248 



The Principles of Fruit-growing 



work, the cost should not exceed 1J^ to 2 cents a box of harvested 

 fruit. In case of the Gano variety, which is more readily thinned 

 than some other sorts, the cost will hardly exceed 1 cent a box, on 

 low-headed trees. 



Herrick, in Colorado, also reports marked results with 

 the Winesap (Bull. No. 170, Colo. Exp. Sta.) : 



Thinning of the mature Winesap tree pays in money returns 

 the first year. The more evenly distributed the fruit on the tree, 

 the more uniform will be the size and color of the pack. Winesaps 

 respond to thinning by increased size and better color when thinned 

 as late as July 20. The earlier thinning can be done, the better will 

 be the returns from the fruit sold and the greater will be the vitality 

 of the tree. The best results are attained in thinning an old Wine- 

 sap tree, by leaving the apples 9 to 

 10 inches apart. (Fig. 92.) Proper 

 pruning, and keeping the trees a 

 proper distance from each other, 

 will facilitate thinning. Systematic, 

 annual, uniform thinning, done from 

 the time the trees come into bear- 

 ing, should have much to do in 

 securing an annual crop, thereby 

 doing away with the so-called 

 "off-year" bearing of some of the 

 apple varieties. 



Thinning other fruits. 



Maynard reports experi- 

 ments in thinning plums, from 

 which there were marked 

 gains. "A distinct advantage 

 gained by thinning is the 

 appreciable decrease in the 

 ravages of fungous diseases 

 and, to a small extent, of insect 

 pests. This is especially notice- 



FIG. 92. Three-foot branch of 

 Winesap before and after thin- 

 ning. 



