Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-08-24
WILL AMOUNT TO SI75,OOO.
MONEY BRoUGHTIvTo THE COUNTY
RY THIS YEAR,s APPLE CROP.
Berkeley CoaDty's Output win Amount
TO About $4,000 Bushels This Year
Greatest Output I'm the county's



Conservativelv estimated, the apple
crop in Berkeley county this year will
bring into the county about $40, 600
which is almost clear profit to the
fruit growers. The output of the
county will amount TO about $4,000
barrels
A majority of the Berkeley county
fruit growers are proving about as
keen as the numerous city buyers who
are swarming the County and as a
result all of them, with few excep-
irons are getting good prices for their
crops. Several of the growers sold
for 81. 90 barrel but these sold early
III the season and they now see their
mistake
The apples in the county are bring
ing an average price of So 70 per bar
rel. The owners of course of some of
the largest orchards IN the county,
including the Miller brothers, sold
their crops, for s3 per barrel. The
price paid, too, sometimes includes
cost of preparation for market. viz.
barrels, picking, packing and hauling.
1t is estimated to cost about GO cents
barrel to put barrel of apples on
the tram. The price paid generally
includes this.
The fruit is sold in a variety OF
ways. Sometimes it is put up at pub
bile auction, sometimes privately, the
latter of course being the common
way. One of the best sales was made
by farmer at whose house number
of buyers happened 70 meet. They
had all come 20 purchase.
He told them he was ready to sell,
and to be fair to all he asked each one
to make him an offer in writing, and
he would accept the highest price
offered. They did so and he made an
excellent sale.
1t is surprising to the visitor who
has not been in this section for sew
eral years to see the wonderful change
which has taken place. From present
indications the eastern foothills and
ridges parallel to the Great North
Mountain will be continuous fruit
orchard from the Potomac to the
Roanoke.
Along with the orchards wills come
plants to use up the surplus and un-
marketable fruit. These Will come IN
the shape of evaporators and canning
factories. Only the other day far
mer lost 500 bushels of fine peaches,
which became unmarketable on his
hands. If these peaches could have
been sent TO his evaporation or canning
factory, they would have made first
class product.
The product Of several orchards this
year will aggregate 1000 or 5000 bar
rels each, which at SD barrel will
give each orchard an income OF
from Sl2, 900 to $4,000 for apples
alone
| CORNER ON APPLE MARKET.
Tho opinion prevails among the
| fruit growers in this section that the
big city firms are endeavoring to Sc
cure corner on the apple market.
and they are struggling between the
tempting offers being made for the
product If their orchards and II desire
to hold off a little longer before
selling. They are mindful of the
apple corner of two years ago, and
think that by waiting until later they
get more money for their fruit.
Representatives of the city firms
are swarming over the county and
this entire fruit belt buying whole
orchards of apples and peaches They
state that apples especially will be at
premium this winter. The crop is
not so large elsewhere as through
this section and for this reason the
firms are DESTROYS of preparing for
the winter trade.
IAIINlIItM CMNnED