- 10 -. , 



fresh-fruit nnrket but is uriwelcohie in processing channels as v/ell. A partial solu- 

 tion to the problem is the increased planting of red bud sports. There is experi- 

 mental evidence that the red sports are not nearly so sensitive to nitrogen effects 

 as the parent varieties. 



Permanent Production Problems - Although there has been great progress", as already 

 mentioned, \7ith nev/ pesticides, the eastern groi/er still has a battle to grovr clean 

 fruit. The recommended spray schedules for the 19^h season listed 10 to 12 applica- 

 tions of rather complicated aiid expensive spray mixtures. The climate of practically 

 all eastern states is generally ideal for the scab organism to develop and constant 

 vigil must be exercised to keep this fungus under control. The problem is especially 

 serious in vie\/ of the fact that 3 of the best quality dessert varieties - ilclntoah, 

 Delicious and Stayman V^inesap - are highly susceptible to the disease « 



Cliief among other troubles are mice and poor soil drainage. The common meadoiv 

 mouse is always present but the most serious pest is the pine mouse. Poor drainage 

 is probably the prime factor causing loss of tree vigor and lov; production in orchard, 

 having clayey subsoil. 



Taking the Lead? - In summary, it can be said that eastern apple grovrers are taking 

 the lead, the lead to improve their competitive position e This does not imply that 

 superiority over operational methods, quality of product and package of the v/estern 

 growers has been achieved. It simply means that the eastern grov/ers are in a positio 

 to accept the vrestern challenge vdth greater coi^rage than they could a decade ago, 

 Apple grad.ng in the East, and in the Pacific Northviest is vastly different. The 

 eastern grovv'er is just as intelligent as the v/esterngrovfer, but there the siruilarity 

 ends. Environmental conditions are so different in the tiTO regions that the end pro- 

 duct vdll never be exactly the sameo Eastern Delicious, for example, does not evolve 

 into a long-type apple v/ith prominent projecting points so characteristic of the 

 western grown fri;its of this variety o Co]d spring rains, lower quantity and quality 

 of sunlight and high night temperatures before harvest vdll continue to \7ork against 

 fine finish and red color development on eastern^fruit. Despite these climatic handi- 

 caps, the eastern grower is pressing forward vvlth advanced methodology to improve 

 quality production in both fruit and pack, Nev; plantings are v/ith good dessert varie- 

 ties, mostly red bud sports and these iie\ir plantings mean that increased competition 

 on the fresh apple market and these nevj' plantings mean that increased competition on 

 the fresh apple market can confidently be expected, 



# ?;^ ##/;'# ii' ##;;'# ^ # 



-;;- ii- •?:- -;c- * ■!!- -;^ -s;- •!;- -;:- % Y% The Grading Law Should Be Enforced ^ ^f- -;'<• ^f- •«■ ^'<- ^'^ -«■ •■" •*!• * -=<• 



The following are a fevf retailer comments v/hich indicate their viev/s on apple 

 grades : 



"The grading la^T should be enforced. Stop overfacing," 



"I prefer western apples because of uniformity and atteactiveness, V/ould like 

 to have local apples graded. Would like to sell more apples," 



"If I buy 2 1/2" apples I want 2 l/2" apples, I don't want 3" apples," 



"I lose money on poor apples," 



"I bought a lot of apples vihich vrere overfaced. Paid $3<.50 for themji'ouldn » t 

 knowingly buy another box from this grov^er," 



"I bought apples for a price. Not going to be taken for a sucker again^fcould havi 

 paid vloOO more for better apples and been ahead of the gameo" 



At present, retailers are at the mercy of the unscrupulous packer. This a tuatic 

 hurts the sale of apples. Enforcement of the grading 2a v^ would help to protect the re- 

 tailer as vrell as the careful grovTer and packer, 



■?HHi-o, C.Roberts 

 i^Tiblicatidn Approved by Cieofge J, Gronin, state Purchasing Agent-#iy 



