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Changes in Apple Harvest Practices One of the most significant changes in orcharding during the last century was the advent of dwarfing and semi-dwarfing rootstock and cultivation of smaller trees capable of increased fruit production. The huge old standard apple trees which required exceptionally tall ladders for harvesting the crop, are a thing of the past in commercial orchards. The general practice dating to the early 1900's was to "divide the pickers into crews, giving to some of the older men and to the women and girls the job of picking from the lower branches, which they can reach from the ground or from short step ladders. The fruit on the upper branches can be picked by another crew working on taller ladders." (Source: Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture, Ed. Granville Lowther. North Yakima, WA 1914)
In this historic scene of a Michigan apple orchard harvest, apples are either picked into baskets then transferred to boxes or picked directly into boxes. The picking box, also called a lug box, was larger in size than a packing and shipping box. In other areas, apples were also traditionally picked into barrels. “Considerable controversy has arisen as to what is the best vessel to use in picking. Baskets with padding on the bottoms to prevent bruising, can be used, but they have been found to be somewhat cumbersome. Buckets are better, because it is easy to fasten them with hooks to the limbs of the tree, and thus be free to pick with both hands...Picking bags or aprons are also in use.” (Source: Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture, Ed. Granville Lowther. North Yakima, WA 1914) Here is a postcard picturing a group of apple pickers in Martinsburg, West Virginia, posed with their crop. The scene dates to the early 1900's when they still picked apples into barrels. It was a family affair and probably everyone in the picture was helping (except the dog). I've been told that this picture was probably taken at John Miller's Orchard in Gerrardstown.
While it is still necessary for pickers to use ladders to reach the top limbs of today's trees, they are light weight, aluminum or fiberglass models which are not nearly as heavy and awkward as the ladders depicted in these classic orchard harvest scenes from yesteryear. Click here to contrast this with one of the Eberhart Orchard scenes.
Control Destructive Pests and Diseases
This is a friendly reminder to all who have fruit trees on their property especially if they are in the vicinity of a commercial orchard in Kittitas County. The commercial fruit growers in our county are asking for your cooperation in controlling destructive horticultural insects on your property. It was recently announced that the Washington State Department of Agriculture plans to change the boundaries of the Kittitas County Apple Maggot Quarantine Area. The new boundaries if approved will create a pest free area which is south of I-90 and east of a line near Canyon Road. The Kittitas County Pest Board will be actively monitoring this area to be sure that destructive horticultural insects are controlled. This article is to inform you of an owner’s duty to control pests and diseases on their property under the Laws of the State of Washington. Before you plant any new fruit trees in your yard, or if you have any existing fruit trees on your property, be sure that you understand and are willing to accept the responsibilities that go along with owning them. You must be able to give them the special attention that they need throughout the year. Apple Maggot can cause the fruit on an apple tree in a yard to be inedible and unsprayed trees pose a very serious threat to neighboring orchards. Hawthorn and Apple trees are its primary hosts, it has also been reported in Crab Apples, Plums, Apricots, Pears, Cherries, and wild Rose Hips. A female Codling Moth can lay over 100 eggs on foliage or on the fruit itself. When the worms hatch they eat into the fruit and destroy it. Other pests and diseases of concern include Cherry Fruit Fly, San Jose Scale, Pear Psylla, Pandemis and Fire Blight. The only sure way to control pests and diseases on your fruit trees is to spray them with insecticides and other products. This usually requires one early spray plus as many as eight or more cover sprays depending on what products you use. If you do not have the equipment to do this you will need to hire a reputable pest control spray service. Tree or fruit removal is an additional option. If you do not take care of your pests and diseases they can move to a neighbor’s backyard tree or travel to commercial orchards where they can cause serious economic damage. If this occurs and a commercial grower suspects that your tree is infested with insects or diseases the grower can lodge a complaint with the Kittitas County Horticultural Pest and Disease Board. In order to start your pest control program you need to spray on a regular schedule. You can obtain information on pesticides and timing of sprays from WSU Cooperative Extension Kittitas County. Another option would be to simply not plant new trees and remove existing fruit trees to avoid the costs of purchasing special spray and equipment or having to pay a commercial pesticide applicator several times per season. If you do decide to plant or keep existing fruit trees on your property, be aware of your responsibilities of ownership and take care of your trees. To obtain copies of related Extension Bulletins contact Kittitas County Cooperative Extension 507 Nanum St, Suite 2 (509) 962-7507. For more information on Apple Maggot see WSU Extension Bulletin 1928 “Protecting Backyard Apple Trees from Apple Maggot” http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1928/EB1928.pdf For more information from the WSDA contact Tom Sandoe (509) 225-2607. For more information on taking care of fruit trees see COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY CHELAN AND DOUGLAS COUNTIES at www.co.chelan.wa.us/pc/pc8.htm For more information on the Pest Board see Chapter 15.09 RCW HORTICULTURAL PEST AND DISEASE BOARD. www.leg.wa.gov/rcw/index.cfm?fuseaction=chapter&chapter=15.09&RequestTimeout=500 Source: Kittitas County Pest Board, March 2005. Photographs of Plum Curculio Trap in a Harrisburg, Oregon Orchard (Summer 2004). Links to Historical Orchard Views of Interest C.M. Holzinger Fruit Co., Inc., on Yakima Avenue, Yakima, Washington, c. 1937. Columbus Landing on the Columbia River at Maryhill, Washington, ca. 1913 Home surrounded by orchards, Greenacres, Washington, 1903. Orchard in Yakima County, Washington, Photographer: Unknown, ca. 1910. Orchard Yakima Valley, Washington, 1915. Orchards, Okanogan County, Washington, ca. 1928 Photographer: H.S. Albertson. Packing House Workers Packing Apples, Yakima County, 1908. Picking apples, Yakima County, Washington, ca. 1936 Photographer: Asahel Curtis. Picking apples near Spokane Falls, Washington, ca. 1885 Photographer: Maxwell Studio, ca. 1885. Prune Orchard, Yakima County, Washington. Yakima Valley from Observation Point, ca. 1927 Photographer: Asahel Curtis.
Kittitas Valley View Acreage For Sale by Owner - Washington State Valley View Property, Small Farm also Perfect country estate size - approximately 3 acres - ideal for the gardener or horse owner |
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Care
and Cultivation of a Young Orchard 
Washington
State law requires you to control destructive pests and diseases of fruit
trees on your property. There are a multitude of pests and diseases that
could potentially attack fruit trees. Two examples of pests that you should
pay primary attention to on apples are Apple Maggot and Codling Moth.
This
board is responsible for handling complaints and eliminating infestations.
If it is determined that you are not controlling pests or diseases on
your fruit trees you will be asked to do so by a representative of the
board. This representative will return to make sure that you have complied.
If you have not, the board will hire a commercial pesticide applicator
to spray your trees and charge you for the service. If you refuse to pay
the bill a lien will be placed against your property to insure payment.