Al'l'I.K (JK'OWIXG IN CALIFORNIA. 



' U AFTER XI. 



THINNING. 



One important operation in connection with the handling of our im- 

 mature apple crop, vix. tli inning, is too often neglected. The excuse 

 generally irivm for not thinning is that it costs too much. This is a 

 howi-ver. where a little extra money invested will add greatly to 

 the income of an orchard. There are records of a number of experi- 

 ments that have been carried out which prove conclusively that thinning 

 I -ays. and to neglect the operation means to fail to do one of the most 

 important things in connection with the growing of apples. 



INFLUENCE UPON THE FRUIT. 



It is the desire of ever}- fruit grower to produce fruit possessing a 

 good size, high color, fine quality and uniformity. Such is usually 

 impossible unless thinning is practiced. 



The size that fruit attains not taking into consideration the varia- 

 tion due to variety is influenced more or less by age of trees, stock, 

 soil, climate, cultural methods and the presence of disease or insect 

 Some of these influences may be such as to prevent the pro- 

 duction <;f a desirable size of fruit, but in general our trees will with 

 ordinary care produce fruit of good size, provided that they are not 

 overloaded. The time has passed when we want to place a premium 

 on abnormally large fruit. It is not the purpose to advocate thinning 

 so heavily as to bring about an overgrown condition, but during seasons 

 of big crops to thin to a point where the most desirable size for the 

 variety can be attained. Any one who is at all familiar with the 

 orchard business knows that great losses are often occasioned because 

 of undersized apples. 



The desirability of producing good color is unquestioned. Not only 

 does this please the eye but also adds to the quality. A rosy 

 AVinesap or Baldwin apple w T ill be sweet and juicy, with a flavor to 

 suit the most delicate palate, while the same varieties grown on the 

 same trees, but uncolored. will be scarcely relished. Leaving out of 

 consideration the fact that color influences quality in the variety, the 

 beautiful red apple will command higher prices on the market than 

 better varieties without color. 



AVhile size, colm- and quality must all be taken into consideration, 

 then- is probably nothing more desirable than uniformity, and in no 

 way can this condition be brought about better than by thinning; in 

 fact, it is impossible during seasons of large crops, at least, to secure 

 uniformity in size in any other way. The greatest argument in favor 

 of thinning, as far as the fruit alone is concerned, is based on the above 

 statement. A lack of uniformity complicates standardization methods 

 and all the operations of packing, and is not at all desirable in the 

 aiming and drying business. If by thinning, fruit can be made to 

 average well in si/e. a considerable outlay of money is justifiable for 

 the operation. 



Another argument in favor of thinnini: lias to do with the pres- 

 en<-e of the wor.-t insect pest of this fruit, vix. the codling moth. 



