14 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 2-.>6. 



cider or similar uses. It has been considerably planted in Massachusetts, 

 and its behavior is variable. In the Experiment Station orchards it tends 

 to run small and of rather poor color after a few years' bearing. It 

 bears heavily biennially. It seems to be more generally successful in 

 Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol counties than in the rest of the state. In 

 western Massachusetts it does not do very well. 



The tree is vigorous, upright spreading in habit and considerably hardier 

 than Baldwin. It makes a rather dense head but after it reaches bearing 

 age it is not objectionable in this way. 



Probably the Delicious is more uniformly successful in otlier sections 

 than it is in New England. If this is true it is doubtful if it ever attains 

 here a place comparable with that of Baldwin and Mcintosh. Possibly in- 

 creased knowledge may lead to better management that will overcome its 

 tendency to run small on mature trees. Thinning and nitrogen applica- 

 tions in midsunmier may prove to be means to this end. 



It follows that Massachusetts growers should use some caution in plant- 

 ing Delicious, at least until means of attaining uniformly high quality 

 are more certainly known. No one may wisely plant it unless he is pre- 

 l)ared to grow it skillfully so as to produce a high quality product that 

 will meet the demand for a fancy dessert fruit. It is not a variety for 

 a careless grower. 



GoLDEx Delicious 



Much interest has been excited about the Golden Delicious, due to the 

 txtensive advertising it receives from the nursery firm introducing it. As 

 grown in the Middle West it is a handsome waxen yellow apple of ex- 

 cellent quality. The tree is vigorous and begins to bear at a remarkably 

 early age. It is apparently very" productive. The apple hangs well to 

 the tree and keeps and stands handling very well. In the humid climate of 

 New England it does not seem to attain this clear waxen color, it is a more 

 dull yellow and a little inclined to russet. It is doubtful if it attains the 

 size it does where the growing season is longer. 



Most of our New England markets have a distinct prejudice against 

 yellow apples. This may be foolish, but it must be taken into considera- 

 tion by fruit growers. Probably the extensive advertising this variety is 

 receiving will go far towards overcoming this prejudice, but unless it suc- 

 ceeds better than preliminary observations indicate we cannot compete 

 successfully with Golden Delicious grown in other sections where it at- 

 tains greater attractiveness and possibly better quality. 



Red Bud Sports 



Many cases are known where a single branch on a tree normally bearing 

 striped or splashed apples has produced fruit of a distinctly nmre intense 

 red color, and this character is uniformly transmitted by buds taken from 

 these branches. In other respects it is generally exactly like the parent vari- 

 ety. Many such "bud sports" of the Gravenstein have appeared in this state 

 and elsewhere, and Rome, Twenty Ounce and other varieties show them oc- 

 casionally. None of these red sports has attained very great favor with 

 growers. 



Recently a bud sport of the Delicious has been brought strongly to the 

 attention of fruit men under the name of Starking. It is beyond doubt a 

 true red bud sport of distinctly deeper color than Delicious usually has. 



