CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION Service [Circ 42

of freestone peaches has actually declined. The production of freestones
 during the three years of 1926 to 1928 averaged only 196,000
tons a year as against an average of 227,000 tons during the three
years 1920 to 1922, a decrease of 14 per cent. All of this decline
has been in canning freestone peaches. The output of dried peaches
and the interstate shipments of fresh peaches have remained at
approximately the same levels. If the downward trend in the production
 of freestones continues, however, and present indications are
that it will, the production of both dried and fresh peaches in this
state will tend downward.
The available figures on the acreage of freestones in California
indicate that a substantial decline is in prospect during the coming
years. Of the 67,436 acres of freestones in 1929, 60,692 acres, or 91
per cent, were in bearing and only 6,744 acres, or 9 per cent, were
non-bearing. Furthermore, 64 per cent of the present bearing acreage
is 11 years of age and older. Since the average commereial life of a
peach tree is only about 20 years it is evident that some decrease in
acreage, due to old age, may be expected.
From 1921 to 1928 the production of dried peaches has fluctuated
around 23,000 tons. There has been no upward or downward trend in
production during this period. Likewise there has been no upward or
downward trend in the average prices paid to growers. Prices have
fluctuated around 7 cents a pound, which was also the average price
received in both 1927 and 1928.
Exports of dried peaches during the past two years were larger than
in any year since 1919 with the single exception of 1923. The proportion
 of our total dried pack exported has also increased, particularly
during the past five years. Approximately 22 per cent of the 1928 crop
was exported, as compared with 19 per cent of the 1927 crop, 12.4
per cent of the 1926 crop, 10.3 per cent of the 1925 crop, and 9.5 per
cent of the 1924 crop. At the present time Germany, Canada, and
the United Kingdom are the most important foreien markets for our
dried peaches.

Production of fresh peaches in the United States is now at about
the peak and present indications are that there will be a decline in
the trend of production during the next few years. This decline, however,
 is not expected to be rapid; and whenever conditions are favorable
 to high yields, heavy production and low prices are likely to
prevail.