The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1922-04-20
WHO WOULDN'T OWN
AN AVOCADO TREE!
(By A. D. Moe.)

While in California, the guests of
Mr.. and Mrs. Francis Millard, of Po-
mona, we were indebted to them for
many interesting trips to the surround
ing country, and one of these was to
Whittier, neighboring town. 1t was
in this neghborhood that three oil
wells blew up, leaving huge craters
where the derricks and machinery once
stood. These explosions are caused by
the drillers striking a gas pocket,
which blows out through the we'll with
such force that it often carries every
thing with it, demolishing everything
| in its patA and running the well.
When the gas can be controlled, or
where it comes through the pipe with
out blowing it up it becomes "gass-
er." These walls often catch fire and
make a spectacular blaze that lights
up the country for miles.
Whittier lies on the coast route from
Los Angeles to San Diego, and is ID
miles from the former city, being To-
Gated on the Whittier road. Like
many of the neighboring cities, it is a
residence place of beautiful homes,
artistic gardens, shady streets and
fine business blocks. The many varied
industries in and around the city add
to its commercial prosperity, the wal
nut groves alone contributing $2,000,-
600 annually. The oil wells in this
district have daily production of over
10000 barrels, while the citrus fruit |
shipments in this district amount to
over 5000 cars annually.
Whittier was founded in 1887 by |
members of the Society of Friends Tor
Quakers) and adopted its name from |
the Quaker poet, John Greenleaf Whit
tier. This society built the first church
edifce in the city, and among the pres
ent q churches it is still the largest,
and has the distinction of being the
largest Quaker church in the world,
with 1,200 members. We visited this
building and found it a commodious
and imposing structure, finely fur
quet hall and well-appointed kitchen.
We were pleasantly entertained at
the home of Mr.. and the Misses Sew
ard, who formerly came Of from Green
Lake county, Wis, the former home
Of Mr.. and Mrs. Millard, where my
grandfather settled on the shores of
Green Lake in the SOS. The brother
and two sisters, all unmarried, are liv-
ing happily together in this peaceful
Quaker town, and received us with
the old fashioned, plain hospitality
that took us back to the days of our
youth.
Among the interesting industries. of
California new to US was the cultiva- {
ion of the avocado, or alligator pear,
low receiving considerable attention
rom horticulturists. Whittier is the
irst home of the avocado in California.
The parent tree, brought from Mexico,
s growing here. Of an excellent va
.iety this tree was used to bud the
young seedlings that were planted
after it was found that the fruit could /
De grown successfully in that climate.
IN one year over $1,000 worth of fruit !
md buds were old from this parent
rec. The owner insured it in Lloyd's
'or $40. 600, and was required to build
/ high fence around 1t for protection.
Cyrus Way, a neighbor of the Sew
ards, has been experimenting with I
avocados and other fruits, and is called
he Burbank of Whittier. A visit to
his home revealed many interesting ,
specimens of the avocado. He has
succeeded inpropagating number of va !
.ieties. so that he has ripe fruit on the I
rees every month in the year. from
me of his trees we picked two speci-
mems and brought them home. The
lvocado is considered great delicacy
md sells in the Californa markets for
5 to rs cents each, and some of the 4
in Los Angeles serve them
egularly for $l.50 each. They are
sed largely as a salad dressing, CIV
ng it an oily, nutty flavor. The pro-
uct of tree in full bearing sells for
200 to $500. The tree is very sensi-
i've to frost. and many trees we're
illed this winter in California, yet Mr..
Vay's location in Whittier seems to be
bout as near frostless as any section
n that state, and no damage was done
lis trees. He and the Stewards have
lanted some of the trees in the park
ng between the sidewalk and the
treet. Asked if they were not afraid
he fruit would be stolen, MIR. Way
emarked:
'1f | planted shade trees instead of
vocados, no one, not even myself,
,ould get any fruit"
The avocado is being planted in sew
raj sections of the state where danger
( frost is small, the large profits be-
lg attractive to growers. One nurs-
ry near Whittier makes a specially Of
hem. They are grown extensively in
lexico and the Hawaiian Islands, hut =
re yet quite new in California and on .
ccount of the limited output are still g
cry high in price, but those who have
rquired a taste for them buy them
sadily when on the market. AS the
stricts where they can be successful
grown are limited, growers do not
,ar an over-prOduction which will
luse a glutted market and unproft-
Die prices.