16 BULLETIN 1448, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



advantage by leaving the apples on the tree as long as they are 

 holding satisfactorily. 



Finally, the marketing of the Winesap is usually improved by 

 large size, the fruit of this variety generally being smaller than is 

 desired in the markets. The fact that the fruit is increasing in size 

 as long as it is held on the tree makes late picking advantageous 

 from the marketing viewpoint. 



The Winesap tends to drop rather badly when it reaches proper 

 picking condition, and this is one of the best indexes of the time to 

 pick the fruit. If the variety is ripening during warm weather the 

 fruit tends somewhat to water core; therefore as the fruit approaches 

 picking condition the development of water core should be watched. 

 In general, it may be said, however, that as long as the Winesap is 

 holding on the tree well its storage quality is not becoming poorer, 

 while its size, color, and resistance to scald are improving. When 

 considerable water core begins to develop or when the apples begin 

 to drop to a marked extent, it is desirable that the fruit be picked. 



In general, the ground color of the Winesap will be very nearly 

 the color shown as No. 4, Plate 1, and the pressure test will be 19 

 pounds or above when the fruit is in best picking condition. There 

 is relatively little danger of this variety becoming too ripe on the 

 tree for good storage quality. For long holding in cold storage the 

 fruit should be placed in storage at an early date following picking. 

 If held in common storage the Winesap, in common with other late- 

 keeping varieties, ripens less while on the tree than in common 

 storage at prevailing temperatures, and the later picking is delayed 

 the better the storage quality of the fruit. 



WINTER BANANA 



The Winter Banana (Banana) variety has a relatively short grow- 

 ing season, usually reaching picking condition in approximately 

 120 to 125 days from date of blooming. Thus in the southern apple 

 districts, and in the Pacific Northwest where the growing season is 

 long, this variety is an early fall apple and usually is not held in 

 cold storage for very long periods. It is capable of considerable 

 storage holding, however, if placed at once at 32° F. 



This variety is firm at time of picking, as shown by the pressure 

 test. Optimum picking condition has generally been found to be 

 about 20 pounds with a color corresponding to No. 3, Plate 1. Be- 

 cause the fruit does not scald badly in storage, it may be picked as 

 early as it will develop good quality. Fruit picked when too imma- 

 ture, however, is very susceptible to bitter pit, particularly in the 

 Pacific Northwest. A pressure test of 20 pounds and a color corre- 

 sponding to No. 3 at picking time has generally resulted in the fruit 

 being of good quality for eating and of very satisfactory storage 

 qualit}^. Usually by the time this color stage and pressure-test stage 

 have been reached the fruit will separate readily from the spur, 

 which is a further indication of proper picking condition. Under 

 good growing conditions, the skin should be a clear yellow-green 

 color at picking time. If picked when too green, corresponding to 

 color 1 or 2, the fruit will not develop the clear, almost trans- 

 parent yellow color which makes the variety so attractive in appear- 



