10 BULLETIN 1448, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



ground color are the best indications of when to remove the crop. 

 The fruit separates from the tree easily when mature, and if not 

 harvested promptly a considerable portion of the crop may drop. 



This variety holds for a long season in a firm, crisp condition if 

 moved at once into storage at 32° F. following harvest. It softens 

 and becomes mealy with extreme rapidity, however, when handled 

 at higher temperatures ; consequently it is not well suited to handling 

 in common storage, and any delay between date of picking and 

 placing fruit under refrigeration will greatly decrease the time the 

 fruit will remain in good condition in cold storage. 



The variety does not scald badly, although a limited amount of 

 storage scald may develop. If harvested in the condition outlined 

 above, however, there is relatively little danger of storage scald. 



ESOPUS SPITZENBERG 



Esopus Spitzenberg does not develop scald in storage to any appre- 

 ciable degree. It is, however, one of the worst varieties so far as 

 wilting or shriveling in storage is concerned. It is desirable to have 

 it well colored and well matured to reduce shriveling to a minimum. 

 Even under these conditions the variety must be stored under high 

 humidity if wilting in storage is to be avoided. 



This fruit varies considerably as to ground color, the development 

 of red color, and the firmness of the flesh, depending upon growing 

 conditions. To obtain the best color for well-grown fruit it is safe 

 to leave it on the tree until the pressure test is as low as 18 pounds. 

 The color of the unblushed portion of well-grown fruit should corre- 

 spond to Nos. 3 to 4, Plate 1. The fruit should separate from the tree 

 easily when in good picking condition, although the variety does 

 not have a marked tendency to drop. Water core develops in the 

 warmer growing regions if picking is delayed too long. There is 

 also a tendency for the fruit to crack at the stem end, especially if 

 picking is delayed. 



This variety ripens rapidly at high storage temperatures. Con- 

 sequently, if long storage holding is desired, it is essential that the 

 fruit be moved to cold storage very soon after picking. The storage 

 period for this variety is largely determined by the amount of 

 shriveling. 



GANO AND BLACK BEN 



So far as discussion of picking maturity is concerned, Gano and 

 Black Ben may be treated together. They are susceptible to storage 

 scald if picked in an immature condition. As a consequence, it is 

 necessary that the fruit remain on the tree until practically full 

 colored in order to obtain best storage quality. These varieties take 

 on a very high color, and the fruit can generally remain on the 

 tree until it is almost 100 per cent red. Unblushed portions of fruits 

 should be practically of the full color corresponding to No. 4, Plate 

 1, when the fruit is in best picking condition. 



In the long growing season districts, "a pressure test of about 18 

 pounds will indicate when the fruit is in best storage condition. 

 These fruits usually hold on to the tree very well, but should drop- 

 ping begin before the fruit reaches the color condition and the 

 pressure test suggested it is, of course, essential that it be harvested. 



