22 SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY. 



quince, cherry, plum, strawberry, currant, gooseberry, and 

 grape. While the stems separate from the fruits in the rasp- 

 berry, blackberry, dewberry, peach, apricot and cranberry. The 

 shape, length, thickness and in some fruits the mode of attach- 

 ment should be considered, though all are somewhat variable. 



The terms commonly used are long, short, or medium in 

 length; they may be curved or straight or inclined, according 

 to their direction from the axis of the fruit ; ■ slender, medium,, 

 thick, fleshy, hnoiby or clubbed depending upon the amount and 

 arrangement of their substance. In pears and plums the base of 

 the stem is often more or less fleshy, or, in both the flesh may 

 be arranged in rings surrounding the stem. 



Statements in regard to the length of the stem expressed in 

 exact measurement are of small value as the variations in dif- 

 ferent varieties are great, and even in any one variety averages 

 of many stems must be taken ; therefore, as far as possible state- 

 ments regarding length should be comparative using the longi- 

 tudinal axis of the apple for comparison. The stem is possibly 

 of greater value in describing plums and cherries than other 

 fruits. 



Size. — Size must always be considered as a relative quality^ 

 and even so no great amount of dependence can be placed upon 

 it as a distinguishing character. Expressions of size in weights 

 on linear measurements are almost worthless and seldom need 

 be given in laboratory work at least. The terms used to indicate 

 size express five grades, as follows: small, very small, medium,^ 

 large, and very large. 



It is well to take into account the circumstances which modify 

 size, bearing in mind the natural difference that exists between 

 varieties, as between the Northern Spy and Lady apples. 

 Fruits vary much in size according to season, being smaller in 



