An Apple Orchard Survey of Ontario County 



179 



It would seem from the figures that the larger orchards are more likely 

 to be neglected. That there is no inherent reason why a comparatively 

 large orchard should not give excellent results is shown by the exceptional 

 returns from the 14-acre orchard, which produced on the average for four 

 years 88 barrels per acre, with an income of $210 (data not here shown). 

 The larger orchard would warrant the use of better machinery and better 

 methods of orchard management. 



On the other hand, the figures of the table may put the small orchard in 

 an unduly favorable light because the greater number of orchards are 

 small. If we had figures for a greater number of large orchards, it is 

 possible that the results would be different. As it is, the table shows that 

 orchards of 3 acres or less are yielding on the average about 66 barrels of 

 apples per acre which bring an income of about $123, while orchards of 

 20 acres or more yield less than 50 barrels, with an income of $106.32. 

 A comparison with the general averages in Table i, in which the average 

 yield per acre for the orchards of Group I is 58.4 barrels, and the average 

 income $111.51, shows that the smaller orchards run higher in both yield 

 and income than the general average, while the larger orchards run below. 



CONDITION OF ORCHARDS 



Only 5 per cent of the orchards are reported " very good " in condition, — 

 a state of affairs that will admit of great improvement. Forty per cent 

 are in good condition, while more than half the orchards are either 

 fair or poor. (See Table 5.) 



TABLE 5. Condition of Orchards 



Relation of condition of orchard to yield and income 



The comparatively high yields and incomes for the poor orchards in 

 1904 and 1906, as shown in Table 6, might lead one to think that neglected 

 orchards are profitable. It must be remembered, however, that 1904 and 

 1906 were years of heavy yield and low prices. Consequently a heavy 

 yield meant a large income despite low prices. The contrast is seen in 



