THE THINNING OF FRUIT 109 



so small that 65.7 per cent of the crop was less than 23^ 

 inches in diameter, 34.1 per cent of the crop was between 

 2}4: and 2^ inches and practically none was above 2^ 

 inches. In contrast to this, the crop from those trees thinned 

 six to seven inches apart had only 13.6 per cent of the fruit 

 less than 23<4 inches, while 71.6 per cent was between 23-i 

 and 2% inches, and 14.6 per cent was more than 2% inches. 

 Although there were nearly 2000 more apples per tree on 

 the unthinned trees at picking time, still due to their small 

 size, they produced less than one-half as great a total market- 

 able quantity." 



The following average results of several experiments on 

 thinning apples are tabulated and may be considered as 

 fairly representative of the increase in size from thinning: 



10 experiments, 100 trees. 



8 varieties, Baldwin, Greening, Stark, Ben Davis, Rambo, 

 Rome, Winesap, Jonathan. 



5 states. Nova Scotia, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, 

 Colorado. 



Table XXI 



94. Thinning to improve color. — ^An increase in color is 

 one of the usual results of thinning. In most experiments the 

 color of the fruits (especially on peaches and apples) has been 

 increased, although it must be seen to be appreciated. In 

 an unpubHshed experiment conducted by the author with 

 Grimes Golden apples, the size was not so materially affected 

 as was the color. Practically every apple was a fancy 

 "box" grade, having developed a rich golden color and a 



