The War on Orchard Blight
Kennewick orchardists travel to Prosser to learn how to save their trees from the ravages of fire blight and mildew.
Twenty-five progressive orchardists from Kennewick visited Prosser last Thursday to investigate the fire blight situation. The party toured orchards demonstrating the devastating effects of powdery apple mildew and fire blight. U.S. Government Plant Pathologist W. S. Ballard lectured the growers on the necessity of sulphur sprays for mildew and the harsh reality that for fire blight, there is no known remedy except the knife. The Prosser district is hard hit, but ranchers and business men are waging a ceaseless war to save their crops, a campaign the visiting Kennewick farmers studied intently to prepare for potential outbreaks at home.
“Those who think because they have no pears, they have no interest in fire blight should have been at the demonstration.”
Agricultural blight remains a primary concern for the Tri-Cities region, where the economy still balances on the success of local fruit growers. This story highlights the transition from a 'pioneer' agricultural mindset to one of scientific, government-backed resource management.
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