EASTERN -GROWN APPLES 



11 



test ranges for each stage of ripeness than with many others. Hard 

 apples generally tested at least 16 pounds, with individual apples 

 testing as much as 20. Firm apples ranged from 16.5 to 13 pounds; 

 firm ripe from 14 to 11; and ripe from 11.5 to 8. Although 

 many lots were held at 70° for as much as 2 months, in very few 

 lots were the apples considered overripe. One lot testing slightly 

 over 11 pounds was considered mostly overripe. 



Grimes Golden 



As shown in figure 6, the firmness of the Grimes Golden apples 

 at harvest varied considerably in the three seasons, being firmest in 

 1936 and least firm in 1935. In some instances the apples on the tree 

 became firmer during the harvest season, as was the case in 1935. 



28 

 27 



i — i — T 



15 28 15 



FEB. MAR. 



15 30 



APR. 



Figure 6. — Firmness (pressure test) of Grimes Golden 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. 



The initial rates of softening at 32° and 36° F. were more rapid in 

 the firmer lots of 1936 and 1937 than in 1935. In general, however, 

 the softening after harvest was rather uniform. At 70° the soften- 

 ing was rapid until about 13 pounds test was reached, after which 

 there was a flattening out of the curves and none of the lots softened 

 to less than 11 pounds after as much as 7 weeks at this temperature. 

 The apples were generally considered firm ripe as they approached 

 13 pounds but continued to ripen and reached the ripe stage with 

 little further softening. Apples of this variety testing 18 pounds 



