24 SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY. 



Tiniformity. In studying most varieties, they should receive 

 special attention, note being made of their size, shape, color, 

 mimber, whether light or dark; scattered or crowded; prominent 

 or indented. In some cases dots are surrounded by distinct 

 rings of a different color and they then become areolar or ocel- 

 lated. The dots caused by certain parasitic fungi must not be 

 confounded with the distinctive natural markings we are dis- 

 cussing. Dots are of great value in distinguishing varieties of 

 some groups of plums. 



In considering color the condition under which the fruit 

 grew is an important factor. Colors are heightened by exposure 

 to the sun, and may scarcely appear at all in the shade. Climate 

 has a similar effect — brighter colors in the north, in high alti- 

 tudes, and in clear climates — duller color in the South in low 

 altitudes, and in foggy climates. Soils exercise a most decided 

 influence on color but quite too varied a one to be discussed 

 here. 



The Bloom. — The hloom is the delicate powdery or waxy 

 coating found upon plums, grapes and sometimes apples. It is 

 of small value as a character of pome fruits but is often of 

 great importance in distinguishing varieties of the stone fruits. 

 Sometimes it is of an oily or unctuous nature as in the Pippin 

 apples. The usual terms used in describing the bloom are: 

 thin or heavy; conspicuous or scant; powdery, oily or ivaxy. 

 The quantity can be determined by scraping it off with the blade 

 of a pen-knife. The bloom when removed is always found to 

 be white, grayish or colorless and is never blue or purplish as 

 the description of plums and grapes not infrequently read. The 

 latter colors are given by the fruit alone and show through the 

 bjoom. The character of the bloom on gooseberries is often 



