THE PlANTSMAN The Africamized Homey bee in the United States: V\ - Does It Mean for Honeybees in New Hampshire? The Threat of L ^' \i e Disease in New H a \i r s h i-ii-ii-ii-i A P R I L / M A Y The Mitsubishi Fuso 4\VD FG. Built to work where others can't. There's always been a need for a four-wheel drive, cab-over light-duty truck that can conquer sand, snow, steep hills, and off-road conditions. A real truck. The 127 HP, 1 1,600 Ib./GVW, intercooled. turbocharged diesel MITSUBISm FUSO 4WD FG, is exacdy that truck. A cab-forward design with exceptional front and side visibility lets drivers see over, and around, snowplows. Up, and down, hilly terrain. And threatening condiuons that conventional designs hide. Wheelbase options help maintain the original design integrity that's often sacrificed by unnecessary adaptions. A durable, reliable chassis, frame, and suspension system not only makes the ride smooth. But also protects the truck, the load, and your investment And, accepts a variety of body and box options. It is a truck that has survived over 5,000 miles of threatening condi- tions in the Australian outback to finish the 1988 Wynn's Safari Rally Race when 50% of the entrants didn't. MFTSUBISm FUSO 4WD FG will work on those jobs that destroy ordinar.', conventional trucks. ^ INTERNATIONAL LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL 1400 South Willow Street Manchester, NH 03103 Parts: 669-8524 623-8873 NH WATS: 1-800-562-3814 A MITSUBISHI FUSO INSIDE 16 Pleasant View Gardens 'Spring Fling.' Pleasant View Gardens, Pittsfield, NH 03263. For informa- tion: (603) 435-8361. 26 National Arbor Day. June 14-16 WF&FSA (Wholesale Florists and Florist Suppliers of America) Trade Show. Orange County Convention/Civic Onter, Orlando, Florida. For information: (703)241-1100 18-21 Grow America Trade Show & Conference. Sponsored by Greenhouse Product News maga- zine. Nashville (Convention Center, Nashville, TN. For information: Janet Currv at (708) 298-6622. 19 Joint Maine I New Hampshire FTD Clambake. Bar Harbor, ME. For information: Paul (]odbout; (603)625-5155. 23-24 New Hampshire FTD Annual Meeting. (The program will include a seminar entitled "Managing People for Improved Results.") Site to be announced. For information: Paul (Sodbout; (603)625-5155. July 9 Connecticut Nurserymen's Association Summer Meeting. Hosted by Kogut Nurserj' at Mountainside Outing Club, Wallingford, CT. For information: (203)872-2095. 12-15 American Association of Nurserymen Convention. Orlando, Florida. For information: (202) 789- 2900. 13-17 International Floriculture Industry Short Course. Cincinnati Convention (Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. Sponsored by The Ohio State University and Ohio Florists' Association. For information: (614) 487-1117. 3 1 Massachusetts Nurserymen's Association Summer Meeting. For information: (617) 266-6800. August 4-10 Perennial Plant Symposium, Farmington CT and Long Island, NTf. For information contact Dr. Steve Still, Perennial Plant Associa- tion, 2282 Schirtzinger Road, Hilliard, OH 43026, (614) 771-8431. 7 New England Nurserymen's Association Summer Meeting, in conjunction with the Rhode Island Nurserymen's Association Summer Meeting. Portsmouth, RI. For information: (617) 964-8209. 14 New Hampshire Plant Growers' Association Summer Meeting. Pleasant View Greenhouses, Pittsfield, KK. For information: Chris Robarge at (603) 862-1074. 22 Griffin Greenhouse Supply Open House. Tewksbury, Mass. For information: (508) 851-4346. FROM THE BOARD Sales — A Point of View Bruce Holmes 3 MINUTES 6&7 NT:W HAMPSHIRE NTWS 10 & 11 ELSE\\-HERE IN THE NTWS 15 'THE THREAT OF LYME DISEASE in New Hampshire Dr. Alan T. Eaton 16 THE AFRICANTZED HON-EYBEE IN THE UNTTED STATES What Does It Mean for Honeybees in New Hampshire? David Sorenson 17 NEW HAMPSHIRE S RESPONSE More on The Hemlock Wooly Adelgid 21 PROFILE Ledgewood Farms: Seedlings are Important 25 "Tanstaafl" Carl Woodbury 26 BUSINESS ENTiriES Advantages & Disadvantages Elizabeth L. Bayne DESiaN": JoNi Doherti' Design Stl-dio The PLanlsinan is published in early February, -April, June, September, Oc- tober, and December with copy dead- I lines being the 5th ofeach prior month. While camera-ready is preferred, as set-up assistance is available at a nominal fee. Free dassifiesd advertis- ing is offered as a member service We «ill carry a short message (no artwork or logos) for one or two issues of The Plantsman. AD SIZE 6x Ix 3 3/S- w X 2 3«-h $120 $30 3 3/8" w I 4 7/8Ti $160 $40 r w I 2a«"h $160 $40 r w I 4 7/S-h $250 $50 7- w X 10 -h $400 $100 For fiirther informatioii, please con- tact the editor Robert Parker at the UNH Research Greenhouses, Durham, NH03S24,(603)S62-2061;orPO Box 5, Newfields, NH 03S56, (603)778-€353. April/May 1991 1 FROM THE BOARD NEVr HAMPSHIRE r^i-A>7iliA>. Tuesday, February 5, 1991 The Febrxiarv msetinf o^ the NH T^. art Grc-sT'err A55.:<- onFecT-i-- "it?"'-: " --------- -^-_ Chris ?.:--. 1;- : Welcome to Qur New Members POBai:1597 Bocfaester^KH 03867 uetaiis — norsesnoes. C3ci5 jdbo Favi£Bia(£Tier 107Soa&St-,#201 Boston- MA 02111 Fort B5n Fam Hvrserj 260Qiiad£rkBaad TbcspsaB, CT 06277 Moaday, March 4, 1391 The ^leerriagbesar. ai 7:1-5 at Pleasan*\lewGaTdHJS.Ta«Prtee,ClHTS Bofaarge, J^UH^ET Got^ Bob DesKis, firk Wjant, aod J^ Heat7, andJofan] Tom fc Garden Show, he-^afia phuMug chased exlafaitian space at tiie New alsomMaiiriiBhfa'T-Ttis NURSERIES a division of Culbro Corporation [a;i£^ Find out more Wrile lor a Catalog or Conact Sales Rep Doug Lentz at (617) 93^^184 PO BOX 120. 90 SALMON BROOK STREET. GRANBY. CT 06035 (203) 653^1541 KRAUSLAND FARM. ROUTE 90. OUINCr'. FLORIDA 32351 (904) 627-7501 PO BOX 1288. SANDY. OR 97055 (503) 66&^32 Wholesale Nursery Stock that looks good and sells well Container and B & B Shrubs Laughlon's Garden Center Inc. Cal Laughton, Florist NURSERY STOCK • ANNUALS PERENNIALS FERTILIZERS • INSECTICIDES CHARLES LAUGHTON ■ PRESIDENT JAMES SIMPSON NURSERY SALES LA UGH TONS Distributors of Sentinel Foam Overwinter Blankets WHOLESALE AND RETAIL NURSERY Tel. 1-800-633-0159 155-165 Princeton Blvd. No. Chelmsford, MA 01863 4 THE PlANTSMAN BAG&BURLAPI ::»^ Serving Your [j/jl Nursery Supply S^^ A/ppfY/t Since 1910! Hartford, Connecticut (203) 653-8191 • FAX (203) 653-8221 We Are Major Manufacturers and Distributors! order direct from the manufac- ^=,^--~ turerofqualilyplain '"■ ^^ ardtreoted " No-Rot' burlap squaresarxj rolls, bogs.shode cloth, digging supplies, juteerosioncontrol nettir-igarxJmany accessory products. SI r>ce 1910, we have worked to aid the grower arxj nurse rynrrari 'fcijrr ' .;c^ with quality products, in stock ^^J and ready for immediate ^^fe st"43nnent. You Deserve the Best . . . You'll get it at Dayton Bag & Burlap! 1-800-543-3400 TREES • EVERGREENS • SHRUBS COLORADO SPRUCES 3' to 10'... QUANTITY PRICES AVAILABLE O'Donal's Nurseries HOURS: Mon. - Sat. 7:00 - 5:30 Sunday 9:00 - 5:00 Located at junction of routes 22 & 1 1 4 Gorham, Maine 04038 Phone (207)839-4262 or 839-6364 Fax 207-839-2290 We specialize in growing specimen plant materials YOUR FULL SERVICE WHOLESALE and RETAIL GARDEN CENTER Cati or insit our convenient (ocation tv see our compUtt stocky of these fine products: ^ ^ Annuals, Perennials and Nursery Stock Scotts' Lawn Pro Authorized Dealer Ortho • Ames Tools Country Pride Compost Products Featuring Seasonal and Holiday Plants and Accessories iri^@ (Bir(S(3m(SJrw Roule 16, Osslpee, N.H. 03864 603-539-5995 Hours: 8-5 7 Days Featuring 'NK Gold' Forsythia The best of the new, hardy forsythias developed here by Paul Joly. Several sizes available. Rooted Cuttings -- Potted Liners of other hard-to-find slirubs and trees. Send for a catalog. Perennials & Nursery Stock Wholesale and retail. Landscape Consulting M WIMDSOR ROAD MURSERY Rt. 2 - Box 884 - Cornish, NH 03745 Call for an appointment Telephone 603-543-3239 April/May 1991 5 1^ ^siiPSiEin Partial Credit System Approved On February 21, The New Hampshire Pesti- cide Control Board held a public hearing on the partial credit system for recertification for pri- vate pesticide applica- tors. About a dozen people— apple growers, Christmas tree growers, people from co-operati ve extension— testified at the hearing. Pesticide Control Board member Jeff Hunting- ton (Pleasant View Gar- fenmg The New Hampshire Plant Growers Association will hold their annual Summer Meeting at Pleasant View Gardens on August 14. Besides the facilities at Pleasant View, members can tour Millican Nursery next door and D.S. Cole Growers in Louden. Along with the toui's, the Board is planning a bigger trade show , a good meal, and talks that could give those attending credit toward pesticide applicator's license recertiTication. There will be an auction, door prizes, horseshoes, volleyball. ...all on August 14 at Pleasant View Gardens in Pittsfield. ness in November. Doug, formerly in power line construc- tion, is fairly new at this line of work, but "a sister-in-law had worked here a couple years ago," so she's familiar with the operation. Windham will re- main a full-service retail garden center and florist shop. Doug is working to attract "your aver- age home-owner" with reduced prices and a 10" floor plant sale that has been goingon this winter. dens,Pittsrield)saidthatmostpeople package" (which gives each contest- New products available include were very positive about the new sys- tem. The growers sti-essed that changes in the industry— new prod- ucts, newrules— happen sooften that one meeting every five years "would- n'tbe enough to keep us up to date." It was felt that more frequent informa- tional meetings could be better publi- cized, to show the public concerned about pesticides that "we know what we're doing; we do care." Concern wasexpressedaboutthelim- ited number of opportunities to earn credits in the greenhouse and nurs- ery industries; for this system to work well, it was felt that more workshops and twilight meetings might be needed. The changes were approved by the Board. Although theimplementation process isn't over, it's safe to say that New Hampshire now has a partial credit system for recertification. And the Winner Is.... Debrah Deft-eze of Jasmine's Flower Shop in Seabrook won the New Hampshire FTD America's Cup De- sign Competition. This annual com- petition, held thisyear in Portsmouth on January 27, consisted of three parts: designing a table setting for Superbowl Sunday, designing a bri- dal bouquet, and using a "surprise 6 THE PLANTSMAN It a similar container and flower wider variety of plant material, along materiaDtocreateanoriginal design, with items like fountains, refiecting pools, and statuary. He hopes to expand Using such flowers as freesia, ranun- ^^^ wholesale aspect of the business as cuius, roses, and lilac blossoms, ^^^^^ Debrah created a bridal bouquet in tones of soft lavenders, creams, and We welcome Doug and Tracy to New pjnl^^s Hampshire and wish them success. WindhamNurseriesislocatedoffRoute Her Superbowl Sunday Table was gg ^^^^^ ^^-^ 3 ^^ ^^^^ m) {„ another thing altogether. Usmg a Windham, football for partofthecenterpiece and a wrist band as a napkin holder, the color scheme was red and royal blue, \ SuCCeSS... Theplantmaterialincludeddelphini- „ r. . t:^ urns, anthurium, ginger, and tropical The NH Farm & Forest Exposition, Cq^j ' held in Manchester in early February, is seen as a success. There was a good And from her surprise package, she turnoutr-20,000 general admissions, created a stylized arrangement of ^^^j attendance at the specific com- iris, daisies, mini-dianthus, snaps.... modity meetings was high, with "I had no idea what my end products standing room only in areas like would be like when I went on stage," "^E Beef Production" and 'T)airy Goat Debrah said. "I hate to kill the pro- Management." cess with too much planning." ,,,ttt^ . .. r a ■ 1 Zib (at the NH Departmentof Agncul- Second prize winner was Ray Savage ^^^e) felt that the high attendance of Flowers by Ray Savage of Keene, ^as due to the quality of the speakers, and third prize went to Becky Ser- -pj^jg y^^^^^ ^he Farm & Forest Board vant of Emerson Gardens in Leba- supported organizations sponsoring non. speakers by giving matching grants to help with expenses. The results were _ top-notch speakers and higher atten- Another New Owner dance Windham Nurseries, in Windham, After a final meeting "to wind things NH, is under new ownership. Doug up," the Board won't meet again until and Tracy Grattan, up from Billeri- August, when it starts planning for ca Massachusetts, bought the busi- next year. 1992's a primary year in New Hampshire. Primary-related booking have priority, so the date's still uncertain. ...and a Casualty The 1991 Granite State Garden & Flower Show, scheduled to be held at the Manchester Armory on March 6- 10, was cancelled on February 11, "a casualty of the Persian Gulf War." The Armory rental was doubled (from $500 to $1000 a day) and the Board was reminded that should conditions in the Gulf warrant, the Garden & Flower Show "would be required to vacate the premises at a moment's notice." Expenses were high. Along with the rent, the Board was told that the Manchester Police Department would require a 15% increase (to $5400) in the fee paid to the three officers needed during the show and that there was a good possibility that they'd be required to add a fourth "to insure security at this time." A fee to the fire department was $1700; the janitor's fee, $2000; a permit from the city of Manchester "to run a fair" cost $300; dumpster rental was $400. John Jacobs, Presi- dentofflower show organization, felt "there was no way we could recoup our costs." But things look good for next year. The Board began working on the 1992 Show on April 4. Members are seri- ously considering holding the event at the Philips Exeter Academy Field House "during the spring break when the students aren't there". John feels it is "a good spot, only 30 minutes from Manchester." The building has a glass roof, there's ad- equate parking, and — importantly — costs would be substantially lower. (For example, rental would be "$2000 for the entire eight days — and this would include the services of two se- curity guards".) The Board is also actively looking for sponsors to help offset any costs in- curred should this sort of unexpected financial situation happen again. And Jacobs said he'd been discussing with the New Hampshire Land- scaper's Association "their mem- bership's full support of and partici- pation in a 1992 show". This year's cancellation was dis- heartening, but from the sound of things right now, next year's show might really be "better than ever." For more information, contact John Jacobs at Mr. Bee's (603-627-7667). Aaron Wentworth: 1934-1991 Aaron A. Wentworth of Rollinsford, vice-president and operator of the family business, Wentworth Green- houses of Rollinsford, died January 11, 1991, at the Wentworth- Douglas Hospi- tal after a brief illness. He was 57 years oldL Bom January 4, 1934, he was the son of Andrew and Mary(Chick)Wentworth.He was a lifetime resident of the Dover-Rollinsford area. A well-known horticulturist, he was also a member of the Maine Obsolete Auto League. Survivors include his wife, Janice (Henderson) Went- worth, two sons, Daniel and John, his father, a brother and a sister, and several nieces and nephews. EASTERN WHITE PINE 6-10' Height Beautiful, heavy, Vermont, Connecticut Valley nursery grown. Growing 500 Acres ol New England's Finest Trees & Shruh 604 Main Street Cromwell, Connecticut 06416 Phone (203) 635-5500 Fax (203) 635-3685 91illane 9*Iuiieries,%c. April/May 1991 7 CAVICCHIO GREENHOUSES Wholesale Growers ANNUALS PERENNIALS HARDY MUMS GROUND COVER KALE & CABBAGE nOCodjer Lane Sudbury, MA 01 776 (508)443-7177 FLOWERING HANGING BASKETS FALL PANSIES JUMBO ANNUALS HOLIDAY PLANTS CLASSIC PERENNIALS HARDY FALL ANNUALS ,.^AP."^ Yo„ To a,^^^^^ B.E. SUPPLY GREENHOUSE SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT Hemlock Rd. - Langdon Mailing Address: P.O. Box O Charlestown, New Hampshire 03603 •pre-filled flats & pots •restricted pesticides •fertilizers •distributors for Plasti Form & Plasti Vac •distributors for Hyde Park ^0"<^d2^ "Our goal, quality Our strength, our employees" FOR A GREENHOUSE VEFJNITLV VIFFERENT CONTACT: ELLIS B.SPRAGUE OROUO, MAIME TEL: 207-866-4747 FAX: 207-866-4747 HfiRnOIS J. B. CARPENTER & SON, INC. Olde English Greenhouses 220 South Main Street — Newmarket, NH 03857 — (603) 659-3391 ''The Geranium Specialists'' Wholesale Growers 2'/2" Geraniums (year-round) Lilies/Bulbs 4" prefinished Geraniums Azaleas 2'/. " Ivy Geraniums & Fuchsia Cyclamen Martha Washington Geraniums Poinsettias Spring Hanging Baskets Foliage Hydrangeas JOHN B. CARPENTER, President — ROBERT J. CARPENTER, General Manager April /May 1991 9 ELSE WHEEl ME Fungus Displays Potential for White Fly Control Reprinted from Nursery Business Grower, February 1991 A University of Florida scientist has won a US patent for a fungus that safely kills one of the world's most damaging agricultural pests — the sweet potato whitefly. Dr. Lance S. Osborne, an entomolo- gist at UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, has discovered a fungus that kills the whitefly quickly without harming the envi- ronment. The whitefly feeds on more that 500 plants worldwide and transmits viruses and diseases that cause more than 70 diseases. The patented fungus, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, is found throughout the world, but still must undergo ex- tensive testing before it is available as a conuiierdal product. "It has potential, but it has a long way to go," Osborne says. "There's a large step between finding something and being able to put it in a form that can be utilized by a grower." Osborne has signed over the rights to the patent to the University of Flori- da Research Foundation, which in tern has entered into an agreement with W.R. Grace & Co. to develop the fungus for commercial use. Company Highlighted Reprinted from GrowerTalks, February 1991 Johnson International Floriculture, Hudson, Massachusetts, and its Mex- ican sister company, Invernaderos Johnson de Mexico, were featured in an article in the January 7 issue of Forbes magazine. Forbes highlighted the company as a leader and innova- tor in establishing American-owned production in Mexico. 10 THE PlANTSMAN An Up-to-Date Pesticide Management Guide Through the efforts of fi ve Ohio State University faculty members, the Ohio Florists' Association has developed a 64-page commercial floriculture pes- ticide management guide titled Flo- riculture Crops: Chemical Use Book- let— AGuide for Insecticide, Miticide, Fungicide, Growth Regulator, and Herbicide Application. The booklet contains — among other things — current, easy -to-read chemi- cal application charts for insects, mites, diseases, growth regulators, weeds and algae; procedures for pes- ticide mixing and application; tips for increasing pesticide efficiency, and guidelines for integrated insect and mite management programs. The guide, which was circulated as the January 1991, Ohio Florists' As- sociation Bulletin, may be purchased for $15 by OFA members and for $20 by non-members. This includes post- age and handling. For information: OFA Services, Inc. 2130 Stella Court Suite 200 Columbus, Ohio 43215-1033 telephone: (614) 487-1117 An International Tree Planting Campaign The American Association of Nurs- erymen (AAN) has joined forces with Rotary Club International, the US Forest Service, the National Arbor Day Foundation, state foresters, and others in an ambitious program to encourage tree planting throughout the world. The Program, "Preserving Planet Earth," will be launched with tree plantingevents across the nation held at noon (EST) on Friday, April 26, to coincide -with National Arbor Day. Tips on selecting quality trees, a list- ing of state trees, and an illustrated guide to proper tree planting were provided by AAN for inclusion in the program's information kit being sent to Rotary Club presidents all over the US. Rotary International has more than 25,000 clubs and over one million members worldwide. To participate in local "Preserving Planet Earth" activities, contact your local Rotary International club president. Solution Found to Floral Foam Residues Reprinted from Grov/erTa.\ks, February 1991. Research by John Sacalis and Domi- nic Durkin, Department of Horticul- ture, Rutgers University, shows that floral foams used in floral designing contain generally high salt and acid- ity levels due to residues from the manufacturing process. These resi- dues reduce lower size and perfor- mance. Rinsing foam blocks prior to use can reduce the residue levels, and the effects of high salt levels can be partially offset by using floral preser- vatives. Roses, Inc., Haslett, Michi- gan, has adopted a set of guidelines for arranging roses in floral foams that alleviate the problem. Call (517) 339-9544. Filtering System Controls Growth Reprinted from A'^ursery Business Grower, February 1991 Clemson University horticulturists and agricultural engineers are studying the effects of copper sulfate as aliquid filter system in greenhouse roofs to see if they can produce short- er, more marketable plants. "Many producers have trouble keep- ing such plants as chrysanthemums and poinsettias compact and well- branched," says John Kelly, a horti- culturist on the project. The copper sulphate filtering system apparently helps. The copper sulphate liquid is poured into chambered acrylic panels on the greenhouse roof, turning the mate- rial blue. This changes the quality of light that gets through to the plant by eliminating specific wavelengths of light. "By filtering out far red light, which is just before infrared on the color spectrum, and permitting red light to enter the greenhouse, we were able to grow very short compact plants," saysKelly. "Chrysanthemumsgrown under the copper sulphate were 40- 46% shorter and darker green than plants grown under other filters or natural sunlight." All other plant varieties tested showed similar trends, with particu- larly favorable results in poinsettias. Reduced heightanddeepercolor were visible in less than a week of hght- treated growth. For more information: John Kelly Department of Horticulture Clemson University Clemson, SC 29634 (803)656-2603 New from Holland — A Dianthus... Reprinted from Greenhouse Manager, February 199 A new lilac dianthus has been devel- opedbyWest-Stekb.v.ofKweintsheul, Nederland. 'Lilactop'is a hybrid with denticulate petals that contrast sharply with protruding light-colored stamens. This new pot flower has a dense growth habit and matures at 7 inches. It is an 8-to 12-week a-op from the cutting stage to a viable plant. The flower gets its name from a 'lilac top" that is evident when at least three flowers have obtained color and about 10 viable buds have formed. "Lilactop' fiowers over a period of six months; individual flowers bloom for 3-4 weeks before shrinking and fading. For information: West-Stekb.v. Kwintsheul, Anjerstekken Hooghe Beer 16-2295 MX Nederland telephone 01742-8341 ...a Winter Mum Reprinted from Greenhouse Manager, February 1991 Anemone-flowering chrysanthe- mums are known for their low pro- duction during winter. But a new white chrysanthemum variety is be- ing touted as a heavy bloomer. 'Expo White' from Hilvo B.V. is an anemone-shaped spray mum thatcan be grownyear-round, but is especially suited to winter production. Flowers have a yellow-green center and a diameter of 2 172 inches. Aver- agestemlengthis35inches. Growing time (without supplemental lighting) is nine weeks. For information: Hilvo B.V., Boekhorsterweg 6a Postbusl81,2210AD Noordwijkerhout, Nederland AAN and ALCA to Cooperate in Legislative Efforts Reprinted from AAN Today, February /March 1991 The American Association of Nurs- erymen (AAN) and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) have signed an agreement whereby AAN will provide legislative consulting services to ALCA. The agreement recognized "common in- terests and objectives" between the two organizations in the area of leg- islative action. The AAN/ALCA cooperative effort will cover a range of legislative ser- vices, with emphasis on monitoring and reporting on bills in Congress and participation in AAN's Legisla- tive Leadership Conference, sched- uled for September. AAN and ALCA are currently explor- ing other cooperative efforts in publi- cation sales and other areas. And the Beet Goes On.... Reprinted from GrowerTalks, February 1991 1991 has been selected the "Year of Beet and Cosmos" by the National Garden Bureau , Inc. , Downers Grove , Illinois. Food trends in the 1990's, both in restaurants and at home, em- phasize the use of natural i ngrediente in food preparation, so gardeners need encouragement on the ease and benefit of growing vegetables from seed, according to Nona Wolfram- Koivula, NGB executive director. Promotional materials are available. Call (708) 963-0770. *»• TIPS From the Griffin Guru Drinking Water Pollutants No one intentionally sets out to contaminate their own well or foul a drinking water supply, yet it happens. An article published in a Boston newspaper reported the EPA has set limits for 27 drinking water pollutants. They also revised standards for eleven other pollutants because of updated information. The article specifically mentions "widely used agricultural pesticides" and "fertilizer runofi"," concluding vrith the direct quote "most of the cancer cases are associated with pesticides." I don't think I need a better reason to look for ways to tighten up my operation. I probably would start by calculating the exact amount of spray to be used to prevent the need to dispose of the unused mixture. Then I'd make sure as much fertilizer as possible stays in the container and doesn't overflow or leach out onto the bench or ground. April/May 1991 11 GREENHOUSE PLANTS CHRYSANTHEMUMS NURSERY STOCK POINSETTIAS BULBS/LILIES GERANIUMS PERENNIALS CYCLAMEN SEEDLINGS AZALEAS PLUGS SEEDS D.A. POSOCCO Greenhouse Plants - Nursery Stock Joseph Giannino 14 Sigourney Street Revere, MA 02151 617-286-6541 (Home) Fax 617-286-6541 GREENHOUSE PLANTS CHRYSANTHEMUMS NURSERY STOCK POINSETTIAS BULBS/LILIES GERANIUMS PERENNIALS CYCLAMEN SEEDLINGS AZALEAS PLUGS SEEDS D.A. POSOCCO Greenhouse Plants - Nursery Stock Steve Calautti PO. Box 2092 Middletown,CT 06457 203-346-7980 Fax 203-346-5235 WE SUPPORT: Fall' is for MICHAUD Nurseries & Greenhouses, Inc. %^^ Route 85 — PO Box J34 — Exeter. NH 03833 (603) 772-3698 Wholesale & Retail ISursery Annuals, Perennials. Nursery Stock, Landscape Supplies WHOLESALE NURSERY TREES • EVERGREENS • SHRUBS 150 acres of quality plants Write for catalog Member: MNA. NENA. AAN Millers Falls Road, Turners Falls, MA 01376 Telephone 413- 863-2510 S ,tewart^ NURSERY, Inc. U WP^ CANTERBURY, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03224 EXIT18, 1-93, 1/2 MILE TELEPHONE 1-800-642-1661 SOD FARMS & WHOLESALE NURSERY, 4f growers and DISTRIBUTORS: • NURSERY STOCK • GARDEN SUPPLIES • CHRISTMAS TREES •SOD 12 THE PlANTSIWAN Rhododendron PJM (H^;bridized in 1940) m Rhododendron PJM (1940)' m Rhododendron Henry's Red (1958)' ■ Rhododendron Shrimp Pink Hybrids (1958)' ■ Rhododendron Agio n964j* ■ Rhododendron Olga Mezitt (1 964)' U Rhododendron Weston's Pink Diamond (1964)' ■ Rhododendron Molly Fordham (1966)' ■ Rhododendron Milestone CJ972J* ■ Rhododendron April Snow (1978)' 'A WESTON NURSERIES INTRODUCTION' A phrase which stands for the very best that fifty years of horticultural innovation and testing can produce. Weston Nurseries is proud to have developed and introduced these outstanding plants for the benefit of the American Nursery industry. Azalea Jane Abbott (i942r Azalea Vykingf J 958j* Azalea Pink and Sweei (1963)' Azalea Parade f]963j* Azalea Golden Showers (1963]* Azalea Pink Clusters (J 972j* •YEAR HYBRIDIZED FOR THE FINEST "NEW ENGLAND-GROWN" PLANTS, VISIT OUR WHOLESALE SALES YARD OR CALL AND ASK FOR TOM WILHELM, DAVE WALKER OR TOM WILLIAMS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING YOU. Since 1923 Weston I^rseries of Hopkinton Growing New England's largest variety of landscape-size plants, shrubs, trees and perennials. E Main St. (Rte. 135). P.O. Box 186, Hopkinton, MA 01748, Tel. (508) 435-341^ From Boston 235-3431, Toll free in MA, 1-800-322-2002 FAX 508-435-3274 Season long availability for perennials & groundcovers VAN BERKUM NURSERY VAJS BERKUM! x^nURSERY \ I I • wholesale nursery specializing in the landscape trade. • Wide range of perennials and groundcovers for sun or shade. • Well established plants; season long availability. • Pachysandra: 100/tray for $1 5.00. Vinca: Special (in heavy quarts), 100 or over, $1.25 Peter & Leslie van Berkum, 4 James Road, Deerfield, NH 03037 (603) 463-7663 GRIFFIN GREENHOUSE & NURSERY SUPPLIES 1 61 9 Main St, PO Box 36, Tewksbury, MA 01 876-0036 Phone 508-851-4346 Fax 508-851-0012 WE OFFER TWO SIZES: BOTH UNITS STOCKED FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT | SAFETY BEGINS HERE No. 1947 Cabinet Each shelf supports 500 II 45 Gal. Capacity 43-W, le-D. 6S-H I OTHER SIZES AVAILJ\BLE No. 4 Storage BIdg. eu 6'4-W. ei'H ■ Outside Dimensions 4000 lb. - 32 sq ft Storage Capacity 100 Gal Sump Capacity PROPER STORAGE FOR A SAFE WORKPLACE Secure Your Chemicals • Provide Security Reduce Exposure in Case of Fire 14 THE Plants MAN The THREAT of LYME DISEASE in NEW HAMPSHIRE M (any New Hampshire resi- dents have heard a lot about Lyme Disease recently. The disease is caused by a bacterium which can be transmitted by the bite of a certain species of tick. This species, Ixodes dammini, was first detected in New Hampshire in 1985 and is becoming more common. People who work out- doors (like plant growers) should be informed. Symptoms of Lyme Disease frequent- ly (not always) begin with a red zone around the site of the bite. This usu- ally appears within 20 days of being bitten by an infected tick. It slowly expands in size, and is often ring-like and warm to the touch. The rash fades and eventually disappears. Not every victim shows this characteris- tic rash. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever, headaches, and stiff- ness and pain in muscles and joints. If left untreated, irregular heartbeat, arthritis (esp. knees) and nervous systems disorders can result. The symptoms mimic many other dis- eases, so physicians check blood tests and symptoms when diagnosing pa- tients. Most human cases are contracted ft-om encounters with the tiny nymphs of this species. They are about the size of a poppy seed, so many victims are unaware that they have been bitten. Data from southern Maine suggests that a low percentage of our ticks actually carry the bacte- rium that causes the disease. There has been almost no informa- tion on the number or geographic distribution of human Lyme Disease cases in New Hampshire. Also, until now there has been very little data on the distribution of Ixodes dammi- ni in the state. Lacking this infor- mation, we have had two problems: 1. Many residents and visitors to low risk areas of the state have been needlessly worried. 2. Others, who DR. AUN T. EATON TICKS- ENGORGED FEMALE ON RIGHT live in higher risk spots, may have been oblivious to the threat. During the fall of 1990, 1 checked deer and moose for this tick. Added to our previous data, the studies gave enough information to alleviate both problems. As the map shows, the "deer tick" is not evenly distributed in New Hampshire. The highest populations are in Strafford and Rockingham counties. No doubt they occur in other towns, in addition to those noted. The tick also has been found along the eastern edge of Hillsborough, Merrimack, and Bel- knap counties. In the West, ticks and Lyme Disease cases in dogs tend to be found in those towns that border the Connecticut River. Elsewhere in the state, the tick is scattered and irregularly found. There is little data from the northern section of the state, but the discovery of a tick on a moose in Berlin points out the possibility that the tick may occur where moose are abundant. One caution should be mentioned. Survey efforts have not been evenly distributed across the state. Grafton County, for example, has not been adequately surveyed. We will have a more accurate picture as time goes on . Places which have all three of the following characteristics are of greatestconcern: 1. Southeastern NH 2. where deer are abundant, and 3. in tall grass and/or thick brush. The best way to avoid contracting Lyme Disease is to stay out of such areas, especially fromMay through October. If you do visit such places, wear long pants and tuck your pant cuffs into your socks. A long sleeved shirt with snug cuffs and collar, tucked in at the waist completes the outfit. Yes, this is recommended for both men and women. The purpose of dressing this way is to keep any ticks you encoun- ter on the outside of your clothing, where they maybe spottedor brushed off. It helps if the clothing is light colored, since the ticks are dark. Applying an insect repellant to your pantlegcan add more protection. At the end of the day, a strip search will reveal any ticks that got by your de- fenses. If you find a tick that you would like identified, you can take it to either of two places: 1. The state entomologist. Health & Human Services Building, Hazen Drive, Concord NH or 2. your County office of UNH Cooperative Extension. Ifyour sample is not im- mediately recognized (some are difficult) there may be a $3.00 fee for identifications through UNH Coop- erative Extension. Lyme Disease is successfully treated with antibiotics when caught in the early stages. Treatment during the later stages is less successful. Com- pared with some parts of the Northeast, the threat of Lyme Dis- ease here is low. For more informa- tion on ticks and Lyme Disease in New Hampshire, contact UNH Coop- erative Extension for the $.50 publication. Biology and Control of TYcks in New Hampshire. ^*^ Acknowledgement: Most of the tick data presented on the map are from A T. Eaton. Additional data were pro- vided by Drs. J. F. Burger, Clifford McGinnis, and S. E. Thewke. Alan Eaton is an Extension Special- ist, Entomology, UNH Cooperative Extension. April/May 1991 15 The Africanized Honeybee in the United States What Does It Mean for Honeybees in New Hampshire? David Sorenson Africanized honey bees have expanded their range northward and southward since 1957. the rate at which they spread is influenced by many factors including weather. French Guiana THE general public has a special fear of stinging insects and a num- ber of sensational news stories and motion pictures about the African- ized Honeybee (AHB), also known as the Brazilian bee and the "killer bee," have played on this fear. The result has been a mixing of fact, fiction, myth and misinformation preventing a clearer understanding of the issue. This bee has been moving north in South America for almost 30 years and just recently, (October 1990) arrived in Hidalgo, Texas. In contrast to the AHB, the Euro- pean honeybees have been delight- ing humans with their honey for more than 40 centuries. The Bible refers to this sublime nectar as "the heavenly food" and describes certain lands as "flowing with milk and honey." White settlers were reported to have brought the European honey- bee to North America, where North American Indians regarded it as a creature of ill omen: "the white man's fly." Today this "white man's fly" is responsible for helping to pollinate more than 90 difl"erent cultivated crops with a combined annual value of $30 billion. It is easy to see why the honeybee is so important to the nation's agricul- tural economy. 16 THE Plants MAN The Africanized honeybee (AHB) is also a controversial topic among bee researchers and beekeepers. How far north into the United States the bees will eventually spread is not yet clear. Some experts believe that the Africanized bees won't be able to take cold winters, which will limit their spread north. Others believe the Africanized intruders will be able to survive anywhere that honeybees now live in North America. There are two primary concerns about the intrusion of the AHB into this country. European honeybees that interbreed with them may become harder to manage as pollinators of crops and may not be as efficient when it comes to honey production. One-third of the American diet is directly or indirectly dependent on crops that are pollinated by honey- bees. They also produce about $150 million worth of honey a year. In New Hampshire the honeybee's value to pollination of crops (apples, blueben-ies and vine crops mainly) is estimated to be around $60 to $70 million. It is not exactly known how many colonies of honeybees there are in New Hampshire, but is estimated there are as many as 4000+ colonies. This does not include the 1200 to 1500 colonies brought into the state by migratory beekeepers. So what does all this mean for honeybees in New Hampshire? It means beekeepers are going to be required to manage their bees better than they have ever done before. They will need to become educated as to how to split/divide their colonies and raise their own queens rather than purchase packages for the southern states. Samples of overly aggressive bees will have to be sent to a lab for identification. The beekeepers will need to educate the general public that, although the AHB's are more easily provoked to stinging than are the European honeybees, they are not a maraud- ing danger. The AHB will sting in greater numbers and are likely to follow an attacker farther, but swarms are not out searching for victims. Researchers say it's not so much that they are more aggressive as that they are more defensive. Should you come across a swarm of bees hanging from a tree, get out of the area inmiediately and report this swarm to the police, a local beekeeper, or your local County UNH Cooperative Extension Office. There will probably be more sting- ing incidents once Africanized honeybees become fully established in the United States, but the chance of being fatally stung by them remains less than the chance of being killed by lightning. We will continue to depend on honeybees as the major force in pollinating crops in New Hampshire and we will have to learn to work with the Africanized honey bee until researchers find a solution — perhaps the genetic engineering of a superior bee. ■"» David Sorenson, UNH Cooperative Extension Educator — Agricultural Resources and Extension Apicultur- ist, is located in Carroll County, NH. For further information, write Dave at 34 Main Street, PO Box 367, Conway, NH 03818, or call him at (603) 447-5922. New Hampshire's Response In the February/March issue ofThe Plantsman, Bob Childs wrote about southern New England's concern about the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid. It seemed sensible to ask Siegfried Thewke, New Hampshire 'sState Entomologist, how New Hampshire viewed this insect. New Hampshire's response is serious — a quarantine has been established against the adelgid. Quarantined areas include the West Coast states and Alaska and Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and the Distinct of Columbia. Commoditiescovered include hemlock seedlings, hemlock nursery stock, hemlock logs with bark, and hemlock lumber with bark. Seedlings and nursery stock coming into New Hampshire must be accompanied by a declaration from officials in the state of origin that the material is free from infestation. Logs and lumber can only be shipped to pre-approved sites in New Hampshire. If it is shipped to other sites, it must be accompanied by a certificate from the state of origin stating where the material was grown and that both this area and the material itself are free from infestation. There are occasional spot inspections of plant material at New Hampshire nurseries and garden centers to see if these regulations are being followed. For further information, contact Siegfried Thewke, State Ento- mologist, at (603) 271-2561. April/May 1991 17 NEW-SKY GREENHOUSES Custom-Grown Specialty Crops For Landscapers And Retail Greenhouses WHOLESALE ONLY GROWERS OF THE VERY BEST: Perennials - Flowering Annuals Vegetable Plants WE DELIVER! SHARON NEVVSKY (603) 659-3288 DAME ROAD DURHAM, NH 03824 WINDING BROOK TURF FARM, INC. Quality Bluegrass Sod Connecticut's Largest - est. 1959 Deliveries Made Daily throughout MA, CT, Rl. Eastern NY, Southern NH and ME 100% of Deliveries made with Sod Handler Palletized Sod - 504 sq. ft. Big Rolls - 200 or 250 sq. ft. Bluegrass Blends Penncross Bent Available Maine Division Farm Location: Intersection Rtes. Ill & 35 Kennebunk Corporate Office: 240 Griswold Road 1/^ . Wethersfield, CT 06109 (203) 529-6869 All Ordering: 800-243-0232 Jolly Farmer Products East Lempster, New Hampshire 03605 WHOLESALE SUPPLIERS Bark Mulch - Hemlock & Mix Bagged Mulch - Cedar & Pine Landscape Ties Cut & Split Firewood We are here to fulfill your needs.... Call Toll Free today! ■^ He^N Hampshire: 1-603-863-3311 New England: 1-800-537-0031 WHOLESALE GROWERS • Annual & Perennial Plugs • Rooted Cuttings • Tuberous Begonias • Bedding Plants • Potted Annuals • Hanging Baskets • Cyclamen - Liners, Prefinished, Rnished • Poinsettias- Cuttings, Prefinished, Finished Nationwide: 1-800-695-8300 Local: 603-863-3370 'Integrity, quality and reliable service since 1967" 18 THE PlANTSMAN REARS SOLO HYPRO HANNAY AGTECH SPRAY GUNS FORKLIFTS MOWERS SAFTEY EQUIPMENT Orchard Equipment and Supply Company RO. Box 540. Conway, MA 01341 (413) 369-4335 Manufacturing and Distributing Specialized Equipment for Agriculture Call us at: 1 800 634 5557 to request our new catalog and for all your spraying needs. 35 Portt^d St., East Rochester, NH 03867 • (603) 332-7388 • 332-0127 • 332-5?:^ B & B CONTAINER AND BARE ROOT GROWN: TREES - EVERGREENS ■ SHRUBS - SMALL FRUITS - FRUIT TREES - ROSES • AZALEAS • RHODODENDRONS ANNUALS • PERENNIALS • GERANIUMS • 10" FALL MUMS NURSERY CARTS • TRACKING TRAILERS CALL OR WRITE FDR CATALOG • DELIVERY SBWICE OR FARM PICK-UPS WELCOME • HARDY NH GROWN PLAfTTMATmiAL SPECIALIZING IN Heath. . .Heather. . .Bearberiy. Herbs... Seashore Plants... also, afull line qfquality nursery stock 1028 Horseneck Road Westport, MA 02790 508-636-5615 l^fKI FOR QUALITY SOD AND SERVICE TSiKmnSif Route 3A Litchfield. NH 427-7000 Hubbard Road Berwicl<, ME 1-800-848-7550 • Big Rolls with Roll-out Service • Convenient Farm Pick-up • Prompt Delivery Service April/May 1991 19 Ha ird ly No rtl leri 1-Grown Planting Stock A Partial Listing BARE-ROOT STOCK CONTAINER-CROWN STOCK six and varleCY Minimum order 4 (raw (2 of same varielvl 100- 250- 500 2-6 8 TRAYS SPECIES ACE SIZE 249 499 &UP SPECIES ACE SIZE TRAYS PINES &UP PINES Austrian Pine 2-1 S-10" 1.00 .70 .50 Austrian Pine P2 2-5" .55 .35 2-0 6-9" .28 .20 Japanese Black Pine P2 S-6" .55 .35 Eastern White Pine 2-2 S-0 6-12" 6-9- 1.16 .28 .81 .20 .58 Mugho Pine Pumilio P2 1-3" .55 SPRUCES Black Hills spruce P2 3-7" .55 .35 .35 Mugho Pine Pumilio 2-2 J-6" 1.20 .84 .60 Colorado Blue spruce P2 S-8" .55 .35 3-0 S-S" .14 .24 .17 Norway Spruce P2 5-10" .55 .35 2-0 2-4" .28 .20 .14 White Spruce P2 5-9" .55 .35 Red Pine J-0 9-1S" SPRUCES 6-12" 6-9" .32 .22 .16 OTHER CONIFERS Canadian Hemlock P2 4-8" .57 .37 2-2 1.20 .24 .84 .17 .60 .12 rnese container grown seedlings come In trays of 67 cavities eacn ana are sni ped eltner In rays mere is containers In Norway Spruce 2-2 9-15" 1.00 .70 .50 good condition, witnin 60 days, at tne expense of tne purcnaser 2-0 6-12" .24 .17 .12 White Spruce 2-2 9-18" 1.16 .81 .58 ^^m. ^^ m 2-0 6-9- OTHER CONIFERS .24 .17 .12 ^Western American Artx>rvitae 2-2 2-0 6-12" 4-8" 1.10 .24 .77 .55 .12 ^KjkAINE f!^.M!?^ 20 THE Plantsman Ledgewood Farms Seedlings are Important Seedlings are central to Ledge- wood Farm, a 40-acre greenhouse and market garden operation run by Ed and Sally Person in the foothills of the Ossipee Range in Moultonboro, New Hampshire. In the back section of a 28x48 pipe frame poly house are four 6x12 benches, each with wooden side walls and hoop roof frame — four miniature greenhouses. Their poly coverings can be rolled up or down, depending on the venting needed, and on top is a wooden sliding vent — two 2x6's with a slots cut in them, the top piece sliding to allow its openings to cor- respond with those in the piece below it— somewhat like an old-fashioned lime spreader. Hot water heat comes from standard baseboard fin-tubing installed un- der each "greenhouse" and each of the four has its own temperature control. Temperatures range from 68 to 80 while the house enclosing them re- mains around 60. A mi sting system is being added. There are no artificial lights — "they tend to make the seed- lings stretch." Seeds are sewn from the first of Feb- ruarythroughmid-April.Each'house" holds 36 trays. Plugs and trays are sewn on a weekly basis — the houses aren't necessarily refilled each week, but "every Monday, something is seeded." "We're unusual at Ledgewood Farm," Ed Person said, "in that we use up this much greenhouse space for our seedlings. But we feel germination is the most important part. If your seedlings are poor, youll have a bad crop." The original farm was built to house the crew building Castle in the Clouds, just down the road. Five hundred workers camped on the edges of the fields. The front third of the barn was originally two apart- ments— probably for chief foremen or managers. Now it is Ed and Sally's home. Ed's father's career was in education. Growing plants was a hobby and Ed's parents bought the farm in 1957 as a place where he could pursue this in- terest when he retired. But from the first, the farming was serious — there was poultry then, and vegetables. Ed's mother ran the farm on a day-to- day basis; his father worked evenings and weekends. The money earned was an important part of the family income. Two glass houses were boughtCin 1960 and 62) and moved up from Massachusetts for bedding plant production. They are still in use. And Ed's parents still help out, coming up from Florida each March to their house across the road. Ed followed hi s father's career path- teaching high school science in Plymouth, working the farm after work. After four years of this, he saw that the farm was growing and that he couldn't do both well. The decision was made to farm full-time. His first task was to expand the summer sea- son into late spring and early fall and, still within this time frame, increase production enough to bring in a rea- sonableyearlyincome. Hesucceeded: today, along with Ed and his parents, his sister and brother-in-law are able to work on the farm too. Ledgewood Farm hits a very specific market window — the summer Lakes Region tourist trade. There are two stands — one at the farm and one on Moultonboro Neck, nine miles away. The season is short and it's important that by June first, these are stocked with home-grown vegetables, bed- ding plants, and flowers. Eight new houses, ranging in size from 14x48 to 28x96, have been built. All are pipe frame poly houses. (Ed experiments with different cover- ings within the polyethylene lines, but not anything else.) There are six walk-in tunnel houses as well. The houses are simple. The floors are dirt; the benches, often wood and wire frames set on concrete blocks. Be- cause they are empty from October until February, Ed sees no point in building more expensive structures. There is no specific potting area. The pots, the seedlings, the mix (Fafard #2) is brought to the house where the plants will be grown; a portable table is set up, and the potting is done right there. Space is saved, as well as carrying time. In one of the longer (28x 96) houses, Ed converted a stan- dard overhead monorail track into a circular system that conveys a three- shelf cart that can carry 24 trays to any spot along the central aisle. A house was built this year— a 28x60 double poly with a sand floor and — for the first time— rolling benches. ("We'll increase our growing space by 25%.°) The end walls are 7/16 wafer board painted white. Because the house won't be used until mid-Feb- ruary, the light loss isn't critical. Each house is used for a specific crop— or for crops that are compati- ble.'This way," Ed says, "the cropcan April/May 1991 21 w o o M be grown in the exact conditions it requires. You'll get a better crop — one that people will want to buy." This new house will be used for growing 7000 4" geraniums — usually seed geraniums: he doesn't have to over- winter stock plants and doesn't bri ng in any disease or insect problems with bought cuttings. Five houses (28x48, 28x60, 28x96, and the two glass 22x40's) are used for bedding plants. Along with the geraniums, 500 hang- ing baskets and 2500 trays (eight six-packs per tray) of annuals and vegetables are grown. One of the glass houses is filled with 3000 4" pots of impatiens and bego- nias (mostly wax; some tuberous). The bedding plants are standard — what his customers ex- pect. They are ready on May first and gone before Memorial Day. Tomatoes grow in three poly and two hoop houses (a total of about 10,080 square feet). Seedlings are planted in staggered rows in raised beds in which buried hot water pipes keep the soil temperature at 70 degrees. There are three plantings two weeks apart — the first is around March fif- teenth. The plants are trellised from cross- ties installed on the lowest purlin, watered with trickle tubing, fed with a proportioner. They grow quickly — up to a foot a week; fruit grows in clusters of 7-10. Each house is pick- ed every third day; around 15,000 pounds is harvested each year. Ed grows 'Jet Star' ("it's fool-proof), and — less familiar to the home gar- dener— a cherry called 'Presto,' and standards like 'Vision,' 'Buffalo,' and 'Boa,' all specifically bred toward higher temperature tolerance. There are few insect problems; sometimes he has to spray for grey mold, a fun- gus that can spread to blossoms and prevent fruit set. The five unheated tunnels used for early vegetable production are plant- ed around May first. Ed takes up the 22 THE Plantsman black plastic used for weed control (he can reuse it for about five years), rototills the soil, puts the plastic back down, and plants his crop, often through last year's holes. (After the poly on the ends of the houses is taken off for ventilation, air circula- tion can be vigorous and Ed keeps the plastic down with lines of string kept taut along the ground surface.) In another — 14x48 — tunnel house, he grows cut flowers — snaps, zinni- as, statice, bachelor's button, straw- flower, calendula. Again, seedlings are planted around May first. He chooses simple plants that grow well together and that are also fairly bulky — "that will create a good bou- quet without a hundred stems." Each bouquet has ten stems and sells for three dollars. Enough flowers are cut in the tunnel house from mid- June until the middle of July to produce 600 bouquets. (By then, field-grown flowers are being cut.) There are twenty acres of land in crop production and by June 15, most of the activity moves into the fields. Although he tries new vegetable varieties every year, he still grows many of the older types. ("The older hybrids are less fussy; ' Lady Bell ' — thirty years old — is still the best sweet pepper.") There are no gour- met or "oddball" types. Along with the usual early vegetables — greens, lettuce, peas — planted in mid-April, there are the tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers grown in hoop houses. There are strawberries in June and beets, beans, carrots, and new pota- toes are at the stands by July first. The first corn is planted April 15 (the field is a six-acre south-facing slope of gravel; the temperature is moderated by Winni- pesaukee) and ready for sale by the fif- teenth of July. And the melons grown in a hoop house are ready by the twenti- eth. Thirty percent of Ed's sales are whole- sale— he supplies produce to the local IGA and to one local lestaurant. That is all Everything else is sold at the stands. After mid-June 80% of the fieldwork is harvesting. ATVs — easier and less ex- pensi ve than trucks to operate — pulling wagons haul in the picked crop. And the use of ATVs allows the side roads through the fields to be narrower, which in turn allows more space for crops. Vegetables are picked daily — more perishable ones in the morning, ones that can be stored overnight without losing their freshness in the after- noon. They are immediately washed, then delivered by truck. Retired peo- ple manage the stands — they handle customers well and enjoy the chance to meet people. Many of Ed's houses are built from his own designs. His first structure came about in 1987, when the rafters of a newly purchased house were bent by wind funnelled between two other buildings. He looked over the house and felt that, although the de- sign seemed sensible, the pipe used wasn't of heavy enough gauge (it was designed by a southern compa- ny) to withstand northern weather. He repaired the house, putting cross- pieces at the top and braces against the purlins — and it's still in use, but this didn't really solve the problem. So he built his own, figuring things out as he went along. It came out pretty well. ..he built one for a w o M neighbor.. .then another.. .the busi- ness grew. Last year, he sold green- house frames to 200 customers from Alabama to Colebrook and west to Ohio. The process has become standard- ized. Three different diameters of pipe in three gauges are used. Tem- plates made of 90-degTee angle iron, with markings for length, angle, and distance between bolt holes, have been set up. Drilling the holes is a two-person job — one person walks the pipe, the other uses the drill. It's important that the bolt holes are on the same plane: however, round pipe self-cen- ters in a 90-degree trough; the drill will go through the exact center. The template design includes holes drilled at appropriate intervals at the apex of the angle iron; after the first hole is drilled in the pipe, the pipe is slid down the template until the hole is directly above the first hole in the angle iron. A bolt is slid through both holes and the next bolt hole is accurately placed. After the holes are drilled, the pipe is taken to a bender, on which the curves are made. The bender is a hydraulic press operated by an elec- tric motor and a piston. Curves are made by moving the pipe through the bender and pressing on the pipe at designated points. Each pressing is done with a single stroke. The arc of the bender is set; the degree of the curve on the pipe is controlled by the number and closeness of pressings. It's the last part of a smooth and logical operation — it takes 20 man- hours to complete a 28x96 frame. Ed — often with his wife Sally— deli v- ers 75% of the finished frames. The first 25 miles are free; after that, it's a dollar a loaded mile. Along with delivery comes advice and informa- tion. This type of greenhouse is often sold to smaller growers — often people just starting out — and, for Ed, the personal service is important. Just as each of the four miniature "houses" used for germination has its own temperature control and ven- tilation, each greenhouse and field is also a self-contained unit of a certain temperature or soil type. Each is used for the crops it grows best. The three larger units of the Ledgewood Farm operation — bedding plants, vegetables, greenhouse construc- tion— work well because the smaller units operate smoothly. All are inter- twined. Every detail — every seed- ling— is important. For northern New Hampshire, where farmland is often marginal and markets more limited, Ledge- wood Farm seems to be an example of how to use resources with ingenu- ity, while retainingan understanding of the community and respect for the land. rS.P.J '* For further information, contact Ed Person at Ledgewood Farm, RFD 1; Box 375, Moultonboro, NH 03254; the telephone is (603) 476-8829. SPIDER WEB GARDENS Established in 1938 Route 109 A CenterTuftonboro,NH 03816 Quality-Grown Annuals, Perennials and Nursery Stock A few of our specialties include: Lilacs, Canadian Hemlock, Peonies, Daylilies, Hosta, Forced Bulbs, and Partridge Berry Wreaths Open Year-round Daily 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. (603)569-5056 roptmg you. A quality^ wholesale grower of shrubs, trees, and evergreens in Chichester, N.H. Call for our free catalog ||[ife iffll (603) 435-6660. MILLICAN NURSERIES, INC April/May 1991 23 f^^ For twelve years. Pleasant View Gardens has built a reputation for quality, service and reliability. Our aops are healthy and hearty because they're grown in an optimum environment, and our newly expanded green house area of 4 aaes enables us to provide greater availability and more varieties. Contact us today about: ■ foliage aops ■ 4" annuals and paks ■ hanging baskets ■ plugs ■ cuttings ■ herbs llecisant^eu) Qcnrdens New England s fastest growing wholesaler' ■ holiday aops ■ foliage for interior design ■ flowering plants ■ large foliage plants and trees ■ all your planting needs RFD X Box 3701, Piilsficid, NH 03263 Tel. (603) 435-S361 .Fax (603) 435-6849 © Pleasant View Gardens 1991 09 :^ c- erry nurseries inc. ffCiU Cherry Hill Street :V West Newbury, Massachusetts 01985 We Welcome Your Visit! WHOLESALE ONLY Growers of Quality Hardy Plants Trees - Shrubs - Evergreens B&B and Container Grown 508-462-6688 A growing tradition since 1832 24 THE Plantsman "Tanstaafl" Carl Woodbury "One thing not a surprise because Whoh and I pushed it through during time we still amounted to something in government: a brass cannon on a pedestal in middle of Old Dome and over it a flag fluttering in blower breeze — black field speckled with stars, bar sinister in blood, a proud and jaunty brass cannon embroidered ouerall, and below it our motto: TANSTAAFL! That's where we hold our Fourth-of- July celebrations. You get only what you pay for — Prof knew and paid, gaily. But Prof underrated yammerheads. They never adopted any of his ideas. Seems to be a deep instinct in human beings for making everything compulsory that isn 't forbidden...." Robert Heinlein The Moon is a Harsh Mistress THE abovemottofroniRobertHein- lein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is as applicable to members of the New Hampshire Plant Growers' As- sociation as it is to the movement to free Luna City. "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch!" The tightening of environmental regulations in the state has lead to an increase in illegal disposal activities with enterprising entrepreneurs taking advantage of the general public and their lack of knowledge regarding the do's and don'ts of solid waste. As explained below, you should be suspicious of any unsolicited offers of free "good, clean fiiri 1. Petroleum contaminated soils. The leaky underground storage tank program (LUST) in the state re- quires the replacement of tanks which leak petroleum products to the environment. The replacement of these tanks generates soil con- taminated with oil and gasoline. Do not accept any fill materials from a service station or any fill that has a petroleum odor. The use of these soils as fill is prohibited. 2. Cement and brick. These may be good solid fill, but current statutes and rules regulate these materials as solid waste. A landfill permit is required for their disposal. Upcoming changes in the rules may soften the regulatory requirements in the fu- ture, but until then, do not accept or use these materials as fill. 3. Demolition debris. This type of material, all the waste generated from the demolition of buildings and other structures, may only be dis- posed of at a permitted landfill . If you take it in, you will be held responsible fori ts removal. Donotbelieveassuran- ces to the contrary! 4. Stumps. Changes in the law dur- ing 1989 allow you to burv' stumps generated on-site without a stump dump permit. However, you may not accept loads of stumps from off-site for use as fill. This activity would classify you as a commercial stump dump. Do not listen to "friendly con- tractors who wish to do you a favor! 5. Leaves, clippings and yard waste. Again, changes in the law during 1989 deregulate the disposal of these materials substantially. The composting of this waste does not re- quire a pemait but landfilling does. Do not accept these materials as fill. Additional information and fact sheets on all these waste streams may be obtained by contacting the DES's Public Information and Permitting Office at 271-3306. What you don't know can hurt you, so it would be- hoove you to ask questions. '■» Carl Woodbury is a Waste Manage- ment Specialist in the NH Department of Environmental Services. 71 Burlington, Street, Wobum, MA 01801 (617) 933-9815 Woburn, MA ^;;j^C foliage ■ holidays ■ hanging plants - bedding plants • hardy mums WHOLESALE ■ RETAIL KATHAN GARDENS GREENHOUSES i GARDEN CENTER NEWPORT. NEW HAMPSHIRE TELEPHONE 603-S63-10S9 OPEN ALL YEAR AROUND Oliver, A nne A Dennis Kalhan April/May 1991 25 Business Entities Advantages and Disadvantages Elizabeth L. Bayne Every business owner should periodically review his or her business and evaluate its legal and tax structure to be certain it is appropriate for their unique business. The considerations are many and may require professional advice from an attorney and ac- countant. Proprietorship The proprietorship is the most common form of business a- mong farm operators. It is not a separate legal entity from the owner/operator. A proprietor- ship has one owner who reports profits and losses on a farm or business schedule on their per- sonal tax return. Income tax is paid on the net profit of the business whether or not the profits are withdrawn. No pay- roll taxes are paid on the own- er's draw. Bookkeeping for a proprietorship is less complex than for a partnership or corpo- ration. The proprietorship is the form of choice for the small-to- mid-size business. Partnership A partnership is a relationship existing between two or more persons who join together to op- erate a trade or business with the intention of sharing profits and losses. A partnership does not have to be a written agree- ment, but it is highly recom- mended. The partnership is a separate legal entity that files its own tax return, but pays no tax. All profits and losses are allocated to the partners based on the partnership agreement. Each partner pays tax on their share of the partnership profits whether they were drawn out for personal use or left in the partnership for business use. The partnership form of business is an excellent means for combining capital and management of individuals into a fairly simple business form. It is also an excellent way {jo bring the next generation into a farm business. The partnership form of busi- ness can have both general partners and limited partners. This can be useful if a partner- ship includes partners who, for instance, contribute capital but are not involved in the man- agement or operation of the business. Sawtelle's Tips Keep your customers coming back! Offer an incentive to keep them coming to you. A small business card can inexpensively be printed that is stamped or marked each time a purchase of, for example, ten dollars or more is made. When tlte card is full it is redeemable for ten dollars worth of merchandise. (Remember your cost is less than this!) You can set a time limit that is card is good for. I designed one of these cards for a pick-your-own straw- berry farm titled "Bloomin' Strawberries." The card had twelve strawberry blossoms on the front with the directions on the back. (Of course the farm logo, address, and phone number were there too!) Each time a $10.-or-more purchase was made, one blossom was stamped with a strawberry. The card had to be redeemed within one year of the date of issue. Certain items can be excluded if you wish. Why not make one of your own? Customers love them! It's time to think about...yes...CUSTOMER SERVICE. You hear a lot about it lately. It ileserves attention. Consumers consider service, or lack of it to be one of the four most important influences in selecting a business from which to buy. Consider a training session on customer service for your employees. Remember the tool of multiple pricing this spring! It works! $2.99 each or 3 for $7.99. Volume is the name of the game. Offer discounts on six-packs for those who buy fifteen or twenty. Don't underes- timate quantities people will buy. The legal and accounting re- quirements of a partnership are greater than than those of a proprietorship's, but less than a corporation's. In general, a partnership is simple to form and liquidate and usually doesn't result in serious tax consequences compared wdth a corporation. 26 THE Plantsman Partnership can be set up in the Partnership Agreement to ter- minate upon death of a partner or to continue after death in the case of a partnership with more than two partners. A two- partnerpartnershipterminates upon death of a partner. Corporation Some businesses are logical candidates to operate in the corpoi^ate form because of po- tential liability issues. These might include trucking opera- tionsor food service businesses. Corporations are good vehicles for ease of transfer of owner- ship interests. This is typically done through sale or gifting of corporate stock. Shares of stock as units of ownership provide a good way to transfer a business to the next generation in an organized manner. The sale of stock in a corporation will al- ways result in capital gain income, which is a significant advantage as it can be sold on the installment method. If the business were a proprietorship or partnership, depreciable as- sets could not be reported as an installment sale. The corporate form can also be a tax benefit to a profitable business. The tax rates on income up to $75,000 are the same or lower than the personal tax rates. Also social security tax is due on only wages paid by the corporation and not on all profits of the business as in a proprietorship or partnership business. A corporation can also provide certain fringe benefits to owner/employees tax-free to the employee and deduc- tible to the corporation. For tax reporting purposes, there are two types of corpo- rations: S Corporations and C Corporations. While both are separate legal entities, there are significant differ- ences in their tax treatments. An S Corporation is gener- ally not a tax-paying entity, but allocates profits and losses to its shareholders much like a partnership. This can be an advantage to the shareholders, as they can use losses to offset non-farm income. It also can result in less total tax by splitting income among family members who are stockholders. Corporations have some significant costs and complexi- ties of operating that should be evaluated carefully be- fore choosing the corporate form. A corporation, being a separate entity, must keep separate books that are more complex and difficult to live with than those of a propri- etorship or partnership. A corporation can result in significantly more cost in payroll taxes on shareholder employees. For instance, owners' wages could be subject to unemployment tax and workmen's compensation. The potential tax costs of liquidating a corporation can be much worse than those of a proprietorship or partner- ship as there is often double taxation upon termination. Legal and accounting costs of forming, operating, and terminating a corporation are significant and should be considered when the corporate form of business is chosen. The corporation, once formed, takes on a life of its own, continuing until terminated. The corporation does not terminate upon death of the shareholders. This can be an advantage in certain situations to ensure continuation of operation of the business. Whatever form — sole proprietorship, partnership or cor- poration— you choose, it is important to research the options carefully to make the best decision for your unique business, f* Elizabeth L. Bayne is a Farm Tax Specialist and Manager, Financially Related Services at Farm Credit of the Connecticut Valley, ACA, PO Box 1009, White River Junction, VT 05001. This farm credit office services Grafton, Sullivan, and Cheshire counties in New Hampshire. For further information, call Elizabeth at (802)295-9127, Tina Sawtelle, principal ofSawtelle Marketing AlssocI- ates, consults with agricultural direct retail businesses on marketing and merchandising. In addition, she teaches agricultural business management techniques to students at the Thompson School at UNH. For informa- tion, call (603) 659-8106. Newton Greenhouse 32 Amesbury Road, Newton, NH 03858 603-382-5289 Quality Plants green and flowering (■rom2 1/2" to 10" poLs Holiday, bedding plants, and dish gardens year round snap, pot mums. Gloxinias, and Airican violets Licensed propagator of New Guinea Impatienls DRAGON PRODUCTS COMPANY AGRICULTURAL LIMESTONE "The science of sweeter soil" PO. Box 191, Thomaston, Maine 04061 (800) 541-9127 April/May 1991 27 Let : fi Rough Brothers' expertise turn your \ [ARCHAAQM \ : IRRIGATION / SNOWMAKING greenhouse into i i-^ i a powerhouse -— for profits. in Manchester, NH Call the experts at Rough Brothers : Providing all your Irrigation needs. for mformatm and technical i Design services also available. i assistance on these quality products. Manufacturers of: •WfiiteHouse ■The International • Harvest House : 180 Zachary Rd. . • ■ The "2 1 00" gutter-connected fiouse : Unit #3 .>.■•. \ i ■ Free-standing poly arch houses : Manchester, NH 03101 ■ ■ '■ ■yi<:(C2^J27 : ■ Techlite glazing i (603)622-8825 '^^^"^^"X^ • • Ro-Flo benches ■Ebbs Flo benches Distributors of: : 1-800-558-9888 in NH only .. \ \ -^v^l/W ■ Alcoa Aluminum Fin Heating • Heating and ventilating equipment • Maintenance supplies, glass, parts ... and more. BrXLER Regional Sales Manager Agricultural Insurance Specialists Since 1967 Mike Foley -P.O. Box 355 5Q8.36G-1512 . ^.sr.a.ou^^^ 508-898-3230 Reading, MA 01 867 -61 7/942-1 246 ^^o-reo--- - -"- - --r. -.^^. nmn Name ROUGH Address BROTHERS 1 i Phone Zip Interested In: D Quote D Review D Update D Questions Cincinnati. Ohio • 1-800/543-7351 ,«OMW(Ou, ,^'*^--^ 45CHESTNUT HILL. RTE. 190 .^^' -. \ .^t<^=\\, STAFFORD SPRINGS, CT_ 06076 ' w^^norkn^ ^^^-^f^ W.H.MILIKOWSKIJNC. % '%fJL/^'^- GREENHOUSE SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT \. J/^ '-^°'p°«-' PLANTS BULBS SEEDS '"« ,5 EAST 26- STREET ALL YOUR GREENHOUSE NEEDS NEW YORK. N. ■<. lOOlO 212 dai-0920 -GROW WITH US" 72 HAWKSTEAD HOLLOW NASHUA. NH 03063 Conn. 203-684-5811 RICHARD C. ZOERB 603 e86-8665 Out of State 800-243-71 70 28 THE Plantsman Supplying One Stop Shopping For All Your Needs • Delivery Service Throughout New England • Fine Nursery Stock • Rhode Island Grown Sod delivered direct or picked up • Grade "A" used railroad ties • Pressure treated landscape ties • Bark mulch & screened loam • Wholesale Christmas trees, wreaths & supplies • Masonry supplies • Professional chemicals: Roundup, Surflan, Treflan, Balan & Team Distributors of: Permaloc aluminum edging. Edge King Poly edging Lebanon fertilizer. Blunks weed mat. Elanco chemical and other professional specialty products i^|p> Northeast Nursery, Inc. ^^S^W^"^ Suppling Fine Plant Material & Landscape Supplies 234 Newbury Street, Rt. 1 South Peabody, MA 01960 (508)535-6550 FAX: (508)535-5247 The THREAT LYME DISEASE in NEW HAMPSHIRE see page 15 INDICATORS OF LYME DISEASE deer tick(s) found ▲ lyme disease in dog ■ lyme disease In cattle \ New Hampshire Plant Growers Association The Plantsman Editor UNH Research Greenhouses Durham, NH 03824 Non-Phofit Organization US PCXSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 43