Pruning and Thinning 281 



reduced numbers. Furthermore, by more even distribu- 

 tion the tree may better hold its load. 



(5) It is possible in thinning to remove wormy, stung, 

 diseased or otherwise inferior fruits and in this manner 

 greatly reduce the percentage of cull fruit and in some 

 ways check the spread of the injury. 



(6) Uniformity is one of the most desirable qualities 

 in marketable apples. Thinning, of all orchard opera- 

 tions, is the one which directly influences uniformity in 

 size and marketable quality of fruit. 



(7) When the grower is striving for an abundance of 

 highest quality fruit, thinning unquestionably pays. It 

 increases the percentage of high-grade fruit and thus in- 

 sures a higher net price. Cost of production a bushel will 

 be lowered even though cost an acre may be increased. If 

 a grower has expended heavily for spraying, pruning and 

 other operations, he can not afford to neglect thinning in 

 years when his trees tend to overbear. 



Time and method of thinning. 



Thinning should not be undertaken until after the June 

 or May drop, as in some of the more southern regions, has 

 occurred. When the apples are about the size of walnuts, 

 the natural thinning of the fruit has largely ceased and 

 artificial thinning may be begun profitably. 



Often many growers have a market for early cull fruit 

 or sell it for by-product purposes. In such instances 

 thinning may be delayed until perhaps August, at which 

 time the cull or inferior fruit may easily be picked off. 

 Still other growers thin their apples by making several 

 pickings for commercial purposes, picking off the best 



