53 



back to particular trees if necessary. The season has not been a 

 favourable one, and the specimens have left much to be desired in a 

 number of respects, and this through no fault of those who have 

 contributed specimens for examination. In a number of instances, 

 however," the presence of Codlin Moth has prevented the examination 

 from being satisfactory. Where there is a tendency to an open 

 channel it is almost invariably made use of by the larva of this pest 

 to find its way to a protected place with the least expenditure of 

 energy, a place also where a supply of food is at hand. This brings 

 prominently into notice the well-known fact, and it is an important 

 fact, that this passage is the usual road for the attack of this insect, 

 particularly when an open channel exists ; but it at the same time 

 prevented me from making measurements and comparisons for the 

 reason that the channel was too much altered by the attacks of the 

 insect to allow of reliable measurements. 



In giving an account of these examinations I have omitted the 

 name of the orchardist, merely giving the locality. All are skilful 

 growers, and the names attached to the specimens could, I have no 

 doubt, be relied upon. The names were verified as far as possible by 

 comparison with specimens sent from the Government orchards under 

 the charge of Mr. Allen, Fruit Expert to the Department, to whom 

 I am indebted for aid in securing specimens. The notes made are 

 intended to show whether a passage existed from the eye inwards, 

 and, if so, the diameter and length of the passage, and whether it led 

 directly into the core chambers, or whether it was blocked or closed 

 at the bottom. By the bottom of the channel is meant that part of 

 the channel which would be the bottom if the apple were placed on a 

 table with the eye uppermost. 



Nature and size of the channel leading from the blossom end to the core 



cavity in the apple : 



Seven varieties were sent from Goulburn, and were examined with the following 

 results : 



HAWTHORNDEN, 10 samples. In five to the core cavity, varying in width from 



cases the passage was closed, so that there one-sixteenth to one-eighth of an inch. The 



was a quarter of an inch of tissue between channel was often conical or funnel shaped, 



the bottom of the blossom cavity and the and nearly closed at length. Two speci- 



core. Two had a channel to the core mens were attacked by codlin moth through 



cavities, but this was due to the codlin the channel. One had an abnormal cavity 



moth present. One had a narrow channel at the bottom of the channel just above 



nearly to the core cavity. The remainder the core, due to the attack of some disease, 



were intermediate between the last and One was blackened and mouldy in the core 



the best. The sample especially marked cavities. In nearly all cases there was an 



" H " was among the best. open and easy passage right to the core 



cavities. 



ANNE ELIZABETH, lOspecimens. All had 



the channel closed, the distance from the MAMMOTH. In all cases there was an 



bottom of the channel to the core cavities open channel, about one-eighth of an inch 



being one-fourth to five-eighths of an inch. in diameter, leading to the core cavities. 



That specially marked "A" was inter- Several of the apples were already attacked 



mediate in this respect. internally by some fungus disease, and 



were ripening off prematurely in a punky 



FIVE-CROWN PIPPIN. All but one of the manner. Very likely the disease was due 



ten specimens had an open channel leading to Penicillium or Miicor. 



