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Rush, NY

At Weigh-offs I learned some growers are not measuring "LARGEST" Circumference. I have found fruit with 10 inches larger circumference than what the grower obtained. They were doing it as written on some Web sites and Books. Ten inches is 65 to 85 pounds for fruit over 700 pounds. To be consistant with the data used to arrive at the estimating equations you MUST measure the LARGEST Circumference to obtain your BEST estimate. For most large fruit it will not be exactly at the stem/blossom level and probably WILL NOT be parallel to the ground. LARGEST Circumference is required for the Stellpflug/Martin and Marcellus Tables and Equations.......The Marcellus Equations are old but considering the total variabilty that exists they still provide pretty good estimates up to about 850 pounds. Above that they underestimate on the average.
The Stellpflug/Martin tables were updated in January, 2001 to include pumpkins measureed in 1999 and 2000. Web sites will be updated soon. With the help of Nic Welty, we measured enough very small fruit to provide estimates down to about 20 pounds. Tell your grower friends they will get their BEST estimate using LARGEST Circumference.

3/4/2001 7:14:29 AM

Deer Park WA

Dear Len, Could you please post a copy of your estimating tables, I would love to have a copy. I can't seem to find it anywhere else.
Sincerely Gerry Gadberry...

3/4/2001 8:41:01 PM