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_ UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BULLETIN No. 636

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Contribution from the Office of Farm Management, W. J. SPILLMAN, Chief
(in cooperation with the Office of Horticultural and Pomological Investigations)

Washington, D.C. Vv May 10, 1918

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES
IN THE PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO

A DETAILED STUDY OF THE CURRENT COST FACTORS
INVOLVED IN THE MAINTENANCE OF ORCHARDS AND THE
HANDLING OF THE CROP ON 38 REPRESENTATIVE BEAR-
ING ORCHARDS, PAYETTE DISTRICT IN WESTERN IDAHO

S. M. THOMSON, Scientific Assistant
G. H. MILLER, Assistant Agriculturist

CONTENTS

Summary of Results ....+..-.-. Orchard Management . °
Location and Extentof Districts Studied . 3 | Handlingthe Crop . . =
History and Development .... . Packing-house Labor . Sts
Conditions ... » eda eae Culls and Cider Apples :
Farm Organization . :
Farm Investments . Material and Fixed Costs .

= Total Labor Costs. . .
Orchards. . - o » o Summary of All Costs Candidered *

2
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WicldS:'<) cs «0s Factors Affecting the Annual Cest of Pro-
_- Markets and Prices . GQUCHON ee ota ee aol t etree cae

WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1918

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BULLETIN No. 636 ,

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
Contribution from the Office of Farm Management
W.J. SPILLMAN, Chief

Washington, D. C. Vv May 10, 1918

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES IN THE PAY.
ETTE VALLEY, IDAHO.

A detailed study of the current cost factors involved in the maintenance of orchards and the handling
of the crop on 38 representative bearing orchards, Payette district in western Idaho.

By S. M. Tuomson, Scientific Assistant, and G. H. Minter, Assistant Agriculturist.

CONTENTS.

Page. Page
SumattiaiyaOnresmltS oi. 0 i. 02s ses. este et ae 1} eOrchardtmanarements... j.6-ceeeseoce eee 14
Location and extent of district studied...... Sal wecland ne che Crops sae acest eee ee ae 25
insronyzand developments... .2. 25.552... Slee ackime-houseWla Oreo 2 ae ee anne ae eee 27
(Crave GUNHVOR aS = SHG cSt ecg aS caer see ee cl CHE Cullstandicider-applesses-seee-e es seeee eres 8)
Harmon canizatlOM- 24 ees ee Sek Salt ebotalula borgcostsity. so seen ener neta cpoe ere eas 30
HanaagimMyesuMents: -ss2.55 ssc S525 se 5 Saas 10 | Material and fixed costs...:..:.....i/:...-.-- 31
Orchards os.2.2.2 5: Ppa ei en Ns expat cnn S 3 11 | Summary ofall costs considered............. 33
WiGiGlS,. .ccccg gece ee eS SES SESS eee eae meee 13 | Factors affecting the annual cost of produc-
Manketsamdrprices=s- 22. 6502 5.02-. seeds ee 14 GL OTA eat ie Pe ts By PR eo ee ae eC ae 34

The cost studies upon which this bulletin is based were made during
the year 1915 in an intensive commercial apple district in the vicinity
of Payette, Idaho (see Fig. 1). The number of commercial apple
orchards of bearing age in this region was very limited, so that but
38 detailed and accurate records could be obtained. These are
typical of the region, however, and present data which fairly illustrate
apple-growing conditions in this region.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS.

Following is a brief résumé of the more important averages brought
out by this study:

Size of 38 farms studied, 53.39 acres.
Size of bearing apple orchard, 11.33 acres.
Investment per farm, $20,689.62.
Investment per acre of bearing apples, $613.16.
Trees per acre, 63.34.
Annual yield per acre, 337 boxes.
Net labor costs, $103.40 per acre, $0.3068 per box (43.14 per cent of total annual net
cost of production). °
All other costs, $136.25 per acre, $0.4043 per box (56.86 per cent of total annual net
cost of production).
Total annual net cost of production, $0.7111 per box.

NotE.—Acknowledgment is due to the Office of Horticultural and Pomological Investigations of the
Bureau of Plant Industry for material assistance in the preparation of this bulletin; also to Mr. J.
_Clifford Folger, who aided in securing the necessary data.

19461°—18—Bull. 636——1

2 BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

In the light of the facts developed the following conclusions have
been drawn as to the business of the farms studied:

The stability of the agriculture of these farms is due to the fact that, in the main,
they have been developed along more or less diversified lines.

= a7* ie? us* x
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Fic. 1.—Map showing the State of Idaho and the lpcation of the Payette fruit region.
> ae

Although the specialized fruit ranches may be the more successful in some years,
the general and more diversified farms are the more successiul on the average of a
series of years.

Both average price and average cost of production for the region are kept below the
level of those of many other apple-growing regions by the presence of a number of
poorly cared for orchards producing low-grade apples.

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 3

Proper soil, good drainage, and a site not subject to frost danger are essential to the
success of the apple industry on these farms.

Investment in land, yield, quality of fruit, soil, climate, and price received for fruit
are all important limiting factors in the production of fruit and should be considered
carefully by the present or prospective fruit grower.

Though these conclusions are advanced as applying only to the 38

farms studied, it is believed that they will apply in large measure to

the Payette fruit region as a whole.
LOCATION AND EXTENT OF DISTRICT STUDIED.

The Payette, apple-growing section is located near Snake River,
in the extreme northwestern part of Canyon County, on the Oregon
Short Line Railway. Canyon County is in western Idaho, about
150 miles north of the Nevada line. (See fig. 2.) The elevation at
Payette is 2,159 feet. This is a very extensive region, the limits
of which are not well defined, as fruit growing is scattered the length
of the Payette Valley and also follows the Snake and Boise River
valleys. The most intensive of the bearing-orchard sections, how-
ever, is located in what is known as the Fruitland district, which is
a triangular bench lying between the Payette and Snake Rivers,
including about 25,000 acres of irrigated land. (See Pl. I.)

Only a small portion of the bench land is devoted to fruit. Hay
and grain farming is the prevailing type, and considerable live stock
is raised. (See fig. 3.) The principal shipping stations are Fruit-
land, a station about 5 miles south of Payette, and New Plymouth,
a station 12 miles southeast of Payette. The elevation of Fruitland
is about 2,200 feet. The entire bench is comparatively flat, rising
from the rivers on either side and forming a broad, level table.
From where the Payette River empties into the Snake River, fruit
continues along the east bank of that river, in scattered areas, as
far north as Weiser, a distance of about 18 miles from Payette.
Other shipping stations are Emmett, Parma, and Woodspur.

The estimated extent of orchard acreage in the Payette district
is approximately 20,000 acres, of which 90 per cent is in apples.
Prune plantings take up most of the remaining acreage. The greater
part of the apple acreage has not yet come into bearing. Pears,
cherries, peaches, and berries are grown only to a limited extent.

As this region is located a long way from the centers of distribu-
tion, the transportation problem is an important one. Thus the
location has had much to do with the development of the type of
agriculture, and many farmers have found it more profitable to feed
their grain and hay to stock than to ship bulky products to distant
markets.
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT.

The Payette Valley is an old settled region. A few ranches were
taken up as early as 1849, but it was not until after 1884, when the
railroad came in, that the development of the district was marked.

BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

QWEISER

\
\

WASHINGT O COUNT Y

BOISE
COUNT Y

Fic, 2.—Map of Canyon County, showing the most intensive fruit area of that section.

shy

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 5

In 1881 the first irrigation project was started. (See Pl. IL.)
Prior to this time the farming industry was confined largely to
raising horses and cattle and growing grain for home consumption.
The history of the orchard industry in the Payette region dates
from the early eighties, but it was not until about 1895 that commer-
cial plantings of prunes and apples were made. Most of the planting
has been done since 1900. During the last four or five years the
planting of apples has fallen off, but prunes still are being planted in
commercial quantities. | :
The early orchards were largely home orchards and were made
up of many varieties, including Wolf River, Lawver, Ben Davis,
Baldwin, and many other old varieties. The later orchards are made
up largely of Jonathan and Winesap, which are the principal com-
mercial varieties of the valley to-day. Mining towns, such as Butte

Fig. 3.—A small ranch near Fruitland showing the type of diversified farming practiced.

and Anaconda, together with the smaller settlements located nearer
Payette, offered the best markets for the products of the valley in
early years, but with a growth of the industry more distant markets
were sought. |

Many of the owners of the older bearing orchards are those who
bought the land at comparatively low prices and developed it them-
selves. Homesteads could have been taken up in the valley as late
as 1895. Much of the younger acreage of apples and a few of the
older tracts are held by a class of newcomers who have settled in
the valley during the last few years. Owing to frosts and occasional
years of poor prices, many growers have been disappointed some-
what in the apple industry. Taking into consideration the agri-
cultural experience of the region, it would seem that specialized
fruit growing does not promise to become relatively as important
as In some regions;which by virtue of their location, soil, and climate
are better adapted to the production of high-grade apples.

6 BULLETIN 636, U..S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ©

CONDITIONS.
LABOR CONDITIONS.

Labor conditions in the valley, generally speaking, are very good.
Month help is often employed with an addition of day help during
harvesting. The average labor rate is somewhat less than in the
specialized northwest fruit districts, where labor is largely dependent
on fruit, with little general farming to fill in the gaps between the
busy seasons. Here labor can find employment for the entire year
on account of the great diversity and kinds of farming followed.
Grain, hay, stock, and fruit under both intensive and extensive types
of farming are found.

_ At the time of this survey the labor rate on the farms studied was
$0.20 per hour for man labor and $0.15 per hour for horse labor.
The horse-labor rate is figured on the basis of the value of team labor
where one grower works for another and is perhaps higher than
would be the actual cost of keeping a team. However, in the case
of the fruit ranchers so many of the farms are specialized that profit-
able employment for these teams throughout the season can not be
depended on, as on the large diversified farms. Thus $0.15 per hour,
although apparently a rate comparatively higher than the man-hour
rate, is really a fair rate, all things being considered. It is necessary
to keep horses on these ranches. Man labor is at all times present in
the community, and its rate is determined by the community, while
the rate of the horse labor is determined by the size and type of farm
on which the orchards are located.

SOCIAL CONDITIONS.

The social conditions are all that could be desired. There are
excellent schools and churches within easy access of most parts of the
valley, and farmers’ social organizations flourish. The type of farm
is generally extensive enough so that the children remain in the
community and help build it up. The farmers as a class come very
largely from the same walk of life and thus are able to understand
and cooperate with each other more or less on a common basis.

Such modern rural improvements as mail service, telephones, etc.,
are found throughout the region.

TRANSPORTATION.

This district is somewhat at a disadvantage in being a long way
from the centers of distribution. . This disadvantage is most marked
in the case of the fruit industry, for fruit, especially soft fruit, is a
highly perishable product.

The Payette Valley Railway eae the Payette Valley and
connects with the Oregon Short Line Railway. The town of Payette
is located on the main line of the Oregon Short Line. The shipping
facilities from here are good, but some idea of the distance from the

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 7

nearer large cities may be obtained from the fact that Payette is 462

miles from Salt Lake City, Utah, and 460 miles from Spokane, Wash.

In early years much of the fruit was disposed of in the local markets,
especially in the mining towns and the small cities of Idaho. How-
ever, with the increased production in other parts of the State it was
necessary to find an outlet into the large trade channels of the

country.
SOIL.!

The soils in the parts of Payette Valley where fruit is grown are of
various types. The prevailing type is a sandy loam varying greatly
in texture and depth in different parts of the valley. Most of the
soil along the Payette River is of an alluvial nature. The river bank
is comparatively low, but the lands are not generally subject to over-
flow. The sandy-loam type of soil, found on the bench and higher
cultivated lands on which much of the best fruit is located, varies
from 2 to 4 feet in depth, and the subsoil is permeable to water.
Crops of all kinds apparently do well on this type of soil. There are
some types found in which the surface soil is the sandy loam, a few
inches in depth, shading into the clay loam at a depth of about 2 feet.
Much of this loam area is underlain with hardpan.

The sandy-loam type of soil found about Fruitland seems especially
adapted to fruit culture. Much of this region is believed to have
been formerly a large fresh-water lake, the soil being composed in
many places of very thick sedimentary deposits. This region also is
formed largely of volcanic material. Much of the soil contains a

considerable percentage of soluble salts, and alkali often appears on the

surface after irrigation.
CLIMATE.

Theclimate of the Payette and Snake River Valleys is arid tosemiarid.
It is characterized by hitle precipitation, a relatively low humidity,
moderate temperature, abundance of sunshine, clear air, and slow wind
movement. The annual precipitation is much greater in the moun-
tains than upon the lower lands. This region is dependent upon the
mountain snows formed during the winter for its supply of water for
irrigation during the summer. Low water or a lack of water for suf-
ficient irrigation is due to a relatively light snowfall the preceding
winter. The mean annual temperature for Payette is about 50° F.
The maximum temperature during the past 15 years was 111° F. on
July 23, 1905, and the minimum for the same period was — 26° F. on
January 26, 1910. Table I shows these temperatures, together with
the dates of the last killing frost in the spring and the first in the
autumn. Late frosts are not uncommon throughout this region, and
they often cause considerable damage and render the fruit crop un-
certain. Hailstorms also sometimes occur. However, the damage
from hail is usually much less than in fruit regions at higher altitudes.

1 Soil survey of the Boise area, Idaho (Field Operations, Bureau of Soils, 1901).

8 BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Taste I.—Dates of spring and fall frosts, annual rainfall, and mean annual temperature
at Payette, Idaho.

[Altitude, 2,159 feet.]

Average (14years)...; May 10 | Sept. 28 | 11.11 50.8 104.6 | July 29 — 5.2] Jan. 10

| |

2 Data incomplete.

FARM ORGANIZATION.

The Payette Valley is a comparatively old and established farm-
ing section. It is one of general farming, although fruit occupies an

Fic. 4.—A large alfalfa field near Payette at the time of harvesting the third crop. Alfalfa often yields
8 tons per acre in this region.

important place in its agriculture. (See fig. 3.) The fruit areas

are limited and for the most part are located near a few shipping
stations. The average size of the farms included in this investigation

PLATE I.

Bul. 636, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.

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JO SAHOLSYLS GvOUA ANV NOILVWYO4Y GNV-HONAG

SHL ONIMOHS

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YSAIY SNVWNS SHEL

Bul. 636, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.

‘OPIS JOY}IO WO SULIOP1Od Sprvyos1o0 OY} OJON,

"NOIDAY SALLAAVd AHL NI HOLIG NOILVOINY|] NV

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 9

is 53.39 acres, with 11.33 acres in bearing apples. This is a much
higher percentage of orchard land than would be found by taking
all the farms in the valley. The farms about Fruitland are very
largely specialized fruit farms, and in many cases the acreage is made
up wholly of fruit. In the somewhat outlying districts, which were
settled more meee and irrigated, the type of somenibitee | is much
more general.

The community as a whole may be considered a staple farming
community, as there are enough of various farming enterprises to
insure the success of at least a portion of the ranchers each year.
Dairy farms, of which there are a number in this region, are organ-

Fic. 5.—A farmstead scene on one of the higher bench lands. Owing to difficulty in irrigating and the
high cost of water, some of these settlers have had to economize in order to retain their land.

ized on the basis of raising all the feed to be used on the place. On
most of the dairy farms considerable hay and grain are sold. (See
fig. 4.) Nearly all the fruit growers keep at least some stock, those
with mulch-crop orchards keeping the greater number. Nearly
every rancher raises hogs for home use and several for sale. The
erowers also raise garden truck, potatoes, etc., for home use, so that.
the farm contributes a very co percentage of the products used
by the occupants.

Tributary to this region are large stock-grazing areas. Much of
the land recently irrigated is devoted to raising alfalfa. (See fig. 5.)
Raising clover and alfalfa seed is also an important and profitable
branch of farming found here. As might be expected, the more
intensive type of farming is found near the towns, where the fruit

19461°—18—Bull. 636 —2 3

10 BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

is handled by local warehouses and associations without necessitat-
ing any long haul. 7

In speaking of Payette Valley and Canyon County area as aregion
it may be considered as representing a very successful and diversi-
fied type of agriculture. However, the farms studied are all fruit
ranches, for the most part somewhat specialized. The orchards on
those which are not specialized show more or less a lack of care.
Especially is this true of the large ranches where cattle are kept.

The men found on these ranches are for the most part farmers;
that is to say, they are not men from other professions who have
selected farming and apple growing as a means of retiring from
active life, as have so many residents of other fruit sections of the-
Northwest. These men did not expect unusual prices or crops, and
with land at a reasonable figure they have been able to build up a
stable business. There are of course some ranchers who located on
sections hard to irrigate, and who, caught in years of low prices with
little working capital, have lost out.

In general, the ranchers are intelligent and progressive and willing to
adopt new ideas and to apply them to conditious. They are practical
men of limited capital who tend to develop their farming along more
conservative lines than one finds in certain regions where speculators
have been responsible for the development.

FARM INVESTMENTS.

The average total investment per farm in the case of the 38 ranches
for which data were obtained is $20,689.62, the average size of farm is
53.39 acres, and the investment per acre of apple orchard averages
$613.16! | |

Table II shows the comparative investments on the clean-cultural
and mulch-crop orchards. The machinery equipment investment on’
the farms studied ($542.63 per farm) represents present value of
equipment. It may be stated, however, that the equipment on these
farms is generally in fairly good condition, much of it being compara-
tively new.

As might be expected, the mulch-crop orchards show the greatest
investment in stock other than horses. Hogs often are pastured on

the alfalfa orchards.

1In all these investment figures each farm is given the same weight cn an scre basis.

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 11

Tasie II.—Size of farms and of investments for farms studied in the Payette region,

Idaho.
System of orchard man-
; agement on farm.
Item. cea ae | UUeCOLdss
Clean- Mulch-
cultural. crop.
INimmbperofnrecordSes22- 42. 252---2-22----2-- = Ps Tes nese ee ee ss ae 16 22 38
ANTORASRO SIGS ligiritn CKOKES 55 Gan ek de oauacen 6 opeeebese oaeboeronsoseoeoce 60.05 48.55 53.39
Investment per farm:
OO UI ES Is ROI ee eae te ee mene ee $22, 324.28 | $19,500.77 | $20,689.62
filandrandulmprovements = a0 42 ss-ceen css ons sees ee esos a $20, 697.66 | $17,818.18 | $19,030.59
iin Ge hollowed SAE 534555 55 cenoce Gano s see eR EEE ea oe OOS RueaEeser soos $031.25 $550. 91 $542. 63
PAWETAC EC SIZELOLGMAanG: (ACHES) jatar sists) os = mi = ale serie )eciacieis = = a 13.56 9.70 11.323
BercentiOltanmlmvOL@handias: 2s omc =) Sciiemecl~ iiss Se oe eye 33.65 37.88 36.10
Investment per acre of orchard:
TNO Rae Oe ee a a A ep a $581. 25 $636.36 $613.16
AKC om Cras eee oe oes ac iraicie ce nie ein ciaeieinc sense cena. - $16.94 $23.09 $20. 50
Per cent of total farm investnent apple orchard represents.........- 38. 27 36.34 37.16
Per cent of land and improvement investment appie orchard
TOOPESEIMIS soos shaeh Lease ead ane anes oee seppeseesouEeGore ree tasice 41.59 39.80 40.55
Nii eTrOMWOrSeS per Aanmls. 5a ee ee ates. Seine os ee 4.19 3.50 3.79
imvesumentunothbenstock. per farms.) 522232 522225552. 22 22-222 =e $496. 00 $666. 41 $594. 66

The investment in farm land on the farms studied in the Payette
region determines to a great degree the success of the farmer. In the
earlier years settlers bought or homesteaded land and developed it
eradually, thus acquiring the land at a much lower price than did the
later settlers, who usually bought from real estate companies and
paid much of their capital down on the land. For this reason
many of these men who came from other parts and paid $300 to
$500 and often more per acre for some of this land found them-
selves unable to compete with those who. had acquired land at a much
lower figure. Thus, in years of bad fruit prices and general poor crops
men with little means of marketing their produce without an actual
loss have not been able to succeed. Others are having trouble in
meeting the interest payments on the heavy mortgages which they

carry.
ORCHARDS.

SIZE AND TYPE.

The apple orchards in the valley differ greatly in size, but those
studied average 11.33 acres. The 16 clean-cultural orchards average
13.56 acres, and the 22 mulch crop, 9.70 acres. These orchards vary
in their general condition and in the number of trees per acre. Many
of them are more or less neglected, and some are on soil not well
adapted to fruit culture. Others are located in regions lable to
frost. ;

The poorest orchards are those in alfalfa and bluegrass which have
been down for a number of years and have been cut off or pastured
annually by stock and never returned to the land. There is a ten-
dency to neglect the older orchards, especially as regards soil
Management,

12 BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

AGE OF ORCHARD.

The orchards in the Fruitland and Woodspur districts near Payette
average nearly 15 years in age. There were many early plantings,
but these were confined to very limited areas. Some of the older
orchards are found in the vicinity of New Plymouth, but they are
scattered widely. Many of the older orchards are neglected.

INVESTMENT IN ORCHARDS.

The average investment per acre in the orchards of the Payette
district is much less than that of some other fruit regions. (See
Table II.) This is due to the fact that Payette Valley is not as favor-

ably located as some other regions in regard to transportation and is
in a general farming region which has been developed along non-

speculative lines.

Fic. 6.—A 5-year-old Delicious orchard near Boise. Note the habit of growth and size of thesetrees. This
grower believes in little pruning for young trees of this sort.

The average investment in bearing apple orchards is $613.16 per
acre, and the average equipment investment is $20.50 per acre.
This includes only machinery and orchard equipment. The bearing
apple orchard represents 37.16 per cent of the total farm investment
and 40.55 per cent of the total land and improvement investment.
There is a comparatively small acreage of young apples not yet in
bearing on these 38 farms, and few apples are now being planted.
There is, however, a large acreage in other fruits, especially prunes.

VARIETIES.

Many varieties of apples are grown commercially in the Payette
Valley, but the leading of these is the Jonathan, which usually
brings a good price but has the disadvantage of being suscepti-
ble to blight and mildew. This is followed by the Winesap.
Others of commercial importance are the Rome Beauty, Ben Davis,
and Arkansas Black. Varieties that formerly were planted very

GOST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 13

extensively and that are now found largely in the older orchards are
Baldwin, Wealthy, Wolf River, Lawver, Arkansas, Missouri, York
Imperial, and many fall varieties. There are a few varieties which
are found in smaller numbers but which are popular commercially.
Among these are White Pearmain, Delicious, and Stayman Winesap.
The Ben Davis, although found in many orchards throughout the
valley, is no longer being planted and is seldom found in orchards
under 10 years of age. (See fig. 6.)

METHOD OF SETTING.

The trees are set by various methods. Usually either the square
or diagonal method is used. A popular distance is 28 by 28 feet on
the diagonal, but the older orchards are set by all methods, and the
trees are all distances apart. The trees per acre vary between the
limits of 50 and 90, the average for the farms studied being 63.

YIELDS.

The yields of the orchards studied in Payette Valley are fairly uni-
form. In arriving at these results the yield was secured for a period
of five years, including seasons of both light and heavy yields, thus
giving a fair average. It was found that in the case of the clean-
cultural orchards there is a yield of 336 packed boxes per acre and in
the mulch-crop orchards a yield of 338 per acre, making 5.7 boxeg
per tree in the clean and 5.1 boxes in the mulch.crop, there being
about eight more trees per acre in the mulch-crop orchards. (See
Table ITI.) ;

Many factors influence the yield—the number of trees per acre, the
variety, size, and age of trees, size of orchard, the amount of pruning,
thinning, and propping practiced, the percentage of marketable fruit,
etc. Generally speaking, the smaller the orchard the larger the yield
per acre. On account of the relatively small number of orchards
which were available in this region, no definite conclusions can be
reached in this regard.

- Tasie IIIl.—Packed-box yields on farms studied in Payette Valley, Idaho. —

Number Size of Age of Trees Yield Yield

Orchard management. orchard. | orchard.'| per acre. | per acre. | per tree.

0)
orchards,

Packed | Packed
Acres. Years. boxes. boxes,

Wleansemlvunal etre eee ae ek o 16 13. 56 14, 25 58. 6 336 5.7
MGUNIOOO1010) cadoc uoSe toe Ao ey a eee ears 22 9.-70 15.18 66. 8 338 5.1
Aulonehardse 2 2. a2 3./.% Eanes Mees 38 11.33 14. 79 63.3 337 5.3

The age of the orchard has little apparent effect on the yield after
the trees reach 10 years of age. The Jonathan variety comes into
bearing at a comparatively early age, as does also the Winesap.

In addition to the packed-box yield of 337 boxes for all orchards
studied, there is also a considerable yield of culled fruit, which is not
considered in the discussion of yields, though credited to the orchard.

14 BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
MARKETS AND PRICES.

The apples of the Payette Valley and the immediate region have of
late years returned the grower varying prices per box f. 0. b. shipping
station. The average price received by these 38 growers was $1.06 per
packed box in 1910, $0.95 in 1911, $0.62 in 1912, $1.02 in 1913, and
$0.37 in 1914, or an average for the five years of $0.804. The aver-
age annual cost of production per box, considering the average yield
over these five years, is $0.7111. In eases of low prices there is gen-
erally a higher yield, and consequently the cost of production is
reduced somewhat for that year. However, in 1912 and 1914 the
cost of production was greater than the price received for fruit.
These figures refer to the price for packed fruit received by the grower
f. o. b. shipping point. Only on general farms and in the case of
men with considerable working capital, can growers weather years
with such disastrous fruit prices as those of the year 1914.

The fruit in this region is marketed in three grades—extra fancy,
fancy, and C grade—as is done in some other regions of the Northwest.
The growers have had many difficult fon etine problems to face, in
common with other Northwest regions.

ORCHARD MANAGEMENT.
MANURING.

Manuring is practiced by 63 per cent, or 24 out of the 38 growers.
In the case of the Jonathan orchards some growers do not apply
manure, for the stated reason that it stimulates wood growth. The
prevalence of fire blight and its activity in rapidly growing trees
account for their caution in this regard.

Manure usually is applied from a wagon, one man and two horses
forming the crew. Application is made generally during the spring
or fall or, in some cases, as the manure accumulates. The rate of
application is variable, ranging from 5 to 15 tons per acre. Table 1V
will'serve to show the manuring practices and costs.

Taste IV.—Relation between manuring practices and costs of apple production on
farms studied in Payette Valley, Idaho.

Per acre.

Nam | | Bota
Orchard management. ber of ‘ cost per
% farms. | .Man | Horse | Cost of oe Mate Total | box.

hours. | hours. | labor.

Clean-culturale = es a eee | 11

| 5.19 | 9.90] $2.52] 5.99] $8.98 | $11.50 | $0.0342

Milleh-cropete se sass Seen Seether 13 6.67 | 13.04 3.29 6.68 | 10.02} 13.31 0394
Aileacordsmeeet ae ee. ae 24| 5.96] 11.60] 2.94] 6.36| 9.54| 12.48] .0370
All records; promataa.--.. 2. - 38 3.78 (eZ, 1.85 4.02 6.03 7.88 - 0234

a In this line appear the averages derived by distributing the cost of manuring over all the farms
surveyed in order to secure a figure that legitimately can be used in figuring the regional cost of apple
production.

Tk 4

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 15

It is found that more manure is applied annually per acre on or-
chards in mulch crop than on clean-cultural orchards. This is partly
due to the fact that the mulch-crop orchards are smaller, thus making
more manure available per acre, and partly to the fact that the farms
which have orchards in mulch crop keep about one-third more stock
than those which have the clean-cultural orchards. It is found that
the labor cost for manuring is 1.79 per cent of the total net labor cost,
while the material cost is 4.48 per cent of the total material and fixed
cost, making the total cost of manuring 3.28 per cent of the annual

net cost of production.
PRUNING.

Pruning is practiced generally every year by all growers. The
open-head tree system is the most popular form of pruning, and from
four to seven leaders with a well-opened head is the type sought. As

BiG “7a young orchard near Payette from which alfalfa has been harvested. Note the flock of 700

turkeys. A great diversity of live stock is profitably raised in this section.
the principal variety of the Payette Valley is the Jonathan, it is nec-
essary to give the tree plenty of light in order to give color to the
fruit. There is no noticeable tendency as yet to head back the tops
of the trees in order to keep their height reduced. (See fig. 7.) The
cost of pruning is $0.15 per tree, or $0.0281 per box. This, as will
be seen (Table V), is identical with the cost of thinning for all the
orchards.

The pruning cost 1s somewhat higher for mulch-crop orchards than
for clean-cultivated orchards. This, no doubt, is partly due to the
fact that the average acreage of the mulch-crop orchards is about 4
acres less than that of those under the clean-cultural system, thus
offering opportunity for more detailed care per acre. Pruning costs
make up 9.16 per cent of the total net labor costs and 3.95 per cent
of the total annual net cost of production.

16 BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
HAULING BRUSH. |

The growers in this region usually make a practice of trimming out
the brush after it is pruned from the trees and saving the larger
limbs for fuel. As there is a scarcity of native timber in this region,
firewood is valuable, being priced at $4 to $5 per cord. The smaller
brush is thrown on a sled or wagon and hauled to a convenient place
for burning.

Considering all records, there is found to be a credit of $0.58 per
acre annually for wood and a charge of $3.45 per acre, or $0.0103 per
box, for the hauling and disposal of brush., This makes up 3.36 per
cent of the net labor cost, or 1.45 per cent of the total annual net
cost of production. Where only one or two cords are obtained from
the orchard each year, the labor of trimming out the heavy wood for
fuel represents almost the value of the wood.

THINNING.

Thinning is practiced generally throughout the valley. The work
usually is done by day labor at the rate of $2 per day. As in other
regions, thinning is practiced either by pulling the apples from the
trees or by using thinning shears. The growers have many ideas as
to the value of thinning. Some claim that excessive thinning of
Jonathans tends to increase the apples in size and'consequently to
increase the liability of breaking down in storage. It is thought by
many that the average-sized apple has somewhat better keeping
qualities than the very large one. No definite statement can be
made in regard to this question from the data at hand.

In the Payette Valley pruning and thinning are done to set an
extent that the necessity for propping is obviated largely. Thinning
usually is done during the early part of the season, preferably in
June. There is found to be an average for those who thin of 48.64
man-hours per acre, or a cost of $0.154 per tree; but when this is
distributed among all records there are 47.36 man-hours, or $9.47
annual labor charge per acre. This is a cost of $0.15 per tree, $0.0281
per box, or 9.16 per cent of the total net labor cost. The cost for
thinning in the valley when prorated among all records is identical
with the cost of pruning. (See Table V.)

TaBLE V.—Average time and cost of pruning, thinning, and propping for farms studied
in Payette Valley, Idaho.

Per cent Cost.
4 of growers; Man- Horse
Operation. “practic- | hours. hours.
ing. Per acre.| Per tree. | Per box.
Prening 2 25 ees sc ee ee / 100.00 47. a 5 seca saee $9.48 | $0.150 $0. 0281
A Mavech ol hatecchtae sey Mette er eee ene a anies ee 97.37 48: 64 host Sa 9. 73 . 154 . 0289
Proppirig hohe oie ae ee epee cee ne eee 78.95 ¢ 60 | 10.32 | - 3.07 . 048 . 0091

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 17

TapLte VI.—Pruning, thinning, and propping costs when prorated over all orchards
studied in Payette Valley, Idaho. j

Per cent . Is Cost.
‘ of growers an- orse- 2
Operation. practic- | hours. | hours.
ing. Per acre.| Per tree. | Per box.
Pyrinint G8 ee ce eee ne 1000086) cA7s4¥e|e. 2 eecece: | $9.48] $0.150} $0. 0281
Renee ar B7iB7 | ae 47.86) ll ae) 9.47 "150 0281
[Ecc ige ye Soph Sg a 78. 95 6.00 8:15 2) 42 "038 0072

PROPPING.

Propping is not practiced so generally in the Payette region as in

many other apple regions. It is found that practically 79 per cent

of the growers prop. Where propping is not practiced at all it is
the general rule for the growers to lighten the limbs by careful thinning
and thus avoid the breaking down of the trees laden -with fruit.
Most growers haul out and set up props in a single operation, a wagon
or truck being drawn by two horses, with one or two men to complete
the crew. The cost of tending the props after being set up is very
little. Board props are used almost exclusively, although a few
erowers use poles. These board props are usually 1 inch in thickness
and vary in width from 24 inches to 4 inches. These props usually
can be bought for about $16 per thousand board feet. The length
varies from 8 to 14 feet, and the boards usually are notched or
cleated at the top. The propping cost ($3.07 per acre) is not quite
one-third of the pruning or thinning cost and is 2.35 per cent of the
total net labor cost, or practically 1 per cent of the total annual net
cost of production. (See Table V.)

SOIL MANAGEMENT.

There are two distinct types of soil management in the valley, the
clean cultural and the mulch crop. The mulch-crop system of
management as practiced in the valley is largely one of keeping the
orchard in sod for a period of years, so that, properly speaking,
it receives very little benefit from a leguminous mulch crop. Some
of these orchards are in bluegrass, but all are classed as mulch-crop
orchards, as they are under the same general system of management.
Sixteen of the 38 orchards are under the clean-cultural and 22 under
the mulch-crop system. The average annual cost of plowing and:
cultivating on the former is $9.37 per acre,. while in the case of the
latter it is $2.72. |

The system of soil management practiced is the most important
factor influencing the health of the tree and the general producing
capacity of the orchard.

19461°—18—Bull. 6836——3

18 BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The soil in the orchards of the valley apparently has not yet been
depleted by clean cultivation, as has the soil of certain other regions.
The growers seem to realize that humus is necessary for the soil and
have applied considerable manure, thus lessening the necessity of
returning humus to the soil in other ways. If this mulch cropping
were practiced with a view to aiding the orchard and handled accord-
ingly, the results no doubt would be different, but many of the larger
and older orchards are down in mulch crop which has been there
many years and is practically sod.

A few orchardists turn under their mulch crops from time to time,
and one of the most successful orchardists in the valley alternates
the mulch-crop and clean-cultural system every year. To a great
extent the grower himself can determine from the health and vigor
of his own orchard which type of soil management he should follow,
and a combination of both systems would seem to be best as far as
the orchard itself is concerned, but perhaps not the most profitable
when the pasture and hay value of the crop on the orchard is taken
into consideration.

CULTIVATION.

All the orchards in the valley have at least a small annual charge
for cultivation. The least charge appears on those orchards which
are in bluegrass for permanent pasture, in which case only occasional
rills for irrigating are made, or sometimes the orchard may be disked,
or harrowed with the spring tooth. (See Table VIL.)

In regard to plowing, it was found that 12 (mearly 32 per cent)
practice it, plowing on an average of 1.38 acres a day. The cost
is $3.61 per acre for those who plow. (See Table VII.) Considering
all orchards under both kinds of management, the acre charge for
plowing is $0.85, and the box cost $0.0025.

Twenty-two (nearly 58 per cent) of the orchardists disk, the 7-foot
riding disk being used ordinarily. This disking is done usually in
the early spring and often prior to any other operation on the soil.
A comparatively small percentage of the growers use the spring-
tooth harrow. The spike-tooth harrow is used by 15 (nearly 40
per cent) of the orchardists. Various other implements are used
on a few orchards.

Cultivation begins as a rule during the latter part of March or
shortly after. Plowing is often the first operation in the spring.
Some growers use either spring or spike tooth harrow for the first
operation and follow this with a disk in order to loosen up the soil.
Later in the spring, after the weeds have started, the disk may be
used again, either one or both ways, and then followed by the spike
or spring tooth harrow before the first irrigation. Other growers
may in addition use the cultivator once or twice.

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 19

Taste VII.—Cultivation practices on the 38 farms studied in Payette Valley, Idaho.

Per Num- Width
Temiolenicnt cent of ues ber Man- | Horse- nes ees of
P : number) gj mulch | hours. | hours. aA : ae e, | imple-
using. |) --°9 =) crop. Vis > | ment
; |
| Feet
PRO Weoiticninancseae anes osioc seen sce ets 31. 58 8 4 7.23 | 14.46 1.38 | $3.61 1
BD IS kee ec ta eee io otek oie ecclesia igcateiare 57. 89 12 10 15 Ce 3.24 5. 65 . 89 7
Sprine-toothharrow:.--:.-....------- Us 7A) +t Pd) TKS BP) 502 91 7
Spike-tooth harrow..-......--.../.---- 39. 47 li 4 96 1.92} 10.42 .48 9
Crease shovel plow...-.-.-.---------- 36. 84 7 dg inal 304: 3. 28 6. 10 StePailecoocesee
Crease (6-foot cultivator).......-.-.-- | 10.52 3 1 . 92 1.84] 10.87 SAGE eae
BE Oi wee RE hen or sin a) sicvele eis cals oe S | 10.5 All|es Se Sie } 1.24 2.48 8. 06 .62 | 8 by 14
WCCO ene estates cece ool. ct 5. 26 1 LENT 596 1.92 | 10.42 | 48
WinlGivatoreses- minster: oa Saison ates (ea d526 Di Senne 1.00 2.00 | 10.00 50 8
OmmeRinOr S528 Be Soe eee BE ae aee| |e eay40) eee 2 1.20 3.00 6.67 ala eee ais Si
PMitailfarditichens iss c5 ac Sees ee ace PEGs sasupec 1 1.88 3. 76 5. 32 sy Teles ee eee
Monmon, ditchermenss5: 2-5-2 02-o2ee54 late 2NOGul eeesteerett 1 2. 00 4.00 5. 00 TOO ae
ER Crees meeeceeet emer she cee sae | 21.05 4 4 1.01 2.02 9. 90 nds) hd Beers

It can not be said that the average grower practices intensive
cultivation as it is practiced in some commercial districts. The
water supply has been adequate to supplement the normal rainfall,
so that there has been no pressing need of conserving moisture.
Some growers cultivate their orchards between irrigations, particu-
larly after the first. Most orchardists, however, do not cultivate
the land after the first irrigation riulls have been laid out. For all
orchards under all systems of management the average total annual
cost for cultivation, including plowing, is $5.52 per acre, or $0.0164
per box. (See Table VIII.)

TaBLE VIII.—Total of all cultivation costs per acre and per box on farms studied in
Payette Valley, Idaho.

Clean cultural. Mulch crop. All orchards.

acre. | box. acre. box. acre. box.
PION MINE 2 Soe ooo ae ee ee Ieee $1. 44 $0. 0043 $0. 42 $0. 0013 $0. 85 $0. 0025
Ofhencuilitvationteses] so-so A 7.93 . C236 2.30 - 0068 4.67 - 0139
PAUTCULEIWaAtION Re ae ees oe ee et 9.37 . 0279 2.7 - OO81 552 . 0164

MULCH CROPS.

The use of mulch crops has become general within the last few
years. Only a few orchardists take off more than one crop of hay,
and many use the crop entirely for pasture or leave it on the ground,
although many others make three cuttings, which may be taken off
or left on the ground as amulch. The most common method of hand-
Jig mulch crops in this region, however, is to allow hogs to pasture
off the crop. In this way the soil is enriched and at the same time
the wormy and inferior fruit on the ground is utilized for feed.

Where mulch crops are grown, it is the practice to go on the land
with a disk in the latter part of March or the first of April. The

20 BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

orchardists may follow this with some other cultivation tool, such
as the spring or spike tooth harrow. Following this, however, there
is no further treatment of the soil aside from the rilling for irrigation.
A few men plow under their mulch crops as an annual practice, but
most of them leave them in for several years, although the growers
say it is the intention to turn under and resow the mulch crop at
intervals of from three to four years.

The kinds of mulch crops used vary somewhat from those in other
regions. Alfalfa seems to be the most popular and is used largely
for pasture. There are many orchards in bluegrass, which also is

Fic. 8.—A large packing shed ofa fruit grower near Boise.

used as a pasture. This has been down in some cases 10 or 12 years.
The older orchards, which show the greatest amount of neglect, are
the ones which are in mulch crops, or, more properly speaking, which
have been in sod for a number of years. Such an orchard really can
not be said to be under the mulch-crop system.

These mulch-crop orchards are often irrigated by means of flood-
ing, although about half are irrigated by means of rills. Generally
the pastured orchards are flooded, while the better-cared-for orchards
are rilled.

It is found that 7 of the 22 men who use some form of mulch crop
have their orchards in clover, and 9 have them in alfalfa. Four
pasture their orchards in addition to taking the hay off, while seven
make a practice of pasturing the orchard and not taking off any hay.
There is a net credit of $7.40 per acre for hay and pasture, or a
credit per box of $0.022, for the 22 growers who use some kind of
mulch crop. (See Table IX.)

ee a

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 21

TABLE IX .—Credit derived from mulch crop on farms studied in Payette Valley, Idaho.

Per acre.
SS Sas] INGE Grveliti,
Number of records.
Cost of F Pasture Total F per box.
harvesting. Hay credit. credit. credit. Net credit.
DDB hah BSNS eI CE Rt $1. 87 $v. 21 $3. 06 $9. 27 $7. 40 $0. 022
IRRIGATION.

In the Fruitland district there are two important irrigation projects.
One is the Noble ditch, watering about 6,000 acres, with an average
maintenance fee of but little over $1 per acre per year. This was
organized in 1894 and receives its water from the Payette River.
The higher land in the south Payette district is) watered by the
Farmers’ Cooperative ditch, which is a large project embracing about
13,000 acres. It taps the Payette River at Emmett, farther up the
stream than the opening of the Noble ditch. Themaintenancecharges

for this ditch are from $1.50 to $2 per acre per year; the water from

it is turned on about the first of May.

In the region north of Payette, or the Woodspur section, are found
districts known, respectively, as the Lower Payette district and Pay-
ette Heights. The former comprises the greater acreage. The Payette
ditch furnishes water at a low maintenance cost which will average
about $0.50 per acre per year. In order to water the Payette Heights,
it has been necessary in many cases to install pumping plants to lift
the water up to the higher lands. This makes the cost of irrigating ©

very much higher than that on lands watered by a gravity flow.

In many cases it is $6 to $7 per acre per year for the water delivered
on the land. For the most part the water is conducted in open
ditches or flumes, and piping systems are not common. It is neces-
sary to irrigate all orchards in this region, as the annual rainfall is
not sufficient to sustain the trees. On an average 4.7 irrigations
are made annually on the 38 orchards studied in the valley, the
mulch-crop orchardists averaging 5.18 irrigations, while the clean
cultural average 4.06. In the case of the clean-cultivated orchards,
the first irrigation usually is made during the latter part of May or
the first of June, and the last during the latter part of August. These
Irrigations are made at regular intervals during this period. (See

Table X.)

TaBLE X.—Average number of irrigations and practices for farms studied in Payette
Valley, Idaho. 5

Average Total
Number of | man hours | man hours
irrigations.| per irriga- | for all irri-
tion. gations.

Cleamieulimnale = 27jo0'5. 6 eh 522 4. 06 2. 434 9. 88 $0. 486 $1. 98 $0. 0059
Mil Chy CRO pases sos S72 = 5.18 1.725 8. 94 345 1.79 - £53
AU POEORGS s 2 2224506 2 SSS 20 2. 4.71 1. 983 9.34 - 398 1.87 "55

92 BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The rilling for the irrigation is done either by shovel cultivators,
single plows, corrugators, or homemade rillers. In irrigating the
mulch-crop orchards the system of flooding is used to a great extent.
In flooding the time is considerably reduced, for this method aims
to cover the whole orchard by allowing the water to follow its own
course. The topography of the land and type of soil will determine
the method of applying the water.

Where mulch-crop orchards are rilled, a common tool used is a
‘“corrugator,” consisting of two metal shovellike attachments with

a substantial iron frame. Six rills usually are made per tree row.

As a rule, the date for the first irrigation is earlier on mulch crop
than on the clean-cultivated orchards, the first watering usually
being made during the first two weeks in May and seldom later
than the last of this month. In afew cases men flood their orchards
in the fall. |

The average time for irrigating the mulch-crop orchards is 1.72
man-hours, with an acre cost of $0.345, or for the 5.18 irrigations
there is a charge of 8.94 man-hours and a cost of $1.79 per acre, or
$0.0053 per box for labor.

Considering all records, irrigation costs $1.87 per acre or $0.0055
per box. The average annual water tax is $1.28 per acre, or $0.0038
per box, and the total for labor and water tax is $3.15 per acre, or
$0.0093 per box.

SPRAYING.

The spraying program of the Payette district is comparatively
uniform. All growers from whom records were taken make one dor-
mant lime-sulphur spray and one calyx arsenate-of-lead spray. They
average 2.09 other arsenate-of-lead sprays, making an average of
4.09 sprays for the season.

All the growers except three own their own spray rigs, which gen-
erally are of standard make, although there are a few assembled rigs.
When the spray outfit is hired, the usual price is $1 per hour for man,
team, and outfit. The grower’s average investment in the spray
outfit for those owning them is $360. The spray-rig engine varies
from 2 to 34 horsepower, the majority being 24. The 200-gallon
tank is the one most commonly used. There are very few men who
use spray towers on their rigs, though in the older orchards spray
towers are an advantage.

It is found that the life of the average spray rig is approximately
93 years, and that the depreciation amounts to $37.80 annually.
This, added to an annual upkeep of $16 and an annual interest
charge of $28.80 on the original investment, makes an annual charge
of $82.60 per spray rig.

Approximately 20 acres of fruit are sprayed annually by each spray
rig. This would then give an acre charge of $4.13 for depreciation,

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 28

upkeep, and interest, together with $0.74 for oil and gasoline, making
a total annual charge of $4.87 per acre for the use of the spray nig and
engine. ‘Those who hire their spraying done pay for the rig itself .
about $0.50 per hour, wages of man and team making up the remainder
of the charge of $1 per hour. Allowing the same number of spray
hours per acre for those who hire the spraying done, there would then
be an annual charge of $5.73. In reality, however, there are usually
fewer hours spent per acre for those who hire than for those who do
their own spraying. There is an average of 10 spray-rig hours an
acre for those who hire the spraying done, thus making the annual
cost $5 per acre, or $0.13 more per acre than for those who own their
spray rig.

Most spray rigs have two leads of 50-foot vibe: hose and use an
8 to 10 foot spray rod. The pressure varies from 125 to 275 pounds,
but usually is about 200 pounds.

There are many orchard pests and diseases which the grower finds
it necessary to control. The most important pests are the San Jose
scale and the codling moth. These made their appearance in the
early years of the commercial apple industry in this region. There
are others which require less attention and which the growers in this
section have had little trouble in combating as yet, such as the
green aphis, woolly aphis, oyster-shell bark louse, blister mite, ete.

TABLE XI.—Payette spraying practices and costs (38 records).

Reta Per acre. | Per acre.

ONO ES esr ies raam et ATES rele Gale a was ee ce Strength of
Kind ofspray. | num- a er | lons | Mate- er 5S rh

ber of| Man- | Horse-), urs ee per Labor|",;,) |Total ee LE

sprays.) hours. | hours. | tree. | cost.

cost.

Lime - sulphur] 1.00] 8.24] 6.05 | 3.31 | 388.56 | 6.14 , $2.56 |$7.29 |$9.85 |$0.0292 | 1 to 9.
dormant spray.
Calyx or firstlead | 1.00} 7.51] 5.42 | 3.69 | 378.09 | 5.97 | 2.31 | 2.00 | 4.31 | .0128 | 2 lbs. lead to

arsenate spray. | 50 f gals.
water.

Other lead -arse- |- 2.09 | 15.96 | 11.45 | 3.65 | 776.49 |12.27 | 4.91 | 4.14 | 9.05 | .0269 | 2 lbs. lead to

nate sprays. 5 oF gals.
water.

Total allsprays.| 4.09 | 31.71 | 22.92 | 3.57 |1,543.14 |24.38 | 9.78 |13.43 /23.21 | .0689

The more important apple diseases are blight, mildew, and apple
scab. Blight is by far the most serious, and as yet there is no effective
remedy other than cutting out the infected parts 6 or 7 inches below
the infection, using great care to disinfect the tools with corrosive
sublimate. Mildew and scab are present and have caused, considerable
trouble. The apple scab made its first appearance in Idaho in Latah
County, in 1897, being noticed at a much later date in Canyon County.
The growers considered in these records, however, had not made a
practice of spraying to prevent either of these diseases up to the time
these data were taken. It was found that all growers thoroughly

OA. BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

believe in the application of the first spray, made for the San Jose
scale.. Heavy losses have been suffered in the past from this pest,
-and now a great deal of attention is given to its control. When all
growers spray with a dormant lime-sulphur spray of a strength vary-
ing from 1 to 8 to 1 to 11, it apparently holds the scale in check, so
that little damage to the fruit is experienced. Applications of this
dormant lime-sulphur spray are made every year, usually during the
latter part of March or the first of April, after the buds begin to swell.

The usual spraying crew consists of three men and two horses, two

men using the two leads of hose, and the third man driving the team. |

The average crew will spray 3.31 acres in 10 hours, applying 388.56
_ gailons per acre, or 6.14 gallons per tree. The labor cost is $2.56 per
acre, and the material cost $7.29, making a total cost of $9.85 per
acre, or $0.0292 per box. (See Table XI.)

The first lead-arsenate spray of the season, known as the calyx
spray, is made for the control of the codling moth. This application
is made when about 80 per cent of the petals have fallen, which is
usually the first or second week in May. It ordinarily consists of
lead arsenate and water, paste lead arsenate being used at the average
strength of 8 pounds to a 200-gallon tank of water, or dry lead arsenate

4 pounds to a 200-gallon tank of water. Lime-sulphur or atomic

sulphur, sometimes used in this spray for scab prevention, is not as
yet used by any of these growers. In applying this spray the average
crew will spray 3.69 acres in 10 hours, applying 378.09 gallons per acre,
or 5.97 gallons per tree, with a labor cost of $2.31 and a material cost
of $2.00, or a total cost of $4.31 per acre.

-The second spray for the control of the codling moth usually is
made about three weeks later than the first and is spoken of as the
“three weeks’ spray.’ In severe cases, however, a spray is made 10
days after the time the petals fall, using the same strength of lead as
in the case of the calyx spray. The third, and usually the last,
application is made during the last week of July. Where four appli-
cations are made, the second usually follows the calyx in about 10
days, the third about the first of June, and the fourth the latter part
of July. As a rule, however, either the second or fourth spray is
omitted, making a total of only three applications of lead for the con-
trol of the coding moth larve. For these lead sprays other than the
calyx spray, the average crew will spray 3.65 acres per day, applying
about 1,350 gallons in this time.

Considering all sprays, the total labor cost for spraying is $9.78,
while the total material cost is $13.43, making a total of all costs for
labor and material of $23.21 per acre, or $0.0689 per box. The cost
of the spray rig itself, including the gasoline, upkeep, etc., is not
included here, but is included under the annual equipment charge to
be found under the fixed costs.

tee

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 25

In 1915 and 1916 atomic sulphur was used in some other sprays,
than the calyx and doubtless will be used more generally in the future
for the control of apple diseases, particularly mildew.

MISCELLANEOUS.

There are’ some items which do not appear in the regular labor
column. These are classed as miscellaneous items. The principal
of these are cutting blight, cleaning laterals and waste ditches, mow-
ing weeds, hoeing about the orchard, and doctoring trees, and there
are many other small items which appear on but a few farm reports.

In this district miscellaneous labor is made up entirely of man labor,
the cost of which is $1.41 per acre, or $0.0042 per box.

HANDLING THE CROP.

The cost of handling the crop makes up 60.95 per cent of the total
annual net labor cost of production, or 26.30 per cent of the total
of all net costs. The items which go to make up this handling are:
Picking, orchard foreman, all packing-house labor, including sorting,
packing, nailing, stamping, waiting, etc., and any other labor about
the packing house, such as packing foreman. The hauling, which
is a part cf the handling costs, includes hauling shooks from the
station, hauling empty boxes to and full boxes from the orchard, and
hauling packed boxes to the association or station. Before discuss-
ing these items it should be stated that a large number of men in
this region pick their fruit and haul it to the association or ware-
house where it is packed, the grower being charged a price which
varies with different branch packing houses of the central association.
At the time of this study, 14, or practically 37 per cent of the 38
erowers, did not pack their own fruit, but took it to these associa-
tion packing houses, where it was sorted, sized, and packed.

PICKING.

Picking in this region is done very largely by day labor at the rate
of $2 per 10-hour day, although sometimes growers contract with
men to pick at $0.04 per box. The picking season usually begins in
early September and lasts until late in October. The first commer-
cial variety picked in this region is the Jonathan. Growers ordinarily
begin to pick these about September 10, or sometimes earlier where
apples are intended for foreign trade. Two or more pickings often
are made for such varieties as the Jonathan and Rome Beauty.
These apples are picked for color, and as all the apples on the tree
are not colored evenly at one time, it is desirable to make more
than one picking. Other varieties usually are taken off at one pick-
ing. On this account the grower can pick more boxes per day of
such varieties as Ben Davis than he can of Jonathan.

26 BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

All picking is done by hand. The ordinary stepladder, varying in
length but usually ight and easily handled, is commonly used.

A canvas picking bag is used by nearly all growers. Some of the
growers use orchard boxes, in which the apples are hauled from the
orchard to the packing house. These boxes are larger and heavier
than the ordinary apple box and are commonly called lug boxes.
However, as in other Northwest sections, these growers usually handle
their apples in the ordinary packing boxes which have been made up
and hauled into the orchard at convenient places for the pickers. As
these same boxes are used for packing, more care is taken in handling
them than in handiing the lug boxes.

It is found that the average: picker will pick 67 loose boxes per
day, or enough to make 44 packed boxes. The average picking
crew consists of from three to four men. On the farms studied, with
a yield of 337 boxes per acre, it costs $15.53 per acre, or $0.0461 per
box for picking. (See Table XIII.) The picking time and cost are
affected by yield, size of orchard, variety of apple, weather conditions,
uniformity of the fruit, and many other factors. Owing to the limit-
ed number of orchards from which data were obtained, no definite
conclusions could be reached as to the relative influence of these
different factors on the cost.

There are a few men with large orchards who employ an orchard
foreman to superintend the pickers. On the total labor cost this
foreman labor is combined with the picking labor, but influences it
very little, the cost, including the foreman, being $0. 0465 per box.
This is because there were only two orchards which used an orchard
foreman who did not also act as a picker.

The picking labor, including the orchard foreman, makes up 15.16
per cent of the total net labcr cost and 6.54 per cent of the total
annual net cost of production.

HAULING.

Hauling costs include hauling shooks, hauling the loose boxes to
and from the orchard, and hauling to the station or association.
Twenty-four men haul shooks, the others handling their fruit through
an association from which they obtain their made-up boxes. In
the case of these 24 orchardists, one man and team haul 471 shooks
per load a distance of 1.24 miles at a cost of $0.87 per acre, or $0.0026
per box. (See Table XII.) After these shooks are hauled, they
are made up on the ranch at an average cost of $0.85 per hun-
dred. This cost is included under made-up box cost in material
and fixed costs. AU growers haul empty boxes to the orchard.
Fourteen of these haul from the association packing house, while 24
haul from their own packing house on the ranch, The cost of hauling

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 27

these loose boxes to the orchard is $0.006 per box. There are 24
growers who haul full loose boxes into the packing house, the other 14
hauling direct to the warehouse or association. -An orchard truck is
generally used by the 24 who haul to their own packing houses, hauling
a load of 53 boxes at a cost of $3.96 per acre, or $0.0121 per box.

All growers haul full boxes of fruit from the ranch to the association
or station. Twenty-four of these haul packed boxes, while 14 haul
boxes to be packed at the association. The average cost is $5.16
per acre, or $0.0153 per box. |

TaBLE XII.—Average cost for hauling where a crew of one man and two horses is used.

Cost.

| Number! Boxes |’Number

| practic- l d f mil

| ashayess 1s O28 ee P Pon Per box

er acre.| Per box. per mile.

ERTIES HOO SEe eee trey Se ore Cs ecu coe 24 471 1.24 $0.87 | $0.0026 $0..0021
iHankentptyrOuts-2 ass enee se ae ae nee SSW iy ie DONE ees 2.01 A00GOz|S@eseeeno oe
PE alten Biter Sse ete oe cee awreS oe 24 DON Raa 3.96 AQUI OI Scene see
LEIS Ell TO SH OM so doe babes cee aeeeeeeaee 38 72 1.32 5.16 0153 0116

When all hauling costs are considered they are found to amount to
$0.0306. per box. ‘This is relatively low, as compared to the cost in
some regions, owing to the fact that most orchards here are in the
immediate vicinity of the shipping stations and also to the fact that
hauling the full boxes from the orchard to the rancher’s packing shed
is done away with in the case of the 14 orchardists who haul their
loose boxes direct to the association packing house.

PACKING-HOUSE LABOR.

The principal items of packing-house labor are the sorting and
packing. As 14 of these men have their apples packed by the asso-

-Clation, this discussion applies only to the 24 growers who do their

own packing. All these 24 growers have sorters for their fruit apart

from the packers.
SORTING.

Sorting in this region is nearly all done by hand, women being

largely employed for this work. As yet very few mechanical sizers

have been brought into the valley, except for use in association
packing houses. The apples are usually sorted into three grades;
extra fancy, fancy, and C grade. The apples that are used for cider
nearly all pass the sorters; that is to say, these apples are taken out
by the sorters from the boxes of picked fruit. The labor of sorting
depends on the variety of fruit and its relative freedom from insect
or fungus injury. The sorters usually do not size the fruit, but only
sort it into the grades, the packer sizing his own fruit.

28 BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The average sorter when doing nothing else will sort from 75 to 80
packed boxes in 10 hours, or about 125 loose boxes. The sorting
cost when the 24 orchards are considered is $8.84 per acre, or $0.0266
per box. |

TaBLeE XIII.— Average cost for handling other than hauling (38 records).

|
ber of ‘
ne fo | ee ag | Boxeotn Cost per Cost per | Number in
practicing. | EE acre. box. crew.
IG KATI Oe ee ere eae eee a eye ee ee es asi 38 43.38 $15. 53 $0. 0461 3.21
Supervision by picking foreman......._._. 2 289. 86 2.62 . 0069 1.00
SOniGnt oy 5: oN pee eee De as ete ek 24 75.19 8. 84 0266 3.54
NEEL Balt OF nhs je Se ete hee a RO 24 50.75 } 16. 62 . 0500 5.63
iNailinplandswaitingees oso se eee 7 170. 94 3.35 -0117 1.00
AN ai lita eaves ee a ep en OF Veal A a cee 17 312. 50 2.25 . 0064 1.00
DLC Oe Hoe ee etc ne eee See ee 12 | 259. 74 2.39 . 0077 1.00
Supervision by packirig foreman.....-..... 1b } 338.98 2.17 . 0059 1.60
Other packing labore. .:.9- 200-5225 nose 9 | 196.08 | ~ 3.58 0102 iby.
PACKING.

The packing wage per box is ordinarily $0.05 for sorted apples.
Much of the packing is done by young women. In a few cases packers
are hired by the day.

Provision for packing-house accommodations has been made by
nearly every grower. (See fig. 8.) Sometimes barns or sheds are
used for this purpose during the harvesting season. In-a few cases
complete and well-arranged packing sheds have been built at a cost
of severai hundred dollars. The average packing shed, however, does
not represent a very great outlay of money. Often it is but a shed
or barn temporarily converted to this purpose. —

The packers have the apples before them sorted into the three dif-
ferent grades, which they size as they pack. The experienced packer
cen tell very readily by looking at the apple to what size it belongs.
Thus the average packer has three or four boxes before him in which
to put apples of the same grade but different sizes. The packer
is usually required only to wrap and pack the apples. In some cases,
however, the packer also lines the boxes, although this is often the
work of a waiter or extra helper in the packing house.

The average number of packed boxes per day in the case of these
24 men is 55.7 per packer. 3

NAILING, ETC.

Seventeen of these 24 men make a practice of using one man for
nailing alone, while seven combine nailing and waiting. For those
who naii it was found that one man will do 312 boxes in 10 hours at
a cost of $0.0064 per box, while for those who nail and wait it is
found that the average man will do 171 boxes in 10 hours at a cost of
$0).0117 per box.

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 29

Twelve of the packers have a waiter whose business it is to wait
on the sorters and packers. This waiter will handle the boxes and
wait on a crew putting out 260 boxes per day. The cost per box for
this labor is $0.0077. Nearly half of the men who pack their own
apples either employ a packing-house foreman, or the owner himself
acts in this capacity in addition to doing other packing-house labor.
In these cases the packing-house foreman is employed separately
from any packer or sorter. The cost per box for such men as have
a foreman is $0.0059, figured at the regular labor rate of $0.20 per

hour, although if the foreman is hired he is frequently paid at a

higher rate. Many growers use still other packing-house labor. Such:
labor usually includes the man who helps truck the boxes and does
various other things that are often done by waiters.

The total packing-house labor cost, including those who have their

- packing done at the association, is $41.64 per acre, or $0.1236 per

box.

Both the associations and the growers generally use the Northwest _
diagonal pack. The extra fancy and fancy grades and often the
C grades are wrapped. C grades, and sometimes fancy apples, in

_ poor-price years, are packed but not wrapped. The distributors

make a practice of wrapping all three grades. The association charge

- in such cases includes not only labor, but the box, paper, nails, etc.,

also the cost of handling the box, together with an inspection fee and

‘sinking fund. However, in this study of costs only the actual packing

and box costs are considered. Inspection, sinking fund, overhead
expenses, etc., are items which are not taken into consideration in
any of this cost-production work, since they are factors which ordi-
narily enter into the cost of marketing after the apples are delivered
at the station.

All handling labor cost has now been discussed. If to the packing-

_ house labor of $0.1236 per box is added the cost of made-up box,

including paper, nails, etc. ($0.1585), there is a total material and
labor cost per box of $0.2821 within the packing house. If to this
are added all other handling labor costs, there is a total for handling,
including labor and material, of $0.3612 per box, or after the culls
are credited, it is reduced to $0.3455 per box as a net labor and
material cost.

CULLS AND CIDER APPLES.

Many growers sell a few tons of cider or drier. apples each year.

These are known as the “cull apples,” and may come either from the

packing shed or be picked up from the ground in the orchard. In the
Payette region, however, very few growers pick up windfalls anid sell
them as cider apples. Most of the apples used for cider in this section

80 BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

are separated from the better grades by the sorters in the packing
house, as the price received hardly would warrant the labor of picking
up the apples in the orchard. The price per ton varies, but is usually
from $5 to $6, delivered at the cider factory. At present there is
not a large enough demand for cider apples to justify handling all
those available in the valley. A great many growers do not sell
their cull apples, but feed them to hogs, valuing them at from $3 to
$4 per ton as hog feed.

The credit per acre derived from culls averages $5.40 for the or-
chards under the clean-cultural system and $5.22 for those under the
mulch-crop system. For all orchards there was a credit of $5.29 per
acre, leaving a net credit of $4.61 after the labor cost of picking up
and hauling culls is taken out. By crediting this, the cost of hand-
ling labor is reduced from $0.2007 per box to $0.1870 per box.

TOTAL LABOR COSTS.

The total of all labor costs after crediting the maintenance labor
with the hay or pasture credit and the handling labor with the cull
credit, is $103.40 per acre, or $0.3068 per box. (See Table XIV.)
This is 43.14 per cent of the total annual net cost of production. The
net maintenance labor costs $40.38 per acre, or $0.1198 per box,
making up 16.84 per cent of the total annual net cost, while the net
handling labor amounts to $63.02 per acre, or $0.1870 per box, and
makes up 26.30 per cent of the total annual net production cost.

As may be seen from the labor table, the costs of thmning and
pruning are the largest maintenance costs. They make up 18.32
per cent of the total net labor cost. These total labor costs are for
an average of all the bearing orchards considered and are on the
basis of a yield of 337 boxes per acre. The table is self-explanatory
and shows the difference between the clean-cultural and mulch-
crop orchards, there being a difference in the net maintenance costs
of $0.0229 per box, this cost being greater in the case of the clean-
cultural orchards. However, for all net labor the cost per box is
practically the same in both the clean-cultural and the mulch-crop
orchards, being $0.3085 in the case of the former and $0.3054 in the
case of the latter.

chet

paper and nauls.

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES,

PAVYETTE VALLEY,

IDAHO.

Taste XIV.—Summary table of all labor costs, 38 farms in Payette Valley, Idaho.

Clean-cultural manage-
ment (16 records; 336
boxes per record).

Mulch-crop manage-
ment (22 records; 338
boxes per record).

Combined management (38
records; 337 boxes per record).

Item. Per Per : Per )| Per
Cost | Cost cent Cost | Cost cont | Cost | Cost eine at cont
per | per | totar| Per | Per | gotar| Per | Per | “net | total
acre pox. net | 2cre- box net | 2cre box leave ae:
cost cost cost. | cost
Manuring BL Can SOOT ees $1. 74 |$0.0052 | 0.74 | $1.94 |$0.0057 | 0.79 | $1.85 |$0.0055 | 1.79] 0.77
J ETa (Da UT MYER Seo ses SM ae toy A ge a 8.47 | .0252 | 3.58} 10.22) .0302) 4.22] 9.48 | .0281 9.16} 38.95
Disposal of brush.........-- SHOOE | SOLO ME M lol es o34) |e O099y he ISS) se8545) i OLOR i SeeGu| lao
Ha Oval Io erent cere ne eek a 1.44} .0043 - 61 -42 |]. .0013 -18 -85 | .0025 . 81 230
Cultivating Donk epee (a eee 7.93 | .0236| 3.35} 2.30] .0068 -95} 4.67] .0139 | 4.53] 1296
Lisa ed Gee ee ae ere ep 1.98 | .0059 84} 1.79} .0053 SVAN LS lnm OO So) | npelen79 . 78
AP nWVavoUN oe ey Gh Be) Se, eee 8. 41 0250 | 3.56 | 10.25 0303 | 4.23 | 9.47] .0281 9.16 | 3.95
MOPPING sera see As ena 1. 81 0054 CON 258T S008S a L519) | 2429 00729) 92535) OL
Miscellaneous. ..........--.- 15.23 0037 53 | 1.54] .0046 -64 | 1.41 | 9.0042) 1.37 . 59
Lime-sulphur spray...------ 2.44 0072 | 1.02] 2.64} .0078} 1.09] 2.56} .0076|) 2.48] 1.06
HE CAGES OMAN Sane wee sive bse ree 6. 38 0190 f 2.70 | 7.84), .0232] 3.24) 7.22) .0214) 6.98} 3.01
Sowaneaminl chrcropss seer sacs o |e cee oe| Gece ses 0) WE ger FS ee LES VE eC Pee Ue
Harvesting MT CIN CHO Peer 552 Wao a eee ialee ante 1.87 | .0055 77 | 1.08] .0032| 1.04 45
Aohal labor cost previous
townandling. 22 y 45. 42 1352 | 19.22 ; 47.03 | .1391 | 19.42 | 46.33 1375 | 44.82 | 19.33
JBL I OIRO UIE oS ch sey eGR PR IS ua QUOT |e O2M4) || cosS2ele Oxo OLGCOS oN 22r E2525
Wood credifeses G2. LPs - 69 0021 30 -90 | .0015 21 -58 0017 BOO) . 24
Mo taWereditas sss. sees 69 0021 BOM 9 aiie 0289 | 4.03} 5.95 COME PACE Ne xy, Cel | 2.49
Total net labor cost Brey
vious to handling. . 44, 73 1331 | 18.92 | 37.26 1102 | 15.39 | 40.38 1198 | 39.05 | 16. 84
Hauling ShOOKkss ass . 68 0020 28 46 | .0014 20 55 0016 52 23
Hauling loose boxes to and
TROMMOnCH ANG 2 Gye eone = Baie 0157.) 2.23 | 4.173 | .0122 |) 1.70) 4.61 0137 | 4.46] 1.93
Picking and orchard foreman] 15. 45 0460 | 6.54 | 15.82 | .0468 | 6.54 | 15.67 0465 | 15.16 | 6.54
All packing-house labor..... 37. 39 1113 | 15.82 | 44.73 1323 | 18.47 | 41.64 1236 | 40.29 | 17.38
Hauling to station or associa-

1 OME Aare ea oe Rss ALGO en Olssali ol: 9Oalo.00) 1: .O165 (222305 0.16 1 20153 4.99 | 2.15
Picking upand haulingculls.; .94 0028 - 40 -50 | .0015 . 21 68 | .0020 65 . 28
Total labor cost for

nena Gll hina eek ace ee Ce 64. 33 1915 | 27.22 | 71.20 2107 | 29.42 | 68.31 . 2027 | 66.07 | 28. 51
Credit fomemiseee 8 ee 5.40 | .0161 2,29 | 5,22 0155 | ° 2.17 | 5.29 OLS MN) SjI2 2520
Total net labor cost for
lave baa on eR Bok -| 58. 93 -1754 | 24.93 | 65.98 | .1952 | 27.25 | 63.02 | .1870 | 60.95 | 26.30
Total net cost of alllabor.|103.66 | .3085 | 43.85 |103. 24 - 3054 | 42.64 |103.40 | .3068 |100.00 | 48. 14

MATERIAL AND FIXED COSTS.

Costs other than labor, including the material and fixed cost,
amount to $136.25 per acre, or 56.86 per cent of the total annual net

cost of production.

(See Table XV.)

The material costs are made up

of manure, spray materials (including lime-sulphur, lead, and other
spray safari used), seed, and the cost of made-up hee including

$0.2164 per box.
cost of production.

This material cost amounts to $72.94. per acre, or
It makes up 30.43 per cent of the total annual net
There was no appreciable difference between the

material costs of the clean-cultural and mulch-crop orchards, the cost
being $0.2148 per box in the case of the clean-cultural and $0.2176

per. box in the case of the mulch-crop orchards.

The cost of made-up

BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

box is the largest single item of the material cost, amounting to

$0.1585 per box.

Cost of box shook

Gast to makesips 22 So i see ao ed ee een ee ee
Cost of wrapping paper
Nails. 62. Yet. sigs: she 4 Gree dees ee re eee

This cost is made up as follows:

$0. 1100
0085
0275
0036
0044
0045

. 1585

The spray material is the second largest material cost, the lime
and sulphur costing $7.29 per acre and the lead amounting to $6.14
per acre, making a total spray-materia! cost of $13.43 per acre, or a

box cost of $0.0398.

This spray material makes up 9.84 per cent of

the total material and fixed cost and 5.60 per cent of the total annual

net cost of production.

A commercial brand of lime and sulphur

is used. The ordinary arsenate of lead paste is generally used,
although a few growers use the dry lead.

Taste XV.—Summary table of mole shh fixed costs, 38 farms in Payette Valley,
daho.

Item.

“Manure
Lime and sulphur......-...-
Arsenate of lead (first spray).
Other spray material. ..--.-.--
SCCQ Ms sen eee ees ee
Cost of made-up box.....---

Total material cost... -

interest clatceese sss eee
Apple-building charge.......
Equipment charge.........-
SPLAVe Mie sees eee
Sa eae Sie ee Se. oe
PUSHPA COM a aee eee c cee een.

Total material and
fXCEICOSTS a eee ee

The third largest item of material cost is the manure.

Clean-cultural man-
agement (16 rec-

Mulch-crop manage-
ment (22 records;

Combined management (38

s ; ds; 337 boxes r
ords; 336 boxes per 338 boxes per rec- FOCOEGS: 1p
record). ord). record).
Per
Per Per cent of} Per
Charge! Charge |cent of |Charge] Charge |cent of |Charge| Charge oe eet
per per total | per per Tial otal
acre. | box. net | acre. | box. ae
cost. net
; fixed | cost
cost
-61 | $5.92 |$0.0175 | 2.44 | $6.03 |$0.0179 | 4.43] 2.51
6. 98 -0208 | 2.96 | 7.51 . 0222 SalON Pe e29 . 0216 5.34 | 3.04
1. 94 - 0058 . 82 2.04 | .0060 . 84 2.00 . 0059 1.46 . 83
3. 81 - 0113 1.61 4.39 - 0130 1.81 4.14 - 0123 3. 04 1178?
PER aie | Ia eee ar yas 12} .0004 - 06 -07 | .0002 - 05 . 03
53.26 L5SOn 22D oN Eos OL -1585 | 22.13 | 53.41 . 1585 | 39.20 | 22.29
72.16 S248 SOs DoweosoO - 2176 | 30.38 | 72.94 2164 | 53.52 | 30.43
46. 50 D: 1384 | 19.67 | 50.91 . 1506 | 21.03 | 49.05 . 1456 | 36.01 | 20.48
2. 87 0085 leat 335 116s - 0093 1.30 | 3:02 . 0090 74 7 1h;
4.24 0126 1.79 E55: . 0164 2.29 4,99 . 0148 3.66} 2.08
EA meal ac St eet .70 - 0021 - 29 41 . 0012 . 30 5 IF
4.94 - 0147 2.09 3. 82 - 0113 1.58 4. 29 - 0127 3.14 1.79
- 26 . 0008 Silt: . 28 . 0008 sili BH . 0008 20 <i
1.78 . 0053 S41. -91 . 0027 -38 1. 28 . 0038 . 94 453°
| 60. 59 | . 1803 | 25.62 | 65.30 | - 1932 | 26.98 | 63. 31 1879 | 46.48 | 26.43
132. 75 | -3951 | 56.15 |138.85 | 4108 | 57.36 ee 25 - 4043 |100.00 | 56.86
For all

orchards an average of 4.02 tons per acre is applied annually, at a
material cost of $6.03 and a box charge of $0.0179. This makes up

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 33

4.43 per cent of the total material and fixed cost and 2.51 per cent of
the total annual net cost.

The other item of material cost is the seed, which amounts to but
$0.07 annual charge per acre over all orchards and $0.12 per acre for
those under mulch-crop orchards. This charge is for alfalfa, blue-
erass, or clover seed, which is sown only occasionally.

Under fixed costs are included such items as interest on apple

orchard, the apple-building charge, equipment (including spray-rig |

hire), taxes, insurance,and water rent. The fixed costs amount to
$63.31 per acre annually, or $0.1879 per box. They make up 46.48
per cent of the material and fixed cost and 26.43 per cent of the total
annual net cost of production.

The interest charge ($49.05 per acre, or $0.1456 per box) is aeoee
than all other items combined, being 20.48 per cent of the annual
net cost of production. The dejeornen charge is figured at the rate
of 25 per cent annual charge on equipment investment. The greatest
item of equipment investment is the spray rig, which practically all
growers own and on which there is ordinarily a large depreciation.
The fact that the depreciation charge appears low is due to the fact
that all equipment is figured at present value, while under the dis-
cussion of spray rigs the depreciation and upkeep is figured on the
original investment. The annual equipment charge per acre is $5.40,
or $0.0160 per box, being 3.96 per cent of the total material and fixed
cost, or 2.25 per cent of the total annual net cost of production.
The spray rig makes up over 75 per cent of this annual equipment
charge.

The material cost in the case of Payette is about the same per box
as found in other Northwest apple regions. However, in the case of
the fixed cost there is a much lower charge per acre and per box than
in most other Northwest regions, due to the fact that the average in-
vestment in land is much lower. The equipment charge in the Payette
region is also somewhat less than in more intensive and specialized
regions, for the farms are larger and the tools, with the exception of
he spray rig, are used for many other purposes than for orchard
operations.

The total material and fixed cost, amounting to $0.4043 per box, of
which 53.52 per cent is for material and 46.48 per cent for fixed cost,
represents all costs other than labor.

SUMMARY OF ALL COSTS CONSIDERED.

When all items entering into the annual net cost of production of
apples on the 38 farms studied are considered, there is found to be a
cost of $0.7111 per box for all records, for clean-cultural orchards
$0.7036, and for mulch-crop orchards $0.7162. It is thus found that

34 BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

it costs slightly over 1 cent more per box for the mulch-crop than
for the clean-cultural orchards. This difference in cost is princi-
pally due to the greater fixed costs on the mulch-crop orchards. It
will be seen from Table XVI that the percentage of the various costs
which go to make up the total cost is nearly the same in both kinds
of records.

TaBLE XVI.—Summary of all costs for 38 farms in Payette Vatley, Idaho.

Clean-cultural manage- | Mulch-crop .manage- | Combined manage-
ment (16records: 335 | Mment(22records; 338 |) ment (38 records:337

boxes per record). boxes per record). | boxes per record).
; l
Item. Per Per | Per
Cost Cost ger Cost Cost cent Cost Cost Rone
per per “ per per 5 per per
acre. box total acre box. bolt acre box. | total
cost. cost cost
Total net cost of labor previous |

Lo Nanning hh se ee. wei pee $44.73 |$0.1331 | 18.92 | $37.26 |$0.1102 | 15.39 | $40.38 |$0.1198 | 16.84
Total net cost of labor for hand-

Nig Ce ee ae Hl Ps | ee ee ee 58.93 | .1754 | 24.93 | 65.98 | .1952 | 27.25 | 63.02 | -.1870 | 26.30
Total net cost of all labor.......- 103.66 .3085 | 43.85 | 103.24 |- .3054 | 42.64 | 103.40 | .3068 | 43.14
Tofalymaterial.cosh=s2-- 22-222 (2516 2148230 53il CxS De) 21 7G a0 oS | 72.94 | .2164 | 30.43
Totaliixed COSt ae eee eee 60.59-} .1803 | 25.62 | 65.30 | .1932 | 26.98; 63.31 | .1879 | 26.43
Total material and fixed costs. .-| 132.75 -3951 | 56. 15 |} 138.85 -4108 | 57.36 | 1386.25 - 4043 | 56.86
NELAWNEL COS Ssiaese cece cane 236.41 | .7036 |100.00 | 242.09 | .7162 |100.00 | 239.65 '| .7111 |100.00
Total net cost on the tree.......- 121.35 | .3612 | 51.33 | 119.41 | .3532 | 49.32 | 120.20 | .3566 | 50.16
Total net cost of handling @_____. 115.06 | .3424 | 48.67 | 122.68 | .3630 | 50.68 | 119.45 | .3045 | 49.84

a Includes total net cost of labor for handling, cost of made-up boxes, and apple-building charge.

If the material and fixed costs are combined, the cost of the clean-
cultural orchards is 56.15 per cent and of the mulch-crop 57.36 per
cent of the total annual net cost of production. It is thus apparent
that the cost of production varies but little under the two systems
of management. |

Seventy-one cents per box may be considered a fair figure for the
cost of production in Payette Valley under normal prices for labor
and material.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE ANNUAL COST OF PRODUCTION.

The principal factors which affect the cost are the same for Payette
Valley as for all other apple regions studied thus far. The one which
has the greatest effect upon the cost per box is the yield per acre. Table
XVII serves to show the cost of production per acre and per box.
Orchards having various yields are divided into 10 groups ranging
from 122 to 572 boxes per acre in yield. The maintenance cost 1s
found to remain practically the same per acre in the case of the high
yields as in the case of the low, but the maintenance cost per box

very materially decreases as the yield per acre increases. The hand-

ling and material box costs are little influenced by the yield,
while the fixed cost, although remaining much the same per acre,

es ee ee

COST OF PRODUCTION OF APPLES, PAYETTE VALLEY, IDAHO. 35

decreases very rapidly per box as the yield increases. This is as
might be expected, since these fixed costs refer to those annual
charges which have little or nothing to do with the upkeep of the
orchard or the harvesting of the fruit.

Other factors affecting the cost are the size of the orchard, the
system of orchard management practiced, the amount of credit de-
rived from hay, wood, culls, ete.

In the case of the smaller yields the grower actually lacks consid-
erable of making any interest on his investment. Tor instance, with
a yield of 122 boxes per acre, and assuming that the grower gets
$0.80 for all grades of apples, which is much higher than he gets |
some years, he would lose 11.4 per cent on his investment in bearing
apple orchard. However, with the yield of 221 boxes he makes
3.94 per cent, and with the yield of 331 he makes 8.84 per cent.
For those orchards that yield 419 he makes 16.64 per cent, and for
those that yield 572 he makes 38 per cent. This, it should be remem-
bered, is on the basis of the grower receiving $0.80 f. o. b. for all
erades of box apples. |

It should be stated in this connection that with the yield as high
as 572 boxes, as is sometimes the case in heavy crop years, there is
often a smaller profit per box than in years when the crop is light.
This is due to the fact that most orchards have a full crop the same
year. Thus, when the crop is light, apples are scarce, and the price is
correspondingly high. When thereis a heavy crop, apples are plentiful
and often bring a very low price to the grower.

TaBLE X VII.—Summary table showing effect of yield upon cost (38 records).

Groups.
Item.
150 boxes | 151 to 200 | 201 to 250 | 251 to 300 | 301 to 350
or less. boxes. boxes. boxes. boxes.
Average yields (packed boxes) ....:.........---.---- 122 177 221 271 331
Total net maintenance cost per acre..............-.- $42.73 $39. 84 $39. 72 $25. 63 $55. 85
Total net maintenance cost per box...............-. . 3502 2251 -1797 . 0946 . 1687
Total net handling cost per acre ...................-. 19.29 37.76 42.95 49.46 68.72
Total net handling cost per box ...............-..... . 1581 . 2133 1943 1825 . 2076
Motalemet labor costpen ache ~.82 2.222. 5.262202. 62.02 77.60 82.67 75.09 124.57
Motalmet labor cost per box. 2.2292) 0 22.05... 2 le: . 5084 4384 3741 -2771 - 3763
Motalkmatenialicoste shee Somes a 47.51 44.84 49.48 64.93 85.62
Total fixed cost meee Sey gem 2 ois) mere ouch Sl ne 75. 74 51.19 52.72 59. 54 48.70
Total material and fixed cost per acre............... 123525 96. 03 102.20 124.47 134.32
Total material and fixed cost per box................ 1.0102 5425 - 4624 4593 . 4058
Total net cost per acre.......... Baa Bk MALS aE RUN INSI SIe 185.27 173.63 184.87 199.56 258. 89
MotalenetiCostnper DOM Yao yen ek ee _ 1.5186 . 9810 . 8365 . 7364 . 7821

36 BULLETIN 636, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Taste XVII.—Summary table showing effect of yield upon cost (38 records)—Contd.

Groups.

Item.
351 to 400 | 401 to 450
boxes. boxes.

Average yieldS (packed DONES) sane ecee eae Se Se eee 380 419
Total net maintenance cost per acre.-..-...........- $43.25 $35.36
Total net maintenance cost per box...----........-- . 1138 - 0844
Total net handling cost per acre ..-..222--.-------..- 64.71 86.12
otal met handling cost: pet box 2 ase ee eee eee 1703 | - .2055
Zotalnet labor Cosh per Ache oon a seee se ee ee eee 107.96 121.48
Totaimetsahor costsper bOxXe =o. 2 set eee eee eases . 2841 . 2899
Rotalwnatemaleost=. 48-5518 eee sae ees ee 75.48 82.61
ALO GANIC CI COSL tose, en Ss ene eran 83.58 74.16
Total material and fixed cost per acre.-.--.--....-.-- 159. 06 156.77
Total material and fixed cost per box.......-..--..-- . 4186 -3742
ALG tAleIe tL COSLSDCELACKE soe ones ee Soe ee ee 267.02 278.25
MotalneWeost: per WOK soy. 6S: soak eee eee - 7027 | - 6641

451 to 500 | 501 to 550 | 551 to 600
boxes.

boxes.

The material and fixed charges, which make up all costs other than
the labor costs, amount to $136.25 per acre, or $0.4043 per box.
Material and fixed costs make up 56.86 per cent of the total annual

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_ net cost of production, which is $0.7111 per box.

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Full text of "Cost of production of apples in the Payette Valley, Idaho : a detailed study of the current cost factors involved in the maintenance of orchards and the handling of the crop on 38 representative bearing orchards, Payette district in western Idaho"

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