4 HARVESTING, STORING, AND MARKETING 



trees are now being removed to give more distance between 

 trees. This will probably reduce the yield per acre for a few 

 years at least. Although trees come into bearing younger in 

 the Pacific Northwest than in the Eastern States, it is probable 

 that their productive life is considerably less. 



Table 1 gives the average annual total and commercial 

 production of apples in the United States for the 1927-36 

 period and separately for 1937 and 1938, This table brings 

 out the marked variations in given years from the long-term 

 average. Over a long period of time total production is de- 

 clining while commercial production is being maintained. 

 This is probably due to better orchard management and the 

 gradual concentration of the apple industry in the more- 

 favored fruit regions. 



TABLE 1 



Production of Apples in the United States 





Average 

 1927-36 



1937 



1938 



Total, bushels 



Commercial,* bushels. . . 



150,728,000 

 92,821,000 



210,783,000 

 115,733,000 



131,882,000 

 82,395,000 



♦The part of the total crop sold for consumption in the fresh or original state. 



The leading commercial states in order of their importance 

 are listed in Table 2. Note that there are wide fluctuations 

 from year to year from the long-term average. These fluc- 

 tuations are less marked in the Pacific Coast States than 

 elsewhere. Figure 1 also emphasizes this point. 



The grower should study his orchards after the crop has 

 set, after the "June drop/' and at least once more a month 

 before harvest. He should estimate the probable yield by in- 

 specting at least 5 trees per acre carefully, taking pains not to 

 be misled by heavier crops on outside rows or on unimportant 

 varieties, or by a few trees carrying abnormal loads. If he 



