Two other classes of varieties remain to be considered. In the first place 

 those varieties which show high yields but bring low prices, especially where the 

 present total tonnage is not large, are probably not over-popular on the market 

 and might easily prove unprofitable were the plantings to be greatly increased. 

 Secondly, in the case of varieties which consistently show "low yields even though 

 the fruit may bring a high price, it is generally thought inadvisable to attempt 

 widespread plantings in the hope of obtaining large returns, since often these 

 varieties are adapted only to very limited areas. To be on the safe side, farmers 

 who are tempted to cultivate this last class of varieties should try them out in 

 a small way before attempting to make extensive plantings. 



Certain facts, however, must be taken into consideration apart from those 

 presented in the tables. The fruit-grower, in choosing varieties, must not be 

 entirely influenced by yield and market price. He must be governed to some 

 extent by local conditions, such as soil and climate. Also he should favourably 

 consider those varieties which ripen at different times, so that the harvest season 

 may be extended without permitting any breaks between the harvestings of the 

 different varieties. Too many orchards in the Valley are what might be termed 

 "unbalanced orchards," in that they contain varieties that ripen at periods which 

 prevent the picking season from being continuous and extended. A well-balanced 

 orchard is one which is planted to varieties that mature their fruit at different 

 dates, so that when one variety is harvested the next is ready for picking. Those 

 orchards which contain varieties that must be picked at practically the same 

 time present the difficulty of securing sufficient labour for a short picking season. 

 On the other hand, where there is a break of two or three weeks between the 

 picking of certain varieties, the grower must find other work for his fruit-pickers 

 during these breaks. Unless, therefore, a grower has a definite assurance of a 

 ready supply of satisfactory pickers who will be available whenever he may need 

 them, his aim should be to choose varieties which are not only good yielders and 

 good sellers, but which mature their fruit at successive periods. This will allow 

 as nearly continuous picking as possible, from the time the earliest variety begins 

 to mature until the latest is ready for harvesting. 



Again, the percentage of each variety planted in an orchard should be con- 

 sidered by every grower. As a general rule, referring now to the Okanagan Valley 

 as a whole, a smaller percentage of summer apples should be grown than of fall 

 apples, and likewise a smaller percentage of fall apples than of winter varieties. 

 The reason for this general rule is that, whereas the marketing season is relatively 

 short in the case of the early maturing varieties, it is fairly extended in the case 

 of the later maturing varieties. These varieties indeed may often be marketed 

 over a period of several months where satisfactory common or cold storage is 

 provided. 



COMMENT ON VARIETIES. 



In order to be able to take full advantage of the extended marketing season 

 of apples, it is desirable that the Okanagan should be producing early, medium 

 and late varieties. Only those, however, that are generally known and in demand 

 by the public should be considered for commercial plantings. The growing of 

 other sorts not well received on the market tends to reduce the price on the 

 better varieties, because, in order to dispose of them at a fair price, they must 

 be sold with the better varieties in mixed cars. 



Over one hundred different varieties of apples are grown in the Okanagan 

 Valley, but the majority of these are not grown in large quantities. The number 

 of varieties grown for commercial purposes would not exceed twenty-five. In 

 the course of time, however, even this number will decrease, until only those are 

 left that are the most profitable; for, in a specialized fruit district like the 

 Okanagan, only the best varieties will survive, the poor ones being eliminated 

 under keen competition. 



In the following section the varieties tabulated in this report are briefly 

 discussed as to their merits from a commercial point of view, and the reasons for 

 the probable increase or decrease in their future production are stated, or 

 suggested. 



III. VARIETIES AVHICH ARE LIKELY TO INCREASE IN PLANTINGS 

 AND IN TOTAL PRODUCTION. 



Delicious: the most popular and profitable late apple grown at present. The 

 trees are apparently well suited to the Okanagan, and, owing to the high quality 

 and attractive appearance of the fruit, this variety should always be in good 

 demand. 



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