10 



BULLETIN 1406, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



as possible. Particular emphasis in determining this elate was placed 

 on the factors of the ground color of the fruit and the adherence of 

 the fruit to the tree. The optimum picking dates for the different 

 varieties are shown in Table 3. 



In Table 2 is summarized the pressure test at the optimum picking 

 date for the various varieties in the different sections. The pressure 

 test one month earlier is also recorded with the difference between the 

 two tests, which represents the amount of softening during the month 

 prior to the picking date. 



From a study of the data presented in Table 2 it is apparent that 

 a wide variation may occur in the rate of softening prior to picking 

 time. Thus, Delicious at Rosslyn in 1923 showed no apparent 

 softening during this period, but in 1924 there was a softening of 



3.5 pounds. At East Lansing the softening was 2.7 pounds in 1923 

 and 2 pounds in 1924; at Wooster it was 3.1 pounds in 1923 and 



4.6 pounds in 1924. In all the observations on this variety there 



/ // & 3/ /<? ^t? 30 



J? 30 / 



cxr was 



// 3/ 3/ /C 2t? 30 /<? 3t? 30 3 



Fig. 5. 



-Change in firmness of flesh and size of Delicious apples, 1924 



is a range from no softening to 4.6 pounds. Jonathan in 1924 

 ranged from 1.3 pounds at Amherst to 5 pounds at East Lan- 

 sing, 5.1 pounds at Wenatchee, and 8.4 pounds at Ithaca. Grimes 

 Golden showed a range in 1924 from 0.9 pound at Amherst to 5.1 

 pounds at Wenatchee and Ithaca. Baldwin ranged from 1.5 pounds 

 at Rosslyn in 1923 to 8.5 pounds at East Lansing. Winesap showed 

 a variation in 1924 from 2.1 pounds in Michigan to 5.7 pounds at 

 Amherst and 7.2 pounds at Ithaca. Ben Davis ranged from 1.4 

 pounds in Virginia in 1924 to 6.5 pounds in Michigan in 1923. 



It has not been possible to determine by a study of the climatic 

 conditions why these wide variations occur. The rate of softening 

 in all varieties at any one station has not been consistent during 

 any year. For example, at Amherst during 1924 the softening was 

 very slight in Delicious, Jonathan, Grimes Golden, Baldwin, and 

 Ben Davis during the month prior to picking time, while that in 

 Winesap was very rapid. At Rosslyn in 1924 the softening was 



