THE APPLE IN MASSACHUSETTS 



107 



Table 4. Estimate of Future Production of Four Commercial Varieties 

 of Apples on 1754 Farms in Massachusetts, 1924-1940 (bushels) 



Tabli. 5. Estimates of Future Commercial Apple Production 

 in Massachusetts (bushels) 



It is estimated that the total commercial crop of the state will increase at 

 least 100 per cent within fifteen years. The largest part of this increase will 

 be Baldwin and Mcintosh, and the latter will undoubtedly show the greatest 

 increase of any variety. In making the above estimates an estimated loss of 

 from 10 to 40 per cent of the trees was deducted, depending upon the variety 

 and age group. The largest deductions were made from tiie recent plantings, 

 particularly of Baldwin. Allowances were also made for old trees dying out, 

 and for removal of fillers. The estimates for 1935 and 1940 include probable 

 plantings during the next ten years at a continual annual decrease of 10 per 

 cent from the present rate. It is probable that by 1935 plantings will not be 

 sufficient to replace losses of old trees. Annual plantings of at least 30,000 

 trees are necessary to maintain a million bearing trees. 



It is estimated that within ten years 100 of the largest growers of the state 

 will be producing approximately one-half of the crop. On farms of this type 

 a high production per tree and high quality are the rule, and this fact has an 

 important bearing on future estimates of the total crop. Each year will see 

 a larger part of the commercial crop produced by professional fruit growers, 

 in orchards planted during the past ten or fifteen years. Production in the 

 small orchards may be expected to increase on account of recent plantings, 

 but this increase will be partly offset by the dying of old trees which now 

 1 rvely make up fhis type of orchard. It is probable that the quality of fruit 



