JUDGING FRUITS 



461 



The tendency of the inexperienced exhibitor is to select 

 oversized specimens. 



Since oversize specimens are usually not so well colored 

 as somewhat smaller ones, it is generally a safe rule to select 

 those that combine the largest size with the highest color. 



Color, The most acceptable commercial color for the 

 variety. Since in red varieties the public shows its prefer- 

 ence for high color on nearly every occasion, it follows that 

 pronounced color is important. 



Russet or green varieties should be true to type. 



Uniformity, All specimens on the plate should be uniform 

 with respect to the other factors on the score card. Uni- 

 formity is of especial importance, because if it is lacking the 

 plate receives a double cut. For instance, if the form of a 

 specimen is off type, a cut is made under the heading of form 

 and another cut is made under uniformity. This is really 

 double jeopardy but is probably warranted by the importance 

 of the factor. Exhibitors fail more often on the question of 

 uniformity than on any other. It is easy to pick out one good 

 specimen and not difficult to select one or two more like it. 

 To secure five specimens, each the counterpart of all of the 

 others, requires a degree of skill and nicety of judgment 

 possessed by few and then only after long practice. 



Condition, This relates to general physical condition and 

 freedom from blemishes. In regard to the former, the fruit 

 should be firm, not flabby. In order to determine condition it 

 is not necessary to indent the flesh with thumb or fingers, 

 the mark of a novice. Hold the specimen in the palm of the 

 hand and exert a general pressure by closing the hand over it. 



A 'committee of the American Society for Horticultural 

 Science has arranged blemishes or defects in four groups, 

 running from the more serious defects to those of lesser signifi- 

 cance.* The extent or degree of the blemish is just as im- 

 portant as its exact nature. 



*B. D. Drain, "Report of Committee on Standardizing Intercollegiate 

 Fruit Judging," American Society for Horticultural Science, 1925. 



