330 



Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



alone are injured, the fruit matures and in most cases can- 

 not be distinguished from the normal specimens. When 

 the injury extends outside the seed cavity, the fruit may 

 mature, but be abnormal in shape. Figure 90 shows a 

 longitudinal section of a frozen Bartlett. Notice the black 

 spot, the deadened core near the calyx; development has 

 taken place in the part that should normally have been 



the neck. Fruit injured in 

 this way may easily be dis- 

 tinguished by its square, thick 

 form. Figure 91 shows a 

 comparison of a normal and 

 frozen Anjou pear, indicative 

 that the form of the pear 

 which normally has a short 

 neck is the more abnormal 

 when injured by frost. Such 

 abnormal fruit cannot be con- 

 sidered fancy, but in most varieties is worth saving. 



Discoloration of the tissues must extend well out toward 

 the surface of the young pear before it can be pronounced 

 dead, but when frozen to the extent that it results in 

 blistering of the skin, it may be expected to perish. 



Second-crop Bloom 



The destruction of the first crop of bloom by frost is 

 often followed, especially in the apple and pear, by the 

 throwing out of a second crop of bloom; and the question 

 is often asked what can be expected of this bloom. The 

 grower is often at a loss to know whether the trees are 

 worth spraying or not. 



FIG. 91. Anjou Pears. The 

 Smaller injured by Frost 

 when Young. 



