1 68 THE APPLE 



i cent per box on low-headed trees. This work can be done entirely 

 by boys and girls, and thus the cost can be kept well within the 

 limits just mentioned. Girls are generally quicker and often more 

 careful than boys. From 10 cents to 15 cents per hour can be 

 profitably paid for this work. 



In the East and Other sections where the trees are larger, the 

 cost of thinning mature trees which are well loaded should not 

 exceed 50 cents per tree and probably would average less than 

 that. For a 10-barrel crop per tree the cost might exceed this 

 amount by 25 cents or more per tree. 



Increased value of the thinned crop. It is estimated that the 

 thinned fruit brings from 10 to 15 per cent more per barrel than 

 the unthinned. Some Eastern orchardists claim an increase of 

 between 40 cents and 80 cents per barrel. In the West, experi- 

 ments have shown that with the Ben Davis the net increase per 

 tree was Si. 16. Where Jonathans were thinned to a minimum 

 distance of 4 inches, the average increase per tree was 71 cents. 

 Where the trees were set 16 x 24 ft., or 1 1 5 trees per acre, the 

 increase per acre was decidedly good — $81.65. 



In considering net profits still other factors, such as ease of 

 picking, expense of grading, and the general welfare of the tree, 

 should be given attention. A good idea of the saving in these 

 particulars is found in the statement of a practical grower, that 

 " picking apples from thinned trees is from 10 to 20 per cent 

 cheaper than from unthinned, and the packing is cheaper by 1 5 to 

 30 per cent." 



All varieties cannot be handled in the same way. Each grower 

 must solve his own problem, considering such factors as the age 

 of the tree, its size, and the cultural practices. He will find that 

 frequently certain varieties or certain trees of a variety will need 

 little or no thinning during a particular season. Where the trees 

 have been pruned severely, not so much thinning will be neces- 

 sary. It is often suggested that pruning may be substituted for 

 thinning ; but while pruning thins out the fruit buds and affords 

 relief for the crowded clusters, it can hardly take the place of 

 thinning, for a pruning severe enough to reduce sufficiently the 

 crop of a bearing apple tree would probably be too severe in 

 other respects. . . . 



