EASTERN-GROWN APPLES 9 



although pickings were made as early or earlier in 1935 than in 1936 

 and 1937. The initial rate of softening at 70° F. was approximately 

 the same in all seasons. At the lower temperatures the initial soft- 

 ening was more rapid in the firmer fruit of 1936 and 1937. Some of 

 the apples in the first pickings of 1936 and 1937 tested in excess of 

 30 pounds, which was the highest point that the pressure tester reg- 

 istered. These apples, although not fully mature, ripened without 

 excessive wilting and with fair dessert quality and were not consid- 

 ered immature. The range of firmness for hard Bonum apples was 

 found to extend from about 30 pounds or more to 18.5 pounds. As 

 it ripened the flesh of this variety tended to develop a somewhat 

 mealy or cheesy consistency that made it somewhat difficult to classify 

 as to degree of ripeness. The firm stage appears to be included in a 

 pressure test range of 19.5 to 15.5 pounds, the firm-ripe stage from 

 16.5 to 12, and the ripe stage from 13 to 8. As in the case of Home 

 Beauty, this variety showed some mealiness in what was considered 

 a firm-ripe stage. 



Delicious 



The Delicious apples were considerably softer at harvest in 1936 

 than in 1935 or 1937 (fig. 4). They averaged only 15.5 pounds pres- 

 sure test in 1936 and were considered firm to firm-ripe. In general, 

 Delicious apples were classed as hard when they tested 16.5 pounds 

 or more, with individual apples testing as high as 20. The firm 

 range extended from 17.5 to 14 pounds, the firm-ripe stage from 

 15 to 11, and the ripe stage from 12 to 8. Generally, there was 

 continuous softening during the periods the apples were held. 

 Exceptions to this were the pickings of 1935 when held at 70°. 



SOFTENING ON TREE 

 FIRST PICKING 



*32 



• 70' 



-0 32 



'■'i-ip °™° THIRD PICKING j£_ * "„ 



15 



30 



15 



31 



15 



30 



15 



31 



15 



31 



15 



28 



15 



31 



15 



30 



SEPT. 





OCT. 





NOV. 





DEC. 





JAN. 





FEB. 





MAR. 





APR. 





Figure 4. — Firmness (pressure test) of Delicious apples in relation to stage of 

 ripeness during ripening at various temperatures. The letters on the chart 

 indicate the degree of ripeness, as explained on page 5. The range of firmness 

 or zone representative of each degree of ripeness is given at the right. The 

 letters are omitted from those points at which the designations fall within 

 the corresponding zone at the right, as explained on pages 5 and 6. 

 250413° — 40 — —2 



