300 THINNING AND HARVESTING FRUIT 



7. What laws are there governing the packing and labeling 

 of state and interstate shipments of apples ? Of other fruit ? 



HOME PROJECTS 



1. Go to a barrel or bin of apples in the cellar and pick 

 out 25 specimens that have started to decay. Note the num- 

 ber of those in which rot seems to have started from a bruise 

 in the skin inflicted in harvesting ; of those in which rot seems 

 to have started at the stem where the stem has been pulled out 

 in harvesting ; of those in which rot seems to have started in 

 an insect bite or worm hole; and those that show no bruises 

 on the surface. Calculate the percentage of apples rotting 

 from careless handling at harvesting time. What does this 

 teach you regarding the care that should be taken in harvesting 

 apples ? 



2. Take the four trees that were sprayed as directed in the 

 previous chapter, and carry out the following experiment with 

 them. Thin one to about 3 inches, one to about 4 inches, 

 another to 5 inches, leaving the last without thinning. Note 

 effect on size and quality of fruit. 



