8 UNIV. OF N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 232 



VARIETY TEST OF FRUITS 



Observations on adaptability of varieties of apples, pears, plums, 

 cherries, and small fruits to New Hampshire conditions have been made 

 by G. F. Potter, L. P. Latimer and L. R. Tucker. 



The present tendency in apple production in New Hampshire is toward 

 standardization on the commercial varieties Mcintosh, Baldwin, Gra- 

 venstein. Spy, Dehcious Wagener and Wealth}', which are all admirably 

 adapted to our soil and climatic conditions. 



The principal question regarding varieties before New Hampshire 

 apple growers is as to the advisability of substituting some other variety 

 in place of the Baldwin for the late winter markets. The two varieties 

 most frequently considered are Delicious and Cortland. The Delicious 

 and its newer red sport, Starking, are under extensive test in the Station 

 orchards on a scale which will make it possible to determine with reason- 

 able accuracy the relative commercial value of this variet}^ as compared 

 to Baldwin. The trees, which were planted in 1923 under sod culture 

 on rather low land, show much better growth than the Baldwin trees 

 planted alternately with them. Observations on this variety in a few 

 commercial orchards in the state where it is in bearing, indicate that 

 the fruit as grown here is rather smaller than that which the public is 

 accustomed to receive from the Pacific Northwest. Its color and qual- 

 ity are excellent, and it is possible that when the buyers become ac- 

 quainted with this type of Delicious they will prefer it to the western 

 product. This, however, is a problem in marketing which it will require 

 some time to solve. Aside from size, the variety has one serious defect 

 as grown under New Hampshire conditions, namel}' that it is very sub- 

 ject to water core. It is thought possible that the red strains may be so 

 handled in the orchard as to avoid this trouble, the superior color render- 

 ing it possible to pick the fruit at an earlier date. 



Twenty-five trees of Cortland planted in 1924 are making very satis- 

 factory growth but have not as yet produced fruit. A few trees of this 

 variety are now fruiting in commercial orchards in the state. Although 

 opinions vary, it appears to be of rather better quality than the Baldwin 

 at the same season, and not as good as the Mcintosh. Its value for 

 planting in New Hampshire orchards should depend, therefore, upon its 

 ability to keep later than the Mcintosh for sale during that period of the 

 year when Baldwins are now principally offered. 



Pears 



Observations were made on pear varieties in two orchards, one in sod 

 in relatively thin dry soil, and the other in a relatively heavy soil under 

 cultivation. 



As in previous seasons, the Flemish Beauty trees showed the greatest 

 promise. The trees were relatively healthy and vigorous and bore the 

 heaviest crops. The only drawback is their susceptibility to scab. 



The Bartlett pears in the sod orchard bore heavil}^ of first class fruit, 

 although the trees were rather low in vigor. 



The Clapp Favorite trees were vigorous and produced fine large fruit 

 of high quality. Kieffer was next in vigor and productivity, but the 

 fact that the fruit is low in quality and matures late makes it of less value 

 than other varietiesr (Hatch Fund.) 



