Middletown transcript., 1915-09-25
APPLE MARKE TING
The 1915 Crop VIII be a Verv
Profitable One
WERE VERY CHEAP LAST YEAR

'ANA NAALAI LAOl LEAK
The marketing of the 1915 apple crop
opens with more encouragement to
growers and dealers than they found in
the prospects for the 1914 crop Ac-
eordmg to investigations conducted bv
the Bureau of Crop Estimates. last re-
ports show the condition Of the cron to
to be approximately 81 per cent of. the
yield last year. The merchantable
supply or commercial crop, as distin-
gulshed from total production, there
Iore' would appear to be approximately
| Az OOO0,0O0 barrels at the highest. where
as the commercial crop of 1914 is var
iously estimated as having been from
$4,000 600 to 60, ,00O 600 barrels.
1t is reported that, In the large areas
where barreled apples are produced.
the crop of early fall varieties is rela-
lively larger than the crop of winter
varet es. This would seem to Indicate
that within very short time a consid-
cradle quantity of apples included in
the bureau estimates will be eliminated
from consideration. Furthermore, it
IS said that the crop in some sections
Is seriously affected with fungus and
blotch. To the extent that these defects
prevail will the merchantable supply be
reduced Under these conditions.
therefore, it would appear that the
commercial crop of winter varieties
may be considerably smaller than the
total production the report would seem
to show.
The business conditions show a
marked improvement over last season
according to trade reports received by
the Office of Markets and Rural Organ
izations. The South, particularly, is in
easier condition, and it is SAID that the
United Kingdom and countries in the
north of Europe will take liberal guam
titles. However, with reference to
urope, it is to be remembered that
steamer space is in great demand. 1t
Is reported that all cold chambers are
under contract with meat packers until
the first of the year, and ordinary space
is said to be more limited than in 1914.
In shipping circles it is maintained that
Europe may not be expected to take
the same quantities as last year.
According to trade reports the abun
dance and cheapness of apples during
the past year will be reflected in a sat
isfactory consumption this year. In
other words, it is thought that the habit
of eating apples may be expected to
hold over from last season. However,
one or two correspondents maintain
that the conditions of one season do
not affect the next in so far as consum
ption is concerned.
1t is generally reported that abundant
storage space will be available and that
comparatively there will be no great
difficulty in financing the movement Of
the crop. Conditions for liberal con-
sumption are said to be good in most
markets, and altogether there is a de-
cded feeling of optimism on the part of
those concerned as compared with alb
soute gloom this time last year.
1t is to be remembered, however.
that 40, 600, 900 barrels of merchantable
apples which is thought to be the maxi
mum estimate for this year, are a good
ly supply and that to assure a steady
normal movement throughout to the
conclusion Of the season next spring,
large quantities must pass into con-
sumption between now and the first of
the year. Unreasonably high prices
at this time will mean a curtailment of
consumption and the storing by the
growers of larger quantities than the
conditions might justify, with the re-
suit the later on they might receive
justify, with the result that later on
they might receive net prices below
the level of opening values.
By this it is not meant that growers
ought to sell now for less than market
value, nor is it meant that buyers ere
to be encouraged in depressing opening
values. The outlook is normally en-
couraging for satisfactory prof is to all
concerned if good judgment is used, and
it is meant to urge upon growers and
dealers alike the advisability of break
ing deadlocks with reasonable conces-
sions on the part of ALL Arbitrary
ideas of values should be avoided, so
that the movement of the crop NAV
proceed in healthy way.
Unfortunately, when the demand for
apples is good, many growers and pack
ers seem to feel that poor grad
ing is a tendency to lower stand
ards. Attention is called % the fact
no condition can justify anything but
an honest pack. For poor grade and
shoddy pack the producer ultimately
must pay, although temporarily the
packer may receive an advantage.
Apples should be sold for just what
they are according to the recognized
grades. Whether or not the price NAV
be high, growers and dealers alike
should adhere strictly to that policy.