568 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



price of t'ggs, and more llian is usually received for boxed apples, 

 and inasiiiiu'h as there is a steady demand for this fmit, and trees of 

 the quince come into hearing early, the quince growing industry is 

 heartily commended to the consideration of fruit growers who are 

 willing to combat the conditions producing twig blight, which is the 

 greatest enemy of the quince tree just now. 



Grapes sold at 5 cents per pound, 80 cents per crate, and |24.00 

 per ton, in the northwestern Pennsylvania grape region. The price 

 per ton for grapes is less than that paid for cabbage in some sections, 

 although the consumer i)aid at the 5-cent per iK)Uud rate or flOO.OO 

 Iter ton. Who gets the IKIOO per ton profit? 



The general price for strawberries was 10 cents per quart box, 

 and |2.75 per crate. The same price ruled in the case of raspberries 

 and currants, while blackberries sold one cent lower. Potatoes aver- 

 aged for all sections 98 cents, and tomatoes 73 cents per bushel. 



If the fact be conceded that the measure of the development of 

 the apple growing industry in any section is determined by the 

 amount of fancy boxed apples put upon the market then Pennsyl- 

 vania has much room for improvement in completing the marketing 

 end of the business. 1 do not, however, regaid this as a fair cri- 

 terion of judgment in all cases. The great bulk of apples will prob- 

 ably during all time be packed in barrels for the use of the millions. 

 There is, however, an ever increasing demand for fancy boxed ap- 

 ples, and this local demand should be supplied by the growers of 

 our own State instead of importing from outside. This is not yet 

 done, judging from the statement that but If per cent, of the salable 

 crop of apples is packed in hoexs. There is, however, an awakening 

 of our people to the possibilities of this package, and from }>resent 

 indications Pennsylvania boxed apples will surely be heard from in 

 the future. 



Only 25 per cent, of our apples are packed in barrels. This appears 

 low, but is accounted for by the fact that our numerous local markets 

 offer exceptional advantages to selling apples in bulk during a large 

 part of the season. Bulk apples, therefore, total 50 per cent, of the 

 entire crop. 



One statement I am obliged to record, and I do so with shame 

 for my native State, and that is the fact that 40 per cent, of the 

 entire crop of apples grown in this State are culls. Thus 2-5 of the 

 entire crop is made unprofitable by neglect, and since the growing 

 of culls in any large proportion is entirely avoidable there is no 

 excuse for such conditions. Culls can be avoided by spraying and 

 thinning of the fruits. Such culls as are grown should not be offered 

 on the market filthy with the ejects of worms, and covered with 

 unsightly fungous diseases to disgust the consumer and pauperize 

 the producer. 



The ]>lanting of apple trees is increasing in 40 counties of this 

 State. This increased planting has been going on for several years, 

 and with a corresponding interest in the care of trees and marketing 

 the crop will lesult in making Pennsylvania the leading apple grow- 

 state in the Union. There are now estimated to be over 33,000,000 

 apple trees growing in this State. 



Planting of peach trees is increasing in 45 counties. In consider- 

 eration of the fact that the high and northern tier of counties are 

 not peach growing territory the counties reporting increased plant- 



