2 BULLETIN 851, IT. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



information is presented as to the time required to perform each op- 

 eration, the necessary equipment, the size of the orchard, the age of 

 the trees, the yield of fruit, and other related factors. 



Fig. 1. — Map of New York State, showing the fruit districts. Shaded portion indicates 

 area in which this study was made. 



The factors considered in arriving at the annual cost of apple pro- 

 duction have been classified as follows : 



Labor for maintenance. 



Labor in handling. 



Materials used. 



Fixed charges. 



Manuring 



Fertilizing 



Pruning 



Disposing of brush . 



Plowing 



Other cultivating. . 



Thinning 



Propping 



Spraying 



Miscellaneous 



Cover-crop labor 



Hauling 



Picking 



Sorting 



Packing 



Hauling to station . 

 Cull labor 



Barrels 



Spray materials . 

 Manure 



Fertilizers 



Gasoline, oil, etc. 

 Cover-crop seed . . 



Taxes. 

 Insurance. 

 Equipment charge. 



Machine hire. 

 Interest. 

 Building charge. 



This study was made in the most intensive apple-producing area in 

 western New York, including the counties of Monroe, Niagara, On- 

 tario, Orleans, and Wayne. (See figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4.) These five 

 counties produced 45 per cent of all the apples grown in New York 

 in 1909 (Thirteenth Census). 



1 In the summer of 1914 the Office of Farm Management began a study relative to the 

 cost of production of apples in the five more important apple-producing counties of 

 western New York. The same farmers were visited in the summer of 191G in order to 

 obtain additional information and note any changes made in the methods of orchard 

 management. Over 200 representative farmers were visited. A method of study similar 

 to that already used in other regions was adopted. Data were secured from each farmer 

 as to the time required for the different operations, as to equipment, cost of labor, spray- 

 ing materials, barrels, etc., and as to land and orchard values. 



