UC-NRLF 71 710 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. RECEIVED BY EXCHANGE Class AN APPLE ORCHARD SURVEY OF NIAGARA COUNTY NEW YORK A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY BY MARSHALL BAXTER CUMMINGS [Reprinted from Bulletin 262, Cornell University Experiment Station.] JANUARY, 1909 BULLETIN 262 CORNELL UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION OF THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE Department of Horticulture APPLE ORCHARD SURVEY OF NIAGARA COUNTY Under the Direction of JOHN CRAIG BIT M ^: CtTMMlNGS ITHACA, N. Y. PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY ORGANIZATION OF THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. BOARD OF CONTROL ^ THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AND STATION COUNCIL JACOB GOULD SCHURMAN, President of the University. ROBERT H. TREMAN, Trustee of the University. LIBERTY H. BAILEY, Director of the College and Experiment Station. EMMONS L. WILLIAMS, Treasurer of the University. JOHN H. COMSTOCK, Professor of Entomology. HENRY H. WING, Professor of Animal Husbandry. EXPERIMENTING STAFF LIBERTY H. BAILEY, Director. JOHN HENRY COMSTOCK, Entomology. HENRY H. WING, Animal Husbandry. JOHN CRAIG, Horticulture. T. LYTTLETON LYON, Soil Investigations. H. J. WEBBER, Plant-Breeding. B. M. DUGGAR, Plant Physiology. JOHN L. STONE, Farm Practice. JAMES E. RICE, Poultry Husbandry. MARK V. SLINGERLAND, Entomology. GEORGE W. CAVANAUGH, Chemistry. ELMER O. FIPPIN, Soils. W. A. STOCKING, Jr., Dairy Bacteriology. HERBERT H. WHETZEL, Plant Pathology. G. F. WARREN, Farm Crops. LOWELL B. JUDSON, Horticulture. CHARLES S. WILSON, Horticulture. M. W. HARPER, Animal Husbandry. CHARLES F. CLARK, Agronomy. JAMES A. BIZZELL, Sail Investigations. C. A. PUBLOW, Dairy Industry. CYRUS R. CROSBY, Entomology. C. A. ROGERS, Poultry Husbandry. P. J. WHITE, Farm Crops. D. REDDICK, Blmt'Pathok>g.y, . .. : t E. R. MINNS, Farhr .Practice,* : :': : ., : G. A. CRABB, 4 SQils.. .. E. S. GUTHRIE,: Buitfefitic&hf^ ! -V- . : M. F. BARRUSV Plant ' Pathology" M. B. CUMMINGS, Horticulture. The regular bulletins of the Station are sent free to persons residing in New York State who request them. Apple Orchard Survey of Niagara County* INTRODUCTION BY JOHN CRAIG The active campaign was commenced in July, 1905, by the writer, assisted by Messrs. C. S. Wilson and G. W. Hosford. The first orchard examined was the peach orchard of the late Dr. Charles A. Ring on the Lake Road. Dr. Ring was a prime agitator for the institution of this work in Niagara County and extended the hospitality of his home for more than a week to the three persons who began the work. Other FIG. 26. A general view of the topography of the Lake Road region, Niagara County persons who kindly aided the survey in the same way in order to econ- omize funds, were Messrs. W. T. Mann, L. and Frank Bradley of Barkers; S. W. McCollum and F. R. Wheeler of Lockport. Kindly cooperation was also rendered by Albert Eighme, George Pomeroy, Willard Hopkins, Frank Hall, Frank Balmer and John Witmer. Indeed, the fruit growers of the county generally should be thanked for the generous way in which they responded to our requests for data and general information. The following orchard inspectors were employed during the seasons of 1905 and 1906: Messrs. J. E. Coit, C. D. Jarvis, J. E. Howitt, C. F. Kinman, J. P. Stewart, C. F. and L. A. Niven. The work was finally completed by the author of this bulletin, M. B. Cummings, in 1907. * Printed January, 1909, but withdrawn for reexamination of statistics. Re- vised and reprinted for distribution May, 1910. J. C. 279 226913 280 .\ i t / 1 > { J l " ^'LisTitf 262. Cooperation by the Bureau of Soils. At the inception of the orchard examination, the desirability of adding to its completeness by securing a survey of soil conditions was immediately recognized. The matter was presented to the Chief of the Bureau of Soils through whose kind coop- eration a soil survey was authorized and completed in the summer of 1906 under the immediate direction of Professor E. O. Pippin. The full text of this examination is set forth in the eighth Report of the Field Operations of the Bureau of Soils, 1906, pages 69 to 117. Copies of the bound volumes of the soil survey are on sale by the Superintend- ent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. Separate copies of soil surveys may be secured by applying to the Bureau of Soils, except when the supply is exhausted. HISTORICAL NOTES In 1779, a large tract of country in the western part of New York was set off and styled Ontario. This embraced the entire region lying between the two lakes, including Steuben, Ontario, Yates, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Livingston, Chautauqua, Erie, Orleans, Wyoming, Gene- see, Wayne, Monroe and Niagara Counties. The subdivisions which erected these counties were made between 1779 and 1854, Niagara being separated from the group in 1808. At this time, Buffalo was little more than a village, Niagara County mostly in timber, and the old Ridge Road unopened. Fruit-growing has been associated with the progress of this county from its earliest settlement. It is recorded that Indian orchards existed here in the regions occupied by the Senecas and the Oneidas. The Sullivan expedition against the warlike tribes in western New York in 1779, caused the destruction of thousands of fruit trees. Miss Stites, the author of the " Economics of the Iroquois," says : " The apple is the Iroqouis banana. From the earliest introduction of this fruit into New York and into New France from the genial plains of Holland and Normandy, these tribes appear to have been captivated by its taste and they lost no time in transferring it, by sowing the seed, to the sites of their ancient castles. No one can read the accounts of the destruction of their extensive orchards of the apple, which were cut down on General Sullivan's inroad into the Genesee country in 1779, without regretting that the purposes of war should require this barbaric act. The Census (of Schoolcraft) will show that this taste remains as strong in 1845 as ^ was sixty-six years ago. Upwards of four thousand fruit trees were counted in the Senecas' territory alone APPLE ORCHARD SURVEY OF NIAGARA COUNTY. 281 (1845), anc * the Tuscaroras (this tribe occupied the present site of Ni- agara County) had over fifteen hundred fruit trees." Apple-orcharding. Apple-tree planting in Niagara County began, as it did in New England and the older states, by first setting out seed- ling trees. Many of these were subsequently top-grafted. There were practically three eras in the apple-orcharding history of western New York: First, the era of seedling apples; second, the era of top-grafting, when these were worked over to named varieties from New England ; and FIG. 27. A part of the lawn surrounding the residence of Mr. W. T. Mann third, the era which marked the establishment of the great commercial orchards of today, and the planting of Greening, Baldwin, Spy, and the like. Early nurseries. It is recorded in Turner's history of Niagara County (1878, page 232) that in 1813, one Jairus Rose, living near Sanborn, sowed two acres of land to apple seed, thus starting the first nursery in the county. The young trees were distributed throughout the settled parts of the county. The price of these seedling trees was twelve cents each. It would be very interesting to know whether this distribution of seedlings did not give rise to some important local varieties peculiar to western New York. Among other nurseries established was that of Dr. William Townshend, near Lockport, about 1830. S. Cudaback and Timothy Cutwater 282 BULLETIN 262. maintained a nursery on the Lake Road between Wilson and Olcott about the same time. In 1839, Elisha Moody established a nursery on the Ridge Road northeast of Lockport. The founder was the first president of the American Association of Nurserymen. The original firm has been con- tinued by E. Moody & Sons now in business at Lockport. Messrs. Penfield and Burrell, of Lockport, were also in business be- tween 1850 and 1865, at the time when there was considerable activity in the planting of orchards. To these early nurserymen the county is largely indebted for the large commercial orchards now in bearing. VALUABLE FRUITS ORIGINATING IN NIAGARA COUNTY Niagara County has given to the State and the Nation some valuable varieties of fruit. The varieties noted below include only those which are of more than local significance. Niagara peach. Like many good things, there is some obscurity as to the origin of this peach. Two men in the town of New fane, this county (Niagara), claim its discovery, but the most probable story of its origin is given as fellows by J. S. Woodward, Lockport: " Fifteen or more years ago, Mr. P. H. Corwin began to grow peach trees for sale in a small way. In an orchard of Early Crawford from which he was taking buds, he noticed a very vigorous tree that bore very nice large peaches, and naturally he cut a good many buds from this tree. When the trees he sold began to bear, the owner noticed a marked difference in the fruit on different trees and made inquiry of Mr. Corwin as to the cause. This led to close inspection of the orchard from which the buds had been cut and established the fact that there was a variety very distinct from Early Crawford. In 1894, Mr. Corwin began to prop- agate this as a new sort, and at first called it Mammoth Crawford ; but as this would lead to a confusion of names, Niagara was substituted and today it is known by no other name. The tree is a more vigorous grower, with heavier and darker green leaves and more stocky wood than the Crawford ; nor does it load on as much fruit as the Crawford at its best. It begins to ripen about one picking later than Crawford, and the fruit is larger, more round and of better quality than the Craw- ford and holds out good in size to the last. Anyone going through an orchard of Crawfords with a few Niagaras mixed in, has no difficulty in distinguishing the variety even when there is no fruit on the trees." Niagara grape. The Niagara white grape is one of the leading com- mercial grapes of the state. It originated in 1872 with the nursery firm cf Hoag and Clark of Lockport, N. Y. It is the product of a cross of Concord and Cassidy described as follows by the originators : APPLE ORCHARD SURVEY OF NIAGARA COUNTY. 283 Hardy, healthy, vigorous and productive; wood rather long jointed; leaves large, thick, leathery and downy, often double-lobed ; bunch medium to large, 8 to 14 ounces in weight, compact and often shouldered ; berry large, roundish to oval, uniform in size, with tough but thin skin, pale green changing to yellow when fully ripe ; flesh soft, tender, sweet and pleasant, and of good quality. This grape has attained a permanent place as the leading white grape of Ohio, New Jersey and New York, and is extensively planted in the grape districts of central and western New York. Somerset apple. The Somerset is reported as having originated in the town of Somerset. It was first brought to notice by 'C. L. Hoag of Lock- port. Somerset is an early apple of sprightly flavor, and considered good for family use. The fruit is somewhat below medium, roundish conical in shape and of a deep golden-yellow color. The flesh is nearly white, tender, juicy, with a rich aromatic flavor. The quality is very good. The tree is upright and spreading in its growth. Somerset is especially noted for its earliness. It is said to be very productive. Pomeroy English walnuts. These were introduced into Niagara County in 1876. Norman Pomeroy brought several walnuts home with him from the Centennial at Philadelphia and planted them in his garden in Lockport. From these native-grown nuts he raised a number of trees. Several varieties were obtained, and the best one "was named by H. E. VanDeman the Pomeroy walnut. This variety has proved hardy and productive, and each year the nuts are saved for nursery plantings. A. C. Pomeroy is now in charge of the walnut nursery. THE OUTLOOK That this is encouraging, there is no question whatever. The pro- gressive, prudent apple grower of Niagara County should be, and is, prosperous. Notable examples of successes by men who engaged in the business under exceedingly unfavorable circumstances are not rare. When failure has occurred, it may usually be charged to one or all of the following causes : lack of capital, enterprise or knowledge, and extensive rather than intensive efforts. The bane of many beginners is insufficiency of capital, but this is not so fatal as inadequate knowl- edge. Then, many beginners develop too rapidly. A slow, steady growth is much better than a rapid, unhealthy growth. Niagara County pos- sesses substantial natural advantages for growing fine apples. Much of the soil is admirably adapted, the climate is favorably tempered by proximity to Lake Ontario. A large and growing market is near at hand, while the transportation facilities are much better than the average. 284 BULLETIN 262. What, then, is needed? Better care of existing orchards; renova- tion of some orchards declining under present management; the plant- ing of new orchards with high-grade varieties and their cultivation after the most approved methods ; and, finally, picking, packing and market- ing the fruit in a thoroughly business-like manner. The new apple regions of the Northwest Pacific are successfully competing, and in some degree securing the cream of the returns in the markets of the east. There is no question in regard to the innate ability FIG. 28. A Niagara County homestead. Residence of the late Dr. Ring of the east to grow fruit of high quality, but so much of the grading and packing is faulty that the reputation of the entire product is thereby injured. The native as well as the introduced enemies of the apple are no longer seriously feared by the first-class grower, but the acme of success will not be attained until Niagara growers, in common with the fruit- producers of other great apple-growing counties of western New York, reorganize and remodel in large measure present methods of finishing and handling their principal orchard product. That such a reorgani- zation of method is now taking place and will go on rapidly in the future is conceded. APPLE ORCHARD SURVEY OF NIAGARA COUNTY GENERAL STATEMENT AND RESULTS* BY M. B. CUMMINGS This bulletin is the product of field studies of apple orchards in Niagara County. It is a long story briefly told. The purpose, however, is to present the facts in regard to orchard management in Niagara County. It is a contribution of knowledge to the actual status of the apple in- dustry of New York State. Contrasts and comparisons with condi- tions in Orleans (Bull. No. 229) and Wayne (Bull. No. 226) Counties can be made. The careful reader will find in the tables presented here- with, material for extensive studies. It would be interesting if each fruit grower would study these tables in relation to his own orchard. Detailed descriptions of apple enemies and factors of orchard manage- ment are omitted. For a full discussion of these subjects the reader should consult Bulletin 226, entitled "An Apple Survey of Wayne County," which is an exhaustive treatise of general apple-orchard problems. Methods of work. The field studies were made in a manner very similar to that of previous surveys. The canvasser was provided with camera, note-book, bicycle, etc. The computations for yields and prices were based only on bearing orchards. In all cases, three bushels constitute a barrel. Only a few parts of the county were omitted. With the exception of Wheatfield, Pendleton, Royalton, and parts of Hartland, the entire county was surveyed. A few orchards as small as three acres were canvassed, although most of them of less than five acres were omitted. Thus, although many little orchards were left out large family orchards were included in this survey. Size of the industry. In 1890, according to the census report, Niagara County had 1,033,454 apple trees of bearing age, which was the largest * The orchard survey campaign. This bulletin is the third in the series of orchard survey bulletins. The first two on the apple-growing of Wayne and Orleans Counties quickly ran out of print, attesting their usefulness in a very satisfactory way. The data for three additional surveys are in course of prepara- tion. These cover Monroe, Orange and Ontario Counties. Other surveys will be undertaken as time and means permit. 285 286 BULLETIN 262. number of any county in the State. In 1900, this number was reduced to 924,086, which was still considerable above that of any other county in New York. A more recent census would undoubtedly show still greater reduction in the number of trees. With respect to yields for the year 1889, Niagara ranked second, producing 623,204 bushels of apples, and was exceeded only by Wayne County. For the year 1899, Niagara produced 1,421,796 bushels and still ranked second, being exceeded only by Monroe with an excess of 14,595 bushels. FIG. 29. An old story: An example of an orchard in which the trees are crowding each oilier and are now " -fighting it out " Area In apples. The entire area of the county comprises 522 square miles, or 334,080 acres, with an average of 46 acres in apples to the square mile. Furthermore, since there are 924,086 trees in the county, and since the average number of trees per acre is 38.2 it follows that there are about 24,190 acres in apples. This means that 7.2 per cent of the area of the county is planted to apple orchards. About three- fourths of the orchards are in the northern half of the county. More complete surveys were made in the lake-shore districts than elsewhere, although representative districts of the entire county were surveyed. APPLE ORCHARD SURVEY OF NIAGARA COUNTY. Physiography* Niagara County measures about 18 by 29 miles, and embraces an area of 522 square miles. It includes parts of two rather distinct topographical regions. The northern part is the old lake bed, often called the Ontario plain, which extends from the lake to the base of the escarpment; and the ridge region, embracing the Niagara escarp- ment and a part of the Erie plain, extending as far south as North Tonawanda, and east through Lockport, and even farther. The county is rather flat, aside from the ridge and its immediate vicinity. There is a slight, but rather general slope in the northern FIG. 30. A Baldwin orchard on the Lake Road showing a good cover-crop of mammoth clover part toward the lake, and in the southern part toward Buffalo and the south. There are only a few hills and a minimum of swamp area, but considerable mountain territory composed of a very durable stratum of Niagara limestone. There are no important rivers, ponds or valleys in the county. Much of the land on plains and on the plateau is too flat to allow of good natural drainage. The Ontario plain is made up largely of Dunkirk soils, such as sand and clay loams. Such soils lend themselves easily to all methods of tillage, and here cultivation is the general practice. On the other hand, the moun- tain territory is, much of it, too rough and stony for thorough cultivation. * For fuller description see report of field operations, Bureau of Soils, 1906. 288 BULLETIN 262. The climate is much influenced by Lake Ontario. Cool and moist winds from the lake are modifying and unifying factors. Local and seasonal precipitations are probably much affected by proximity to the lake. The temperature is doubtless higher in winter and lower in sum- mer because of nearness to Ontario waters. Attention is drawn to this circumstance by the soil survey of the region, found in the Report of the Field Operations of the Bureau of Soils for 1906, page 75. Age of the orchards. The accompanying table is interesting in show- ing the rise and decline of apple-orchard planting in the county. It is quite probable that a few orchards were planted previous to 1820, but no records could be obtained to support this idea. Very few orchards were set before 1855, and these were small ones for family rather than commercial purposes. Shortly after this date, however, large orchards were put out, and for a period of thirty-five years extensive plantings were made; in fact 75.9 per cent of the orchards now of bearing age were set between 1855 an d 1879. The most significant feature of this table, however, is the one that shows the decline in plantings. This decline began about twenty-five years ago, and has rapidly continued till the time of this survey. This fact can hardly be attributed to the San Jose scale, for this insect has not been prevalent, or at least not troublesome for much more than six years. This matter of decreased plantings should not be looked upon too lightly by the fruit grower of this section, for the tendency is such as to cause alarm, and the final effect will be serious. I. DIFFERENT PERIODS OF PLANTING DATE OF PLANTING. Number of orchards. Number of acres. Per cent orchards. 182029 (10 years) 2 183039 (10 years) 8 40 I 4 184049 (10 years) 22 in r i 3 8 185054 (5 years) 20 2 7O 52 7 ^ 688 12 O 186064 O2O i 86s 60 . 47 467 8 i 187074 . 114 I 136 19 6 187 ^70. . TO C I 098 18 i i 88084 36 6 2 I 7 IC7 2 Q I 2 122 2 I I 80 ^ QQ 8 78 I OOO O4. 6 O I O APPLE ORCHARD SURVEY OF NIAGARA COUNTY. 289 Age and yield. The period of maximum production seems to come between fifty and sixty-five years after planting. Some orchards or parts of orchards were seen, which were planted previous to 1830, but no accurate data could be given of the yields so they were not used in this computation. II. AGE AND YIELD PER ACRE IN BUSHELS FOR ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTY SURVEYED DATP OP 1902. 1903. 1904. PLANTING. Num- ber or- chards. Num- ber acres. Aver- age yield. Num- ber or chards. Num- ber acres. Aver- yifld. Num- ber or- chards. Num- ber acres. Aver- age yield. 89 2 14 1 1 7 1840-49 4 2 40 1 1 98 121 | 39 78 88 107 4 5 40 76 213 1 73 26l 16 1 06 1860-64 3 * 297 96 3 7 408 45 456 IO2 186569 356 48 458 69 162 187 o 74 3 267 136 43 3 7 1 122 63 597 I 70 l62 108 623 150 1880-84 1 1 105 198 15 153 71 23 123 I 29 1885-89 I 50 18 IIS I 4 160 AGE AND YIELD PER ACRE IN BUSHELS FOR ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTY SURVEYED DATE OF PLANTING. 1905- 1906. FIVE-YEAR AVERAGE. Num- ber or- chards. Num- ber acres. Aver- age yield. Num- ber or chards. Num- ber acres. Aver- age yield. Aver- age age. Aver- age yield. 183039 i 8 6 20 54 80 72 7 36 2 5 5 72 48 210 680 8l 4 708 878 384 I? 45 180 210 138 158 109 132 130 93 164 198 91 4 2 6 3i 5 ,6 H 22 3 4 92 s> 90 216 640 768 330 618 300 15 36 60 240 75 208 202 159 9 8 144 123 71 72 *6 9 *59 52 47 42 37 32 2? 22 17 12 in 170 123 168 124 135 131 I3i 137 139 (0)82 185559 186064 186569 1880-84 I 88t?-8o 189094 The comparatively high yield for the last two periods, namely, 1885- 89 and 1890-94, is due to the fact that these orchards were mostly of the Oldenburg (Dutchess) variety, which is an early bearer. * Average age for a ten-year period. Each date of planting not known, (a) Two year average. 290 BULLETIN 262. SOILS The following data are abstracted from the eighth Report of the Bureau of Soils, the survey which formed the basis of the report on the Niagara sheet having been conducted in conjunction with the orchard survey in 1906. There are seventeen soil types in Niagara County. Only five of these, however, have been used extensively for apple orchards, viz., Dunkirk loam, Dunkirk clay loam, Dunkirk silt loam, Clyde loam and Tona- wanda clay. THE SOIL TYPES Dunkirk loam. This occupies more territory than any other one soil, and has been used most largely for orchard plantations. Consider- FIG. 31. Partial tillage with grass between the rows. Better than no cultivation, but not so good as thorough cultivation able areas in Middleport, Gasport, North Wilson, Newfane, and Youngs- town are of this sort. There is also a strip extending from Youngstown to Lewiston, and then eastward along the ridge from Lewiston to 'Lock- port. This type of soil is derived from glacial material, and carries some sandstone and shale. It is a dark brown loam, eight to ten inches deep. The subsoil is a light brown, fine sandy loam, which is compact, and becomes darker in color and heavier in texture with depth. Stones are scattered through both subsoil and surface soil. Dunkirk clay loam. This ranks second in the area occupied. It is the most common type about Niagara Falls, Suspension Bridge, and toward Sanborn. This type is a stiff and heavy clay. It is dark APPLE ORCHARD SURVEY OF NIAGARA COUNTY. 291 brown to grayish brown, and runs to a depth of eight inches. It is generally free 'of gravel and stones. The compact character of this soil, and the fact that it is frequently found on depressed areas, renders drainage on it very poor. Dunkirk jilt loam. This occurs along the lake from Youngstown eastward in interrupted areas. It is also common west of Gasport and Orangeport, and on toward Lockport. This type consists of a pale yellow to light brown silt loam. It is underlaid by a darker subsoil. It is sedimentary in origin, and represents the wash from higher shale slopes. Clyde loam. This occurs in the quadrangle delimited by Hickory Corners, Wilson, Youngstown, and Lewiston. The largest single area within this district is south and southwest of Wilson. This type is derived from glacial lake deposits. It is somewhat variable in color and appearance. It varies from a friable loam to a dark gray, brown or black color. The depth ranges from eight to twelve inches. It is much subject to puddling and when wet is sticky and impervious,. On well-drained areas, however, it is mellow and pervious to water. Tonawanda clay. This is distributed uniformly from southern Ni- agara Falls to LaSalle, on toward North Tonawanda, and eastward toward Wheatfield. Tonawanda clay is much like Dunkirk clay loam. It is somewhat lighter in color, and is firmer in texture and consistency. It has a surface soil ranging in depth from five to twelve inches. It carries very few stones, and but little gravel. III. RELATION OF YIELDS TO SOIL TYPES 1902. 1903. KIND OF SOIL. Number of or- chards. Number of acres. Aver- age yield. Number of or- chards. Number of acres. Aver- age yield. Dunkirk loam 68 167 161 Dunkirk clay loam Dunkirk silt loam 10 97 148 11 113 iS7 Clyde loam j 54 57 67 73 Tonawanda clay 16 108 Dunkirk loam ' 1904. 780 83 1905- 826 160 Dunkirk clay loam A 279 J 57 301 * 5 1 Dunkirk silt loam ... Clyde loam 8a 18 Tonawanda clay Dunkirk loam 81 1906. 8?? Dunkirk clay oam 30 291 *35 Dunkirk silt luam Clyde loam 21 174 60 Tonawanda clay 292 BULLETIN 262. Yields on different soil types. Table III shows that the Dunkirk soils give larger yields than the other types. It shows also that Clyde loam is considerably inferior to all others. It is probable that the Clyde loam yields are too low, but a smaller number of orchards and acres were used in this computation, so the averages are not so well substan- tiated. After all, the orchards on the Clyde loam were not neglected ones, so the figures are correct as far as they go. Selection of orchards. In order to increase the value of this study of yields on different soil types, the orchards were selected with considerable FIG. 32. After " thinning," by cutting out every other row diagonally through the orchard care. All scale-infested orchards were excluded and only those orchards were considered which had received, so far as could be told, nearly equal and uniform care. No neglected orchards were included. This sifting process reduces the acreage considerably, but seems to be the only fair method of procedure. DRAINAGE A study of the accompanying table on drainage shows that a little more than half (52.2 per cent) of the orchards have good drainage; about one-fourth (26.3 per cent) have fair drainage; 10.5 per cent have poor, and 1 1. 1 percent have locally bad drainage. Furthermore, it may be seen that there are more orchards and more acres with locally bad APPLE ORCHARD SURVEY OF NIAGARA COUNTY. 293 drainage than with poor drainage. Now if it pays to have good drainage on the whole area of an orchard, it should pay equally well to drain any part that needs it. It is frequently these locally bad areas that determine the profit, for such sections receive as much care in tilling, spraying, and pruning but they give little or no return in crops. Another feature shown by the table is the small proportion of orchards which are given artificial drainage ; and still another is the number of acres of trees killed or damaged through failure to provide good drain- age. It becomes clear, that little attention is given to soil drainage.* IV. DRAINAGE DRAINAGE. Number of orchards. Number of acres. Per cent orchards. Character of drainage : Good ?O2 2 8^0 ?2 2 Fair 1^2 i 6^1 26 3 Poor 6l <^6 IO re years YIELDS, PRICES AND -MARKETS, AND INCOME Yields. Four tables are presented herewith which give the essen- tials with respect to yields. The table on yields for the entire county is only approximate, as is that on average yields per tree. All yields are much reduced because of the scale in the western part of the county. XXII. APPROXIMATE TOTAL YIELD IN BUSHELS FOR ENTIRE COUNTY 1889 (U. S. Census Report) 623 , 204 1899 (U. S. Census Report) 1,421, 796 1902 3.445. 1903 4, 622, 200 1904 4, 428,600 I95 3,751 ,000 1906 4, 124,000 The estimates for the last five years are only approximate. XXIII. AVERAGE YIELD PER ACRE IN BUSHELS YEAR. Number orchards. Number acres. Average yield. IQO2 . . 12 ^ IQO'? . . * - 273 2 776 230 IQO4. . A CQ 197 100=;. . 3 72 J 95 17-7 a 55 j. /y The average yield for the five-year period is 192.4 bushels, which is 29 bushels less than was found for Orleans County, and 34 more than was found for Wayne County. BULLETIN 262. XXIV. AVERAGE YIELD PER TREE 1902 6.2 bushels i93 5.2 bushels i94 5.1 bushels i95 4.1 bushels i9 6 4-7 bushels Average , 5 . bushels These results were obtained by dividing the average yields per acre (Table XXII) by the average number of trees per acre, which is 38.2. This average yield per tree is two-tenths of a bushel more than was found for Orleans County, and is one and four-tenths more than in Wayne. XXV. CLASSIFICATION OF YIELDS I9O2. 1903. 1904. YIELD PER ACRE IN BUSHELS. Num- Num- Per Num- Num- Per Num- Num- Per ber or- ber cent or- ber or- ber cent or- ber or- ber cent or- chards. acres. chards chards. acres. chards. chards. acres. chards. o 100 3 2 33 35.2 3 2 389 8.7 84 899 33 9 101-200 36 443 39-6 288 695 77-8 102 i , 132 41 . i 201-300 8 88 8.8 25 326 6.8 29 285 TI.7 3OI 4OO. . . I 2 1 15 13 2 *9 163 5 i 8 i 4OI SOO 2 1 5 1 . 2 3 29 .8 I I 104 4 4 5OI 6OO 2 8 . 5 I 83 ^ 6 6 QOI-IOOO CLASSIFICATION OF YIELDS VTPT Ti PT?T? APP~R 1905. i 306. IN BUSHELS. Number orchards. Number acres. Per cent orchards. Number orchards. Number acres. Per cent orchards. Five-year average per cent orchards. 212 2 4l6 S3 200 2,348 45 -5 35 . 2 148 138 i 694 31 4 45 -4 201-300 18 208 4-5 ll 558 1 20 13 .2 3 6 1.6 4OI5OO 4 20 i 6 74 1 . 4 2 160 . 5 28 Q .5 6OI7OO 4 14 i .0 .6 18 82 g 7 APPLE ORCHARD SURVEY OF NIAGARA Co Prices and markets. The table given below shows the average prices for the crops as they were marketed for the different years. The averages for 1905 an.l 1906 were based on a smaller number of computations than for any of the other years ; still they are representative for the county for those years. XXVI. AVERAGE PRICE PAID TO GROWER HOW MARKETED. 1902. 1903- 1904. 1905. 1906. Price per barrel . . Price per bushel sold in bulk $2 00 18 $i 82 3 5 $2 3 2 28 $2 18 $1 56 Price per 100 pounds sold to dry 29 3 5 3 42 33 Price per 100 pounds for cider 20 24 Niagara County apples go to a cosmopolitan market. Some find immediate markets in the large cities of the state, such as Buffalo, Rochester, and New York, but still larger quantities go to more general markets in the Middle West. A few growers store their fruit and retail in winter at Buffalo and Niagara Falls ; but the bulk of the apples is sold to the highest bidding com- mission man. Very few growers reported any price for cider or vinegar apples. Such markets are not worth while. Under normal con- ditions the bulk of apples in the county is handled in the apple barrel. Up to [G. 39. Result of a bad crotch. Three hmbs were started from same place, and when heavy each has hve vears a > tne split off. sorting table and the BULLETIN 262. apple barrel were the characteristic features of the apple industry. But with the introduction and spread of the scale, important changes have occurred. Since 1902, the cider mill and the evaporator have come to the fore. In 1902, only .9$ of the apples went to the evaporator. In 1903, this had increased to 2.8$; in 1904, it was still increasing, and had run up to about 7.3$; while in 1905, the evaporator claimed 34.1$ of the crop. This seemed to be the climax, for in 1906, the evaporated por- tion had fallen to 27.1$. There have been three chief causes for the production of so much inferior fruit : The apple scab, the codling moth, and the San Jose scale. In 1905, there was considerable scab on apples, but since then there has been but little. There is considerable loss every year from codling moth. But the most potent factor is the scale, which is a pro- lific feeder of the evaporating factory. Outside of the scale-infested area different conditions prevail. Take, for instance, the year of 1905, when our field notes were the most com- plete, and another aspect is presented. Our records for that year show that in the eastern part of the county the evaporator received only three per cent of the crop, whereas for the entire county in the same year thirty-four per cent went to the dry-house. Similar con- trasts might be constructed for other years. The time seems ripe, then, for a fuller recognition of the importance of fighting the scale, and every effort should be made to destroy this pest. Every apple grower who allows scale to breed in his orchard should feel that he is not only injuring his own business, but helping to stigmatize the character of the whole county. XXVII. DISPOSAL OF THE CROP HOW MARKETED. 1902. 1903. 1904. Bushels. Per cent. Bushels. Per cent. Bushels. Per cent. 188,692 33,622 2 ,OSO 84.1 15-0 9 381,712 90,606 13,645 500 78.S 18.6 2.8 . i 419,890 85,059 39,726 384 77.0 15.6 7-3 . i Sold in bulk Otherwise disposed of APPLE ORCHARD SURVEY OF NIAGARA COUNTY. 317 HOW MARKETED. 190 5. 190 5. Bushels. Per cent. Bushels. Per cent. Sold in barrels 125 043 57 8 67 & Sold 8 i Sold 7-1 ^gg Income per acre. The information gathered on this point is displayed in two tables. One shows the average gross income per acre for each of the five years. The general average for the five-year period is $109.20 per acre. This is $16 less per acre than was found for Orleans County. The second classification shows how these incomes are dis- tributed with reference to the number of orchards and number of acres under each group. The grower will find it interesting to study these tables with reference to his own orchard. XXVIII. AVERAGE GROSS INCOME PER ACRE IOO2 $112 OO IQO3 . 129 .OO 08 oo I QO ^ 103 oo IOO6 . . IO4.OO General average for the five-year period $109 . 20 XXIX. CLASSIFICATION OF INCOMES INCOME PER ACRE. 1902. T 9 03. 1904. Number Number orchards. 1 acres. Number orchards. Number acres. Number orchards. Number acres. o 25 16 10 23 33 33 35 21 28 IS 27 30 21 31 4 161 96 302 315 32? 585 5" 3M 269 542 560 883 345 375 22 55 58 69 79 So Si 11 13 4 5 4 17 8 246 457 593 643 828 557 369 744 796 112 262 32 57 351 437 7i 104 72O 126 XIO 98 68 16 14 19 II 4 5 ii 2 2 II 704 1,131 i , 146 1,241 1,281 1,113 560 147 278 547 327 35 34 400 10 21 437 26 50 51 75 76100 101125..., 1 76200 226250 25 1275 3013 25 3 76400 I 16 IS Over 500 BULLETIN 262. CLASSIFICATION OF INCOMES INCOME PER ACRE. 1905- 1906. Five-year average per cent orchards. (a) Number orchards. Number acres. Number orchards. Number acres. 10 118 82 108 7o 23 29 . 10 34 6 i 21 931 978 953 784 255 582 207 280 249 7 4 98 IOO 79 43 T5 25 42 16 20 6 i i i 804 718 890 673 171 445 404 213 Hi 12 10 4 5-5 14. i 14.0 15-2 12.3 8.1 7-1 5-6 4.6 3-1 2.3 1.8 .5 2.5 .8 .4 9 I . i . 2 26 <:o 151175 226250 35 1 3 75 426450 Over 450 (a) Less than five years in a few cases. FIG. 40, A sample of good pruning, showing the healing process well under way APPLE ORCHARD SuRvW *di' ; NrAiGAtfA : Gdt}NTY".'- 319 SUMMARY Extent of the survey. During the summers of 1905, 1906 and 1907, over 716* orchards containing 6,000 acres were canvassed in Niagara County. There are approximately 24,200 acres set to apples. Repre- sentative districts all through the county were examined. Age of the trees. A majority of the orchards were planted thirty to forty-five years ago. Five and four-tenths per cent were set out before 1850, 81.1 per cent were planted between 1850 and 1879, and 13.6 per cent since 1880. During the past seven years, the scale has deterred many from planting orchards, but the decreased plantings began twenty- seven years ago, and the acreage. has been on the decline since 1880. Soils. The Dunkirk loam and the Dunkirk clay loam are the best soils for apple production. Clyde loam gives the lowest yields. Too little attention has been given to drainage, and much loss has been sustained because of this neglect. Drainage. Fifty-two and two-tenths per cent of the orchards have good drainage, about twenty-six per cent have fair drainage, and about eleven per cent have poor drainage. About eleven per cent have locally bad drainage. A little money spent in draining the orchard land would prove a good investment. Fertilization. Barnyard manure is used more itihan any other fer- tilizer. Sixty-one per cent of the orchards receive manure, about four per cent are given commercial fertilizer, and about twenty-two per cent are not fertilized at all. Cover-crops are used to the extent of nearly ten per cent. Tillage. Approximately fifty-one per cent of the orchards have been tilled for five or more years, and twenty-eight and nine-tenths per cent have been in sod for the same time. Five-year averages show larger yield and greater income for tilled than untilled orchards. The per- centage of tilled orchards seems to be on the increase, for in 1905 fifty- two per cent of the orchards were tilled. There are many sod orchards that are well cared for. Of the sod orchards, those not pastured have given the largest average yields. Where pasturing has been practiced, hog treatment has proved the best. Enemies of the apple. During the last six years the scale and cod- ling moth have been the worst enemies of the apple. Collar rot is bad only in sections, and generally on poorly drained land. More attention must be given to spraying to insure good quality of fruit. Spraying* About four-fifths of the orchards are generally sprayed. The presence of the scale has made very little difference in spraying * Includes 135 orchards not embraced in Table I on page 288. 320 BULLETIN 262. practices, although it has increased the kinds of spray mixtures used. Very few of the scale-infested orchards have been treated with scale- killing mixtures. Paris green with Bordeaux has been most generally used. When averages are considered, there seems to be a definite rela- tion between spraying and yield and income. However, this does not hold with four sprayings, probably because of other disturbing factors. Unsprayed orchards give an average yield of 261 bushels, with an aver- age income of $45 per acre. One spraying gives 364 bushels, and an income of $93 per acre. Two sprayings yield 509 bushels, and give $101. Three sprayings carry the yield to 577 bushels, and the income to $171. The largest number of orchards and the greatest number of acres are given two sprayings per year. In well-cared-for orchards, the maximum yield comes with three sprayings; but the maximum in- come follows four sprayings. Pruning. In sixty-six and seven-tenths per cent of the orchards com- pared as to character of pruning, the pruning is good or fair, in twenty- five and three-tenths per cent it is poor or neglected, while in eight per cent no pruning is done. Effective and profitable spraying is impossible where insufficient pruning is done. More pruning and greater regularity of the work must be adopted in order to fight successfully the serious pests. Distance between trees. The average distance between trees is 33 8 feet. The favorite distance is 36 x 36. Nearly half of the orchards were set from 36 x 36 to 40 x 40. In forty-seven per cent of the orchards the trees are too close. Rented orchards. Very few orchards have been rented. Only thir- teen and three-tenths per cent have been held by tenants during recent years, and of these forty-six and two-tenths per cent have been let out for at least five-year periods. Yields. The average yields per acre have been : 1902, 236 bushels ; I 93> J 97 bushels; 1904, 195 bushels; 1905, 155 bushels; 1906, 179 bushels. The average for the five years is 192.4 bushels. Prices. The average prices per barrel have been: 1902, $2.00; 1903, $1.82; 1904, $2.32; 1905, $2.18; 1906, $1.56. Income per acre. The average gross incomes per acre .have been : 1902, $112; 1903, $129; 1904, $98; 1905, $103; 1906, $104. The general average for the five years is $109.20. Varieties. About thirty kinds of apples are grown in the county. Rhode Island Greening, Baldwin and Northern Spy are the chief vari- eties. Russets, King, Tolman, Twenty-ounce and Hubbardston, how- ever, are grown to considerable extent. YC 62073