34 SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY. 



Some of those ranked as best in quality are not much grown because 

 of shy bearing or weakness of tree. 



Season. — The season during which tlie fruit is best varies witli tlie 

 localit}', the season laeing earlier southwards, and later at the North. 

 The season may bo early summer, summer, early or late fall, early 

 winter, midwinter, late winter, or spring. 



HOW TO STUDY APPLES. 



First study the technical terms emploj^ed and the leading systems 

 of classification. This knowledge is then illustrated in practice by 

 comparing good, typical, well-matured specimens of a number of stand- 

 ard varieties with their printed descriptions. The reader is now pre- 

 pared to make descriptions for himself, and practice will soon give 

 accuracy and facility. The systematic study of fruits should become 

 an important feature of laboratory work in pomolog\' in American 

 agricultural colleges, as it long has been in the horticultural schools 

 of Europe. 



The advocates of Nature Study wUl find rich material for interest- 

 ing exercises in comparing well-known varieties of apples as well as 

 in other exercises in systematic pomology. Fruit-growers generally 

 \vill find it advantageous to study characteristics of varieties, and will 

 make rapid progress in such study if it be made'systematic. For this 

 purpose outlines or blanks something like the following will save time 

 and serve as an aid to the memory. If the blanks are printed some 

 of the most common terms may be added under each heading, and the 

 appropriate ones indicated by a check mark or a circle around them 

 or the others crossed out. An impression of the fruit should also be 

 taken. No free-hand drawing is necessary nor advisable. The apple 

 is cut in halves lengthwise, using a sharp knife, so that the calyx-tube 

 is exposed. This will require a little practice; it is best to approach 

 it gradually by cutting several thin slices until the exact axis is reached, 

 the axis always passing through the calyx-tube. The surplus mois- 

 ture is now removed with blotting-paper or cloth. The edge, core- 

 outline, and calyx-tube, and end of stem, are now touched with a 

 moistened soft indelible or aniline pencil. The apple is now pressed 

 firmly against the paper. The only drawing necessary will be to 

 complete the stem and indicate the position of the stamens; this is 

 done with a hard pencU. The paper should not be too heavy in tex- 

 ture. Thin writing-paper is good for this purpose. A convenient size 



