UNIVERSITY PARK - Seedless table grapes grown in Pennsylvania may be able to capture at least one-third of the market now going to Thompson Seedless grapes from California. This conclusion came from a study earned out recently by College of Agriculture marketing specialists at Penn State. The findings were reported at a symposium on research for operators of small fam\s, held Tuesday at" a symposium on research for operators of small farms, held Tuesday’ at the Agncultural Research Center of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Md. “Consumers like, the locally grown seedless table grapes once they become familiar with them” declared Carl W. Haeseler, Penn State scientist in grape culture. He said grape growing offers an opportunity for fannies on small farms to increase their income. However, such farm operators FRANKLIN H. KREIDER 2400 Dairy Road Lancaster, Pa. 17601 717-898-0129 30% LIQUID NITROGEN . ( ★ Check Our Fall Fill-Up Price ★ Call Us For Your Fall Fertilizer And Limestone Needs FARBERWARE COOKWARE 10% DISCOUNT ON 3 PCS. OR MORE BLANKETS 10% DISCOUNT on 4 or More LARGE SELECTION OF GAMES, TOYS & GIFT ITEMS PETERSHEIM'S STORE Local table grapes could capture one-third of market often find it difficult to sell grapes through large-scale commercial channels because of the small volume of grapes grown. The best solution seems to be in selling grapes through farm and roadside markets. Marketing aspects of the study were directed by Laurence L. Yager of the Cooperative Ex tension Service, College of Agriculture. Yager and associates compared the new seedless variety Lakemont with California Thompson Seedless. Sales of the two varieties were compared at three roadside fruit and vegetable stands one each in Berks, Cumberland, and Lancaster counties. initially, consumers were un familiar with Pennsylvania-grown table grapes. After trying them, buyers spokc highly of their flavor and texture. The well-known Thompson Seedless grapes sold three times the volume of Lakemont. Con- TRUCKLOAD OF CITRUS fruit | DIRECT /fw|% FROM FLORIDA E3SH SHRIMP & OYSTERS RD 1 Christiana, PA 1 mi. East of Nickel Mines Hours; Mon.-Fri. 7-8; Sat. 7-6 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL TOOLS sumers said they bought the California grapes for their known quality and the larger size com pared to Lakemont. Earlier studies showed, however, that small size was not objectionable. Part of the study featured Lakemont grapes stored at 33 to 35* Fahrenheit for a month in sulfur dioxide atmosphere. Grapes thus stored remained in good condition for at least a month. Grapes spoiled when stored for a month without sulfur dioxide at mosphere. “Sulfur dioxide storage can provide a more orderly marketing pattern than now possible by ex tending sales beyond the short harvest time,” Haeseler com mented. He indicated the demand for seedless table grapes is highest during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas seasons. Com petition from Thompson Seedless is greatest in September and October. Guard G3oQfI(DOO Omsffli?QDDe© (Soodd!*)®®^ Lancaster, PA 717-569-5361 "Friend of Farmers since 1896.” Is your farm adequately insured? With out low rates and broad coverage you can’t afford to be underinsured. Our agent in your area will gladly give you a quotation without obligation. GEBHARD & CO. 7th ( Chestnut Sts., Lebanon, PA THOMAS M. LANDIS R D *2, Sugartoaf, PA LAUREL INSURANCE MANAGEMENT, INC. Carrolltown, PA DANNER’S INC. Biglerville, PA thestihlqisav. ASM FOR , ALL SEASONS All year round thcStihJ OIoAV to one o/ the best all-around tools you ouihave Because ns mare d pro quality ch<un saw With a sunple attachment change ttsd brushc utter or hedge trun -g* mer Ge/ the hest help tor every tob M Cf t tht saw for *l)set) VGfr/ions TTjeOASAV'irom Stld DEALERNAME ANDADDRESS STiHL STOLTZFUS A & B SALES WOODWORK & SERVICE RD Gap RA Bo> I*3 2 Miles South cl Rt 23 A lon* 772 1 Mile North Rt M 7 From Gap Thro Monterey - RDI Ronks. FA MARTIN HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT CO. Rt SOI 1 ‘A Miles South of Schaefterstown PA Rhone 717 949-6817 WES STAUFFER SALES 8. SERVICE RD3Ephrata PA Rhone (717) 73*-4215 Ephrata Exit New Rt 222 Vi Mile West on Rt 322 Turn lett onto Pleasant Valley Rd Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 21,1981—827 "If local grapes could be stored in good condition until the heavy supplies of Thompson Seedless clear the market, local grapes could find a ready market,” he added. Yager and Haeseler say they believe local grape owners could compete with California producers, suice shipping costs are increasing. At tV time of the THINK AHEAD... Read Futures Markets on Page 3. H*WtrMst§r§esfs*tm§CkomS9w MESSICK FARM EQUIP. INC. RheemsEutßt 253 Elizabethtown RA Rhone 717 367 1319 study, the cost for shipping table grapes from California to Penn sylvania was about 10 cents a pound. Initially, the Lakemonts were sold at the same price as the Thompson Seedless. If the Lakemonts did not sell after two days, the price was dropped 10 or 20 cents below Thompson Seedless
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