MARKETING BARRELED APPLES 39 
USEFUL INDICATORS 
The September estimate of the commercial crop affords perhaps 
the most convenient indicator for those who, like the majority of 
main-crop producers, expect to sell in September and in early October. 
Comparison of the September estimate with the December price of 
the Baldwin in New York City shows that the price varies somewhat 
according to the estimated total commercial production. Relation 
of the later estimates to the price established is still closer, but the 
earlier production estimates have proved reasonably accurate. In 
forecasting the price and comparing the situation with preceding 
years some allowance should be made for other price influences, 
especially the quality and location of the crop, the size and quality 
of the foreign crops, the apparent demand for fruit, and the price 
level and price tendency of products in general. The actual com- 
bined effect of all such conditions is often considered to be summed up 
roughly in the prices quoted for early fall apples in the great market 
centers. Dealers accordingly place considerable reliance on the early 
rices as well as on estimated production, but with due allowance 
or other features of the situation. 
THE FOREIGN OUTLOOK 
Export markets in big crop years have often saved the domestic 
market by taking the surplus, but they are governed by their own 
conditions of supply and demand and the opening prices seem to 
have little relation to prices in the United States. In general, the 
official report of a short crop in Europe, particularly in England, may 
be taken as an indication of a coming active demand for American 
apples. High early prices in Europe for Virginia and eastern New 
ork apples in September are likely to interest export dealers and 
start them traveling through the orchard districts, adding to the 
competition among early buyers and strengthening the position of 
growers. 
VARIETIES IMPORTANT 
The relative quantity and quality of the leading varieties in the 
season’s crop are important in regard to the probable selling price of 
any one of the varieties. These particulars are included in the de- 
tailed crop reports. If New York and Michigan have a large crop of 
fall apples and the late varieties are lighter, it is often Hiscavared 
that the stock available for winter markets is less than assumed 
from the size of the estimated total crop. If the Rhode Island 
Greening crop is short in western New York, that variety may sell 
higher than the red kinds. If the Northern Spy is light and poor in 
New York but good in Michigan, prices of that variety may show 
extremely wide ranges. Each season has special conditions affecting 
the relative market position of the leading commercial varieties. 
Crop shortage in New York and Michigan, which produce nearly 
40 per cent of the average crop of the barrel region, is likely to result 
in scarcity and high price of the characteristic varieties, Baldwin, 
Rhode Island Greening, and Northern Spy, also the Oldenburg and 
other fall kinds. Crop failures in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West 
Virginia concern one-fifth of the barreled crop and result in a prob- 
able shortage of barreled York Imperial, Winesap, Stayman Wine- 
sap, and Yellow Newtown. Crop damage in the Middle West affects 
