The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-09-02
APPLE YIELD TO BE
IMMENSE
YIELD OF NORTHWEST QUARTET
OF STATES NEARLY SEVEN
MILLION BOXES.
Estimates Based on Reports by Grow
ers and Handlers How
ever, There Will BE No Cheap Apples
Because Of Shortage in Middle Sec
ton Of country-New Markets Be
ing Established.

Spokane, Aug. Statistics COM
piled from reports by growers and
handlers indicate that the production
OF commercial apples in Washington,
Oregon, Idaho and Montana will be
between 100000 and 100000 boxes
this season, but, while the yield prom
ises to be the largest in the history
of the four states, orchardists and
buyers declare there will be no cheap
apples in the Northwest the coming
fall and winter. The cause assigned
for this is that the crop in the Middle
Western states is smaller than ever
before as a result of the late frosts
last spring.
The yield in Washington is estimat-
ed at from 100000 to 3,6OO,OOO boxes,
as against 2,414,261 boxes in 1903,
when the average wholesale price was
$1.4O a box. Oregon is second with
more than 100000 boxes, as compar-
ed with 100000 boxes in 1909, and L.
SOC, 900 boxes in 1908. Idaho will have
about $4,000 boxes, an increase of
more than 100 per cent over last year
and as against 100000 boxes in 1908,
while Montana should harvest 100000
boxes, a gain over 1909, when 100000
boxes were marketed Montana's best
previous crop was 225,OOO boxes in
1908.
Buyers for New York, Boston, Chi
cago and European houses have been
active in various parts of the four
states the last two months, and it is
probable that so per cent of the crop
has been sold, but many apples will
be held in anticipation of increased
prices around holiday time. No prices
have been made public. The growers
are keeping in touch with the markets
by reports from horticultural associa-
lions, growers unions and commercial
organizations, and while no efforts are
being put forth to form combinations
or pools, it is generally conceded that
little or no fruit will be sent to com
mission houses until the price to ~
paid is agreed upon by seller and
buyer.
Several growers in north central
Washington will send large consign-
ments Of select apples to England and
Australia this season, while others will
try the markets in the Orient, Hawaii
and South America. One grower near
Wenatchee has arranged to accom-
pany shipment OF $4,000 boxes OF
apples to London. Orchardists in Ore
gon and Idaho will also ship to London,
Glasgow. Berlin and Paris. Montana
will send most OF its commercial ap-
pies to Middle Western states, also
consigning some to adjoining districts.
Orchardists in Northern Washington
expect to send some of their products
into Canada.
A new system of packing apples for
export trade has been adopted IN Ida
no. Each apple is carefully wrapped
and placed in a pasteboard compart-
ment with double sides. The paste
board layers somewhat resemble the
tiers used in packing eggs, except that
with the apples there is absolutely no
chance Of bruise.' The compartments
vary in size to accommodate the ap-
pies. It is hoped by this system to get
Idaho apples to Europe without
bruise. Many packers believe that TINS
medium of preserving their fruit VIII
give them ready market. II Is like-
" that the plan will be followed Dy
growers in other Northwestern states,
though veterans in the industry say
there is absolutely no danger OF Druis-
ING If the boxes are filled with UNIFORM
fruit in square and diagonal PACKS. "
last named is preferred by many TOT
shipping long distances, as there ale
four points Of contact, top ana Dottoln'
whereas the square pack places apples
one on top OF the other.
one OF the big factors IN the apple
indnstrv IN the Pacific country mere
after win be the Northwest Fruit nA-
change. organized by growers =
washington, Oregon. Idaho ana moi
tana for the purpose Of centranzlne
the handling and marketing q lu,s
crown, il the chief districts tnIousn
one channel. It is purposed % EMU
ate costly competition. avoid ove.-suR
nlvinr the larger markets ana Dl.ns
sho,,t ) vorld-vide distribution o. the