-8- 



fik: , :iigh - colored apples as related tc the nitrogen applicatign 



■ffith the season for fertilizing the sod orchard near at hand, an analysis of 

 the above relationship is in order. Apple buyers every^where are interested in 

 Mcintosh v;hich are not only firm but of good color. And they are vdlling to pay a 

 premium for that kind of fruit. If color and firmness were the only factors to be 

 considered, growers vrould be using less nitrogen, on the average, and in many 

 blocks, none at all. But the number of bushels per acre must be kept above a 

 certain minimum if the grower is to stay in business, because it takes at least 

 200 bushels per acre to cover expenses. And nitrogen is sooner or later the 

 limiting factor as regards yield in every sod orchard. The buyer has little 

 interest in the number of bushels per acre. The grower has a very real interest. 

 To satisfy both the buyer and the grower, common sense suggests the use on each 

 tree of enough nitrogen to maintain tree vigor and thus encourage a satisfactory 

 yield vrithout seriously interfering with either firmness or color. 



On a particular farm in Middlesex County the Mcintosh apples in one block are 

 •/Tell above average in firmness and color. In another block of the same age on a 

 deeper soil, the trees are at least ^0% larger and the fruit softer and less well 

 colored. There is considerable crowding of trees and many of the apples have poor 

 exposure to light. Obviously, the latter block is well supplied -vdth nitrogen, 

 perhaps too vrell, and if more vrere applied v/ithout removing some of the trees, it 

 is quite likely that the fruit might be even less desirable than at present. 

 In the other block, where the soil is lighter and less fertile, the nitrogen 

 application could probably be doubled, vfith a gratifying increase in yield, but 

 v;ithout appreciable reduction of either firmness or color. 



We need to recognize the fact that soils vary tremendously in depth, texture, 

 and fertility and that trees growing on a particular soil type must be fertilized 

 or mulched in accordance with their needs, bearing in mind that i40G bushels per 

 acre year after year are necessary for a fair margin nf profit. We must get away 

 from the idea of applying nitrogen according to age of tree or trcmkc diameter, 

 ■Viithout reference to soil type. '."iie can well afford to step up the nitrogen 

 applicaticn on some trees and cut it out entirely on others. Magness of the USDA 

 says that nitrogen is a t\JO-edged sword: The higher the nitrogen content of fruit 

 and foliage, the poorer the color. But if not enough is used, yield will suffer. 



->'_ -^t ^', ,"_ 



A Valuable Storage Gadget , the Pressure Tester In January Fruit Notes 

 reference v;as made to the testing of apples in several storages, viithout 

 an explanation of the significance of the readings. Similar readings v;ere 

 taken in at least 30 storages during the \vlnter months to determine the 

 rate of ripening apples, particularly Mcintosh. It is interesting to note 

 that the plunger of the pressure tester breaks through the flesh of the apple 

 (skin removed) under less pressure as the apple ripens, the gauge reading 

 being a direct measure of maturity. A reading of 8 means that an apple is 

 in prime eating condition and must be sold promptly wJiile 12 means several 

 v;eeks more of storage life. The pressure tester tends to take the guess- 

 work out of a critical storage problem. 



■ii- ■«■ -if -ii- -ii- -is- ■«■ -js- -/t -Ji- -K- -i^ ■?}■ -i^ <■- -/^ -;<■ ■>/!■ •«■ 



An Omission and an Explanation In January Fruit Notes viq promised 



to include in the current issue the plans for a Pruning Platform. 



These plans must be omitted for reasons beyond our control. They 



will, hov.'evcr, be included at a later date. 



