No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 567 



average 130 per cent, of the average and of last year's crop. This 

 as considerably above the average for the United States. Peai"^ were 

 a normal crop, but averaged 135 per cent, of last year's yield, which 

 was a short one. 



The most conspicuous falling off in the yield of any class of fruit 

 'was that of the peach, of which the average of all counties is 70 per 

 •cent, of a normal crop and 50 per cent, of last year's crop. Please 

 note that I give this as the average of all counties. This estimate 

 is higher tban is justifiable because of the fact that some relatively 

 unimportant peach growing counties rej)ort good yields, while other 

 and greater jjeach sections have had but one-third of a crop or less. 

 It is my personal opinion that the peach crop of 1911 was not much 

 above one-half that of the previous year. The quality of peaches was, 

 however, unusuall}' fine. 



Plums drop, also, slightly below the normal yield, being 75 per 

 cent, of an average crop and 85 per cent, of last year, while cherries 

 bore 95 per cent, of an average and 120 per cent, of last year's crop. 

 Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries yielded 75 per cent, of 

 last year's crop, which was slightly above an average for these fruits. 

 The j^eld of tomatoes, cabbage and beans was below the normal, 

 while potatoes were a short crop in most sections of the State, and 

 with many indeed almost a complete failure. 



The prices received by the grower for fall apples averaged 57 

 cents per bushel. This price does not do full justice to the possi- 

 bilities of the market for this fruit. This is shoAvn by the statement 

 of some fall apples sold in some markets as high as |2.00; others 

 sold at 20 cents per bushel. The prices received for fall apples 

 is largely a matter of growing sound fruit, packing in attractive 

 form, and facilities for marketing. 



There is, without doubt, a good market for fall apples in the cities 

 and towns of all parts of the State which has just been begun to 

 be supplied. 



The prices paid for winter apples as reported averages |2.10 per 

 barrel for all varieties, and the i>rices in the commercial sections 

 ranged about this point. Such fruit as has been packed in bushel 

 boxes from |1.50 to S2.50 per box, while bulk apples sold as low as 

 40 cents per bushel. Evaporators and canners paid 25 cents per 

 hundredweight for drops and culls. The price of pears averaged 

 95 cents per bushel, but should be |1.00 as this includes that paid for 

 Kieffers, v/hich is given as 20 cents per bushel in bulk. 



This season was the successful peach growers great opportunity, 

 and be who was lucky or foresighted enough to have a crop reaped 

 a golden harvest. The price for all grades of peaches averaged |1.50 

 per basket. True, the quality was high as a rule, and the fruit 

 was worth the money. This was due to the lighter yield resulting 

 in larger sized and more perfect fruits. 



Plums were little cheaper, selling at a premium price of |1.25 

 per basket, while cherries brought 8 cents per quart box and $2.50 

 per crate. These figures include the sour varieties. The sweet cher- 

 ries brought more money. 



There are not a great many bearing quince trees in this State, and 

 this may account for the fact that prices of these fruits is quoted 

 at the per dozen rates, which is 25 to 40 cents. This is now the 



