White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1927-07-22
SHORTEST FRUIT CROP
IN TWENTY YEARS

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"Apples seem likely to be the lightest
crop in 20 years, with the exception of
1921. sthe total production being estirn-
ated now at 136,701 900 bushels, COM
pared with 6,460,000 last season"
says report from the U. S. Depart
ment Of Agriculture. The report con-
tinues:
"The northwest and the north CEN
tral region have mostly one half to
two-thirds as many apples as last year,
one-fifth more than in 1926, and the
ether western states about hree-tenths
less than last year. The commercial
apple crop is expected to be about
26,200,0 barrels or one-third below
the 1926 figure and about 100000
barrels less than the five year aver
age. Condition of the commercial crop
on July was estimated at 49 per
cent, against rs a year ago. Local
forecasts indicate possibly $4,000 cars
of apples in the state of Washing ton
or 20 per cent less than the 1926
shipments. -
Export movement is beginning early
Some shipments for the foreign mar
kets have already been reported from
the Virginia-West Virginia region and
from the Sebastopol district of Calf
ornia. A local association handling
California Gravensteins this year had
set a minimum f. o. b. price of $2.25
per box for fancy grade fruit of large
sizes and $500 for mediurn-sized ap-
pies. Demand has been active and ad-
vance sales numerous. The crop is
rather light. Early fruit in the Shen-
andoah- Cumberland valley districts was
being booked at So per bushel. East
ern Transparents were jobbing in a
few consuming centers at $500 to
$3.75 per bushel basket, while Illinois
O1derburgs brought SO to $3.75 in Cin-
cinnati. Lighter production this year
is chiefly responsible for the move
ment OF only 275 cars of apples during
the week, compared with 100 the week
before and 700 during the sarne period
last season. Delaware, Maryland, the
Virginias and Illinois were principal
sources. Only 10 cars of western ap-
pies were shipped as against $50 the
same week in 1926.
"The pear crop is expected to be
abcut>,7 ,65o,O0 bushels, or 50 per cent
of last years production. This is a
million bushels less than was estimated
month ago and is about 100000
below the five year average for this
fruit. Lateness Of the pear season is
very noticeable in California. Only so
cars have been shipped from the nor
thern district Of that state to date,
compared to 24o0 cars to July 10 last
season. Alabama and Texas also ori-
girated a few cars last week.
"In a report published by the De
partment of Commerce, w. A. Foote,
American consul at Hamberg, Ger
many, states that with the fresh ap-
pie auction on June 9,sl927, the 1926
-27 United States apple export season
closed. Mr.. Foote says that the sea
son just closed was the best since the
World War as regards quantities sold
and the prices obtained. The follow
ing figures submitted show 1925-1 926
and 1o26-1o27 sales on the Hamberg
auctions of United States apples.
1886 export season-522, ,2o5 boxes
24,5e4 barrels. -
1e26-27 export season., ,054 ,121 box
es, 351,056 barrels.
"The following are given as princi-
pal. factors in increased sales of United
States apples: the general failure OF
European apple crop, damage to Span
ish orange crop by frost; and increased
consumption of fresh apples by the
German people, owing to the "Eat
More Fruit" advertising campaign.
''Mr. Foose adds that a considerable
portion of the credit for the success OF
the past seasons apple market in Ham
berg is owing to the fruit advertising
campaign which has been conducted
quite efficiently. The key words to the
campaign are Eat More Fruit and
You Will Be Healthy In mentioning
the psychological effect of the cam
paign. Mr.. Foote states that the fore
going slogan placed under attractive
pictures, ETC., of fresh fruit have be-
come so common that many persons
are commencing to think along the
lines suggested.
According to Mr.. Foote, Hamberg's
Importance in the fresh apple trade is
due largely to the fact that it is the
greatest distributing center in North
Cl IulOPCs DuyCio AlOAl dll PdA 10 VI
Germany and neighboring and Scan
dinavian countries attend the Hambere
apple auctions, and it is extremely
important that all apples Arrive prom.
pity. and be well packed and in sound
condition. Mr.. Foote emphasizes the
fact that United States apple exporters
should exercise the greatest care ir
selecting and packing apples for the
Hamberg market.
"Mr. Fcote warns United States not
to be too optimistic over prospects for
the coming export season because oi
the success of the past season for
United States apple exports to Ger
many. The Continental European
apple crop for the coming season
should be watched closely by United
States exporters, as it is an important
source of supply for the Hamberg
market in years of normal or bumper
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