- 2 - 



3. For maximum quality, ripen the pears at 60-70°. 

 A convenient index of how well pears are holding-up in storage is their 

 color. When the fruits begin to lose their green color, they must be 

 marketed quickly, for their storage life has ended. 



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TREE NUMBERS IN WASHINGTON, AND PROJECTED PRODUCTION 



William J. Lord 

 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences 



The 1961 Washington Fruit Tree Census recently published, shows 

 that in central Washington, the number of fruit trees increased by 25% 

 from 1949 to 1961. Apple trees increased by 6^%, Bartlett pears by 51%, 

 winter pears by 27%, and cherries by 17%. Prune tree number increased 

 by only 1%, and peaches, apricots and plums decreased. 



Comparison of the 1961 census in central Washington with the 1949 

 census of the whole state shows that there were 7 times as many Golden 

 Delicious trees in 1961 as in 1949 and nearly 3 times as many Red Deli- 

 cious trees. The number of Rome Beauty trees remained about the samej 

 while varieties such as Winesap, standard Delicious and Jonathan decreased 

 in tree number. 



Based on apple tree numbers for the entire state, an estimated pro- 

 jected production for 1965 of 34,000,000 bushels of apples was obtained. 

 This compares with an average production from 1957-1961 of 23,000,000 

 bushels. 



Additional production increases are anticipated during the 5 year 

 period of 1965-1970. 



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ROADSIDE MARKETING 



William J. Lord 

 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences 



While recently visiting roadside stands in several Northeastern 

 states, some interesting innovations were noted. 



Plastic bags are frequently being used to line the wooden display 

 baskets. This enables the grower to maintain the farm stand atmosphere 

 with the wooden basket, while utilizing the plastic bag as the take -home 

 container. The customer makes her selection and carries the basket (1-16 



