Varietal Characteristics of Pip Fruits

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 78, Issue 4, 15 April 1949, Page 359

Varietal Characteristics of Pip Fruits

By

T. CONWAY,

Orchard Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Hastings.

pji 5 ntm «•»i e» u iimumhi t nnmi s iiiiiimtitiun i m iiiainmtH] = All forms of plant life show a wide E E range of characteristics distinctive of E E specific varieties, which, play an im- E s portant part, for good or bad, in the | E commercial value of most botanical E E varieties of plants. Apples and E ; E pears, as well as other kinds of fruit, E | exhibit this factor to such an extent s E that it is important for fruit growers = f to give special consideration to the E I known characteristics of the present E E leading commercial varieties of E E apples and pears which need careful E. E consideration by growers before and s E during harvesting. This information J E should be of particular interest to E E newcomers to the industry, such as 1 E ex-servicemen settled under rehabili- E E tation, many of whom have yet much E E experience to gain of smaller but E E important details of fruit production. E s

QUALITY, appearance, and ability to withstand transport and storage are usually considered the measure of the merit of any variety of apple or pear for commercial purposes, and those points should be considered when a grower is selecting varieties for orchard planting. Under certain circumstances, however, one or more of those desirable features must be overlooked to select varieties which not only spread the harvesting period for the grower but also supply a public need. ■pOR example, first early apple ■s- varieties such as Irish Peach and Beauty of Bath have no storage life and are of somewhat ' inferior quality. Mid-season varieties such as Gravenstein, Cox’s Orange, and Kidd’s Orange Red have satisfactory appearance, quality, and transit capacity, but their storage life is very limited. The late varieties such as Sturmer, ’ Delicious, Dougherty, and Granny Smith usually have good quality, storage, and transit features, which make them very desirable and profitable for main crops. Broader characteristics such as colour classification, length of stem, and susceptibility to diseases and pests and to premature dropping or physiological disorders must also be given detailed attention before and during harvesting. No variety of apple or pear is perfect in every respect, and therefore each variety must be. accepted on its merits, and safeguards taken in general orchard practices against any varietal weaknesses. ■ Following are comments on the more popular varieties of apples and pears, given in alphabetical order:

APPLES

Ballarat

The Ballarat variety is noted for its regular and heavy cropping and the large average size of the fruit. It can be harvested over a fairly long period, from mid-February to end of April, and an early light picking of only the largest fruit allows the remainder to reach a very satisfactory size and tends to increase the bulk of fruit harvested in any one season. If Ballarat apples are picked toward complete maturity, the fruit becomes very greasy, sometimes causing grading

machines to become dirty or dust and dirt to adhere to the fruit. By careful judgment of the final harvesting period difficulty in this respect can be avoided, especially if the fruit is immediately graded and packed on receipt at the packing shed. When this variety is left in the orchard or. packing shed for long periods after being harvested the appearance is sometimes spoilt by a deposit of dust adhering to the greasy skin. If the fruit is intended for cool storage, a delay

of 10 days is advisable between picking and storage to avoid discoloration of the skin. The large size of the fruit reduces harvesting and packing costs, as it is quick to handle. Except for a tendency in some districts to early and late infections of black spot, it is a very sound and reliable culinary variety. The Ballarat is also subject to glassy core, but that is considered only a minor fault, and the incidence varies with the climatic conditions. Cleopatra Some varieties are more prone to alternate seasonal bearing than others, and Cleopatra comes within that category to some extent. It also appears to react unfavourably to extremes of climate, and during seasons of light crop the fruit tends to develop certain weaknesses. This variety is susceptible to bitter pit, calyx cracking, and mouldy core. Unfortunately, little can be done to avoid those faults when conditions are favourable for their development, but extra care is necessary at the time of harvesting and packing to prevent faulty fruit from reaching the market. This variety is usually harvested from the first week in March to the third week in April. Cox’s Orange Cox’s Orange apples normally, are harvested from mid-February to the end of March, though the time of starting sometimes varies with the

seasonal conditions. The variety tends toward alternate-year bearing, and when dry conditions coincide with a heavy crop the . fruit is rather small unless it is thinned fairly heavily. If the crop is light, pickings are made too early, or harvestings are taken from young trees, the fruit is likely to be subject to bitter pit. Under such conditions, too, the life of the fruit after harvesting is very short and it soon becomes mealy and soft. Special care is therefore necessary in such circumstances to assure the fruit being marketed in sound condition. The Cox’s Orange variety is also subject to severe cracking at the stem end of the fruit, from which it suffers more in some seasons than in others. If these cracks are deep and fresh at the time of harvesting, the fruit is likely to rot rapidly at the cracked areas and considerable care is necessary at the time of grading to eliminate fruit likely to deteriorate quickly. This variety is considered one of the best quality of the dessert type grown and is particularly suitable for export because of its popularity on the English market. Delicious The Delicious variety is recognised as one of the leading commercial dessert apples throughout New Zealand, and the fact that it keeps well in cool storage and supplies a coloured variety late into the season increases its marketing value. It is a fairly regular and often a heavy cropper, but is subject to black spot and heavy infestations of red mite. It is also subject to mouldy core in the Auckland district and to a less extent in most other districts. The very open calyx opening not only exposes it to mouldy core infection but also aggravates its susceptibility to codling moth infection. When mouldy core is prevalent it is advisable to delay the first picking until a natural or premature dropping of much of the affected fruit occurs, preventing it from reaching the packing shed. Once it reaches the packing shed affected fruit is difficult to isolate by outward appearance by anyone without considerable experience. The Delicious variety is usually harvested between the first week in March and the third week in April, but during dry weather or when red mite is prevalent on the foliage the typical colouring of this variety is retarded. The colouring is considerably improved by rain or a succession of heavy dews and cool nights. It is advisable to restrict the first picking to the fruit at the tops and more exposed parts of the trees, where the colour is usually more advanced. The balance of the fruit will then improve in both size and colour for later pickings. Fruit intended for cool storage should be packed and stored immediately after being harvested to obtain the

best results. If fruit in forward maturity is cool stored, it will become mealy and of poor quality. Dougherty Also classified as a late-keeping coloured variety, the Dougherty apple maintains an important place among commercial varieties. It is somewhat irregular in cropping, but if the fruit is thinned heavily each year, reasonably stable cropping can be greatly assisted. Thinning is also necessary to assure satisfactory size of fruit, as the variety tends to be small unless that work is carried out efficiently. The fruit is harvested from the third week in April to the second week in May, x and it holds well in cool storage if not picked beyond the best stage of maturity for storage. It is rather subject to bitter rot (.Glomerella cingulata) and black spot, and in some districts pre-harvest sprays of weak Bordeaux solutions are necessary as a precaution against those diseases becoming troublesome just before or after harvesting. This variety also tends to develop eye rot just before being harvested, when conditions are favourable for its development. Golden Delicious Introduced in more recent years, Golden Delicious, because of its fine dessert qualities, is fast becoming a popular favourite with the consuming public. It is golden yellow when ready for eating and is harvested from about the second week in March to the last week in April. The stems are long and the fruit tends to be carried on the trees in loose clusters, though the clusters are well spread through the trees. It is usually a consistent cropper and the tree is a relatively strong grower. The fruit has a tendency to slight mouldy core, and bitter pit is likely to develop in large fruit picked tod early when crops are light or from young trees. Care must be taken to harvest this variety at its best maturity stage for marketing and storage or the fine edible quality may be adversely affected. On the other hand, the fruit should not be left on the trees too long or ripe spot is likely to develop, and in this respect the variety is similar to the Sturmer. Large fruit should not be cool stored. As this variety is rather soft and crisp in texture, ample protection should be afforded the fruit by care in handling and the use of ample wrapping paper and all-round corrugated liners in the cases. The added care and protection will assure the fruit being marketed in good condition and avoid the severe bruising to which the variety is subject if badly handled. Granny Smith The Granny Smith variety has proved itself a sound general-purpose

apple. It is a good, regular cropper and relatively, easy to produce and handle. The fruit is usually of good size and simple to grade and , pack. When trees reach maturity, however, some difficulty is experienced in maintaining steady growth with the stocks at present in use. This variety is harvested from the first week in April to the first week in May, and because of its susceptibility to superficial scald under coolstorage conditions the fruit should be packed in oil wraps and packing delayed for ten days after harvesting. Fruit of this variety intended for cool storage should be picked before there is much change in the background colour but late enough for reasonable maturity to have developed. Fruit from young trees should not be placed in cool storage, as it will not hold satisfactorily. Gravenstein ' Unfortunately few really sound varieties of early dessert apples are grown in New Zealand, and for . that reason growers have tended to curtail their production of early fruit. That is an unfortunate trend, and continuity of supply is upset. However, the Gravenstein is recognised as the soundest early dessert variety, and as it is harvested from about the second week in January to the end of February, and is usually a good and regular cropper of high-quality fruit, it plays an important part in production and marketing. It is a stemmed variety-and the fruit is usually carried in rather tight clusters. Unless carefully thinned the fruit is likely to fall from clusters during the final sizing before harvest. During recent years many growers have found hormone cling sprays beneficial in overcoming the tendency of the fruit to fall prematurely,: and their use is becoming a routine procedure. . . , Large fruit harvested too early during light crops or from young trees will quickly develop bitter pit if held for even a short time,' and immature fruit is of poor quality and likely to spoil the market reputation of this variety. Because of the shortage of apples during January growers are often tempted to harvest the first Gravensteins too early, and that is a short-sighted policy if the reputation of the variety is to be maintained. The Gravenstein tree has one serious weakness—the progressive effects of gnarling or cell collapse of the main limbs and branches. There is evidence to suggest that this physiological trouble may be caused by the present stocks used, and possibly, it may be corrected by working the variety on to its own roots. This disease tends to

shorten the economic life of the tree; though cropping is usually maintained, the fruit becomes progressively smaller as the disease weakens the whole tree. This variety is occasionally affected with mouldy core, and where this is known to be present any odd fruits showing early maturity and high colour should be treated as suspect. Jonathan Among the coloured varieties of apples in production in New Zealand the Jonathan-has maintained an important place for many years. Its harvesting period is from the first week in March to the third week in April, and it is generally recognised as a steady and heavy cropper. The tree is not a strong grower, and it has a spreading habit unless corrected by careful pruning. This variety has been abused in recent years by the tendency of grow-

ers to pick it early to assure its cool-, storage capacity and prevent wastage from premature dropping. For immediate marketing the Jonathan should be picked at a stage of forward tree maturity, when its edible quality has fully developed. Its market value is then considerably enhanced, and the public demand would greatly increase if this practice were followed. . By the application of hormone cling sprays before harvesting the tendency toward premature dropping can be overcome. It is usual to confine the first picking to the higher and more exposed fruit, which is more forward in colouring. The remainder will then rapidly im prove in colour and size for subsequent picking. Large Jonathan apples are not suitable for cool storage/ and no time should be lost in placing the more suitable sizes in cool store after har- - vesting. If the temperature at which

this variety is held is too low, or the fruit is too forward in maturity, it is likely to develop soft scald and flesh collapse. The Jonathan apple requires a little more consideration in general handling than many other varieties.

Kidd's Orange Red

On the evidence at present available the Kidd’s Orange Red variety appears to have proved more successful in some districts than in others. For instance, it has been very satisfactory in Hawke’s Bay, where further plantings are being made -or are , contemplated. Fairly severe . russeting has been a problem in some districts, but there is a relative freedom from this under Hawke’s Bay conditions.

The variety matures about the same time as Cox’s Orange, being harvested from about the middle of February to the end of March.. It is a regular and heavy cropper, and the fruit usually attains a very satisfactory size. The tree grows strongly and is easily handled. The fruit is of first-class dessert quality and is in good demand In the markets. It is a short-season variety unsuitable for long storage, and extra care is necessary to expedite harvesting and packing when the fruit has reached reasonable maturity, as it tends to become soft and mealy if any undue delay occurs at that stage. Every effort should be made to assure this variety reaching the market in the best possible condition, and to do so growers need to divide their attentions between the Kidd’s Orange Red and Cox’s Orange varieties where both are grown.

Lord Wolseley

A culinary variety, Lord Wolseley has been grown fairly extensively in Canterbury but to. a less extent in the other main fruit-growing districts. It tends toward alternate bearing but is otherwise a heavy cropper. The fruit is usually of good size and firstclass cooking quality. Harvesting usually begins in mid-February and continues until the end of March, and it is necessary to. see that.the fruit is mature and that it is wrapped in oil wraps for cool storage. Immediate storage after harvesting and packing is essential to maintain the fruit in good condition. This variety tends to develop bitter pit and glassy core, and when the fruit which has been stored is exposed to strong light or sun in shop windows considerable discoloration of the skin occurs.

Red Astrachan

Though the quality of Red Astrachan leaves much to be desired, it is .an early variety on which the public has to rely from the end of December and

- during most of January for dessert purposes, and to some extent-for cooking. The tree is a strong grower, but the crops are not only rather erratic but also seldom heavy. That is generally applicable to the first early varieties, and though the Red Astrachan has its faults, it fills an important role in assisting continuity of supply. The fruit is of medium : size and usually of reasonably good colour. It is rather subject to black spot and quickly becomes affected with codling moth if sprays are neglected. Probably its worst features are maturing and colouring very irregularly and liability to drop freely as it approaches maturity. Frequent picking has therefore been necessary in the past to avoid wastage and assure suitable maturity and colour. That factor has been largely overcome during the past two years by the application of one or two hormone cling sprays before the usual harvesting period, which has proved very effective in lessening wastage and number of pickings, but care needs to be exercised to avoid any of the fruit becoming over-mature and mealy. Rome Beauty The Rome Beauty variety has performed well under almost all conditions throughout New Zealand. Closelyrelated varieties are the Frimley Beauty and the Glengyle Red. The Rome Beauty is a late-keeping variety and the fruit usually reaches a very satisfactory • size. The harvesting period is from the beginning to the end of April. The tree is not a robust grower and has the natural habit .of bearing its fruit on the ends of light laterals, which bend over with the weight of fruit, causing the tree to develop a somewhat drooping formation. The first picking is confined to the larger and more exposed fruit which have become well coloured, and that assists the remainder of the fruit to improve considerably in size and colour. It is rather subject to superficial scald in storage, and harvesting at the correct stage is therefore important. It is also somewhat susceptible to glassy core and eye rot when conditions are favourable for these to occur. Statesman Though very subject to alternate season bearing, during the “on” seasons Statesman carries heavy crops. The fruit is white fleshed, of good eating quality, and of good shape and appearance, though usually of medium size. The harvesting period is from the beginning to the end of April. It is not a good variety for long cool storage, but short storage is possible under orchard or cool-store conditions if the fruit is kept under close observation for deterioration. This variety is susceptible to black spot infection, and very prone to fungal rotting in storage.

' Sturmer There is a limited number of apple varieties grown in New Zealand for many years which, because of their outstanding- attributes, have become accepted as essential to the sound financial status of most orchardists. Without doubt the Sturmer is of the first importance in this category. Its capacity for heavy and consistent bearing and its excellent cool-storage quality make it a very desirable variety in any orchard. Sturmer apples are usually harvested from the first week in April to the first week in May, and usually one or at . most. two pickings suffice. The fruit is of good average to large size, and the size is not affected by dry conditions, as is usually the case with the other varieties. In fact this variety appears to thrive under dry conditions, as was evident during recent dry years. Because of its heavy cropping - the tree is not a vigorous type, and it develops fruit spurs very freely. The spurs require a special thinning out process at the time of pruning; apart from other advantages, that saves much added thinning of the fruit. For best cool-storage condition it is advisable to complete harvesting before any mellowness of the fruit is apparent. As this variety is very susceptible to bruising and skin abrasions during and after picking, it is very important to delay the grading and packing until five to ten days after harvesting to give the skin an opportunity to toughen and the flesh to become firmer. - " The Sturmer is very subject to russeting in some districts, but as that has become accepted as almost a characteristic of the Sturmer, generous allowances are made in the grading standards for this variety. During long periods of high temperatures sun scald can'also be quite severe. Infections of ripe spot and bitter rot sometimes occur late in the harvesting season, and applications of weak Bordeaux sprays as a control are a standard practice in some districts during the late summer. Corky pit has also been a problem in some districts, particularly Nelson, where boron has been deficient in the soils; that has been corrected by the application of boron to the soil where necessary. PEARS The correct harvesting period of pears cannot be judged by the same external standards as for apples. If pears are left on the trees until", a significant colour change occursuntil, they are fully tree ripened but firm—the quality is inferior to that of fruit harvested on approach to maturity and later ripened at ordinary shed or

room temperature and fairly high humidity. The flavour and aroma of the earlier-picked fruit is far superior and the eating quality of each variety is developed to its fullest extent. . The first sign of maturity is the ease with which the fruit of any variety becomes detached from the tree when lifted upward during picking. The most favourable size for each variety is a factor needing close scrutiny, as is the normal harvesting period. If a change, in colour of the fruit is noticed when the maturity of a variety is being checked, it should be obvious that harvesting should not be delayed and the need for immediate marketing should be considered. - The change of colour and of skin texture is so slight at the correct picking stage that it is a guide only to a man with considerable experience, but the orchardist should endeavour to become familiar with these signs, though it might be too much to expect the average semi-skilled employee to recognise them. There is a significant change in the flesh texture and juice or sugar content on • approach of maturity, and that should also be noted, by the orchardist when maturity is being considered. If pears are picked too early, or dry conditions precede harvesting, the fruit will have a distinct tendency to wilt. Fruit for long storage should reach the cool chamber immediately', after being picked. Beurre Bose Usually harvested from the last week in February to the third week, in March, the Beurre Bose variety is usually a regular cropper and a reasonably satisfactory cool-store variety. It is a long-stemmed pear, which at times tends to drop-pre-maturely; that can be corrected by the careful use of hormone cling sprays. It is not particularly attractive and is rather gritty in texture, < but it has reasonably good eating quality. As -with most pears, it is fairly , susceptible to black spot. Beurre Clairgeau Though of .only medium quality, the . Beurre Clairgeau variety has other'; features which add to its commercial value. It usually attains large size and has a clear, smooth skin texture, generally developing a deep blush on one side. It is somewhat irregular in cropping, however, and is not considered a good cool-store variety. The harvesting period is from the second week in February to the third week in March. Conference The Conference pear, which is harvested . from the third week in February to the second week in March, is usually a good cropper. The fruit

is long and tapering but its eating quality is good. Apart from the fact that the fruit occasionally tends to be small and to drop prematurely, it is also subject to russeting and, because of its shape, is difficult to pack. Though a good-quality pear, its disadvantages have made it lose some, of its popularity.

Doyenne du Comice

Generally recognised as the bestquality pear at present in production in the Dominion, Doyenne du Comice is of . very smooth and juicy flesh texture when properly ripened and has a particularly attractive and delicate flavour. The fruit is usually large and short stemmed, and the skin, as well as being smooth and clear, often carries a considerable area of pale blush.

This variety seldom crops heavily and often irregularly. The harvesting period is from the third week in February to the third week in March. Care needs to be exercised in its harvesting, as prematurely-picked fruit does not ripen satisfactorily and overmature fruit has a short life. If picked at the correct stage of maturity, the fruit slowly ripens to perfection.

During handling and packing this pear requires more care and protection than most others because its thin and delicate skin is subject to abrasions, stem punctures, and general damage. Branch rub is also rather prevalent.

Louise Bonne de Jersey

Ready for harvesting from the second week in February to the second week in March, the Louise Bonne de Jersey pear is a regular and heavy cropper. It is an attractive clear-green fruit of good eating quality and medium size. This variety is grown on both pear and quince stock in Hawke’s Bay, but the pear stock has proved superior and it is considered that any new plantings should be on that stock.

It is most important that the harvesting of this pear should be completed before forward maturity is reached, as it is difficult to market forward-maturity fruit before it collapses. If risks are taken in this respect, much damage can be done to this pear, which otherwise has a good reputation among commercial growers and consumers. Possibly its only disadvantage is its failure to size satisfactorily when conditions are very dry. Selective pickings measurably assist the over-all sizing of the crop.

P. Barry

Among the late-keeping varieties of pears P. Barry continues to maintain a fairly important place. That may be rather surprising in view of its very poor eating quality, but it has other attributes which tend to offset that deficiency. Apart from its excellent

storage quality, it is usually a good cropper. The fruit is of large size and there. is no immediate necessity to pack it after harvesting, as it holds well in ordinary shed storage.

This variety is rather subject to black spot and often tends to drop prematurely, particularly: in windy weather. Good control of premature dropping has been obtained recently by the application of two hormone cling sprays before the normal harvesting period, which usually extends from the second week in March to the last week in April.

Packhams Triumph

The Packhams Triumph variety

is likely to be grown more widely in the future because of its quality and its capacity for regular cropping of good-sized fruit. As it is similar to Williams Bon Chretien in many respects, its harvesting period, extending from the third week in February to the last week in March, is an important factor. There is a sound demand from private consumers for bottling purposes, particularly from those who have neglected to procure supplies of Williams Bon Chretien or wish to continue bottling after the latter variety is finished. The fruit develops a pinkish tint when bottled or canned.

Fruit harvested from young trees tends to have . a rather rough or irregular surface, though the skin is a clear pale green. However, the general appearance of the fruit improves considerably as the trees become older. It is a good dessert variety and holds reasonably well in cool storage. It does not appear to have any special weaknesses, and growers find .it a good all-round variety to produce and handle.

Williams Bon Chretien

Without doubt Williams Bon Chretien is one of the outstanding pears grown in New Zealand. It has many good features, not the least of which is its excellent canning or bottling quality, and as a dessert variety it has few equals. Another advantage is its comparative earliness, and though it has a short season and is unsatisfactory for cool storage, there is always a ready market for it for canning, bottling, or dessert. Almost all pears canned commercially are ■Williams Bon Chretien. Harvesting usually begins during the second week in January and ends in the last week of February, and the first pick should be confined to the largest fruits in the tops of the trees.

It is important that this variety . be picked while the fruit is very firm and green. The natural process of ripening continues gradually after harvest-

ing and packing, and the best edible quality is then obtained. When fruit is harvested at forward maturity it lacks flavour and texture and is likely to collapse rapidly.

This variety is subject to fireblight and black spot, and every care is necessary to prevent infection by codling moth.

Winter Cole

Ranking as one of the most important late storage pears produced in New Zealand, the Winter Cole variety is relied on to maintain the supply of dessert pears late in the season more than any other variety. In the main pear-growing districts it has proved very satisfactory to produce and handle. It is usually harvested between the first week in March and the first week in April and is a fairly consistent and often heavy cropper. The eating quality is first class and it is generally popular with the consuming public. It is somewhat subject to black spot and very liable to become marked with branch rub in windy weather. Heavy thinning of the fruit is essential during seasons of heavy crops, and unless that is given careful attention average fruit size is likely to be small. Dry conditions also seriously restrict fruit size, and much tedious harvesting and packing work may be involved in such circumstances. The need for strict attention to thinning cannot be overstressed. Care must also be taken to ensure that fruit intended for cool storage should not be of forward maturity, as such fruit ripens early in storage and quickly develops fungal rots. On the other hand, fruit picked too early wilts considerably in storage. To prevent the spread of fungal rots the use of copper sulphate-impregnated wrapping paper on this variety is a standard procedure for all cool-storage fruit. Furthermore, fruit intended for late storage, should be placed in the cool chamber not ■ more than 48 hours after being harvested. Any delay in handling during this period has a serious effect on the possible length of storage.

Winter Nelis

In many respects the Winter Nelis pear resembles the Winter Cole. Its harvesting period is a little later, beginning during the . third week in March and continuing until the last week in April. This variety is somewhat irregular in cropping, but the fruit is often a little larger than the Winter Cole. It is very subject to black spot and particularly susceptible to mealy bug infection. Its coolstorage quality is somewhat superior to that of Winter Cole, and in general it requires to be handled for coolstorage purposes in the same way as is recommended for Winter Cole.

LOADING APPLES AT PICTON

APPLES are the main fruit grown in New Zealand, accounting for .about. 9000 .acres of. a total of more than 16,300 acres in commercial orchards. Of the total area devoted to the growing of apples more than 3500 acres are in the Nelson district, of which 2517 acres are in the Moutere Hills. z ■ In the years 1934-40 a yearly average of 1,056,336 bushels, valued at £522J60, was exported from New Zealand, but export was - interrupted during the . war because of the shortage of suitable shipping. In the early post-war period export was started again on a small scale and last year almost 1,000,000 bushel cases were shipped overseas. Though Port Nelson is capable of accommodating vessels up to 11,000 tons, much of the export produce from the Nelson district is loaded on to coastal steamer or scow (as illustrated above) at the feeder ports of Picton, Motueka, and Mapua and taken to Wellington where .it is transhipped to overseas vessels.