50 The Commercial Apple Industry 



However, with the young orchards just coming into bear- 

 ing and with better care being given to the older trees, it 

 seems highly probable that this loss will be made up within 

 the next few years. 



The leading variety grown in western Michigan is the 

 Baldwin, which comprises over one-fourth of the total pro- 

 duction. Northern Spy and Oldenburg (Duchess) each 

 represents about 14 per cent of the, total production. Ac- 

 cording to a recent survey, varieties next in order of im- 

 portance are Wagener, Rhode Island Greening, Wealthy, 

 Ben Davis, and Jonathan ; the last named being prominent 

 in the newer orchards of Van Buren, Allegan and Berrien 

 counties. Ben Davis is outstanding in the older orchards 

 in the southernmost counties. Oldenburg (Duchess) and 

 Wealthy are the leading summer and fall varieties. 



Most of the apples of this region are packed out in 

 barrels and a large proportion of the crop is marketed in 

 Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, and other large cities nearby. 

 Producing communities situated close to cities market 

 much of their apple crop by wagon or truck, crates and 

 bushel baskets figuring in this movement. An increased 

 interest in the apple industry in western Michigan is 

 evidenced in better cultural and marketing methods. 

 Cooperative associations are increasing in prominence in 

 many localities. 



ILLINOIS 



Illinois occupies a position of considerable importance 

 in the commercial production of apples. Soil conditions 

 generally throughout the entire state are very well adapted 

 to apple-growing, and nearly every county has a consider- 

 able acreage of trees. 



