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strains. There are many reasons for the intensive effort to evaluate 

 the relative merits of these various new strains. Perhaps the most sig- 

 nificant factor is the increasing demand for more intensive fruit color. 

 For many years most of the fruit in this country was packed under a U. S. 

 No. 1 grade with a maximum color requirement of twenty-five per cent for 

 most varieties. The demand today is for one hundred per cent color. 

 Thus full color has become an important factor in market demand. The 

 second factor has been the recent trend towards dense plantings in com- 

 bination with tree size control. Thus, the reason for the special in- 

 terest in the new strains with both fruit color and dwarfing character- 

 istics. It is very significant that we should be favored with so many 

 promising new strains in our most popular variety. It is also interest- 

 ing that the mutations affect the two most important factors: fruit 

 color formation and tree growth characteristics. 



"Extensive information is now available on many of the new budsport 

 strains of Red Delicious. It will be many years, however, before ade- 

 quate evaluations are available for general commercial use. In the mean- 

 time these new strains are being planted exclusively in all areas where 

 adequate good fruit color is a factor. Progressive management will rec- 

 ognize the importance of obtaining the latest available information be- 

 fore making additional new plantings. It is expected that current rat- 

 ings will change with additional information and as new selections are 

 evaluated and introduced. 



"Current evaluations indicate that some of the more promising new 

 standard strains of Red Delicious include such selections as Topred, 

 Houser, Chelan Red, Red Prince and Ryan Red. From the standpoint of 

 earliness, intensity and quality of fruit color formation, these selec- 

 tions have been very impressive. In some areas the Harrold strain has 

 been very good. Under conditions where adequate good color Is not too 

 difficult to obtain selections such as Royal Red and Imperial have proven 

 to be very satisfactory. It should be emphasized, however, that from 

 the standpoint of earliness and intensity of fruit color formation, prac- 

 tically all of the new mutations are far superior to existing strains 

 such as Starking and Rlchared. There is concern that some of these new 

 strains may carry too intense a color factor and become too dark by time 

 of picking maturity. This may well be true in some areas. In many of 

 these new strains there undoubtedly will be some sacrifice in quality 

 for quantity of color. Current trends, however, would indicate prefer- 

 ance for a dark, fully colored apple over a green one. Seldom does too 

 much color result in reduced profits. 



"The semi-dwarf spur-type strains are of special interest in new 

 developments. Most of the strains now under commercial development 

 have been evaluated quite extensively. Available information Indicates 

 very little difference between the various selections. Those which 

 have been well evaluated include Starkrimson, Sturdyspur, Redspur and 

 Wellspur. There may be a slight preference for these strains in the 

 order listed but under field conditions it is quite difficult to dif- 

 ferentiate between them. In general, the spur -types have not been quite 

 as impressive under Eastern conditions as have some of the standard 

 strains. Under adverse conditions they tend to color late with a dull 



