7 - 



A 1 per cent increase in production is estimated to decrease prices 

 by nearly .8 per cent, where a 1 per cent increase in income will 

 up prices by about 1 per cent. 



Since 1949, there have been nine years when the total U.S. 

 apple crop was more than 110 million bushels. For these years, 

 the price received by growers averaged $1,61 per bushel. This 

 compares to $2.12, or an average difference of 51 cents per bushel, 

 for the five years during the same 14-year period when the total 

 U.S. production was less than 110 million bushels. 



Ways to improve prices include producing quality apples, im- 

 proving grade standards, using better packages, selling at road- 

 side, conducting direct delivery programs, developing specialized 

 market outlets and, in certain cases, creating a customer desire 

 for grower-identified apples. To maximize income, the individual 

 grower should seek the most profitable grades and quantities of 

 apples to sell in line with his own particular situation. Collec- 

 tively, growers must encourage greater demand and increased 

 consumption of apples. 



Export Prospects 



Traditionally, the apple has played an important role In the 



U.S. export trade. However, while apples got off to a strong start 



a century ago, their present position in the export trade has been 



considerably reduced. During the five-year period 1934-39, on the 



average about 10 per cent of the U.S. apple crop was exported. For 



the period 1957-61 this percentage had dropped to slightly over 



3 per cent. In 1962, only about 2.3 per cent of the U.S. apple crop 



was exported. As apple production in Europe trends upward, future 



prospects for the export market in Europe appears less favorable 



than in the past." 



-- William J. Lord 



--This article will be concluded in the April issue of Fruit Notes-- 



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



FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1964 



For the past several seasons, we have suggested reduced rates of nitrogen 

 in those blocks which had a record of poor fruit color. Growers who have re- 

 duced or omitted nitrogen in some blocks may feel that the nitrogen level is 

 now too low. Growers have two possible choices - they can increase the rate of 

 nitrogen application, ox they can maintain the present rate and apply a urea 

 spray around first cover if the foliage indicates a low level of nitrogen. 



Another factor to consider in determining the rate of nitrogen application 

 is the amount of pruning which the trees receive. Trees Vi/hich have received a 

 heavy pruning will require less nitrogen than trees lightly pruned. 



