CROP REGIONS OF OHIO 



67 



(k) Fruit 



Apples are the most valuable of Ohio's fruit crops, though the 

 peach and grape producing region near Lake Erie is well known. 

 It is not necessary to repeat the reasons for the existence of the 

 Lake Erie fruit belt, since these have been several times discussed. 

 Nor is it necessary to give the peach and grape growing industry 

 more than passing mention though both are important. It is the 

 apple industry which at present solicits attention. 



Fig. 13. Ohio's apply industry. In acreage the states rank, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, 

 Michiean. Compare the eastern and western states. From 1915 Yearbook U. S. Dept. of 

 Agriculture. 



The conditions for apple production in southeastern Ohio are 

 ideal. Sheltered valleys in which both the soil and air drainage are 

 good are common. The rough topography, little suited to cultivated 

 crops, is a genuine advantage in tree crops. It is not surprising 

 then that we find the greatest apple acreage in Ohio in the south- 

 eastern part of the state. If the industry were encouraged and ad- 

 vertised, southeastern Ohio could market its apples as well as the 

 Oregon and Washington and New York orchardists market theirs. 

 Some capital and a great deal of cooperation are both needed to 

 develop this enterprise. 



