96 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
high-grade fruit. The well developed, finely colored, 
clean and attractive products of the orchard command the 
highest prices. Careless, indifferent cultivation and 
the unchecked ravages of different insects and fungi are 
principally the cause of under-sized, poorly colored, di¬ 
seased and unattractive fruit. Apples of this kind are 
a glut on the market for buyers do not care for them. 
True, they may sell hut it is usually at a price that is not 
at all prolitahle. 
The state of maturity at which apples can best be 
picked depends upon the varieties and the purposes for 
which they are intended. Summer varieties for local 
markets need not he gathered until fully ripe. Fall and 
winter fruit, to be disposed of in the same way, may be 
allowed to ripen fully, but should be picked before the 
mellowing process begins. The best time of harvesting 
each variety, in different localities, can be determined 
only by experience. The natural ripening habit of the 
fruit and the purpose for which it is intended are the best 
guides. Harvest always by hand, grasping the fruit 
firmly and with a slight rolling and bending movement 
disjoint the stem from the fruit spur. Any other method 
not only damages the fruit but destroys more or less of 
the fruiting wood of the tree. A padded half-bushel 
basket with swing handle is about the most satisfactory 
receptacle into which to place the fruit as it is picked. A 
stout wire hook bent in the shape of the letter U S” is con¬ 
venient for hanging the basket on the limbs or ladders. 
Probably the most important operation in preparing 
apples for market is the grading. As stated before, this 
work can best be started with the growing of the crop. 
Careful cultivation means fewer culls and less expense 
for sorting. There is a vast difference of opinion in re¬ 
gard to this operation and many attempts have been made 
to establish some system of universal grading. The chief 
difficulty in successfully carrying out such a project is 
the great amount of variation in the same varieties when 
grown in different localities. Various types of soil, cli¬ 
matic conditions and methods of production influence the 
characteristics of most varieties to such an extent, as to 
make it almost impossible to give definite specifications, 
that will suit all conditions. Nevertheless there are some 
rules which would apply to all varieties grown under 
any condition. Apples to be marked as “Extra Fancy” 
should be that in every respect. They should be fully 
developed, of uniform size and color characteristic of the 
variety as grown in that locality; entirely free from in¬ 
sect injury, disease or other blemish, and should retain 
their stems. Subsequent grades can be made as desir¬ 
ed, keeping in mind, however, that each grade should be 
strictly as represented. 
Packing and grading are so closely related that they 
may be considered almost as one operation. No matter 
what package is used, be it basket, box or barrel, see that 
each is filled with the same grade throughout. Do not 
mix grades in packing. The only way the orchardist of 
today can hope to successfully meet competition is to 
first produce the fruit and then put up a pack that 
amounts to something, reflecting credit on his ability and 
business integrity. The “standard of excellency” of all 
growers could well be to have in each package every' 
specimen as nearly like the others as is possible. “Every 
grower’s pack should be as good as his bond.” Mixed 
grades, give the buyer an opportunity to discriminate, and 
often result in the grower not getting the full value of his 
crop. Apples should be cool and dry before being 
packed. Heat and moisture promote decay, a condition 
that unless guarded against will result in loss. Each 
package should he well filled with the contents placed 
firmly and snugly. Unless this is done it will reach its 
destination in what is commonly called a “slack” condi¬ 
tion. Loose packing invariably causes bruises and gen¬ 
eral defacement. For the same reason too tight packing 
should also be guarded against. Aim to have the fruit 
reach the consumer in the best possible condition. There 
is a “happy medium” in packing that can be learned only 
by experience. 
In the selection of packages use those best suited to the 
grade of fruit, and for which there is the greatest de¬ 
mand on the market to which a consignment is made. The 
package of to-day is an influential factor in the apple 
business. Many growers do not consider the relation 
the package bears to the selling value of their fruit. 
Should the market want your particular apples in bas¬ 
kets, ship in baskets. If it be barrels that are most called 
lor, use barrels. Perhaps boxes are most in demand, 
then sell in boxes, but in whatever package used, keep up 
the standard of quality and pack. Do not use a certain 
package simply because some other section uses it to ad¬ 
vantage, unless there is a sufficient demand to warrant 
shipping that way. Give the trade what it wants, when 
it wants it and as it is wanted. 
PENNSYLVANIA NURSERYMEN’S ASSOCIATION 
MEETS 
A well attended meeting of the Pennsylvania Nursery¬ 
men’s Association was held at the Walton hotel, Philadel¬ 
phia. 
President Hoopes brought up the question of the pres¬ 
ent status of nursery inspection work in the State and 
the necessity of the Association exercising some effort to 
have at least one, preferably two inspectors available for 
nursery inspection at any time and not having to depend 
upon a miscellaneous force of inspectors who might be a 
person either from the office of the State Zoologist or one 
of the orchard inspectors of the State. 
The attention of the members was called to notice sent 
out from the Federal Department showing that a public 
hearing would be held on the question of the European 
Shoot Moth with a view as to the advisability of quaran¬ 
tining all Pines from foreign importation. Mr. T. Mee¬ 
han stated that at a recent meeting between the legisla¬ 
tive committee of the National Nurserymen’s Association 
of which he is a member, and Prof. Marlatt of the Federal 
Horticultural Roard, Mr. Marlatt asked the nurserymen 
if they could not make immediate preparation looking 
towards the growing of all material for nursery work in 
this country and at the end of five years be ready for the 
exclusion of all foreign stock. 
The question of percentage and commissions allowed 
to landscape architects and gardeners was discussed. 
William Warner Harper, Andorra, Philadelphia, Pa., 
was elected President. Henry T. Moon, Morrisville, 
Penna., Secretary. 
B. W. Clarke, Lockport, N. Y., has closed out his nur¬ 
sery business. 
