IV 



DESCRIBING POME FRUITS 



SUPPOSE we undertake to make a descrip- 

 tion of an apple, or of a sample of a given 

 variety numbering a half dozen specimens. 

 Let us take the blank form shown in Fig. 7, 

 on page 35, and follow the outline there pro- 

 vided. 



The fruit is first considered. Possibly it 

 would be more logical to examine the tree 

 first, with its foliage and flowers and other 

 distinctive characters. But in most cases the 

 pomologist relies chiefly on the fruit for his 

 information he regards it always as the most 

 important and frequently he has nothing 

 else before him when he makes the descrip- 

 tion. On account of its relatively great im- 

 portance, therefore, it is quite proper to take 

 up the description of the variety in this 

 order. 



The form is the first characteristic of the 

 fruit to be considered, and one of the most 

 important, especially in pome fruits. To be 

 sure, a given variety may vary considerably in 



34 



