UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



i BULLETIN No. 302 



""■g&A^fi^" Contribution from the Office of Markets and Rural Organization 

 JS\^*^^ru CHARLES J. BRAND, Chief 



Washington, D. C. 



September 15, 1915 



APPLE MARKET INVESTIGATIONS, 1914-15. 



By Clarence W. Moomaw, Specialist in Cooperative Organization, and M. M. Stewart, 

 Assistant in Market Grades and Standards. 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 



Introduction 1 



Conditions preceding the Movement of the 



Crop 2 



Effect of the AVar upon Export Prospects. . 2 



Effect of the War upon the Home Markets. 2 

 Conditions in the New York State Orchard 



District 3 



Studies in the Markets 4 



Tracing Distribution 4 



Retail Methods and Costs 5 



Market Preferences for Varieties 9 



Grades — Boxed, Barreled, Bulk 9 



The Effect of Inferior Apples upon the 



Market 10 



Studies in the Markets — Continued. 



Shipments Under Ventilation and Refrig- 

 eration 12 



Grade and Package Laws 13 



Cold Storage Holdings and Movement 14 



Pacific Northwest Apples via the Panama 



Canal 16 



Export Markets 17 



The United Kingdom and Europe 17 



South America 17 



Conclusion 21 



Append ix 23 



INTRODUCTION. 



During the season of 1914-15 the Office of Markets and Rural 

 Organization studied certain phases of apple marketing and distri- 

 bution. This work began with an investigation of commercial apple 

 crop conditions, and when the marketing season opened in September 

 investigations were made in the orchard district of New York State 

 and in the apple markets of New York City, Buffalo, Chicago, Mil- 

 waukee, Detroit, St. Paul, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Louisville. 



In the height of the season an investigation of the movement of 

 cold-storage apples was initiated, and this investigation extended 

 throughout the entire season, with the monthly publication of infor- 

 mation regarding the marketing of storage apples. 



This bulletin, therefore, is not a comprehensive treatment of the 

 subject of apple marketing, but rather is a report of such investiga- 

 tions as the Office could carry on in its present stage of development. 



Note.— This bulletin is of general interest to apple growers, shippers, dealers, transportation companies, 

 and consumers, and to all engaged in the trade in apples and fruits. 

 4.034°— Bull. 302—15 1 



