The Delta independent., 1911-08-11
HOW TO SELECT APPLES
FOR FALL SHOW PURPOSES
Competition Causing All Apple
Growing Sections to Take
Much PrecautiOn.

The demand for better fruit on
the part of the consumer is increas-
ing and on account of this, compe-
tition among the different fruit
growing sections is quite keen.
This competition is not only
found in the different fruit markets
but is shown at our fairs and apple
shows. The people in every apple
growing section like to see their
fruit win the highest recommenda-
ton and approval wherever 1t is
found on the market or on exhibit
ton.
The lack of knowledge in Sc
lecting fruit, on the part OF the APP
pie grower, is often the reason why
the best representative specimens are
left while some over grown, poorly
colored ones are expected TO win
the premiums. For this reason II
would be well for every orchardist
to study the different points on
which aples are scored and judged.
The following score card for the
plate exhibits is one that will be
used at the American Apple Expo
sition" in Denver. November IL to
is. 1871.
SIZE tNormal) ... 60. ... 10 points
1t will be noticed that size counts
for but one-tenth OF the points Civ
en- for all requirements. The apples
should be OF good size but not over
grown for the varieties. 1t is much
better to have five apples of medium
uniform size than it is to have
them of different sizes even though
part of them are large.
UNIFORMITY AND TRUENESS
TO TYPE -. ... -. -. 20 points
These two conditions are very
important ones and on which
many plates are often thrown out
of competition.
The five apples should be so uni
form in size that they resemble as
many peas in pod. One should
correspond each apple with the other
and see II they are exactly alike in
form and size. pair of measuring
compasses will facilitate matters in
securing uniformity of size.
In selecting for trueness to type
one should know what the correct
type is for the variety. Look over
carefully the different trees of the
same variety and fix in mind the
prevailing type
COLOR -. -. 90. ... -. 25 points
The color should be the best
that is obtainable for the variety.
DO not rub or polish the apples as
this destroys the natural bloom and
many judges will disqualify apples
when thus treated.
TEXTURE AND FLAVOR 20 points
The time of picking and care
and manner of handling have much
to do with the texture. II the
apples have to be kept for any
length of time they should be
picked when they have reached ma
turity and stored where uniform
temperature of about "a degrees
+ can be obtained.
With the proper management of
the orchard. as regards pruning.
thinning, spraying. irrigation and
cultivation much good can be obtain
ed in securing better texture and
flavor of the apples.
FREEDOM FROM BLEMISH
... 70 points
This means that the apples
should be free from all worm holes
or bites, frost and hail marks. limb
bruises, spray burns, etc. The stems
and calyxes must be intact and they
should be of the correct size and
length for the variety.
Be very careful in picking and
packing not to bruise nor unneces-
sarily rub the specimens as this
may have much to do in making
the decisions.
FOR PERFECTION ...... 100 points
X. S. HERRICK.
Field Horticulturist.