-4- 



Mexico has two strawberry growing areas. Onp. is near Irapuato about 200 

 miles northwest of Mexico City, at an elevation of about 5,700 feet. The other 

 is a new area in the vicinity of Zaraora a few miles east of Guadalajara at an 

 elevation of about 6,000 feet. The two areas are about 200 miles apart. 



The principal varieties are Klondike and Florida 90. Klondike is preferred 

 for freezing and Florida 90 for fresh fruit. Most of the berries are frozen. 

 Only a small portion is shipped fresh. 



Fruit is harvested all twelve months of the year. During November, December 

 and January the crop is light. The heaviest picking is in March, April, May and 

 June. By far the largest part of the berries exported to the United States is 

 frozen. 



Imports of Strawberries from Mexico in 1,000 Pounds 



1959 1960 1961 1962 



Frozen 14,064 25,017 29,817 32,421 



Fresh 51 562 579 751 



If the Mexicans solve their quality control problems, many more fresh berries 

 will be exported to the United States. 



— -John S. Bailey 



I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 



NEW APPLE VARIETIES FOR FUTURE PRODUCTION 



The choice we make in planting new varieties now will determine what the 

 production of new varieties will be in 1973. How successful we ai*e in choosing 

 a profitable variety cannot be fully determined until we have enough volume of 

 fruit to determine consumer acceptance of the variety. Planting any new variety 

 is a calculated risk until consumer acceptance has been determined. 



The method of sale may be a factor in the selection of a new variety. A 

 variety which has desirable qualities for a processing apple may not have suffi- 

 cient quality and appeal for sale on a retail stand or in the fresh fruit market. 

 However, some varieties possess suitable qualities for both processing and fresh 

 fruit sales. These varieties are called dual-purpose types. 



New varieties which have been tested for a sufficient number of seasons to 

 indicate their potential value will be discussed first. 



Purjtan is an early attractive red apple which ripens just ahead of Early 

 Mcintosh. Puritan appears to have made a favorable impression in the trade as 

 an early apple. It may possibly replace Early Mcintosh. The attractive Mclntosh- 

 like appearance and good size are Puritan's major strong points. Puritan tends to 

 be biennial and its fruit quality is only average as it has a rather tart flavor. 



