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VOLUME 8, NUMBER 52
. HOOD RIVER, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1912
SUBSCRIPTION, l.r,0 A YEAR
Intercropping Preferred
to Clean Cultivation
Interviewed Regarding Diversified Farming in Con
junction with Orcharding, Professor Lawrence
Shows Fallacy of Once Popular Method--J. R.
Putnam Talks of PoultryOther Interviews.
Below are glveu gome, interviews
upon various phases of agriculture in
the valley.' Professor Lawrence, upon
being questioned as to the practicabil
ity of diversified farming in connection
with the orchards, gave some interest
ing facts in regard to growing cover
crops between trees, advising that this
be done rather than that clean culti
vation be practiced year after year.
John R. Putnam of the Upper Valley
gives his conclusions about the poul
try business. A third contributor in
timates that local orcharding have
been spoiled by the big profits netted
from their apples In the past and de
clares that, rather than feel discour
aged by this year's experience, they
should be happy over the many bless
ings which are theirs. The articles
follow;
COVER AND SHADE CROPS PREF
ERABLE TO CLEAN CULTIVA
TION In line with the recent discussion of
diversity of crops In this valley, Pro
fessor Lawrence Is not only of the
opinion that such crops may bo grown
between the trees in the orchards
but declares that the gospel of perfect
ly clean cultivation is no longer be
ing preached by thoso who have made
a study of its effect upon the soil.
Is not certain, he says, that intercrop
ping is not absolutely necessary in or
der to prevent tho destruction of the
humus which is a necessary constitu
ent of the soil. He says:
"It has been firmly established that
clean cultivation is responsible, part
ly at least, for several of the phys
iological disorders of the apple in this
va'ley Including winter injury and dry
rot. Of course there are other factors,
such as drainage, fertilization, the UBe
of cover crops and Improper irriga
tion, which may also contribute to
these disorders. We have observed
here, however, that winter injury and
dry rot are usually associated with
weak trees, a variable supply of wa
ter and clean cultivation. Of course
there are some exceptions.
There will be a stronger tendency
In the future to grow shade and cover
crops. This will be more beneficial
for the land than strictly clean culti
vation. The latter burns out the hu
mus and loss of this element causes
a very decided change in the median
leal nature of the soil. Soil deficient
In humus will not hold water as well
It transmits heat and cold more read
ily and as a result Is colder In winter
and hotter in summer. Again, such
solid packs, drive out tho air. This
creates a condition which is adverse to
bacterial action. In this connection it
must be remembered that bacteria are
largely responsible for liberation in
the soil of plant foods that are used
by the tree in making Its growth and
producing cups of fruit.
"There Is no doubt but that the
growth of shade and cover crops In
the orchards will become much more
general In the future. Perhaps the
tendency will be to carry this to an
extreme as has been the case with
clean cultivation. However, the best
results will be obtained by pursuing a
medium course, giving the orchard
clean cultivation some seasons and
growing cover or shade crops other
years. It Is advisable to rotate the
latter crops, as in any other system of
farm cropping, these crops should be
used with Judgment so as not to com
pete with the trees any more than
necessary and too many grain crops
should not be raised In succession.
"These crops could easily be made
to produce revenue In addition to that
from the trees. Among the shade
crops are alfalfa, clover, hay, vetch,
oats, barley and other grains. Hogs
can be pastured on these crops or they
can be fed to horses and other stock.
"One disadvantage in raising such
crops Is the fact that It is more dif
ficult to apply water so as to mature
both the shade crops and the fruit."
JOHN R. PUTNAM GIVES HIS
OPINION OF THE POULTRY
BUSINESS
"As a commercial proposition on a
large scale, I do not believe that the
poultry business In the Hood Klver
Valley can be depended upon to yield
satisfactory profits," said John R. Put
nam of tho Upper Valley when Inter
view regarding poultry raising, how
ever, I do believe that "very orchard
1st should have a flock of hens. A
small flock can be cared for without
taking time that should be given to
the orchard and the eggs will help pay
the grocery bills during the winter. At
the same time the fertilizer is a valu
able addition to the orchard.
"In the case of large orchards I be
lieve that a flock of several hundred
hens would bring good returns. In
making this assertion I take it for
granted that the flock would be large
enough so that one man could devote
all of his time to their care. The
colony, houses would be placed be
tween the trees and the chickens, run
ning through the orchards, would de
posit valuable fertilizer. .
"We have been engaged in the poul
try business now for three years, but
are now reducing our flock- because
we do not find it sufficiently profitable.
At present we have about 300 hens;
last year we had about 800 and the pro
ceeding year we made our start with
about 80. Last season we had a stand
ing contract to sell. all of our eggs at
35 cents a dozen. The buyer called
for the eggs at our ranch and boxed
them for shipping hiniBelf. The lay
lng records showed that the flock pro
duced an average of 132 eggs apiece
per year. At 35 cents this meant
profit. However, it is doubtful wheth
er the purchaser made money on the
deal and It is also doubtful whether
we could have made money had we
not had-'.his favorable contract.
"Marketing conditio!. 8 arc not fa
vorable here. Oi.e must ship to the
large commission houses in Portland
or other cities and the prices are not
what ihey should be for strictly fresh
eggs. Indeed there is not sufficient
difference between the prices paid for
strictly fresh eggs and for the cold
storage product to offer an Inducement
to the man offering the strictly fresh,
eggs. If a market could be developed
which would pay a good price for them
the business would be more profitable
"This is the conclusion I have reach
ed when the business is considered
strictly from the standpoint of egv
producing. Where fancy stock is rais
ed and eggs and chickens for breeding
(Coutinued on page 10)
TRY TO PREVENT
LOST LAKE ROAD
Efforts on the part of certain per
sons in Portland to prevent the fu
ther construction of the road through
the forest reserve at the base of Mt.
Hood connecting Portland and the
Upper Hood River Valley are being
continued, according to a recent dis
patch from Washington. The dispatch
states that "Senator Chamberlain has
taken up with the forest service the
question of construction of a road
through the Hull Run Reserve. The
people of Portland are protesting
against granting a permit for the road
as the city's water supply might, they
think, be injured thereby."
Upper Hood River residents fami
liar with the course which the road
is to take state that It crosses the Hull
Run watershed at a point which would
make contamination of that water
supply impossible.
'iT'Y W1 v i TJtf -5 4 '' lv StT? pT r " W J lomxKi
Naw !rnhrtf Three New Jersey mountaineers were nrrestr, itmrged with threatening I'rei
news oiiajj3iiui tl)en, 3i00(X Thpy Bre (1) i,,, tnTonporti rj, Jnru Dunn ,, (;t) worrpn i
Of thfi Week J0 comml,",ei rcoiwnod the luvestlnntlon of the money trust. Striking rnllrond workers killed two and terrorized the
v town of Edgewnter, N. J. New York snffrnpettes started on a hike to Allmny to plead for votes Pelegntes from Turkey and
the allies met In London to discuss the questions of the war. Sir Kdwnrd tilcy formally submitted the Rrltlxh protest to the Panama canal tolls. Claud
Allen, who, with bis father, Floyd, was to have pnld the death petiulty for the Illllsville (Ya.l murders, was grnutej a stay until Jan 17.
DAD CHOPS TREE;
OTHERS GET GREENS
"Dad" In all his manifold personal
itlse was out In force Sunday and an
onslaught was made upon all available
Christmas trees within walking dis
tance of the city. Shortly after the
Sunday dinner waas safely tucked
away under the family belts, the pro
cession started, Dad armed with the
axe, the rest following with scissors
and knives prepared for use In gath
ering Oregon grape and other greens
for Christmas decorations. The Christ
mas smile adorned all features and
was especially conspicuous upon the
countenances of the youngsters.
When the happy families started
their homeward march they were load
ed down with green, the smaller
members being almost extinguished
beneath their load of trailing grape or
evergreens.
It is an exceptionally green Christ
mas, vegetation being still fresh and
verdant, including the various trailing
vines, ferns and the like. Hood River
homes all present a festive appearance
today.
Portland Firm A warded
Waterworks Contract
Reliance Construction Company, with Bid of $44,910,
Is Declared Successful One Among Twenty-one
Bidders--Contract Covers All but Headworks--Mayor
Blanchar Reads flessage.
At the meeting of the City Council
Monday evening the contract for con
struction of the new waterworks sys
tem was awarded to the Reliance
Construction Company of Portland.
Their bid for the work, which includes
all but the head works, was 944,910. 65.
The Reliance Company was the suc
cessful bidder against 20 competitors.
Some bid on the work as a w hole and
others on one or more of the three
units. As the Reliance Company bid
on the entire work and at a low figure
the council decided that it was best
to award them the contract.
A report on the business of the city
water office from December 1, 1911, to
December 1, 1912, was submitted and
showed that the department is in ex
cellent financial condition, providing
a substantial revenue. Gross receipts
during the year from water rents were
$12,41b.25. Total disbursements were
$5,253.08, making the net receipts $7,-
163.17.
In the course of Monday's meeting
Councilman C. II. Sproat took occa
sion to state that before his term ex
pired he desired to place himself on
record as in favor of Increasing the
city recorder's salary from $75 to $100
a month. He spoke highly of Mr.
Howe's services in that capacity and
strongly recommended the increase.
Mayor Submits His Message
Mayor Blanchar submitted to the
council his message. It was as fol
lows: Members of the City Council, Hood
Klver, Oregon: Your attention Is di
rected to the following pertaining to
the financial requirements of the city
in connection with the proposed levy
for the year 1913:
WATER DEPARTMENT
Cash Resources, December 1, 1912
Net earnings $ 7794.00
Uond Interest Fund 2627.00
Hond Interest Fund i. 2029.00
Total cash resources.
.$12,450.00
DECLARED FIRE TRAP;
RINK IS CLOSED
Declared a fire trap because it baa
not been equipped with fire escapes,
the rink in the old Armory building
has been closed and it is probable that
no more basketball games w ill be play
ed there this year. This was one of
the buildings where fire escapes were
ordered by the council, but It was un
derstood that the upper floor of the
building would not be used for occa
sions where crowds were present and
escapes were not erected. However,
the basketball games have been held
there this year and large crowds of
young people have congregated up
stairs. There is no adequate means
of exit.
In the game played here last week
The Dalles High School team defeated
the local boys by the score of 21 to
18. The game was referred by Coach
Cronewall of The Dalles and consider
able dissatisfaction prevailed among
the local boys, who declare that his
decisions were In favor of the visitors.
A Merry Christmas to you!
Requirements' for Year, 1913
January 1st, Interest on
bonds $
July 1st, Interest on bonds,
August 1st, Interest on bunds
July 1st, Sinking fund on
$36,000 issue
August 1st, Sinking fund on
$90,000 issue
990.00
990.00
2250.00
3300.00
2525.00
Total requirements
.$10,055.00
Balance on hand over .'l 3
requirements $2,395 00
From the above it is evident that no
tax levy will be required in connec
tion with the water department for the
year 1913, and the earnings during the
year added to the balance on hand
should amply provide for the 1914
needs.
in connection with the Items re
quired for the sinking fund, I wish to
explain that these amounts are deter
mined upon the basis that they will
be set aside at these regular periods,
July 1st, 1913, and August 1st, 1913,
and annually thereafter, and placed at
Interest by investment in securities.
This is provided for definitely in the
City Charter under Section 107.
General and Road Funds
Notwithstanding the fact that the
council found it necessary during this
year to expend large amounts on
street repairs, including $2,000 on the
Fast Side Grade improvement as ine
special appropriation, the 1912 taxes,
augmented by refund from the light
and water account, have been suffic
ient to retire all warrants issued
against these respective funds and
leave a balance on hand of approxi
mately $3000; w hereas, usually the city
has had quite a large amount of unpaid
warrants outstanding at this time of
the year.
Requirements for 1913
In addition to the regular expense
necessary in carrying on the affairs of
slilent Elect
BIG POWER PLANT TO BE BUILT
Announcement Made by the Pacific Power & Light
Company That Development Project Rivaling That
of Northwestern Electric Company on White Salmon
Is Planned for Hood River Power Will be Used for
Electric Railway, it Is Stated, as Well as for Other
Purposes Expenditure of More Than Half a Million
Involved Splendid Christmas Present for Valley.
Hood River received its biggest
Christmas present yesterday when
Guy W. Talbot, president of the Pa
cific Power & Light Company, an
nounced that work will be commenced
within a few days on a new power
plant here that will rival in size the
one being built by the Northwestern
Electric Company on the White Sal
mon River.
The plant, which will be construct
ed on the lower river, will have a ca
pacity of 7,000 horsepower and will be
entirely separate from the company's
the city, which should not vary to any
great extent from the present year,
there are special requirements as fol
lows: First Replacing of the outfall sewer.
Second Further Improvement of the
East Side Grade.
Third Providing site for garbage in
cinerator. Fourth Maintenance of the free li
brary. I have not attempted to place an
estimate of the amount that should be
appropriated for these special needs,
but believe that they are all requi
lng money from the 1913 appropria
tion.
Respectfully yours,
E. O. BLANCHAR, '
Mayor.
CASCADE LOCKS
DOESN'T WANT ROAD
That the people of Cascade Locks
are opposed to the construction of the
Hood River-Portland road through
that district, at least at the present
time, is indicated by the following re
port received of a road meeting held
there Thursday:
"The people of Cascaaiie Locks do
not want the river road completed
through this village.
"The legal voters of District No.
to the number of 50 or more met a
the schoolhouse In the village Thurs-
day evening to vote a special tax to
complete the river road from Cascade
Locks to the Multnomah county line
J. N. Dunlop of the Wind River Lum
her Company made the statement that
the proposed road was not needed
and would not be for years to come
lie made a motion that the meeting
adjourn and the motion was carried.
Unitarian Church
The meetings next Sunday are as
follows: Sunday School at 10 o'clock
morning service at 11 o'clock, and
Young People's Religious Union at
6:30 p. m.
Wilson with death unless he paid
iMinn Samuel Untormyer, as special counsel for
present development here. It la un
derstood that part of the power will
be used in connection with an electric
railway.
The material for this big electrical
development, which will mean an ex
penditure of over a half million dol
lars here, has been ordered and the
work of installing the plant will be
comenced just as soon aa the con
struction crews can be organized and
the plans received from the engineer'!
office.
It Is stated that this project will
Fruitmen Will Go East
to Study Conditions
Preliminary to Organization of Northwest Distribu
ters, Representatives from Different Sections
Will Thoroughly Investigate Markets-H. F. Dav-.
idson and Wilmer Sieg to Go from Here.
Within the next few days a number
of the prominent fruitmen of the
Northwest will make tours of the
Eastern markets In order to investi
gate conditions there with special re
ference to the plans for the coopera
tive distributing organization of the
fruit districts of the Northwest, H,
Davidson of the Davidson Fruit Com
pany and Wilmer Sieg, manager of the
I'nion, will go from Hood River. W,
T. C'arke, president of the Wenatchee
Fruit Association, as well as presi
dent of the new organization, which
will be known as the Northwest Fruit
Distributers, will also be among those
to make the trip.
This investigation is being made in
order that all may be fully informed
of Eastern conditions and tlrereby en
abled to formulate plans for the new
distributing association with the most
complete knowledge obtainable.
The next meeting of the distributers
will be held January 3 at North Yak!
ma. A report of progress w ill be sub
mitted within 90 days.
Papers of incorporation have been
drawn by the association, which will
be a mutual concern, controlled by the
nine trustees, for the nine members of
the permanant committee have been
vested with the duties and powers of
trustees. The incorporation has been
made under the non-profit making law
of the State of Washington.
According to a recent newspaper
estimate, the districts represented
produced this year approximately
0,000 carloads of apples or from 12
to 1j million boxes. It is estimated
that with the increase fn sight now
the districts in 1915 will produce
63.000 carloads. So It can be seen
that the committee has no small prob
lem on its hands. It has many fac
tors to take into consideration. The
ffoct of the Panama Canal on fruit
shipments will be taken into consider
ation. The best pack to meet the new
onditions in marketing, what to do
with the lower grade apples, how to
get the best returns from cull apples,
all these things will figure in their de
liberations. Every bona fide grower
in the Northwest is watching with
agerness the activities cf the commi
ttee.
Following Is the apportionment of
fruit districts:
Wenatchee Chelan. Okanogan. Fer
, Iouglas and Grant counties, all in
Washington.
Yakima York, Kittitas, Henton and
ranklin counties in Washington.
Hood River Hood River and Wasco
counties In Oregon and Klickitat and
Skamania counties In Washington.
Western Oregon. All of Oregon west
the Cascades.
Walla Walla Walla Walla and Co
lumbia counties In Washington and
Cmatilla, I'nion, Wallowa and Ituker
counties In Oregon.
mean the expenditure locally of ap
proximately $200,000 for labor and ma
terials. With this added to the other
big Improvement projects, the coming
year is rich in promise for continued
and increased prosperity in Hood
River. - ,
Grace U. B. Church
Sunday School at 10 a. m. Sermon
on "Lessons from the year 1912," 11
a. m. Juniors at 3 p. m. and C. E. at
6:30. Discourse at 7:30, "Is money
King in America?"
South Idaho All of Southern Idaho
and Malheur county, Oregon.
Lewiston-Clarkson Asotin and Gar
field counties and the Snake River
territory in Whitman county; all In
Washington; Nez Perces, Lewiston
and Idaho counties, Including Latah
south of American Ridge.
Spokane All of Eastern Washing
ton and Northern Idaho.
Montana AH of Montana.
BONDED DISTRICT
UNDER DISCUSSION
At the massmeetlng held at Pine
Grove Friday afternoon the proposi
tion of creating a bonded irrigation
district was thoroughly discussed.
Many questions were asked and many
present exi ressed their opinion upon
this important matter which Is to be
submitted at the election January 14.
At the close of the meeting it was de
cided that another such gathering be
fore election is advisable in order
that further information may be secur
ed.
At Friday's meeting P. M. Morse,
city surveyor, submitted a report on
measurements of the available water
supply as follows:
The measurements we made along
the East Fork Irrigation ditch and th"
flume at Dee give the following quan
tities in the different places:
"The Dee mill flume, size feet by
12 feet with a velocity of 3 ft per aec-
ond, gives a flow of 13000 miner's
Inches.
The East Fork at the point we
measured it with an area 66 sq. feet,
velocity 6 fei t rer second, gives a fio ;
of 15.5i" miner's Inches. This would
Indicate that the dam at Dee was lov
tig about 2ri'0 miner's Inches and I
believe that it was on tho day w.
were there.
"Thi East Side Ditch (the Hone
Ditch), with an area of 5Vs sq. fee
and velocity of 6 feet per second, wus
only carrying about 1 4) miner j
nches.
"The small d'tch, ara li feet, vel
ocity 4 feet per second, was carrying
between 50 and 6'0 miner's Inches.
"Of course, you understand that
with the measurement we arn ablo to
take the work was only approximate.
Variation on the Det flume may be
asily 1 1 ii m) Inehes one way or the
other. That on the East Fork would
be apt to vary less than that and I
hiuk th on the ditches are fairly
lose."
Post Entertainments!
Remember to post the dated of pro
posed entertain tnet.ta In the Kriteraln
lent Directory at the public library.
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