16 The Commercial Apple Industry 



states has not ' yet reached its maximum. Twenty-six 

 per cent of the new planting in the decade 1900 to 1910 

 was in the Pacific Northwest. This region will have a 

 normal increase in production of high quality fruit. It is, 

 to a great extent, commercial, and most of it will reach 

 eastern markets. This will unquestionably be the biggest 

 factor in the apple problem. Even to-day the average ap- 

 ple-grower does not seem to appreciate the importance of 

 the western crop which has grown so rapidly that it has 

 been difficult to keep fully informed as to the normal size. 



1. Increased commercial crop. 



It is very evident that there has been an increase in the 

 strictly commercial apple crop of the United States, census 

 figures to the contrary notwithstanding. It is important 

 to be on guard against statistics and figures showing de- 

 creases in acreage. The fraction of the crop which reaches 

 commercial channels is of the greatest importance. Ordi- 

 narily the commercial crop is estimated at approximately 

 40 per cent of the total production. Commercial apples 

 are defined to include only that portion of the crop which 

 reaches strictly commercial channels. All fruit left or 

 eaten on the farm, wasted or used for by-products, was not 

 considered as commercial. The agricultural crop may de- 

 crease, but if there is a greater portion of it directed into 

 commercial channels, the decrease may be more than offset 

 by the increasing commercial crop. In many sections the 

 commercial crop is and has been increasing, rapidly during 

 the past few years. 



Even with the expected increase in population and the 

 better distribution discussed as favorable factors, years 

 are likely to occur when bumper crops will cause prices to 



