366 The Commercial Apple Industry 



Virginia. The size should be determined very largely by 

 a study of the most successful orchards in any particular 

 community. When tractors are used, the orchards should 

 be larger. 



Attention must be given to the prevailing system of or- 

 chard operation, to the average annual yields of the region, 

 and to the availability of labor. It is obvious under irri- 

 gated conditions when trees make rapid growth, when the 

 yields are heavy and when such operations as irrigation, 

 thinning and the like are intensively practiced, that 

 smaller acreages are advisable. Probably twenty to 

 twenty-five acres is the best size under such conditions. 



Western JSfew York growers have found that a bearing 

 orchard of twelve to twenty-five acres fits in well with their 

 system of diversified farming. Virginia apple-growers, 

 less given to diversification, find thirty to forty acres an 

 economic unit, and many succeed with much larger units. 

 It is only the exceptional grower with large working capital 

 and keen business ability who can handle successfully a 

 very large acreage. 



EFFECT OF SIZE AND TYPE OF FARM 



The size of the orchard in relation to its effect on cost 

 of production has been discussed, but very often the or- 

 chard is only one part of a more or less general farm. 

 The size and type of the general farm may reduce profits 

 from the apple orchard by taking away labor at critical 

 seasons, or may increase profits by supplying labor at a low 

 cost. A general farm may insure diversification and a 

 continuous employment and profitable distribution of 

 labor throughout the season. This is largely a problem in 

 farm management. 



