PICKING MATURITY OF APPLES 13 



variety usually holds on to the tree well and so may be allowed to 

 remain rather late in order to get. the best color development. 



In the sections where there are cool, short growing seasons, to which 

 the Northern Spy is best adapted, the fruit may be handled in com- 

 mon storage with very good results. For fruit to be held in common 

 storage it is particularly desirable that picking be delayed as late 

 as possible, since the fruit softens less while on the tree than in 

 storage at prevailing temperatures. Color and the marketability 

 of the fruit are also improved by this late picking. The Northern 

 Spy is usually in best picking condition for storage when showing a 

 pressure test "of 16 to 17 pounds. The ground color of the fruit is 

 usually at a stage corresponding to Nos. 2y 2 to 3, Plate 1, when in 

 this picking condition. For cold storage the variety may be picked 

 whenever the color and size are satisfactory, but for common storage 

 the fruit should remain on the tree until late if best results are to be 

 obtained. 



If the variety is picked while very soft, it is essential that it be 

 handled carefully in order to avoid bruising. If the fruit is suffi- 

 ciently mature to show a pressure test under 16 pounds, it is often 

 very severely bruised in heading barrels. Great care in this opera- 

 tion is essential if best storage results are desired. 



RHODE ISLAND GREENING 



The Rhode Island Greening scalds badly in storage, and the com- 

 mercial cold-storage life of the variety is largely limited by this 

 trouble. Since this variety is grown primarily in regions where 

 apples are barreled, its susceptibility to scald is a very important 

 consideration in determining the correct time for picking. 



As the variety is green and there is no incentive for leaving it 

 on the tree in order to obtain color, it is generally picked relatively 

 early in the districts where it is grown. Undoubtedly this fruit is 

 picked in a somewhat more immature condition than is most suit- 

 able for storage fruit, particularly considering its extreme suscepti- 

 bility to scald when picked at an immature stage. The variety should 

 generally be left on the tree until corresponding in color to No. 

 2, Plate 1, and until the fruit is very loose on the tree. It is now 

 generally picked at a pressure test of 20 to 22 pounds. It appears 

 certain that if left on the tree until testing 18 to 20 pounds the 

 fruit could be held in storage with much less tendency to scald 

 and could still be held in cold storage until well into the spring 

 without becoming overripe. The variety softens rapidly at high 

 temperatures and should be removed promptly to cold storage if a 

 long storage season is desired. 



ROME BEAUTY 



The Rome Beauty has a pronounced tendency to scald in storage, 

 particularly if picked in a somewhat immature condition, and when 

 grown under the conditions of a moderately long growing season, 

 to which this variety appears to be best adapted. The fruit tends 

 to water core if left on the tree too long. The tendency to scald is 

 an important consideration in determining time of picking, if the 

 fruit is not to be packed in oiled paper. If the fruit is to be packed 



