"HOMSOh 1 11 I r i'VUiiai X -!II',- Wi-tUTi STOSAGH lILii PROCESS I MG-O^Jfc ;k ,,, ''i > ! ■[ I [.lit ^, r Lpl-D16E U.B.C. LIBRARY ^Mbtmp^ ^x {fctii ^V- 3 B 5 1 3 - Ft Xlbe IRixral Science Series L. H. BAILEY, Edito* THE COMMERCIAL APPLE INDUSTRY OF NORTH AMERICA ©Iff Sural S>mnrf ^jriea Edited bt L. H. Bailey Thk Soil. King. The Spraying oi" Plants. Lodeman. Milk and its Products. Wing. Enlarged and Revised. The Fertility of the Land. Roberts. The Principles of Fruit-geowing. Bailey. 20th Edi- tion, Revised. Bush-fruits. Card. Revised. Fertilizers. Voorhees. Revised. The Principles of Agriculture. Bailey. Revised. Irrigation and Drainage. King. The Farmstead. Roberts. Rural Wealth and Welfare. Fairchild. The Principles of Vegetable-gardening. Bailey. Farm Poultry. Watson. Enlarged and Revised. The Feeding of Animals. Jordan. (Now Rural Text- Book.) Series Revised. The Far.mer's Business Handbook. Roberts. The Diseases or Animals. Mayo. The Horse. Roberts. How to Choose a Farm. Hunt. Forage Crops. Voorhees. Bacteria in Relation to Country Life. Lipman. The Nursery-book. Bailey. (Now Rural Manual Series.) Plant-breeding. Bailey and Gilbert. Revised. The Forcing-book. Bailey. The Pruning-book. Bailey. (Now Rural Manual Series.) Fruit Growing in Arid Regions. Paddock and Whipple. Rural Hygiene. Oyden. Dry-farming. Widtsoe. Law for the American Farmer. Qreen. Farm Boys and Girls. UcKeever. The Training and Breaking of Horses. Harper. Sheep-farming in North America. Craig. Cooperation in Agriculture. Powell. The Farm Woodlot. Cheyney and Wentling. Household Insects. Uerrick. Citrus Fruits. Coit. Principles or Rural Credits. Mormon. Beekeeping. Phillips. Subtropical Vegetable-gardening. Rolfs. Turf for Golf Courses. Piper and Oakley. The Potato. Oilbert. Strawberry-growing. Fletcher. Western LrvE-STOCK Management. Potter. Peach growing. Gould. The Sugar-beet in America. Harris. Pork-production. Smith. The Development of Institutions under Ibriqation. Thomas. Landscape-gardening. Simonds. Commercial Apple Indu.stry of North America. Folger and Thomson. The Sweet Potato. Hand and Cockerham. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from University of British Columbia Library http://www.archive.org/details/commercialappleOOfolg THE COMMERCIAL APPLE INDUSTRY OF NORTH AMERICA BY J. C. FOLGER Assistant Secretary International Apple Shippers' Association AND S. M. THOMSON Fonnerly Fruit Crop Specialist, United States Department of Agriculture Jl3eto gork THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1921 All rights reserved Copyright, 1921, bt the macmillan company Set up and electrotypcd. Published February, 1921. TO EDWARD H. THOMSON WHOSE VISION, ENCOURAGEMENT AND WISE COUNSEL HAVE BEEN OF THE GREATEST AID IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS WORK THE AUTHORS INSCRIBE THE BOOK PREFACE In collecting material for this work, the authors have visited practically every important apple-growing county in the United States; first in connection with a special investigation of the cost of producing apples in important regions, conducted by the Office of Farm Management, United States Department of Agriculture; and later as Fruit Crop Specialists engaged in organizing a system for estimating important fruit crops and particularly the commercial apple crop of the United States. The au- thors were impressed with a need of this kind of book, as the many published works on the apple have not dealt system- atically with the commercial phase of apple-growing which only recently has become a well defined industry entirely separate from the home orchard. The whole subject of propagation has been omitted, as this is now well treated in separate books. The apple is approached in this book from the point of view of commerce. In the preparation of this work, credit is due to Roy E. Kiarshall and Fred R. Motz of the Virginia Station for aid in the chapter on pruning; to Prof. W. H. Chandler of Ithaca, New York, for his advice and suggestions; to E. H. Siegler and W. V. Cruess, and to many others both in the Federal Department of Agriculture and the va- rious state schools of agriculture and experiment stations. Preface For the Canadian material, the authors are indebted to Mr. C. W. Baxter, and for the Australian and New Zealand material, to Mr. S. P. Vaughn of Tasmania, P. Val Kerr of Victoria, and R. A. Clayton of I^ew Zealand. The Authoes. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I PAGES Importance and History of the Apple Industry . . 1-27 Decline of farm orchards 3-6 Centralized plantings in favored regions . . . 6-7 Outlook for the apple industry 7-12 Favorable factors ^~1^ Increase in population 10 Movement to the city 10-11 Development of foreign market ... H Education and advertising 12 Transportation ^2 Distribution 12-13 Improved cultural methods 13-14 Increase in the use of by-products ... 14 Future production 14—15 Unfavorable factors 15-19 Increased commercial crop 16-17 Poor outlook for unfavored region ... 17 Danger from boom development . . • 17-18 Competition with citrus fruit .... 18-19 Conclusions • • 19-20 History of commercial apple-growing in the United States 20-26 Scientific classification 26-27 CHAPTER II Leading Apple Regions of the United States . . . 28-84 Western New York 29-32 Hudson Valley 32-33 Contents PAGES New England Baldwin belt 33-34 The Champlain district 35-36 New Jersey 36-37 Delaware 37-38 Shenandoah-Cumberland district 38-40 Piedmont district of Virginia 40-42 Minor regions in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia 42-43 Mountain region of North Carolina 43-45 Mountain region of Georgia 45-46 Ohio 46-48 Southern Ohio Rome Beauty district . . . 46-47 Minor regions in Ohio 47-48 Kentucky 48 Michigan 49-50 Illinois 50-54 Southern Illinois early apple region . . . 51-52 Mississippi Valley region of Illinois ... 52 Southeastern Illinois 53-54 Ozark region 54—56 Missouri River region 56-59 Arkansas Valley of Kansas 59 Colorado 60-62 New Mexico 62-63 Utah 63 Montana 64 Washington 64-70 Yakima Valley 65-67 Wenatchee North Central Washington district 67-69 Spokane district 70 Walla Walla district 70 Oregon 70-73 Hood River Valley 70-72 Rogue River Valley 72-73 Other apple districts in Oregon 73 Idaho 74-75 Payette district 74-75 Boise Valley 75 Contents ^d PAGES Twin Falls 75 Lewiston section 75 California 76-79 Watsonville district 76-77 Sebastopol apple district 78 Yueaipa section 78-79 Wisconsin 79-80 Minnesota 80 Early apple regions 80-84 New York and New England 81 New Jersey 81-82 Delaware 82 Southern and Middle Atlantic states ... 83 East North Central states 83 Southern Illinois 83 California 83-84 CHAPTER ni Commercial Apple Production in Canada, Australia AND New Zealand 85-99 Canada 85-95 Nova Scotia 86-88 Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick . 88-89 Quebec 89 Ontario 90-92 British Columbia 92-95 Australia and New Zealand 95-99 CHAPTER IV Locality and Site for the Comimercial Orchard Choosing the locality . Western New York Hudson Valley . Champlain district New England . New Jersey-Delaware Peninsula 100-132 100-132 100-101 101-102 102-103 103 104 xii Contents PAGES Shenandoah-Cumberland region .... 104-105 Piedmont region of Virginia 105-106 Southern Ohio Rome Beauty section . . . 106 Western Michigan 106-107 Illinois 107 Ozark region 107-108 Missouri Eiver region 108-109 Western Slope of Colorado 109 Utah 109-110 Idaho 110-111 Washington 111-112 Montana 112 Oregon 112-113 California 113-115 New Mexico 115 Choosing the site for a fruit-farm 116-132 Raw versus planted land 116 Time to buy 117 Syndicate projects 117-118 Yields and varieties 118 Proximity to market 118-119 Distance from shipping station 119-120 Bearing age of trees 120-122 Diseases and insect pests 122-123 Climatic influences 123-125 Size of farm 125-126 Necessary capital 126-128 Labor conditions 128-129 Social conditions 129 Regional developments 130 Soil 130-132 CHAPTER V The Farm-Management Phases of Apple-Growing . 133-143 Farm organization in relation to the orchard . . 133-140 Systems of tenantry 140-143 Contents xiii CHAPTER VI PAGES Establishing the Apple Orchard ....... 144-154 Nursery stock 145-147 Systems of planting 147-150 Square system 148-149 Hexagonal system 149-150 Quincunx system 150 Planting distances 150-151 Time to plant 151 Setting trees 151-152 Heading trees 152-153 Use of fillers and inter-crops 153-154 CHAPTER VII Cultivation op the Orchard 155-171 Clean cultivation 156-157 Sod- or grass-mulch 157-158 Clean cultivation with cover-crops 159-160 Cover-crops 160-162 Value of cultivation and methods 162-165 Implements 165 The tractor in the apple orchard 165-171 Truck 171 CHAPTER Vin Irrigation 172-185 Choosing an irrigated district 177-180 Irrigating the orchard 181-183 Quantity of water to supply 181-182 Time to irrigate orchards 182 Number of applications 182-183 Methods of irrigation 183-185 xiv Contents CHAPTER IX PAGES FERTiLizma THE Commercial Apple Orchard . . . 186-205 Present practices in fertilizing 187-188 Value of stable manure 188-189 Experiments with fertilizers 189-198 Research work of Kraus and Kraybill . . . 189-191 Experiments in Pennsylvania 191-195 Nitrate experiments by Lewis 195-198 Amount of fertilizer to a tree 198-199 Needs of irrigated regions 199-200 Nitrate of soda 200 Methods of applying fertilizers 200-202 Pruning with reference to fertilizing .... 202 Fertilizer tests 202-203 General summary and specific recommendations . 204-205 CHAPTER X Diseases and Pests of the Apple and Their Control 206-248 Important insect enemies of the apple .... 206-216 The codlin-moth 206-210 San Jose scale 210-211 Oyster-shell scale 211 Apple aphids 211-213 Plum curculio 213 Apple red bugs 214 Apple-tree tent-caterpillar 214 Round-headed apple-tree borer 214^215 Cutworms 215 Bud-moth 215 The fruit-tree leaf-roller 215-216 Important apple diseases 216-223 Apple-scab 216-217 Apple-blotch 217 Sooty-blotch and fly-speck 217 Cedar-rust 218 Bitter-rot 218-219 Contents xv PAQES Blister-canker 219-220 Collar-rot 220-221 Fire-blight 221-222 Apple rosette 222-223 Baldwin-spot 223 Animal pests of the apple 223-226 Meadow mice 223-224 Pine mice 224-225 Control of mice by poisoning 225-226 Spraying 226-235 Cost of spraying 228-230 Spray equipment 230-232 Hired sprayers 232-233 Eegional spraying notes 233-235 Dusting 235-238 Insecticides 238-247 For biting insects 239-241 For sucking insects, contact sprays .... 241-246 Spreaders for the different insecticides . . . 246-247 Fungicides 247-248 CHAPTER XI Fbuit Setting and Pollination 249-257 Causes for the failure to set fruit 250-255 Essentials for a good pollinizer 255-257 CHAPTER XII Pruning and Thinning 258-283 Types of training apple trees 259-268 Natural form 260 Central leader system 261 Open center, or vase-shape 262-264 The double-headed type 264-265 The modified leader tree 266-268 General treatment of young trees 268-270 After first season 268-269 xvi Contents PAQES After second season 269 After third season 269-270 Vegetative, transitory and fruitage stages . . . 270-276 Transition period 270-271 The fruiting period 271 Fruit-buds 271-272 Changing system of pruning 272-274 Bearing trees 274-275 Distribution and establishment of fruiting wood 275-276 Time of pruning 276-277 Pruning tools 277-278 Wound dressings 278 Thinning 278-283 Time and method of thinning 281-282 Cost of thinning 283 CHAPTER XIII Renovation of Old Orchards 284-290 General treatment 285-286 Pruning 286-238 Spraying 288 Soil management 289-290 CHAPTER XIV Handling the Crop 291-312 Picking 291-296 Contract picking versus day labor .... 294 Picking utensils 294-296 Packing 296-312 Sorting and packing barreled apples . . . 296-302 Orchard packing 297-298 Packing-houses for barreled apples . . 298-302 Handling the western box apple crop . . . 302-307 Orchard carriers 303 Sorting and packing the boxed apples . 303-305 Contents xvii PAGES Packing-house arrangemetit and operation 305-307 Mechanical sizers 307-308 Community packing-houses 308-312 Methods of operating community pack- ing-houses 309-310 Packing-house construction .... 310-312 Bulk shipments 312 CHAPTER XV Marketing and Storage 313-338 Selling on consignment 313-314 Selling to cash buyers 314-316 The lump-sum cash buyer 315 Tree-run cash buyer 315-316 Cooperative methods of selling 316-322 Form of organization for cooperative associa- tions 319-321 Pooling 321-322 Purchase of supplies 322 Distribution 322-325 Commission-man 323 The broker 323-324 Carlot operator 324-325 Carlot distributor 325 Field of distribution 325-329 Foreign markets 325-327 Improved distribution within the United States 327-329 Physical handling 329 Grades and standards 329-333 Standard package 330-332 Inspection at point of origin 332-333 Storage . 333-336 Local vs. distance storage 334-335 Common storage 335-336 Handling and cultural methods as relating to storage 336 xviii Contents PAGES Government agencies in marketing 336-338 Crop estimates 337 Market and storage reports 337-338 Cooperative vs. individual effort 338 CHAPTEK XVI Yields 339-347 CHAPTEK XVn By-Products of the Apple Industry 348-356 Evaporators 350-355 Natural draft evaporators 350-352 Forced draft evaporators 352-354 Distillation types of evaporators .... 354-355 Canning, jelly manufacturing 355-356 Cider and vinegar 356 CHAPTEK XVin Cost of Production 357-386 Importance of yields 361-364 Influence of size of orchard 364-366 Effect of size and type of farm 366-369 Effect of climate and soil on cost of production . 369-370 Influence of varieties 370-371 Accessibility to market 372 Cost of materials 372 Labor and cost production 373-374 Orchard maintenance 374-379 Cost of pruning and brush disposal . • . 375-376 Soil management 376-378 Thinning 378-379 Harvesting costs 379-383 Conclusions 383-386 Contents xix CHAPTER XIX PAGES Varieties of Apples 387-457 Summer varieties 394—395 Late varieties 395^26 Baldwin 396 Ben Davis 397 Winesap 398 Rhode Island Greening 398-399 Jonathan 399-400 York Imperial 400 Rome 401 Northern Spy 401-402 Yellow Newtown (Albemarle Pippin) . . . 402-403 Esopus Spitzenburg 403-404 Grimes Golden 404-405 Stayman 405-406 Delicious 406-407 Gano and Black Ben 407 Yellow Bellflower 407-408 Russets 408-410 Tompkins King 410-411 Arkansas (Mammoth Black Twig) .... 411 Wagener 411-412 Arkansas Black 412-413 Willow Twig 413 White Pearmain (White Winter Pearmain) . 414 Red Limbertwig 414 Yates 415 Stark 415-416 Hubbardston 416-417 Tolman Sweet 417 Winter Banana 418 Missouri Pippin 418-419 Northwestern Greening 419 Rambo 419-420 Ortley 420-421 Red Canada 421 ^ XX Contents PAGES Monmouth 421-422 Collins 422 Puznpkin Sweet (Pound Sweet) 422^23 Wolf Kiver 423-424 Sutton 424 Ingram 424-425 Black Gilliflower 425 Lady 426 Early and fall varieties 426-441 Oldenburg (Duchess) 426-427 Wealthy 427-428 Yellow Transparent 428 Twenty Ounce 429 Gravenstein 429-430 Mcintosh 430-431 Maiden Blush (Lady Blush, Red Cheek) . . 431-432 Fameuse (Snow) 432-^33 Williams (Williams Early Red, Williams Favorite) 433 Benoni 433-434 Bonum (Magnum Bonum) 434-435 Red Astrachan , 435 Early Ripe 435-436 Alexander 436 Starr 436-437 Red June (Carolina Red June, Carolina June, Carolina Red) 437-138 Chenango (Chenango Strawberry) .... 438 Fall Pippin 439 Status of commercial varieties 441-449 Age varieties begin to bear 449-451 Relative productivity of varieties in full bearing . 451-452 Relative hardiness of commercial varieties . . . 452-453 Varieties in greatest demand 453-454 Export varieties 454 Varieties for the home orchards 454-457 Index 459 LIST OF PLATES Plate I. — Typical western New York scene. Full bearing trees forty to fifty years of age Frontispiece TACING Plate II. — Low-headed trees in a Virginia orchard . . 20 Plate III. — A typical commercial apple orchard in the Missouri Valley, Kansas. A fifteen-year-old Newtown orchard near Medford, Oregon, in need of water. Red Astrachan orchard in Delaware 38 Plate IV. — Looking across the floor of the Wenatchee Val- ley at Caslunere, Washington 58 Plate V. — View of the Hood Eiver Valley fruit section . 70 Plate VI. — King apples growing in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia 88 Plate VII. — A young irrigated orchard in the Bitter Root Valley of Montana, showing the clean cultivation formerly practiced in the Northwest 108 Plate VIII. — Eight-foot disk in operation in the Rogue River Valley, Oregon. Spring-tooth harrow in use in a northwest orchard 130 Plate IX. — Weeder in use in a Hood River orchard. Type of float commonly used at Hood River after cultivation 152 Plate X. — Irrigating five-year-old Winesap trees in the Yakima Valley 174 Plate XL — Insect pests of the apple 190 Plate XIL — San Jose scale 208 Plate XIII. — Insect enemies of the apple 220 xxi xxii List of Plates FAOIKO FAQE Plate XIV.— The woolly aphis 234 Plate XV. — The tent caterpillar. Rosy apple aphis . . 246 Plate XVI. — Diseases of the apple 260 Plate XVII. — This tree has produced as high as 20 bar- rels of fine fruit in one season and averages about 10 barrels a year 274 Plate XVIII. — Showing method of picking practiced in Virginia 292 Plate XIX.— Packing the fruit 306 Plate XX. — Sizing and grading machines 326 Plate XXI — A Baldwin tree near Paonia, Colorado . . 346 Plate XXII. — A typical yellow Newtown orchard in the Watsonville, California, district 368 Plate XXIII. — Seven-year-old Spitzenburg orchard in the Northwest 390 Plate XXIV. — A Nebraska orchard of Missouri Pippin trees 4:18 THE COMMERCIAL APPLE INDUSTRY OF NORTH AMERICA CHAPTER I IMPORTANCE AND HISTORY OF THE APPLE INDUSTRY The object of this work is to deal particularly with the commercial phases of the apple-growing industry with reference to: (1) Distribution of important commercial plantings under which heading will be discussed the ad- vantages and disadvantages of various regions; (2) eco- nomic problems such as cost of production and marketing ; (3) scientific cultural methods. In presenting the subject, attention is first given to the geography of commercial apple-growing in the United States and competing foreign countries. It is important to know not only where commercial apples are grown but also the cultural methods employed in different regions. The wide distribution of apple plantings in the United States and the extreme variation in the character of the orchards makes it difficult for one to determine the rela- tive importance of any region, much less to have a definite conception of the conditions which prevail in remote dis- tricts. Few agricultural enterprises have experienced the vicissitudes which seem inherent in the frui^'-growing in- 1 3 The Commercial Apple Industry dustry. ^o small factor in bringing about the changing fortunes of the apple-growers has been a lack of definite information regarding the status of the industry in com- peting regions Temporary high prices determined in a large measure the rate of planting in most sections. Census figures giving agricultural, but not commercial, production of apples, have been used in forecasting cycles of either over- or under-planting. In census figures no line was drawn between commercial and agricultural production. Many times when the agricultural produc- tion was decreasing, the commercial production, or that portion of the crop which reaches the market and affects prices, was actually increasing, in some instances very materially. A sharp line must, therefore, be drawn be- tween commercial and non-commercial production if we are to make a correct analysis of the industry and view the future in the proper light. It has been only within comparatively recent years that commercial apple-growing in the United States has ex- perienced such a very noticeable change from what might be termed a local, home orchard or semi-commercial enter- prise into a highly specialized and scientific industry of national proportions, centralized in certain favored local- ities, involving intensive and technical methods of culture, and necessitating very complex and intricate methods of distribution and marketing. In other words, the apple crop has been taken from the list of general farm products and has been placed among the foremost specialized crops. In 1919 the apple crop of the United States was valued at $275,463,000. It ordinarily ranks about ninth in the list of farm crops, being exceeded in total value only by wheat, oats, cotton, corn, potatoes, barley, hay and tobacco. Importance and History of the Apple Industry 3 Some idea of the relative importance of the apple crop may be obtained by a study of the following table : Table I. — Estimated Value of Important Crops of the United States, Based on Five- Year Average 1914-1918 Corn $2,634,804,000 Wheat 1,198,737,000 Hay 1,132.270,000 Cotton 1,097,039,000 Oats 773,752,000 Potatoes 372,239,000 Tobacco 208,426,000 Apples 184,774,000 DECLINE OF FAKM ORCHARDS At present commercial apples can be grown successfully only when scientific and intensive cultural methods are employed. The farmer can no longer give his orchard in- different care and expect to compete with the commercial grower. With the advent of new districts, competition has necessitated the adoption of improved methods mark- ing the decline of the farm orchard and the corresponding rise in importance of specialized commercial plantings. About 1850, apple-growing began to assume important commercial proportions, but for many years the farm orchards remained an important factor. The demand for apples in the towns and cities was at first supplied from the farm orchards in adjacent territory. No great effort was made to locate distant markets and in years of heavy production most of the crops would remain on the farm. About 1860 certain highly productive sections of western New York demonstrated their superiority in producing high quality fruit and this fruit outsold that from other districts. These inherent advantages overcame the dis- 4 The Commercial Apple Industry tance from market so that the center of commercial apple production was established and has remained in western :N'ew York. (See Plate 1.) Despite the rapid centralization of commercial plantings in more favored regions, the apple is adapted to a wide variation of soil and climatic conditions, and is widely cul- tivated throughout the United States. A great many- farms produce a few more apples than are needed at home. Many of these go to waste, but sometimes the surplus is pressed into cider, used for other by-products, or in some quantity finds its way into commercial channels during the years when prices warrant. Just how great a part the last factor plays in the commercial apple industry is diffi- cult to determine, but obviously in the aggregate it is of no little importance. Particularly is this true throughout such states as Iowa, Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania where apples from farm orchards are hauled to nearby towns and supply the market which might otherwise exist for the so-called " strictly " commercial crop. The line of dis- tinction between commercial and non-commercial produc- tion is being more and more closely drawn, however, so that the strictly commercial crop stands out in sharp con- trast. Practically speaking, the spraying operation gives rise to one of the first sharp distinctions between commercial and non-commercial orchards. Insect pests and diseases have exacted a heavy toll from unsprayed orchards and to-day thousands of acres of farm orchards, especially east of the Mississippi River and in such states as Pennsyl- vania, Ohio and Kentucky are slowly dying out. When it is known that more than 90 per cent of the orchards in some states have never been sprayed, the wide disparage- Importance and History of the Apple Industry Table II. — Average Commercial and Average Total Produc- tion OF Apples in United States for Four Years. (1916-1919) Commercial Total Crov Percentage of total crop Staie Crop BUS. BhU. which is commercial 1. \Yashington . . . . 5,062,000 ( 2 )i 6,431,000 78 2. New York . 4,132,000 ( 1 9,106,000 45 3. Vircrinia . . 1,785,000 { 4 3,758,000 45 4. California 1,246,000 ( 6 2,435,000 51 5. Michigan 1,133,000 ( 5 2,531,000 44 G. Illinois . . 1,045,000 (10 1,731,000 60 7. Pennsylvania 988,000 ( 3 4,526,000 22 8. Missouri . . 916,000 ( 8 2,008,000 46 9. West Virginia 892,000 ( 9 1,784,000 50 10. Oregon . . 886,000 (11 1,430,000 62 11. Colorado . . 683,000 (21 851,000 80 12. Ohio .... 629,000 ( 7 2,014,000 31 13. Idaho .... 589,000 (20 844,000 70 14. Kansas . . . 500,000 (25] 70.1,000 71 15. New Jersey . 493,000 (23 757,000 65 16. Arkansas 476,000 (22) 809,000 59 17. Maine . . . 441,000 fl2) 1,334,000 33 18. Massachusetts . 307,000 (17) 940,000 33 19. Indiana . . 304,000 (16 974,000 31 20 Maryland . . 279,000 (24 757,000 35 21. Vermont . . 207,000 (26 588,000 35 22. North Carolina 186,000 (13] 1,232,000 15 23. Iowa .... 182,000 (18 897,000 22 24. Delaware . . 169,000 (36 224,000 75 25. Nebraska . . 164,000 (32 398,000 44 26. Tennessee 161,000 (15 1,173,000 14 27. New Hampshire 157,000 (29] 441,000 36 28. New Mexico 156,000 (35) 298,000 52 20. Utah .... 123,000 (37 214,000 58 30. Connecticut . . 117.000 (28) 446.000 23 31. Wisconsin 117,000 (19] 883,000 13 32. Kentucky 115,000 (14 1,208.000 10 33. Georgia . . 101,000 (27 474.000 21 34. Montana . . 86,000 (34) 324,000 27 35. Minnesota 51,000 (30) 423,000 12 36. Oklahoma .35,000 (33 344,000 10 37. Texas . . . 24,000 (38 144,000 17 38. Rhode Island , 22,000 (40) 78,000 28 39. Alabama . . 20,000 (31 404,000 5 40. Arizona . . 16,000 (41] 46,000 35 41. South Dakota 4,000 (30 105,000 4 U. S. . . . 25,001.000 56,502,000 44 1 Fieiures in parentheses rank states in order of importance in total pro- duction. 6 The Commercial Apple Industry ment between the agricultural and the commercial crop is not surprising. Table II shows the average agricultural and commer- cial apple production in the different states for the period 1916-1919 inclusive. It will be seen that of an average total production of approximately 56.000,000 barrels, only 25,000,000 are commercial. In other words, about 44 per cent of the total production during this period reached commercial channels. Apples used for by-products are not included in the com- mercial crop. Allowing for this factor, it would still ap- pear that from 40 to 45 per cent of our total apple crop is either consumed in the county where grown or goes to waste. CENTRALIZED PLANTINGS IN FAVORED REGIONS The centralization of commercial plantings in favored regions has been an interesting process. The most notable feature in the development of the apple industry has been the rapidly increasing commercial crop from western states, particularly ^Vashington, Oregon, Idaho, Cali- fornia and Colorado. Twenty years ago commercial pro- duction in these states, with the exception of California, Avas practically negligible. To-day over 40 per cent of the commercial apple crop of the United States is grown in the Far West and at no distant date western production may represent one-half of this total. Although far from the centers of population and markets, millions of dollars have been expended in the development of apple orchards in the irrigated valleys of far western states. Heavy yields and fine market quality have combined to over- come the disadvantages of long shipments to market. Importance and History of the Apple Industry 7 Along with the development of the commercial apple industry there has been built up, and particularly in recent years, extensive machinery for the handling, dis- tributing and marketing of apples. Sectional lines have been broken down and this product has become distinctly a national and even international commodity of exchange. Thousands of cars of this fruit move across the entire continent and large cargoes are exported to Europe, Aus- tralia and South America. K'ew and interesting relations between the producer and consumer have been established in an intricate system of marketing. Competition in the production of high quality fruit has worked great changes in cultural methods. Scientific investigation has thrown light on many phases of the industry, all of which will require separate treatment. OUTLOOK FOR THE APPLE INDUSTRY Apple production does not respond quickly to supply and demand, and for this reason there tends to be less stability in the matter of prices than with other products. It requires several years for trees to come into full bearing, and over-production as the result of excessive planting is not felt for a considerable period. If the production of potatoes, wheat or oats exceeds the demand, the land can be put in other crops. But when it has required ten or fifteen years, and much expense, to bring an apple or- chard to bearing, the owner is loath to pull out his trees and will usually wait several years in the hope that price and production will become adjusted. The history of apple production in the United States has run in cycles. In the middle of the past century, when apples first began to be grown commercially, prices 8 The Commercial Apple Industry were good. During the decade 1865 to 1875, prices con- tinued high, and during the period 1850 to 1875 over half of the present bearing orchards in western New York were set. Over-production began to be felt in about 1880. Prom this time on commercial production increased and prices fell until 1896, when the 76,000,000 barrel crop (agricultural) was grown and the industry reached low price ebb. From 1890 to 1896 many growers pulled out their trees, confident that the good prices would never return. Very little planting was undertaken in this period. Tn about fifteen years prices began to climb back until the crest of another wave was reached between 1907 and 1911. As prices improved, beginning in 1900 and continuing up until 1908-9, there occurred another heavy planting pe- riod which assumed the proportions of a boom in many western states. It was during this period that most of the acreage in such box-apple sections as Yakima, Wen- atchee. Hood River, southern Idaho and Colorado, which in 1919 produced nearly half of the commercial apples in the United States, was set. Five consecutive failures in the Ozark, Missouri, crop, from frost-injury, contributed to this inflation by creating a strong demand for northwest fruit in a territory ordinarily supplied. The productiveness of such valleys as the Yakima and Wenatchee in Washington was phenomenal. Trees were young and free from disease, the yields on bearing trees were unusual and the returns to the acre were far greater than had been thought possible from any com- mercial orchard. Gross sales sometimes exceeded $2,000 an acre and in some instances orchards sold for as high as Importance and History of the Apple Industry 9 $3,500 an acre. The price for raw land reached $500 to $1,000 an acre. A reaction in prices followed this period of heavy planting and the country is just now recovering from the effects of the boom- While once suffering from inflation, such districts as Yakima, Hood River, Wenatchee and other well known valleys have been and will remain as centers of production. Unfortunately, however, a large acreage of land unsuited to commercial production was set to trees and exploited as apple land, with disastrous results to investors. Projects including thousands of acres of land were laid out and planted to trees in some states only to fall into entire neglect. Thus far there has never been any con- certed movement toward actually pulling out trees. How- ever, to the same effect, many trees receive little or in- different care and never attain full commercial bearing. This is the principle which tends to limit production. Growers slip behind, omit cultivation and spraying and other necessary cultural operations, with the result that their orchards will not produce commercial fruit. It is for this reason that census figures, giving mere number of trees, are very often misleading and need careful analysis without which the industry may be led into periods of over- and under-planting. Favorable factors. It is often asked by those who contemplate setting an apple orchard whether it will be a good business proposi- tion or whether there will be over-production in the years to come. A definite reply is impossible. However, a careful study of these points, in the light of present facts 10 The Commercial Apple Industry and conditions, leads to certain probabilities. The fol- lowing factors are favorable to the future of the apple industry. 1. Increase in population. The first point to be considered is the probable increase or decrease in consumption. There may be periods of very heavy planting, but if population and demand in- crease proportionately, an equilibrium is maintained. Obviously the most favorable factor in the outlook is the rapid normal increase in the population of the United States. If the same rate of increase continues, in 1930 there will be 130,000,000 people, while in 1940, when many of the apple orchards not yet in bearing will reach their highest productivity, there will be 165,000,000 peo- ple. If the same rate of increase continues until 1950, there will be 210,000,000. Rate of increase in population depends, of course, on a number of factors. 2. Movement to the city. The important factor in the increase in population is that there is a constantly increasing percentage living in cities and towns. For example, in 1790 96 per cent of the inhabitants lived on farms and only 4-'per cent lived in towns and did not raise the food they consumed ; in 1860 84 per cent lived on farms and 16 per cent in towns ; in 1880 44 per cent on farms and 56 per cent in towns; in 1900 35 per cent on farms and 65 per cent in towns and in 1910 30 per cent on farms and 70 per cent in towns. The drift towards the city is distinctly in the orchardist's favor. In fact, this would seem to be the Importance and History of the Apple Industry 11 most favorable of all factors in the outlook of the apple industry and a potent influence against over-production. 3. Development of foreign market. In past years varying quantities, seldom exceeding two million barrels of the best apples, were exported annually. There are great possibilities in the export trade, not only in those countries which at the present time consume large quantities of American apples, but also in undeveloped foreign markets. South America is as yet a market largely undeveloped. At present, the United States produces the larger part of the world's commercial apple crop. Most of this is consumed at home. In addition, foreign fruit is im- ported to the value of hundreds of millions of dollars from countries which do not consume apples except in a very limited quantity. The apple is one of the least perishable and at the same time one of the most popular fruits, once a demand is stimulated. At present Eng- land is the leading export market. Other north European countries consume American apples in lesser quantities. When it is considered that in the face of an abundance of other fresh fruits and food stuffs the people of the United States consume over 20,000,000 barrels of commercial apples and export only about 2,000,000 barrels annually, the possibilities of export can be more fully appreciated, particularly as the European countries with their millions of population produce commercial apples only in limited quantities. It must be remembered, however, that by the time a package of high-grade apples reaches the European market, the price is out of the reach of such classes as in this country consume much of our own commercial crop. 12 The Commercial Apple Industry 4. Education and advertising. There is no doubt that consumption of high-grade fruit has been greatlv stimulated in recent years by judicious advertising. This is particularly true of the northwest apples. Advertising and educational campaigns will con- tinue to increase consumption. The improved quality of commercial apples is unquestionably stimulating the de^ mand for this fruit among all classes. The fruit-stand has played no small part in creating this demand by dis- playing and familiarizing the people of the cities with the sup«rb quality of certain high-grade brands and va- rieties of apples. A large portion of the northwest boxed apple crop is retailed an apple at a time. As the con- suming public becomes more and more familiar with high quality apples, the demand for this fruit becomes more and more pronounced. 5. Transportation. The success of commercial apple-growing in various regions is greatly affected by transportation and railroad facilities. Some of the more southern districts, for ex- ample, have poor transportation facilities and orchards are very often located in hilly sections where hauling the fruit to the shipping point represents one of the principal costs of production. With improved roads and shipping facilities, distance from market and inaccessibility will be largely overcome. 6. Distribution. With the improved storage facilities and the progress already made iu distribution, it is not surprising that the domestic markets have been able to absorb the increasinir Importance and History of the Apple Industry 13 cominercial apple crop. Should the apple-grower be able to duplicate even in part the distributing methods used in the citrus industry, it becomes apparent that he might share in the increased demand for high-grade fruit. The sale of oranges has increased in recent years more rap- idly than population. Many potential consuming centers are represented in towns which can no longer depend on good apples from nearby farms, but are as yet scarcely touched by the present system of distribution. These will eventually be supplied and will absorb a large amount of high-grade fruit, even though at the present time a demand for such a product seems relatively slight. Storage facilities now established in all large consuming centers have played a most important part in developing city trade. The extension of storage facilities and better methods of distribution represent one of the favorable factors in the outlook for the commercial apple industry. 7. Improved cultural methods. There has been a great improvement in every phase of orchard management. Improved methods of spraying, pruning, cultivating, and the like have made possible the production of high-grade fruit. Orchard management has probably reached its highest development in the Northwest. Careful orchard management is expensive, but there is compensation in increased yield, which is the big factor in reducing cost production a unit. The com- mercial grower has been able to produce high-grade fruit economically, sell it at good prices and outstrip his more careless neighbor or the producer of inferior apples. In other words, keen competition is forcing the home or- chard and semi-commercial fruit off the market. 14 The Commercial Apple Industry 8. Increase in the use of by-products. One of the most favorable factors in the outlook of apple production is the increasing importance and use of apple by-products. It is only in recent years that the canned apple industry assumed great importance. Dried apples are more in demand than before. With the advent of prohibition, the demand for apple juice products is increasing greatly. Jellies, apple-butter and similar prod- ucts are being manufactured in increasing quantities. The apples required in the manufacture of these by- products will remove from the market much of the low- grade fruit. Enormous by-product plants have been built in the heart of the Shenandoah-Cmnberland region of the Middle Atlantic states, in western New York, in the Ya- kima and Wenatchee valleys of Washington and in fact in all important apple regions. Numerous breweries and dis- tilleries have been converted into plants for the production of apple by-products. 9. Future production. It is important to note, in connection with possible future production, that there has been little concerted ap- ple planting in any part of the United States since 1910. This lack of planting can not fail to have effect on the production of the next two decades. In speculating on future production, one instinctively turns to New York State, which until very recently was credited with one- fourth of the normal conamercial apple production of the United States. In the Hudson Valley are many new or- chards which will increase materially the production from this region. However, in western New York, which is Importance and History of the Apple Industry 15 responsible for the bulk of New York apple production, the average bearing orchard is over forty years of age. Although they have had a remarkable record for longevity, production can not be maintained indefinitely on these old orchards which were for the most part planted in the sixties and seventies of the preceding century. Therefore, unless planting proceeds much more rapidly than in the past, no increase and in fact a possible decrease in pro- duction can be expected from western New York. New England apple orchards have been going back rapidly the past several years. As a matter of fact, no- where in the eastern states with the exception of the Shen- andoah-Cumberland region, in New Jersey and Delaware, does there seem likely to be any material increase in production. It is a notable fact that a great decrease has occurred in the number of apple trees all through the Middle West and although a revival of interest is serving to hold production at its present point, it does not seem that on the whole this section of the United States will show an increased apple production in the near future. The Pacific Northwest will unquestionably show an increased production during the next several years and will be an increasingly important factor in the commercial apple situation. While the Northwest will continue to ship more and more cars of apples, there will be no such relative increase in production as that which occurred in the past ten years. Unfavorable factors. To mistake hopes for facts in the determination to see only the favorable side, regardless of true conditions, has been too frequent. Production in the western 16 The Commercial Apple Industry states has not yet reached its maximum. Twenty-six per cent of the new planting in the decade 1900 to 1910 was in the Pacific ISTorthwe&t. This region will have a normal increase in production of high quality fruit. It is, to a great extent, commercial, and most of it will reach eastern markets. This will unquestionably be the biggest factor in the apple problem. Even to-day the average ap- ple-gTower does not seem to appreciate the importance of the western crop which has grown so rapidly that it has been difficult to keep fully informed as to the normal size. 1. Increased commercial crop. It is very evident that there has been an increase in the strictly commercial apple crop of the United States, census figures to the contrary notwithstanding. It is important to be on guard against statistics and figures showing de- creases in acreage. The fraction of the crop which reaches commercial channels is of the greatest importance. Ordi- narily the commercial crop is estimated at approximately 40 per cent of the total production. Commercial apples are defined to include only that portion of the crop which reaches strictly commercial channels. All fruit left or eaten on the farm, wasted or used for by-products, was not considered as commercial. The agricultural crop may de- crease, but if there is a greater portion of it directed into commercial channels, the decrease may be more than offset by the increasing commercial crop. , In many sections the commercial crop is and has been increasing rapidly during the past few years. Even with the expected increase in population and the better distribution discussed as favorable factors, years are likely to occur when bumper crops will cause prices to Importance and History of the Apple Industry 17 fall as low as the cost of production. However, unless there is a decided tendency towards new planting, it seems improbable that these years will be successive or very fre- quent. There should always be a margin of safety and these lean years should be considered by prospective apple- growers. 2. Poor outlook for unfavored region. One of the principal factors in lowering cost of produc- tion is increased yields. In other words, high yielding sec- tions have a distinct advantage and sometimes increased cost of production actually reacts in their favor by elim- inating less favored regions, and thereby limiting competi- tion. The great increase in the cost of labor and material has made it necessary to receive a price for fruit consider- ably in advance of that required formerly to pay the costs and leave a profit. Many sections can overcome these in- creased costs by increasing yields and better management. Less favored districts in so-called marginal regions will be the first to suffer. The grower who has good yields and manages well will ordinarily be successful. 3. Danger from boom development. During a period of high prices for fruit, there will al- ways be danger of land-selling booms. Promoters will buy up large tracts of land, set them to trees and then en- deavor to unload on unsuspecting city men and farmers not familiar with fruit-growing. jSTeedless to say, the growth of the industry by such methods is unhealthy and honest and intelligent growers and horticulturists should combat such efforts with merciless publicity. This is not 18 The Commercial Apple Industry intended to discourage legitimate investments. Well se- lected farms have been known to pay for themselves in a year. Syndicate farming schemes, however, are always questionable. They sound well, but they seldom work out. Attempts of this kiiid were numerous a few years ago, were largely discontinued for a time, but may revive following high price years. After a few years of inactivity, " pro- moters " will appear to prey on a new class of investors. Careful investigation on the part of investors should enable them to determine which orchards were set to produce fruit and which were set for speculation. By curbing this spec- ulative influence, a long step will be taken towards pre- venting over-planting. Among the favorable factors mentioned in the forego- ing paragraphs are the extension of foreign markets and the increase in exportations to meet this demand. In pass- ing, one should not fail to note that in a certain part of the world there are being developed important apple-produc- ing regions. Notable among these is Tasmania, which has produced as many as 2,000,000 cases of commercial ap- ples and exported as many as 800,000 cases (bushels) to England in one year. Canada will be an increasingly im- portant factor in the apple industry. Many localities are suitable for apple-growing in this country and new regions are constantly being developed. 4. Competition with citrus fruit. In discussing the outlook for the apple industry, some consideration must be given to its relative status in com- parison with the rapidly growing citrus fruit industry. In 1896, when one of the largest apple crops in the his- tory of the industry was harvested, citrus fruit-growing in Importance and History of the Apple Industry 19 the United States was comparatively in its infancy. Since 1896, citrus production has doubled and trebled in size until during the year 1917 approximately 100,000 carloads of citrus fruits were produced and sold in the United States. Of these, 54,000 carloads were grown in Cali- fornia alone ; the remainder largely in Florida. It is dif- ficult definitely to establish the significance of this growth in relation to the apple industry. In the first place, cit- rus fruits can be grown only within comparatively small areas and their production is thereby limited. Citrus- growers have perfected a better system of distribution and have placed their products in a greater number of markets. This competition may check apple consumption, but on the whole, it seems to indicate that the possibilities of apple distribution have not been as well recognized as they might have been. Citrus production has increased much more rapidly than population and yet distributing agencies have sought out markets, stimulated demand and have disposed of their vastly increased product in most instances at a profit. Conclusions. On the whole, although our commercial apple produc- tion may increase perceptibly in the next few years, due principally to increased production from such regions as the Pacific Northwest and the Shenandoah-Cumberland, there will be no such relative increases as in the period from 1905 to 1920. The population is increasing, with a resulting demand for more fruit. The extension of foreign markets, better means of distribution and wider uses of the apple, com- bine in giving a promising outlook for the apple industry. 20 The Commercial Apple Industry There seems no reason to believe that over a period of years, taking the good vrith the bad, apples will make any materially better returns than many other farm crops ; yet apple-growing is a specialized industry and will always afford exceptional opportunity for individual effort. HISTOEY OF COMMERCIAL APPLE-GEOWING IN THE UNITED STATES The cultivated apple comes to us from prehistoric time. While several species of native crab-apples were growing wild in the forests at the time of the discovery of this country, these species have never attained commercial im- portance. Practically all the commercial varieties are from the Pyrus Malus stock, which is a native of southwest Asia and adjacent Europe and which has been cultivated since time immemorial. Crab-apples came chiefly from Pyrus baccata, or Siberian crab, which comes from the more northern and eastern parts of Asia. At present the apple is the most widely cultivated and important fruit in existence, being grown in practically every country and in every climate. It has reached its greatest cultural development in the United States, which is the principal apple-producing country in the world. It is interesting to know that apple-culture in this coun- try developed almost simultaneously with the settling of the early colonies. Early records show that apple trees were being grown in New England within a few years after the founding of the Pl^onouth colony. In 1648 Governor Endicott exchanged with Wm. Trask 500 apple trees of three years' growth for 200 acres of land. Other frag- mentary information taken from the history of the New England settlements indicates that apples were being Importance and History of the Apple Industry 21 grown in that region as early as 1650, and that numerous plantings there and elsewhere had been made by 1700. Among the early varieties mentioned were Pearmain, Eus- setin, Long Apple and Kreton Pippins. The two leading apple regions in A"ew York State, the Hudson Valley and western Xew York or Lake Shore region, were recognized in the early development of the apple industry in Xew York. It appears in the earlv history of the Dutch settlements in the Hudson Vallev that apple trees were planted near Kinderhook not long' after 1700. Plantings also occurred in Long Island at about the same date. Pioneers report apple plantings in western IS^'ew York as early as 1750. It must be remembered that this region was in a much more primitive state of development at this time than the Kew England and Hudson Valley sections. Legendary history suggests that apple seeds preceded the progress of civilization into western New York and, falling into the hands of Indian tribes, notably the Senecas and Cayugas, were scattered throughout this part of the state. General Sullivan is reported to have found bearing apple trees laden with fruit near Seneca Lake as early as 1779. It must not be thought that these early plantings were of commercial importance. They were isolated, small in ex- tent, but nevertheless represented interesting landmarks in the development of apple-culture in this country. Com- mercial apple-growing in Xew York reallv date's back to about^ 1860. Prior to this time A. J. Doling, who was bom in 1802 and later conducted a nursery at A'ewburgh, had been a very important and influencing factor in the development of the apple industry in the Hudson Valley region. A. J. Downing died in 1852 after having pub- 22 The Commercial Apple Industry lished in 1845 his " Fruits and Fruit Trees of America." Charles Downing, his brother, remained a leading author- ity on apple varieties and apple-growing until 1885. In 1840 George Ellwanger and Patrick Barry started the Mt. Hope nurseries at Rochester, New York. Barry- was one of the pioneers in the apple industry and had much to do in making western New York the leading nursery and apple-growing region. Jonathan Chapman, or Johnny Appleseed, the name by which he was more commonly known, had much to do with the spread of the apple westward from New York. Chap- man was an eccentric character. It seems that he spent much of the first half of the nineteenth century in roaming through Ohio and Indiana, at that time a wild undeveloped country. By carrying apple seeds about with him and sowing them broadcast, he effected a wide extension in apple plantings throughout this region. Being of an in- tense religious nature, his life and activities have a roman- tic interest which have been the subject of much writing. His descendants are actively interested apple-growers in southern Ohio to-day. From the standpoint of historic interest, few regions ex- cel the Piedmont of Virginia. Although the Newtown ap- ple originated on Long Island, it was later introduced into Albemarle County, Virginia, early in the eighteenth cen- tury and has been prominently identified with the develop- ment of the apple industry in this region, under the name of Albemarle Pippin. Albemarle Pippins were exported to England from Virginia as early as 1759. Thomas Jef- ferson was cultivating this variety at Monticello, his coun- try place in Virginia, before the Revolution. It has been authentically stated that so pleased was Queen Victoria Importance and History of the Apple Industry 23 with several barrels of Virginia Albemarle Pippins pre- sented to her during the first year of her reign by the late Arthur Stevenson, American minister to England, that she caused the import tax on apples to be removed. Since that time apple exportations to England have rapidly increased. While certain species of wild crabs are native to the prairie states and doubtless isolated plantings occurred in this region prior to the Civil War, it was after 1860, at the time of the influx of many early pioneers, that apple trees were brought into the country west of the Mississippi River. The apple industry in this section did not begin to assume commercial importance until the eighties and the decade following. It was at this time that many of the older orchards were planted in the Ozarks, Missouri River region and southern Illinois. Good prices for apples in the late eighties stimulated planting and it was during the nineties that the heavy commercial apple plantings were made in the Middle West. The rapidly increasing importance of the western apple regions attracts considerable attention to the history and development of apple culture of the Far West. Probably the first apple trees on the Pacific Coast were grown at Fort Vancouver, Washington, where employees of the Hudson Bay Company are reported to have planted seeds, carried from England, as early in 1825. The Pajaro Valley or Watsonville section of California is the oldest commercial apple region in the Far West. The agricultural history of this region dates back to about 1820 when Don Antonia Maria Castro applied to the gov- ernment of Spain for a grant of land along the Pajaro River, which he called Vega del Rio del Pajaro. Several large land grants were given to the Spanish Dons during 24 The Commercial Apple Industry the next twenty years, but all were used for stock- raising. In 1853 the first apple orchard planted by an American in this region was set out on the Jesse D. Carr place, now the Sillman homestead. This orchard was about two acres in extent and contained a mixture of fruit. Some of these trees are still in bearing. The second apple orchard in the Pajaro Valley was planted by Wm. F. White in 1854. These first two plantings were home orchards. The first commercial orchards in the Pajaro Valley were set out by Isaac Williams and Judge R. F. Peckman in 1858. One planted thirteen acres and the other six acres. The early varieties gi'own were Smith's Cider, Rhode Is- land Greening, Gravenstein, Newtown Pippin and Belle- flower. The first shipment of apples from the Pajaro Val- ley was made in 1867 by Isaac Williams who sold his fruit in San Francisco. Increased demand for fruit stimulated apple planting and a large number of the present orchards were set out in the period between 1880 and 1900. The output of the Watsonville section was assuming commercial proportions many years before such sections as the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys in the Northwest had come into prominence. It is generally thought that the oldest apple orchards in the Yakima Valley were planted about 1875 to 1876. Near Fort Simcoe, twenty-seven miles south of North Yakima, stands an orchard planted by an Indian, Klickitat Peter, in 1877. This is probably the oldest apple planting in what was later destined to become one of the premier apple-growing regions. In 1888 there were a few family orchards in the Yakima district, but probably the first commercial planting of Importance and History of the Apple Industry 25 fruit-trees in Yakima was made in 1888 by H. J. Bicknell, in what is known as Parker Bottom. In the spring of 1889, Fred Thompson set out in thfe same locality what was probably the first commercial apple orchard in the valley. The whole planting consisted of ten acres and included three acres of prunes, three acres of peaches, three acres of Ben Davis apples and one acre of pears. In 1888 and 1889 two irrigation companies, one to un- dertake the Selah project and the other what is now the Sunnyside Government project, were organized. At this time a few express shipments of fresh fruit had been sent to the coast from the small home orchards. In 1894 the total apple output shipped from the Yakima Valley probably did not exceed twenty-five cars. Fruit was layer packed, but not wrapped, the old sixty-pound box being in common use. In 1896 Fred Thompson shipped from the Yakima Valley what was probably the first car of fruit from this region to be sold east of the Mississippi River. It was in 1894 that the apple planting period really began, and the most extensive plantings were made in the years 1900 to 1908. The history and development of the Wenatchee Valley, which is probably the most intensive apple region in the country, was even more recent than the development of the Yakima Valley. The date of the first apple plantings in Wenatchee is given by some as 1873, others 1876. The first fruit-trees were set out by Miller Brothers who later established the first irrigating ditch in this region in 1883. Practically the entire Wenatchee Valley was a barren waste until 1896 when the Gunn ditch was built to water 600 acres of land. In 1901 W. T. Clark, coming from North Yakima, interested himself in the organization of 26 The Commercial Apple Industry the High Line Canal, designed to water 9000 acres of or- chard land. This ditch was completed to Wenatchee in October, 1903. The completion of the High Line Canal marked the beginning of important orchard development in the Wenatchee Valley. By 1913 there were about 20,000 acres of irrigable land under the diilerent ditches established in the Wenatchee Valley. The Indians occupied the Grand Valley until 1880, at which time the history of fruit-growing in western Color- ado begins. In the spring of 1883 several hundred root- grafts were put out in the Grand Valley, only a fraction of which lived. The first fruit plantings were made in the lower lands of the Valley about 1885 or 1886. In 1882 a farmer living at Paonia, in Delta County, a local- ity of lesser importance than the Grand Valley, purchased twenty-six trees of mixed varieties from Rochester, New York, at one dollar each. Of these, three survived. As in the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys, principal orchard development occurred in Colorado after 1900. From this fragmentary history of apple-culture in the United States, it may be seen that while apple trees have been grown in home orchards for nearly 300 years, it has only been within comparatively recent years that the in- dustry has assumed commercial proportions. SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION The apple belongs to the important genus Pyrus, of the Eose family (Eosacese). This genus includes the apples and pears. The common apple is Pyrus Malus, sup- posed to be native to Europe and Western Temperate Asia. Within this species, as it is commonly broadly accepted, are included the commercial apples, the Paradise and Importance and History of the Apple Indiistry 27 Doucin dwarf forms, so-called bloomless apple, and others. The Siberian crab is Pynis haccata. The growth is more slender and wiry than in P. Malus, twigs and leaves not woolly as in that species, the fruit small, long-stemmed, and with the calyx falling away at the blossom end. Hy- brids occur between Pyrus Malus and P. haccata. Some of the apples known as " crabs " are only small and acrid fruit-forms of P. Malus. Several species of crab-apple are native to !North Amer- ica. One of them is Pyrus ioensis, the prairie crab. It is not cultivated for its fruit, but the Soulard, Fluke, and others are supposed to be hybrids between this species and Pyrus Malus. Some botanists separate the pears and apples into dif- ferent genera. Under this disposition, the pears are re- tained in Pyrus and the apples take the generic name Malus. The common apple then becomes Malu^ com- munis, and the wild or run-wild form of it in Europe is called M. sylvestris. A number of oriental species of Pyrus (Malus) are grown for ornament, but they need not be discussed here. CHAPTER II LEADING APPLE REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES There has been a noticeable tendency in recent years towards the centralization of the commercial apple indus- try in a relatively few intensive regions. A glance at the Fig. 1. — The principal apple-growing regions in the United States. outline map showing the principal apple-growing regions reveals this. (See Fig. 1.) It is estimated that approx- imately 80 per cent of the total commercial apple crop of 28 Leading Apple Regions of the United States 39 the United States is produced in these relatively few re- stricted districts. In many parts of this country there is scarcely a farm that has not a small home orchard of apple trees. As has been emphasized elsewhere, production from these home orchards is having less and less commer- cial significance and interest centers in a few well-defined regions. By describing each important apple region and pointing out its individual characteristics, it is hoped to convey to the reader a mental picture of the commercial apple indus- try as it has been developed in these well-favored regions. WESTEEN NEW TOEK ( PLATE l) From the standpoint of quantity production and total acreage, western Xew York is the most important apple region in the United States. As early as 1860 the produc- tivity of this section became apparent, and the high qual- ity apples outsold those from other localities. Good qual- ity and high yields w^ere suflicient to overcome the ad- vantages which many other regions may have enjoyed from being closer to the Atlantic seaboard cities ; and the center of commercial barreled apple production was established and has remained in western New York. Previous to 1919, one-fourth of the normal commercial apple crop of the United States was produced in the state of ^ew York, but the Northwest now produces so many apples that this will probably never be true again. Heav- iest plantings are in Niagara, Monroe, Orleans and Wayne counties which border on Lake Ontario. Each of these counties has an apple acreage of 25,000 to 35,000 acres and each is capable of producing from a half to a million barrels of apples annually. Coimties of less importance 30 The Commercial Apple Industry included in this region are Ontario, Yates, Seneca, Cayuga, Genesee, Onondaga, Oswego, Wyoming and Tompkins, In reality, the world's most important barreled apple region is largely in a ten-mile belt along Lake Ontario, ex- tending from Niagara Falls to Oswego, New York, a dis- tance of about 125 miles. In this section much of the present bearing acreage was planted in the late sixties and in the seventies of the preceding century. In other words, the average age of bearing orchards is over forty years. Probably nowhere else in this country will trees retain such vigor and productivity at forty to fifty years of age as in western New York. The old apple orchards along the ridge road from Buffalo to Rochester have with- stood alternate periods of neglect and care, according to the vicissitudes of the apple industry, and yet they remain in most instances vigorous and productive at advanced age. The permanency of western New York as a leading apple region may be explained partly by the conservatism of the New York grower. Instead of devoting himself entirely to apples, the average farmer in western New York has 100 acres or more of farm land of which only 10 to 20 acres are in apples. His other crops have main- tained him in poor apple years. The yields on the com- mercial full bearing orchards average from 75 to 100 bar- rels to the acre. Some idea of the importance of New York as an apple state may be gained from the fact that the 1918 commercial apple crop was estimated at 5,950,000 barrels, over two- thirds of which came from western New York. Baldwin represents nearly one-half and Rhode Island Greening about 20 per cent of the total production. Northern Spy, Roxbury Russet, Tompkins King, Duchess of Oldenburg, Leading Apple Regions of the United States 31 Hubbardston, Wealthy and Twenty Ounce comprise the greater part of the remaining commercial production. As might be expected, large storage plants have been built in nearly all of the apple towns. Some of the more important apple centers are Eochester, Lockport, Medina, Albion, Brockport, Sodus, East Williamson, North Rose, Canandaigua and Holcomb. The barrel is used almost exclusively and very little of the crop moves in bulk. A high percentage of the dried apple production of this country comes from the western New York apple region. For many years Wayne County has been the center of dried apple production and in some seasons as much as 40 per cent of its crop is used for drying. Nearly every orchardist in this county has his own drier, and the pro- duction comes largely from small home driers rather than from large commercial plants. There is considerable variation in the types of orchards in western New York. Probably 80 to 90 per cent of the bearing orchards are over twenty years of age and there are many profitable orchards over fifty years old. It is believed that the trees in this region reach their maxi- mum bearing capacity at forty to fifty years. The earlier plantings were set about 33 x 33 which proved too close on account of the large size which the trees attained. New plantings are being made 40 x 40. Orchard values in western New York have never reached the high figure attained in some apple regions. Seldom are bearing orchards valued at more than $500 an acre. It is diflScult to give orchard values in any region and particularly in western New York where the orchard us- ually goes with the farm and where varying care is given. Some orchards are worth little more than the land they 32 The Commercial Apple Industry occupy. These are the old orchards which have received indifferent care for many years. HUDSON VALLEY The Hudson Valley is one of the well known eastern regions, the important commercial plantings extending along the Hudson River from Saratoga County south to Westchester County, and including both sides of the val- ley for a width of several miles. The normal production for this region is about 600,000 barrels and originates largely in the counties of Columbia, Dutchess, Greene and Ulster, with lesser amounts in Albany, Saratoga, Rensse- laer, Orange, Putnam and Westchester. The industry is very intensive about the towns of Coxsackie, Ravena, Ger- mantown, Red Hook, Millbrook, Athens, Milton and Ulster Park. Much of the land is rough and hard to work and this region is not as well adapted to general farming as western New York. The soil in some instances is more or less de^ ficient in fertility. The varieties grown are principally Baldwin, Greening, Ben Davis and Spy, with considerable commercial quanti- ties of Mcintosh, Duchess, Gravenstein, Holland Pippin, Fall Pippin, English and Roxbury Russet. Trees are much the same in age as in western New York, the orchards in many cases being even older. How- ever, there is a larger proportion of young plantings and orchards coming into bearing in the Hudson Valley than in the western part of the state and particularly is this true of Dutchess and Columbia counties. The apples from the Hudson Valley are shipped largely by boat and rail to New York and eastern markets. Many Leading Apple Regions of the United States 33 apples are grown here for the fancy trade demand and such varieties usually bring good returns, due to the prox- imity to market. The average annual yields are less than in western New York, due largely to soil conditions. The future of the Hudson Valley fruit industry seems assured on account of its proximity to market. NEW ENGLAND BALDWIN BELT The intensive apple sections of Maine, ISTew Hampshire and Massachusetts are included in what is known as the New England Baldwin Belt, so called on account of the prominence of the Baldwin variety. Beginning in south- ern Maine, this region extends through southern New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and into Connecticut, includ- ing both the intensive and more scattered and outlying apple plantings in this territory. In Maine the leading apple counties are Oxford, Kennebec, Franklin and Andro- scoggin; in New Hampshire, Rockingham and Hills- boro; while the heaviest apple production in Massachu- setts comes from Middlesex, Franklin and Worcester coun- ties. As above stated, Baldwin is the leading New England variety, while Rhode Island Greening, Northern Spy, Mc- intosh, Wealthy, Gravenstein, Tolman, Ben Davis, Porter and Stark have commercial importance. The New Eng- land apple trees, like those of New York, are for the most part old. Great numbers of them have gone out of com- mercial bearing in recent years and especially during the very cold winter of 1917-1918, when it was estimated that over a million Baldwin trees of this section were killed. The gipsy moth has done heavy damage to the orchards in New Hampshire, and the commercial production for the 34 The Commercial Apple Industry ITew England Baldwin belt has decreased within recent years. A great number of young orchards are coming in, particularly in favored spots of New Hampshire and Mass- achusetts, and these new orchards will tend to make up loss among older trees. IMany varieties, such as Wealthy, Mc- intosh and other fall or early winter sorts, are proving profitable. Mcintosh and Wealthy are becoming espe- cially popular in the newer plantings. Such varieties as Stark, Yellow Bellflower, Porter, Tolman Sweet, Eussets, and many other old varieties are still found in considerable quantity, but are no longer being planted. The orchards of New England for the most part are small in size and come more nearly being farm orchards than do those of any other commercial section. They are in many cases too small to be operated profitably on a strictly commercial basis. A large part of the Xew England apple crop is marketed locally, particularly in Massachusetts where many apples are shipped in bulk or hauled in trucks to Boston and nearby markets. In normal times jSTew England exports large quantities of apples, particularly of the Baldwin va- riety. The barrel is the standard package for New Eng- land apples when shipped in quantity to outside markets, although for local consumption basket, box or bulk trade predominates. In many cases, strictly high-grade apples are put up in boxes. The normal commercial produc- tion for this region is about 1,250,000 barrels, and it is not likely to increase ; in fact, unless planting is stimulated to a greater degree than at present, production will de- crease somewhat on account of the number of old orchards which are dying or are losing their vigor. Production of high-grade fruit will increase. Leading Apple Regions of the United States 35 THE CHAMPLAITT DISTKICT The Champlain district includes that portion of New York and Vermont bordering on Lake Champlain and Lake George. It is situated in a very rigorous climate and only hardy varieties will grow there. It is famous for its fine quality fruit which brings high prices on the market. In area the Champlain region is small as com- pared with most other commercial districts. It includes the counties of Grand Isle, Addison, Chittenden and Rut- land, Vermont, and the counties of Clinton and Essex, New York. The bulk of the production originates near the towns of Middlebury, Shelburne, Rutland and Danby in Vermont. From a strictly commercial standpoint. Grand Isle County, Vermont, an island in Lake Cham- plain, is the most important of all the counties in this region. Peru, Plattsburg, Lewis and Crown Point are towns about which the apple industry centers on the New York side. The varieties grown in the Champlain region are Mc- intosh, Fameuse, Rhode Island Greening and Northern Spy. Varieties of less importance are Baldwin, Ben Davis and Wealthy. The district is best known for its Mc- intosh, Northern Spy and Fameuse production. Champlain orchards are in the main much younger than those in other parts of Vermont and New York. The Grand Isle plantings, largely Mcintosh, are particularly young. Although great damage was done to the whole Champlain district by the severe winter of 1917-1918, the young plantings will no doubt soon make up for this loss and bring the production up to normal. Mcintosh trees survived the severe winter better than any other variety, a 36 The Commercial Apple Industry fact which will stimulate their planting to an even greater degree. NEW JERSEY The commercial apple production of New Jersey orig- inates largely in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester coun- ties in the southwestern part of the state and in Monmouth County in the northeast. The southwestern apple counties of New Jersey are all within easy access by truck to Phil- adelphia, while Monmouth County production reaches New York City easily by rail. In former years, plantings in the western and north- western part of the state along the Pennsylvania border were responsible for a considerable production of winter apples, but this region has declined in importance in re- cent years. The new orchards in New Jersey are made up largely of summer varieties. The varieties of importance in Monmouth County are Ben Davis, Winesap, Graven- stein, English Codling, Wealthy, Twenty Ounce, Olden- burg and Eed Astrachan. For the counties in the south- western part of the state, Starr, Early Pipe, Williams Early Red and Yellow Transparent predominate, while Winesap and Sta\Taan are favorite late varieties. Considerable interest in apple-growing is being taken in the group of counties near Philadelphia, of which Burling- ton, Camden, Gloucester and Cumberland are most im- portant. Considerable planting is being done and much young acreage is to be found in these counties. Riverton, Moorestowii and Burlington are towns about which many commercial orchards are located. The early apple crop, which makes up such a large por- tion of the New Jersey production, is shipped largely in five-eighths-bushel or bushel baskets. A small part of the Leading Apple Regions of the United States 37 crop moves out in barrels, but the five-eighths-bushel basket is popular for winter as well as summer varieties. The commercial apple production for New Jersey is increasing, due to the greater output from the group of southwestern counties, including Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Cumberland counties. The average commercial production for the state is esti- mated at about 500,000 barrels, of which a considerable percentage is made up of early varieties. The commercial apple sections in New Jersey are very favorably located with respect to markets and the future of the industry in this state seems bright. DELAWARE ( PLATE III) The apple section in Delaware is really more or less of a continuation of the New Jersey district. Varieties, methods of marketing and even soil conditions are very much the same. The commercial ^pple orchards of Dela- ware are principally in Kent and Sussex counties. Plantings are intensive about the towns of Wyoming and Bridgeville. The average production for the state is nearly 200,000 barrels, much of this being made up of early varieties which are entirely off the market by August 1st. The early apple industry in Delaware proved profitable, especially during the few years prior to 1919, and at the present time it is experiencing a marked growth. Many new and very large orchards are being set out. Williams Early Red, Red Astrachan, Yellow Transparent and Early Ripe are particularly popular among the early varieties, while Stayman leads among the late varieties. Large orchards are not uncommon in Delaware, there 38 The Commercial Apple Industry being several commercial orchards, over 500 acres in size. For the most part, these large tracts are carefully and systematically managed, although many have not yet attained full bearing. Delaware growers ship practically all their early fruit in five-eighths-bushel or bushel baskets, particularly the former, while the late apples are usually barreled. Dela- ware is primarily devoted to the production of early var- ieties and this has brought about its prominence in the commercial apple industry. l^Iuch of the acreage is young and an increased production is to be expected. SHENANDOAH-CUMBERLAND DISTRICT The Shenandoah-Cumberland district is the term applied to that section of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania which is included in the Shenandoah and Cumberland valleys. This region has somewhat recently come into prominence and is yet only approaching its max- imum production. By mentioning Frederick County, Virginia; Berkeley County, West Virginia; Washington County, Maryland; Franklin and Adams counties, Penn- sylvania ; and counties in close proximity to these, a more or less compact region is defined which rivals western irrigated districts in intensity and exceeds New England in normal production. A full or normal crop for the Shenandoah-Cumberland would be over 3,000,000 barrels. The two towns about wh-ich the apple industry of this region centers are ]\Iartinsburg, West Virginia, and Winchester, Virginia. Other important apple toAvns are Staunton, Virginia, Chambersburg, Biglerville and Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, and Hancock, Maryland. The counties of Berkeley, West Virginia, and Frederick, i ■ i-<.-Jf ,•-•■55 .- 'iWl:' ^- '''^'f'^^?' 'LATi; iJl. — (1) A typical commercial apple orchard in the Missouri Valley, Kansas. (2) A fifteen-year old Xewtow-n or- chard near Medford, Oregon, in need of water. (3) Red Astra- chan orchard in Delaware. Trees are too high and diflBcult to harvest. Leading Apple Regions of the United States 39 Virginia, rank among the highest producing counties in the country. Each is capable of yielding over a half million barrels of high quality fruit in good crop years. Augusta County, Virginia, has an enormous acreage of young trees and will soon rival these counties in produc- tion. Franklin and Adams counties, Pennsylvania, with but 20 to 30 per cent of their trees in bearing, produce a quarter million barrels each annually and their production is rapidly increasing. The same is true of Washington County, Maryland. The York Imperial is the leading variety for the Shen- andoah-Cumberland and the Ben Davis is second in import- ance. Grimes Golden, Stayman, Black Twig, Delicious and Yellow Transparent have been planted extensively. The York Imperial represents fully 40 per cent and Ben Davis about 20 per cent of the regional production. Stayman and Delicious will increase in commercial pro- duction in the upper Shenandoah Valley and particularly in Augusta County. Stayman yields are increasing very rapidly in Pennsylvania, particularly Adams and Frank- lin counties. The average orchard in the Shenandoah-Cumberland is fully twenty years younger than those in l^ew York. Most of the orchards have not yet reached maximum bearing; in fact a very large percentage of the trees are not in bearing at all ; particularly is this true for Shenandoah, Rockingham and Augusta counties, Virginia, where enorm- ous acreages are just coming into bearing. Taken as a whole, the commercial apple plantings in the Shenandoah-Cumberland represent one of the most promis- ing regions in the country. The trees are young, and rela- tively free from disease; the yields are high; plantings 40 The Commercial Apple Industry are centralized ; and possibilities are strong for a rapidly increasing: production. Practically all of the apples are shipped out in barrels, largely to northern markets. A greater relative increase in production may be expected from this district than from any other outside of the North- west. PIEDMOISTT DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA (PLATE II) In total production several regions excel the Piedmont of Virginia, but in historic interest and beauty it is unsur- passed. The Piedmont region extends from Patrick County in the southern part of Virginia, north along the eastern slope of the Blue Eidge Mountains to the Potomac at Loudoun County. This area includes the famous Albe- marle Pippin and old Winesap district of Virginia, which centers in the counties of Albemarle and Nelson. Other counties of importance are Franklin, Roanoke, Bedford, Amherst, Patrick, Rappahannock, Loudoun and Culpepper. The most intensive plantings are about the towns of Crozet, Afton, Covesville, in the heart of the Piedmont, and also about Roanoke, Salem, and Stuart farther south. The Albemarle Pippin plantings for which the Pied- mont is famous are found largely in the old orchards, par- ticularly those in the Rock Fish Valley in Nelson County and about Covesville, Crozet and Charlottesville in Albe- marle County. Pippin plantings also occur in the eastern part of Nelson County and farther south through Amherst, Bedford, and as far as the Bent Mountain district in Roa- noke County. Most of these Albemarle Pippin plantings of the Piedmont are well advanced in age and only a few young trees are coming on to replace them. While the Piedmont has been best known for its Albe- Leading Apple Regions of the United States 41 marie Pippins for more than a century and a half, the old Winesap is more widely grown and is produced in greater commercial quantities than any other variety. York Im- perial represents from 15 to 20 per cent of the regional production, while Stayman and Black Twig occur in some commercial plantings. The age of the Piedmont orchards varies from a few years to a century. The oldest trees in profitable bearing are those of the Albemarle Pippin or Newtown variety which was highly prized in the English markets a century ago. On account of late bearing and susceptibility to bitter-rot, this variety is less popular in the newer plantings. Principal commercial plantings average from fifteen to twenty years of age and lean rather strongly to Winesap, Stayman and York Imperial. A full crop for this region would be about 800,000 barrels but the average is not much over 500,000 barrels. Piedmont orchards are distinctly mountainous in char- acter, most of them being situated on hill or mountain sides. They are somewhat difficult to work and harvesting operations are expensive. Practically all the fruit is barreled and moves to outside markets, there being little home trade. Many of the York Imperials and Albemarle Pippins are exported. While annual yields do not gener- ally equal those of the Shenandoah-Cumberland on the west, higher quality varieties are grown and better prices are received. Among the disadvantages to be considered in this region is the prevalence of bitter-rot. Root-rot has also caused considerable loss and the growers find it impos- sible to control. A considerable acreage of young trees will attain full bearing soon after 1920 and the production of this section will doubtless be increased. High quality fruit and a 42 The Commercial Apple Industry progressive spirit among its growers insures growth and development of the apple industry in the Piedmont. MINCE EEGIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA, WEST VIEGINIA AND VIRGINIA Aside from the important apple regions described, a number of minor regions throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia are worthy of mention. In the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, particularly in Luzerne and Lycoming counties, are considerable com- mercial apple plantings of Baldwin, Northern Spy and Rhode Island Greening. These conform more to the type of orchards in western New York than to those in Penn- sylvania's leading apple region in the Cumberland Valley district. Outside of the eastern Panhandle section included in the Shenandoah-Cumberland region already described, there are no extensive commercial apple plantings in West Vir- ginia except in Hancock County which is situated at the tip of the northern Panhandle which extends northward be- tween Pennsylvania and Ohio. This was originally the most important commercial apple district in West Vir- ginia, but it has long since been eclipsed by the great development in Berkeley and surrounding counties. The important variety grown in Hancock County is the Willow Twig, well known on the Pittsburg markets. The or- chards are for the most part old and increased commercial production seems unlikely. In southwestern Virginia there are many commercial orchards. This district is not included in either the Shenandoah-Cumberland or Piedmont region. The var- Leading Apple Regions of the United States 43 ieties grown are Winesap, York Imperial, Rome Beauty, Stajman, Lowry, Virginia Beauty and Delicious. MOUNTAIN EEGION OP NORTH CAROLINA The mountain district of IN^orth Carolina is more or less a continuation of the Virginia Piedmont. Apples have been grown in the mountains of western North Carolina for many years ; it is said that many of the old plantings were for the purpose of producing apples to be used in the manufacture of apple brandy. Certainly a great many of the old orchards are located in relatively inaccess- ible and remote localities. It is doubtful whether more than 5 per cent of the North Carolina apple acreage has ever been sprayed. When the manufacture of apple brandy was discon- tinued, it was found that there was a market for apples in their fresh state and at the present time many thousand bushels of fruit produced on the old unsprayed orchards are hauled down the mountain-sides in wagons to find their way to the market in bulk. Improved cultural practices are being adopted more and more each year. Apple orchards are planted in the western part of North Carolina, extending from Surry County, bordering on Patrick County, Virginia, on the north, almost to the extreme southwestern corner of the state. North Carolina apple orchards represent two distinct types. While for the most part the older trees are neglected and unsprayed, there are very intensive and strictly commercial plantings in a few localities, such as in Surry County in the vicinity of Mt. Airy in the northwestern part of the state. A little farther south other commercial plantings have been set out 44 The Commercial Apple Industry in the vicinity of Taylorsville and Wilkesboro. The dried apple industry has assumed considerable proportions in this locality. The most progressive apple section in IN^orth Carolina is in Ha^nvood County near Waynesville. Here a con- siderable number of strictly commercial apple orchards have been set out, which are responsible for the increasing commercial output of this section. A third important commercial region is in Polk and Henderson counties in the vicinity of Saluda and Hendersonville. While most of the North Carolina apple crop is handled in bulk, the product from the later commercial plantings is nearly all barreled, and finds a ready sale at good prices in southern markets. In addition to the apple counties already named, some commercial planting is found in Watauga, Madison, Rutherford, Alexander, and Jackson counties. The leading variety of the old orchards is the Limber- twig of which there are several types, including the Eoyal or Brushy Mountain Limbertwig. Winesap, Stayman, Delicious, and Arkansas (Black Twig) are among the new varieties predominating in the younger plantings. Pro- duction of these varieties will increase materially. The Limbertwig, although a very good apple, owes its early popularity to the fact that it is a late keeper. Better known and higher quality varieties are supplanting the Limbertwig in the younger orchards. It is quite apparent that the strictly commercial production of apples from North Carolina will be increased materially when the young plantings attain full bearing. Surry County in the northwest central part of the state, and Haywood County Leading Apple Regions of the United States 45 in the western part, will be the main centers of commer- cial production. A full crop for western North Carolina at this time would not exceed 300,000 barrels of commercial apples, of which the larger part would be sold in bulk. MOUNTAIN REGION OF GEOEGIA While not as yet representing great commercial pro- duction, an apple region is developing in the extreme north- eastern part of Georgia which is of particular interest since most of its fruit is boxed. Strictly speaking, the commercial apple district in Georgia includes but two counties: Rabun and Habersham, in the extreme north- eastern part of the state. Habersham County is the more important of the two and has experienced a period of heavy planting, which promises a greatly increased com- mercial output. A single orchard in this region ships as many as 40,000 packed boxes of apples in a season, which is a large boxed apple crop for any orchard East or West, but more particularly the East where boxing of apples is little practiced. H. E. State, whose orchard is one of the finest and most profitable for its size in Georgia, had much to do with the early development of this region. The most intensive apple plantings are about the towns of Cornelia, Demorest, Tallulah Falls and Clarksville. The leading variety in northeast Georgia is the Yates, which seems particularly adapted to the southern climatic and soil conditions, and has proved very popular on account of its heavy annual bearing habit. Other varieties of commercial importance are Terry's Winter, Stayman Winesap, Black Twig, Shockley and Winesap. Delicious 46 The Commercial Apple Industry appears prominently in newer plantings. The Limber- twig and Nickajack are foimd in the older orchards, but are not common in newer ones. A very large percentage of the commercial plantings in both Rabun and Haber- sham counties have been made since 1910. This region enioys close proximity to the southern markets, and for that reason a good outlet for its fruit is assured. Several very favorable tracts of land have been set to apple trees in northeast Georgia and while for the most part these orchards are promising and well cared for, it is unfortunate that some unworthy promotion schemes have been planned for the exploitation rather than the development of the apple industry in this region. Most of the trees not yet being in full bearing, it is difficult to state the possible output; the largest crop year prior to 1919 included over 100,000 bushels of boxed apples, as well as considerable quantities shipped in bulk. A greatly increased production may be expected. OHIO Southern Ohio Rome Beauty district. The Southern Ohio Eome Beauty district is fairly well- defined and centralized and has come into prominence since 1910. The most important plantings in this region are in Lawrence, Gallia, Meigs, Athens and Washington coun- ties, bordering on the Ohio River, Lawrence and Washing- ton being particularly noteworthy. Extensive plantings occur about the towns of Marietta, Proctorville and Gal- lipolis. Apple land of this region is mountainous in character, and the orchards are very often isolated and more or less Leading Apple Regions of the United States 47 inaccessible. On account of the rolling character of the land, orchard operations are somewhat difficult. In many cases terraces have been made to facilitate the operation of power spray outfits. It is common to find the orchards situated on the tops of the hills. Trees are set close together and do not attain the size of those in most eastern regions. Orchards for the most part are under twenty- five years of age. A lack of symmetry is noticeable in some commercial plantings on account of missing and varying sized trees. Much of the fruit is ferried across the Ohio Eiver to Huntington and Parkersburg on the West Virginia side. These cities, together with Marietta in Ohio, are the principal distribution centers for the southern Ohio crop. With the exception of some summer varieties which are often sold in bulk in nearby markets, most of the apples are barreled. The commercial production of the region has reached 750,000 barrels in certain years. Rome Beauty, the leading variety, originated in southern Ohio and is especially adapted to this section. Ben Davis, Grimes, York Imperial, Oldenburg and Yellow Trans- parent are among other important varieties grown com- mercially, of these Ben Davis and Grimes being most widely grown. The average annual yields in this region are rather small and unless planting proceeds more rapidly than for the period 1015 to 1919, no greatly increased production can be expected. Minor regions in Ohio. Columbiana County in the eastern part of Ohio is a rather important apple county with a number of old 48 The Commercial Apple Industry orchards, manv of which are not very well taken care of. The leading varieties are Baldwin, Greening, Ben Davis, Hubbardston and Flushing Spitzenbiirg, the latter known commercially only in this locality. In northern Ohio along the lake belt, particularly in Ottawa, Sandusky, Huron and Erie counties, are some- what limited apple plantings consisting largely of Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening, Ben Davis, Northern Spy, Mcin- tosh, and Duchess. Farther south in Ohio, about midway between the south- ern Rome Beauty section and Lake Erie is another small apple district consisting of more or less scattered plant- ings about Chillicothe. Early varieties such as Yellow Transparent figure in the production of this locality. KENTUCKY For many years Kentucky has been credited with a very large apple production. However, this is for the most part non-commercial and originates almost entirely in old neglected orchards. The strictly commercial apple plant- ings of Kentucky are largely in Henderson County on the Ohio River just south of Evansville, Indiana. The apple industry has not attained very great proportions even here, although there are a number of important plantings and the orchards are generally well taken care of. The leading varieties are Winesap, Sta;)Tnan, and Ben Davis, although there are considerable plantings of early kinds. In some years the total production of this small section reaches 40,000 barrels, although it is more commonly under 30,000 barrels of strictly commercial apples. The industry is being fostered in this section and further growth seems probable. Leading Apple Regions of the United States 49 MICHIGA]S- Commercial apple-growing has been an important enter- prise in Michigan for forty years or more. While apple plantings are not confined to any one county or group of counties, they are centralized in the region bordering on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan where the tempering influence of the lake favors the culture of many deciduous fruits. Some of the soils in this region are extremely sandy and are more particularly adapted to peach-growing than to apple-culture. A large portion of land, however, is a sandy clay loam, well suited to apples. The region is known as the western Michigan fruit belt and extends from Berrien County on the south to Che- bojgan County on the north. The most important apple counties of this region are Van Buren, Allegan, Kent, Ber- rien, Oceana and Grand Traverse. Apple plantings are also found in adjoining counties and widely scattered throughout most of the lower peninsula of Michigan. Some of the oldest orchards in the state are in the south and southeastern counties, but the importance of this re- gion has given way to the newer plantings, particu- larly in the northern end of the western Michigan fruit belt. Production for western Michigan in a full crop year would approximate 1,200,000 barrels or about 75 per cent of the total commercial apple production of the state of Michigan. The plantings in the southern part of the belt suffered severe loss from San Jose scale, while those in the northern part are much younger and have experienced less injury from scale. There has undoubtedly been a decline in the production in Michigan as compared with 1910. 50 The Commercial Apple Industry However, with the young orchards just coming into bear- ing and with better care being given to the older trees, it seems highly probable that this loss will be made up within the next few years. The leading variety grown in western Michigan is the Baldwin, which comprises over one-fourth of the total pro- duction. Northern Spy and Oldenburg (Duchess) each represents about 14 per cent of the total production. Ac- cording to a recent survey, varieties next in order of im- portance are Wagener, Rhode Island Greening, Wealthy, Ben Davis, and Jonathan ; the last named being prominent in the newer orchards of Van Buren, Allegan and Berrien counties. Ben Davis is outstanding in the older orchards in the southernmost counties. Oldenburg (Duchess) and Wealthy are the leading summer and fall varieties. Most of the apples of this region are packed out in barrels and a large proportion of the crop is marketed in Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, and other large cities nearby. Producing communities situated close to cities market much of their apple crop by wagon or truck, crates and bushel baskets figuring in this movement. An increased interest in the apple industry in western Michigan is evidenced in better cultural and marketing methods. Cooperative associations are increasing in prominence in many localities. ILI.INOIS Illinois occupies a position of considerable importance in the commercial production of apples. Soil conditions generally throughout the entire state are very well adapted to apple-growing, and nearly every county has a consider- able acreage of trees. Leading Apple Regions of the United States 51 Strictly commercial areas are largely confined to the southern part of the state. They may be segregated into three fairly well-defined regions: (1) The extreme south- ern portion; (2) the Mississippi Valley region centering about Pike and Calhoun counties; (3) the southeastern part of the state, centering in Marion County. Illinois is probably under-estimated from a commercial standpoint. IS'ew orchards coming into bearing, and the renovation of old ones have combined in making this the most important middle western apple state. Its central location and proximity to market serve as distinct advantages. Southern Illinois early apple region. The extreme southern or early apple section in Illinois may be defined to include the eleven southernmost coun- ties, but only Union and Johnson are of great commercial importance. These counties probably comprise one of the most important early apple-producing sections in the United States. J. C. B. Heaton of New Bumside is one of the persons largely responsible for the early develop- ment of this industry. Good returns for apples have stimulated planting and an increasing production may be expected from this region. The principal early varieties are Yellow Transparent, Duchess of Oldenburg, Benoni, Red June, Chenango and Sops of Wine. Summer varieties comprise nearly three- fourths of the total production. Prominent among winter varieties are Winesap, Ben Davis, Gano, Jonathan, and Rome Beauty. Early apples are shipped in baskets to Chicago, St. Louis and other nearby cities. The shipping season for these apples 52 The Commercial Apple Industry begins the last week in June and is usually over by August first. Winter apples are sold either in bulk or in barrels. In some ways this extreme southern portion of Illinois is a continuation of the Ozark uplift. The country is somewhat mountainous and unlike northern Illinois. The soil is rather thin and in general well suited for the quick early gro^Ai:h of summer varieties. Mississippi Valley region of Illinois. Adams, Pike and Calhoun counties bordering on the ]\[ississippi River are responsible for the heavy produc- tion of apples in western Illinois. Calhoun leads in ton- nage shipped and a large part of its output goes down the Mississippi River by boat. Conditions are dissimilar to those in the early apple region in the southern part of the state. With the excep- tion of Calhoun and Pike counties, land in western Illinois is more typical of the prairie states. Calhoun County apple production is being more than maintained by new plantings. While the total acreage in the other counties may have suffered more or less decrease from 1910 to 1918, a greater interest generally is exhibited among the leading and strictly commercial growers. Xearly 90 per cent of the acreage in this section is sprayed, while for the state as a whole it is doubtful whether 25 per cent of the acreage is sprayed. Leading varieties for this region are Ben Davis, Gano, Jonathan, Grimes, Willow Twig and Winesap. Ben Davis and Willow Twig predominate. Practically all commercial apples are shipped in barrels. Leading Apple Regions of the United States 63 Southeastern Illinois. ^ The Marion County district in southeast Illinois is sometimes spoken of as the Flora section, since Flora is the principal shipping point and one of the important apple centers in the state. Clay, Richland, Wayne, Ef- fingham and Jasper counties are also included' in this general region. Marion County was at one time credited as leading in the state in total number of trees, but in recent years has suffered heavily from loss in trees. Practically all of the orchards are of bearing age and very few trees are coming into bearing to replace a great percentage which passed out prior to 1918. Neglect, old age, and infection with disease and insects, notably San Jose scale, have exacted a heavy toll. Some commercial' growers are maintaining their orchards, but it is doubtful whether over 50 per cent of the total acreage is sprayed at all. Yields throughout this section are generally low. Most of the apples are sold in bulk; the remainder in barrels. Ben Davis is the leading commercial variety and represents over half of the total production. Jonathan, Winesap, liome Beauty and Grimes Golden are less ex- tensively grown. Of the summer varieties which prob- ably represent 15 per cent of the total production, Benoui, Transparent, Duchess and Wealthy are important. Con- sidered as a whole, Illinois is one of the few if not the only middle western state to maintain its commercial production in the face of a general decline in apple acreage throughout the Middle West during the period 1905 to 1918. Of its three commercial apple regions, two are showing increased production. High production is possible with good care and it seems probable that 54 The Commercial Apple Industry Illinois will remain the leading apple state of the Middle West for some years to come. OZAEK EEGION The Ozark region in southern Missouri and northwest- ern Arkansas is one of the best known apple sections in the United States, although in production it ranks third among the four important Middle West districts. Essentially it is a Ben Davis region, since this variety and Gano represent over 65 per cent of its plantings, and an even greater proportion of its production. During the decade 1890 to 1900, the entire Ozark region experienced an era of planting unequalled in any other section of the country. Prices for apples in the late eighties stimulated and encouraged plantings, and the good yields produced by the Ozark orchards then in bearing aiforded excellent returns. The over-planting which occurred in the nineties resolved itself into somewhat of a land-selling boom, a repetition of which was experienced in the west- ern states from 1900 to 1910. Thousands of acres of both suitable and unsuitable land throughout the Ozarks have been set to trees, but of this great acreage only a portion has been cared for and much has been neglected and abandoned. The Ozark region includes some of the best and some of the worst orchards in the country. A period of late spring frosts in 1900 to 1910, when a num- ber of consecutive crops were lost or severely damaged, contributed to the lack of care accorded to many of these trees. A full crop for the entire Ozark region would probably not exceed 1,600,000 barrels. Arkansas' contribution to the Ozark apple production originates almost entirely in Leading Apple Regions of the United States 55 two counties, Benton and Washington, situated in the ex- treme northwestern part of the state. Madison, Boone, Carroll and Crawford counties in Arkansas are of much less importance. Bentonville and Rogers in Benton County, and Springdale and Lincoln in Washington County are important apple centers in Arkansas. In Missouri the commercial apple plantings of the Ozarks continue from the extreme southwestern part of the state, along the Frisco Railway to the northeast as far as Crawford County. Lawrence, Greene, followed by jSTewton, Barry, Webster and Howell, are the most impor- tant Missouri counties in the Ozark region. Marionville in Lawrence County is the center of the best orchard sec- tion in southern Missouri. Orchards in the vicinity of this town illustrate the possibilities to be attained in the Ozark region. Probably no other commercial apple district in the United States has suffered such a loss in trees as has the Ozark since 1910. Conservative estimates place the loss at more than 50 per cent, much of which has been due to blister-canker. With such conditions prevailing, one is not surprised in finding two very divergent types of orchards. There are the old, neglected dying orchards which have received practically no care while in some communities a revival of interest has brought many or- chards into a high state of cultivation and profitable bear- ing. In such counties as Texas in the extreme southern part of Missouri are orchards which look almost like virgin forests, branches interlock, trees are unsprayed, unpruned and uncared for. The price of the land is established by its value for general crops, less the cost of removing the neglected trees. 56 The Commercial Apple Industry Orchards in the Ozark region vary from a few acres to over 100 in size, many of them being from 30 to 100 acres in extent. Large orchards discourage intensive cul- tural methods and yields tend to be low and biennial as trees grow older. In some localities there is a progres- sive element in the farming population, evidenced by greater attention given to orchard management. Despite this revival of interest it is doubtful whether over 35 ]:)er cent of the trees in the Ozark region are ever sprayed, with a result that not more than 35 per cent of the total acreage can be considered as strictly commercial. As stated above, Ben Davis and Gano represent over 65 per cent of the Ozark production. Jonathan, Ingram, Maiden Blush, Grimes, York Imperial, Collins and Ar- kansas Black are found in limited plantings, more partic- ularly in younger acreage. More than half of the production from this region is shipped in bulk, only the better grades and the higher quality varieties being shipped in barrels. It must be re- membered, however, that the bulk production competes directly with the barreled stock and is frequently not in- ferior in quality. MISSOURI RTVER REGION ( PLATE III) Important commercial apple plantings of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and northern Missouri are at the in- tersection of these four states, in what is known as the Loess Apple Belt, along the Missouri River in north- western Missouri, southwestern Iowa, southeastern ISTebraska, and northeastern Kansas. This section has been placed in a district by itself, since the important Leading Apple Regions of the United States 57 plantings are centralized in a well known and fairly well defined commercial region. The most extensive apple plantings in the Missouri River region are in Buchanan County in the vicinity of St. Joseph in northwestern Missouri, and across the Mis- souri Eiver in Doniphan County in northeastern Kansas. Iowa and I^ebraska plantings are of less importance although the Missouri River region properly includes small corners of the above two states. In Nebraska, l!^emaha and Richardson are two important counties, while across the Missouri River, Fremont, ^Mills and Pottawa- tomie counties lead in the commercial production for Iowa. All of the counties named border on the Missouri River and with several other counties in close proximity, com- prise a fairly compact region which extends into four states and has a normal production of nearly 2,000,000 barrels, which is greater than can be credited to the Ozark region. Ben Davis and Gano comprise approximately 50 per cent of the production from the Missouri River district, while Jonathan, Winesap, Arkansas (Black Twig) and Missouri Pippin trees have been extensively planted, particularly in the younger orchards. A large part of the crop moves out in bulk as is the case in the Ozarks. Doniphan County, Kansas, deserves particular mention as one of the most important and highly commercial counties in the Middle West. Community spirit has stimulated development of the apple industry and extensive plantings are found in the vicinity of Wathena and Troy. A high percentage of the yield of Doniphan County is barreled and more of the trees are sprayed than in prob- ably any other middle western apple section. Carload shipments from Doniphan County alone have amounted 58 The Commercial Apple Industry to more than 1,000 cars for a single season. In most instances the orchards reflect the careful attention which always insures a high state of productiveness. Orchards in northwest Missouri are older, have a larger proportion of Ben Davis trees and in the main have re- ceived less attention than those on the Kansas side. Buchanan County on the Missouri River ranks among the foremost, if not the foremost apple county in Missouri, and yet it is doubtful whether 50 per cent of the trees are sprayed. While Buchanan County has been singled out on account of its central location and relative impor- tance, other counties in northwest Missouri, including IS^odaway, Holt, Jackson and Lafayette, are of almost equal importance. The orchards in the Missouri River region are more uniform in type than those in the Ozarks and are, as a whole, better cared for. There are many old neglected orchards in northwest Missouri, but these are fast going out and the production from strictly commercial orchards promises to dominate the output of the region. The great- est increase in production may be expected from the young plantings in Kansas, many of which are just coming into bearing. Outside of the intensive commercial apple regions, the Middle West has suffered a tremendous loss in trees. However, most of these were in the farm orchards and it is felt that such regions as the Missouri River or loess soil region will serve to maintain the commercial produc- tion of the Middle West at some point near its present fig- ure. It must be remembered that apple-growing along the Missouri River has never reached the intensity of many other regions. General farming with here and there a Leading Apple Regions of the United. States 59 cominercial orchard describes the general farm manage- ment scheme. As may be expected, where apple-growing is only one of a number of enterprises, the general care given orchards is not as highly intensive as in some sec- tions. Commercial production at the present time comes from a comparatively few well-cared-for orchards. ARKANSAS VALLEY OF KANSAS The Arkansas River Valley in south central Kansas is a distinct region which requires separate treatment. Apple plantings in this valley are confined largely to the sandy loam soil along the river and are in Eeno, Sedg- wick, Sumner and Cowley counties. Xot all the valley land is suited to apples and plantings are spotted. Many of the orchards are irrigated with water piunped from wells and it is the only section east of Colorado in which irrigation is practiced in the growing of apples. Heavy plantings were made in the period 1907 to 1910 and this region will be of increasing importance as trees attain full bearing. Winesap and Ben Davis are the leading varieties, while Jonathan, Black Twig, Gano, York Imperial, Grimes and Rome Beauty are of less importance. On account of irrigation and other farm management practices in vogue, the Arkansas Valley has more in common with the western irrigated districts than with the typical Middle West sections. Furthermore, while bulk shipments represent a large portion of the crop, a considerable percentage of the output is marketed in boxes. No barreling is done. A full crop from this region would be equivalent to about 250,000 barrels at present. Increased production may be expected. 60 The Commercial Apple Industry COLORADO Colorado stands out prominently as the most important apple state in the inter-raoimtain district. Practically the entire commercial apple crop of Colorado is produced on the western slope of the Rockies, in the Grand and Gunni- son valleys. The Grand Valley, extending in either direction from Grand Junction, in Mesa County, for a distance of about twelve miles, is the most highly developed district in the state. This valley is comparable in many ways with typical northwest apple districts, being essen- tially boxed apple-producing, relying on irrigation, and employing northwest methods of culture and farm man- agement. Heaviest planting in the Grand Valley was in the period 1905-1910. Practically no planting occurred between 1912 and 1918. In 1918 there were about 10,250 acres of apples, of which 7,500 were over ten years of age. Alkali outcroppings in certain parts of the valley caused a considerable loss in acreage, amounting to probably 2,000 or 3,000 acres. It is possible that further decreases in acreage will occur and yet increased bearing capacity of the remaining acreage will doubtless bring about increased production. The principal ship- ping stations in Mesa County are Grand Junction, Fruita and Clifton. The Grand Valley, while primarily an apple section, is not exclusively apple-producing. Xearly half of its fruit acreage consists of other fruits than apples. Peach and pear plantings, with smaller acreages of cherries and plums, represent in the aggregate nearly as extensive acreage as the apple. In the vicinity of Palisades, some Leading Apple Regions of the United States 61 ten miles from Grand Junction, is the famous Elberta peach section, which has shipped 1,000 cars of peaches in a single season. The Grand Valley did not escape inflation. In fact, difficulties with irrigation systems and outcropping of alkali have brought this district its full share of troubles. In recent years the codlin-moth has become a most serious menace. In one respect, however, notably proximity to markets, Colorado has the advantage of states farther west. It is particularly adapted to the growing of Jonathan apples, which comprise nearly a third of its production. Winesap, Gano, Ben Davis, Missouri Pippin, and Rome Beauty are among the other important varieties. The northwest box is used almost exclusively for the packed fruit, although bulk shipments figure more prominently in Colorado than in any other of the leading western apple states. Cooperative marketing has been an important factor in the development of this district. The western slope of Colorado includes two other apple districts, one in Delta and the other in Montrose County, both of less importance than the Grand Valley. In Delta County the apple acreage is in Gunnison Valley, with heaviest plantings at Ilotchkiss and Paonia. The Uncom- pahgre, a branch of the Gunnison, supplies water for the orchard plantings in Montrose County which centers about the town of Montrose. Both of these districts are irri- gated and conditions conform largely to those given for the Grand Valley. Varieties are very much the same, although less attention is given to other fruits. On the eastern slope, the Canyon City district in Fre- mont County, along the Arkansas Valley, is the only other apple section of importance in the state. A distinctive 62 The Commercial Apple Industry feature of Colorado commercial apple plantings is that tliej occur at an elevation of 4,000 to 5,000 feet above sea level. NEW MEXICO The Pecos Valley in Chaves County is the coming apple district in New^ Mexico, and is one of the important sections of the inter-mountain states. Over half of New Mexico's commercial apple crop is produced in Chaves County. Heaviest plantings are in the vicinity of Ros- wcll, Greenfield, Dexter and Hagerman. The latter lies thirty miles south of Roswell along the Pecos River. County assessor's figures indicate about 4,500 acres of trees planted before 1910 and about 2,500 acres planted 1910 to 1919. Little planting has been made since 1912. Ben Davis and Gano are the principal varieties, with Missouri Pippin, Jonathan, Winesap, Black Twig, York Imperial and Arkansas Black among the less important. The northwest box is the common package for this district, although bulk shipments are important. Less care is taken in grading and packing the boxed fruit than in the Northwest and much of the crop is jumble packed. The Texas farming section immediately to the east affords an outlet for most of the Pecos apple crop. Jonathans come on the market earlier than in most sections, and for that reason Pecos apples have priority in Texas markets. A marked increase in production may be expected from this section. Heavy frosts are not infre- quent and have checked the normal increase in production. While 600 or 700 cars has been the largest production of this valley to date, a decided increase may be expected. Leading Apple Regions of the United States 63 The only distinct apple region in New Mexico outside of the Pecos Valley is known as the Farmington district and is in San Juan County in the extreme northwestern corner of the state. The isolation of this region, com- bined with poor railroad facilities, has checked its develop- ment. Principal varieties are Gano, Jonathan, Rome Beauty and Winesap. UTAH Commercial apple-growing in Utah is largely confined to irrigated valleys in Boxelder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah counties, which lie along the eastern shores of the Great Salt Lake and Utah Lake, in north central Utah. The most highly commercial districts are near Provo in Utah, which has shipped as high as 300 cars of apples in a year, and also near Tremonton in Box- elder County. Both are irrigated and market their com- mercial apples largely in boxes, although bulk shipments are not uncommon. Principal varieties for the Provo district are Jonathan, Rome Beauty, Winesap, and Lawver; for the Tremonton section Ben Davis, Gano, Jonathan and Winesap. The apple acreage in Utah County is approximately 5,000 acres, of which two-thirds was planted before 1910. Of the 2,000 acres in apples in Boxelder County, most of the trees were planted between 1906 and 1910. Local consumption and nearby mining camps largely absorb the production of Weber and Davis counties. Limited increase in commercial production may be expected from this state as the acreage increases in age. It is improb- able that commercial shipments will exceed 1,000 cars within the next few years. 64 The Commercial Apple Industry MONTANA The Bitter Root Valley, extending south from Missoula to Hamilton, Montana, at one time had an apple acreage amounting to 23,000 acres. Most of this acreage was represented in large projects which have since gone into the hands of receivers and are being neglected. Probably the greatest loss in acreage in any of the western districts has occurred in the Bitter Root Valley. The Mcintosh apple is suited to this region but trees do not attain large size nor is growth rapid. Yields are smaller than in many other irrigated sections. The slump in apple pro- motion struck the Bitter Root Valley at an inopportune time, and as a result much of its acreage will be lost or will not reach full commercial bearing. WASHINGTON Interest in apple production west of the Rockies centers chiefly in the Pacific Northwest and particularly in the state of Washington. In 1917 and 1019 Washington was the heaviest commercial apple-producing state in the Union, taking precedence even over New York which, on account of exceedingly light crops, dropped into second place for those years. Washington must be credited with over one-half of the total boxed apple production and in an average year now ranks first in quantity of commer- cial apples produced. It is interesting to note the very rapid growth and development of the apple industry in such regions as the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys, which have recently come into prominence and are largely responsible for Washing- ton's heavy production. Although very similar in many Leading Apple Regions of the United States 65 respects, these two districts will be discussed separately on account of their importance. Yakima Valley. The Yakima district is located in the south central part of the state and includes approximately 40,000 acres of apple plantings which are for the most part situated in the valley land lying along the Yakima River and its tribu- tary streams. As stated in the history of the Yakima district, the first commercial planting was made in this region about 1888 and as late as 1900 the total acreage of all orchard land was not more than 3,000 acres, and the total production did not exceed 200 carloads of fruit. Heaviest planting occurred after 1900 and reached a climax about 1908. Apple-growing is the principal industry in the Yakima Valley and, as might be expected, intensive methods of cul- tivation are practiced, every effort being directed at the production of high marketable quality fruit. The average fruit farm is under twenty acres and is devoted almost exclusively to apples. Peaches and pears are grown in lesser quantities and represent approximately 12 per cent of the total fruit acreage of the county. In more recent years greater diversification Jias been emphasized, with the result that growers with larger acreages are planting sugar- beets, potatoes and other crops. The productivity and ideal climatic conditions of the Yakima Valley attracted an unusually high type of settlers. The community spirit and social conditions are unsur- passed by those in any other apple region. Good roads have been constructed and excellent facilities for handling, packing and storing the fruit are available. Probably 66 The Commercial Apple Industry nowhere else in the country have scientific horticultural methods been more assiduously practiced than in the Yakima Valley. The productivity of the Yakima orchards is very high. Their annual yields are greater than those in any other region with the exception of the Wenatchee district. The average annual rainfall in the Yakima Valley is under twelve inches, and irrigation is necessary. Millions of dollars have been expended in irrigation projects designed to bring water from the mountain streams and fructify the otherwise desert land. A large part of the acreage is watered from canals operated under the United States Reclamation Service, although private projects are also found. Water rights in some instances have cost as high as $175.00 an acre ; the average has been much lower, however. Annual maintenance of the irrigation ditches once installed often represents as much as $4.00 an acre. When to these costs are added the high price for raw land and the expense of bringing an orchard into bearing under the most intensive care, some idea may be obtained of the reason for high valuation of western irrigated orchards. Two thousand dollars an acre has not been an uncommon price for full bearing orchards. In some instances unsuited land was planted and the district suffered from over-development of " boom " projects. The Yakima Valley is under a severe handicap by its distance from consuming centers. It must rely on large annual yields of high marketable apples for its survival. Production has been rapidly increasing and reached 11,500 cars in 1919. Less than 25 per cent of the acreage was over ten years of age in 1918 and an increased production may be expected from this region in the next few years. Leading Apple Regions of the United States 67 Winesap is the leading variety and in some years repre- sents as high as one-half of the total production. Heavy plantings have been made of Jonathan, Ben Davis, Rome Beauty, Esopus (Spitzenburg), Yellow Newtown, De- licious, Stayman, Gano and lesser plantings of Arkansas (Black Twig), Baldwin, Wagener, Grimes Golden and Arkansas Black. Probably in no other region is there a larger list of extensively grown varieties and yet most of those named are good commercial kinds well adapted to the region. Wenatchee North Central Washington district (Plate IV). The Wenatchee Valley is included in what is commonly spoken of as the North Central Washington fruit region. Although less than fifty miles apart, the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys are separated by a range of mountains and there are no rail connections except by a very circuit- ous route. These two very important fruit regions have grown up almost simultaneously under very similar condi- tions, vicing with each other in the production of high marketable quality apples. The Wenatchee Valley proper is in Chelan County, although in speaking of the North Central Washington district one commonly includes apple plantings along the Columbia Eiver and its tributaries, extending northward from Wenatchee into Okanogan County. Annual rainfall varies from eight to fifteen inches and irrigation is neces- sary. The principal producing area of this region lies in the Wenatchee Valley in the vicinity of the towns of Wenat- chee, Monitor and Cashmere, and extends as far up the valley as Leavenworth, the latter being situated at the 68 The Commercial Apple Industry base of the Cascades. A very intensive region is in a semi-circular area about the town of Wenatchee. There is a considerable variation of altitude throughout the valley, but most of the orchards are at an elevation of 700 to 1,000 feet. The Wenatchee Valley is even more intensive and com- pact than the Yakima Valley. Its development dates back to about 1900, when the first large irrigation canal, later known as the Wenatchee Highline Canal, was begun. The planting of fruit-ti'ees was more or less correlated with the development of irrigation. The total apple acreage in North Central Washington, including the Wenatchee Val- ley and the upper Columbia, is approximately 40,000 acres. Some of this acreage is in Okanogan, Douglas and Grant counties adjoining Chelan County on the east. The shipments reached a maximum in 1919-1920 of 12,300 cars of 756 boxes each. The farms in general throughout the Wenatchee region are small, most of them averaging not over fifteen acres and many even less. Some large projects embrace as many as several hundred acres each, but the region is not adapted to the extensive type of agriculture. The two predominating limiting factors are the high price of land and the small area of irrigable land. Peaches and pears are grown in limited quantities and there is also a consider- able acreage of alfalfa, but most of the latter occurs as an inter- or shade crop in the apple orchards. An intensive survey made by the authors in the Wenat- chee Valley indicated an average investment to the acre of nearly $2,000. It may be seen that with such a high valuation only a highly specialized crop like apples can ever be made to bring a suflScient return on the invest- Leading Apple Regions of the United- States 69 ment. It seems, then, that the Wenatchee Valley offers less opportunity for diversification than almost any other region in the United States. At the same time it is unsur- passed in productivity and high marketable quality of its fruit. The surveys indicate that of all the apple regions of this country the highest annual yields and the highest percentage of extra fancy and fancy fruit were produced in the Wenatchee Valley. Like the Yakima Valley, the Wenatchee district must rely on heavy yields and high marketable quality fruit to overcome a severe handicap of extreme distance from markets. The possibility for cooperative movement among growers is explained by the intensity of plantings and by excellent community spirit. As in Yakima, the most intensive and careful orchard practices are in use. The Wenatchee region is practically free from fungus trouble, and with the exception of the codlin-moth, which is a decided menace, is infested with but few serious insect pests. In their early development, the Wenatchee orchards were almost without exception com- mitted to a practice of entire clean cultivation, without either shade or cover-crops. More recently, as in all irri- gated districts, the use of leguminous shade crops has become common. The highest production from the Wenatchee North Cen- tral Washington district prior to 1919 was the crop of 1917 which amounted to approximately 8,500 cars of 756 boxes each. At least 75 per cent of the acreage was under ten years of age in 1918 and an increased production from this region may be expected. Winesap, Jonathan, De- licious, Spitzenburg, Stayman, Rome and Yellow New- town are listed iu the order of their importance. 70 Commercial Apple Industry I Spokane district. The third most important apple district in Washington is in Spokane County and is commonly spoken of as the Spokane apple district. Acreage of this county at one time was nearly as great as that in Yakima, but the pro- duction has never approached that of the latter. The region was developed after the Yakima and Wenatchee dis- tricts and considerable acreage of unsuited land was set in trees. The most intensive plantings are in the Spokane Valley west of Spokane, extending along the river for a distance of twenty-five miles to the east. Production from the county reached about 1,400 cars in 1920. A con- siderable increase in production may be expected, although it seems probable that much of the acreage originally set to trees, and particularly the trees on non-irrigated land, will never attain full commercial bearing. The principal varieties are Jonathan, Rome Beauty and Wagener. Walla Walla district. The Walla Walla district is the fourth important section in Washington. It is largely an upland region of rolling hills. Irrigation is not generally practiced. The produc- tion has reached 1,000 cars in a single season. Much of the acreage is not yet in full bearing and increasingly large crops may be anticipated. OREGON (plates III, v) Hood River Valley. Oregon apples have come into prominence largely through the production from the very well known Hood %. Leading Apple Regions of the United States 71 River Valley, which stands out pre-eminently as the prin- cipal apple-producing region in Oregon, and which must be credited with approximately half of the state's com- mercial production. In many ways the Hood River Val- ley is not comparable with the other western irrigated regions. Instead of a dry arid climate, it has a rainfall equaling that of New York. The trees have a different habit of growth and lower average yields are obtained than in most other apple sections of the Xorthwest. Lighter yields are very largely accounted for by the fact that Yellow Xewtown and Esopus (Spitzenburg), well known as high quality but rather shy bearing varieties, predominate. The development of the Hood River Valley occurred simultaneously with, or slightly in advance of, that of the Wenatchee and Yakima valleys. The Hood River district lies almost entirely in Hood River County, the latter being situated on the Columbia River at the northern boundary of the state. The valley is narrow, varying from two to eight miles in width, and the cultivated area extends from the town of Hood River, south to Parkdale in the upper valley, a distance of about twenty-four miles. This region is divided into what are known locally as the lower, middle and upper valleys. The lower valley contains the most bearing fruit and the greater percentage of tillable land. The Hood River, a fast flowing mountain stream rising at the foot of Mount Hood, divides the valley into the east and west sides. The orchards are located on the benches and rolling land on either side. For the most part, the orchards are small and receive the same cultural treatment which prevails in the Wenatchee and Yakima districts. Irrigation, although not always necessary, has been found 72 The Commercial Apple Industry advisable in the growing of cover-crops and is common among most of the orchards. Many persons were attracted by the unusual scenic beauty of this little valley, which lies at the foot of Mount Hood. Unfortunately Hood River did not escape the effects of inflated land values and growers experienced a period of depression for a few years prior to 1917. The region has become widely advertised and known, although its production has never exceeded 2,200,000 boxes and will never approach in quantity that of the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys. Cooperative marketing has featured in the development of this region and the output of the valley commands unusually high prices. As stated above, the production in this region is largely confined to two varieties, the Yellow Newtown and the Esopus (Spitzen- burg) . Rogue River Valley. The Rogue River Valley, although now widely known as a pear section, is the second largest apple-producing region in Oregon. The valley is somewhat highly special- ized, although its development has been slower than in most other apple districts in the l^orthwest. Land values at one time were very high and a large number of easterners were attracted to the valley. A period of drought years, during which the annual rainfall dropped from the normal twenty-two inches to as low as twelve inches, caused great loss and emphasized the need of irrigation, which is now practiced in about a third of the orchards and is being extended to the others. The fruit acreage lies almost wholly in Jackson County and plantings are centralized in Stewart Creek and Rogue Leading Apple Regions of the United States 73 River valleys, about the towns of Medford, Ashland, Tal- ent and Phoenix. Of the approximate acreage of 23,000 acres of conunercial fruit plantings, about 13,000 acres are in pears and 10,000 in apple trees. In the apple acre- age. Yellow i^ewtowns, Esopus (Spitzenburg), Jonathan, and Ben Davis are the predominating varieties. Prob- ably 75 per cent of the present production consists of Yellow Newtowns. As in other northwest districts, the summer apple is an almost negligible factor. Approx- imately half of the apple acreage of this region was ten years of age or over in 1918. The prevalence of spring frost-injury led to a rather wide use of oil-heaters, particularly in the orchards on tlic floor of the valley. Foothill orchards are less subject to frost and as a rule are not smudged. Despite the dry atmosphere, the apple-scab is more or less prevalent and requires summer spraying. Fire-blight, particularly among the pear trees and Esopus (Spitzenburg) apple trees, caused great loss in the years 1913-1915. The droughts between 1914 and 1918 checked the normal increase in production. The largest crop of apples prior to 1919 was harvested in 1917 and consisted of about 700 cars. Practically all of the marketable apples are packed out in boxes. Other apple districts in Oregon. In addition to the apple plantings in the Hood and Rogue River valleys are some very promising apple orchards in the Willamette Valley and Roseburg section; and also in the Milton-Freewater district in the north- eastern part of the state. Commercial projects are also found in Wasco County. 74 The Commercial Apple Industry iDAPia The following four fairly well defined, yet more or less isolated, apple sections are found in Idaho: Payette Val- ley, Boise Valley, Lewiston district and Twin Falls dis- trict. Idaho was somewhat behind Oregon and Washing- ton in the time of the development of its fruit industry and probably has a gi-eater proportion of young trees than either of the other two. The commercial production of Idaho exceeded 3,600 cars in 1919. Payette district. The apple acreage of the Payette district is largely in the Payette Valley, with extensive plantings in the vicin- ity of Fruitland, Payette, Weiser and New Plymouth. This district represents the heaviest producing area in the state. Its production has exceeded 2,000 cars in a single season and an even greater output is promised on account of the new acreages just coming into bearing. As in all of Idaho's plantings, the Jonathan grows to perfection and is the predominating variety. Other important, varieties of the Payette are Eome Beauty, Gano, Ben Davis, and Winesap. The northwest box system of packing and general orchard management is used through- out this region, although there is not the intensity of cul- tural methods, nor quite the high state of specialization, as in the Yakima and Wenatchee districts. Severe frost- injury has destroyed the crop in certain years and frost liability has somewhat deterred the development of the region. The Payette district was known as a hay and stock raising country long before an impetus was given to its apple industry. Although the orchards are small, con- Leading Apple Regions of the United States 75 siderablc fertile land unplanted to trees offers oppor- tunity for diversification. Boise Valley. ]\Inch the same conditions obtain in the Boise Valley as in the Payette district, these two sections being only a few miles apart and having been developed under much the same conditions. Plantings in the Boise Valley are much more limited than in the Payette district. Twin Falls. In the extreme southern part of Idaho and in the vicin- ity of Twin Falls is an irrigated region which has intensive apple plantings, amounting to 4,000 or 5,000 acres, most of which have not attained full bearing and considerable of which have been taken out to provide for more general farming. The production in 1919 reached approximately 500 cars and the output of the region may be expected to increase. Varieties and general orchard conditions are much the same as in the Payette district. Lewiston section. Near Lewiston in Xez Perce County, an irrigated pro- ject of 6,000 acres was planted largely in the period 1906 to 1910. This was developed by a single company and was sold out in small tracts to investors who in some instances have taken up their residence and are develop- ing the subdivisions. Very few orchards have reached full bearing, and although they were planted and have been cared for on a strictly commercial basis, the future of the region can not be definitely determined at this time. 76 The Commercial Apple Industry CALIFOENIA Watsonville district. The Pajaro Valley, centering abont Watsonville, is the oldest and from the standpoint of total past production, one of the most important of the western apple regions. In later years, however, both the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys of Washington have far outstripped it in produc- tion. With the possible exception of the Wenatchee Val- ley, it is doubtful whether any apple region in the country exceeds the Watsonville district for intensity of planting. The most important orchards are included in an area of five by ten miles about the town of Watsonville. This limited area is responsible for nearly two-thirds of Cal- ifornia's commercial apple crop, and has a production record of almost 3,300,000 boxes of apples for a single season. Apple plantings were known to have been made in the Pajaro Valley in the early fifties. Commercial or- chards existed as early as 1870. The period of greatest commercial growth occurred in the decade 1890-1900. Crop failures are uncommon in the Pajaro and this valley has a very high record for annual production. Irriga- tion is little practiced, the normal annual rainfall of forty inches being sufficient to insure heavy annual pro- duction. Yellow Xewtown is the leading variety and comprises over 50 per cent of the regional production. Yellow Bellflower is next in importance while both Red and White Winter Pearmain, Langford Seedling and Missouri Pippin are grown in limited quantities. Red varieties, however, are not adapted to this region. A most peculiar system of handling the crop prevails Leading Apple Regions of the United States 77 in the Watsonville section. A large colony of Slavonians has for many years been closely identified with the indus- try in the buying and packing of apples. A large per- centage of the growers sell the fruit on the trees for a lump sum to these Slavonian packers, who care for the orchard, do such spraying, thinning and propping as is practiced, later harvesting and packing the fruit. Seasonal contracts are very often made at blooming time, although some growers contract their crops for a period of several years in advance. The speculative side of such transactions need not be emphasized. Disastrous crop failures may mean ruin for the buyer, while high prices very often mean large profits. The Slavonians assume the growers' risk and naturally require a margin commensurate with the risk. Despite many natural advantages, the Watsonville dis- trict has been slow to adopt high standards for the grade and pack of its fruit, and as a result it has not kept pace with northwest production in this respect. Cooperative handling and marketing has been developed to a limited extent among the progressive growers. Until recently, the California box (91/^x11x22), a slightly larger and longer box than that used in the Northwest, has been in most common use, as has also the straight line pack in- stead of the northwest diagonal pack. More recently a state law has sought to make the northwest box the stand- ard. Export trade normally absorbs a large portion of the Yellow Newtown production. The Yellow Bell- flowers are largely sold in domestic markets, many in California. 78 The Commercial Apple Industry Sehastopol apple district. The Sehastopol apple district is considerahly less important than the Pajaro Valley or Watsonville section and yet it is the second region in California. The most extensive plantings are in the vicinity of Sehastopol which is situated in Sonoma County about sixty miles north of San Francisco. This is the only distinctive early apple section in the West and has come to prominence largely through its production of Gravensteins. In normal years the shipments of fresh apples from this region seldom have exceeded 600 cars and most of these have been Gravensteins. The apple plantings are much more recent than those near Watsonville and an increased production may be expected. Sehastopol deser\'es mention as a dried apple center. In normal years more of its crop is dried than is shipped fresh. This section has produced as high as 2,000 tons of dried apples in a season. Among the winter varieties, Esopus (Spitz- enburg), Baldwin, Yellow Newtown, Yellow Bellflower, and Borne Beauty are more or less prominent. A large part of the production of the latter varieties is dried. There is little similarity between the type and charac- ter of the Sehastopol orchards and those of the more important Watsonville section. In the former, the or- chards conform more to the mountain type and are of al- most entirely different varieties than at Watsonville. Irrigation is not practiced. Yucaipa section. A third apple region has more recently developed in California in San Bernardino and Riverside counties in Leading Apple Regions of the United States 79 the extreme southern part of the state. The Yucaipa sec- tion, as it is knowii, consists largely of young more or less mountain plantings which, although limited in extent, are somewhat intensively cared for and will doubtless be responsible for an increasingly large production. Already this region has shipped as many as 200,000 boxes of apples in a season. Table III. — Average Production of the Leading Apple Dis- tricts OF the West Average Districts. Production 1916-1919. Packed Boxes. Wenatchee, Wash 6,686,675 Yakima, Wash 6,015,250 Watsonville, Cal 2,787,500 South Idaho 1,894,750 Western slope Colorado 1,492,500 Hood River, Ore 1,625,000 WISCONSIN Apples are grown largely in home orchards, most of which are distributed throughout the southeastern part of the state and particularly in the counties bordering Lake Michigan. Taking the state as a whole, Fameuse, Mcin- tosh, Oldenburg, jSTorthwestem Greening, and Wealthy are the principal varieties. Harvesting period is somewhat later there than in some states. There are three limited commercial areas in the state: (1) The Sturgeon Bay district in Door County on Lake Michigan, in which heaviest plantings are about Sturgeon Bay, Egg Harbor, and Ephraim on the west shore of the peninsula; (2) limited plantings, chiefly about Richland Center in Richland County, Gays Mills in Crawford County and Baraboo in Sauk County in the southwestern 80 The Commercial Apple Industry part of the state; (3) Eau Claire district in which limited plantings are found in Eau Claire, Chippewa, and Trem- pealeau counties. Duchess of Oldenburg and Wealthy are the leading varieties. MINNESOTA Minnesota is even less important commercially than Wisconsin, although there are many scattering home orchards through the south and particularly southeastern part of the state. In the vicinity of Lake Minnetonka, Long Lake and Howard Lake, in Hennepin, Meeker and Wright counties, are commercial plantings in which Wealthy, Patten's Greening, Hibernal, and the following crabs are grown: Florence, Whitney, and L^^nan's Pro- lific. Some of these apples are jumble packed in boxes and others shipped in baskets. Another very limited com- mercial area is in Houston and Winora counties, in the extreme southeastern part of the state. In addition to the varieties named above, Wealthy, Northwestern Green- ing, and Wolf River are common for Minnesota. Crabs are widely grown. EABLY APPLE REGIONS Only a few counties in the United States produce early apples in quantity for commercial purposes. Early apples are grown to a greater or less extent in nearly all important apple regions and in nearly every farm orchard. By far the larger part of this production, however, is not strictly commercial, but is used only for local or home consumption. In this discussion particular attention will be given to the few specialized early apple regions. Leading Apple Regions of ike United States 81 New York and New England. Although Xew York is not commonly considered a spe- cialized early apple region, there is a heavy production of such varieties as Oldenburg (Duchess), Tvs^enty Ounce and Wealthy in the western part of the state. Alexander and Yellow Transparent are grown in more limited quan- tities. The plantings of Oldenburg (Duchess) and Wealthy are found particularly in Niagara County while Twenty Ounce is grown extensively in Monroe County, about the town of Hilton. Scattered plantings of Wealthy, Gravenstein, Oldenburg (Duchess), and Will- iams Early Eed are grown in the Hudson Valley, particu- larly near the Hudson Eiver in Dutchess, Columbia, Ulster, and Greene counties. Very few apples are moved out of ]^ew York prior to August 1st. With a good crop, however, New York has shipped as many as 300,000 barrels of commercial early apples prior to September 15th, most of which originated in western New York. Early apple varieties for New England are largely the same as those given for the Hudson Valley, the most extensive plantings being in Worcester, Middlesex and Franklin counties of Massachusetts. New Jersey. New Jersey, and particularly Monmouth County, has long been known as one of the most intensive early apple regions. Important early varieties for Monmouth County are English Codling, Oldenburg (Duchess), Wealthy, Gra- venstein, Red Astrachan and Twenty Ounce. New Jersey has still another intensive and even more important early 82 The Commercial Apple Industry apple district whicli includes the counties of Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Cumberland in the southwestern part of the state. The most intensive plantings of this re- gion are about the towns of Moorestown, Eiverton and Burlington, not far from Philadelphia. The leading va- rieties are Starr, Williams Early Red, Yellow Transparent and Wealthy, with lesser quantities of Red Astrachan, Oldenburg (Duchess), and Early Ripe. New Jersey as a whole is one of the leading early apple states of the Union. Its commercial production comes largely from the two regions described and has amounted to the equivalent of approximately 200,000 barrels in a good crop year. Delaware. Dela/ware is the most intensive early apple state in this country and at the present time 150,000 barrels of early apples would not be an excessive crop for the state as a whole. The most intensive plantings are in Kent and Sussex counties, about the towns of Wyoming, Bridge- ville and Seaford. Yellow Transparent, Williams Early Red, Wealthy and Early Ripe are leading varieties. Twenty Ounce, Red Astrachan and Oldenburg (Duchess) are grown to a more limited extent. The early apple industry in Delaware is showing a marked growth at present. It is the only important region outside of New Jersey and southern Illinois which is able to put its fruit on the market in any great quantity prior to August first. The favorite method of marketing the fruit is in %-bushel baskets. The Delaware early apple district extends into the eastern shore of Maryland. Leading Apple Regions of the United States 83 Southern and Middle Atlantic states. Yellow Transparent is the leading variety in the more southern districts. Early apple plantings, however, are more or less scattered and limited in extent. The produc- tion of Yellow Transparent in the vicinity of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and central Tennessee is increasing. East North Central states. Along the north side of the Ohio River in Ohio and Indiana are considerable plantings of early varieties, par- ticularly of Oldenburg (Duchess) and Yellow Transpar- ent. Large commercial plantings of the latter variety are also found in central Ohio. In Michigan and Wisconsin the Oldenburg (Duchess) and Wealthy are prominent varieties. Their maturity, however, is greatly delayed in these regions with the result that they enter the market too late to be classed as distinctly early varieties. Southern Illinois. One of the most intensive early apple regions in the country is in the extreme southern part of Illinois. Union and Johnson are the leading counties and include extensive plantings of Benoni, Yellow Transparent, Oldenburg (Duchess), Sops of Wine, Red June, Chenango, and Cornell Red Streak. This region has produced as many as 800 cars of early apples in a season. Production is likely to increase. California. Scattered plantings of early apples are found throughout 84 Tlie Commercial Apple Industry the western states, but thev are relatively limited and unimportant commercially with the exception of the Sebas- topol region of Sonoma County, California. This region has become well kno\\Ti through its production of Graven- steins, shipping over 500 cars of this variety in a single season. CHAPTEE III COMMERCIAL APPLE PRODUCTION IN CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND United States is far ahead of any other country in the production of commercial apples. Only in some of the British Dominions has apple-growing attained commercial proportions on an organized scale. England, France, Ger- many, Russia and many parts of Europe have enormous numbers of apple trees but most of the fruit does not enter the world market, and in France nearly 90 per cent of the crop is used for cider or beverage purposes. Europe depends on United States, Canada, Australia and New Zea- land for its supply of high grade fruit. South Africa is developing commercial apple-growing but as yet the pro- duction is not a factor in the world's markets. CANADA Canada at present (1920) will normally produce from 18 to 20 per cent as many commercial apples as the United States. The last decennial census (1911) credited Canada with 16,217,176 trees, about 60 per cent of which were then bearing. Apples are grown commercially in British Columbia, Ontario, ]^ova Scotia, Quebec, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, but the principal commercial sections are in the first three provinces. The commercial 85 86 The Commercial Apple Industry crop in 1912 was estimated at 5,000,000 barrels. An estimate of 3,568,000 barrels was made for 1918, of which British Columbia produced 459,300, Nova Scotia 808,600, Quebec and Xew Brunswick perhaps 100,000, leaving Ontario with an estimated production of 2,200,000 barrels. In 1919, the Canadian crop amounted to 1,500,000 barrels in Nova Scotia alone. The exports of apples from Canada for the past eleven years have been as follows : Table IV, — Apple Exports from Canada 1909 1,604,477 1910 523,658 1911 1,664,165 1912 1,324,769 1913 947,382 1914 1,117,336 1915 557,451 1916 570,854 1917 103,626 1918 405,058 1919 591,805 For the five years from 1909 to 1913, the average export was 1,212,000 barrels, while the average for the years 1914 to 1918 was only 510,865. This, of course, is partly due to the British embargo on apples in 1917. About 90 per cent of the Canadian exports are to Great Britain under ordinary circumstances. Nova Scotia (Plate VI). The commercial apple-growing district embraces a com- paratively small area, roughly described as the Annapolis Valley, about one hundred miles long and from six to eleven miles wide. The principal apple-growing counties are Kings, Annapolis and Hants, which produce about 75 per Canada, Australia and New Zealand 87 cent of the total crop. The commercial production in Xova Scotia for the years 1011 to 1919 inclusive, together with the exports, are as follows : ' Table V. — Production and Exports of Apples en Nova Scotu Commercial Tear. Production. Exports. (Bbls.) (Bbl8.) 1911 1,734,876 1,408,700 1912 993,523 801,000 1913 651,390 519,582 1914 981,437 752,500 1915 613,882 416,500 1916 681,470 416,808 1917 744,730 13,700 1918 808,600 271,170 1919 1,500,000 492,180 During the past five war years, production has undoubt- edly suffered through lack of care and it is probable that planting in Xova Scotia in the last ten years has not been more than sufficient to take care of the average annual mortality. Some fairly large orchards, however, are only now coming into bearing, and it seems reasonable to expect an annual commercial crop in Nova Scotia for the next decade of about 1,000,000 barrels. The leading commercial varieties of this district are the King, Gravenstein, Golden Russet, Roxbury Russet, Blenheim Orange, Ribston, Baldwin, Bishop Pippin (Bell- flower), Stark and Ben Davis. The Xova Scotian Grav- enstein, King, Blenheim and Russet are particularly well and favorably known on the English markets. The Grav- enstein is undoubtedly the outstanding variety. The climatic conditions are particularly favorable inas- much as the apple area is practically an island, preventing extremes of temperature, and irrigation is, of* course, unnecessary. Clean cultivation is the general rule, about 88 The Commercial Apple Industry 50 per cent of the orchards depending almost solely on commercial fertilizers. For many years Xova Scotia has shipped her sui*plus crop to Great Britain, principally to London. Her ship- pers are particularly well situated to take advantage of this trade as they are all within a few hours of the ports of Halifax and St. John. The chief disadvantage of the district is its comparative isolation from the large home markets. In order to com- pete with Ontario fruit on the large consuming markets of the northwestern provinces, Nova Scotian shippers start with a handicap of a rail haul of over twenty-four hours. With the European market open, this is not serious inas- much as this market is capable of some extension. Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. Prince Edward Island and Kew Brunswick do not grow enough apples for home consumption at the present time. Both these provinces, however, possess large areas with a soil and climate well adapted to the commercial production of the hardier varieties. Prince Edward Island has suf- fered in the past from the poor transportation between the island and the mainland but this has improved of late, and the apple industry should consequently be encouraged. The St. John Valley of New Brunswick has excellent prospects as a commercial apple-growing district, and it is probable that the next ten years will show a very marked increase in the production in this province, which during the past decade ranged from 75,000 to 100,000 barrels. Fairly low temperatures are experienced in the winter, and the leading varieties are the Duchess, Fameuse, Alex- w^^: Canada, Australia and New Zealand 89 ander, Mcintosh Red, Wolf River and Bethel. Most of the orchards are in sod. Transportation facilities are good from the St. John Valley, and its nearness to the sea- board wonld be a decided advantage when the production is sufScient to make an export trade desirable. Quebec. Apples have been grown in Quebec longer perhaps than in any other district in Canada, with the exception of IsTova Scotia, records showing that they were produced in this province as early as 1663. The industry, however, has not developed to any great extent. The Fameuse is claimed to have originated in Quebec, and it and other varieties of the same type (Wealthy, Mcintosh Red, St. Lawrence) reach a very high state of perfection. Pomme Grise, or French Russet, as it is sometimes called, has long been grown in Quebec. The commercial production is confined largely to the Island of Montreal, Como, LaTrappe, St. Joseph du Lac, Hemmingford and Covey Hill, Chateau- guay, St. Hilaire, Rougemont and Abbotsford districts. The Census of 1911 gave the production of Quebec as over 400,000 barrels, but it is not probable that the average annual commercial production of the past two or three years has been more than 100,000 barrels. The ,orchards are principally in sod, many of them have not received proper attention and, in addition, it is estimated that fully 40 per cent of the trees were destroyed by the severe win- ter of 1917. There is evidence, however, of a revival in apple-growing, and some of the highest average returns for Canadian apples, in late years, have been made by Quebec orchardists. 90 The Commercial Apple Industry Ontario. Ontario still produces considerably over 50 per cent of the crop of apples in Canada, bnt only in limited areas is the industry specialized as it is in Nova Scotia and British Columbia. The exports in the past ten years have not been nearly so great as those of Xova Scotia, but this is due to the many large markets within the province, to the greater ease with which the Ontario shippers can reach the markets of the IN'orthwest, which have been tremendously developed during the past decade, to the fact that the ports of export are not as convenient to Ontario shippers as to those of Nova Scotia and, particularly in the past four or five years, to the great risk and uncertainty attending ocean transportation. In the eastern part, of the province, along the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers, are some very fine orchards of the Duchess, Wealthy, Mcintosh Red and Fameuse type. The Mcintosh Red, which for some years has been the highest priced apple on the Canadian markets, was originated at the town of Dundela in the County of Dundas in this district in 1830, The largest orchards of Ontario are between Kingston and Toronto in what is commonly known as the Lake Ontario district. Prince Edward County, the southern part of Hastings, Northumberland, Durham and the south- ern part of the County of Ontario, grow all the standard varieties, and ship thousands of cars of apples annually to the large eastern markets and to the markets of Canadian Northwest. In addition, this section does a large export trade with Great Britain. The leading varieties for export are the Baldwin, Spy, King, Russet, Ontario, Pewaukee, Stark and Ben Davis, but large quantities of Duchess, Canada, Australia and New Zealand ^91 Wealthy, Fameuse, Wagener, Rhode Island Greening, Tol- man, Canada Red, and Cranberrv, are also produced. Many of the orchards in this district are more than a hun- dred years old, and the apple industry is perhaps more spe^ cialized and better organized than in any other part of On- tario. An outstanding feature of the apples grown here is their keeping quality. The climatic conditions are such that the trees do not start into gro\\i:h as early as in south- ern Ontario and yet the season is sufficiently long for the best varieties to mature. Consequently the apples are just ready to pick at the approach of freezing weather and, when stored in ordinary warehouses, go into a natural cold storage where they retain their keeping qualities until the following spring. This saves the cost of cold storage, giv- ing the shippers of this district a considerable advantage over more southern regions. Large storehouses have been erected along the railway lines at such points as Belleville, Trenton, Brighton, Colbome, Grafton, Port Hope, jSTew- castle, Bo^vmanville, Oshawa and Whitby. Colborne, for example, has over a dozen warehouses, with a capacity of more than 100,000 barrels. In southwestern Ontario (including the Xiagara Peninsula), while apples of high quality are produced in considerable quantities, the industry is not specialized, except in a few localities, such as jSTorfolk and Lambton counties. This district, however, has one great advantage as it is able to get its early apples on the market about two weeks earlier than any other part of eastern Canada. Throughout western Ontario, particularly along the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, large quantities of apples of the standard varieties are grown. In the Georgian Bay district, the conditions are very similar to 92 The Commercial Apple Industry those in the region north of Lake Ontario, and orcharding is carried on as a special indiistrv, but in the greater part of western Ontario the apple orchard is usually a side line to general farming, and consequently the same attention is not given to the details of spraying, pruning, cultivating, packing and marketing as in the districts where apple- growing is the main industry. In the aggregate, however, the crop of western Ontario has a very marked influence on the commercial production of the province. The leading varieties are the Spy, Baldwin, King, Greening, Ben Davis and other standard sorts but as the distance from Lake Huron and Georgian Bay increases, the earlier and hardier varieties are more in evidence. British Columbia. The apple industry in this province is comparatively new, but has developed rapidly and along highly specialized lines, so that it is now a considerable factor in the market- able crop of Canada. The Dominion Census of 1901 credited British Columbia with 220,000 bearing and 170,- 960 non-bearing apple trees, while in 1911 the figures were 510,763 bearing and 1,465,622 non-bearing trees; and the increase in the last nine years has probably been fully 50 per cent. Following is a statement of the commercial pro- duction for the years 1911 to 1919 inclusive: Table VI. — Production of Apples m British Columbia Year. Boxes. 1911 225,100 1912 386,640 1913 456,380 1914 615,600 1915 993,060 1916 1,376,310 Canada, Australia and New Zealand 93 Year. Boxes. 1917 1,785,405 1918 1,378,005 1919 2,500,000 Many thousands of acres have just come into bearing within the past two or three years, while a considerable acreage is still not bearing commercial crops, and there will undoubtedly be a steadily increasing production for the next decade. To offset this, however, consideration should be given to the fact that there has been very little planting in the past five years and in addition the orchards of British Columbia have in some cases suffered through lack of care. The most noted section is the Okanogan Valley, where the Coldstream Ranch, consisting of some 600 acres of orchard in various stages, is located; this was established about twenty years ago by Lord Aberdeen when. Governor General of Canada, and is one of the oldest commercial orchards in the province. While the Okanogan is the largest section, in point of acreage devoted to apple-grow- ing, thousands of acres of orchard have been planted during the past ten or twenty years in the Arrow Lakes, Kootenay and contiguous districts, along the Thompson and Fraser rivers to the Coast, and also on the Island of Vancoaiver. The climatic conditions are very varied, both dry and wet growing seasons being found in the different fruit regions. In the Okanogan, a very extensive system of irrigation is in operation. The district being new, it has not yet suffered to any serious extent from the insect pests and diseases common to the more established fruit sections. In addition, a very rigid system of inspecting imported nursery stock has been in force for many years. The 94 Th& Commercial Apple Industry apples are generally large in size, possibly owing to the fact that most of them are produced on young trees, are usually very highly colored and of high quality and, packed in boxes, reach the market in excellent condition. Practically all the standard varieties of the East (Wealthy, Duchess, Mcintosh Red, Spy, Wagener) are produced in large quantities in British Columbia, but in addition the Jonathan, Xewtown, Eome Beauty, Winesap, Ontario, Grimes Golden, Winter Banana and Esopus (Spitzenburg) are grown to perfection. The crop is mar- keted principally within the province and throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. When there are light crops in eastern Canada, comparatively large quan- tities of British Columbia apples have been shipped to Toronto, Montreal and Quebec and as far east as St. John, Xew Brunswick. Up to the present time, the largest ex- port trade has been with Australia and New Zealand, the following table showing the exports to these countries during the years 1913 to 1917 inclusive: Table VII. — Exports to Austbalu ais'd New Zealand Year. Boxes. 1913 31,127 1914 40,816 1915 54,592 1916 7o,ooa 1917 76,000 In 1918, owing to the Australian embargo on apples, there were no exports to that coimtry, and only some 15,000 boxes to New Zealand. British Columbia apples have also been exported to the markets of Great Britain, South America, the West Indies and South Africa, and an outlet is, therefore, being pre- Canada, Australia and New Zealand 95 pared to take care profitably of the anticipated increase in production. AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND Australia, Tasmania and Xew Zealand have claimed attention in the commercial apple world only within recent years. Outside of North America, these countries are now the most important commercial apple regions in the world. The area in bearing apple trees is about 50,000 acres in Australia mainland, 25,000 acres in Tasmania and 15,000 acres in Xew Zealand and in all cases the acreage is increas- ing. The acreage of Xew Zealand is strictly commercial while some of that of Australia and Tasmania is not. The export to foreign markets amounts to several million boxes, and promises to increase. The commercial production of Australia, Xew Zealand and Tasmania is now about one- half that of Canada and one-tenth that of United States. On the mainland of Australia, the orchard areas are principally along the coast, the larger portion being in the southern states and along the southwest coast of west Australia. In Tasmania the plantings are general and the only sections unsuitable for fruit-culture are the mid- lands along the west coast. In Xew Zealand the distribu- tion is fairly general in both north and south islands except on the west coast. The main commercial plantings, how- ever, are in the Xelson-Auckland districts. The bulk of the crop in Australia, Tasmania and Xew Zealand is at the present time consumed locally, the annual foreign exports amounting to about one-fourth of the pro- duction. Tlie principal outlet or foreign markets for these apples have been England and Germany, and the export trade prior to the war was increasing very rapidly. 96 The Commercial Apple Industry From about 1010 to 1915, the plantings were very heavy but owing to war conditions and the consequent dislocation of markets, there has been very little increase in areas in trees since that date. However, with the re- turn to normal conditions one may expect to see a decided spurt in planting. The tendency is to specialize in small holdings in order to overcome labor difficulties, and in some districts apple-growing is combined with general fanuing. The average orchard has from fifteen to twenty-five acres, so that most individual plantings are small. In this re- spect it is more like the northwestern orchards than the barreled apple sections of eastern United States. The harvest season for Australian apples is a long one. Trees are picked over for the largest fruit about every two weeks from the middle of February to the middle of April, for export to England and foreign markets. The remainder of the crop and those varieties maturing too late for export are picked and stored either in packing- houses, in orchards, or in common storage and are then packed out at the owner's discretion. This means that fruit is being packed out nearly all the year. Picking and packing is nearly all by day labor. The fruit is wrapped and packed in a similar manner to the northwestern method. No standardization of grades has thus far been attempted, each individual grower making his own grades. The bulk of the Australian apples is harvested from Feb- ruary to May and reaches the foreign markets during April, May and June. They could be placed on American mar- kets from March to August. In shipping the fruit, it is usually packed in bulk or boxes containing one imperial bushel or half bushel. Many canning factories buy fruit by weight. The general export varieties of Australia, Canada, Australia and New Zealand 97' Tasmania and '^ew Zealand are quite different from the sorts grown in the United States, although in many cases the more important Australian varieties are very important commercially in this country. The follo|idng gives the general export varieties somewhat in order of their im- portance : ViCTOEIA Tasmania New Zealand Jonathan Sturmer Dimn's Ortley (Cleopatra) Ortley Coxe's Orange Pippin Dunn's Scarlet Nonpareil Sturmer Reinette Jonathan Jonathan Coxe's Orange Pippin Coxe's Orange Pippin Yates Sturmer Ribston Emperor Alexander Worcester London Pippin These varieties are among the more important, although others are constantly increasing. Jonathan is increasing everywhere on account of its good bearing qualities and relative freedom from diseases. Delicious is still in its infancy, but is taking well with both producer and con- sumer, and promises to increase rapidly. Esopus (Spitz- enburg) is going out of favor as it is very subject to scab and is a biennial bearer. The Stayman is coming into favor in Xew Zealand. In the care of the orchard, much the same method is followed as in the northwestern oi'chards, although very few sections are irrigated. The trees are pruned on similar lines in Australia, Tas- mania and New Zealand. They are usually cut back very , severely for the first five years, and growers favor a strong frame-work of twelve to sixteen limbs, at as nearly equal distances from each other as possible; thereafter lighter pruning is practiced as trees come into bearing. The trees 98 The Commercial Apple Industry are formed with an open center to admit light, thus en- couraging fruiting, particularly in the lower part of the tree. Strong fruit-spurs on the main limbs are preferred, but laterals are used on some varieties, notably the Jona- than, in order to bring extra vigorous growers into earlier bearing. Most trees are planted from sixteen to twenty feet apart, and the orchards are kept more compact than in the Xorthwest. Australian growers claim that this gives greater efficiency in the orchard operations. The ladder is seldom needed for picking or pruning for the first ten years. The closer planting makes the yield to the acre equal to that of America. No doubt when these orchards obtain considerable age, the disadvantages of this closer planting system will be brought out. The orchards are cultivated much the same as in America, and cormnercial fertilizers are used very exten- sively. It is also a common practice to sow cover-crops. Thinning the fruit is not a general practice and many growers try to combat over-cropping by systematic bud or spur thinning. Australian growers have not found that thinning has any marked effect in making annual bearers of those varieties given to biennial bearing. Many of the same diseases and insects are prevalent as in America. The black-spot or scab is the worst disease with which the Australian growers have to contend. Woolly aphis (Australian blight) comes next, closely fol- lowed by the codlin-moth. In some of the more humid districts, mildew seriously affects many varieties. Bitter- pit has been especially bad on young trees. Fire-blight is not yet known. Cooperative marketing is as yet little in evidence ex- cept in the direction and management of cold-storage Canada, Australia and New Zealand 99 houses. Such propositions as these were formerly in the hands of the government, but under the cooperative man- agement the charges have been reduced. Cooperation in this respect is increasing rapidly, especially in Victoria on the mainland. The Northwest in the United States is far ahead of Australia in cooperative methods of handling and distributing. The Australians are agreed that they may learn much from America in the equipment of packing-houses, es- pecially on labor-saving devices. Many Australians are particularly proud of their pruning methods and in this respect they are convinced that the American orchardist might learn something from them. CHAPTER IV LOCALITY AND SITE FOR THE COMMERCIAL ORCHARD Before investing in an apple orchard, both the locality and specific site should be carefully considered. Cir- cumstances may often prevent the free choice of a locality, but the site of the orchard is usually within the direct control of the grower, and may determine largely the suc- cess of the enterprise. CHOOSING THE LOCALITY The fruit-grower should know the advantages and dis- advantages of the different apple-producing regions ; there- fore, each important apple region will be discussed briefly and some of the factors of interest in this connection set down. In Chapter V will be discussed the factors which govern the proper selection of the site for an orchard within a given region. WESTERN NEW YORK Advantages. 1. Western New York is an established, well developed and productive apple region, prominent in the apple industry for over a century. 2. Land values have been reasonable in comparison with those in other apple regions. 3. The bulk of the production is of standard commercial varieties well adapted to the section. 100 Locality and Site for the Commercial Orchard 101 4. Western New York is a stable progressive region, where land booms do not flourish and where there is not over-special- ization of any particular crop. 5. It enjoys proximity to market and has excellent facilities for storing and handling fruit. 6. The land is easily worked and the maintenance cost is not excessive. 7. This region is rather densely populated and sufficient labor is usually available from the nearby towns and cities during harvest time. 8. Good yields. Disadvantages. 1. The varieties, Baldwin and Greening, for which this sec- tion is best known, are not of the highest quality and as a rule under-sell such varieties as Winesap, Jonathan and Grimes. 2. Orchards are susceptible to scab and in many cases the crop has been practically ruined and the percentage of high- grade fruit cut to a minimum on account of this disease. 3. The average orchard in western New York does not receive the highly intensive care which characterizes some other regions. This disadvantage can be remedied by the individual owner, however, and is not inherent to the region. 4. Bearing orchards are well advanced in years and do not as a rule bear the high percentage of fancy fruit which may be expected from young trees. 5. Trees are slow coming into bearing. 6. Rigorous winters are common. HUDSON VALLEY Advantages. 1. The Hudson Valley enjoys the distinct advantage of close proximity to market. The growers in this region are enabled to keep in intimate touch with trade conditions in New York City and are able to place their fruit on the market within a few hours from the time it is shipped. 2. Fancy trade varieties of apples can be grown profitably and 102 The Commercial Apple Industry marketed successfully by catering to specialized trade, Such varieties as Mcintosh, Northern Spy, Oldenburg (Duchess), Gravenstein, Wealthy and Fall Pippin, which are adapted to this region, lend themselves well to the development of sucii trade. 3. Land values have been very reasonable in the Hudson Valley. Disadvantages. 1. The annual yields of the Hudson Valley are smaller than those of western New York ; also smaller than the Shenandoah- Cumberland region. 2. On the whole the soil is not as rich as in western New York and, although adapted to many varieties, requires con- siderable fertilization in some instances to secure good annual crops. 3. Orchards are not entirely free from occasional severe winter injury. 4. Land does not lend itself so well to general farming and is in places quite rolling. 5. Rigorous winters are common. CHAM PLAIN DISTRICT Advantages. 1. The Champlain district, bordering Lake Champlain and Lake George in New York and Vermont, is especially adapted to such high quality varieties as Northern Spy and Mcintosh. 2. The high prices for its fruit, fair yields and reasonable proximity to important markets argue in favor of this region. Disadvantages. 1. Trees in this region are rather slow growing, seldom attain the size, and do not as a rule produce the high annual crops common to western New York. 2. Although Mcintosh seems to be reasonably safe from winter-injury, other varieties occasionally suffer severely from winter-killing. Locality and Site for the Commercial Orchard 103 3. This locality is not of sufficient size to warrant the com- petition among the buyers which is generally found in the larger districts. 4. The region is less accessible than such districts as the Hudson Valley. 5. Rigorous winters are common. NEW ENGLAND Advantages. 1. The outstanding advantage of New England orchards is their proximity to centers of consumption such as Boston and other large cities. 2. Foreign export trade draws rather heavily on New England production, particularly has it been partial to Maine Baldwins. 3. Land values are reasonable. 4. The revived interest in apple-growing is serving to bring to prominence a number of specialized districts which are capa- ble of producing exceptionally fine fruit. An instance is the Wilton district in southern New Hampshire. 5. Particular localities in New England are suited for growers who desire to specialize on such fancy varieties as Mcintosh and Wealthy for which a special trade can be built up. Disadvantages. 1. In general, New England orchards are small, rather scraggy, and include relatively few highly commercial and in- tensive plantings such as are found in western New York and the Shenandoah-Cumberland region. 2. Scattered plantings and limited production from any par- ticular region naturally limit the possibility of cooperative effort among growers in marketing their fruit at the highest prices. 3. The industry and production of New England as a whole has declined very materially in the ten years prior to 1919. The future of apple-growing in this region probably depends on the development of small specialized projects rather than on large or general commercial planting. 4. Rigorous winters are common. 104 The Commercial Apple Industry NEW JERSEY-DELAWARE PENINSULA Advantages. 1. This region enjoys an almost unequaled advantage of close proximity to New York and Philadelphia markets. 2. It is adapted to the production of varieties such as Yellow Transparent, Wealthy, Williams, Early Ripe and Starr. South- em New Jersey is particularly suited to the production of Yellow Transparent, Williams, Early Eipe and Starr, while English Codling, Gravenstein, Duchess, Twenty Ounce and Wealthy are well suited to Monmouth County. 3. Orchards in this region respond to good care, and, although fertilization is sometimes necessary, are generally productive. 4. Cost of production in this section has not been excessively high and good prices have made the orchards profitable as a rule. Disadvantages. 1. Orchard diseases and pests present a somewhat difficult problem for the commercial grower. Late attacks of codling- moth are occasionally very destructive. 2. This region is not as well adapted to the growing of winter varieties as some of the other eastern districts. SHENANDOAH-CUMBERLAND REGION Included in this region are the following important apple counties of southern Pennsylvania : Adams, Franklin and York ; also Washington County, Maryland ; Berkeley and ad- joining Panhandle counties of West Virginia, and the Shenan- doah Valley of Virginia. Advantages. 1. A large part of the apple acreage of this region is just coming into bearing and an increased production of high-grade fruit may be expected from this young and well-cared-for acreage. 2. The leading varieties, York Imperial, Ben Davis, Stay- Locality and Site for the Commercial Orchard 105 man and Grimes, comprise the bulk of the production and are well known as profitable varieties. 3. Yields average with those of the best eastern orchards. 4. The region enjoys reasonable proximity to markets. 5. Centralization and intensity of plantings offer excellent opportunity for cooperation and regional development. 6. Fairly cheap labor is ordinarily available. Disadvantages. 1. Although one of the most promising eastern apple regions, the Shenandoah-Cumberland is not entirely free from certain disadvantages. Cedar rust is severe in some parts of this region on York Imperial and Ben Davis trees; pine and meadow mice have been doing considerable damage to many of the trees and root-rot occurs in some localities. 2. Land values at this time are relatively high, and for that reason the prospective investor would need considerable capital to get started. 3. Hail injury is not uncommon. PIEDMONT REGION OF VIRGINIA Advantages. 1. For scenic beauty this region is unexcelled. 2. Land is cheap and plentiful. Orchard values have been fairly reasonable. 3. Good transportation facilities. 4. Labor conditions are generally satisfactory throughout the region. 5. High-grade varieties such as Winesap and Yellow New- town (Albemarle Pippin) predominate and sell for high prices. Disadvantages. 1. Bitter-rot is particularly injurious in certain seasons. 2. Yields are lighter than in the Shenandoah-Cumberland or western New York regions. 3. The orchard land is generally mountainous and somewhat hard to work. 106 The Commercial Apple Industry 4. Very poor roads occur in some localities and some of the best apple land is relatively inaccessible. 5. Hail damage is very common, particularly on higher ele- vations, and unfavorable conditions are often present at bloom- ing time, rendering the crop uncertain. SOUTHERN OHIO ROME BEAUTY SECTION Advantages. 1. Land values have been relatively reasonable in price. 2. The region is fairly close to important markets. 3. Quality of fruit, particularly that of the Rome Beauty, is good. Disadvantages. 1. Yields are generally lower than in western New York or most other eastern districts. 2. The land is rough and mountainous and the orchard plant- ings are somewhat isolated. 3. Much of the fruit has to be ferried across the Ohio Eiver. 4. Frost-injury does occasional damage in the spring. 5. The soil is naturally poor and requires considerable fertil- ization, particularly in the form of nitrates. WESTERN MICHIGAN Advantages. 1. Western Michigan is an established, well developed and productive apple region, prominent in the apple industry for many years. 2. Land values have been reasonable. 3. It enjoys proximity to important markets in large central west cities. / 4. Yields are good. 5. Higher quality varieties are grown in Michigan than in most other middle western states. Disadvantages. 1. Frost-injury is not uncommon. Locality and Site for the Commercial Orchard 107 2. There are many old and rather neglected orchards, partic- ularly in the south and southeastern part of the state which lower the quality of the general output from the state. 3. Michigan orchards are susceptible to apple-scab and in some cases the crop has been severely injured on account of prevalence of this disease. 4. Winter-injury to trees is not xmcommon, ILLINOIS Advantages. 1. Proximity to markets. 2. Relatively good yields in western Illinois, but rather light yields in southern part of the state. 3. Orchard values have been relatively low in comparison with land values. 4. Early apple section in extreme southern Illinois is partic- ularly adapted to the production of early varieties. Disadvantages. 1. Fxingous diseases are more or less prevalent and blister- canker has caused considerable loss among Ben Davis and Gano plantings. 2. Apple plantings are less centralized than in most commer- cial districts and community interest is lacking in some instances. 3. Quality of fruit is variable. Such low-grade varieties as Ben Davis and Willow Twig predominate in many regions. 4. Unfavorable climatic conditions at blooming time are not uncommon. OZARK REGION This region includes intensive apple plantings in northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri. Advantages. 1. Labor conditions usually favorable. 2. Possibility for the renovation of old orchards. 108 The Commercial Apple Industry 3. Yield and quality in well-cared-for orchards good in certain years. 4. Land values reasonable. Disadvantag es. 1. The region has many old and neglected orchards which decidedly detract from community spirit and progressiveness and lower the quality of the output from the region as a whole. 2. Ben Davis and Gano plantings which predominate are particularly susceptible to very serious attacks of blister-canker. 3. Unfavorable weather at blooming time often prevails and crop failures are not uncommon. 4. Average yields low. 5. System of bulk handling of a large part of the crop is not conducive to close grading and the maintenance of high commercial standards. MISSOURI RIVER REGION In this region are included the intensive commercial apple districts of northwestern Missouri, northeastern Kansas, south- eastern Nebraska, and southwestern Iowa, in what is sometimes called the loess soil apple region. Advantages. 1. A progressive- spirit prevails to a greater extent than among most other middle western regions. 2. The loess soil of this region is exceptionally fertile and exceptionally productive. 3. Yields are good on the well-cared-for orchards. 4. Although Ben Davis and Gano predominate, considerable importance is being given to Jonathan and Winesap plantings which do very well in this region. Disadvantages. 1. Fungous diseases are more or less prevalent. 2. Unfavorable weather conditions at blooming time are not uncommon. Locality and Site for the Commercial Orchard 109 3. The region is not entirely free from many old and neglected orchards, particularly throughout northwestern Missouri. 4. The bulk handling of a large part of the crop does not encourage high uniform grades. WESTERN SLOPE OF COLORADO In this region are included Mesa, Montrose and Delta counties. Advantages. 1. This enjoys the advantage of being closer to eastern markets than the other boxed apple regions. 2. Although the orchard land is somewhat spotted, high qual- ity fruit and good yields are possible in favorable seasons. 3. Facilities for handling and marketing the crop are fairly well developed. Disadvantages. 1. Much unsuitable land has been planted and exploited to the disadvantage of the incautious investor. 2. This region includes some very fine orchards and at the same time some very poor ones, making generalities very diflBcult. 3. The average yields are not as high as in the Northwest. 4. Frost-injury in the spring occasionally causes heavy loss, particularly in the Grand Valley. The menace of the codlin- moth is another factor which should be considered by the pros- pective investor. 5. Alkali seep has destroyed entire areas of orchard lands in certain localities, particularly in parts of the Grand Valley. 6. Distance from market. UTAH Commercial apples in Utah are produced almost entirely in the irrigated valleys along the western slope of the Wasatch Mountains. Important counties are Boxelder, Weber, Davis and Utah, which include many commercial apple plantings. Conditions are somewhat variable, but in the main the advant- ages are: 110 The Commercial Apple Industry 1. A somewhat greater local demand for apples than occurs in the Northwest. 2. Lower orchard values. 3. Good quality fruit and considerable young acreage. Disadvantages. 1. In some instances unsuited land has been set to apple frees and conditions are variable. 2. Annual yields, although very good, are somewhat less than in the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys. 3. The limited size of the industry does not permit of the development of marketing facilities such as may prevail in heavier producing regions. 4. Frost damage is occasionally severe. IDAHO Heaviest commercial apple plantings in Idaho are in the Payette and Boise valleys, tributary to such towns as Payette, Fruitland, Caldwell and Boise. The advantages of this region are: 1. Young acreage, very little of which has attained full bear- ing and most of which is relatively free from insects and diseases. 2. Quality of the fruit is excellent, particularly Jonathan, which is the leading variety. 3. Yields are good, but somewhat lower than in the Yakima and Wenatchee regions. 4. Orchard values are somewhat lower than in some of the other northwestern orchard sections. The region described is a very good general farming section, having a rich soil which responds well to irrigation, a universal practice. Disadvantages. 1. Some unsuited land was developed and exploited with apple plantings. 2. Frost damage has almost entirely destroyed the crop of this region in certain years. Locality and Site for the Commercial Orchard 111 3. Distance from market is a severe handicap. 4. Some alkali trouble in the lower lands. The Twin Falls irrigated region in the extreme southern part of the state is a very fertile general farming country, with con- siderable apple plantings, some of which have been pulled out in recent years. Apple-growing as a specialized industry is being supplanted by greater diversification. WASHINGTON Yahima Valley Advantages. 1. Exceptionally high annual yields of fine marketable fruit. 2. The prevalence of good commercial and heavy bearing varieties. 3. Ideal climatic conditions. 4. Highly centralized plantings, with exceptional facilities for handling and storing fruit. 5. Greater possibilities for diversification than in the Wen- atchee Valley. 6. Good roads. 7. Freedom from fungous diseases. 8. Exceptionally high class of people engaged in the fruit industry, with exceptionally good social conditions. Disadvantages. 1. Land values very high. 2. Irrigation necessary. 3. Excessive distance to market. 4. Heavy infestation of codlin-moth. 5. Fire-blight prevalent, particularly among Esopus (Spitz- enburg) trees. 6. Many farms do not permit of any diversification. Wenatchee Advantages and disadvantages in the Wenatchee Valley are in the main identical with those in the Yakima Valley. Yields in Wenatchee are somewhat higher and the percentage of extra 113 The Commercial Apple Industry fancy and fancy fruit will run somewhat higher. On the other hand, the limited area in the Wenatchee district will not permit of the diversification possible in the Yakima Valley. Fire- blight has not caused serious loss to the Wenatchee growers. In general, land values for the Wenatchee Valley are somewhat higher than in Yakima. Frost damage at blooming time in the Wenatchee Valley is almost unknown and heavy annual crops are fairly certain. Considerable difficulty is often experienced in getting the fruit to market in the fall. Spokane district Many of the same advantages and disadvantages prevail in the Spokane district as in the Yakima and Wenatchee. However, a greater proportion of unsuited land is planted to trees in Spokane County than in either the Yakima or the Wenatchee district; the yields are generally lower and more uncertain; frost-injury is more frequent; and fungous diseases are more prevalent. While nearly as many acres have been set in Spokane County as in Yakima County, a considerable percent- age of this acreage was planted on non-irrigated and less pro- ductive soil than is in the Yakima and Wenatchee Valleys. MONTANA Commercial plantings in Montana were largely centralized in the Bitter Root Valley which suffered considerable over- development. Many boom projects were planted which never attained commercial bearing. The region is adapted to growing of Mcintosh apples ; the elevation is high ; frosts are not uncom- mon and the trees do not attain the size, nor do they produce the high annual crops that are common in many of the other northwest irrigated regions. OREGON Rood River Advantages. 1. High-grade varieties such as Yellow Newtown and Esopus (Spitzenburg) predominate. Locality and Site for the Commercial Orchard 113 2. A high class of persons is engaged in f niit-growing ; climate is delightful; scenery beautiful and social conditions good. 3. Centralized planting. 4. Good storage and shipping facilities. 5. Fruit very well known and widely advertised. 6. Prices received for output relatively high. Disadvantages. 1. High land values. 2. Little opportunity for diversification. 3. Yields much lower than the average for the Wenatchee and Yakimat valleys. 4. Apple-scab bad in certain years. 5. Distance from market. Rogue River Valley Advantages, 1. Climatic and social conditions ideal; beautiful scenery. 2. Good roads and centralized planting. Disadvantages. 1. Drought has greatly reduced the crop in certain years, although irrigation is being adopted in some sections. 2. Land values relatively high. 3. Adapted to pear- rather than apple-growing. 4. Frost-injury occasional. 5. Yields low. 6. Distance from market. CALIFORNIA Watsonville district (Santa Cruz and Monterey counties). Advantages. 1. Heavy annual yields, particularly where orchards have been grown in the heavy "redwood" soils. 114 The Commercial Apple Industry 2. Marketable quality of fruit good, but lower than in the Northwest. 3. Good shipping and storing facilities, also good roads. 4. Very centralized planting, practically all within ten miles of Watsonville. 5. Cost production of apples relatively low. 6. Good varieties grown, consisting almost exclusively of Yellow Newtown and Yellow Bellflower. 7. No irrigation required. 8. Highly developed dried apple industry. Disadvantages. 1. Internal browning, a physiological disease, prevalent in Yellow Newtown apples in certain years, detracts from storing qualities of this leading variety. 2. Cooperative movement among growers working for high grades and better marketing facilities has not been as great as in many of the northwest apple-growing regions. 3. Lack of effort towards establishment of high grades has resulted in a lower price received for the fruit than for the same variety grown in such regions as the Hood River Valley. 4. Rural social conditions are inferior to those found in the newer regions of the Northwest. 5. Distance from eastern markets. Sehastopol section (Sonoma County) Advantages. 1. Particularly adapted to the production of Gravenstein, a profitable variety. 2. Relatively free from serious insect and disease injury. 3. Local demand for output tends to offset the great distance from eastern markets. 4. Highly developed dried apple industry 5. Cooperative and community spirit apparent in most of the apple-growers. Locality and Site for the Commercial Orchard 115 Disadvantages. 1. Yields more uncertain and somewhat lighter than in the Watsonville section. 2. Distance from eastern markets. NEW MEXICO Although some commercial apple plantings are foimd in the Eio Grande Valley and in the Farmington district in San Juan County in the extreme northwestern part of the state, interest in New Mexico centers chiefly in the Pecos Valley where the heaviest apple plantings are in Chaves County in the vicinity of Roswell. The advantages of this county are : 1. Acreage is young, in many cases well cared for and capable of producing high quality fruit in favorable seasons. 2. Proximity to Texas markets, particularly advantageous for the Jonathan crop which matures earlier than in the Northwest. Disadvantages. 1. Occasional frost-injury which destroys large portions of the crop. 2. Lighter yields than in many of the northwest irrigated sections. 3. Region difficult of access. The above discussion of some of the advantages and disadvantages common to the more important apple re- gions will serve in a general way to outline briefly the conditions to be expected in different parts of the United States. It is not to be considered complete and is un- doubtedly inapplicable to many individual cases. The purchase of a farm is one which requires more in- tensive study and consideration than such generalizations as have been given. The long period of years required to bring an orchard to full bearing signifies a long term of ownership. Fruit-growing is not entirely comparable with 116 The Commercial Apple Industry general farming and as is tlie case with all specialized industries tlie inexperienced individual is at somewhat of a disadvantage in passing on the relative merits of dif- ferent investments. CHOOSING THE SITE FOR A FBUIT-FAKM In the purchase of a fruit-farm, the prospective in- vestor should keep many points in mind. In the following discussion, the more important points will be considered in the purchase or selection of a site for an apple orchard. Raw versus planted land. The first problem is whether to purchase a bearing orchard or to buy raw land and set trees. The relative cheapness of undeveloped land is usually a most attrac- tive feature and the investor very often overlooks the fact that it requires from eight to ton years in irrigated sec- tions and from twelve to fifteen years in non-irrigated districts for an apple orchard to attain real commercial bearing. If the investor has other income or can afford to wait for returns, the planting of an orchard in a favor- able locality will usually prove profitable. K Buying raw land in the hope of paying for its develop- jment and of making a living at the same time by farming between the rows is seldom feasible. N'o definite recom- mendations can be made to fit all cases, but as a rule the more profitable ventures result from the investment of at least a part of the available capital in bearing orchard. Very often adjoining raw land may be purchased which can be set to trees if the owner desires to extend his plantings. Locality and Site for the Commercial Orchard 117 Time to buy. The time to buy is usually when every one wants to sell, although this does not determine the relative merits of the different purchases. The place to buy is in a rec- ognized fruit region. Apple-growing is an established industry and one which will prove profitable over a long period of years, but which may not pay for a short period. No farming enterprise has experienced the ups and downs of fruit-growing. The men who made money were those who, through far-sightedness or good fortune, invested when the tide was low and who remained in the business. A period of good years will always follow one of poor years, and the fact that apple production is not highly sensitive to demand protects the man who invests at the proper time. For example, the total acreage set to apple trees in the decade 1910 to 1920 has been small con- sidering the United States as a whole. It would appear from this that the present apple-growers are approaching a period of prosperity. The cyclic tendencies of apple- growing are exceedingly important from the investor's standpoint, and much depends on the particular time that an investment is made. Syndicate projects. Investment in syndicate farms or large orchard pro- jects has been discussed elsewhere. It has been the obser- vation of the writers that s^Tidicate farming of any kind, on any type of soil where the owner does not directly over- see the operations, is seldom successful. The same is true to a great extent for large orchard projects. Pros- pective investors would do well to avoid strictly all so- 118 The Commercial Apple Industry called orchard projects, particularly those in which the tracts are to be managed by promoters and turned over to the purchaser after a period of years. The purchase of slightly run-down orchards at reasonable prices has often resulted in good returns, particularly when the trees are of good varieties. The question of renovation will receive separate treatment. Yields and varieties. Separate chapters are devoted to the discussion of yields and to the selection of varieties. Before choosing a farm, both of these points should be carefully considered. Re- liable performance records over a period of five years will indicate the relative productivity of different varieties on typical orchards of any given region. This is a far more reliable guide than to judge productivity by the apparent size and vigor of the trees. A few well-known commercial varieties adapted to the district are always to be desired. Phenomenal yields occur at times in nearly every region, therefore the average rather than the maxi- mum should be sought as a basis for calculation. The biennial bearing is fairly well pronounced in most regions and the lean years must always be considered. Proximity to marJcet. In years of low prices the marginal regions or those remote from market suffer most keenly, since freight rates consume an inordinate proportion of the returns. This should not be overlooked when one contemplates buying an orchard at a great distance from market. Exception- ally high yields and excellent quality of the fruit may Locality and Site for the Commercial. Orchard 119 overcome in a measure the burden of heavy freight charges. Thus two of the most extensive apple-growing regions in the United States have developed in Washington, many hundreds of miles from the primary apple markets. The freight on apples from the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys represents a very considerable item. Granting such no- table exceptions, great distance from market must alw.ays be viewed as a decided handicap. Losses incident to car shortage, damage in shipment and diflSculties due to long range business transactions are always emphasized under such conditions. Railroad facilities, advantages of com- petitive systems, and the possibility of boat shipping are worthy of careful consideration. Distance from shipping station. Improved roads and automobile trucks are making long hauls more economical and yet the distance from the or- chard to the shipping station is a most important factor in determining the price of land. The investor can af- ford to pay considerably more for orchard land near a shipping station. Investigations in 1914 on 179 farms in the Hood River Valley and in western Colorado indicate that the average cost of hauling the shooks to the farm and the packed fruit to the station represents approxi- mately one cent a bushel for each mile. The cost to-day, however, is about two cents. Taking this present figure in considering an orchard yielding 225 bushels or 75 barrels to the acre, each addi- tional mile in the distance from the shipping station would represent in these two items alone an annual cost of $4.50 an acre, or $45 an acre where the distance was ten miles. The cost of hauling other supplies has not been 120 The Commercial Apple Industry considered, nor the social proximity to towns and cities. Furthermore, possible injury to fruit subjected to exces- sively long hauls over rough roads is not an unimportant feature. In considering long hauls to shipping stations, it is interesting to note that in the Piedmont section of Virginia not infrequently a load of Albemarle Pippins may be hauled thirty miles over rough mountain roads. In the mountains of Xorth Carolina and Georgia one may see a mountain schooner laden with apples en route to a town some seventy-five miles distant. The latter somewhat commonplace occurrence is usually in complete disregard of any existing railroad facilities. In many of these more remote regions oxen furnish the motive power. In such regions a three- or four-day trip to town with a load of apples takes more the form of an outing and cost produc- tion is irrelevant. Unfortunately, long hauls and poor roads commonly go together. As roads improve and automobile trucks, come into more common use, distances to stations will as- sume less importance. At present the prospective investor should consider it highly desirable to have less than a six-mile haul. Bearing age of trees. In considering the purchase of a very young orchard, one should not be misled by exaggerated accounts of early bearing. The age at which trees come into full bearing is somewhat variable, depending on the variety and the region. Statements regarding the large annual yields which may be expected from five- and six-year-old trees are largely untrue. Occasionally trees of this age bear Locality and Site for the Commercial Orchard 121 considerable fruit, but in buying young acreage one should seldom figure that an orchard will attain even fair com- mercial bearing before eight years for irrigated sections or ten to twelve years for non-irrigated districts. The age at which trees cease to be profitable depends somewhat on the region, but more on the care and variety. Most of the bearing orchards in western Xew York are forty or more years old and some remain profitable at fifty and even sixty years. These trees have received moderately good care. Those which have been allowed to break down, to become infected with disease and insect pests, and which have not received proper cultural treatment have long since passed out of profitable bearing. The matter of longevity is often brought up in con- nection with investment in irrigated orchards. The question is asked whether irrigated trees forced into early bearing will be profitable at the end of fifty years as is the case with some New York orchards. Early maturity usually indicates shorter life. If the western growers would maintain fertility by cover-crops and by the appli- cation of fertilizer in quantities commensurate with crop production, the drain on soil fertility would be largely offset. Greater care and protection given the trees against insects and diseases will also have an important influence on the life of the trees in these intensive regions. Since practically all the commercial orchards on irri- gated land have been set out in the past tw^enty-five years, there are no concrete examples as a basis for comparison. In speculating on the longevity of the irrigated orchards, it is safe to say that the present plan of close planting must be greatly modified to meet the increased size of the trees. At present the average planting distance is 122 The Commercial Apple Industry under thirty feet. An ultimate removal of one-third to one-half of the trees seems almost unavoidable. Even under such circumstances it hardly seems probable that the western irrigated orchards will remain in profitable bearing as long, for example, as the western New York orchards, the reason being not the longevity of the trees so much as the necessity for producing the highest grade fruit. The success of western irrigated orchards has been in the marketable superiority of its fruit. High quality fruit is more easily produced on young trees and it seems probable that the western grower will be inclined to aban- don older orchards and set new trees which quickly come into bearing imder his system of orchard management. Diseases and insect pests. Several commercial apple regions have entirely passed out of existence on account of the prevalence of certain insects and diseases. A bewildering list of insects and diseases might be suggested to the prospective investor since each locality has a special number of pests which are more or less serious. This subject is treated more fully in Chapter X. In most regions spraying enters very materially into the cost of production, representing in some cases over 12 per cent of all costs. This figure, however, is only an item of expense. It in no way indicates the loss in fruit or injury to trees which may result from the depre- dation of prevalent orchard pests. The prospective investor would do well to study the spraying program of the locality which he is considering and inform himself as to the niunber and character of the applications necessary to the production of high marketable J Locality and Site for the Commercial Orchard 123 quality fruit. There may be a great variation even among orchards in the same locality. Once pests have gained a foothold in an orchard, their eradication may be an ex- pensive process. Xewly developed regions with young trees are as a rule singularly free from insects and disease. They are not guaranteed immune, however, for sooner or later the pests which might be expected to thrive under such conditions usually appear. Vigilance in controlling early infection will very materially reduce later loss. Some pests are very much more expensive to control than others. Apple-scab, apple-blotch, and bitter-rot are serious fungous diseases which the prospective purchaser should keep in mind, not that they should be absolutely avoided, for one or more appears in many very important regions, but that their degree of prevalence should be con- sidered. It makes a difference whether one or two fun- gicide applications will suffice for their control or whether five or six may be necessary. In some regions one spray controls codlin-moth, in others six to seven applications may be required. A careful inspection of an orchard at harvest time will usually reveal the loss in fruit which may be expected from insects and diseases, although in some instances and particularly with fungous diseases, the extent of the in- jury varies widely in different seasons. Climatic influences. Climatic influences should be carefully considered in relation to the purchase of a fruit-farm. The critical period for the apple crop is at the time the trees are in bloom. Frost-injury to the blossoms or damp rainy weather to prevent pollination are the most frequent 124 The Commercial Apple Industry causes of crop failures. Official weather reports will as- sist the investor in determining whether damp rainy weather and days of low temperature are common during the blooming period. A commercial project embracing several thousand acres of orchard land has developed in a region where frost occurs in practically every month of the year and where the minimum temperature during the blossoming time clearly indicates that frost-injury is un- avoidable. An occasional dip in temperature to a point slightly below freezing does not necessarily signify exces- sive frost-injury, but recurring temperature at this criti- cal period of 27° F. or lower is significant of probable injury. The question of a particular site within a given region very often has an important bearing on susceptibility to frost-injury. A north or northeastern slope is usually preferred on account of its tendency to retard growth in the spring until danger has passed. Frost-injury is extremely erratic at times, striking here and there in an almost in- explicable manner. A fatal temperature on one occa- sion may result in very slight damage at other times. Other things being equal, higher elevation is preferable on account of better air drainage, and also soil drainage. The tendency of cold air to settle from high to lower land makes pockets and valleys without broad outlets compara- tively dangerous. An example is afforded in the Rogue River Valley near Medford, Oregon. The orchards on the higher land, kno^vn as the foothill orchards, are much less susceptible to frost-injury than those on the floor of the valley; sufficiently so that the practice of smudging, still common in the latter orchards, has been largely discon- tinued on the foothills. Locality and Site for the Commercial Orchard 125 Damp rainy weather at blossoming time may be even a more serious factor than frost, since it prevents insect activity in pollination; furthermore, it interferes greatly with necessary spraying operations. Such unfavorable weather conditions often exist throughout the Middle West at blooming time. Hail injury and loss by heavy windstorms are much more prevalent in certain regions than in others. While personal investigation of the im- portant points is necessary, reference to official weather records will prove an invaluable guide. Meteorologists agree that climate does not change, but state that it may run in cycles. A study of a several year period is, there- fore, advisable. Size of farm. The size of farm to buy depends on whether apple-grow- ing is to be the sole or only one of several important enter- prises. A discussion of farm organizations has been given elsewhere. An orchard of less than fifteen acres even in the most intensive regions seems hardly advisable, since the overhead for equipment and general supervision would scarcely permit economical management of a smaller acreage; furthermore, the gross income would ne his own judgment. his own judgment. Under the above system, the owner is allowed the privi- lege of grading and packing out his own fruit while the same privilege is reserved for the tenant. A modified Farm-Management Phases of Apple-Growing 143 form of the above is seen when the owner furnishes half of the picking labor and half of all labor and material costs incident to the harvesting of the fruit, taking one- half of the crop, but allowing the tenant entire supervision of the orchard operations. A study of an equitable basis for tenantry has revealed that when the tenant is furnishing all the labor he is en- titled to a larger proportion of the crop in years of exceed- ingly heavy production. Otherwise the owner reaps prac- tically all the benefits of a large crop. Unfortunately, low prices prevail in heavy crop years. With straight share rentals in such years, the owTier obtains a large amount of fruit which even at low prices makes good re- turns. If the tenant, however, receives low prices for his fruit, he has insufficient margin to cover the hea\7 ex- penditure in harvesting the landlord's portion of the crop. Some division of the labor and handling costs at harvest time would seem more equitable. Occasionally a long-term cash lease at a reasonable figure can be secured on somewhat run-dowm orchards in a fav- orable locality. Frequently such an orchard is making little or no returns and a cash offer will be attractive to the owner. For the experienced man with little capital, a long-term lease with a view to building up and increasing the yields from such an orchard sometimes proves a profit- able venture, particularly when the owner considers that his orchard will be improved and for such a reason grants an otherwise low cash rental figure. Some special induce- ment must be offered to a tenant, otherwise he can not afford to devote his best energy towards building up a suc- cessful orchard from which another will reap the ultimate reward. CHAPTER VI ESTABLISHING THE APPLE ORCHARD Thorough preparation of the land before planting is exceedingly important if the apple orchard is to be well established. Very often orchards are planted on pasture, timbered, or sage-brush land where the soil has been un- tilled. Timbered land, once cleared of stumps and brush, usually lends itself well to early planting because of an abundance of humus available for young trees. It is best in nearly all cases, howev^er, to anticipate planting by a year or two in order thoroughly to subjugate the soil by the growing of tilled or cover-crops. Soils which have been depleted in fertility or which are low in humus-con- tent may be built up by the growing of such legumes as alfalfa or clover. In the case of arid or sage-brush lands reclaimed for irrigation, the soil is usually low in humus- content. In such instances the growing of alfalfa for one or two seasons will usually repay the orchardist for delay in planting. Deep plowing should precede planting in every case, for once the trees are established, deep cultivation is likely to injure the rooting system. Dynamiting is sometimes recommended when a hardpan or thin stratum of rock occurs near the surface, but ordinarily this practice is not to be advised and such soils should be avoided. When spring planting is to be employed, fall plowing is recom- 144 Establishing the Apple Orcliard 145 mended, since it exposes the soil to the ameliorating in- fluences of the winter and causes the destruction of many- insect pests and rodents. In the case of sod land, it is best to plow and cross-plow in the fall, leaving the land rough throughout the winter, working it up thoroughly with the disc and harrow the following spring. When cover-crops are grown to improve the soil, plowing is usually deferred from fall until spring. Land which is to be irrigated should be leveled and care- fully laid off with irrigation ditches prior to planting, since it is not easy to effect changes in the contour once trees have been set. NUESEEY STOCK Apple trees are propagated either by grafting or bud- ding, the former being the most common method. I^o attempt will be made to discuss methods of propagation since it is usually advisable for the orchardist to buy his trees from a reliable nurseryman rather than to propa- gate them himself. The purchase of nursery stock should receive most careful attention. The grower should consult with state or government horticulturists or with successful growers in order to establish the integrity of the firm with which he proposes to deal. The orchardist should buy only the best trees, dealing directly with the nursery and avoiding tree peddlers. The purchase of inferior stock is always poor economy. All horticulturists do not agree as to the proper age of trees to plant. However, the one-year whip is usually most desirable, since it can be trained properly and has 146 The Commercial Apple Industry more fibrous roots. Trees older than one year are often poorly shaped. It is advisable to purchase nursery stock well in advance of planting in order than one may secure stock of desired variety and quality. If trees are to be planted in the spring, they may be purchased safely in the preceding fall and " heeled-in " by the grovrer himself. On arrival, all trees should be carefully inspected for disease, attention being given particularly to infestation of scale or woolly aphis, or the presence of crowni-gall. If possible, a com- petent inspector should pass on the stock to see that the trees are healthy, vigorous, and of smooth bright bark. One-year old whips should be about 5 feet tall and % inch in diameter at the base. The subject of varieties is thoroughly discussed in Chapter XIX. Selection should be confined to three or four standard varieties for commercial planting. Immediately on arrival, all trees should either be planted or " heeled-in." If trees arrive in freezing weather, they should be left in the original package and kept in a cool damp place until thawed out. Ordinarily, however, the grower should avoid leaving the trees in the original package lest they become seriously injured or entirely worthless from drying out. When planting is not to be done immediately, the bundles should be cut open and the trees unpacked and '' heeled-in " singly. Too much emphasis can not be placed on the importance of " heeling-in " the trees on their arrival. In this operation, a trench is dug about 18 inches deep and the trees placed in the trench with their tops slanting to the south at an angle of about 45 degrees. Moist soil should be carefully worked in about the roots of Establishing the Apple Orchard 147 the trees so that they will not dry out. Care must be taken in order that the varieties v;ill not become mixed. SYSTEMS OF PLAJJTING (fIG. 2 ) The following are the three best-known planting systems : ( 1 ) In the square planting system, the rows run at right angles and the trees are the same distance apart each way. This method facilitates cultivation, spraying, har- vesting, and other cultural operations. (2) In the hexagonal system the trees are equaUy dis- tant in every direction, being set in equilateral triangles or alternate rows, so that the space between each group of four trees is diamond-shaped. The hexagonal system does not lend itself well to the use of fillers, but since all the trees are equidistant there is an equal distribution of air, light and soil. This system provides for about 15 per cent more trees to the acre than could be planted on the square plan at the same planting distance. (3) With the quincunx system, the trees are set in squares with a tree in the center. This latter plan is adapted to plantings where fillers are used, it being possi- ble to remove the tree in the center of the square without disturbing the permanent planting system. The symmetry of the orchard depends to a large ex- tent on the evenness of the rows, ^\^len a large orchard is being set, it may pay to employ the use of a transit so that the trees may be spaced with utmost accuracy. This is not absolutely necessary, however, since more sim- ple methods may be practiced, particularly with more limited plantings. Whatever system of planting is fol- lowed in laying out the orchard, the first trees should be 148 The Commercial Apple Industry ReCTANGULAR HE*.AGONRt it * i ■ « ■"■ ■ ir- V V ^' V 'J / \/ \/ y V \ ^ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \, yj \j \J V / \ / \ ' ^. / \ / \ A /s /\ /\ A QUINCUNX ^ ii >k fi: p't— 9 X / Xv 1 > ♦ X- X •< K ;v '\ ,\ /•- X X V Fig. 2. — The rectangular or square, the hexagonal or equilateral triangle and the quincunx, systems of planting. Planting-board of type often used in setting illustrated at bottom of figure. from 20 to 25 feet from the fence in order to afford room for turning a team or tractor engaged in orchard operations. Square system. By laying off the base line parallel with the fence on one side of the field and by placing stakes at regular in- Establishing the Apple Orchard 149 tervals in this line, it will be possible to establish the position of the trees in this first row. By establishing another line at right angles to the first, it will be possible with the use of stakes to sight across and establish par- allel lines which will serve as guides in lining up the rows. It is usually advisable to set a stake at the place for each tree. Then after sighting across from the base lines, it will be possible to determine the stakes which are not in alignment. Figure 2 shows the three important systems for laying out commercial plantings. Table VIII indi- cates the number of trees to the acre under different plant- ing distances and systems. Table VIII. — Number of Trees to the Acre Distance Apart Square Hexagonal Quincunx 16 X 16 170 196 303 18x18 134 154 239 20x20 108 124 129 22x22 90 104 148 24x24 76 87 132 25 X 25 70 80 125 26 X 26 64 74 114 28 X 28 56 64 100 30x30 48 55 85 32x32 43 49 76 33x33 40 46 71 35x35 35 41 65 36x36 34 39 60 40 X 40 27 32 48 45x45 22 25 39 Hexagonal system. The use of a wire triangle is recommended for planting trees under the hexagonal system. Each side of the tri- angle should represent the distance between the permanent trees. The wires should be connected at each " angle by means of rings. The triangle is then carried about by 150 The Commercial Apple Industry three workmen, and if kept tightly drawn and held level, stakes marking the exact site of the trees may be located after the first base line along the side of the orchard has been laid off. Attention is called to the fact that in laying off planting distances on uneven land, care must be taken in keeping the measuring line level so that the distance between trees does not include the slope of the land. Quincunx system. The quincunx being a modification of the square system, may be laid off in the same manner as the latter. The location of the center tree may be established by placing an additional stake midway between the tree stakes in the base line. PLANTING DISTANCES Close planting is a common tendency in laying out commercial apple orchards. While planting distances vary with the variety and with the region, it is seldom advisable to space permanent trees closer than 30 feet apart. Spreading trees such as Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening and Arkansas (Black Twig) should be planted at greater distances, not closer than 40 feet apart when growth is vigorous. A great mistake was made in plant- ing New York orchards closer than 40 feet. Varieties such as Wagener, Yellow Transparent, and Twenty Ounce, which have an upright habit of growth, do not require extreme distances and may be planted as close as 30 feet. In regions in which trees attain smaller size, the planting distances of these upright growing trees may be reduced Estahlishing the Apple Orchard 151 to 28 or even 25 feet. Orchardists should bear in mind, however, that trees set too close together very seriously handicap orchard operations, for branches interlock when full growth is attained. TIME TO PLANT The time of planting depends entirely on local condi- tions. Fall plantings may offer one distinct advantage if the trees become established before winter sets in and are able to start growth early in the spring. However, if the winter is cold, dry, or otherwise unfavorable, the fall planted trees may be seriously checked in their early growth. For this reason spring planting is preferred in most northern regions. In the southern latitudes, late fall or early winter is usually considered safe. If there is any question, it is safer to plant in the spring as soon as the soil can be placed in good tilth. Trees should be kept dormant until setting. SETTING TEEES The use of the planting-board is important in securing perfect alignment. (See Fig. 2-.) Such a board is usu- ally 4 or 5 feet long, 6 inches wide and 1 inch thick with a notch in one side at the center and a hole in each end. In using this device, the notch in the center is first placed tightly against the stake which stands where the tree is to be set. Other stakes are then driven through the holes in either end and the board is later removed to permit the digging of the hole. After the hole is dug, the board may be placed over the pins and the tree set so as to occupy the same position in the notch as did the original stake. 152 The Commercial Apple Industry A four-man crew is efficient when a large number of trees are to be planted. Holes should be dug large enough to accommodate the root system without crowding or bunching the roots^ also sufficiently deep to permit the planting of the tree two or three inches deeper than it stood in the nursery row. It is important that all broken, bruised or interlacing roots be cut away at the time of transplanting. Long roots should be cut back to about six inches. After the tree has been located with the aid of the planting-board, rich soil from the surface should be worked tightly under and among the roots with the fingers. The hole should then be filled about half full of dirt and tramped. Hard lumpy soil should be avoided since it dries out easily. The remainder of the hole should be filled and the earth carefully tamped about the roots. A few shovelfuls of loose dirt or a few forkfuls of loose manure thrown about the tree is a last precaution to pre- vent the loss of moisture and completes the operation of planting. When strong winds prevail as in many local- ities, it is important that the tree be leaned strongly against prevailing winds. When large numbers of trees are being planted, the roots should be covered with saw- dust or placed in a tub of loamy soil mixed with water. This precaution will prevent drying out of the trees when they are being distributed for planting. HEADING TREES In transplanting, a large part of the root system of the young tree is removed. In order to preserve the proper balance between the top and the roots, it is necessary that the former be cut back as severely or even more so than the Pi.ATE IX. — Upper, Weeder in use in a Hood River orchard. Lou-er, Type of float commonly used at Hood River after cultiva- tion. Establishing the Apple Orchard 153 root system. Not only does this maintain the proper bal- ance between root and top, but it permits the proper head- ing of the tree. While no definite height is given for heading, it is suggested that one-year apple whips should be cut to about 24 inches at time of planting in order that the proper shaped trees may be developed. Emphasis is laid on the advantages of low-headed trees. Such opera- tions as spraying, pruning, thinning and harvesting can be done more economically and effectively when the bear- ing surface is close to the ground. USE OF FILLERS AND INTEE-CEOPS The practice of planting " fillers " to utilize the land between young trees is common and may have the advant- age of bringing early returns before the permanent orchard attains bearing. Peaches or early bearing varieties of apples such as the Yellow Transparent are used most com- monly as fillers. The grower usually makes the mistake of allowing these temporary trees to remain too long, with the result that the permanent trees are crowded and their productivity jeopardized. If the orchard is favorably sit- uated for the production of peaches, the grower will find that this fruit lends itself well to a system of fillers. Va- rieties of apples such as Mcintosh, Wealthy, Wagener, Duchess and Yellow Transparent, which come into bear- ing early, are adapted for use as fillers. The growing of small-fruits between the rows, such as strawberries, blackberries and raspberries, has been very- profitable in some regions. Notable among such instances is the Hood River Valley, well known for its strawberries produced as an inter-crop in the young apple orchards. 154 The Commercial Apple Industry Cultivated crops such as potatoes and tomatoes may prove profitable as inter-crops, although care must be taken not to encroach on the soil and water requirements of the young trees. CHAPTER VII CULTIVATION OF TEE ORCHARD In this chapter will be discussed methods of tillage and systems involving the use of cover-crops and sod-mulch, and the use of the tractor in orchard cultivation. No hard and fast rules can be laid down for soil man- agement since conditions vary greatly in different regions, but a number of principles should be followed everywhere. Usually the correct system is worked out eventually by the most successful grower in any community and it is by following in a general way methods which by demonstra- tion have established their eflBciency that one may hope for the best results. In reacting from the neglectful practices of soil man- agement which prevailed in many eastern orchards, the western apple-growers for a period of years adopted a pro- gram of intensive and absolutely clean cultivation. (See Plate VII. ) Conservation of moisture and stimulation of tree growth were the two principal reasons for such a pro- gram. Until 1915 absolutely clean cultivation was the practice in all of the leading apple regions of the Pacific Northwest. As the trees grew older, greater demands were made on the soil and it became apparent that this system of soil management led to a depletion of fertility and failed particularly in maintaining the necessary hu- mus-content. A rapid change occurred in the system of soil management and at present a cover- or shade-crop sys- 155 156 The Commercial Apple Industry tern has come into common use. Alfalfa seems best suited to the irrigated orchard land of the West and although it is spoken of there as a cover-crop, it is more properly either an inter-crop or a sod-mulch, for it remains in the orchard for several years and as a rule one or two cuttings are taken off in the form of hay. CLEAN CULTIVATION Clean cultivation has many evils vs^hich are not at once apparent. The most striking example occurred in the Hood River Valley, Oregon, where clean cultivation was practiced until about 1915 when the bearing orchards began to show marked signs of lack of vigor, evidenced by pale foliage, light yields of small fruit and poor annual growth. The Hood River orchards made a marked recov- ery in the next two or three years, following wider use of irrigation in growing leguminous cover-crops and on appli- cation of nitrate of soda. Except in special cases, continued clean cultivation can have only disastrous results. Where there is sufficient nitrogen and humus in the soil, there is no particular objection to clean cultivation for a limited period of years. Clean culture for a time unquestionably stimulates tree growth and increases yields. It has been observed that this practice is followed continuously in some of the best paying and finest apple orchards in the United States. Invariably, however, in such instances the original soil w^as unusually rich in humus and other plant-food and this reservoir has not been exhausted. It is better to maintain fertility, for once depleted its restoration is difficult. In starting young orchards, clean cultivation is not harmful for the first three or four years. In fact, it may Cultivation of the Orchard 157 be very beneficial and is probably advisable when inter- crops are not particularly profitable. In certain seasons and in certain regions, lack of sufiicient moisture is a crit- ical factor. Obviously the only method to follow in dry years is to practice intensive cultivation in order to pre- serve the soil-mulch so necessary for moisture conserva- tion. Ordinarily regions in which such an extreme short- age of moisture might take place would hardly be recom- mended for apples, although dry years are likely to occur in almost every section. When clean cultivation is practiced, humus should be supplied. Barnyard manure, when available, is the most suitable form, since it not only supplies humus but nitrogen and other elements of plant-food as well. Straw, shredded cow fodder, or stubble clippings when scattered under trees and incorporated in the soil, increase the humus-content. Applications of the latter materials at the rate of 50 to 75 pounds each for trees under six years and from 75 to 150 pounds each for trees six to ten years will prove beneficial. SOD- OE GEASS-MIJLCH Many apple orchards of the United States are allowed to remain in sod- or grass-mulch. The sod-mulch system offers the line of least resistance and represents the least expenditure of time and effort. It is particularly common throughout eastern and middle west orchards. Its possi- ble advantages are: (1) increased color of fruit; (2) reduced cost an acre ; ( 3 ) prevents hilly or mountainous soils from washing. The sod-mulch is probably the only practicable system for certain hilly districts in Xew England and throughout the Piedmont region in Virginia where the orchard land 158 The Commercial Apple Industry is too steep to cultivate and where clean cultivation would result in bad washing. The natural vegetative growth supplemented by fertilization in some instances and occa- sional cultivation about trees serves to maintain the fertil- ity of these soils. The disadvantages of the sod-mulch system are: (1) reduces yields; (2) reduces vitality and tree growth; (3) provides harbor for mice, insects and diseases; (4) has tendency to encourage general neglect; (5) reduces soil aeration; (6) sheds rain. In all cost-production studies, the question of yield appears as the critical factor. It is not the acre cost of operation, but the barrel or box cost of production that determines profit. If the yield can be increased, the cost of production is usually materially decreased. Records taken by the writers show that in general yields are re- duced under the sod-mulch system. While the sod-mulch may be depended on to return humus to the soil and commercial fertilizer may maintain fertility, the lack of cultivation will undoubtedly be felt, and as a general rule trees in sod-mulch have less vitality and make less growth than those which are cultivated. Some growers, notably one very successful grower in western New York and many in southern Ohio, use the sod-mulch system very profitably. It can not be con- demned under all conditions but it unquestionably tends to encourage general neglect of the orchard. The grower with the sod orchard is not brought into such intimate touch with his trees as the one who practices more intensive culture and who is working about among his trees every few days. Furthermore, the sod furnishes a harbor for mice, insects and diseases. Cultivation of the Orchard 159 CLEAN CULTIVATION WITH COVEK-CBOPS The best general method of soil management for all commercial apple regions, with two possible exceptions, is clean cultivation with the use of a cover-crop. The two general exceptions are: (1) western irrigated orchards which at present are committed largely to the system of leguminous inter-crop or perennial cover-crop; and (2) orchards which are too hilly to permit of cultivation, such as have been described for parts of New England and Virginia. The term " cover-crop " is correctly applied to a crop sown in the late summer months, usually in July or August, which is plowed under the following spring. By cultivating the orchard until late summer, the grower is using the best method for conserving the moisture and is insuring other benefits to be derived from cultivation. In sowing the cover-crop in the summer or fall, the orchardist can check the growth of his trees and insure the hardening of their gTo\vth before winter without robbing them of the plant-food necessary to mature the crop. The cover-crop acts as a protection during the winter months and when plowed under in the spring increases the supply of humus, improves the physical condition of the soil and makes more plant-food available. This system of soil management is most common in western 'New York where mammoth red clover and vetch are the best suited leguminous cover-crops and rye, buckwheat, oats, barley, rape and cow-horn turnips are the widely gTown non- leguminous cover-crops. Leguminous cover-crops are usually more desirable since they not only add humus, but make more nitrogen available. 160 The Commercial Apple Industry By combining cover-crops with cultivation, it is possible to secure nearly all of the benefits to be derived from the varying- methods of soil treatment. Such a system is designed to preserve and promote permanent soil fertility. COVEE-CEOPS There are two important kinds of cover-crops: (1) leguminous, such as alfalfa, clover, peas, vetch and beans ; (2) non-leguminous, such as rye, rape and buckwheat. These crops may be further subdivided into those which live over the winter, such as clover, vetch and rye, and those like rape, buckwheat and peas which die down in the fall. Leguminous crops are recommended at least once in three years or more often, especially when trees are not making sufficient annual growth and when foliage is pale. As a general rule, they are preferable to non-leguminous crops since they add nitrogen to the soil. Cover-crops which live through the winter protect the trees against winter-injury in the absence of snow and also prevent the washing and leaching of soluble plant-foods. Alfalfa is by far the most popular cover-crop in western irrigated orchards where it has largely supplanted the clean culture system. Vetch, clover and other cover-crops are also recommended. Although alfalfa is known in the West as a cover-crop, a distinction should be made between the eastern cover-crop planted in the fall and plowed under the following spring and the western cover-crop which is left in the orchard for several years. In reality the west- ern cover-crop is an inter-crop, but since its purpose is primarily to benefit the orchard rather than to provide immediate returns to the grower, the word cover-crop has been retained. Cultivation of the Orchard 161 The benefits of a leguminous cover-crop as grown in the West (alfalfa most common) are as follows: (1) supplies nitrogen and humus — both limiting f actoi-s in the western desert soils which have been reclaimed by irrigation ; (2) is thought to have beneficial efi^ect in controlling apple-rosette, a physiological disease somewhat common in the West ; (3) provides a source of income — usually two cuttings of hay are removed, the third being left. Whether this is the best practice remains to be proved. Some investigators maintain that the taking of two cuttings of hay removes too much nitrogen. Much depends on what disposition is made of the hay : whether it is fed and returned in form of manure or sold off the farm; (4) improves texture of soil; (5) promotes aeration of subsoil after plants are killed and the roots decay; (6) permits of deeper penetra- tion of the roots. Disadvantages of leguminous shade-crop system may be summed up as follows: (1) shade-crops may rob trees of water and other plant-food; alfalfa is particularly a close feeder, likely to crowd young trees; it should be grown only where water supply is ample and strip cultivation is practiced among young trees; (2) alfalfa if once started is difiicult to eradicate; (3) in some regions, particularly in the East, alfalfa is costly and difficult to start. With alfalfa as a perennial cover-crop, soil management includes a thorough discing in the spring. Time of seed- ing varies with the region and should follow established precedent. In passing from clean cultivation to shade crops, the western apple-grower may swerve to the other extreme and allow alfalfa or other crops to remain in his orchard too long. Clover lends itself to short rotations better than alfalfa, although it is less profitable. In any 162 The Commercial Apple Industry event, shade-crops should seldom be allowed to remain more than four or five years. Cultivation for a year or two will preserve a judicial balance. The quantity of seed to the acre for cover-crops may vary somewhat with the region. However, the following table will serve as a rough guide : Table IX. — Quantity of Seed to the Acre Mammoth clover 10 pounds Common red clover 10 " Alsike clover 8 " Crimson clover 15 " Alfalfa . . . / 20 Cowpeas 75 " Soybeans 75 " Hairy or winter vetch 50 " Summer vetch 60 " Canada peas 90 " Rye 75 Buckwheat 60 Rape 6 " Turnips 1 pound VALUE OF CULTIVATION AND METHODS The philosophy of tillage and its absolute necessity in maintaining soil fertility need as much emphasis in apple- growing as in any other phase of agriculture. Above all, tillage is the principal determining factor in moisture con- servation. It increases the availability of plant-food by promoting the decomposition of organic matter ; it fines the soil and thereby increases the feeding surface for the roots and it promotes many favorable chemical and biological activities. Hard, lumpy, untilled soil will no more produce profit- able apple trees than any other crop. The bad effects of continued clean cultivation have been emphasized, but the Cultivation of the Orchard . 163 entire omission of tillage will be even more injurious than too much cultivation. Plowing every year or every other year is highly recom- mended for all orchards except those in shade-crops or on land unsuited for cviltivation. The operation may be per- formed either in the fall or spring. The only danger in plowing is too great disturbance of root systems. For that reason regular plowing is more advisable than plowing at intervals of several years. Most commercial apple-growers plow from 4 to 6 inches deep. The general use of cover- crops makes spring plowing more common. Very often discing is the first operation in the spring since it may be done earlier than plowing. When clover or alfalfa is grown in the orchard, plowing may not be advisable of tener than every three years. Early cultivation is essential to moisture conservation and the soil should be worked as early in the spring as possible. When water is not a critical factor and when a cover-crop is grown, it is sometimes permissible to allow the cover-crop to get a good start in the spring before turn- ing it under. In plowing, the orchardist should plow toward the tree one year and away from the tree in the next in order to prevent the tendency toward ridging. As stated above, when perennial shade-crops such as alfalfa are being grown, plowing of course is not practiced. A thorough discing in the spring is recommended, however, for shade-crops and may take the place of plowing. (See Plate VIII.) After the first discing or plowing, frequent cultivation, preferably every two weeks, is the program followed by most successful apple-growers. By preserving a soil- mulch until August, the critical drought period usually 164 The Commercial Apple Industry Q < g o Oh < 3s ;5 *^ H ?) a © ^ OS-, -w » ,^ « 2 O o o 13 td 3 3 0). t» ° O rt t> -!1 o '^ d — ' a o 0"T3 <0 ■^ >.. a a H So « u u a a a ^ cog j= o .2 d^'.2 o C8.2 « a £ *J^ Ph Si:c.-; 41 o C O ea .S aj W Ofl g-C p P 5 (M a 3 1" 8 55 > p p. >> ft og2 o *;. a aj .•;: CO D. ti t^ ^ * 2 aJ 6 M J3 <9 s a g ^ a o i» a 3 J3 M to t 00 cc t- t- 00 t- X ■<* Cl >H •* (N TO t- o 01 -^^ m IM rn 05 r-l pq 1-i i-i iH 1-i tH 1-4 ,^ 66- «s^ 03 O t^ OO'^'^ tO'^OD t)l « in N 05 00 t-; 0> to >. m CO t> to t- N to ■< (N u^ 00 cc t- 1-1 C3 (M N CO CO 1* CO rM rilf5in-*t- t- X ■* CO 00 •* oi 00 CT> o COTf t- 1- t-o O fq 00 in 'f CO N (N CO TS ««■ ^ X fe (M in 00 CI cc o T-l Ol ■*_ O iH © o 1-^ o in to in w CO (M oi < Ol Ol O O Ol Ol 6©- rHrH OS t- to in ■* CO W to X oooojo-^fin o o COrHrHlHOSOO f-( ^^ pa CO CO CO CO N M_ CO CO OS 95- ^ ^. 'E OQ -2 o 03 m 00 t> r-l o> Ol Oi o s u oi CT o> 00 in Tf CO V 00 ■*' oj CO 00 in o -a; CO in to 00 o>(N in C31 O t- M t^ ^^ X CO -^ to in to in o o 00 t-in o oc~ 00 m cq CJ N CO CO N CJ (» €©■ "^^^ =3 O to tOTf 00 tH CO K 0) to to o in in CO to « ci 00 to ci cq r-l oi < CO ■<* in 00 o CI W- iHrl 00 o> CO in o in to to X t-oost- t-oo to ? o 00 oin in^n to t- c pa ■* CO ca M ci th (>i s «■ (B- 13 a rH in CO 0> i-H 00 j-t ® iH r-l 00 CO Oi iH in 1 o to' CO to 05 ci ■«< 00 M M o o CO a CO pq z o ^ o < o £ z 3 o < OKI o a O 33 OS H Ph o O - O H "3 1 3 »c m ■^ t* o c m m u5 00 iH rH rH -H PI O 2 < $220.68 51G.19 376.63 387.52 355.55 237.41 3 oi C-) "-I CO O O t- 02 CD (M -qi CJ r-( ifi ''t 0» CO CO CO CO CO CO c>) ^ ■ ' ■ ■ ■ U OStOOOOOO'* o q c^ X CO in CO 1-1 -^ X 05 o> d 1-1 1-^ X T X 0> 01 <^ CD a H 1.0 in 1/; r-i in IT o CO t- 1~ o t- 1^ in W t- t- X t- t- CO e-1 (N -< Oi CO X in CD in x x cDoi'^oi cox"oi inrH (oxoit-in o S es n '5 ffl CO [-■-1 lN<0 t^Tt OJ OJ r-l T(l t- CJ CO CO iH CO cj fa CO CO iM £ ■^ OOOrHOOO t- CO X m 1-H CO t^ O) •*' CO X d co' d ■q' COTXrHOCO €6-r-(r-l r--l 2 3 P5 Pica COO t-'^co in cow cjc? X N N "* in CO CO PI P) i a s til Western New York. Yakima Valley Wenatchee Valley. . Hood River Southern Idaho.. . . Western Colorado. . California z;zj 5^ Cost of Production 385 yields; the higher the yield, the lower the cost of produc- tion a unit. 2. Maintenance practices such as spraying, pruning and cultivating, greatly influence yield. As a general rule, increase in maintenance costs to the acre means a decrease in cost a box or barrel. It is poor economy to neglect orchard practices which are necessary to high yields of good quality fruit. 3. The average commercial grower in the United States could effect a considerable saving in his cost of pro- duction if he spent more time in thinning his fruit. At the present time only growers in the Pacific l^orthwest thin extensively. Even there this operation could be prac- ticed more systematically with profit. 4. Growers with mature orchards or those reaching ma- turity can in many cases greatly increase annual yields and thereby lower cost of production, if they will give more attention to soil management and fertilization. IN^o phase of fruit-growing is of more importance than the mainte- nance of soil fertility. 5. The relative acre value of apple orchards should be determined largely by average annual yields. Low yields with excessive fixed costs limit successful production in many widely advertized regions. 6. The cost of production is exceedingly variable de- pending so largely on yield, labor rates and overhead costs, all of which are so variable that no definite figure which will hold can be given. However, it has been found that under 1919 conditions box apples could not be put in the car for less than $1.20 a box, while barreled apples ordi- narily averaged about $2.50 a barrel, f. o. b., in cost of pro- duction. The cost of boxes was figured at 22 cents, of 386 The Commercial Apple Industry barrels 60 cents. Labor was figured at 40 to 50 cents the hour and materials were charged at the 1919 rate. Changes should be made accordingly. Increased price of packages brought the 1920 cost of production of boxed ap- ples to about $1.30 and of barreled apples to about $3.50. CHAPTER XIX VARIETIES OF APPLES The proper selection of varieties should be given careful consideration by the commercial apple-grower since this may determine the success or failure of his enterprise. Hundreds of varieties of apples are grown in the United States and many hundreds of others are described in pomological lists. It is interesting to note, however, how relatively few varieties make up the commercial apple production of the United States. Twelve varieties repre- sent nearly 80 per cent of the commercial apple crop of the United States. Such a limited list would probably include Ben Davis, Baldwin, Ehode Island Greening, Winesap, Jonathan, Northern Spy, Yellow Newtown, York Imperial, Delicious, Stayman, Grimes and Wealthy. These varieties are not of recent origin, but are almost without exception old and well established sorts known to the commercial grower for generations. Baldwin has been known since the middle of the eigh- teenth century, while Ben Davis was propagated over one hundred years ago. Jonathan was first exhibited in 1829, while Northern Spy has been famous for its high dessert and market qualities for over one hundred years. Rhode Island Greening was highly recommended as long ago as 1800 and the same is true of Tompkins King. Yellow Newtown has been prized for its good qualities for almost 387 388 The Commercial Apple Industry two centuries, while the good qualities of the Winesap apple were known as long ago as 1817. Oldenburg (Duchess), the planting of which has become very exten- sive in recent years, is a very old European variety which was introduced in this country as long ago as 1835. Yellow Bellflower, one of the leading varieties of Cal- ifornia and well known throughout the country, has been noted for its dessert quality for one hundred years. Stay- man, which is ordinarily classed as new, bore fruit as early as 1875. Grimes was a commercial sort in 1800. Esopus Spitzenburg was gro'WTi in the Hudson Valley over a cen- tury ago. The Delicious is about the only variety of recent origin which has grown to great popularity and forced itself on practically all the commercial markets. This brief discussion serves to emphasize how hard it is for any variety to become well known in commercial chan- nels without many years of thorough trial and an acquaint- anceship with the public. ' It further serves to emphasize how really few kinds survive. It is said that approxi- mately 7,000 varieties of apples have been described in pomological publications since 1804. Of these, very few are of commercial importance to-day. This does not pre- clude the possibility of developing new and better kinds, but the commercial grower has found it profitable to limit the number of his varieties and allow others to experiment with new or doubtful ones. In everv' region, from four to six well-known varieties have proved most profitable, and it is the safest plan to select three or four from this list and plant new varieties only in limited quantities. In the early history of com- mercial apple-growing, it was necessary to experiment with untried varieties since no one knew exactly what ones Varieties of Apples 389 were best adapted to the different regions. Most of this pioneer work has been done, however, and it is no longer necessary to take chances with strange varieties. In a discussion of varieties, the question of relative flavor of the same sort grown in different regions arises. An interesting investigation has been conducted by the Bureau of Chemistry, United States Department of Agri- culture, which reveals that there is essentially no difference in chemical constituency between normal specimens of apples of the same variety grown in different regions. The percentage of water content and solid matter is prac- tically the same. This investigation, of course, did not pertain to the physiological or cell-structure of the apples, and it may be true that some difference exists in this respect. A western apple forced by unwise irrigation, or picked green, will not compare with the choicest specimens of eastern apples. One region may grow one or two varieties to great perfection in quality and flavor, while another will grow superior apples of some other kind. New York has its Baldwin and Rhode Island Greening; Virginia its York Imperial, Yellow Kewtown (Albemarle Pippin) and Winesap ; the central states their Ben Davis, Jonathan and Wealthy; the West its Delicious, Jonathan, Winesap, and so on. Seed selection and hybridization have been responsible for the improvement of many cultivated plants and for the discover^^ of many new varieties, but not so for the culti- vated fruits. Practically all varieties of fruit are the result of chance discovery of seedlings. The apple does not come true to seed, but is propogated by grafting a cion or bud from a known variety on a seedling root. Plant- 390 The Commercial Apple Industry breeding is a much discussed subject and the la^Tnan may conceive that new varieties of apples are being developed by this method. As a matter of fact, the experiments thus far conducted in crossing different varieties of apples have been very inconclusive and unsatisfactory. I^ew varieties are being constantly discovered and very often widely advertised. Some are worthy and some are not. The most noted new variety is the Golden Delicious which is being planted very extensively and in the next decade will appear in most of the commercial markets. Wherever tried, it has proved productive and highly profit- able. The grower may experiment but should not plant new varieties extensively before they have been firmly established, or have proved profitable. High quality var- ieties are very often the most profitable, but occasionally they prove undesirable on account of their tendency toward shy bearing. The Ben Davis apple, on accoiMit of its high annual yield, has proved more profitable over a period of years than some of the better quality varieties. The public, however, is becoming more fastidious in its selec- tion, and in the competition between high and low quality apples some of the latter are being crowded out. Seldom do two varieties ripen at exactly the same time, and with a maximum of four or five leading kinds there is usually a sufficiently long harvest period to permit of the most economical harvesting practice. Buyers and even cooperative organizations insist on a limited number of varieties, and prefer them in carlots. The grower with a miscellaneous list of varieties is the last to sell his crop, whereas the one with two or three kinds of uniform size and color has a decided advantage in the market. The farmer planting a home orchard selects a few trees of each '^'. Varieties of Apples 391 of several varieties, in order that he may have a continuous home supply during the late summer, fall and winter months. The average commercial grower does well to select three or at most four varieties. This choice should not be difficult. Certain regions are adapted to well- known varieties. The consuming public is familiar with the name and quality of these and has come to demand them. Were one to plant an orchard in western New York, the varieties should be largely Baldwin and Green- ing, with possibly some Twenty Ounce, Duchess or Wealthy. Delicious, King David and others may prove profitable, but Baldwin and Rhode Island Greening have stood the test of trial. Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening, Ben Davis, Northern Spy and IVlcIntosh are successfully grown in the Hudson Valley, although proximity to i^ew York City might warrant planting one or two varieties of summer apples, such as Oldenburg, Gravenstein or Will- iams. In the Champlain district of northern ISTew York and Vermont, the Fameuse, Mcintosh and Northern Spy are suited to these northern latitudes. Across in Xew England the Baldwin, Northern Spy and Rhode Island Greening predominate, with Mcintosh, Fameuse, Wealthy ajid others following in importance. In Virginia, the commercial crop virtually consists of six varieties, Albemarle Pippin (Yellow Newtown), Ben Davis, York Imperial, Winesap, Stayman and Delicious. In the Ohio Valley, Rome Beauty and Ben Davis lead; in Michigan, the leading varieties are Northern Spy and Baldwin. In the Ozark region Ben Davis, Gano and Jonathan predominate. Western states have a somewhat larger list of leading kinds. Each district has a host of other varieties, but geographic distribution of the really 392 The Commercial Apple Industry important sorts is comparatively simple and it should not be hard to determine for any one locality the varieties which really have proved snccessful. It is by no means intended that prospective growers should select only from the few kinds named below, but rather than risk untried varieties it might be wise to select from such old ones and those best adapted to the particular locality. The following are some of the standard varieties grovsrti successfully, and recommended for planting in the various regions : Western New York — Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening, Ben Davis or Gano, Oldenburg (Duchess), Wealthy, Twenty Ounce. Hudson Valley — Mcintosh, Rhode Island Greening, Baldwin, Wealthy, Old- enburg, Northern Spy. Vermont and Champlain District — Mcintosh, Northern Spy, Fameuse, Wealthy, Gravenstein. New England — Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening, Mcintosh, Wealthy, Gravenstein, Williams Early Red. New Jersey — Stayman, Oldenburg, Winesap, Williams Early Red, Wealthy, Yellow Transparent, Starr. Delaware — Stayman, Gano, Yellow Transparent, Williams Early Red, Wealthy. Piedmont of Virginia — Yellow Newtown (Albemarle Pippin), Winesap, Stayman, Grimes (top worked). Southern Pennslvania — Stayman, York Imperial, Grimes, Oldenburg (Duchess), Yellow Transparent. Shenandoah Valley of Virginia — Stayman, York Imperial, Ben Davis or Gano, Grimes, Varieties of Apples 393 Winesap (in southern end of valley), Yellow Transparent, Oldenburg (Duchess). Mountain Region of North Carolina — Stayman, Winesap, Ben Davis or Gano, Delicious, Arkansas (Black Twig), Bonum. Mountain Region of Georgia — Yates, Terry's Winter, Stayman, Arkansas, Yellow Trans- parent, Delicious. Southern Ohio — Rome Beauty, Ben Davis, Grimes, Stayman, Oldenburg (Duchess), Yellow Transparent, Wealthy. Northern Ohio — Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening, Northern Sny, Mcintosh, Oldenburg (Duchess), Yellow Transparent, Wealthy. Illinois — Wealthy, Oldenburg (Duchess), Red June, Yellow Trans- parent for extreme southern part of state. Jonathan, Stayman, Delicious, Gano and Grimes (double worked) for south central and western Illinois. Ozarks — Jonathan, Stayman, Winesap, Gano, Black Ben, Grimes (double worked). Yellow Transparent. Missouri River Region — Ben Davis, Gano or Black Ben, Jonathan, Winesap, Wealthy. Michigan — Northern Spy, Ben Davis, Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening, Mcintosh, Wealthy, Oldenburg (Duchess). Western Colorado — Jonathan, Winesap, Gano. Wenatchee and Yakima Valleys — Jonathan, Winesap, Delicious (Red and Golden), Stayman, Rome Beauty, Yellow Newtown, Grimes, Winter Banana. Hood River Valley, Oregon — Yellow Newtown, Esopus (Spitzenburg), Ortley. Pajaro Valley, California — Yellow Newtown, Yellow Bellflower. The varieties which will be discussed individually in 394 The Commercial Apple Industry this chapter mav assist in outlining in more detail the geographic distribution of the commercial sorts. It is interesting to note how many of these most desirable vari- eties are not new discoveries, but are over a hundred years old. SUMMER VARIETIES The question of summer varieties requires separate treatment. In their selection, the proximity to markets is an important factor. The great perishability of early apples limits their production to such regions as have access to ready markets. It is sometimes suggested that the commercial grower may well have a number of varieties ripening at different times in order to supply the demands of local or nearby markets throughout a long season. In some instances this may be advisable, particularly in the case of small growers in the vicinity of large cities, who do most of their own work and where the orchardist or a member of his family markets the fruit locally. The extra expense of harvesting apples in small quantities is a strong argument against too wide diversification. The growing of summer varieties has proved very profit- able to many growers who are so situated that their fruit reaches the market in advance of that from other regions and to growers who cater to local and special markets. A light soil which warms up early is essential. It is difficult to draw a sharp line between summer, fall and winter varieties. A variety may be known as a fall sort in one section and as a winter in another. It is prob- ably safer to make an arbitrary distinction based on har- vesting dates rather than on varieties. Summer kinds in- Varieties of Apples 395 elude those normally consumed before September 15th ; fall varieties, those normally disposed of by November 15th; and winter sorts those consumed after November 15th. Were there only the two classes, summer and winter, it might be well to include among summer varieties those which are consumed normally before October 15th. Winter varieties are usually considered as those com- monly held in storage. The dates of ripening of the same variety in different regions sometimes works to the advant- age of the earlier sections. One instance of the kind is found in the Pecos Valley of New Mexico, where Jon- athans mature earlier than in the other western apple districts. For this reason. New Mexico Jonathans have a distinct advantage in the Texas markets. Variation in ripening dates is further exemplified in such northern states as Wisconsin and Minnesota, where varieties con- sidered in some sections as strictly summer apples do not ripen until fall. The Oldenburg (Duchess) is an exam- ple of this kind. The Baldwin apple, generally known, and particularly in New York and New England, as a strictly winter variety, is considered a fall apple in some parts of Maryland and Virginia.^ \ LATJg VARIETIES The following varieties, divided into early and late, are arranged in their order of importance in total commercial production. They are discussed from a commercial stand- point, with reference to their adaptation and distribution throughout the different apple regions of the United States. No consideration was given to home orchard pro- duction in establishing order of importance. 396 The Commercial Apple Industry Baldwin (Plate XXI). Approximately 50 per cent of the commercial apple production in New York and New England consists of Baldwins. This variety is said to have originated as a chance seedling in Massachusetts in about 1740. While its culture is largely confined to these states, to Michigan and the northern parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania, it is the leading commercial apple in the United States. The question of selecting Baldwin for commercial planting outside of this region should be considered very carefully, but within these confines it is almost invariably a wise choice. In more southern latitudes, the fruit ripens early and tends to drop prematurely, while in northern New York and upper New England the wood sometimes winter-kills. The tree is strong, large and vigorous, the many old Bald- win orchards in western New York testifying to its long- evity. While somewhat late in coming to full bearing, and once matured inclined to biennial bearing, in total pro- duction the Baldwin tree is one of the heavy bearers, and in commercial importance it stands preeminent. The ideal Baldwin soil is a fine sandy loam underlaid by plas- tic light clay or heavy silt loam. The fruit is of good quality, stands shipment and keeps comparatively well, although it sometimes develops Baldwin spot both before and after picking. The Baldwin crop is shipped almost exclusively in barrels and much of it is used for culinary purposes. The selling price, while not the highest, is usually firm. The variety figures prominently in the ex- port trade. Varieties of Apples 397 Ben Davis. The Ben Davis comes next to the Baldwin in commercial importance on account of its wide distribution.. It is thought to have originated in the southern states about 1800 and has been a leading commercial variety for many years, particularly in Missouri and Arkansas where, with the Gano, it represents from 60 to 80 per cent of the commercial production. The Ben Davis apple has played an important part in nearly every commercial apple-grow- ing region in this country, and thrives in nearly all but the most northern states. The tree is strong and vigorous, with upright form, and seldom breaks under heavy loads. It comes into bearing early and yields large annual crops. Unquestionably Ben Davis production is rapidly on the decline. Very few trees of this variety are being planted an^^vhere in the country. Its susceptibility to the Illinois blister-canker has been the cause of heavy loss in trees all through the Ozarks, Missouri River region and Illinois. This susceptibility seems the one weakness in the tree. The fruit ranks lowest in dessert quality of all leading varieties, yet for cooking, shipping, and keeping qualities, it stands among the best. Ben Davis is important in the Xorthwest where it is boxed. In the Ozarks and Middle West it is shipped both in bulk and in barrels, and in eastern states, principally Virginia, it is largely barreled. It is adapted to a very wide range of soils, perhaps more so than any other standard variety. Despite low prices, Ben Davis has unquestionably been a profitable apple on account of its large annual yields. From a strictly mone- tary standpoint, and over a long period of years, commer- cial growers rank Ben Davis among their best paying sorts. 398 The Commercial Apple Industry Winesap. This old and well known apple is one of the most import- ant commercial varieties. It is growing in popularity and its production has been greatly increased in rc^cent years. It is particularly adapted to the Piedmont section of Vir- ginia and to the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys in Wash- ington, where it is the leading variet3^ In the Missouri River region, at the intersection of iSTebraska, Missouri, Iowa and Kansas, and also in southern Illinois, the Wine- sap production is increasing. Excellent qualities of both tree and fruit make the Wine- sap a good commercial variety for the regions named. It is not grown commercially in New York or Kew England. The tree is vigorous, not particularly susceptible to any disease or insect pests, and does best on light rich soils. It comes into bearing early and is an annual cropper. The fruit tends to grow small in some sections and the tree does not thrive on heavy clay or low wet soil. Winesap apples are a stable product. They hang on the trees well, are excellent keepers, and sell well from storage. Arkan- sas, Arkansas Black, and Stayman Winesap are seedlings of the old Winesap. Rhode Island Greening, Ehode Island Greening, originating in Rhode Island about two centuries ago, is second in importance to Baldwin in New York state and its distribution throughout the northeastern part of the United States coincides largely with that of the latter variety. The Greening fits in well with the Baldwin in a farm management scheme, since it ripens somewhat earlier and very often produces a crop during the light year for Baldwins. Varieties of Apples 399 The tree is large, vigorous and productive, but given to biennial bearing. It prefers a fertile surface soil of grav- elly or sandy loam, underlaid by a well drained clay loam. The apple-scab fungus is one of its worst enemies. Com- mercial plantings are almost exclusively in New York, Xew England, Ohio, Michigan, and the more northern parts of Xew Jersey and Pennsylvania. The apples are rather large and grade out well. The storage limit is usually February or March. Jonathan. Jonathan is a seedling of the Esopus Spitzenburg, and originated at Woodstock in Ulster County, Xew York. It was first described in 1826 and named after Jonathan Hasbrouck, who first called attention to the variety. The stronghold of the Jonathan as a commercial apple is in the middle western and western states. There are few com- mercial plantings of this variety east of the Mississippi. Jonathan is the leading sort in both Colorado and Idaho, and is important in Washington, Utah and Xew Mexico, being grown under irrigation in large commercial quanti- ties in all five states. The high quality and brilliant red coloring adapts it particularly to the boxed apple industry. Irrigation overcomes its tendency towards small size. The Jonathan has rather extensive distribution through the Middle West, particularly in the loess soil region, along the Missouri River at the intersection of Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas. Here it is a barreled apple. In quality the fruit ranks high. The tree, although inclined to a somev.'hat drooping willowy habit of gro^vtll, is vigorous and yields well as it is adapted to rich soil. Under irrigation it is sometimes subject to fire-blight. 40,0 The Commercial Apple Industry although not to such an extent as the Esopus Spitzenburg. The fruit brings high prices but is inclined to develop the Jonathan spot in storage. It is usually consumed before February and is the lirst of the leading varieties to be moved from the western irrigated regions. Normal har- vest period is September 10th to 20th. York Imperial. York Imperial originated shortly after 1800 near York, Pennsylvania. It was propagated before 1830 by Jon- athan Jessop under the name of Johnson's Fine Winter which it still retains in many remote parts of the South. The commercial production of York Imperial is largely confined to the valley of the Shenandoah, in Virginia, and to the Cumberland Valley in Pennsylvania, centering in Frederick County, Virginia ; Berkeley County, West Vir- ginia; Washington County, Maryland; Franklin and Adams counties, Pennsylvania. Outside of these and adjoining counties, the distribution of York Imperial is scattering and relatively unimportant, being chiefly in the Middle West. In the district defined, however, this var- iety is preeminent and contributes large quantities of commercial apples. Although tending to bear biennially, it yields heavy crops and is the most reliable variety in the Shenandoah- Cumberland region where it has long been one of the leading export apples. It has a preference for heavy clay and limestone soils. The fruit is oblique, or lop- sided, and is inclined to scald in storage. The fruit is also very susceptible to cedar-rust. The normal season ends in Februarv. Varieties of Apples 401 Rome. The Kome Beauty, a native of the Ohio River Valley, was first planted on the farm of Alanson Gillette at Proc- torville, Ohio, in 1817, and was known as Gillett's Seed- ling until 1832. It has sprung to great prominence in southern Ohio and in the irrigated districts of the Pacific Northwest. The tree is vigorous, bears early, is suscept- ible to few diseases and insect pests, seldom breaks with a heavy load, and yields heavily in the Northwest. The Rome Beauty, although not of the highest quality, ranks as a good commercial variety in its proper regions. It is especially desired for baking. The fruit stands up exceptionally well in storage, keeping as late as May. It is occasionally criticized for lack of color at maturity, but seldom lacks good size. Extensive plantings are not found outside of the Pacific Northwest and the Ohio Valley, but in these regions it has proved very profitable. Northern Spy. The Northern Spy originated at East Bloomfield, New York, in a seedling orchard planted by Herman Chapin about 1800 and was recognized by the American Pomolog- ical Society in 1852. It has a rather wide distribution throughout the northeastern part of the United States, but is declining in importance as a commercial variety. Mich- igan has as large a percentage of Northern Spys as any state, unless it should be Vermont, although production in the former state is many times that of the latter. The " Spy " is generally grown throughout New York, and is a farm orchard variety in many districts. It is adapted to the northermost counties of the latter state and is widely 402 The Commercial Apple Industry grown in Canada. New York leads in commercial pro- duction of " Spys " in this country, followed by Michigan, The tree is considered hardy and vigorous, although somewhat susceptible to the apple-scab. Its root system is, very often used as a stock for other less vigorous varieties. One of its principal disadvantages is the lateness at which it comes into bearing. When properly matured, the ISTorth- em Spy is a high quality apple and a good keeper, but as a commercial variety it should be grown on heavy soils, as it is deficient in quality when grown in sandy soils. It is not adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions, pre- ferring cooler regions. It matures too early south of Penn- sylvania to be profitable commercially. Yellow Newtown {Albemarle Pippin) (Plate XXII). This variety is one of the oldest in America and one with very interesting historical association. The origin is credited to Long Island, in the early part of the eighteenth century, xllthough first grown in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, its wider cultivation occurred in the Piedmont section of Virginia, particularly in Albemarle County, to which locality it is especially adapted and where it afterwards became kno\\Ti as the Albemarle Pippin. The Newtown is reported to have been exported to Eng- land as early as 1759 and since that time has commanded the highest prices on the English market. It is generally known as an export apple for which it is particularly adapted on account of its late keeping qualities. The principal commercial regions for the Newtown are : the Piedmont section of Virginia, particularly Albemarle and Nelson counties ; the Hood River and Rogue River valleys in Oregon; the Pajaro or Watsonville section in Varieties of Apples 403 California ; and the Wenatchee and Yakima valleys, in the state of Washington. The Pajaro Valley, in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, California, leads in total produc- tion of Yellow Newtown apples, having produced 1,700,- 000 packed boxes in 1919. These were practically all grown within a radius of ten miles of the town of Watson- ville. Oregon is second. Both states, and possibly Wash- ington, take precedence over Virginia from the standpoint of quantity produced. It may be seen that the Yellow Newtown apple is somewhat exacting in its soil and clim- atic requirements, since the bulk of its commercial produc- tion in the United States comes from the six or eight coun- ties described above. It is a good commercial variety, keeps well, and commands the highest export prices. Its tendency is towards shy bearing, however, and it is partic- ularly susceptible to apple-scab and bitter-rot and to anthracnose in the Hood River Valley. The selling price of the fruit has made it profitable in the regions described, despite somewhat low yields. Virginia and Hood River " iSTewtowns " are of particularly high quality. The tree is a rather slow grower and does not come into full bearing as early as some varieties. The fruit is solid green at harvesting, developing a yellow color late in the season. As stated above, the Xewtown is exacting and its selection for extensive planting should only follow careful investigation of the adaptability to a particular region. Esopus Spiizetiburg (Plate XXIII). The Esopus, known more commonly in commercial dis- tricts as Spitzenburg, originated at Esopus, Ulster County, Xew York, over one hundred years ago. It is an import- ant western boxed apple extensively grown in the Wen- 404 The Commercial Apple Industry atchee and Yakima valleys, Washington, and in Hood River and Rogue River valle^^s, Oregon. Aside from dis- tribution in western irrigated sections, it is grown in quan- tity in the Hudson and Mohawk valleys of New York, and in a more limited way in western New York. The Spitzenburg rivals the Newtown in the Hood River Valley and ranks among the leading varieties in Wenatchee and Yakima. Fire-blight has exacted heavy tolls from the Spitzenburg plantings, in both the Yakima Valley and the Rogue Valley, Oregon, and for this reason the variety has grown into disfavor. The fruit is excellent from the stand- point of dessert, cooking and keeping qualities. The tree is inclined to shy bearing, however, and must be protected carefully from disease and insect infestation. It is more susceptible to fire-blight than any other commercity vari- ety. Except in the Hood River Valley and possibly one or two other districts, it is not generally looked on by com- mercial growers as very profitable. One of the most notice- able characteristics of the Esopus is its peculiar habit of tree growth, in the form of long pole-like branches which are difficult to control in pruning. Grimes Golden. Originating in West Virginia, and mentioned as a com- mercial variety as early as 1800, the Grimes Golden has rather wide distribution throughout the state of its origin, Virginia, Marj^land, Ohio Valley, middle west and western states. Important commercial quantities are produced in Washington, West Virginia, Maryland, the Ozarks, south- ern Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri River region. The fruit is unsurpassed in quality, regular in its cylin- drical form, and uniformly a rich golden yellow. The Varieties of Apples 405 skin is subject to scald in storage, but the flesh keeps well. The tree is not sufficiently hardy to withstand rigorous win- ters and is also subject to collar-rot, the latter tendency being one of its chief weaknesses. When planting, it should always be double worked so as to overcome this tend- ency The Grimes is an important commercial variety m Missouri, a somewhat refreshing comparison with the pre- ponderance of Ben Davis in this region. In some sections the fruit tends to be small, but invariably it is high m quality, a strong recommendation for its use m home planting and also in certain commercial areas. Stayman. Among the newer varieties, the Stayman Winesap stands out as one of the most worthy and one which is growing in popularity in many parts of the country. The origin is credited to a seedling from old Winesap produced at Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1866, which bore fruit first m 1875 In many ways, it resembles the old Winesap, although the coloring of the fruit is less brilliant. It is grown extensively in the Northwest, where it has proved I good yielding and profitable variety, its selling_ price improving as it has become better known. Old Wmesap is looked on with greater favor, however, by most commer- cial growers in the :N'orthwest. The Stayman is one of the softest of the winter varieties, yet a good keeper. It tends to drop somewhat at maturity. Extensive plantings have recently been made m Ohio Pennsylvania, and the Virginias. It is also adapted to the apple sections of the Carolinas and Georgia, having a somewhat wider range than old Winesap m this respect. Stayman production will unquestionably increase man^ "V 406 The Commercial Apple Industry times since it is proving a popular variety in the eastern regions described. The tree is vigorous, comes into bearing early, and is the old Winesap in many ways. The fniit lacks some of the keeping qualities of the parent variety. Delicious. The Wenatchee and Yakima valleys in Washington are at present producing most of the Delicious apples which appear on the market, although extensive young plantings occur in the East, particularly in Virginia. The variety is of recent origin, being credited to Iowa, but having been planted more extensively in the Northwest than any other region. While as yet untried in many sections, it has proved profitable in certain irrigated districts of the West. The tree is vigorous, gTows to good size, and is free from any inherent weakness. The fruit is large, oblong conical, with five knob-like protrusions at the calyx end. This peculiarity gives it a distinctive appearance. The color is yellowish-red, usually striped, but sometimes more or less deep solid red. Its normal season for use ends in March, when the flesh tends to become somewhat dry and mealy. Otherwise it is a very good keeper. The Delicious apple has become very popular as a high class dessert apple on account of its very distinctive and pleasing flavor. It is the favorite fruit-stand apple in eastern cities and tops the boxed apple market in price. Its popularity with the con- suming public is demonstrated by the high price which it commands. Obviously the determining factor in the selection of this variety for commercial planting is yield. Some beautiful specimens have been produced on young trees in southern and eastern states, but whether it will prove a profitable Varieties of Apples 407 variety when generally planted outside of demonstrated irrigated regions remains to be seen. Performance records of full bearing commercial orchards will be the only safe guide. High quality apples are very often fastidious in their requirements for commercial success, but this variety is certainly worthy of a thorough trial. Gano and Black Ben. Gano was first brought to notice in Missouri about 1880, In nearly every respect the Gano is so closely identified with the Ben Davis in its distribution and general charac- teristics that brief treatment is sufficient. The fruit is somewhat smaller and more highly colored than the Ben Davis. The Black Ben, given as a separate variety, is con- sidered by many as essentially the snme as Gano, although it may differ slightly in some respects. Gano and Black Ben are now given preference in planting over Ben Davis in most regions. Yellow Bellflower. Yellow Bellflower, if not declining, has at least experi- enced very little increased production in recent years. It is a leading variety in the Pajaro Valley, or Watsonville district of California, where it ranks next to the Yellow Newtown in importance. It is here that a very consider- able proportion of the total commercial crop of this variety in the United States is grown, 800,000 boxes being packed out in 1919, and an equal amount dried. The Yellow Bellflower is an old variety. In 1817 Coxe reported that the original tree which was very old at that time, was still standing at Crosswicks, Burlington County, iSTew Jersey. Scattered plantings are still found in the 408 The Commercial Apple Industry states of Maine, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Michigan, but these are confined to old orchards. The tree grows to large size, particularly in the Pajaro Valley. Pruit is usually large but varies greatly in size, a detract- ing feature from a commercial standpoint. Its tender skin necessitates care in spraying and in handling. Russets. Russet is the name ordinarily given to a great number of different varieties of russet apples. The Roxbury and the Golden Russet are most commonly found on the market and most widely grown. They have long been in general cultivation. Others of very limited production are Eng- lish Russet, Perry Russet, French Russet (Pomme Grise), Hunt Russet, Long Island Russet and American Golden Russet. Of these, English Russet and Perry Russet are much the most important, although Pomme Grise is very well known in Quebec, Canada. The Roxbury is supposed to have originated at Roxbury, Massachusetts, about 1620. It is the most popular russet apple and is especially adapted to.northorn localities, New York and New England. It has proved a reliable cropper in western i^ew York, where it ranks next to ISTorthern Spy and above Tompkins King in commercial importance. It does not seem well adapted to the Sou4;h, The fruit is usually above medium to large and variable in form, the sides often being unequal or the form elliptical. It keeps until May or June in common storage and often may be held two years in cold storage. It is of good quality, but since the cold storage has come into general use, other more generally favored varieties have detracted from its popularity and young plantings are practically unknown. Varieties of Apples 409 The Golden Eiisset ranks next in importance in the United States. It is of English origin and has long been generally disseminated. It is found extensively in the older orchards in western New York and parts of 'New England. Many trees of this variety occur in Pennsyl- vania, Ohio and scattered through the home orchards of the Middle West. The Golden Russet is an excellent stor- age variety and is often exported. It is also in demand for shipment to southern markets. The tree is smaller than that of the Eoxbury Russet and generally less productive. The fruit also is smaller but uniform in size and less var- iable in shape. The flesh is more sub-acid, finer grained and of richer flavor than the Roxbury. The English Russet is of unknown origin. It is one of the leading, if not the leading, variety in Westchester and Putnam counties, New York, and is generally dis- seminated throughout the Hudson Valley and southern New England. Many carloads of this variety are grown in Westchester County every year, although the orchards are not very well taken care of. The tree may be distin- guished from the Golden Russet by its straight growing habit with erect shoots. According to Beach, the Golden Russet trees are more vigorous, spreading, irregular and bushy than the English Russet. The skin of the Golden Russet does not take a polish while the English Russet does. There are also differences in form of fruit. The flesh of the English Russet is inferior in flavor and of lower quality than the Goldf^n Russet. It is not being planted and although a good keeper will soon be eliminated commercially. Perry Russet is quite different from those described above. Its origin is unknown although thought to be 410 The Commercial Apple Industry Ehode Island, as it was originally called Rhode Island Russet. It first came to commercial attention at Perry, Wyoming County, New York, and in Onondaga County, New York, where trees over one hundred years old still stand. Tomphins King. The Tompkins King, commonly called King, first came to attention at Jacksonville, Tompkins County, New York. However, it appears to have originated near Washington, Warren County, New Jersey, being brought to New York by Jacob Wycoff in 1804, who gave it the name King. This variety is one of the most popular of the New York varieties and has long been known and highly prized in the commercial markets of the country. The fruit is large to very large and is fairly uniform in shape and size. It has a beautiful red color and is excel- lent in quality for either dessert or culinary purposes. It is well adapted for marketing, both for fancy and general trade and usually sells at an advance over more standard varieties in both home and foreign markets. In season it is best in late fall or early winter and is seldom kept in cold storage until after February. It does not retain flavor after midwinter. Tompkins King is generally cul- tivated throughout western New York and has proved profitable, particularly when planted on fertile well drained soils or when top-worked on thrifty hardy stock. There is often considerable loss in windfalls, on account of the large size of the fruit. The variety is less susceptible to apple-scab than either Baldwin or Rhode Island Greening. The principal dis- advantages of the Tompkins King as a commercial sort are Varieties of Apples 411 that it is rather unproductive, lacks hardiness, is short lived and rather hard to grow. In m,any parts of the country the tree is very subject to sun-scald, winter-injury and collar-rot, and the fruit is subject to water-core. Certainly this is a variety of the highest quality, and local conditions must determine whether it can prove profitable in the face of inherent weaknesses in the tree. Arkansas (Mammoth Black Twig). Arkansas, a seedling of the Winesap, originated "in Ark- ansas and began to be propagated by nurserymen about 1868, since when it has become widely disseminated. Of late years this variety has been planted very extensively in Virginia, North Carolina and some parts of the Middle West. It is also found commercially in the T^orthwest. It keeps well in cold storage and is in season from Decem- ber until May. " Black Twig " is a large red apple, rather uniform in size and only medium in quality. It brings a good price in the market, but is not recommended for extensive commercial planting as it is rather slow com- ing into bearing and is not a very good annual bearer. On strong soils it has a tendency to excessive wood growth and to encourage fruitfulness shallow soils are preferable. It has been much advertised and propagated, but is hardly living up to expectations and is inferior to many other standard kinds. W'agener. The Wagener has attained commercial importance in comparatively recent times. It was first brought to public attention in 1847 as being a new variety of considerable merit. The seedling trees from which the original Wag- 412 The Commercial Apple Industry ener tree sprang were bought by Abraham Wagener in 1796 and planted on his place, now included in the village of Penn Yan, New York. Wagener has never attained any commercial importance east of Michigan, although within recent years it has been planted very extensively in the western part of that state. The other extensive plantings are largely confined to the northwest apple regions. In the Spokane district of Washington, Wagener is a leading variety, although in other western irrigated regions it is losing favor. The fruit is in season from October to Feb- ruary and keeps fairly well in common storage, although likely to scald in cold storage, particularly if the fruit has not been well thinned. The tree is vigorous, comes into bearing early and is a fairly reliable cropper. On the other hand, it is short lived, rather dwarfish in form, and a slow grower as it attains full size. The fruit should be thinned, otherwise it does not attain good market qualities. The Wagener is recommended as a valuable filler to plant between rows of longer lived trees, but not for general permanent planting. Arhansas Black. The Arkansas Black, one of the most beautiful apples, has come into considerable prominence commercially within the last few years. It originated in Benton County, Arkansas, and first bore fruit about 1870. It attains its greatest commercial importance in the Northwest where it is boxed, particularly in the Wenatchee Valley of Washing- ton, and to a lesser degree in the other irrigated regions. It is also grown in the Ozarks, but not to any great extent. Several young plantings occur in the East, particularly in Varieties of Apples 413 the Piedmont district of Virginia, and it is being recom- mended bj experiment stations for planting in ISTorth Carolina and Virginia. The tree is vigorous, with long slender branches, and is very regular in shape. It is hardy and grows to great size. The fruit in regions where this variety is adapted attains a large size, keeps well and commands a high price, going on the market very late in the spring. The color of the fruit is red, deepening on the exposed side to a purplish red or black. It is one of the most beautiful of all apples and, although the trees require considerable time to come into bearing, they bear fairly heavy crops when fully matured. Willow Twig. The Willow Twig draws its commercial importance from old plantings in a few limited areas. Before the advent of cold storage, it was known as a desirable variety for com- mercial use on account of its very long keeping qualities. Otherwise, it never has gained commercial favor. Its origin is uncertain, but it is thought to have been in cul- tivation for over a century. Extensive plantings are in Calhoun County, Illinois, also in the northern Panhandle region of West Virginia, particularly in Hancock County. The fruit is in season from January to May, but like many other long keeping varieties it is not of very good quality. The tree is a strong gTower, and bears early and regularly. The fruit is not attractive although it is uniform in size and shape. The prevailing color is red with contrasting green showing through the stripes. The Willow Twig is not generally recommended for commercial planting, but limited plantings have proved profitable, largely on account of the late keeping qualities. 414 The Commercial Apple Industry White Pearmain {White Winter Pearmain). The White Winter Pearmain is well known to the boxed apple and fruit-stand trade. It retains considerable com- mercial importance in western Colorado, California and the northwestern irrigated regions. The origin of this variety is obscnrc and for a long time it was confused with several kinds of Pippins. In 1858, however, it entered the American Pomological Society catalogue as Wliite Winter Pfarmain. It is a favorite dessert apple and is in season from December to March. The tree is vigorous and rather long lived. The fruit is uniform in size and shape and inclined to be roundish or conic in form, somewhat ribbed, but svmmetrical. The skin is pale yellow with a shade of brownish red. The flesh is firm, fine grained and of superior aromatic flavor. It is not recommended for commercial planting outside of the irrigated districts in the West. Red Limhertwig. The widest distribution of the Eed Limhertwig is in the southeastern states, particularly the Carolinas and Georgia. In North Carolina it is of much commercial importance and is the leading variety. Beach gives the Red and the Green Limhertwig as separate varieties, and it is probably the former that is so widely cultivated in the mountains of western North Carolina, although different strains, spoken of sometimes as the Ro3^al, Sparger, Brushy Mount- ain or Improved Limhertwig, are credited to this region. Here it is a rather deep red apple ; a good keeper, and well adapted as a commercial variety. The tree is vigorous and bears well, but has little distribution in other regions. Varieties of Apples 415 Yates. The Yates is quite widely distributed over the Piedmont section of the South, but nowhere in the United States is it grown in anv commercial quantities outside of Georgia ; here it is undoubtedly the leading commercial variety and in many wavs one of the most satisfactor^^ It is well known in Xew Zealand and Tasmania. It seems partic- ularly adapted to Georgia conditions, and is a very heavy producer, bearing fairly regularly heavy annual crops. The tree is thriftv and healthy, and comes into bearing quite earlv. The 'fruit has long keeping qualities, is very hard and 'firm, and can be handled in a careless manner and still retain a good appearance. It is small in size and not of the highest quality. The Yates is very well kno^^m in southern markets, but practically unknown in the Xorth. It is a profitable commercial variety for Georgia, but is not recommended for planting in most regions on account of its small size and lack of acquaintance with the consum- ing public. Stark. Stark is found particularly in the commercial orchards of Maine, :N^ew York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, and dis- tributed somewhat throughout the Central West. It was first brought to notice in Ohio and is said to have orig- inated in that state. This variety has received favorable notice in a great manv regions and was offered by most of the nurserymen about 1890. It is not increasing in popularity, however, on account of poor quality. The tree is thrifty, hardy, a reliable cropper and very productive. The fruit is smooth, uniform and keeps well. 416 The Commercial Apple Industry ^ The skin is often pale in color and not attractive, some- times having but very little red coloring, vet at times under favorable conditions being nearly covered with red. The fruit stands handling well because it is very firm and has a thick tough skin. It keeps till Jvine in ordinary storage and for that reason is regarded as a good apple for export trade. The variety has a wide range of adaptibility in regard to soil and climate and is recommended for planting in cases where orchards are long distances from market and the climate is rather severe. ]\Iany other varieties of its season are much superior in quality and this will pre- vent the Stark from attaining any great popularity. Hubbardston. The Hubbardston, which originated at Hubbardston, Massachusetts, has long been known to the commercial grower. Kenrick, as long ago as 1832, recommended that it was one of the most desirable varieties for Massachusetts. The commercial importance of the Hubbardston, although considerable, has never been great in any one region. It is a fairly good variety for commercial planting in the more northern sections of the country, but varies remark- ably in market quality, size and color, smoothness of skin and flavor. For this reason, it is known locally in many places by other names. Normally it ripens between the autumn and the late winter varieties, comes into bearing early, is a heavy cropper and fairly annual bearer. It is somewhat susceptible to winter-injury and apple-canker and seems to be more satisfactory when grafted on to more hardy varieties such as Northern Spy. The quality of the fruit is excellent for dessert, but is excelled by many other varieties for culinary purposes. It is an uncertain keeper, Varieties of Apples 417 varying greatly in this respect according to tnc regions where grown. The fruit from western I^ew York keeps better apparently than that from the Hudson Valley. The crop should usually be thinned since there is a tendency for a considerable portion of the fruit to be undersized and poorly colored. The Hubbardston soon loses its flavor in common storage. Few authorities now recommend it for commercial planting, although where well adapted it would seem valuable for planting as a filler. Tolman Sweet. The Tolman Sweet is probably the best known sweet apple grown for commercial purposes, and one which deserves even more attention than is at present given to it. It has long been grown throughout New England, New York, Michigan and more northern states, although its origin is unknown. The Tolman Sweet is best known commercially in the New England states. The tree is vigorous, upright, open, with long branches and a form adapted to bearing an abundance of fruit. It is exceptionally productive, long lived, and very hardy, in fact one of the hardiest of all varieties. It comes into bearing at an early age and the fruit hangs well on the tree, is very uniform in grade and suffers little in loss from culls or drops. The fruit, although medium or below medium in size, is attractive for a yellow apple and is highly esteemed for certain culinary'' purposes, especially pickling, boiling, and baking. It is recommended as a good commercial variety, although as yet the market for it is rather imdeveloped. Like the Russet it is highly prized for cider and its other good qualities are worthy of attention. 418 The Commercial Apple Industry ^V inter Banana. Winter Banana originated near Adamsboro, Indiana, about 187(1, and was first introduced bv a nursery in Mon- roe, Michigan, in 1890. This variety has been widely dis- seminated especially in the ^Northwest, where it has attained much commercial importance. There are consid- erable young plantings of it throughout the East. The fruit is large, clear pale yellow in color except for a pinkish-red blush. The Winter Banana is a dessert apple depending on the fancy trade demand for its pop- ularity. It is classed as a winter apple, but matures rather early and should be eaten before January first as it loses much of its flavor after that date. The tree is productive and well thought of in the Virginias and southern Penn- sylvania districts, although on account of the delicacy of the fruit it is not recommended for ver\' extensive com- mercial planting. It is a good apple for the home orchard and limited commercial planting. Missouri Pippin (Plate XXIV). The Missouri Pippin originated at Kingsville, Missouri, from seed planted about 1840. After 1860 it began to be widely disseminated through Missouri, Kansas, and the middle western states and is to-day one of the well known market apples in the Middle West. It has been planted extensively in northwest irrigated districts, particularly among the earlier plantings, but has lost favor in the West in recent years. It is not being planted in commercial orchards of any region at the present time. The principal advantage of the Missouri Pippin is that it comes into bearing very early and yields heavily. The X! Pi Varieties of Apples 419 fruit has a good color, but is second rate in quality and re*- quires considerable thinning to bring it up to good market quality. It is in season from October to April. This va- riety is not grown throughout the East and is not now rec- ommended for commercial planting in any part of the country. Northwestern Greening. The ISTorthwestem Greening originated in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, and was first introduced by E. W. Daniels in 1872. It is widely disseminated through the north central states and is one of the leading varieties in many sections. It is also planted to a considerable extent in some of the larger orchards of the Shenandoah-Cumber- land district and some of the irrigated sections of the Northwest where it finds little favor, however. It is not grown commercially in I^Tew York or the New Eng- land states. The Northwestern Greening is a large green apple, highly attractive in color, but lacking uniformity. It is especially adapted to planting in cool regions since the tree is very hardy. The fruit has rather poor culinary quality, but rather high market qualities. In the Shenandoah- Cumberland region, this variety yields well, goes on the market early and brings high prices. The tree is hardy, vigorous and productive. It is recommended for planting in a limited way commercially in the north central states and parts of the East. Ramho. The Rambo is an old variety, the origin of which is unknown. As long ago as 1817, however, it was much 430 The Commercial Apple Industry cultivated in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Rambo is grown in considerable commercial quantities throughout parts of Ohio and the Central West. It is found also among the old orchards of the East. It is surpassed by several varieties both for culinary and dessert purposes. It is attractive when well colored, being a bright red with yellow ground color, but very often this red color is largely lacking. Under ordinarj'^ conditions, much of the fruit is not of very good market quality. The tree is more or less subject to winter-injury and breaks easily under a heavy load of fruit. The Rambo is decreasing in commercial importance in competition with better sorts. Ortley. The Ortley has recently attained prominence in the boxed apple regions. It is one of the important varieties of the Hood River Valley, that section producing about 100 cars in 1919. It is grown considerably in other west- em irrigated sections. It is highly prized as a dessert apple and is well known to the fruit-stand trade. Ortley is one of the leading varieties in Tasmania and Australia. It long ago lost popularity among growers of the East, but now seems to be gaining in favor in the West. It is an old New Jersey variety, described by Coxe under the name of Woobnan's Long Pippin and was first named Ortley in 1825 when specimens of this variety were sent to London. In the East it is not found outside of the home orchards, and is rarely planted commercially except in irrigated regions. It is a large pale yellow apple of the Yellow Bellflower type and seems to attain better flavor in more southern and western climates. Ortley is not a very heavy Varieties of Apples 421 cropper and the fruit is rather easily bruised and tender. It is especially valuable for dessert use. Red Canada. This is a red winter apple, belonging to the same group as Baldwin and Esopus. It is thought to have originated in New England and was described by pomologists about one hundred vears ago. The principal commercial plant- ings of this Variety occur in Michigan where it is known as Steel's Eed. It is well adapted to general and special markets and brings high prices. It should be gTown on fertile or sandy soils, where it develops high flavor color, and market quality. It is not adapted to the South, in ordinary storage, it will keep until January or April, ihe principal disadvantages of this variety are that it is a rather shy bearer, lacks hardiness and is but a moderate grower. It is not recommended for commercial planting and will not prove as profitable as more standard and heavier cropping varieties. Monmouth. Monmouth reaches considerable commercial importance only in the irrigated districts of Washington, particularly the Yakima Valley where it is known in the markets by the name of Red Cheek Pippin. It is a native of Mon- mouth County, Xew Jersey, and has long been m genera cultivation throughout the East and Central West. It is grown principallv only in the home orchards, tnere bemg few commercial plantings outside of the ^o^hwest. In season it ripens in common storage by November, while in cold storage its season may extend to January. The tree is hardy, long lived, comes into bearing moder- 422 llie Commercial Apple Industry ately young and is a fairly reliable cropper. The fruit is of good market quality, but if not well thinned there is likely to be considerable loss in low grade fruit. The fruit is medium to large. Its skin is yellow, faintly shaded with red and in the case of highly colored specimens the fruit has a pinkish-red blush. The variety is not important commercially. Collins. The Collins originated about 1865 near Fayetteville, Arkansas, and has only recently been introduce4 to com- mercial growers. It is grown considerably as a commercial variety in northwestern Arkansas, but is not generally recognized in any other district. The tree is a good grower, hardy, and has a reputation of being productive. The fruit is large, of excellent keeping quality and is in season from January to June. The flesh is white, rather coarse, only moderately juicy, and rather lacking in flavor. Highly colored specimens are bright, dark red, with a contrasting clear yellow ground color. The Collins has some attractive market qualities, but is not generally recommended for commercial planting. There seems no doubt that Ben Davis is a more worthy and reliable crop- per and is of equal market quality. Collins does not bid fair to displace any other commercial variety. Pumpkin Sweet {Pound Sweet). Pumpkin Sweet, more commonly known as Pound Sweet, is one of the best kno^vn, easiest grown and most attractive of the sweet varieties. It originated in Con- necticut and has been known in New York for about three- Varieties of Apples 423 quarters of a century. It is not grown commercially except in western 'New York and more northern localities. The fruit is large to very large. Well colored specimens become very yellow and sometimes are faintly bronzed on the exposed cheeks, but are never marked with red. Pumpkin Sweet is esteemed as one of the best sweet apples for baking, canning, and stewing with quinces, and is prized by some for dessert on account of its peculiar flavor. It usually sells well in special markets and there is a limited general demand for it. The fruit is in season from October to January, but does not keep well in com- mon storage. The tree is a strong grower, long lived, hardy and productive. It thrives particularly well in gravelly or sandy loam, with well drained subsoil. There is often considerable loss from water-core and from wind- falls, although other than this the loss from culls or under- sized apples is usually small. The variety is recommended only where the market demands a sweet apple. Wolf River. Wolf River is a variety of the Aport group, resembling the Alexander in form and color, althougTi averaging larger in size. It has largely superseded the Alexander in the north central states, although both apples are popular in these regions on account of their extreme hardiness. The variety originated near Wolf River, Fremont County, Wis- consin, and was entered in the American Pomological Society lists in 1881. The tree is very hardy, a good grower, but a light cropper. The fruit is very large and often somewhat irregular in form. Flesh is coarse, tender, juicy, but low in quality. Wolf River apples sometimes sell well on local markets because of their attractive appear- 424 The Commercial Apple Industry ance. The tree is not generally recommended for planting either in home or commercial orchards on account of poor quality, light yields and unprofitableness. However, many northern Michigan and Wisconsin growers have found this variety very profitable. Sutton. The Sutton, originating in the town of Sutton, Massa- chusetts, was first brought to notice by the Worcester County Horticultural Society in 1848 and was included in the American Pomological catalogue in 1877. It has not attained commercial importance until late years. At the present time, it is being planted quite extensively in the Hudson Valley and some parts of New England, and its dissemination seems to be on the increase. It has been grown in Michigan under the name of Morris Red. The Sutton tree closely resembles the Hubbardston, of which it is supposed to be a seedling, but is much more vigorous and healthy. The fruit is of uniform size, sym- metrical, has a beautiful red color and is excellent for dessert. The variety is especially adapted to the Hudson Valley where fancy trade apples are gTown. The tree is a strong grower and productive but has a tendency to bear biennially. Sutton is not generally recommended for planting on any extended commercial scale and should be grown only in those regions near city markets where the fancy trade varieties are in greatest demand. Itigram. Ingram was originated by Martin Ingram, near Spring- field, Missouri, about 1850. It has attained considerable commercial importance throughout the Ozarks. Large Varieties of Apples 425 plantings have been made in the more southern sections of Missouri, The tree is fairly vigorous, but is likely to bear small fruit unless thinned. The fruit is of medium quality and its chief asset is its good keeping quality. In spite of much advertising, it has not proved very popular and is not now recommended for commercial planting. It does not warrant an important place in commercial orchards, even in Missouri. Black Gilliflower. This variety is generally known to the trade and appears in market quotation as Gilliflower or Gills. It originated in jSTew England prior to 1800 and has long been a market sort in a very limited way. There are very few orchard blocks of Gilliflower in the country, but it is widely dissem- inated in both home and commercial orchards, particularly in New York and New England. The tree is hardy, vig- orous and long lived. The fruit is of medium size and very uniform in size, shape and color. It is a dessert apple which is very dis- tinct in color, form and flavor. The color is green, usually completely covered with red, which becomes very dark or almost black. The flesh has a peculiar flavor and aroma, but soon becomes dry and mealy. The fruit is often borne on the ends of the twigs which makes harvesting difficult. It usually brings a high price and particularly in southern markets, on account of its peculiar aroma, flavor, and attractive color. The Gilliflower is preferred by some to all other varieties as a dessert apple, but its popularity is very limited. It is not recommended for commercial planting, except in a very limited way. It is a good variety for the home orchard. 426 The Commercial Apple Industry \ Lady. The Lady apple is known to have been in cultivation for well over three hundred 3^ears and is thought to have orig- inated in France. It is often seen on fruit-stands more for decoration than for eating purposes. It is a strikingly beautiful little apple, especially adapted for decorative pur- poses. It grows in profusion in many parts of the coun- try, particularly in the Piedmont district of Virginia where it is produced commercially in limited quantities. Limited plantings are also found in New York state and the Northwest. The Lady apple often tops the market in price, having sold on the New York markets for as high as $25.00 a barrel when standard sorts were bringing about one-fifth as much. The variety seems to do best in Virginia where it grows to perfection. In size it is not much larger than a crab- apple and it is very expensive to grow and harvest. On the whole, it is not to be considered more profitable than the more standard varieties. Furthermore, it is not recommended for general planting since a few acres would practically flood the market for this type of fruit. Prop- erly handled it may be held in cold storage far into the summer, but there are few demands for it after the holiday season. The tree is moderately vigorous. The fruit is exceedingly small, somewhat lacking in uniformity; flesh is white, tender, juicy, and of high dessert quality. EAELY AND FALL VARIETIES Oldenburg (commercial name. Duchess). Oldenburg is probably the leading early variety grown in the United States. It is one of the most valuable of Varieties of Apples 427 Russian apples and was introduced into this country from England by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society about 1835. The extreme hardiness of this variety proved its worth and was responsible for the introduction of other Russian sorts. It is superior in hardiness to the Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening and ISTorthern Spy. The tree is easily grown, requires little pruning and is an early and heavy bearer. The variety is widely known throughout the l^orth and East, and particularly in the region bordering the Great Lakes. It is in Wisconsin, Michigan and ISTew York that it assumes greatest com- mercial importance. Oldenburg is produced in carload lots in these states and particularly along the Ontario Lake shore in western !N^ew York where there are many plant- ings of commercial importance. The fruit is medium to large and is uniform in shape and size, with firm, crisp, juicy flesh. It hangs on tho tree well. When properly grown and handled, it stands shipment well. The fruit brings good prices and is unsur- passed for its culinary qualities. It is one of the most valuable early apples for commercial purposes. Wealthy. Wealthy originated as a seedling at Excelsior, Minne- sota, from seed of the Cherry Crab obtained from Maine about 1860. It is one of the most important of the hardier varieties adapted to the cold climates of the northernmost states. It has wide distribution, particularly in northern Illinois, northern Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan, being one of the leading, if not the leading, variety of these regions. In New York and ]\faine, it is grown in consid- erable commercial quantities but in these states it is of 428 The Commercial Apple Industry less relative importance as compared with other varieties. Wealthy is an early sort highly prized in Xew Jersey and Delaware. The fruit is bright red, of large size and of good market quality, selling well in most markets. It is normally con- sumed before Xovember and is essentially a fall apple, although it may be kept into the early winter in cold stor- age. Criticism is sometimes made of the Wealthy on the gi-ound of uneven ripening and tendency to considerable variation in size and lack of color, but with good care it has proved profitable in the regions described above. It is especially adapted for planting as a filler. Yellow Transparent. Yellow Transparent was imported from Russia by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1870. It has since been disseminated from coast to coast and is now the leading very early commercial variety. It is grown extensively, particularly in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, the Ohio Valley and especially in the early apple districts of Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and various other states. Since it is about the first apple on the market, it is sought for dessert and is highly prized for culinary pur- poses. It grows to good size, is productive and takes on a good clear yellow color before becoming over-ripe. The crop ripens over a period of three or four weeks and more than one picking is usually necessary. Yellow Transpar- ent brings a good price on the market and thus far has proved very profitable commercially. Varieties of Apples 429 Twenty Ounce. The Twenty Ounce has proved one of the most popular of fall varieties for commercial planting. Its origin is unknown, but it was first brought to attention when fruit grown in Cayuga County, I^ew York, was exhibited before the ]\Iassachusetts Horticultural Society about seventy years ago. It is one of the most important fall varieties grown in Xew York, being particularly important in Mon- roe and other western counties in the Lake Shore region. The fruit is large and attractive, being green and later yellowish with broad stripes and splashes of red. In New York it is in season from September to early winter, while in Xew Jersey and Delaware it comes on the market in August. The Twenty Ounce keeps very well for a fall variety and stands shipping well. It is usually handled without going into cold storage, although it may be kept until midwinter in storage. The fruit is fairly uniform in size, is of good marketable quality and is well known in eastern conmiercial markets where it brings good prices. The tree is vigorous, with erect main branches, but more or less willowy and drooping laterals. The trunk and larger limbs are especially subject to sun-scald and canker. Closer planting may be practiced than with Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening, Northern Spy, York, or other var- ieties, which attain considerable size. Twenty Ounce is recommended for commercial planting in Delaware, New Jersey, and many parts of New England and New York. Gravenstein. Gravenstein was introduced into this country from cen- tral Europe early in the nineteenth century. It is of 430 The Commercial Apple Industry much commercial importance for a variety of its season, which in the Xortheast is from September to Xovember. The largest commercial plantings of this variety are in Sonoma County, California, which ships annually about 500 cars of boxed Gravensteins. Gravensteins are grown in a limited way through the other far west and northwest districts. Commercial plantings also occur in IsTew Jer- sey, Delaware, the Hudson Valley, Xew England and are particularly important in Xova Scotia. The fruit is found on the Xew York market during the autumn in large quantities. Gravenstein is of very attractive appearance and of excellent quality. It is practically unexcelled for culin- ary purposes and is highly prized as a dessert apple, being usually in strong demand and commanding good prices. There is likely to be considerable loss from dropping since the fruit does not color evenly and requires two or three pickings. The tree comes into bearing moderately early and is a fairly reliable cropper. It is large, vigorous, and hardy, and adapted to many climates. The Gravenstein's place as a commercial variety is assured. • Mcintosh. The Mcintosh belongs to the Fameuse group and is adapted to a wide range of localities, although the districts where it grows commercially are limited. It originated as a chance seedling on the Mcintosh farm in Dundas County, Ontario. Allan Mcintosh began its propagation about 1870, Its dissemination and cultivation is on the increase. In season it varies from an early fall apple in the South to late fall or early winter apple in Canada. In Xew York Varieties of Apples 431 it begins to ripen about October first. The fruit is very attractive in appearance and the flesh is tender, perfumed and delicious. It may be kept in cold storage until the first of the year. The fruit is susceptible to scab and has a tendency to ripen unevenly and to drop. The trees are generally hardy, come into bearing young and have a tend- ency to biennial bearing. The variety is grown commer- cially in northern 'Rew York, Vermont, particularly on Grand Isle, in Lake Champlain. Considerable commercial plantings are in the Hudson Valley, southern New Hamp- shire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, where it does par- ticularly well. It is the leading commercial variety of the Bitter Eoot Valley of Montana and is grown in the commercial orchards of Idaho, Washington and British Columbia. It usually commands a very good price in the market and is highly prized, especially for dessert pur- poses. ]!^early all Mcintosh apples enter commercial channels. Maiden Blu^h (Lady Blush, Red Cheek). Maiden Blush is one of the most widely grown of all fall apples and is found to some extent in practically all the central, eastern and southern apple-growing states. It is grown in considerable commercial quantities in northwest Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, and to a lesser extent commercially in Xew York and the Atlantic seaboard states. It was well known in the Philadelphia market over one hundred years ago. The tree is medium in size and moderately vigorous, comes into bearing young and is a reliable cropper. Maiden Blush is a standard market variety and usually 432 The Commercial Apple Industry sells above those of its class. It is good in quality and is valued for many uses. It makes very white evaporated stock. In season it varies from a summer apple in the Ozarks to a fall apple in the Xorth, keeping until December 15th in New York. The fruit is a beautiful pale yellow color with crimson cheek, which adds to its popularity. Its disadvantages are that it is not a particularly good ship- per and keeper, and ripens somewhat unevenly, with a tendency to drop. Its place in the commercial orchard is assured, although its production is not likely to in-' crease. Fameuse (Snow). The Fameuse is thought by some to be of French origin. It was grown in Quebec at a very early date, possibly as long ago as 1600. It has long been recognized as an important commercial variety and is one of the most valu- able dessert apples of its season. It is well distributed throughout the northern states, particularly Michigan, New York, and New England, and is especially adapted to cold climates. Fameuse is grown commercially princi- pally in the Champlain district of New York and Ver- mont, the St. Lawrence Valley, and in the commercial dis- tricts of Wisconsin, Michigan and eastern Canada. It is found in home orchards in many northern localities. It is well known in the market and during its season, which is from October to January, it is in good demand and usually commands high prices. The fruit is particularly susceptible to apple-scab fun- gus. It is small to medium in size. The flesh is white, very tender, aromatic, juicy, and when ripe is mildly sub- Varieties of Apples 433 acid. The skin is bright red, deepening to an almost purplish black. The tree is hardy and vigorous. The Fameuse is not being extensively planted in the United States, its place being largely taken by the Mcintosh. Williams (Williams Early Red, Williams Favorite). Williams originated in Koxbury, Massachusetts, nearly 175 years ago. It was brought to the notice of the Massa- chusetts Horticultural Society and named Williams in 1830, and was entered in the American Pomological Society catalogue in 1854. It is one of the most valuable varieties for the commer- cial market and is being planted to a considerable extent throughout Xew England, the Hudson Valley, Xew Jer- sey, Delaware and Maryland. It is also recommended for planting throughout the South. In season it varies from September 1st in New England to July 1st in Carolina. Williams is a large bright red apple of very attractive appearance and with a pleasant, mild sub-acid flavor, unless over-ripe, when it becomes dry. It comes into bearing early and yields fair to good annual crops which bring high prices in the home cormnercial market. The apple is highly prized for export. It is recommended as a good variety to plant where an early commercial sort is desired. Benoni. Benoni is an early apple of commercial importance in » the Middle West. It originated at Dedham, Massachus- etts, and was introduced about 1832. It is a fine dessert apple of excellent quality, inclined to be conical in shape. The flesh is yellow, fine grained, crisp, juicy, and pleas- 434 The Commercial Apple Industry antly sub-acid. It begins to ripen early in August and extends into September. The tree is large and vigorous and comes into heav;) bearing moderately young and yields good biennial crops. Its commercial production in carload quantities is mostly confined to the early apple section of southern Illinois, particularly Johnson and Union counties where it ripens the first of July. Its production is not in- creasing and it finds little favor in the East. Bonum {Magnum Bonum^. Bonum is well known in the Piedmont district of Vir- ginia and JSTorth Carolina. It is highly prized in these states as a commercial variety and invariably commands good prices. It originated in Davidson County, North Carolina, early in the last century, but has never been dis- seminated to any extent outside of the Piedmont region. It is important commercially in several North Carolina counties and particularly in Rappahannock and Patrick counties, Virginia, where it is planted in solid blocks and produced in carload lots. The tree is moderately vigorous and comes into bearing early. The fruit is of medium size, superior quality, with yellow skin, mostly covered with crimson and dark red. The flesh is white, often stained next to the skin. It is tender, juicy, and has a peculiar aroma. It is highly prized as a dessert in the southern markets. Its season extends from September to about December 1st. This is a profitable variety only in certain regions and does not yield as heavily as the more standard sorts. It also has a tendency to drop and has a short picking sea- son. Its place in the commercial orchard is assured, although it will never be grown in considerable quantities Varieties of Apples 435 on account of its season. It is very valuable for home orchards of the South. Red Asirachan. Eed Astrachan, one of the best known and most widely disseminated varieties, originated in Sweden and was known in England as early as 1816. It was introduced in this country in 1835 by the Massachusetts Horticul- tural Society. The variety is well known commercially in Monmouth County, New Jersey, in Delaware and to a limited extent throughout the northern tier of states as far west as the Missouri River. It is a beautiful early sum- mer apple, of medium size, yellow, largely covered with light and dark red stripes, very often a bluish bloom. It is highly prized for culinary and dessert purposes. The tree is medium in size, a strong grower, moderately long lived, an early bearer, and a reliable cropper. It is necessary to make several pickings as the fruit ripens very unevenly and there is likely to be considerable loss from dropping. The Red Astrachan is not very uniform in size and is a poor shipper. It is well suited for local trade demand, but not at all for distant shipping. Red Astra- chan is so common throughout the home orchards that local markets are generally well supplied. Commercial plant- ings are not generally recommended. Early Ripe. This is a well known early commercial variety particu- larly adapted to New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania, where it has attained considerable commercial importance. It is one of the leading commercial apples of New Jersey. The tree is large, vigorous, and a fairly good cropper. 436 The Commercial Apple Industry although it has a tendency to bienmal bearing. Fruit is medium, fairly uniforai in size, rather inclined to be con- ical, irregular and broadly ribbed, with short thick stems. Its season is July and August. Early Ripe trees come into bearing young and are well adapted as fillers or for perm- anent planting in certain regions. Some large orchards of this variety are in southern ]^ew Jersey and in the inten- sive apple sections of Delaware. It is recommended for planting in these districts. Alexander. This apple is ofthe Aport group introduced from Russia to England in 1817, later to this country where it is only groA\Ti in limited commercial quantities. The tree is usu- ally exceptionally hardy, vigorous and moderately produc- tive. It is subject to blight in some localities. Its season in the Xorth begins in September and extends through Oc- tober. It is often in strong demand in the market and has proved a highly profitable variety for those who have grown it in a commercial way. One of the best commer- cial orchards of this variety is- at Hilton, New York. It is particularly adapted to northern climates and is widely grown in Canada. The fruit is large and vmiform in size, attractive, red striped, medium in quality and suitable more for culinary purposes than for dessert. It brings high prices but since the demand is limited it is "not recommended for commer- cial planting except in a small way, or as a filler. Starr. The Starr is an early variety of commercial importance only in sections of New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. Varieties of Apples 437 Rather extensive plantings are in the district about Bur- lington County, ISTew Jersey. The original tree was found on the grounds of Judge J. M. White at Woodbury, ISTew Jersey, and was first propagated by William Perry in 1865 under the name of Starr. The tree is moderately vigorous, comes into bearing young and has a reputation of being a good annual bearer. The fruit is- large, very attractive for a green or yellowish apple, very good in quality and especially for dessert use. It is highly prized for the early market and is one of the leading commercial varieties of southern New Jersey. Its season is July to September. At the present time, most of the fruit of the Starr is shipped in hampers or in five- eighths-bushel baskets. The Starr is recommended for commercial planting in New Jersey, but not in New York or more northern districts*. Red June ( Carolina Red June., Carolina. June, Carolina Red). Eed June is a southern apple, supposed to have origin- ated in North Carolina. It has long been known commer- cially and is grown in many sections, particularly in south- ern Illinois and in various early apple districts of the southern states, as well as to a limited degree in New Jersey and Delaware. Red June tops the early market in price in many sections and is particularly important in southern Illino-is production. The fruit has a very at- tractive deep red color, is inclined to be oblong, with un- equal sides, but is fairly uniform in size and shape. The tree bears well, is remarkably vigorous and has an upright habit of grov^h, with short, straight, slender twigs. The fruit ripens very unevenly so that several 438 The Commercial Apple Industry pickings are necessary. This variety is well suited for early fancy trade demand, and although it requires consid- erable care will prove profitable when grown in proximity to early markets. Chenango {Chenango Strawberry). The Chenango, commonly called Chenango Strawberry or Strawberry, was first brought to attention in Chenango County, Xew York. This variety has long been a favorite in home orchards and special markets. In dessert and cul- inary qualities it is unsurpassed. It has a very character- istic aroma and flavor which it still retains when cooked. Under favorable conditions the tree is a heavy bearer, usually biennial. The fruit begins to ripen in southern Illinois, where it is grown in considerable commercial quantities for shipment, about the last of July and the rip- ening period continues for several weeks. It should thus have several pickings. In Xew York and New England, where it is a favorite home orchard variety, it does not be- gin to ripen before September. The tree is hardy, long lived and an early bearer. The fruit varies in size from small to very large. It is yellow- ish white, striped with red, and usually elongated, oblong conic in form, although it is particularly subject to varia- tion in quality and form, trees in the same orchard often producing widely different types. It is one of the most at- tractive apples, is unsurpassed as a home orchard variety and has proved very profitable when grown in limited quan- tities for special local markets. It is usually marketed in hampers or baskets. The fruit ripens too unevenly and is too variable in size for a standard variety. It is also a very poor shipper. Varieties of Apples 439 Fall Pippin. The origin of the Fall Pippin is unknown, but it is cer- tain that the variety has been cultivated for many genera- tions since there are trees in New York orchards which are now over one hundred years old. Although a good variety for the home orchard, the Fall Pippin is not widely grown or recommended outside of the Hudson Valley and certain limited areas. The fruit is very large, tends to ripen unevenly, but when fully ripened has an attractive yellow color and a peculiar flavor. The flesh is tender, rich, and of fine quality, being excellent both for dessert and culinary pur- poses. The apple is desired by the export ajid by fancy trade, particularly in the vicinity of Xew York. Its sea- son is from September to Januar\^ The tree is large, vigorous, hardy, and very long lived, but the fruit and foli- age are especially subject to attacks of apple-scab fungus and thorough preventive measures are necessary in order to grow the Fall Pippin successfully. While not recom- mended for general planting, this variety would doubtless prove profitable in the more northern regions where there is a local or fancy trade demand. All the foregoing varieties are grown commercially to a greater or less extent. There are other sorts such as Early Harvest, Smith's Cider, Smokehouse, Fallawater, Swarr, Sweet Bough, Westfield, and a great many others which are well knoMTi to the home orchardist, and widely listed in nursery catalogues, but which are not important commercially in any part of the country, and for this reason are not described in this discussion. It might be well to mention that such varieties as Lowry, Virginia 440 The Commercial Apple Industry Beauty, King David, Opalescent and certain others are be- ing planted with considerable success in certain localities. Lowry and Virginia Beauty are in favor in parts of Vir- ginia and North Carolina, while Opalescent is found in Ohio. King David is quite widely disseminated and is being planted considerably. English Codling, Cham- plain, Pennock or Pelican are found in a commercial way in Monmouth County, Xew Jersey. Golden Deli- cious has not yet attained commercial prominence but in a decade will no doubt be one of the best prized apples. The varieties which have been given detailed description will represent practically the entire commercial crop of the United States. The first twelve described represent nearly 80 per cent of the entire commercial production of this country. This serves to emphasize the importance of rec- ognizing and planting only such varieties as are of some commercial importance or promise. Hundreds of other kinds might be named which appear in nursery catalogues, but the greater portion of these are valueless either as home orchard varieties or for commercial planting. There are many new and much advertised varieties which are not discussed for as yet they are of little or no commercial importance and several years' trial will be nec- essary to determine their true value. However, there is plenty of opportunity for new varieties if they are really superior to the standard sorts of to-day and experiment stations are doing valuable work in developing apples of superior quality. Before planting any new variety on a large commercial scale, it should be very highly recom- mended by at least two or three experiment stations which have given it a thorough trial. Golden Delicious is one Varieties of Apples 441 of these very new varieties which certainly is worthy of a thorough trial commercially. STATUS OF COMMEECIAL VAKIETIES It is of importance to discuss the relative status of the various commercial varieties and the reasons for their in- crease or decline. Commercial varieties the production of which is on the increase, and the outstanding reasons for this: Variety. Reasons for increase in com- mercial orchards. 1. Jonathan Early bearer, high in color, fine in flavor, good shipper. 2. Stayman Good size, fine keeping quality, very productive, agreeable flavor. 3. Delicious Quality par-excellence, attract- ive appearance, fancy trade demand. 4. Winesap Productive, hardy, excellent quality, regular bearer. 5. Rome Good size, uniform, attractive appearance, productive, excel- lent cooking and baking qual- ities. 6. Williams Early Red Fancy trade demand both local and export, attractive appear- ance, good quality, good ship- per. 7. York Imperial Very productive, excellent cul- inary and shipping qualities. . 8. Oldenburg (Duchess) Fine culinary qualities, hardy tree, fruit uniform in size and shape, early bearer, produc- tive. 442 The Commercial Apple Industry T7 . . Reasons for increase in com- Variety. . , 77 merctal orchards. 9. Grimes Excellent quality — both dessert and culinary, fancy trade de- mand. 10. Mcintosh . . .■ Attractive appearance, excellent dessert qualities, fancy trade demand, very hardy. 11. Wealthy Uniform in size and shape, hardy, productive, early and reliable cropper, excellent market quality. 12. Yellow Transparent Very early, productive, excellent culinary qualities, attractive appearance. 13. Arkansas (Black Twig) ...Large size, attractive, excellent for baking, fairly productive. 14. Arkansas Black Large and most attractive ap- pearance. Extremely good keeper and shipper. 15. Winter Banana Early bearer, fine appearance, high quality, fancy trade de- mand. 16. Golden Delicious A new variety being recently planted, productive, high qual- ity combining many qualities of Grimes and Delicious. The above varieties owe their popularity to widely dif- ferent reasons. Delicious, Mcintosh, Grimes and Winter Banana are in demand by the fancy trade on account of their excellent dessert quality. With the exception of .Grimes, they are as yet used little for culinary purposes. Arkansas Black, although of rather inferior quality, is utilized by the fancy trade late in the season. The other varieties are more in demand by the general trade. The disadvantage which some of the apples have in quality Varieties of Apples 443 of the fruit is overcome by hardiness of tree, and by ship- ping and keeping qualities. Certain varieties are decreas- ing in some sections and increasing in others. Arkansas (Black Twig) is out of favor with so many growers that its continued popularity is questionable. York is increasing in popularity only in the Shenandoah and Cumberland Valley districts of the Virginias, Maryland and Pennsyl- vania. Stayman is almost universally on the increase. The production of the following varieties is practically stationary, the new plantings about taking the place of those which are going out : Baldwin, Rhode Island Green- ing, Yellow iN'ewtown, Gravenstein, White Winter Pear- main, I^^orthwest Greening, Twenty Ounce, Gano, Wag- ener. Maiden Blush, Alexander, Benoni, Bonum. Of these, the Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening and Yel- low Newtown are very important commercial varieties and will remain so. The reason why they are not on the in- crease is due to the fact that the new plantings, although very large, are not sufficient to overcome the decline in production of the thousands of old orchards throughout the East. Yellow Newtown is increasing in the Northwest. Other varieties are decreasing in some sections and increas- ing in others. Gravenstein is growing in a strictly com- mercial way in New Jersey, California and parts of New England. Wagener, although in much favor in the Spokane district of Washington, parts of Michigan and other limited sections, is losing popularity in western Colorado, Wenatchee and Yakima valleys, and is now planted only to a very limited extent in the East. Gano is planted much less than formerly and is classed by most persons with the Ben Davis, although Black Ben is being grown quite extensively. Due to many young 444 The Commercial Apple Industry plantings, Gano and Black Ben are increasing in produc- tion in the Xorthwest and boxed apple states. The White Pearmain and Northwest Greening are im- portant varieties in particular localities. Thev tend to hold their own. Maiden Blush is widely disseminated and brings good prices in the commercial market. It is not on the increase, due to the limited demand for its class of fruit and the great number of old trees of this variety which are going out. Alexander and Benoni are grown only in a limited way commercially, and are striving to hold their own against the Duchess and Yellow Transparent. Twenty Ounce is in favor in certain sections of New York, New Jersey and Delaware, but its susceptibility to canker has checked planting. Bonum, important in certain southern markets, and of superior quality, is at present largely dependent on Rap- pahannock and Patrick counties, Virginia, and western North Carolina for its continued commercial importance. The following varieties are declining in commercial im- portance and in another generation many of them will have disappeared from the conunercial orchards. Many of these varieties are among the most important in the country, but they evidently are not as generally profitable as others which, for various reasons, excel them in a com- bination of qualities. Variety. Reasons for decline irt com- mercial orchards. 1. Ben Davis Low quality, susceptible to blister-canker. Varieties of Apples 445 Reasons for decline in corn- Variety, mercial orchards. 2. Northern Spy Slow to come into bearing; high cost of production. 3. Esopus (Spitzenburg) ....Very suspectible to disease, es- pecially fire-blight, light 4. Tompkins King Tree sh(;rt-lived, fruit inclined to water-core, high cost ot production. 5 Roxbury and Golden Former popularity due to long j^^gget keeping quality m common storage; place now taken by apples of superior market quality; difficult to harvest. 6. Hubbardston Loses flavor in storage, t«ids to bear much undersized ana poor colo'-ed fruit. 7. Missouri Pippin Short, lived tree, fruit of third rate quality and small m size. 8 Tohnan Sweet Decline due to fact it is a sweet apple; deserves more atten- tion. 9. Fameuse Susceptibility to apple-scab, place in market being taken by Mcintosh. 10. Yellow Bellflower Requires great care in handling, not regarded as a satisfactory cropper on most soils in the East. 11. Stark Does not color well, poor quality. 12. Smokehouse Difficult to develop fruit of good color and quality. Other var- ieties much better suited to culinary uses. 13. Smith Cider Does not rank high in market quality, and does not develop in size in many regions. 446 The Commercial Apple Industry TT . . Reasons for decline in com- merctai orchards. 14. Willow Twig Poor quality. Has declined since advent of cold storage. 15. Red Limbertwig Only fair quality, market price below the average, place taken by superior cold storage varie- ties. 16. Westfield (Seek-no-furtber) Fruit variable in color, usually lower in price than other commercial varieties, lacks culinary qualities. 17. Black Gilliflower Does not hold flavor, difficult to harvest, limited demand. 18. Ralls (Genet or Geniton). .Requires much thinning, rather small in size, poor appearance. 19. Fall Pippin . . ., Very susceptible to apple-scab, ripens unevenly, lacks storage qualities 20. Rambo Leading commercial varieties are superior in quality and uses, does not keep well in storage. 21. Huntsman Susceptibility to bitter-rot, sun- scald and scab; tree slow to come into full bearing. 22. Ingram , Second rate in quality, medium size. 23. Wolf River Fruit too large, lacks storage ■qualities, moderate cropper, poor dessert quality. 24. Collins Lacking in dessert quality, flesh coarse and lacking in flavor. 25. Lawyer (Delaware Red) . . . Lacking in dessert quality, not a very reliable cropper, place taken by cold storage varieties of superior quality. 26. Blue Pearmain Not a reliable cropper, rather Varieties of Apples 447 p. . , Reasons for decline in com- ^' mercial orchards. low in quality, poor storage variety. 27. Buckingham Poor shipper, moderate quality and irregular bearer. 28. FaUawater Coarse flesh, superseded by other late keeping varieties of better quality. 29. Swaar Tree lacks longevity, moderate cropper, lacking in attractive appearance. 30. Bed Canada (Steele's Red) Delicate tree, light and uncer- tain cropper. Of the above varieties, Ben Davis, jSTorthem Spy, Esopus and Yellow Bellflower are of great importance in the commercial market. Ben Davis, formerly planted to the exclusion of most other apples in Missouri and many parts of the Middle West and South, is showing a rapid decline. Xot only are comparatively few Ben Davis now being planted, but thousands of the old orchards are dying out through the ravages of the blister-canker and general neglect. Virginia is taking the best care of its Ben Davis orchards. While it is true that the Ben Davis is of low quality, its cost of production is very low as compared to most apples. Due to its heavy bearing qualities, it has proved very profitable in many regions. Growers to-day would make no great mistake in planting Ben Davis in those regions outside of the irrigated sections where it is well adapted. It is very suitable for culinary purposes and its low dessert quality should not overbalance its recognized keeping qual- ities and productivity. 448 The Commercial Apple Industry I*^orthern Spy, although one of the highest priced and higliest quality apples grown, is being superseded by varieties which are earlier and heavier bearers, and whose cost of production is much less. It will retain its place in many localities, however, and will no doubt always be grown in commercial quantities, particularly in northern New York, Michigan, Vermont and Canada. It has no place in the Northwest, Central West or South. The Esopus Spitzenburg is declining rapidly in the East, and few commercial orchards now exist outside of Oregon, Washington and California. It is grown in large quantities, especially in Ilood River and Wenatchee val- leys. On account of the susceptibility of the trees to disease, however, it is being planted to a much less degree than foraierly, even in its most favored regions. The very high dessert and market quality of the fruit, which is practically unsurpassed in this respect, has kept this apple in the commercial orchards. Tompkins King, excellent both for dessert and culinary uses, is hardly suitable for commercial orchards, for the same reasons as the Esopus. It brings high prices but re- quires great care in growing and is particularly subject to damage by windstorms. Its planting is now being largely limited to home orchards. Roxbury Russet, Golden Russet, Willow Twig, Smoke- house, Missouri Pippin, Fallawater, and Lawver owed much of their former popularity to their ability to keep well in cellars or common storage. With the advent of the cold storage, these varieties lost much of their im- portance and are now seldom planted in conunercial orchards. Yellow Bellflower, although important in the aggregate Varieties of Apples 449 number of trees in tlie United States, is grown in a com- mercial wav only in the Pajaro Vallev of California. It bids fair to retain or increase its importance there, but the trees in the East are nearly all in old orchards, and are rapidly going out. Smith Cider has always been largely limited to home orchards, particularly in Pennsylvania, !N'ew Jersey and mid-eastern states. Although this is an old and once valuable variety, it is now seldom planted. Eed Limbertwig, the leading commercial apple of North Carolina, is being superseded by Arkansas (Black Twig) , Stayman and other recognized commercial varieties which surpass it in quality and market demand. Fall Pippin and Pameuse are autumn or early winter apples which are losing their place in the commercial or- chards, due principally to the development of other varie- ties of equal or better quality. They will always be grown to some extent commercially, particularly the Pameuse. AGE VARIETIES BEGIN TO BEAR The age at which trees attain bearing varies greatly with the variety and also somewhat with the region. In the Xorthwest, and particularly in the Wenatchee and Yakima valleys, some varieties are in profitable bearing at six years and are bearing full crops at ten years of age. In the East, however, the time required for trees to attain full bearing is from three to eight years longer. Trees in Virginia come into bearing earlier than those in Michigan or in Xew York, while bearing age for the Central West might be given as midway between that for N'ew York and Virginia. ISTew England is a region in which trees attain full bearing at rather advanced ages. 450 The Commercial Apple Industry The following classification arranges moet of the im- portant commercial varieties into three gToups according to the time at which they reach bearing. In the first col- umn are those which are known as early bearers in practi- cally every region in which they are gro^^^l. In the last column are those which are generally classed as late bear- ers, while in the middle column are varieties which grade between early and late bearers. Some variation will be found, of course, in different regions. Early. Wealthy Wagener Duchess Jonathan Missouri Pippin Twenty Ounce Yellow Transparent "Mcintosh 'Rome Medium. Winesap Ben Davis Gano Maiden Blush Alexander R. I. Greening Williams Early Red Grimes Stayman Baldwin York Imperial Late. " Delicious Arkansas Black Tompkins King Arkansas "Yellow Newtown Y'ellow Bellflower Esopus Northern Spy Stark Of the varieties listed, !N"orthern Spy is probably slower to come into bearing than any other, while Oldenburg (Duchess), Yellow Transparent and Wealthy, are among extremely early bearers. The latter three varieties begin to bear at about five years of age, even in New York state, while the Northern Spy can not be expected to have a good commercial crop before it is at least fifteen years of age, and is not in full bearing until it is twenty-five. The following examples will show the wide variation in full bearing age for different regions : in the Wenatchee Valley an orchard is considered in full bearing at ten to twelve years ; in New York not generally before twenty to twenty- five years ; in Virginia it requires about fifteen years, with Varieties of Apples 451 the exception of the Yellow ISTewtown plantings, which re- quire a somewhat longer time. Most of the late bearing varieties are of high quality and all are in demand on the general market. Howevei*, it is on account of their very late bearing tendencies that many of them are not planted to a greater extent. It should be remembered that late bearing does not mean un- productive. Varieties which are late in coming into bearing are often more productive than the early bearing sorts. EELATIVE PEODTJCTIVITY OF VAEIETIES IN FITLL BEAEING It is difficult to arrange varieties in columns according to productivity, because many are very productive on some soils and unproductive on others, and also productive in certain regions, while not at all adapted to others. In general, however, twenty of the well known commercial varieties might be arranged as follows somewhat in order of productivity: Heavy to Medium Bearing Medium to Light Bearing Varieties. Varieties. 1. Ben Davis 1. Yellow Newto-vvn 2. Stayman 2. Winter Banana 3. Baldwin 3. Mcintosh 4. Stark 4. Arkansas 5. York Imperial 5. Arkansas Black 6. Winesap 6. Grimes 7. Rhode Island Greening 7. Delicious 8. Rome Beauty 8. Wagener 9. Wealthy 9. Esopus 10. Northern Spy 10. Red June Ben Davis, although undoubtedly the heaviest bearing 152 The Commercial Apple Industry of all commercial varieties, is at the same time usually the lowest in price on the commercial market, while Eed June, probably producing about the lighest crop of any commercial apple, usually tops the market in its season. Quality is to be considered as well as the bearing tenden- cies when selecting varieties. RELATIVE HARDINESS OF COMMERCIAL VARIETIES Hardiness and health of tree plays an important part in selecting varieties and should be considered especially in severe climates. The following are well known as hardy sorts: Northern Spy Wealthy Ben Davis Baldwin Fameuse Yellow Bellflower Yellow Newtown Gravenstein Tolman Sweet Williams Early Red Mcintosh Alexander Winter Banana Delicious The following varieties lack hardiness: Tompkins King Grimes Twenty Ounce Sutton Esopus Canada Red Hubbardston One might mention a great many other varieties which would fall midway between these two groups, or might add several to each group, but the more important in each extreme are named above. Of the hardy varieties, Mcin- tosh deserves particular mention. It withstood the severe winter in 1917 in the Champlain district of New York and Varieties of Apples 453 Quebec, when trees of such well known and hardy varieties as Northern Spy, Fameuse and Ben Davis were killed m the same orchards. VARIETIES IN GEEATEST DEMAND In the selection of varieties, it is important to consider those which are in great demand in the commercial mar- ket and which ordinarily bring the best market prices. This sort of selection will often eliminate many hardy or productive varieties which are not generally m great de- mand by the consuming public. The followmg are well known and sought after in the general markets: Late Varieties. Early or Fall Varieties. Baldwin Yellow Transparent Tompkins King 5ff '^.''''^ .-n y. ^ Esopus Oldenburg (Duchess) Ehode Island Greening Grayenstein Stayman Williams Early Red Delicious Bonum Winesap ^^^^^^^ r, Jonathan Twnty Ounce York Imperial Mcintosh Northern Spy Grimes Yellow Newtown Rome Beauty Ortley Winter Banana Of the above named late varieries, Esopus, Tompkins King, Grimes, Northern Spy, Delicious, Mcintosh and Ortley usually outsell all others, while Winesap and Jona- than excel the Sta^^nan, Baldwin, York and most other varieties in barreled apple sections. In the eariy market 454 The Commercial Apple Industry Yellow Transparent, Oldenburg (Duchess) and Wealthy are probably the three best knowm varieties, although they do not usually sell for such high prices as some of the spe- cial sorts like Red June. EXPORT VARIETIES Varieties might be divided further into three classes as follows: (1) those for special or local markets, (2) those for general market, and (3) those for export market. Extensive planting of varieties which are only adapted for special markets is not recommended. It is better to plant general market varieties which are adapted to special markets as well. In considering the export market, it is necessary to eliminate some general market varieties. The following ten or twelve varieties have proved most satis- factory for the export trade : Barreled Boxed Baldwin Yellow Newtown Yellow Newtown Winesap York Imperial Jonathan Ben Davis Esopus Northern Spy White Pearmain Ortley Yellow Newtown, York Imperial and Baldwin have up to the present time been the favorite export varieties. VARIETIES FOR THE HOME ORCHARDS In selecting varieties for the home orchard, an entirely different system should be used than for commercial plant- ing. Flavor and keeping quality are the two predomin- ant qualities to be considered. Annual yield, shipping Varieties of Apples 455 qualities, appearance and market demand should not ma- terially affect the selection of varieties for a strictly home orchard. Very often apples which conform to commer- cial standards are inferior in quality to certain sorts which may be grown at home. Suitable varieties for the home orchard are very often too tender to ship or are too irregu- lar in their bearing habits to prove profitable in a com- mercial way. Varieties most valuable for home use are seldom listed by many nurserymen, while commercial varieties not at all adaptable for the home orchard are often given as suitable. Xursery catalogue descriptions of varieties are not only meagre, but are too general in many ways and at times are misleading. Such descriptions as "fine quality, " very productive " and " excellent for the orchard " have been applied to practically every apple offered by nursery- men. This criticism, of course, does not apply to all catalogues, but one has only to read over the list of varieties offered by several nurseries selected at random to see how widely descriptions differ and to note the number of odd and practically untried varieties listed. A great number of new and odd varieties offered by nursery-men are much inferior in quality to standard sorts. To name the varieties suitable for home orchard pur- poses would entail a very large list, if seasonable demands and also varying soil and climatic conditions were con- sidered. Among the commercial varieties suited to home orchard use generally throughout the Xorth and central states are Northern Spy, Mcintosh, Fameuse, Baldwin, Grimes, Gravenstein, Tompkins King, Esopus (Spitzen- burg), Delicious, Stayman, Yellow Newtown, Oldenburg (Duchess), Winter Banana and Rhode Island Greening. 456 The Commercial Apple Industry In the more southern regions, Grimes, Delicious, Wine- sap, Sta^Tnan and Yellow Transparent are valuable, while Bonum, Virginia Beauty and Yellow Kewtown are of par- ticularly high quality when grown in the mountain dis- tricts of the South, Many others are suitable, but the above are excellent commercial sorts as well as for the home orchard. Varieties not particularly suited for the home orchard are Ben Davis, Gano, Rome Beauty, Bis- mark. Wolf River, Blue Pearmain, Pewaukee, Mammoth Black Twig, Arkansas Black, Willow Twig, Missouri Pip- pin, Smith Cider, Smokehouse and many others. Some sweet apples find little place in commercial orchards, but have superior flavor and are unexcelled for dessert and boiling purposes. The Victoria Sweet, a very tender, juicy and rare flavored apple in season from October to January in the Xorth is one of these, Jersey Sweet, a month earlier, being another. Sweet Bough is the best summer sweet apple, excelling all others in dessert quality. Pound Sweet is a late fall and winter variety which is valuable, even commercially, and the same is true of Tol- man Sweet. The last named is one of the best apples grown for household use. Old varieties like Black Gilliflower, Roxbury and Golden Russet, Westfield Seek-no-further, Yellow Bell- flower and Jeffries are valuable in the home orchard. Chenango is one of the very finest apples for the home orchard, unexcelled in fine dessert quality. Its season is July in southern Illinois, August in Ohio and September in I^ew York. It is always well when setting out a home orchard to get in touch with the horticultural extension department of Varieties of Apples 457 the state and obtain the advice as to varieties for any particular locality. Also if a variety can not be secured from any particular nursery, the information as to where it can be obtained may be received on inquiry of the office of Pomological Investigations, Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C. INDEX Advertising (effect of), 12 Age, bearing, 120-122 Albemarle Pippin, 402 Alexander, 436 Alfalfa, in orchards, 161 Alkali, danger of, 178-179 American Golden Russet, 408 Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, 86 Aphids, life history and control, 210 Aphis sorbi, 212 Archips argyrospila, 215 Apple-blotch, 217 rosette, 222 scab, 216 tree tent caterpillar, 214 worm, 206 Arkansas advantages and disadvantages, 108 Black, 412 Black Twig, 411 regional description, 54-56 Valley region, 59 Arsenate of lead, 239 Arsenite of zinc, 241 Aspidiotus perniciosus, 210 Astrachan, 435 Australia, 95-99 Bacillus amylovorus, 221 Baldwin, 396 spot, 223 Barry, Patrick, influence on in- dustry, 22 Basement storage, 312 Bearing trees, pruning of, 274- 275 459 Bees, importance of, 253 Ben Davis, 397 Benoni, 433 Bitter Root Valley, regional de- scription, 64 Bitter-rot, 218 Black Ben, 407 Gilliflower, 425 Twig, 411 Blister canker, 219 Blodgett, 236 Blossom-blight, 222 Boise Valley, 75 Bonum, 434 Boom development, 17-18 Bordeaux mixture, 247 spray nozzles, 232 Box apple districts production of, 79 British Columbia, 92-94 Broker, 323 Brush disposal, cost of, 375 Bud-moth, 215 Bulk shipments, 312 By-products, 348-356 increase in use of, 14 Cabinet evaporators, 352 Calcium arsenate, 240 California, 76-79 advantages of, 113-115 early apples, 83-84 early development of apple 23 Fruit Growers' Exchange, 317 Canada, 85-95 Canning, 355 Capital, necessary, 126-128 Carlot distribution, 325 operator, 324 460 Index Carolina June, 437 Carpocapsa pomonella, 206 Cash buyers, 314 Cedar rust, 218 Census figures, somewhat mis- leading, 2 Centralization of apple industry, 6 Central leader, pruning, 261 Ceramic oven, 353 Champlain, 440 district, advantages and dis- advantages, 102-103 district, regional description, 35 Chapman, Jonathan, influence on industry, 22 Chenango, 438 Choosing an orchard, 100-131 Cider, 356 Citrus fruit, competition with, 18 Clarke, W. T., influence of, 25 Classification, scientific, 26-27 Clean cultivation, 156-159 Climatic influences, 123-125 Codlin-moth, life history and con- trol, 206-210 Codling, 440 Collar-rot, 220 Collins, 422 Color, effect of fertilization, 193 Color, indicating maturity. 292 Colorado, distribution and plant- ings, 60-01 first plantings, 26 western slope, advantages and disadvantages, 109 Commercial apple crop, definition of, 4 size of, 5-6 Commission-man, 323 Common storage, 335-330 Community packinghouse, 308 Conatrachelus nenuphar, 213 Consignment, 313 Conveyor belts, 305-306 Cooperative organization, form of, 319-320 selling, 316-319 Cost of production, 357-386 in different regions, 384 Costs, other than labor, 360 Cover-crops, 159-162 advantages and disadvantages, 161 Crop estimates, 337 Cross pollination, 249-257 Culls, disposition of, 306 Cultivation, methods, 162-163 orcha'-d, 155-171 Cultural methods, effect on con- sumption, 13 Curculio, 213 Cutworms, 215 Cycles, in apple industry 8, Danger from speculative develop- ment. 18 Delaware, advantages and dis- advantages, 104 early apples, 82 regional description, 37 Delicious, -^06 Diseases of the apple, 216-225 in selection of site, 122-123 Distillation types of evaporators, 354 Distribution, 322-327 eff'ect on consumption, 12 Districts, apple, 28-84 Diversified farms, 133-140 Double-headed pruning, 264 Downing, A. J., influence of, 21 Duchess, 426 Dusting, discussion of, 235-238 Early apple regions, 80-84 Harvest, 439 Ripe, 435 Electrically heated driers, 352 English Codling, 440 Russet, 409 Esopus Spitzenburg, 403 Index 461 Establishing the apple orchard, 144-153 Evaporators, 350 Exports, 11 Export varieties, 454 Facing barrels, 332 Fallawater, 439 Fall Pippin, 439 Fameuse, 432 Farm, size of, 125-126 management phases, 133-143 orchards, decline of, 4 Favorable factors in apple out- look, 9-14 Fertile varieties, 257 Fertilizer, amount to the tree, 198-204 how to apply, 200-201 Fertilizing, present practices, 187-188 the orchard, 186 Fillers, use of, 153 Fire-blight, 221 Fixed costs, 380 Flavor, 389 Flooding, 185 Fly-speck, 217 Forced draft evaporators, 352 Foreign market, development of, 11 Foreign production, 85-99 French Russet, 408 Friend type nozzle, 232 Frosts, in West, 177-178 Fruit buds, 271 setting, 249-257 tree Leaf-roller, 215 Fruiting wood, distribution of, 275 Fungicides, 247-248 Furrowing for irrigation, 185 Future outlook for apple indus- try, 7 production, 14 Gano, 407 Georgia, important regions, 45- 46 Gillett's Seedling, 401 Gilliflower, 425 Gypsy moth, damage of, 33 Glomerella rufomaculans, 218 Golden Delicious, 440 Russet, 408 Government marketing agencies, 336-337 Grades and standards, 329 Grading laws, 331-332 machines, 30 Grand Valley, plantings, 60-61 Gravenstein, 429 Green aphis, 211-212 Grimes Golden, 404 Gymnosporanqium jumperi vir- giniance, 218 Hail damage, to be avoided, 346 Hampers, where used, 330 Handling the crop, 291-312 Hardiness of varieties, 452 Harvesting costs, 379 Heaton, J. C. B., influence of, 51 Heeling, in, 146 Heterocordylus malinus, 214 Hexagonal planting system, 147 History of commercial industry, 20 Hollow tile, construction of, 311 Home orchard varieties, 454 Hood River Valley, advantages and disadvantages, 112-113 region, 70-72 Hubbardston, 416 Hudson Valley, advantages and disadvantages, 101-102 regional description, 32-33 Hull, John, 231 Hunt Russet, 408 Hybridization, 389 Idaho, 74-75 advantages and disadvantages, 110-111 462 Index Illinois, advantages and disad- vantages, 107 regional description, 50-53 Implements used in cultivation, 165 Increased demand, 10 Inflation, apple land values, 8 Ingram, 424 Insect pests of the apple, 206-216 Insects, in selection of site, 122- 123 Insecticides, 238 Inspection at point of origin, 332-333 Insulation. 306-312 Intensive farms, 133-140 Inter-crops, use of, 153-154 Internal browning, 223 Investment costs, 363 Iowa, heavy plantings, 56-59 Irrigated districts, amount of water, 181-182 characteristics of 173-177 choosing of, 177-181 Irrigation, 172-185 methods of. 183-185 number of applications, 182- 183 time of, 182 Jelly manufacturing, 355 Johnson's Fine Winter, 400 Jonathan, 399 Jumble pack, 304 Kansas, heavy plantings, 56-59 Kentucky, 48 Kiln evaporators. 351 King David, 440 Kraus, work of, 189-191 Kraybill, work of, 189-191 Labor conditions, 128-129 cost of, 359-360 efficiency of, 373 Seasonal distribution, 367 Lady, 426 Leguminous cover-crop, 160 Lepidosaphes ulmi, 211 Leptothyrium pomi, 217 Lewis, C. I., quoted, 195-198 Lewiston district, 75 Lime, value of, 192 sulfur, 241 dry, 245-246 home-made 242-244 Locality, choosing of, 100-131 Loess apple belt, 56-57 Longevity of orchards, 121-122 Long Island Russet, 408 Loppers, 278 Low prices, danger of, 134 Lowry, 439 Lump-sum buyers, 315 Lygidea mendax, 214 Mafjntim Bonum, 434 Maiden Blush, 431 Maine, apple industry in, 33 Malacosoma americana, 214 Mains communis, 27 sylvestris, 27 Mammoth Black Twig, 411 Market, proximity to, 118-119 Massachusetts, apple industry in. 33 Materials, cost of, 372 Mcintosh, 430 Mechanical sizers, 307 Mice, meadow, 223 pine, 224 Michigan, regional description, 49-50 Michigan, western, advantages and disadvantages, 106-107 Middle West, early development of apple, 23 Mill shavings, insulation, 312 Milton-Freewater district, 73 Minnesota, 80 Miscible oils, 245 Mississippi Valley region of Illi- nois, 52 Index 463 Missouri, 54-59 advantages and disadvantages, 107-109 Kiver region, 56-59 advantages and disadvantages, 108-109 Pippin, 418 Modified leader pruning, 266 Monmouth, 421 Montana, regional description, 64 Morris Red, 424 Natural draft evaporators, 350 Natural form pruning, 260 Nebraska, heavy plantings, 56-59 Neglected orchards, treatment of, 284-290 New England, advantages and disadvantages, 103 • Baldwin belt, regional descrip- tion, 33-34 early apples, 81 early plantings, 20 New Hampshire, apple industry 33 New Jersey, advantages and dis- advantages, 104 district, regional description, 36 early apples, 81-82 New Mexico, advantages and dis- advantages, 115 distribution of plantings, 62- 63 New York, early apples. 81 early development of, 21 New Zealand, 95-99 Nicotine solution, 244 Nitrate of soda, time to apply, 205 value of, 192-200 North Carolina, important re- gions, 43-45 Northern Spy, 401 Northwestern Greening, 419 Nova Scotia, 86-88 Nozzles, types of, 232 Xutnmularia discrete, 219 Nursery stock, 14.5-146 Ohio, important regions, 46^8 southern advantages and dis- advantages, 106 Okanogan Valley of B. C 93 regional description, 67-69 Oldenburg, 426 Ontario, 90-92 Opalescent, 440 Open center pruning, 262 Orchard carriers, 303 cultivation, 15.5-171 Oregon, 70-73 advantages and disadvantages, 112-113 Oruanization, farm, 133-140 Ortley, 420 Outlook, favorable factors, 9 unfavorable factors, 15 Over-production, 8 possibility of, 14-16 Oyster-shell scale, 211 Ozark region, 54 advantages and disadvantages, 107-108 Package, standard, 330 Packing, 296 boxed apples, 303 Packing-house arrangement, 305 construction, 310-312 for barreled apples, 298 Pajaro Valley, 76-77 early development of apple, 23 Paris Green, 240 Payette Vallev, 74 Pear-blight, 221 Pecos Valley, plantings in, 62-63 Pelican, 440 Pennock, 440 Pennsylvania, important regions, 38-42 Perry Russet, 409 Phosphorus, value of, 192-204 Phyllosticta solitaria, 217 464 Index Physical handling, 329 Picking, 291 utensils, 294 Piedmont, in Virginia, 40-41 region, advantages and disad- vantages, 105-106 Planting, distances, 149-151 system of, 147-150 Planting-board, use of, 151 Plant-lice, 211 Plowing, 163 Plum curculio, 213 Pole pruners, 277-278 Pollination, 249-257 Pollinizers, 255 Pomme Grise. 408 Pooling, 321 Potash, value of, 192-204 Pound Sweet, 422 Prices, relation to production, 7 Prices western apple land, 9 Productivity of varieties, 451 Pruning. 258-278 cost of, 375-376 time of, 276 Pumpkin Sweet, 422 Pyrus baccata, 27 loensis, 27 Malus, 26 Quebec, apple industry in, 89 Quincunx planting system, 148 Rambo, 419 Raw versus planted land, 116 Recommended varieties, 391 Red Astrachan, 435 Bug, 214 Canada, 421 Cheek, 431 Cheek Pippin, 421 June, 437 Limbertwig, 414 Regional development, 130 Regions, apple, 2S-84 Renovation of old orchards. 284- 290 Rhode Island Greening, 398 Rogue River Valley, 72-73 advantages and disadvantages, 113 Rome Beauty, 401 Rosette, apple, 222 Rosy apple aphis, 211 Round-headed Apple-tree borer, 214 Roxbury Russet, 408 Russets, 408 San Jos€ scale, life history and control, 210 Saperda Candida, 214 Saws, 277 Schizoneura lanigera. 212 Sebastopol apple district, 78 Sections, apple, 28-84 Seed, quantity to use, 162 Seed selection, 389 Seeds, indicating maturity, 293 Setting of fruit, 250-254 trees, 151-152 Shears, 277 Shenandoah'Cumberland district, 38-40 advantages and disadvantages, 104-105 Shipping station, distance from, 119-120 Site, choosing of, 116-131 Size of farm, influence of, 366 of orchard, influence of, 364 Slatted table, 297 - Smith's Cider, 439 Smokehouse, 439 Snow, 432 Social conditions, 129 Sod-mulch, advantages and dis- advantages, 157-158 Soil, 130-132 Management, chart of, 164 management, cost of, 376 Sooty blotch, 217 Sorting barreled apples, 296 boxed apples, 303 Index 465 Southeastern Illinois region, 53 Southern Illinois, early apple re- gion, 51-52 early apples, 83 Southern Ohio, 46-47 Specialized farms, 133-140 Spitzenburg, 403 Spokane district, 70 advantages and disadvantages, 112 Sprav-gun, 231 Spraying, 226-248 cost of, 228 notes, regional, 233-235 Spreaders, in spray, 246 Square, planting system, 147 Stable manure, value of, 188-205 Stack evaporators, 351 Stark, 415 Starr, 436 State, H. R., influence of, 45 Stayman, 405 Sterile varieties, 256 Stewart, J. P.. quoted, 191-194 Storage, 333-335 Strawberry, 438 Summer pruning, 276-277 Supplies, purchase of, 322 Sutton, 424 Swaar, 439 Sweet Bough, 439 Syndicate farming, danger of, 18 projects, 117-118 Tasmania, 95-99 production of, 18 Tenantry, systems of, 140-143 Thinning, 278-283 cost of, 378 Tillage, 162-163 Time to buy, 117 to plant, 151 Tmetocera ocellana, 215 Tolman Sweet, 417 Tompkins King, 410 Tools used in cultivation, 164 Tools, pruning, 277 Total apple crop, 5 Tractor, advantages and disad- vantages, 165-171 Transparent, 428 Transportation, effect on con- sumption, 12 Tree-run buyers. 315 Trees, heading 152-153 number to the acre, 149 setting, 151-152 Truck, use of, 171 Trunk-blight, 222 Twenty Ounce, 429 Twig-blight, 222 Twin Falls district, 75 Unfavorable factors in outlook, 15 Unfavored regions, 17 Utah, advantages and disadvan- tages, 109-110 distribution of plantings, 63 Vacuum driers, 354 ^'alue of apple crop, 3 Varieties, 387-457 cost of production, 371 influence on cost production, 367-371 in selection of site, 118 Venturia pomi, 216 Vermont, apple industry, 35 Vermorei spray nozzles, 232 Vinegar, 356 Virginia, advantages and disad- vantages, 104-106 Beauty, 440 history of early planting, 22 Virginia, important Regions, 38- 42 Wagener, 411 Walla Walla district, 70 Washington, advantages and dis- advantages, 111-112 regional description, 64-70 466 Index Water rent, 179 right, 180 sprouts, treatment of, 287-288 Watsonville district, 76-77 Wealthy, 427 Wenatchee Valley, advantages and disadvantages, 111-112 first plantings, 25 regional description, 67-G9 Western New York, advantages and disadvantages, 100-101 regional description, 29-32 Westfield, 430 West Virginia, important region, 38, 39, 42 White Pearmain, 414 Willamette Valley, 73 Williams, 433 Early Red, 433 Favorite. 433 Willow ISvig, 413 Winesap, 398 Winter Banana, 418 Wisconsin, 79-SO Wolf River, 423 Woolman's Long Pippin, 420 Woolly apple aphis, 212-213 Wounds, dressing, 278 Yakima Valley, advantages and disadvantages, 111 first plantings, 24 regional description, 65-67 Yates, 415 Yellow Bellflower, 407 Newtown, 402 Transparent, 428 Yields, 339-347 in selection of site, 118 table of, 343 York Imperial, 400 Yucaipa apple section, 78-79 PRIXTED IN THE UNITED STATES Or AMEBICA University of British Columbia Library DUE DATE 2 5 1970 h-v ' > ^^' JIIN 2 ^ 197t MAV 3 s>iij„ w<- FORM 3tO FEB 2 9 1978 ia?ifTy^ FEB 1 6 RKO '.'> AGRICULTURE FORESTRY LIBRARY EX i.x.i 1 FORESTRY AGRICULTURE LIBRARY