FRUIT NOTES - September, 1941 



T.-. H. Thies 

 Extension Horticulturist 



Here's an Idea 



Although apples have been graded according to either the U. S. or 

 the Mass. Grade standards by some of our larger growers for a number of years, 

 the bulk of our commercial crop is sold with relatively little grading. Many 

 ordinary crops are sold "Orchard Run" vdth "Ciders" out. One of the most 

 common practies is to sort out so-called "No. I's" and "No. 2's." Your 

 guess as to the meaning of the term "No. 1" is as good as the writer's, per- 

 haps better. Generally, "Na. 1" means the best apples in the orchard. But 

 the border line between "I's" and "2's" is flexible. At least, it is flexible 

 enough to fit both the grower's conscience and the pri»e offered by the buyer. 

 We've actually seen a farmer sorting out so-called "I's" and "2's" from a 

 crop which looked as if it had not been sprayed. There are probably as many 

 different conceptions of a "No. 1" apple as there are grov;ers using that term. 

 "Someone has suggested a "{Futility" Grade as appropriate here.) But when we 

 say "U. S. No. 1," we have in mind a standard in which color, tolerated blem- 

 ishes, etc., are clearly defined. A "U. S. No, 1" apple has the same meaning 

 in Massachusetts as it has in Michigan. It is a common denominator for apples 

 from, any section, recognized wherever apples are bought and sol^d. Further- 

 more, Federal purchases are being made on the basis of U. S. Grades. 



The idea we want to convey is briefly this: Instead of continuing 

 to pack apples on the hit and miss basis here outlined, why not pack accord- 

 ing to the U. S. standards? These grades are less complicated than most folks 

 believe. And v/hen once we get in mind the few simple requirements, it is like 

 measuring the individual crop with a yardstick instead of a rubber band. 



In this issue of Fruit Notes will be found a brief statement of the 

 U. S. Grade Requirements. It will be noted that the first three Grades, "Fancy," 

 "No. 1," and "Commercial,'' have the same blemish tolerances. They differ only 

 in the amount of color. The "Utility" Grade involves another set of blemish 

 tolerances. Here we have a plan by which apples of 1st quality may be separated 

 from those of 2nd Quality. Sorting the crop on that basis instead of the out- 

 dated No. 1 and No. 2 basis, we are prepared to sell in competition vath other 

 apples in any market in the country. If fruit is of High Color and has been 

 sorted out on the basis of 1st Quality, it may be marked "U. S. Fancy." If it 

 has Good Color, it may be marked "U. S. No. 1." In the case «tf Mcintosh, the 

 first grade requires 50% Color, the second grade, 25% Color. 



Hormone Spraying 



We will be interested in reports from fruit., growers anywhere concern- 

 ing the success of spraying to control fruit drop. Special blanks are avail- 

 able and have been sent out to a few grov/ers, but they are not by any means 

 necessary for reporting. A copy of Bulletin No. 381, "Spraying to Control 

 Preharvfcst Drop of Apples," is available to anyone who writes in for it. 



L. Southwick 



Alumni Semina r in Pomology 



On November 14 and 15 the Department of Pomology xvill conduct seminar 

 meetings, mainly for graduates, to review some of the nev;er things in fruit grow- 

 ing. -Vi'atch Fruit Notes next month for program. R. A. Van Meter 



