12 - 



On cider varieties, Alar-85* may be applied to the upper parts 

 of the tree to suppress vegetative growth and encourage flower bud 

 initiation and this can be accomplished with a minimum of fruit 

 size suppression. It is suggested that the spray be applied within 

 2 to 4 weeks after full bloom at concentrations of 1500 to 2500 ppm. 



Most orchards are small, therefore, the apples are stored in 

 commercial storages or by cooperatives which grade, pack, and sell 

 most of the apples. The use of scald control compounds is prohib- 

 ited. 



More than 501 of the fresh market apples in Switzerland are 

 stored in controlled atmosphere (CA) , 'Golden Delicious' are stored 

 at 1-2°C and in atmospheres of 41 CO and 3% . The other varieties 

 are stored at 4°C and 3% CO^ and 3% 6 . In these rooms, the CO2 

 level is regulated by activated charcoal scrubbers, as they are in 

 the Netherlands. 



Fifty per cent or more of the Swiss apples and even a higher 

 percentage of the pears are processed into cider products, of which 

 the Swiss can be justly proud because of their high quality. The 

 cider products produced in Switzerland are: (a) fresh apple juice 

 made by the grower for immediate sale in the fall; (b) carbonated 

 apple juice; (c) a mixture of apple juice and mineral water; (d) 

 turbid apple juice (not filtered, no CO2, but pasteurized); (e) mix- 

 tures of apple juice and other fruit juices; [f) apple wine; and (g) 

 concentrated apple juice. Alcohol is made from the cider apples in 

 large crop years, mainly from the apples produced in traditional 

 orchards . 



Packing and marketing . The majority of the fruit is packed in con- 

 sumer units (poly bags and overwrapped trays) and marketed by the 

 cooperatives. This procedure contrasts to that in the Netherlands 

 where fruit is sold in wooden crates through auctions. Furthermore, 

 the consumer wants a "yellow" 'Golden Delicious' rather than a 

 "green" 'Golden Delicious' which is popular on the German market. 



Apple prices are set yearly by individuals representing the 

 growers, tlie cooperatives , and the Swiss government. For example, 

 the agreed price to growers for 'Gravenstein ' in 1974 was approxi- 

 mately 20 cents and 14 cents per pound for Class I and Class II 

 fruit respectively. Class I and Class II 'Golden Delicious' were 

 priced 17 cents and 12 cents per pound, respectively. 



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