Fruit Investigation, 1906. 
•13 
blocks of Jonathan and Winesap were carrying a very heavy load. 
The thinning was- done in the early part of July. The apples 
were actually counted on some trees and a definite number 
left. Assuming that from 150 to 160 apples of these varie¬ 
ties make a box of fancy apples, the trees were thinned 
to produce from six to twelve boxes. The trees were eleven 
years old and the best results on the Jonathan seemed to 
come from trees yielding eight boxes, running about 160 apples 
to the box. Trees bearing more than this, run smaller in size and 
less uniform. The Winesap gave better results when thinned to 
about six or seven boxes. Trees of Jonathan thinned to eight 
boxes would yield 95 per cent or over fancy fruits as far as size 
and color were concerned. Unthinned trees which packed about 
sixteen boxes gave 50 per cent of small fancy fruit, but on the days 
the thinned trees were stripped not 50 per cent could be picked from 
the unthinned trees on account of poor color. At least 25 per cent 
did not reach a good color. Thinned trees which picked twelve 
boxes required two pickings and run on an average about 90 per 
cent fancy. These trees averaged about fifteen feet in height and 
had a twenty foot spread. 
Observations will be made next season on the thinned and un¬ 
thinned trees to determine the effect of thinning on the ensuing 
year’s crop. The rule followed was to leave only one fruit on a 
spur and remove those from the tips of limbs. Observations on un¬ 
thinned trees showed that apples on the tips of limbs seldom reach 
a good size. 
GRAPE GROWING. 
The associations and growers have complained of poor results 
in shipping grapes. The trouble seemed to be that they molded 
before they got to market. Correspondence was taken up with 
California growers and observations carried on in the vineyards 
during the season. 
From California rules, and from my own observations, I be¬ 
lieve the growers use more water than is necessary. In one case, 
I actually found the bunches shriveling from excessive watering. 
The reason some varieties do not ship well is no doubt because 
they are not ripe enough. The short season does not give them 
time to thoroughly mature. The California people say a grape 
must be ripe to ship well. Another point, I believe, is carelessness 
in packing, in not cutting out injured berries nor allowing the stems 
to wilt. Grapes packed tight while the stems are stiff crack easily 
and this gives entrance to mold. Owing to the method of pruning 
practiced to allow of easy covering, many of the bunches come in 
contact with the ground and should be thoroughly dried before 
packing. Experiments have been taken up to determine a more 
