20 



BITTER PIT INVESTIGATION. 



KING DAVID. 



This is a comparatively recent introduction, and has not been tested sufficiently to enable definite 

 conclusions to be drawn as to its commercial value. It is supposed to be a cross between Jonathan 

 and Arkansas Black, and originated more than twenty years ago in Arkansas. 



Like the others, it is a three -year-old tree on Northern Spy stock. It consists of a main stem 

 with six leaders, and the fruit is chiefly borne on the laterals. There were 20 apples altogether, and 

 four of these were borne on long spurs. The fruit was clean, although it is reported to be very seriously 

 affected with Pit in America. This tree did not bloom, and consequently no fruit set. 



PERIOD OF BLOOM. 



The time of flowering, as compared with trees of the same variety grown under natural conditions, 

 is shown in the following table. 



The first bloom, as the name indicates, is the period when the first flower has fully opened. Full 

 bloom is when all the blossoms have opened, and as this state of full bloom may continue for several 

 days the last date is given when it is still full. The final bloom is when the petals have all fallen and 

 the fruit is beginning to set. 



TABLE II. 



BJ.OOMING PERIOD or VARIETIES IN POTS AND THE SAME VARIETIES IN THE ORCHARD. 



Date of First Bloom. 

 In Pots. Orchard. 



Sept. 30 Sept. 28 



Oct. 24 Oct. 17 



Date of Full Bloom. 

 In Pots. Orchard. 



Oct. 7 Oct. 7 



Oct. 20 Oct. 28 



Date of Final Bloom. 

 In Pots. Orchard. 



Oct. 10 Oct. 10 



Oct. 28 Nov. 4 



Variety, 



Jonathan 

 London Pippin 

 King David 



The yield, together with the percentage of Pit, will be observed for the coming season, and 

 recorded. It would be preferable to record the results at the end of the fruit season, but for official 

 reasons the report is required at the end of the year. 



TABLE 111. 



JONATHAN APPLE TREE IN POT. 

 Main stem. 3(1 inches high ; leaders, 5 ; laterals, 10. Weight, with pot, 63J Ibs. 



