4. 



THE CONDITION OF FRUIT IN STORAGE 



An unusual number of Mcintosh was harvested in October this year. Although 

 the season was late, fruit was unusually firm. For example, fruit of 2-1/2 to 

 2-3/4 inches in diameter from four trees were pressure tested from August 25 tb 

 October 11, 1961 at weekly intervals. The changes in firmness can be noted below. 

 Based on the guide that Mcintosh apples for CA storage should pressure test from 

 15 to 17 pounds, the apples harvested as late as October 1 should have been suit- 

 able for this type storage. By making use of pressure testers, growers can 

 determine fruit condition at harvest and in storage! 



Table 1 - Average pressure test of 2-1/2 to 2-3/4 inch Mcintosh apples from four 

 trees in the University orchard from August 25 to October 11, 1961. 



Date 



Flesh firmness 

 (pounds) 



August 25 

 September 1 

 September 8 

 September 15 

 September 21 

 September 28 

 October 5 

 October 11 



18.8 

 18.2 

 18.0 

 17.2 

 15.9 

 15.5 

 14.6 

 14.1 



With the late Mcintosh harvest, naturally Delicious were picked much later 

 than usual. How much water core was present? At the University orchard, only 

 3.9 per cent of the Starking Delicious apples had water core on October 9 as 

 shown in Table 2. 



Table 2 - Per cent of Starking Delicious having water core at harvest, 1958-61. 



