Future Of Apple Growing

In the writer's opinion the future of apple

growing in the United States is likely to shape itself largely in the

great commercial regions. As these become more and more developed and

as the industry becomes more specialized the farmer who is merely

growing apples as a side line, except where he is delivering directly

to a special or a local market, will be crowded out. Here as elsewhere

it will be a case of the survival of the fittest. In the production of

apples commercially those growers who can produce the best article the

most cheaply are bound to win out in the end.



It would, therefore, seem to be advisable for the general farmer to

plant apples only under two conditions; first, when he has a very

favorable location and site and plants heavily enough to make it worth

while to have the equipment and skilled labor necessary to make the

enterprise a success, and second, when he can market his fruit

directly in a local market. It would appear that the immediate future

of apple growing in the United States lies in the small farm orchard

as well as in the commercial orchards, but that the more distant

future lies in the commercial orchard except where special conditions

surround the farm.