444 



THINNING FRUIT 



Varieties naturally medium or small in size will need thin- 

 ning when varieties naturally above medium or large in size 

 may not require it. The Winesap, Wagner, and Wealthy may 

 require thinning when Arkansas (Mammoth Black Twig) and 



Tompkins King may not. 



Thinning is relatively 

 more necessary on mature 

 trees making small annual 

 growth or on trees reduced 

 in vigor with thin leaf sur- 

 face than on young, vigor- 

 ous trees of the same varie- 

 ties ; on trees grown on light 

 soils deficient in moisture 

 than on trees grown on 

 heavier loams with an 

 abundance of moisture; on 

 trees growing in sod than 

 on trees grown under a 

 mulching system or under a 

 program of tillage and 

 cover crops. 



Thinning is more neces- 

 sary in growing fruit to be 

 packed in boxes or Georgia 

 carriers, or for fancy trade 

 where it is essential that it 

 be uniform in size and 

 color, than if it is to be 

 packed in containers for a 

 less discriminating trade. It 

 is becoming increasingly 

 apparent, however, that fruit sold in any closed package for 

 any market must be of a higher standard of excellence and 

 uniformity than has been acceptable in the past. 



Fig. 171. When good pollination oc- 

 curs, the fruit may set so thickly that 

 it must be thinned to obtain good size 

 and color. 



