Orchardists Declare War on Pest-Ridden Nursery

Orchardists of the East Highlands have become alarmed at the spread of the wooly aphis and have appealed to the state horticultural department complaining against the careless methods of the Von Holderbeke Nursery company. The following communication has been addressed to T. O. Morrison, assistant horticultural commissioner: 'We, the undersigned, residents of Kennewick Highlands, situated near the town of Kennewick, in Benton County, do hereby protest against the careless action of the Von Holderbeke Nursery Co., of Spokane, which nursery is operating a branch on the above mentioned Highlands. We feel this nursery is a force for damage to our orchards which lie in the vicinity of the above nursery. We also feel that they are not conducting an honest business in growing nursery stock that is in the condition that a large part of the stock was recently found to be in by Inspector Luke Powell. The conditions that exist are as follows: 1. The nursery stock now being grown is badly infected with wooly aphis. 2. The orchard trees on the same land are badly infected with wooly aphis. 3. The Von Holderbeke Nursery Co. has known of the above conditions for some time yet the wooly aphis has been on the increase. 4. There are a great many trees, both nursery stock and orchard trees that have not been treated as yet this year, as admitted by the nursery company’s own man in charge. 5. Our orchards surrounding this branch of the Von Holderbeke Nursery Co. are young and easily affected in their growth by the wooly aphis. We implore you as the head of the State Horticultural department to compel the Von Holderbeke Nursery Co. to remove and burn all infected nursery stock, and to treat properly all orchard trees in their care.'