368 



FUNDAMENTALS OF FRUIT PRODUCTION 



than in sections where the blossoming season has less spread. At Geneva, 

 N. Y., the average interval from the first peach blossom to the last 

 apple tree's first bloom is 15 days. However, there are unquestionably 

 years in almost any fruit growing region when the blossoming period 

 actually determines the difference between a full or a partial crop — or a 

 crop failure. 



Fig. 36. — Frost susceptibility of several fruits as determined by date of blossoming. 

 {After Ballantyne^^) 



Blossoming Period and Fruit Bud Position. — In addition to varietal 

 difference in blossoming season there is occasionally some diversity within 

 the variety. There is a tendency, though it is by no means constant, for 

 vigorous trees to blossom somewhat later; sometimes the interval 

 between vigorous and weak trees is 2 to 3 clays. Terminal and lateral fruit 

 buds of apple frequently are several days behind the spur fruit buds in 

 opening; in at least one instance Jonathan trees have lost practically all 

 the spur blossoms from frost and still returned a partial crop from 

 their terminal buds. The outer buds on long twigs and all buds on short 

 twigs in peaches are the first to open and the slight difference in develop- 

 ment of these and the basal blossoms on the same trees has made at times 

 a vast difference in the crop borne in respective zones. ^^ 



Retarding Blossoming. — Attempts at retarding fruit blossoms so they 

 will escape a certain amount of exposure to frost have not proved success- 

 ful on a commercial scale. Whitewashing the branches to reduce the 

 amount of heat absorbed from sunlight has been discussed previously; 

 shading has been shown to have only a very limited application. Despite 

 abundant evidence to the contrary the notion persists that mulching 

 retards the opening of fruit buds. Except for fruits whose tops are 

 covered, as strawberries, it is of no value. 



