Smyrna times., 1955-12-29

A guaranteed price of 81
cents per pound for wool, which
was in effect In 1855 under the
provisions of the National Wool
Act of 1854, will be continued
next year. Farmers that pro-
duce high quality wool and mar
ket it to the best advantage can
realize more than the 81 cents per
pound. The wool program is de-
signed to encourage the produc-
ton of wool and reward growers
or quality and using good mar
keting procedures.
Fruit and Vegetables
Fruit: The quantity and price
of apples and peaches in any CIV
en- year is pretty well determin-
ed by weather and growing condi-
tions during the year. Therefore,
it seems more advisable to look at
the longer time outlook for apples
and peaches. The total bearing
acreage of apples in the United
States has declined steadily since
1884 except in the western states
where it has been on the increase.
Production per acre has been con-
stantly upward partly offsetting
the decline in tree numbers.
The decline in production may
be the result of increased compe-
tition from citrus and other fruit.
Also, some fruit growers have
been able to obtain greater net
returns to labor and capital from
other enterprises such as poultry,
dairy, vegetables, and field crops
than from apples. During the
past years, the trend has been for
fewer orchards but larger individ-
ual holdings. This would indicate
, that the inefficient producers are
dropping out-a trend that is like
ly to continue for some years
ahead.
Peach production has been ex-
periencing much the same trend
as apples. In recent years, the
trend has been to market more
mature or tree-ripened peaches
This trend is likely to continue
and more emphasis will be placed
on developing marketing methods
that will maintain quality through
the market channels. 1t would
appear that Delaware is strategic
ally located-close to large east
ern markets for the marketing
of high quality, tree-ripenet
peaches.
Vegetables: Total production O
vegetables for the fresh marke
will not differ greatly from tha
of 1855. In Delaware the produc
ton of fresh market vegetables i
on the increase. 1t is expecte'
that this trend will continue a
land values rise and urbanizatiol
progresses in the state.
Supplies of processed vegetable
available into mid-1956 are no
expected to differ much from tina
of 1855. This is true for bot
canned and frozen vegetables. Il
general, individual items appea
to be in better balance with mar
ket requirements than was th'
case a year earlier. Supplies O.
sweet corn and sauer graut ap
pear materially smaller than il
1855. On the other hand, tomato
and tomato products, peas, aspar
agus, and spinach are in more
plentiful supply. Snap bean sup
plies are about like that of a veal
earlier.
| Among the processing crops
that packers are likely to seek
increased acreage of are sweet
corn, cabbage, and possibly lima
beans. Canned vegetables still ac'
count for 6 out of very Z pounds
of processed vegetables. But the
use of frozen vegetables is in
creasing rapidly and with improv.
ed technology in the frozen fooo
field, high consumer incomes, and
increased use of convenient
foods" the demand for frozer
vegetables will continue to in
crease. Packers and growers to-
! gether must recognize this trent
and adjust paintings, varieties
and cultural and marketing prac
tees in line with this trend.
Field Crops
Corn: The trend in increased
|, acreage of corn in Delaware will
!, continue next year. The rate ma.
be slowed down to some extent b.
! the low price and smaller yield
received This year and by the pos
: sibility of more rigid controls owe
: inter-tilled and price-supporte,
: crops. Corn and soybeans offe
....o