DEVELOPMENT OF HARDY FRUITS 41 



hours before noon the sun shines on the east aspect at the same 

 mean angle as he does on the west aspect for three hours after 

 noon; but during the latter period his rays have according to the 

 above observations about 40 per cent greater intensity." 



The results which the English gardener obtains with fruits under 

 what some of us might consider rather trying climatic conditions 

 is remarkable. 



The importance of the local climate in growing fruits successfully 

 or otherwise was well brought out in an article on " Climatic Adap- 

 tation of Apple Varieties" by Dr. J. K. Shaw of the Massachusetts 

 Agricultural Experiment Station at Amherst in the 23rd annual 

 report of that Station from which the following is a quotation : — 



"There is a close relation between the mean summer tempera- 

 ture and the development of the fruit. For every variety there 

 can be determined a mean summer temperature at which it reaches 

 its highest and most satisfactory development. Any departure 

 from this mean results in greater or less inferiority of the fruit, 

 the degree of inferiority depending on the amount of the departure 

 and the variety. A summer mean too low for a variety results in 

 (1) greater acidity, (2) increased insoluble solids, (3) greater 

 astringency, (4) less coloration, (5) decreased size, (6) scalding in 

 storage. 



"A summer mean too high for a variety results in (1) uneven 

 ripening, (2) premature dropping, (3) rotting on the trees, (4) poor 

 keeping quality, (5) lack of flavor, (6) mealiness, (7) less intense 

 color, (8) decreased size." 



Color in Apples. 



The cause of high color in apples is not thoroughly understood, 

 but it may be said that each variety of apple has a color or a possi- 

 bility of a color or colors peculiar to itself and it requires the proper 

 conditions and chemical changes to develop them and make them 

 apparent to the eye. Certain conditions will intensify the color 

 of a variety, and others will lessen it. Some of the principal ap- 

 parent causes of the development of color in fruit may be considered. 

 It is well known how important a factor sunlight is in the develop- 

 ment of color in fruit. 



