work fast. We cul-
tfVata about every ten tays and