Milford chronicle., 1938-04-29
PROSPECTS FOR
PEACHES, APPLES
FAIR AT PRESENT
[Confinned lion First PeRel

/ LulS year VIII De CONSIDERABLY less
than in 1887; at which time we pro-
duced 2.750,000 bushels-the largest
crop on record. Most growers re-
port a lighter set of buds on prac-
tically all varieties this year, and
this fact. together with the fact that
a considerable number of apple
trees have been cut down, will un-
questionably bring the total produc-
tiOn considerably under that of 1887,
! although no official estimate has
been made up to the present time.
Mr.. DeTicksOn has received re-
I ports from officials in nearby states
regarding the fruit situation, and
these reports are as follows:
New Jersey-There was consider
able damage to peaches in the Brid-
getOn area; however, prospects are
for a fairly good crop for the state
as a whole. No damage was report
ed to apples. However, the crop
will probably be considerably less
than last year.
Virginia-There was damage to
both apples and peaches caused by
the freeze of April 10 and IL. The
damage, however. is spotted and
while there will be a lighter crop of
apples in Virginia this year than in
1887, no official report has been is
sued.
New York State reports that the
peaches were severely damaged dur
ing the winter and during the recent
freeze. Peaches along Lake Ontario
were not affected, but a light crop is
expected for the State as a whole. A
lighter crop Of apples is also ex-
pected but no official estimate has
been made at the present time.
Michigan reports that because of
the very large crop last year, there
is a lighter bloom Of both apples
and peaches this season with pros
pective lighter crops.
Reports from Georgia indicate that
the peach crop will be approximate
ly $50 below normal. Damage was
spotted and ranges all the way from
nothing to 1OOso in individual or
chards. II is reported that approx
mately 500 OF the apples in that
state were killed.
Illinois, which is one Of our most
competitive states on early apples,
reports that they win have a mod
crate to a light crop for the state
as 4 whole. The area around Cen
tralia will perhaps have slightly
better crop than in the extreme
southern part. Early apples in wes-
tern Illinois were hard hit by the
freezing weather and will not offer
much competition. Late apples in
the extreme southern end of the !
state were badly damaged. Peaches
in the southern counties of Illinois
are reported TO be damaged about |
500, but apparently a fair crop is |
expected in the area centering /
around Centralia and Salem. Grow I
ers in that state feel that because
of the damage to peaches there will
be an excessive drop which will fur /
ther reduce the crop.
Maryland reports prospects for a
fair crop Of both apples and peach
es for the State as a whole. although
the apple crop will unquestionably
be less than last year
North Carolina-A good crop of
peaches Is expected. and growers re-
port that it will be necessary to do
quite a bit of thinning.
Pennsylyania-Of officials advise that
they have received conflicting re-
ports covering cold spells. sleet
storms. snow and poor pOllenizing
weather regarding apples and pea
ches. but the cOncensus of opinion
seems to be that there should be
fair crops.
Alabama reports that the pros
poets for peaches In that state seems
10 be very good.
The apple producing areas
throughout the United States report
a lighter crop of apples this year
than last year. Even in sections
where there was no frost damage.
there is generally a lighter bloom
and in all areas a considerable num-
Der of apple trees have been remov-
ed.
Heavy frosts OveT most OF Europe
This week have caused serious dam
age to fruit crops, the damage oc-
CURING principally in England.
France, Switzerland, and as FAR
south as the Italian Tyrol. The dam
lge in Switzerland Is said to have
leen the worst in 80 years, and the
'ruit crop there is believed to have
leen ruined. Switzerland and the
Italian Tyrol are important apple
Exporters. England and France are
he leading markets for American
lpples, and crop shortage in these
countries will materially increase
he prospect for exporting Delaware
.nnlae this vaar