446 



THINNING FRUIT 



thinned 9 to 10 inches apart were somewhat reduced. The 



greatest quantity of marketable fruit was produced from those 

 trees thinned 6 to 8 inches apart. As much marketable fruit 

 was produced on the trees thinned 9 to 10 inches as on the 

 checks, and the fact that the fruit from these trees was much 

 larger than that from either of the other groups resulted in a 

 greater net return from these trees. On the trees thinned 9 to 

 10 inches apart, approximately 80 per cent of the fruit was 



over 2% inches in diameter 

 compared to 8.5 per cent in 

 the 6- to 8-inch group and 

 less than 1 per cent in the 

 checks. 



The thinned fruit was 

 also noticeably better in 

 color, more uniform in shape, 

 and freer from all blemishes. 

 Similar results were secured 

 from eighteen-year-old Stay- 

 man trees on good soil. They 

 are typical of results ob- 



(N, J, Exp. Sta.) 



Tig. 172. When fruit is borne in . 

 clusters, the specimens are variable "^^^^^^^ elsewhere 

 in size and are especially subject to 

 insect and disease attacks. 



Michigan studies have 

 indicated that from one- 

 third to one-half of the ap- 

 ples put in B grade rather than A grade are so placed because 

 of lack of size. 



Results equally striking have been secured repeatedly in 

 increasing the size of peaches and plums and in increasing the 

 proportion of high-grade fruit. 



Thinning also has a favorable influence on color, which is 

 of great importance from the standpoint of grade. In the 

 first place, many of the specimens so placed on the tree as to 

 color poorly are removed in the thinning operation. The crop 

 that remains is thus more uniform in color. By removing part 

 of the crop more sun reaches the remaining apples and these 



