EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 147 



THINNING THE FRUIT. 



A thinning test was started this season, to last over a period of three 

 years. Of one lot, one tree was thinned to eight inches; one was thinned 

 to four or five inches, and one tree was left unthinned. Of the other 

 varieties, one tree was thinned to eight inches and one tree unthinned. 

 It was noted at the end of the first season's test that all trees severely 

 thinned were much thriftier and their foliage much healthier, and did 

 not fall from the trees as early in the season as on unthinned trees; 

 that peaches taken from the thinned trees sold for nearly double as 

 much as those from unthinned trees. 



The varieties chosen for the test happened to ripen at a time when 

 there was a good demand, otherwise peaches from unthinned trees 

 would have been unsalable. From a commercial standpoint, the benefits 

 from heavy thinning were very apparent. 



MARKETING. 



Of the yellow varieties, Engle Mammoth is the most profitable variety 

 on statiop grounds, Salway ranking next, with Ford New, Kalamazoo, 

 Brunson, McCollister, Smock, Willett and Gold Drop following closely. 

 The Elberta trees have been removed, and it was not considered in the 

 *bove statement. Although somewhat tender in fruit bud and rather 

 inferior in quality, this variety is in large demand and commands the 

 highest market price, and it is considered one of the most valuable 

 varieties for commercial planting. Smock has usually been a very prof- 

 itable sort, but this season it was far from satisfactory, owing to the 

 conditions at the time of ripening. 



Much depends upon the size of the fruit and the packing. As a rule, 

 white varieties have not been satisfactory, and many growers have re- 

 moved them from their orchards, while very few are being planted; and 

 yet the better white varieties grown at the station grounds, well packed 

 in open-slat, one-fifth bushel baskets, sold for a higher price than many 

 of the later yellow varieties on the Chicago market. 



NOTES ON NEW VARIETIES. 



Advance. — Size medium to large; color white, with red cheek; quality 

 fair; ripens the middle of August. Will require further trial. Semi- 

 cling. 



Banner. — Kipened a few fruits for the first time, this season, from 

 trees planted in 1899. Of medium size; yellow, with slight red cheek; 

 ripens with Smock, but is of better quality than that variety. Will re- 

 quire further trial. 



Capital. — Size medium to large; color yellow, with very faint tinge of 

 red; resembles Smock somewhat and ripens with that variety. Fruit is 

 dry, mealy and not so good in i|uality. 



Clifton. — Ripened a few fruits this season from trees planted in 1900. 

 A white-fleshed peach of medium size and fair quality. Kipe August 23, 

 Freestone". 



Delaware, — A handsome, large-sized, white-fleshed peach of good 

 quality. Ripens in early September, It is doubtful if it proves of value, 

 coming at that time and being white-fleshed. 



