372 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
THE VARIATION OF APPLES UNDER DIFFERENT 
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 
Dr. J. K. SHAW, Massachusetts Agricultural College 
(Digest of an Address before American Association of Nurserymen) 
The seibject of the discussion put in a practical way is, 
“What varieties of apples are to be planted in a given 
locality?’’ This I shall take up in a somewhat general way. 
We read now and then of farmers who have achieved 
marked success in their calling, making a third on their 
investment, yet many farmers are carrying on their busi¬ 
ness at a loss. What is true of farmers in general is more 
true of fruit growers. We all feel sure that a very large 
proportion of our trees will be failures. Fruit growing is an 
uncertain business. The uncertainty is due in considerable 
degree to our ignorance of the effects of environmental 
influences on the fruit. To one who has had an oppor¬ 
tunity of observing varieties of apples in widely separated 
localities, the variations in appearance and quality are most 
striking. I do not believe a Nova wScotia grower of Ben Davis 
would recognize one of these apples grown in Arkansas. 
In color, form, quality, in every way they are unlike. The 
same is true of other sorts provided they are widely distrib¬ 
uted. Even in different trees in the same orchard, some 
difference is noted. Ever}^ fruit grower is aware that crops 
of different seasons differ. In brief, all varieties vary greatly 
with conditions. The more one studies these variations, 
the more one is impressed with their importance. 
Cause of Variation 
The causes of environmental variations are legion, but 
they may be grouped under three heads: (ist) those caused 
by different cultural methods; (2d) those due to different 
soils; (3d) those due to varying climatic conditions. In 
passing, I would suggest the fact that all three are more or 
less interdependent. The soil in the spring may be modified 
by cultural methods. Perhaps we may mitigate the ill 
effects of climatic conditions by the same means. We 
must select for planting in a given locality varieties 
suitable for planting there, not forgetting cultural methods, 
markets, and other conditions. 
We need a new sort of variety study. We want to know 
what are the conditions of soil and climate necessary for 
the success of different varieties. The logical way to attack 
this sort of variety study is to learn something of the varia¬ 
tions brought about by different environments. In four 
years of work at the College we have only made a beginning 
of the problem, but interesting results have been secured. 
Variation in Ben Davis 
We have studied the Ben Davis on account of its wide 
distribution, and find that in Nova vSeotia and Puget Sound 
regions it reaches its greatest elongation, while in the Ohio 
Valley the other extreme prevails. There are also marked 
seasonal differences in any of these localities, but they are 
less pronounced in maritime regions or near the Great Lakes. 
Study has shown that this elongation was brought about by 
low temperatures during the two weeks after blossoming. 
We have found that temperature has a great deal to do with 
the external appearance and quality. Contrary to the opin¬ 
ion of some, these two are generally corelated. It must 
suffice to say that high quality and good appearance are 
dependent upon good nutrition for the growing and ripening 
fruit, and this is in considerable degree dependent upon 
favorable temperature during growth and ripening. 
The varieties of New England are not those of New 
Jersey, nor are those of Wisconsin found in Missouri. No 
varieties succeed well great distances north and south. 
Occasionally we find a case where a variety succeeds well in 
widely separated localities, as, for example, Newton Pippin, 
which does well in both Virginia and Oregon. But I find 
that the summer temperature in these regions does not vary 
much. 
Summer and fall sorts do extend more widely north and 
south. Yellow Transparent and Oldenburg are recom¬ 
mended for culture over nearly all the apple country of 
North America. 
Varieties Require Given Temperatures 
We have obtained the average monthly temperature for 
the growing season. From March to September we get a 
mean temperature ranging from 52 to 68 degrees. We get 
in the northern part of the apple country temperatures as 
low as 58 degrees, while in the Southern Alleghany Mount¬ 
ains, it goes up as high as 68. By a study of variations in 
apples, we have grouped them easily under each degree of 
temperature. Within this range the Baldwin demands a 
summer temperature of 56 degrees, the Ben Davis 64. If 
we thus have an optimum temperature for a given variety 
it follows that any departure will result unfavorably. What 
are the effects? If the summer mean is too high, the effects 
are a poor keeping quality, inferior flavor, poor color, and 
when carried to extremes, premature dropping, rotting, and 
smaller size of fruit. If the opposite condition of a too low 
summer temperature prevails, fruit fails to mature, it is 
acid, is of inferior size and not fully colored, in short, is an 
unripe apple. That is the case of Ben Davis and Winesap 
in New England. Latitude and altitude are determining 
faetors of the mean summer temperature. It is probable 
that a difference of not more than two hundred feet eleva¬ 
tion will make a eonsiderable difference in the keeping 
quality of a variety. I believe it unwise to plant Baldwin 
above twelve hundred feet in Massachusetts. There will 
be seasons when it may not mature properly. Slope has its 
effect, no doubt. A light soil will hasten maturity, while a 
heavy one will delay.it. It is our task to learn more of 
these influences on the apple. (Following this part of his 
address. Dr. Shaw commented on a number of maps which 
were shown, being the result of studies of the adaptation of 
different varieties to various seetions of the country). 
