FRUIT CROP REPORTS — 1914 167 



of Platte river, west of eastern district. 



Average of all orchards, both cared for and iincared for orchards. 

 15 per cent crop. Some commercial and well cared for orchards but 

 mainly farm orchards. 



Northwestern part of state. Mostly home orchards. Few com- 

 mercial orchards. Orchards nearly all young. 



Taking the state as a whole the only fruit of any consequence 

 will be produced in those orchards which have had at least a semblance 

 of care. 



According to figures compiled by the Nebraska State Board of 

 Agriculture from the assessors books, the apple crop in Districts Nos. 

 1 and 2 for the year 1913 was 409,270 bushels. From report of State 

 Labor Bureau for year 1912, the estimated crop for that year for these 

 districts was 3,605,907 bushels. From same source the crop of 1911 

 was estimated at 5,108,036 bushels. Taking the figures for the crop 

 of 1912 as a full crop, the crop in this district for 1914 will be in 

 round numbers 790,000 bushels, of all grades of apples. Reports 

 received indicate this a fair estimate of this year's crop. 



COXJ)lTIO>S IX OTHER STATES. 



In our neighboring states of Iowa, Kansas and Missouri the same 

 general condition holds good as is found in eastern Nebraska. The 

 middle western states and central states reports show a light crop gen- 

 erally, Michigan moderately good crop, New York heavy crop, Virginia 

 moderately good, .New England states good. In the western states 

 reports indicate good crops but not any larger than two years ago. 

 Taking the reports as a whole the apple crop of the United States while 

 much larger than last year will still be under the crop of 1912. The 

 largest apple crop that the United States has produced was in the year 

 1896 when over 6 3 million barrels were produced. In 1912 approxi- 

 mately 4 million barrels were produced and the early reports would 

 indicate that the total production this year would be four or five million 

 barrels short of 1912 crop. There is a heavy decrease in the great pro- 

 ducing centers in the middle west and central United States and the 

 only other section that promises heavier than in 1912 is New York. 

 This would indicate that if proper methods of distribution are followed, 

 the barrel grades of apples will be sold to the consumer for a good 

 deal less money than last year and that the grower in Nebraska and 

 the middle west will get a good living price for his marketable apples. 

 Last year the crop was very short all over the country and prices 

 uncommonly high. In 1912, the crop was called large but methods 

 of distribution were poor and prices ruled low for the grower and 

 high to the consumer. Better methods of distribution have been put 

 into effect since then and if the consumer will do his part in consuming 

 the apples they can be well supplied at moderate prices. Some talk 

 of the effect the European war will have on the apple market has been 

 indulged in. The opinion among leading exporters is that if proper 

 facilities are afforded that a good export trade will result, not only to 



