PICKING MATURITY OF APPLES \J 



vary somewhat in these different sections, particularly so far as the 

 firmness of the flesh is concerned. 



Probably this variety is handled more extensively than any other 

 in common storage. The fruit holds late on the tree with little 

 dropping, consequently it is usually well matured when picked, and 

 relatively little scald develops during storage. If picked in an 

 immature condition, however, the variety often shows extremely 

 severe scald development. 



Ben Davis usually requires about 155 to. 160 days between the 

 hlooming season and the time of best picking conditions. Thus in 

 the northeastern apple districts it will usually be the last variety 

 picked, and in the more southern apple sections the normal season 

 will fall in early October. 



This variety should not be picked before the ground color reaches 

 the almost full yellow condition shown in No. 4, Plate 1. The fruit 

 should also be highly colored. When this condition is reached in 

 the southern sections the pressure test will usually be IT to 18 pounds, 

 whereas in the more northern districts it will be 19 to 20 pounds. 



If fruit from the southern sections is left on the tree until softer 

 than a condition represented by a pressure test of about 17 pounds, 

 relatively poor storage fruit will be obtained. Fruit of this variety 

 when picked in a more mature condition than this will become soft 

 relatively early in cold storage and may show physiological break- 

 down or a collapse of the flesh if held in common storage. In fruit 

 from the northern apple-growing regions there is relatively little 

 danger of Ben Davis being picked too late, so long as severe freezing 

 weather is avoided. 



DELICIOUS 



The Delicious is grown over a wide range of climatic conditions, 

 and its best time for picking will vary somewhat in different sections 

 of the country. High development of red color is extremely desir- 

 able in this variety, and it is sometimes left on the trees so long in 

 order to obtain good color that the storage quality is injured. On 

 the other hand, if picked when too immature Delicious is of ex- 

 tremely poor dessert quality. 



In the Pacific Northwest and in the southern section of the eastern 

 United States the pressure test is an excellent index of the time when 

 this variety is approaching picking condition. If the best storage 

 fruit is to be obtained, the fruit should be picked when it reaches a 

 pressure test of 16 pounds, with 18 pounds down to 16 pounds rep- 

 resenting the best picking range. Ground color in these districts will 

 usually correspond to No. 3, Plate 1. At that time the fruit will pick 

 easily. Delicious as grown in these long-season districts also has a 

 tendency to water core, particularly if left on the tree until late. 

 This development is usually an indication that the variety is ready 

 to remove from the tree. There is also a distinct yellowing in the 

 flesh of Delicious when it is in proper picking condition. 



Since this variety usually requires about 145 days to reach picking- 

 maturity, it is well adapted to certain of the northern apple-growing 

 districts. In these districts the fruit is usually firmer when in proper 

 condition for picking, pressure testing about 18 pounds and showing 

 a ground color comparable with 3% to 4. Under these short -sea son 

 conditions the ease with which the fruit may be picked and the 

 4198°— 26 2 



