14 BULLETIN 1448, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



in oiled paper, the color, the tendency to develop water core, and the 

 firmness of the flesh are the best indexes to picking condition. This 

 variety holds on the tree well, so that little dropping is probable 

 even after the fruit has passed prime condition. Large size is ex- 

 tremely desirable in this variety, since the fruit is used largely for 

 baking. Late picking results in larger sized fruit. 



The ground color of this variety should agree with Nos. 3 to 4 

 of Plate 1 when the fruit is picked, with the pressure test not lower 

 than 17 pounds, if best storage fruit is desired. If the fruit is softer 

 than this at the time of picking, it will ripen and become mealy rela- 

 tively early in storage. If the fruit is not to be packed in oiled wraps, 

 it should not be picked before the ground color reaches approxi- 

 mately No. 4. If placed in oiled wraps it may be picked whenever 

 the size and the amount of red color on the fruit are satisfactory. 



This variety should be watched for the development of water core, 

 and when an appreciable amount is present it is time to remove the 

 fruit from the tree. A small amount of water core will apparently 

 disappear while the fruit is in storage, and no serious results will fol- 

 low; but if water core is severe it will result in an early breakdown 

 of the fruit. 



The Rome Beauty has a marked tendency to become mealy in 

 storage and should be handled promptly and placed in cold storage 

 quickly after picking, if long storage holding is desired. 



STARK 



The Stark, produced in the cooler, shorter growing season districts, 

 is an excellent common-storage fruit. Tests during two seasons have 

 indicated that, to obtain the best results in common storage, this 

 variety should be left on the trees until very late. It will usually re- 

 main on the trees fairly well until toward the end of October or even 

 the first of November in these districts. Generally, the later the fruit 

 has been picked the firmer is its condition at any time during the 

 common-storage season. 



This variety is normally picked at a pressure test of 20 pounds or 

 slightly above. If the fruit is to be handled through common storage, 

 however, it may remain on the tree until testing as low as 18 pounds, 

 and the benefit from the later, cooler picking season will more than 

 offset the softer condition of the fruit. 



The ground color of this variety when in good picking condition 

 will usually correspond to Nos. 2 to 3, Plate 1. The loosening of the 

 fruit on the tree is one of the best indexes of this variety's suitable 

 picking condition. The dropping of the fruit may, in some cases, 

 necessitate picking earlier than is otherwise desirable. 



STAYMAN WINESAP 



Stayman Winesap scalds very badly if picked in a somewhat im- 

 mature condition and packed without the use of oiled paper. High 

 color is very desirable in this variety, so that, from the standpoint of 

 both scald resistance and best appearance of the fruit, relatively late 

 picking is desirable. There is a tendency to develop water core, how- 

 ever, if the variety remains on the tree too long. 



If this variety is packed in oiled paper it may be picked as soon 

 as color development is satisfactory. For the best storage results it 



