-8- 



facilitiss must not be reduced in 1944. 



Storage. In view of a somewhat larger crop in 1944 more storage space 

 will be needed than was available during the past two years. To prevent the 

 waste which occurred in 1942, amounting in some localities to 10;;? of the crop, 

 adequate storage facilities for the 1944 crop are imperative. 



Labor. Fruit growers will benefit greatly by the arrangements now being 

 worked out wEich will permit experienced workers to transfer to another essen- 

 tial industry during the off season and later return to the fruit farm when 

 needed. Labor requirements, except during the harvest season, should present 

 no more of a problem than in 1943. Harvest labor needs are likely to be greater 

 in 1944 because of the larger prospective Mcintosh crop. These needs should be 

 thoroughly surveyed during the summer. Consideration should also be given to 

 the discovery and training of crew bosses in advance of the harvest season. 

 Our experience in recruiting and placing harvest labor in 1943 vidll prove val- 

 uable in 1944 when labor conditions are likely to be more difficult than they 

 vifere this season. J4any growers have expressed their appreciation of the ef- 

 forts of Labor Coordinators, Extension Service workers, newspapers, etc. in 

 helping to solve the harvest labor problem. 



Ladders and Picking Baskets. These items were scarce in some locali- 

 ties in 1943 and plentiful in others. In order to accommodate larger numbers 

 of pickers on weekends and other ruch periods fruit growers must provide them- 

 selves with extra ladders and containers. Early orders and wider distribution 

 of these items will facilitate the 1944 harvest. 



Credit. Present farm credit facilities are adequate. 



Price Su pports and Ceilings. In vie^v of the fact that present ceiling 

 prices are established at levels lower than those at which apples were moving 

 freely, support prices not far below the present ceilings are recommended. A 

 satisfactory price will provide an effective incentive for maximum production 

 in 1944. 



CEILING PRICES ON FRESH APPLES 



Following is an abstract of a statement on this subject, prepared by 

 Ellsv/orth W. Bell: 



Ceiling prices on sales of fresh apples have been established by Amend- 

 ment 9 to WR 426, effdctive October 7, 1943. This order covers any and all 

 apples for TABLE USE except the Lady variety and crabapples. Apples for pro- 

 cessing are not covered by this order and, in the opinion of the Regional Office 

 of the OPA, establishes one price for table apples of all kinds, varieties and 

 packs, whether loose-packed, wrapped in individual wrappers, gift wrapped, or 

 in any other form. 



For apples sold by growers and delivered to retailers, insitutional 

 users such as hotels, restaurants, schools, etc., government procurement agen- 

 cies and other persons, except to ultimate consumers and intermediate sellers, 

 the prices in Table 1 will apply for less than carlot sale (L.C.L.)* and less 



