18 BULLETIN 1448, U. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE 



than while being held at prevailing outdoor temperatures. Conse- 

 quently, delaying the picking of this variety as long as possible will 

 improve its keeping quality if the fruit is handled through air- 

 cooled storage. 



YORK IMPERIAL 



The York Imperial is similar to the Arkansas in that its possible 

 storage life is determined almost entirely by the development of 

 storage scald. Consequently, picking at the latest possible date is 

 particularly essential in this variety. The fruit softens slowly in 

 both cold and air-cooled storage. In cold storage particularly the 

 fruit usually shows storage scald while still firm, and even in air- 

 cooled storage the possible holding date is usually determined by 

 scald development rather than by the maturity of the fruit. 



In general, it may be stated that the later the York Imperial is 

 picked the better its storage quality will be. Unfortunately, this 

 variety tends to drop very badly during certain seasons, so that pick- 

 ing is often necessary before the fruit reaches best storage condition. 

 If the fruit is holding on the tree, it should be left until the ground 

 color attains a shade corresponding to No. 3, Plate 1. When the 

 fruit reaches this condition the pressure test will usually be about 



19 pounds. The fruit often begins to drop so badly, however, that 

 picking is necessary before it reaches this condition. 



For holding in common storage or air-cooled storage, it is partic- 

 ularly desirable that the fruit be held as long as possible before 

 picking. The York Imperial is a very satisfactory variety for hold- 

 ing in air-cooled storage, since it will remain firm for a considerable 

 period even if held at moderately high temperatures. Late picking 

 for common-storage fruit is advisable, however, since not only the 

 resistance to scald but the color and texture of the fruit are improved 

 by the relatively late picking. 



RELATION OF TIME OF PICKING TO HANDLING 



It should be noted that when the different varieties remain on the 

 trees until late, or until the flesh is soft, they become very sensitive 

 to mechanical injury. Stayman Winesap, Delicious, and Jonathan 

 testing 16 pounds or under are not only easily bruised but are ex- 

 tremely susceptible to stem puncture and other mechanical injuries. 

 The same is true of the Northern Spy and also of the Mcintosh 

 when in the riper condition noted as suitable for picking. When 

 harvesting is delayed for any reason, particularly with these tender- 

 fleshed varieties, unusual care in handling is essential. 



SUMMARY 



Many factors enter into the determination of the best time to 

 harvest different varieties of apples. The susceptibility to storage 

 scald or to internal breakdown in storage is an important factor in 

 determining when to pick any variety. Susceptibility to water core 

 while on the trees, the amount of red color which has developed, the 

 size of the fruit, and the tendency to drop are all important consid- 

 erations. The time of picking may well be varied somewhat with 

 the type of storage to be used. 



