THE TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF APPLES. 



81 



Inches. 



Millimeters. 



Very small, 

 Small, . 

 Below medium. 

 Medium, . 

 Above medium, 

 Large, 

 Very large. 

 Extremely large. 



Below 15^ 

 15^-2 



2-2^ 

 2%-2Ji 



Over 4M 



Below 35 

 35-50 

 50-60 

 60-70 

 70-80 

 80-95 



95-no 



Over 110 



The measurements in inches are not in all cases exactly the same as the 

 corresponding ones in millimeters, but it seems wiser to adhere to the use 

 of less complicated fractions, even at a slight sacrifice of accuracy. The 

 Siberian crabs should be considered in a class apart, and the above meas- 

 urements will not hold for them. Probably most pomologists would give 

 some consideration to the axial diameter in connection with size, but it is 

 certainly of less importance than the cross diameter, and it would seem that 

 the minimizing of such consideration would render descriptions simpler 

 and more exact. The relation of the two diameters is brought out clearly 

 in the descrijition of form. Some varieties will run quite uniform in size, 

 while others are more or less variable. This may be appropriately de- 

 scribed under uniformity in size. 



Form. — Pomologists are agreed that the form of a variety is most im- 

 portant, and therefore it should be described with care. In the present 

 outline, under the teim "form," is described only the general form of the 

 fruit, leaving some of its divisions for consideration under the subheads. 

 The form may be described as oblate, globose, ovate, conic, oblong or truncate. 

 It is commonly said that an apple is oblate when the axial diameter is less 

 than the cross diameter, and this is amply true; but when it is further 

 said that in a globose apple the two diameters are equal, it is not true, 

 if the actual measurement of the apple is considered. It may appear so 

 to the eye, but owing to the indentation of the cavity and basin the cross 

 -diameter of such an apple is much the greater. Where the two are equal 

 the apple would often be called oblong. For the reason given above the 

 impression through the eye, which sees the general outline of the apple 

 only, ignoring the flattening of the base and apex, and the actual measure- 

 ment are unlike. The term "roundish" is commonly used instead of 

 globose, but to us the latter seems the more exact and desirable term. 

 The use of combinations of the terms given, such as oblate-conic, and of 

 qualifying adverbs is often desirable and helpful. 



After describing the form of the apple as a whole, special consideration 

 is given to the base and the apex, the former comprising about one-third 

 of the stem end, and the latter about one-third of the blossom end, of 



