GENERAL INFORMATION 133 



4. Yields. Some fruit will be borne at five and six years 

 of age, but a commercial crop cannot be expected before the 

 trees are eight to ten years old. A half-bushel per tree is 

 a good crop; in certain years the average may reach a bushel 

 per tree and individual trees may produce in excess of two 

 bushels. 



The tree is long of life, unless cut off by fire blight or other 

 factors — from 25 to 50 years, depending on conditions. 



GENERAL INFORMATION 



I. OFFICIAL U. S. STANDARDS FOR THE INSPECTION 



OF APPLES 



Grade Requirements 



U. S. Fancy shall consist of apples of one variety which are mature- 

 but not overripe, carefully handpicked, clean, fairly well formed; free 

 from decay, internal browning, internal breakdown, scald, freezing in- 

 jury, unhealed broken skins, and bruises (except those incident to proper 

 handling and packing), and visible water core. The apples shall also be 

 free from damage caused by russeting, sunburn, spray bum, limb rubs, 

 hail, drought spot, scars, disease, insects, or mechanical or other means. 

 Each apple of this grade shall have the amount of color specified herein- 

 after for the variety. (See Tolerances and Condition after storage or 

 transit.) 



U. S. No. 1. The requirements for this grade are the same as U. S.- 

 Fancy except that less color is required for all varieties except yellow and 

 green varieties, for whi-ch the requirements for both grades are the same. 

 Apples of this grade shall be of one variety, mature but not overripe, 

 carefully handpicked, clean, fairly well formed; free from decay, inter- 

 nal browning, internal breakdown, scald, freezing injury, unhealed broken 

 skins, and bruises (except those incident to proper handling and pack- 

 ing), and visible water core. The apples shall also be free from damage 

 caused by russeting, sunburn, spray burn, limb rubs, hail, drought spot, 

 scars, disease, insects, or mechanical or other means. Each apple of 

 this grade shall have the amount of color specified hereinafter for the 

 variety. (See Tolerances and Condition after storage or transit.) 



U. S. Commercial shall consist of apples of one variety which meet 

 the requirements of U. S No. 1 except as to color. This grade is pro-- 



