for comparison. These figures, therefore, will not show as high returns as are 

 generally looked for under best orchard conditions and management. 



Although this is a preliminary report, in which no attempt has been made 

 to draw definite conclusions, it is felt that the results recorded for the different 

 varieties shown therein will be of value and interest; that they will induce 

 fruit-growers and horticulturists to study more carefully from an economic 

 standpoint the relative merits of apple varieties, and that they will assist the 

 grower to decide for himself whether it would be to his ultimate advantage or 

 disadvantage to eliminate his poor varieties and replace them with more profit- 

 able ones. 



METHOD OF COLLECTING DATA. 



As has been said, records of one hundred and eighty-nine different orchards 

 are included in the survey. These orchards, which on the whole may be con- 

 sidered as average, are located in the Vernon, Kelowna, Summerland, Naramata 

 and Penticton fruit districts. All are under irrigation. Records for each variety 

 were taken from as many different orchards as possible, so that the results would 

 show a fair average for each variety considered. 



Records on yields, grades and prices for the different varieties were obtained 

 chiefly from the fruit-packing houses handling the fruit of the various orchards 

 included in the survey. Later, these orchards were visited to determine the 

 number and age of the trees of each variety and the general condition of the 

 orchard. 



Only the fruit that passed through the shipping houses graded as marketable 

 fruit was recorded. No attention was paid to culls, or to fruit that had been 

 reserved for home consumption. 



No account was taken of any one orchard unless records of yields were 

 obtainable for two, four, six or eight years. This precaution was observed so 

 that, in case the varieties showed any tendency toward the alternate bearing 

 habit, the averages would be obtained from an equal number of bearing and 

 non-bearing years. 



Comparison of Apple Varieties 



VARIETY AVERAGES. 



The report shows a comparison of twenty-five different varieties of apples. 

 Additional varieties were studied, but have been omitted from the report because 

 of the lack of sufficient data to give reliable averages. While it is possible that 

 the average yield of some of the varieties mentioned in the following table might 

 be affected to some extent if a greater number of records were obtained, still it 

 is felt that, with the data available, a fair average has been secured. The 

 varieties in which yield averages have been based on comparatively few records 

 are Gano, Gravenstein, Ontario, Stayman Winesap, St. Lawrence, Tompkins King, 

 and Yellow Transparent. 



YIELDS. 



The yields recorded in this report show what has been accomplished in the 

 different varieties grown under average Okanagan conditions during the period 

 from 1914 to 1920, inclusive. It should be remembered that, owing to the war, 

 conditions were not entirely normal during this period. Labour was scarce, and 

 for this reason many orchards did not receive proper attention. As all varieties 

 were subjected to practically the same treatment, however, the comparison 

 among them should not be materially affected. 



Yield records collected for the different varieties show considerable fluctua- 

 tion; and this suggests that these same varieties, growing under favorable 

 conditions and receiving good care, are capable of producing much larger crops 

 than the averages shown in the following tables would indicate. It is quite likely 

 that yield averages in all varieties, excepting those unsuited to the Valley, will 

 be considerably increased in the future, since the fruit-grower is realizing more 

 and more the value of producing large crops, and consequently is giving more 

 attention to cultural methods. 



In preparing the following three tables on yields, the total yield for each 

 variety at each age was first obtained; this figure was then divided by the total 

 number of trees of the age which produced that yield, the resulting figure being 

 called "Average yearly yield per tree." The four, eight and ten-year total yields 

 were obtained by adding the "average yearly yield per tree" for each of the ages 

 included in each table. Forty pounds was taken as the average weight of fruit 

 in each box of all varieties. 



