HANDLING THE FRUIT. 19 



both to rail and water transportation, a condition always considered 

 favorable to the fruit grower. 



In general, the climatic conditions are favorable for the end in view. 

 The only exceptions that call for special notice are the late spring 

 frosts and cold periods following unseasonably high temperatures in 

 winter, during which the fruit buds advance to a tender stage. If 

 these unfavorable temperatures occur during the blossoming period, 

 serious damage is likely to result. On account of the low elevation 

 of this region it is more subject to these conditions than regions 

 having higher relative altitudes. In selecting orchard locations, 

 places where late spring frosts are known to occur to a serious extent 

 should be avoided. 



GROWING THE FRUIT. 



As the subject-matter of this bulletin is primarily a description of 

 the conditions that prevail in the Coastal Plain region and an account 

 of the different varieties of early apples grown therein and their 

 behavior, only passing mention is made of cultural and fruit-handling 

 methods. 



In general, it may be said that the orchard management requisite 

 for the production of this class of fruit does not dift'er materially 

 from the usual methods employed in growing winter apples. The 

 same pruning, cultivating, fertilizing, spraying, etc., are recpiired 

 in the one case as in the other. The later sprayings commonly 

 recommended for late varieties are not so necessary for the earlier 

 sorts for obvious reasons, though the early applications should be 

 made with the same thoroughness that is required for winter sorts. 

 It is a question worthy of consideration, however, whether later 

 applications made after the fruit has been harvested would not be 

 worth while, at least in the case of varieties especially susceptible 

 to fungous diseases, in order to protect the foliage during the long 

 period between harvesting and the end of the season. The vigor 

 and healthfulness of the trees might thus be insured and the crop 

 the following season perhaps improved thereby. 



HANDLING THE FRUIT. 

 METHODS AND CONDITIONS. 



The methods employed in handling early apples are much more 

 closely allied to those used in marketing peaches than to the usual 

 manner of caring for winter varieties. This results naturally from the 

 character of the fruit. 



As a rule the fruit is intended for immediate consumption and is 

 not usually marketed until fully ripe, or, at least, in suitable condition 

 to use without delay. As its period of duration is short when edible 



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