THE MARKET FOR MASSACHUSETTS APPLES 39 



CONCLUSIONS 



1. The demand for New England apples is increasing in practically 

 all markets of the state, this growing demand being greater for eating than 

 for cooking varieties. During the last few seasons there has been a cor- 

 responding decline in receipts of apples from outside New England. 



2. The demand for apples of good quality and uniform size is also 

 increasing. Most dealers report little or no demand for anything but A 

 grade fruit. As corollaries of this fact may be stated, (a) the need of 

 better orchard practice in order to produce a higher proportion of A grade 

 fruit; and (b) the demand for an outlet for fruit of poorer grade. How 

 the latter shall be met is a matter for each grower to determine for him- 

 self. 



ti. Purchases b.y the pound are increasing. Whereas it is a matter 

 of common knowledge that apples were formerly bought by the bushel 

 and by the barrel, at present a considerable part of the volume consumed 

 is bought by the pound or even by the apple. This fact must of neces- 

 sity intensify the demand for good quality fruit, since customers are 

 more exacting as to quality when purchasing but a small quantity at a 

 time. 



4. The demand is chiefly for the Mcintosh as an eating apple. Deal- 

 ers generally believe that only a small part of the possible demand for this 

 variety is now supplied. In both Boston and New York many regard the 

 possibilities of the extension of the market as practically unlimited. 



5. The Baldwin is the variety chiefly in demand for cooking pur- 

 poses. 



6. The Greening, which is not popular in most markets of the state, 

 finds ready sale in Fall River and New Bedford, and in some few of the 

 smaller markets. 



7. There is at present comparatively little advertising of New Eng- 

 lend apples. It is undoubtedly true that systematic advertising and dis- 

 tribution would bring about larger consumption. Such advertising might 

 well be a part of the program of dealers, dealers' organizations, growers 

 and growers' organizations. Successful advertising of California citrus 

 fruits and of Cape Cod cranberries may serve as examples of efficient 

 methods. 



8. Bananas and oranges are the greatest competitors of apples on 

 the Boston market. 



9. Foreign markets absorb about 9 per cent of the average commer- 

 cial crop of the United States. It is evident that failure of this outlet 

 for our apples would result in disaster to the industry. Careful attention 

 on the part of growers and shippers to the demand of foreign markets is 

 imperative if the export trade is to be preserved. The competition from 

 other exporting countries is increasing. If the United States is to hold 

 her place as an exporter in these markets, it will be done by meeting the 

 demands of these markets better than they can be met by apples from 

 other sources. The foreign apple crop, including few dessert apples, is 

 composed mostly of apples which compete with the bulk of shipments from 

 the New England states and from New York. The increased use of cold 

 storage in England will prolong the period when English apples are 

 available. 



