6 THE APPLE 



2. Increased acidity. Analysis shows that acidity of fruit steadily 

 decreases throughout the stages of growth, ripening, and decay. If 

 this is true, then fruit which does not have time for its proper 

 maturity will be acid. 



3. Decreased size of fruit. Although it is quite difficult to de- 

 termine whether or not the difference in lots of varying size is due 

 to methods of culture, condition of plant, or climate, it has been 

 clearly determined by careful records that almost invariably a 

 decreased size is obtained with a low summer mean temperature. 



4. Increased content of insoluble solids. This is determined by 

 analysis and with some varieties has been very marked. The Ben 

 Davis in its belt shows an average of 2.97 per cent, while samples 

 from sections north of its natural home increased to 3.6 per cent. 



5. Apple scald in storage. The scalding of apples in storage 

 sometimes occurs when the fruit is grown under poor conditions, 

 such as poor soil or cultural methods. However, immature apples 

 have been found to be more subject to scald than well-matured fruit. 



6. Increased astringency . Green apples, from their taste, dem- 

 onstrate quite conclusively that they have increased astringency 

 over apples of the same variety grown farther south or more 

 matured. 



In contrast to the low temperature, excessively high temperature 

 over the summer mean would show the following effects upon 

 certain varieties : 



1 . Lack of color. No matter how favorable the conditions may be 

 during the ripening period, apples that are not fully developed do 

 not take on a natural, satisfactory color. (Example : A red variety 

 under the above conditions might be pinkish, pale, or faded red.) 



2. Poor flavor. A relatively cool atmosphere is to be desired 

 for the highest development of the essential, or flavoring, oils. 

 High temperatures do not give these results. 



3. Decreased size. The Winesap, Ben Davis, and some other 

 varieties which have been grown farther south than their normal 

 belt have produced evidences of smallness in their fruit. 



4. Uneven ripening. This is noticeable when a winter variety 

 is grown in the South out of its normal habitat. 



5 . Poor storage qualities. Most varieties under excessive heat 

 continue the ripening process until decay sets in. This may be 



