This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Weight Estimation Formulas

     I have read with interest recent messages about how to estimate the weight
of giant pumpkins.  Some use various versions of what is called the "Over the
top" method and some use the circumference.  In Don Langevin's book "How to
Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins" Stellpflug is credited with a method which
uses only the circumference parallel to the ground.  Also in Langevin's book is
what he calls "Howard Dill's Over-the-Top Method" which uses three
measurements. Then yesterday I received a collection of methods from
"dang@athenet....." which claims to be yet another set of methods from Leonard
Stellpflug.
     The Howard Dill method in Langevin's book is, I believe, in error as it
predicts excessive weights.  It adds the three measurements and multiplies by
1.9.  This cannot be correct.
     The Stellpflug method in Langevin's book produces similar results to the
single measurement technique that I received from "dang@athenet..." yesterday,
which also is credited to Stellpflug.
     The "over the top" method that I received yesterday, also credited to
Stellpflug, included a table of numbers as well as a formula.  While the table
was fairly easy to use, the formula made no sense.  What is the 2.76 number? 
Is it an exponent?  Where do you put the three measurements that you take?  Can
someone check it, or better yet ask the man himself?
     
     My three Atlantic Giants are growing happily in Southern California at
about 3 inches in circumference per day.  They are fairly spherical in shape
and will hit 70 inches in circumference this week.  Over the top measurements
add up to 170 inches.  So depending on which of the numerous estimation methods
you might use, my pumpkins range from 90 to 323 pounds.  Based upon my gut feel
and past experience, I believe they are about 100 pounds each.  They sure are
thirsty fellows, too,

      I welcome data on this issue of pumpkin weight and have taken the
challenge to design a tool for measuring wall thickness.  I believe that this
is possible with today's technology.

Jeff     

         jeff.niven@gecm.com
Follow-Ups:
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index