Farm-Management Phases of Apple-Growing 135 



It is important to recognize, however, that the diversi- 

 fied fruit-farm may become so varied that the operator is 

 giving practically all of his attention to other crops and 

 is neglecting the orchard. 



In low price years, diversification was urged in the 

 Pacific Northwest and elsewhere, since orchards often did 

 not pay interest on the high-priced land. If the invest- 

 ment is already in the land, it does not follow that apples 

 should not be grown when they do not pay interest on the 

 investment. They may pay a better rate of interest than 

 would any other crop. In sections in which trees are 

 capable of high production, and land is held at such fig- 

 ures as $1,500 to $2,500 an acre, diversification cannot be 

 recommended beyond a limited degree sufficient to provide 

 home garden truck for the family and feed for the work 

 horses. In districts such as Wenatchee and Yakima, the 

 prevailing labor is by the day, employed when needed. 

 This form of employment obviates the necessity for the 

 grower to find work for his men outside of the busy season. 



The advantages of a highly specialized and cultivated 

 orchard located in a specialized district are: (1) The as- 

 surance that the orchard will be given detailed care and 

 attention since the operator depends directly on it for 

 a living. (2) Labor is likely to be more skilled and 

 more expert if employed only in fruit-growing and not 

 in the cultivation of other crops. (3) Growers are forced 

 to cooperate and work in harmony in order that the fruit 

 may be marketed successfully. (4) Standardization is 

 emphasized and encouraged, both in scientific methods of 

 management and in handling and putting up the fruit for 

 the market. (5) The best varieties survive and the poor 

 ones are soon eliminated under keen competition. (6) 



