Circular No. 46. September, 1914 



MASSACHUSEHS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, 



AMHERST. 



Directions for Sending Fruits for Identification. 



By J. K. Shaw. 



The Department of Pomology receives each year many specimens 

 of orchard fruits for identification. This service is gladly undertaken 

 and might be more satisfactorily performed if certain rules for the 

 selection, packing and forwarding of the specimens were more 

 commonly observed. It is the purpose of this circular to set forth 

 such rules for the guidance of those desiring to submit specimens for 

 identification or for any other purpose. 



1. At least two specimens of each variety should be sent. 

 Whenever possible a larger number should be included. This may 



conveniently be done if the fruits are small. 



2. The specimens should be typical of the variety. 



They should not be the largest nor the most highly colored and 

 especial care should be taken to select those of characteristic form. 



3. It is best that they should be sent two or three days before 

 reaching prime eating condition. 



Fruits do not fully develop their varietal characteristics until they 

 are completely ripened. Therefore at this stage identification is 

 easier and more certain. 



4. Wrap each fruit (or in the case of grapes and small fruits each 

 cluster) separately in soft paper. Use several layers. 



5. If more than one variety is sent attach a number to each 

 specimen. 



