THE TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF APPLES. 79 



serrate or crcnate, rarely approaching dentate. The direction of the serra- 

 tures is largely indicated by their nature, but it may be useful to make a 

 clQser specification on this point, as this is an important one in description. 

 Their direction may be more or less forward or, rarely, almost outward. 

 The size of the serratures is important, and should be taken strictly in 

 proportion to the size of the leaf and not as to their absolute size. They 

 may be small, medium or large. Their regularity is an important point, 

 and thej^ may be regidar, irregular or double. 



Sometimes the serratures are distinctly curved, in other oases they are 

 straight, their depth is closely correlated with size, but it may add to 

 definiteness to specify that they are deep, medium or shallow. Space refers 

 to the amount of separation of the individual serratures; if widely sepa- 

 rated they are distinct, if set closely they are indistinct. In describing the 

 surface and texture of the blade we refer to the upper surface, while the 

 pubescence is found on the lower surface only. The surface may be dull 

 or shining, the texture coarse or fine, and the pubescence short or long, fine, 

 coarse or woolly. 



Flower. — The flower presents characters of value in systematic descrip- 

 tion, but it is available only for a brief period. Apple flowers vary in size 

 and color, in the form of their parts, and probably in other characters. 

 The writer has had so little opportunity to study apple flowers that he 

 hardly feels like attempting anj^ discussion of their exact description. 

 Space is provided in the blank suggested for mention of such points as 

 seem worthy of specific description. 



Finally, under the heading "characteristics" we may sum up in a few 

 words the specific characters that serve to distinguish the variety described. 

 Careful study of any variety will usually reveal certain things about the 

 leaves, twigs or general form of the tree that serve to identify it, and a 

 terse recapitulation of these will be found very useful. 



Fruit Description. 

 Size. — In the description of the fruit the first point that we consider is 

 size. This may vary from very small to very large, or even to extremely 

 large. The importance of stating the size in definite units, as inches or 

 millimeters, as discussed on page 87, cannot be too strongly emphasized if 

 exact work is desired. In the opinion of the writer the relation between 

 the descriptive terms suggested and actual measurements of the cross 

 diameter ought to be about as follows: — 



