-8- 



Our nutritional work with Mcintosh trees has shown that fruits of high 

 color are produced by trees with medium levels of nitrogen and high levels of 

 potassium. 



Before fruit color is blamed on nutrition the grower should first determine 

 if insufficient pruning and tree crowding are affecting color. The size, color 

 and quality of fruit are affected considerably by pruning. The number and loca- 

 tion of small, poorly colored apples show which branches or parts of branches need 

 attention during the pruning season. 



Tree crowding is very evident at harvest. Note if the filler trees a^e 

 beginning to interfere with fruit color and productiveness of permanent trees. 

 In addition, they may be interfering with harvest operations. 



The time and effort spent trying to pick those apples on the high branches 

 of tall trees should be a forceful reminder that something should be done. 



W. J. Lord 



I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 



DETERMINATION OF PICKING MATURITY OF PEARS 



Pears should be harvested before softening occurs. If left on the tree 

 until yellow, such varieties as Clapp Favorite are frequently soft and decaying 

 on the inside. Pears ripened on the tree are likely to be of poorer quality than 

 those ripened off the tree. 



It is difficult to state an index of maturity that is infallible, therefore, 

 growers must combine experience with several of the maturity indices stated be- 

 low in order to determine the proper date of harvest for pears. Fruit firmness, 

 the ease with which the stem can be separated from the spur, the change in ground 

 color from dark green to a lighter shade of green on some varieties, the number 

 of days between full bloom and maturity for the variety are indices of maturity 

 that can be used by growers. 



Some growers and most County Extension Services have fruit pressure testers 

 which can be used as a guide for determining when pears should be picked. The 

 pressures suggested for several varieties (using a 5/16 inch diameter head) are 

 as follows: 



Anjou 13 - 15 lbs. 



Bartlett 17 - 20 lbs. 



Bosc 14 - 16 lbs. 



Seckel 16 - 18 lbs. 



Winter Nelis 14 - 16 lbs. 



W. J. Lord 



