Early Apple Crop Looks Strong in Mass.

With the 34th annual Apple and Peach festival being held this weekend in Acushnet, Massachusetts officials say some apple growers are reporting a strong crop and some above-average sized fruit as the picking season begins following a tough 2012.

The state says more than 100 varieties of apples are grown at the state's roughly 370 apple farms. McIntosh, Gala and Cortland are among the most common. Last year, New England had a dismal apple crop, after apple blossoms sprouted during a warm April then were killed off by a frost.

By contrast, growing conditions were favorable this year, with minimal late frosts, a wet early summer and recent dry conditions.

In 2011, the value of the Massachusetts apple crop was more than $19.4 million.