Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-08-15
LARGE APPLE CROP.
Indications Are That IL VII Exceed
Former Years.


The apple crop in the county, as
predicted by 10th the growers aud
prospective buvers, who have made a
tour Of the apple section this week,
viii be very large one. The fruit
viii not only be abundant but is Of
fine quality. both in size and color.
The apples in The orchards along the
Apple Pie' ridge. in most cases are
now as large as they have been when
ready to be picked. which when ripe
win make them extraordinarily large.
Both the growers and the buyers are
pleased with the indications and a
large amount of money viii be paid
out by the commission merchants from
the large cities.
AS vet there has been cnlv a few
prospective BUYERS in the county, all
of whom have had dealings here be-
davs more are expected. They are not
making any offers or quoting any
prices to the growers as it is rather
early III the season, but thew are look.
ing over the orchards. examining the
fruit, and also making call on TIE
growers so that thew Will be considered
when the time to sell comes rouni. ]
= The apple trees throughout the coun-
ty are yerv heavy laden and in manv
cases the trees have been broken. THE
crop in jefferson county and in Fred
erick county, Va, is also reported TO
be very large. This year is apple wear
in this section and from all indica-
tions the yield will be one Of tile larg-
est in years.
In order to ascertain the exact condi-
ton If the crop in New York and the |
other northern states, the fruit grow
ers of this county, in conjunction with |
the Fruit Grower Association. OF |
Frederick county, Va. recently sent |
two well-known fruit men there. |
Ever since this section has come into I
i'll fruit growing, tine |
northern buyers. in order to buy the |
fruit verv low, represent that the I
crop in the north was large and that
apples could be bought lower on ac
count of the freight being much less. A {
number of the shrewd growers in this I
county, knowing that they have not /
received enough for the fruit and that
the stories told were without foun-
dation. caught ONO the graft and sent
the representatives north. Hereafter
stories told as to the abundance of
fruit in the north will not effect the
price in this county. as their visit
there this year failed to disclose the
large crop.
In former years the growers nave 4
been compelled to sell their fruit !
when 1T was ripe for they had no place |
to store it, and it was far better to
get the low price offered bv the north
ern buyers. than to have all of their
fruit spoil On their hands, and for
this reason also thew could not DEM
and a high price. such as was being
paved in other places, where the
growers had better dvantages. But
now things have changed. as the Mil
Ter Storage company, has been incor-
porated ID this city and the growers
can hold their fruit without fear of
it spelling, until they get the mar
ket price.
The stories told without any foun
dation as to the condition of the crops
in the north for the purpose of buying
cheap, do not apply TO all of the buy
ers that visit this county. In all
cases no more that the market price
can be demanded and the growers
could keen their fruit forever if they |
could demand price clear out of
reason. But in most cases it is only |
Justice that they want.