of apples. A knowledge of current practices is highly 

 essential to success. (2) Persons who are interested in 

 entering the orchard business desire to have all available 

 information concerning that business in the locality where 

 they would invest their capital. A survey such as this one 

 brings together facts which this class of persons is seek- 

 ing. (3) Persons and institutions desiring to advance 

 the horticultural interests of the State can the better 

 accomplish this end when they have at hand accurate data 

 bearing on orchard conditions. The Virginia Agricultural 

 Experiment Station frequently has requests for information 

 concerning the adaptation of varieties, and current orchard 

 practices in the State, and I believe this survey will mat- 

 erially assist in answering many of these questions. This 

 survey is by no means as extensive as might be desired. 

 I hope that it is but the beginning of a more detailed 

 survey which will enable us ultimately to know the average 

 cost in this State of producing a barrel of apples, and the 

 average profit that may be expected from it. 



In April, 1911, I addressed five hundred circular 

 letters to fruit-growers in Virginia. The cordial attention 

 which the fruit growers gave my letters was very gratifying 

 to me. The growers were kind enough to answer at length 

 the series of questions which I submitted to them, and I 



