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FRUIT NOTES
JULT 1935 - NOVEMBER 19U9
Extension Service
University of Massachusetts
T943
^^b
(Set No. 2)
FRUIT NOTES
1936 - 194.9 (inclusive)
(ComD.iled by V. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist)
Since 1936, this periodical has been issued by the Extension
Service as a means of informing Massachusetts fruit growers on
matter of current interest. Both tree fruits and small fruits
have been included. The first mimeographed issue in March, 1936
was preceded by carbon copies of similar material mailed from
time to time to the Coimty Extension offices. (Two of these releases,
July and August 1935, are here included).
It has been our purpose through the years to cover a wide
variety of items and to have the write-ups relatively brief.
Considerable attention has been given to abstracting Experiment
Station reports and to the presentation of timely information. A
casual survey of this material, month by month, will provide the
reader with a running account of the various problems confronting
the fruit grower in years past and the suggested solutions.
For various reasons, there are quite a number of missing
issues in this bound volime. In several of the months no issue
was prepared. In others, a demand for the extra copies exhausted
the supply. The missing issues are as follows:
1936 (Jan., Feb., March, April, July, Aug., Nov., Dec);
1937 (Aug., Sept., Oct.); 1939 (Oct.); 19A3 (Aug.); 1946 (Feb.,
Nov.,);194-7 (Jan., Majs June, Sept.,); 194-3 (Jan., Mar., May, Sept.,);
1949 (Jan., JC^^, June, Sept, Dec.,).
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January 18, 1945
Prepared by the Fruit Prograiii Coixiitt^e
of the Extension Service
T/T. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Contents
Fertilizers Tor 194o.
Cold Injury to Peaches.
Peach Pruning
Do you Know
Suriiiary of Apples Purchased by A. a. A.
Hagnesiua Deficiency
Citrus Fertilizer Pro^ran
Changes in the 194o Apple Spray Chart
FERTILIZERS FOR 1945.
The following list of substitute grades of fertilizers has been an-
nounced for 1943:
Old Grades
(1) '(Tirades of 2^ J or less N. to be replaced by
(2) Grades of 3)j and 4$o II. to be replaced by
(3) Grades of 5'/: or nore IJ. to be replaced by
1943 Gradjes
"'0-9-'f7~
0-14-14
0-2_0-20 _
3-12-0
■5-10-10
5-12-l_5 _
" 4-9'-7
4-10-10
4-12-4
In addition to these grades a 3-8-7 Victory Garden fertilizer contain-
ing 2-y=5o organic and tj^o oher.iicalEis available for use on Hone or Victory Gardens.
Two other grades, 5-3-5 and 6-3-6 i.ill be available for tobacco growers.
Iss'ied by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of I'a;.' S and Jime 30 » 191^»
Willard A. I-Janson, director, Massachusetts State Colle£;e, United States Depart-
ment of Agricvlture, a:id County Extension Services cooperating.
-2-
COLD I NJURY TO PEACHES
The official v/eather bureau station at Amherst recjrrted a minimum
teinperature of -15"f. during the nights of both December 20 and 21. A minimum
thermometer in one of the College peach orchards registered -17 F. on the 20th
and -19'-*F. on the 21st. As a result, fruit buds on all but the most hardy var-
ieties were completely killed. On such hardy varieties as Oriole, ilarigold,
Greensboro, and Buttercup there are probably less than b^j of live buds, in
nost cases only a very fev;, scattered over the tree. Signs are also develop-
ing that there may be considerable wood injury.
ien over the state, information irom peacn grov/ers
3ir\jrchards would be welcome. It is suggested that I
jareffil survey of the condition of the fruit buds and m
Lt buds should be sectioned on shoots and short spur- |
Not enough reports are available to determine how extensive the in-
jury to peach trees has been over the state. Information from peach grov/ers
about the condition of the
each peach grower make a a
wood in his orchard. Fruit buds should be sectioned on shoots and short spur-
like grovrths, in the tops, and around the bottoms of the trees. Also enough
shoots and branches should be cut to determine the extent of any wood injury. A
generous sample of trees v;ell scattered over the orchard should be checked.
Such a check-up follov;ing v/inter injury is particularly important before prun-
ing is started because the kind and amount of pruning v;ill be determined large-
ly by the extent and severity of the injury found.
Any grower v;ho wishes to have a sample of peach buds checked for him,
may send a sample of shoots and spurs to the Pomology Department, French Hall,
M. S. C, This kind of a check-up is necessarily limited and therefore not so
good as one made by the grower himself right in the orchard.
J. S, Bailey
PEACH PRUNING
It is time to be thinking about peach pruning. Under normal condi-
tions, it \;ould be advisable to leave the peach pruning until just as late in
the spring as possible and then rush it through. By doing this, any vdnter in-
jury is given as much chance as possible to show up. Then the kind and amount
of pruning can be adjusted to the extent and severity of winter injury.
Because of the labor shortage, it is going to take careful planning
to delay the peach pruning without delaying it too much. Also that check up of
the orchard condition (see Cold Injury to Peaches) bociimes even more important.
If injury to the wood is severe, the trees will probably recover much better,
with no pruning. Thus much labor can be saved. If the fruit buds are all kill-
ed but the vj-ood is not injured, it is a good time to lov;er the trees by cutting
back the tops. This can be done by a fevi large cuts, omitting detailed pruning,
thus saving labor. If there are a fev live buds on th-s tree, the pruning should
be light to save as much as possible of v;hat will be a small crop anyway.
J, Li. Bailey
The time has come ivhen a boatload of food is just as necessary as
a boatload of men or munitions. A carload of food produced in Massachusetts
releases for military purposes a carload produced elsewhere.
■M0 ^7S "\J
\^ \t ^ _.
That food prodviction in Great Britain has increased about 50;o since
the VvTar began? This increase has been attained in spite of the fact that
practically all able bodiediiEn of draft age have been taken into the armed
forces.
That about 13;,^ o! our 1942 food production was used for nilitar^/ and
Lend-Lease purposes? About a year ajo it vjas thought that only 3 or 9Ja would
go into those channels.
That at least l/4 of all the food produced in the U. S. in 1945 will
be used to feed our soldiers and allies? Estinates for 5 comi-aodities are as
follows; Red meats, l/4; lard, l/3 ; eggs, l/o ; dairy products, l/cJ; canned
fruits and vegetables, l/2.
That about l/3 of the people in the United States are so situated
tiiat they could be more or less self supporting? In other words, they could
produce a large proportion of the food needed for home consumption.
That the last 10)j increase in national food production should and
can be obtained by producing for home use? Llost farms can make a definite con-
tribution to the food production program by having a garden, a few hens and
one or more meat producing animals.
That if all of the new farm machinery available in 1943 could be dis-
tributed to best advantage and used efficiently, it would account for only 2jb,
of the needed food production? The other 98^'o must be produced by machinery
now in use.
That the manufacture of power sprayers in 1943 is limited to Z-d)o of
that in 1940-41? It is reported that sprayer manufacturers v/ho have 90/j of the
materials on hand will be permitted to purchase the other 10> to complete the
manufacture of spraying equipment. There is raore need this year than ever for
completely overhauling present equipment, replacing all needed repair parts.
Dealers in spraying equipment report many orders on hand with certain replace-
ment parts very scarce.
That 24 of the 3070 counties in the U. S. (less than .8 of If.) used
12;;o of all fertilizers put on the land in a recent year? Aroostook County,
Maine, used the most, 111,446 tons spread by 487u fanners.
-4-
That the 26,000,000 tons of manure produced annually on Kev/ York
farms carry 12 times as much nitrogen as v;as sold in commercial fertilizers in
that state in 1940? Yfith tremendous quantities of nitrogen needed in making
munitions, it is our patriotic duty to conserve farm manures and utilize them
to best advantage in the food production program.
That it is the present policy of the Federal Government to support
the prices of agricultural products at a sufficiently high level to encourage
the production of those crops necessary for maintaining the food supply of our
armed forces, allies, and our people on the home front? These crops include
meat animals, oil producing crops, and the feed crops required to maintain an
increased production of livest -^ck products.
That fruit production in the United States in 1942 was the largest
on record? ¥('ith the exception of prunes and apricots, the 1942 crop of all
major fruits was above the 10-year average. The coiTimercial apple crop in the
United States amounted to 127,655,000 bushels compared with 122,256,000 bushels
in 1941.
That packing boxes and crates made in the United States in 1942 used
9,000,000,000 board feet of lumber and 200,000 tons of steel? In the State of
Washington 110,000,000 board feet of luiaber were required to make boxes to ship
the State's 27,500,000 bushel crop of apples.
That the European red mite, v.'hlch caused so much bronzing of apple
foliage in Massachusetts last siiimier is neither a chewing, nor a sucking insect?
In fact it isn't even an insect, having 8 legs instead of 6. The so-called
spider mites, according to 1'.. D. \Tnitcomb, v;ound the surface of the leaf and
lap up the sap \;hich emerges. They can feed on liquids, only, but do not have
a hollov; beak such as aphids thr )ugh which the sap can be pumped. Instead,
they have small, sharp appendages with which they pierce the tissue of the leaf.
That erosion has already ruined about 14^j of the land surface in the
United States? At least 75;^ of our cultivated area has a sufficient degree of
slope to b'i classified as definitely subject to erosion. L. Southwick
That yield per acre is tremendously important in successful orchards
today? In a IiiclTi"^n~t'u"d;7Tt was found that a group of "successful" grov/ers
attained an average annual yield of apples amounting to 317 bushels per acre,
while a group rated as "unsuccessful," attained only 161 bushels per acre over
a 0-year period. It is not enough to produce good apples. In these times,
growers must produce good crops of good apj)les. L. S,
That from 25 to 55 million pounds of avocados are consumed arjiually
in the U. S.? Of this amount California produces about 55>b, Florida 15/a, and
Cuba 30^j. Although this fruit is an important item in the daily diet of Cen-
tral America and adjacent territory, it has achieved fame in the U. S, mostly
as a salad fruit. L. S.
That a coffee substitute made from apples, dried, roasted, and ground,
has been introduced in Canada? This nevf product sells for much less than
coffee and is reported to be quite popular.
That the flesh of aii apple breaks down in cookin^j only if an acid
is present? A sv/eet apple, lacking, the acid of a tart apple, retains its
firroness and shape when cut into slices and cooked. For this reason the Deli-
cious is less suited for apple sauce than the Baldv.dn.
That there are aBoat 23,000,000 men in the U. 3. between the ages of
18 and 38? Of this number it is estimated that 8,000,000 will be physically-
disqualified for military service. Of the remaining 15,000,000 about 10,000,000
will probably be in the armed forces by the end of 1943.
That the American Forestry Association has records of five tree species
of v/nich one or more individuals tovjer at least 200 feet? Tallest trees on
record for the five species are: HedVf'ood, 300; Sequoia, 272; Douglas Fir, 221;
Red Gum, 200; 3ugar Pine, 200, Alaska has a Sitka Spruce wliich measures 204
feet.
That the Agricultural Marketing Administration purchased 2 75,048
bushels of apples in Lias sac hu setts last fall? Purchases involved mainly 3 var-
ieties,- Baldwin (177,272 bu.), Mcintosh (55,408 bu.) and Cortland (21,779 bu.).
Nearly 8,000 bushels each of Delicious and Wealthy and smaller quantities of
Sta^.iian, ?l. I. Grecnin^_. , Rome, Viagener, and Snow i.-ere also sold through the A.
M. A. Six counties participated in the program (Middlesex, T.'orcester, FraiUclin,
Hampshire, Essex, and Hampden) v/ith sales ranging from 173,653 to 2,745 bushels.
Sb"IIARY OF FFJiS'd M'PUiS PIJIiCIL'iSED IN 1942 BY THE AGRICULTUML
I.IARIvETING ADMIi:iST?Ji.TION III lIASSJlCirJSETTS
(All Purchases on U. 3. No. 1-2 l/4 Inch liin. Basis. Figures Represent Bushels)
Chauncey LI. Rand, Purchase Representative of the Agricultural Marketing Ad-
ministration in Boston, submits the following sum;iary of the apple purchase
program. Quoting from his letter of January 11, "These apples were shipped
to various State Commodity Distribution outlets for school lunch programs,
institutions, and direct relief. Due to limited outlets, 50,526 bushels
went into storage to be used later, chiefly in scliool lunch programs."
Totals by
Lliddlesex VIorcester Franklin Hampshire Essex Hampden Varieties
Baldvifin
108,827
"34'
,640
12
,001
"10
,541
. 8,777
2,486
177,272
Iilc Int 1 sh
40,209
7
,827
4
,275
292
805
--
53,408
Cortland
13,429
2
,633
2
,235
3
,173
--
259
21,779
\7ealthy
6,123
995
532
215
--
7,865
Delicious
4,780
2
,136
407
511
--
—
7,834
Sta;;,'man
3,100
12
100
--
--
—
3,212
R. I. Grei
ening 490
459
205
270
--
--
1,424
Roiiie
1,185
12
--
--
--
--
1,197
Vfagener
510
231
164
133
8
--
1,046
Snow
—
11
—
—
—
—
11
Totals by
Counties 178,653 49,006 19,919 15,135 9,590 2,745 275,048
An elderly farmer v;as heard to remark at a recent Food Production
meeting, "Older men and women and children have always produced food in time
-6-
MAGHESI UM D EFICIEIJCY
Our experimental data shows that potash fertilization of apple trees
may inrluce magnesiuia deficiency symptoms. This is one more possible explanation
for the recent increase in the prevalence and severity of this trouble in com-
norcial orchards in this state. It is suggested that in orchards v/here s^Tiip-
toms of magnesium deficiency have been observed, the use of potassiuia in the
fertilizer program be discontinued, at least temporarily,
ITliere soils are very acid (and most i^Ias sac hu setts orchard soils are),
v/G suggest the application of high-magnesiun limestone. The magnesiujn in lime-
stone is only slov/ly available. Tlie use of some soluble compound such as mag-
nesium sulfate (Epsom Salts) probably v/ill bo more quickly effective in correct-
ing magnesium deficiency, though the tir.io required may be two or more years.
Experiments along this line are under\/ay and it is hoped tiiat recomiiiendations
based on results ■•>£ this i/ork can be made vdthin a reasonable time.
L. Southwick
C ITRUS FERTILIZER PROGR AI'J
A successful citrus fertilizer program consisting of three separate
applications per year is outlined in a recent armual report of the Florida
Agricultural Experiment Station. The analysis of each application is as
follows: Nitrogen - 3^o, phosphoric acid - 6'}o, potash - 8%, magnesium oxide -
2%, manganese oxide - 1%, copper oxide - l/2^^. Dolomite is used to maintain
the soil at pH 5.5 to 6.0, and copper-zinc sprays are applied. Thus a complete
fertilizer, instead of the usual N-P-K designation, looks like this: li-P-K-Mg-
Ivln-Cu-Zn. There is also some evidence of isolated cases of deficiency of iron
and boron. Other s;\Taptoms of malnutrition have occurred but have not been diag-
nosed.
ilo such complicated fertilizer program is required for orchards in
L'lassachusetts . Ilov/ever, it is becoming increasingly evident that the program
may become more inclusive as time goes on. The recent diagnosis of magnesium
deficiency in apples and the previous findings of boron shortage, point the way
toward a more balanced and hence inclusive fertilizer program for Massachusetts
°^"°'^^^^^' L. Southwick
CjiAiraEs^_ra jnn^_i943_ apple spray chart
The more important changes in the newly revised apple spray chart
for 1943 are as follov/s: (1) Lead arsenate is recoi.imended in only one of the
pre-blossom sprays. Previously it was included in botii the pre-pink and the
pink sprays. (2) Lime sulfur no longer appears among the recommended materials.
Instead, it appears as a substitute for wettable sulfur in one of the Notes.
Its use under certain weather c 'Uditions may occasionally be advisable. (o)
A high calcium lime appears in the list of materials for the first time. Pre-
viously the use of lime was discussed in one of the Notes. (4) As a means of
controlling a severe outbreak of red iiite, ^ne of the DIT materials is recom-
mended as an emergency application.
February 18, 1943
Prepared by the Fruit Program Cormittee
of the Extension Service
W. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Contents
Low Temperatures and Possible Injury to Trees
Good Grapes from Your Tangled Vine
Do You Knov/?
Russeting of Golden Delicious
Relation Betv/een Date of Bloom and Date of Harvest
Planning for the New Orchard
Lime and Manure
I.Iore About Cold Injury to Peaches
Pruning Vfinter Injured Peach Trees
Order Bees Early
Salvage and Re-use of Fruit & Vegetable Containers
The Victory Tax
La? T E MPERATURES AHD POSSIBLE INJURY TO TREES
The official temperature in Amherst on Tuesday, February 16 (-23° F.)
was the third lov/est on record. Other sections of the State report unofficial
temperatures as low as -40°. The second lowest in Amherst was -2Zq on Jan-
uary 24, 1907 and the lowest was -26 on January 5, 1904. The lowest temper-
ature recorded during the "cold winter" of 1933-34, when considerable injury
to fruit trees occurred, was -22° on February 9, 1934. Have you examined
your Baldwin trees or your peach trees for possible v;inter injury? Sone ob-
servations concerning cold weather effects on fruittrees, and wartime recom-
mendations, will be included in the March issue of Fruit Notes.
For v;hat avail
The plough or sail
Or land or life, -
If freedom fail?
■-Ralph Vj'aldo Emerson
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June
30, 1914, V/'illard A. Munson, director, Massachusetts State College, United
States Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating.
-2-
GOOD GRAPES FROM YOUR TAIIGLED VIIJE
Have you a problem grape vine? With its sprawling tangle of growth,
it may look hopeless. Yet you may find the magic wand of productiveness
within easy reach. An hour's work with the pruning shears, a few trellis
repairs and tvro or three well-timed sprays or dusts will vrork wonders. Lus-
cious grapes for the home table are your revrard next September if you pay
attention to three or four essentials.
Suitable Supports are Necessary . If your vine is already sup-
ported by a trellis" or arbor', your job is partly done. It is quite impos-
sible to keep a grape vine productive if it must attach itself to a tree or
building, or if it lies on the ground. Two horizontal wires, about three
and five feet above the ground, are quite ideal. An arbor is also satis-
factory if the vine is well pruned each year. Whatever the support, a
tangled vine can best be pruned by first cutting it loose and laying it
on the tjround.
Annual Pruning a Vital Factor . Fruit buds are found only on last
year's growtlu Prunlng~'re'duces "the number of these fruit buds to a practical
limit, eliminates much of the older v;ood and stimulates nevr fruiting wood for
next year. A vine which has 500 fruit buds v;ill bear larger clusters if at
least 80^J are removed in the pruning process. This is best done, not by
trimming off the tips, but by selecting a few grov^ths of the previous season
(characterized by their lighter brown color) and by cutting the rest of the
vine away. Don't be afraid to make an occasional large cut in order to re-
move an older portion of the vine. What vie retain is more important than
what we cut off. Thin the vine heavily instead of "giving it a haircut."
TOien completely pruned it will look discouragingly thin. An amateur might
consider it ruined. The real benefit from pruning, however, is seen when
we compare the crop of grapes on well pruned and unpruned vines. The import-
ance of thorough, annual pruning can scarcely be over- stressed. If pruning
is properly done, in March, the current season's crop is profoundly affected,
and the vine will develop good fruiting v;ood for the next season.
A Third Esse ntial , - Pest Control . Fev/ vines are highly successful
without some attention" 'to disea'se~and insect control. The most common dis-
ease of grapes in Massachusetts is Black Rot which causes the grapes to turn
brown in midsummer. Later, they turn black and dry up, resembling raisins.
Copper sprays or dusts will control this disease, powdered Bordeaux or
copper-lime dust may be obtained from most dealers in spray materials. If
rose bugs are numerous, special control measures are needed.
Fertili zation Not Always Needed. Pruning is generally more essen-
tial than fertilizing becaiTse the average^ vine growing in a good soil is al-
ready sufficiently vigorous. Pruning further invigorates the remaining parts
of the vine. If stimulation is needed, a garden fertilizer, barnyard manure,
clean cultivation, or mulching are recommended. A mature grapevine, hovjever
badly neglected, offers promise of a crop next September, while a new vine
set this spring, will require three to five years to come into bearing.
-3-
That about 1,600,000 farm workers in the U. S. left the farm during
1942? Of this nunber 331,000 v/ere operators and managers and 1,234,000 were
family workers and year-round hired workers. Industry took 921,000 and the
armed forces 694,000.
That certain materials applied to pruning v/ounds do more harm than
good? Shellac is satisfactory. So is v/hite lead paint. Bordeaux paste is
very efficient in preventing v/ood rot but lacks permanency. Compounds con-
taining creosote tend to injure the cambiujn, and therefore retard healing.
That fewer apples v/ere shipped to the Boston market from out of state
up to January than in any year on record? The total volume v/as at least
10^ more than last year and was divided approxLmately as follov^s: hone grown
apples, 650,000 bushels and shipped-in apples, 125,000 bushels.
That wood ashes are an excellent source of potassium and lime? Chem-
ical analyses show that they contain approximately 5% potash, 2;. phosphoric
acid and an acid neutralizing equivalent aiaounting to 66^o of a high grade
agricultural limestone.
. That the average water content of apples is 84.1^and that the average
freezing point is 28,4° F.? For long storage life, the ideal storage temper-
ature is 51 to 32° F., and relative humidity at least 85 to 88^-o. The harvested
apple is a living organism with a more or less definite span of life. If it
"lives too fast," either before or after picking, the time it remains in good
eating condition is shortened proportionately.
That fruits develop considerable heat during the ripening process?
Apples held at 32° F., generate about u60 b.t.u. per ton per day (a b.t.u.
is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water
one degree F.). At 85° F. about 6600 b.t.u. 's per ton per day are generated.
For Bartlett pears, the difference in heat generated at the tvio temperatures
is even greater. This so-called heat of respiration is a direct measure of
the rate of ripening.
That apples are a more expensive crop to grov; and market in dried
form than either plums and grapes? Apples must be dried artificially.
Raisins and prunes are the result of drying in the sun. This is one reason
why raisins can be produced for as little as 5/ per pound.
That 80^ of the 12 million bushel apple crop in VJenatchee County,
Washington was harvested last fall by local people? Schools opened three
weeks early to permit closing during the harvest season. Stores closed part
-4-
of the week and many local people who had not handled apples previously, in-
cluding vfives of business men, did their share in picking and packing the
"bumper crop. In the same way, ITev; England apple growers must utilize to the
fullest extent all nearby labor resources instead of hoping for an influx
of migratory labor.
That as many as 450 European red mite have been counted on a single
leaf? In one orchard the average on 100 leaves was 225 per leaf. The nev;
DN material was tried in New England last summer by six investigators in six
different localities. In a series of 22 tests the average reduction in num-
ber of mites amounted to 97^0.
That the root of a tree is more spongy in texture and lighter in
weight than a branch largely because it has relatively more vessels and
fewer fibers? The root functions mainly as a conductor of materials in
solution. The branch must also be strong enough to withstand high winds
and support a heavy crop of fruit.
That February is an ideal time to (1) overhaul farm machinery, (2)
make further progress in pruning and removal of unv;anted trees, and (3) order
fertilizers, seeds, and other supplies?
That the large average size of apples in Massachusetts last fall vms
not entirely due to abnormally heavy rainfall during the growing season? A
study of daily weather records up to harvest time indicates a fairly good dis-
tribution but not an exce.ssive amount of rainfall. At the same time vreather
conditions preceding Mcintosh harvest v;ere apparently highly favorable for
fruit sv;elling. Higher than normal humidity and more hours of sunshine pre-
vious to harvest time may have influenced the size of fruit. About 70^3 of
the Mcintosh crop in storage is reported to be 3 inches in diameter or larger.
That apples and field mice are common items of food for foxes? In a
study of the food habits of 289 red and gray foxes taken during the winter
season in New England, it was found that 128 (M.2%) had eaten ap-ples, while
83 (28.6^) had eaten field mice. These two items of food v;ere exceeded in
popularity only by cottontail rabbits. It was found that 173 (59.8^o) had
eaten rabbits.
That the use of fresh, native grown fruits and vegetables in Massa-
chusetts this year has released more than 35,000 refrigerator cars which
othenvise v/ould have been required to haul this class of food products into
this area?
I That raw apple is sometimes beneficial in the diet of an infant? In
the Mich. State Hort. Soc. Rept. (1939) v/e find this statement, "Investiga-
tions have found the rav/ apple diet successful v;ith infants less than 6 months
of age."
That it requires more than 3 times as many peaches of 1 3/4 to 2 inch
diameterto weigh 50 lbs., than of 2 3/4 to 3 inch diamoter? Of the smaller
size, 340 peaches are required, and of the larger size only 110.
(Note: Any large orchard owner interested in an unusually
v/ell qualified manager, novir available, should comiriunicate
with H. A. Rollins, Extension Horticulturist, University
of Connecticut, Storrs, Conn.)
-5-
RUSSETIIIG JF GOLDEN DELICI OUS
The tendency of fruit of the Golden Delicious apple to russet is
one of the weaknesses of the variety. It makes the fruit less attractive
and is related to its tendency to shrivel in storage. Russeting seems to be
worse in the humid East than it is in the less humid or semi-arid regions
in the V/est. From Maine comes a suggestion that there may be another factor
involved. Observing differences in individual trees, scions from high russet-
trees v/ere grafted into trees with low russeting and vice versa. Under Maine
conditions there seemed to be a persistency in the new location, of the ten-
dency to russet. If yau have any individual Golden Delicious trees that seem
especially free from russet, the writer would be glad to know about it. It
would do no harm to propagate from such trees. j, j{. shaw
RELATION BECTffiEN DATE OF BLOO M MD DATE OF HARVEST
A recent discussion of the time of ripening of fruit varieties
advances the idea that the date of full bloom gives a basis of calculating
the date of harvest. The data for some of our principal varieties are as
follows;
Days from Bloom to Harvest
Shortest Longest Average
Baldwin 134 138 135
Cortland 125 130 128
Delicious- 129 134 132
Early Mcintosh 88 94 90
Golden Delicious l32 140 138
Gravanstein 110 120 114
Mcintosh 124 129 127
Northern Spy 138 144 143
V;ealthy 103 116 109
This means that Baldwin, for example, will be ready to pick about
135 days after full bloom. Doubtless summer temperatures and cultural con-
ditions modify this interval; a season warmer than usual v>rill shorten this
period and high nitrogen v;ill lengthen it. These data are for Geneva, Nev/
York. The interval may differ somewhat for Massachusetts and would not be
exactly the same for different parts of the State. Hoivever, it seems worth
v/hile for a fruit grower to note the date of full bloom and consider it in
planning the date of harvest. j, Yi. Shaw
PLANNING FOR THE NIT.T ORCIiARD
If you are planning to set a new orchard this spring, the first
thing to do is to see that the site and soil are suitable. Since this is
a fairly long-time investment that you are about to make, these two points
are highly important. Second, why not consider contour planting of the
orchard?
There are several possible advantages of contour planting of or-
chards and, frankly, one or more disadvantages. Among the advantages are
-6-
the holding of soil, fertilizer, and moisture, and the saving of tractor
fuel. A disadvantage is a restriction in the movement of heavy implements
through the orchard, which can be only on the contour or level and not up
and down the slope. But this restriction frequently develops in orchards
on sloping land after a number of years whether or not they were planted on
the exact contour. It is not uncommon to see old orchards in which crude
bench terraces have developed, which practically prohibit movement of ve-
hicles and implements up and dovm the slope. Then, why not plant on the
contour and have these terraces develop in the right v/ay?
The possible saving of soil and fertilizer on cultivated sloping
land is obvious. But it is frequently pointed out that orchards, especially
apple orchards, are nov; kept in sod and therefore would not benefit from
contour planting. However, young apple orchards are often cultivated during
the first fev; years of their development, and during that period they stand
to benefit from the conservation of soil, fertilizer, and moisture, and later
when in permanent sod they may benefit from the saving of moisture and fer-
tilizer. In about one out of every three or four years additional soil
moisture will improve the crop. There is a terraced peach orchard at the
Massachusetts State College. V/ithin a dry spell in the summer of 1940 the
soil in this orchard was found to contain a little more than tv/ice as much
moisture as was found in adjoining land which was not terraced. Practically
all the rain that fell during the dry spell cajne in flash shovrers and was
held on the terraced slope, whereas mueh of it ran off the non-terraced slope.
Contour planting of orchards is comparatively simple and easy.
If interested in this method, consult your county agent, the extension horti-
culturist, or the undersigned,
— A. B. Beaumont
L IIJE AND tlAIJUKE
"Lime and lime v/ithout manure, make both farm and farmer poor,"
is an old rural proverb that expresses a basic truth. Both materials or
their equivalents are needed to build and maintain fertility. They ere most
commonly added to the soil separately, and that is the most fool-proof method
of application, but now that farm labor is one of the biggest problems of
production the question may well be asked if these tv/o soil amendments may
not be spread together.
Some pertinent data bearing on this question have come recently
from the Vermont Experiment Station. They shov/ that ground limestone may
be mixed with both fresh and fermented cow manure with scarcely any loss
of ammonia. Caustic lime caused no loss in fresh manure, even lessened it
in some cases by delaying amnonif ication; but it did expel some ammonia from
fermented manure. Even in the latter case the authors of the report think
that the saving in time and labor may offset the loss of ammonia.
Perhaps the most important factor in saving the ammonia of manure
is moisture. At 20° C. a given volume of water \iill dissolve about 700 vol-
umes of ammonia gas. If manure is kept v/ell moistened there is little danger
of ammonia loss, but if it is allov/ed to dry, lime or no lime, the ammonia
loss may be considerable. This point emphasizes the value of plowing under
-7-
of harrowing in manure as soon as possible after applying, or of spreading
it in rainy weather. Both forms of lime, but particularly the caustic forra,
accentuate the loss of ammonia on drying. Superphosphates on the other hand,
particularly the lower grades containing 18 to 20^^ of phosphoric acid, retard
the loss of ammonia by fixation. Gj'psuin, which makes up a considerable pro-
portion of the low-analysis phosphates, chemically absorbs ammonia under
certain conditions. __;^. b. Beaumont
MORE ABOUT COL D INJURY T O PEACHES
Since the last report in Fruit Notes, a fev/ peach grov/ers have
sent in reports v/hich indicate very close to a complete crop failure in
Massachusetts. Occasionally an orchard has 5 or perhaps lO^o of the fruit
buds alive. (This statement was v/ritten before the cold spell around Feb. 16.)
Tv;o growers have reported v/ood injury. Further observations at
the College revealed only slight injury to the tops, but severe injury to
the trunks of some trees. In these injured trunks the cambium and outer
sapwood vjere brown. In a fevi, the bark also had been injured.
Since the trunks of the trees are the last part to "harden off"
in the fall, they are especially susceptible to winter injury following a
late v/arm fall, such as occurred in 1942. Last fall the trees were kept
grovdng later than usual and the "hardening off" of the trunks was delayed.
The cold spell of December 20 and 21 caught the trunks only partly "hardened
off," and injury resulted.
Peach growers will be v;ise to look for trunk injury and keep close
watch of any injured trees for they v;ill probably need special treatment later.
A small elliptical piece of bark cut from the trunk will reveal what has
happened and probably do the tree little harm. j. s. Bailey
PRUNING Y;iNTER INJURED PEACH TREES
It is becoming increasingly evident that most peach orchards vdll
have no crop this year. Therefore, in those orchards without a crop, now
is a good time to lower the tops of any trees which are becoming too tall.
Any branches which are too long and rangy should be cut back. Cutting to
a side branch in tv/o or three year old wood will reduce the tendency to
sucker. After all weak, injured and dead v/ood is removed, further thinning
should be done if necessary.
In orchards v/here there are still live fruit buds, a thorough
checkup is desirable to find out v,rhere these buds are. Then the parts
of trees, or parts of iiae orchard, which shovi signs of bearing some fruit
should be left unpruned so as not to cut off any part of the small crop.
The rest of the orchard should be given a light but thorough thinning out.
If the wood of top or trunk has been injured, a light but thorough
thinning out will induce plenty of new wood to form fruit buds for next year.
Trees which have had theirwDod severely injured had better be left unpruned.
They usually recover better that way. However, they v/ill benefit from light
fertilization and good care through the summer. j, g, Bailey
ORDSR BEES EARLY
According to the latest advice received, shippers of package bees
are experiencing some difficulty in getting necessary supplies for shipment
cases. It appears likely that the number of packages shipped will be below
normal. Beekeepers vrtio intend to use package bees are advised to order early.
Fruit growers who rely on package bees for pollination should take this ad-
vice and act on it.
It is very likely that losses of overwintered bees virill be larger
than usual. This, together with the shortage of package bees that may be
anticipated, makes it essential that arrangements for securing bees for pol-
lination be completed early.
— F. R. Shaw
SALVAGE AI JD RE-US E OF FRUIT AIJD VEGE TAB LE COMT AIMERS
General Lumber Situation. The users and suppliers of lumber in 1942
were caught in a sxjueeze because of increased demand for lumber as a result of
the larger .amounts necessary for military uses and to decreased production
which resulted from labor and equipment shortages. As a result of the in-
creased demand, the estimated consumption of lumber in 1942 went up ll^-j over
that of 1941. Also in 1942 the production of lumber failed by about 20^i to
equal consumption. The deficit v/as made up by imports and by v/ithdrav/als
from inventories. This drain upon supplies has now depleted the stocks of
lumber to about 50^b of normal. Considering the fact that the inventory re-
serve represents a v;ide variety of sizes, species, and grades, this small
stock represents a very siTiall supply for emergencies in 1943.
By exercising the severest restrictions, it is estimated that con-
sumption in 1943 can be held to a little over 31 billion board feet, which
is about 25J^ belov; the consumption of last year. Although it is possible to
reduce the lumber consuraption for certain uses during 1943 from that of the
past year, increases for other uses will be inevitable. These are chiefly
for boxes and crates used as containers for products shipped overseas.
Other military requirements, such as construction, are expected to drop.
It may be necessary to restrict civilian construction this year to about
one-half that of last year and to about one-third of that of 1941. This
restriction would eliminate all but the bare essentials of construction and
maintenance. Even with tliis restricted use, hov/ever, it is possible that
labor, equipment, tire and replacement problems may reduce the 1943 produc-
tion and imports below the requirements of these minimum essentials, and
thus make further inroads upon the already scanty lumber reserves by the
end of 1943. This makes any program for conserving lumber during the cur-
rent year of vital inporteince.
Fruit and Vegetable Containers. The total estimated minimum es-
sential requirements f oV~6n1^iners~'and~~shipping material, such as boxes,
crates, etc., has increased about 30^o for 1943 over the consumption of 1942.
Most of this increase has been for military shipments. Some materials are
being packed in v/ood containers because of the scarcity of other package
materials such as metals. Other types of supplies are- being put in wooden
packages in order to secure a more substantial contairter for overseas shipping.
i
-9-
Fruit and vegetable producers will likely be able to get along
with a slightly smaller quantity of wooden containers in 1943 than was the
case in 1942. Assuming 1942 packing practices and per-acre production, and
the 1943 goals, the total number of board feet of lumber to package the 1943
crop v;ill be about 1% less than that required in 1942. This will probably
be further reduced through the use of containers of substitute materials
and limited shipments of products in bulk. However, these adjustments can-
not be sufficient to offset possible shortages of container material and
increased container demands for military shipments, and thus avert a tight
package situation.
Used Containers. One method of supplementing the tight fruit and
vegetable container situation is by the careful salvaging and reuse of second-
hand packages. Every salvaged used container made available for reuse makes
a number of contributions to the general supply situation and the war effort.
One of these is the fact that this container may package a product which nay,
in an acute container situation, not be made available to consumers. Another,
the use of the salvaged package will release to other uses labor and equip-
ment which would be necessary to make another nev/ box or basket. In addition,
it will release such critical materials as wood and metal to be used in
other war activities. The salvaging of used containers offers real possi-
bilities. For instance, there are enough board feet of wood in 1,000 sal-
vaged apple boxes to crate an average airplane for overseas shipment. There
is enough metal in 60 wire-bound orange boxes to supply the nails and straps
for crating a jeep for overseas shipment. One thousand wire-bound citrus
boxes have about 500 pounds of metal. Thus, if a quarter of the 18 million
new wire-bound citrus boxes used each year were salvaged and reused, it
would release 2,250,000 pounds of metal to be used for such vital war activ-
ities as the making of shells, tanks, and guns. This saving also benefits
the fruit and vegetable growers as difficulties are being experienced in
securing supplies of wire and nails for packages.
Extensive work is already being done in salvaging used containers
in certain large markets. A recent survey by the Viar Production Board in-
dicates that .approximately 25^^ of all wooden fruit and vegetable containers
v;hich are shipped into Hew York City are salvaged. This varies greatly among
the various types of containers, the percentage being very high for such
packages as baskets and much lower for nailed boxes. This custom seem^s to
be general. Used or second-hand containers are more extensively used by
grov/ers in the nearby or market garden area* than in the distant producing
districts because of the difficulty and expense of shipping used containers
to distant producing centers. Thus, crates, baskets and other packages
which are shipped into the large consuming centers are salvaged and sold
to growers in the nearby producing districts. Some estimates indicate that
as much as GOJo of the vegetables grovm in the Chicago market garden area
are marketed in second-hand containers. The proportion, of course < becomes
less as the distance from the city increases, but information recently col-
lected by Cornell University indicates that grov;ers in some of the interior
counties of New York State are depending on used containers for as much as
35^ of their total package requirements.
In the larger cities used containers are collected by a number of
agencies. Farmers who live in the nearby districts collect a portion from
-10-
the retail stores direct. Jiany peddlers collect the empty containers from
retailers and restaurants. Second-hand dealers or "junkies" arrange v;ith
trash collectors to separate the containers and scrap pieces from the other
material. The largest group collecting used containers consists of chain
stores. Used package dealers buy containers from the "junkies," peddlers,
and chain stores and sort them into the various types. These dealers also
repair damaged packages and remake others into types more generally in demand.
The dealers resell these sorted and repaired packages to farmers in the nearby
districts, or to large second-hand wholesalers who may distribute them into
the market garden districts of adjacent cities or to other production centers.
The remaking of other types of containers from such packages as
orange and apple boxes has become an established business in the larger
cities. From material in these boxes, crates are made for the packing of
cabbage, beans, carrots, onions, and other vegetables. Reconditioning, as
well as remaking, is an important enterprise. Reclaimed pieces of contain-
ers, second-hand nails and wire t.re used to repair dai.iaged hampers, baskets
or covers. A second-hand v.'ire handle, a bent nail or tv/o, with a salvaged
slat, v/ill many times restore a useless damaged container to good condition.
In addition to collecting, remaking and remodeling, careful hand-
ling by all dealers all along the line to prevent needless damage is im-
portant. Many parts of potentially good containers which might be used are
thrown on fires in the markets on cold mornings* Attention to all of these
factors in regard to used containers will increase the supply of fruit and
vegetable packages and perrait the use of material, which v;ould otherwise be
required for new containers, to be used for other vital uses. Therefore,
the program which is operatiiig rather smoothly in the large cities should
be expanded and similar types should be developed in the smaller centers.
TliE VICTOR Y T.^
H. P. Gilmore of IVestboro submits the following joint ruling recently
issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Vfar Labor Board.
"(1) The paj^ent by an employer of tlie five percent Victory Tax on behalf
of his employees v.'ithout deducting it from the employees' pay is a wage or
salary increase requiring the prior approval of the Board or the Commissioner
pursuant to Executive Order No. 9250 and the Regulations of the Director of
Economic Stabilization*
"(2) On January 23, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue issued a ruling
interpreting the Revenue Act so that vrhere the National Yfar Labor Board or
the Commissioner of Internal Revenue avmrds or approves an increase in wages
or salaries retroactive to 1942, the tax need not be withheld on that portion
of the increase v/hich is applicable to v:ork performed in 1942.
"(3) Vihether the five percent tax will ultimately be collected on such
retroactive pay is a matter to which the Congress may give its attention
during the current session."
Quoting from Hr. Gilmore 's letter, "Apple growers are not required to
deduct and pay the Victory Tax, but our employees are required to pay it at
t''e end of the year."
March 24, 1943
Prepared by the Fruit Program Committee
Of the llxtension Service
VJ'. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Content^'
The Fruit Grower and the Pood Production" Program
Orchards Damaged by Severe Winter Vi'eather
"Ready to Bear" Frv\it Plants
Actual Figures from a Connecticut Fruit Grower
Timely Notes on the Bee Situation
Agricultural Insecticides for 1943
Should Insecticides and Fungicides be Rationed?
Critical Situation Regarding Vfood Fibre Shipping Containers
Three Apple Boxes - Vjeste'm, Michigan, Eastern
Apple Box Requirements in the N.Yt-N.E. Area
Victory Gardens
THE FRUIT GRCHTER Alfl) THE FOOD PRODUCTION PROGRAM
Fruits are recognized as an essential part of our diet. In dried
form they are an important item of food for our armed forces abroad and for
our fighting allies. Fresh fruits, being less easily exported, contribute
in a similar way to our food needs here at home. Every good fruit grower
has reason to feel that he is making a contribution to the food production
program. This applies to the commercial fruit grower and to the producer
of fruits for home use as well,
Whatever we grow of necessary foods, near the point of consumption,
releases transportation facilities for vital use elsewhere. A carload of
good apples grovm on a hillside farm v.rithin easy trucking distance of Boston,
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of Hay 8 and June
30, 1914, VJillard A. Ilunson, director, Massachusetts State College, United
States Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating.
is directly in line with our v;artime economy. It vrould be folly for the owner
of a good apple orchard to go into some other line of business and neglect the
orchard. The experienced fruit grov/er can make his greatest contribution to
the v;ar effort by taking the best possible care of his fruit planting. If
every fruit farm utilizes its resources to best advantage, there will be no
need of transporting from other producing areas, the Suits needed for home
consumption. Most of our needs along fruit lines can be supplied from the
New England area,
¥/e are constantly being reminded that American farmers must produce
more food. From the standpoint of the fruit grower, this does not mean more
bushels, without regard to grade or quality. Yj'e already have too many "cull"
apples. In the writer's opinion, our job is to produce, not more apples, but
more good apples. Vie should aim to produce aji apple crop of which at least
905,0 wTrr"grade U.S. No. 1 or higher. Apples of lower grade are of doubtful
value, even in peacetime. They become a liability in v/artime when storage
facilities, packages, labor, etc., are scarce. Ii'^e ought not to clutter up
our markets or our storages v;ith fruit fit only for feeding to livestock.
1/Vhat should be the attitude of the home gardener who is interested,
not in producing fruit for sale, but for the home table? Again it should be
pointed out that the owner of a small piece of land should concentrate first
on vegetables, and should expand to include small fruits only if garden space
and tiae are availile. Small fruits offer much more promise of success for
the backyard gardener, than tree fruits. We cannot afford to imste valuable
land, fertilizers, spray materials, etc., without reasonable assurance that
the investment will produce something of real value. The producer of fruits
for home use should consider very carefully the factors upon which success
in the hone fruit planting depends. Patriotism does not demand that we spend
time and money in trying to produce usable apples on an old tall tree, when
the same area might produce an abundance of strawberries or of vegetables
with less expense.
Massachusetts fruit growers are doing more long time planning than
ever before in order to economize on labor, materials, aaid equipment. The
food production program will be a success from both the commercial and the
home garden standpoint if we limit ourselves to those food crops v/ithin reach
of our available resources. By so doing, the fruit grovrer will make his
biggest contribution to the national food production program.
ORCHARDS DAI'JAGEU BY SEVERE WINTER VJEATHER
If a definite relationship between winter temperatures aind injury in
plant tissues were to exist, we v/ould expect heavy damage in Massachusetts or-
chards as a result of the near record cold spell around February 16. The
extent of injury, hovrever, is dependent upon the maturity of the tissues and
perhaps upon the date and duration of the damaging temperatures. The injury
in Baldwin trees this winter, although very noticeable, does not seem to be
as severe as in the winter of 1933-34. A partial killing of the sapwood is
apparently more common than damage to the bark and canibiura. As more Baldwin
trees are examined we are finding considerable brovming of the sapvrood, par-
ticularly in the lovrer limbs. In most trees, hov/ever, there seeias to be enough
-3-
sapvrood to enable the tree to outgrow the damaged condition. The pith of
the twigs and spurs, where part of the food materials are comrjionly stored,
shows rather severe daiaago. LIuch less loose bark is in evidence on apple
tree trunks than in 1934.
Not until the end of the 1943 growing season can we make anything
like a reliable estimate of the extent of damage in Massachusetts orchards.
It will probably vary tremendously in individual trees, and no one cultural
practice will facilitate recovery. Vfinter injured trees cannot be "pruned
into a normal condition." They may be better off with little or no pruning.
Mulching will be beneficial, and if the cambium, inner bark and sapwood
are reasonably intact, added nitrogen or perhaps strip cultivation will tend ,-'
to encourage the development of new tissues.
In the College orchards severe iyury has been observed on sweet
cherry trees. Some of them are apparently beyond hope of recovery. Peach
trees also show uranistakable damage, A no pruning program for such trees
is strongly recommended. Only time will tell which trees or parts of trees
are capable of making satisfactory growth and (barring another cold winter)
of bearing a crop of peaches in 1944.
"READY TO BEAR" FRUIT PLANTS
V/lienever we consider buying fruit plants which, according to the claims
of the nursery, v;ill "bear the first season," we ou^ht to ask ourselves whether
such performance is an advantage or a disadvantage. Is the apple or two, borne
the first year, of prirae importance? Should we look for^^ard to harvesting a
few strawberries a month after setting the plants? In general, is early bear-
ing conducive to success in a fruit planting?- The ansv/er is definitely "No."
All blossoms should be removed from newly set strawberry plants because
any berries borne the first season will endanger the growth of new plants for
next year. A strav/berry plant cannot mature berries and at the same time de-
velop strong runner plants, since the same rav^ materials are required for both.
Raspberry plants should be cut back to a height of 6 or 8 inches at planting
time in order to prevent fruiting, and thereby encourage a strong grovrth of new
canes. Otherv;ise, the crop of fruit will so tax the root system until mid-
summer that the growth of nev/ canes for next year vdll be retarded. Only a
severely stunted or a true dwarf apple tree can be expected to bear the first
year. If the tree does bear so early it is a sure sign that it is making very '^
scanty growth.'
With few exceptions, a fruit plant needs the first season to become
established and to make vigorous vegetative growth, instead of exhausting its
food resources in bringing fruit to maturity. If v/e focus our attention on
early bearing, and overlook the kind of growth necessary for future production,
we are horticulturally shortsighted.
TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR SPRAYER. YOU IIAY HOT BE ABLE
TO REPLACE IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
•^«
ACTUAL FIGURES FROM A CONNECTICUT FRUIT GROl'ffiR
The following figures are taken from Seetsonftl Fmiit Notes, prepared
by 11. A. Rollins of the University of Connecticutj Apples grown in Connect-
icut and sold in New York City, January, 1943 -- Consumer A paid 5^ per lb,
for Utility Grade apples or at the rate of $2,00 per bu. fonwuner B. paid
8^ per lb, for Fancy Grade apples or at the rate of $3.20 per bu.
Utility Grade
per bushel
Retailer paid
(retailer plems for 50^ mark-up)
Viniolesaler received for handling
Jobber received for hsuidling
Jobber paid for cartage to N.Y.C.
Jobber paid for ccanplete package
Grower received
,08
.05
,20
,30
$1.32
.63
TTO
Fancy Grade
per bushel
,08
.05
.20
.30
$2.15
,63
TTST
Grower storage costs .30
Sorting and packing , .10
Harvesting and heindling .15
Value of bushel of fruit on tree
,55
.30
.10
,15
.55
T9r
You may understsuid why this fmiit grower feels that he should make
every effort to prune, to fertilize and especially to spray his trees to pro-
duce good quality fruit in 1943. Vfould you rather grow Utility grade apples
for 15/ than Fancy apples at 97/ per bushel?
TBffiLY NOTES ON THE BEE SITUATION
Since fruit growers are vitally interested in bees for pollination, the
following summary of the bee situation by F. R. Shaw of the Dept, of Entomology,
is presentedi Massachusetts beekeepers are faced with greater responsibili-
ties now than at any time in the recent past. They must keep their colonies
at maximum strength in order to produce the vi&x and honey necessary and have
adequate pollination of our fruits and many vegetables. Last year we were
asked to double the honey crop. V/e failed to do this partly due to the season
and partly due to the fact that many colonies were not properly attended to
because of lack of time and other reasons. This year vw are asked to increase
the amount of honey produced, to increase the supply of beeswax by one third
and we may be faced viith additional demands for bees for pollination, especially
in view of the increase of Victory gardens.
In view of the greater responsibilities facing the beekeeper, better
planning will be necessary during the coiiiing year. Bee supplies are limited.
A quota of 57^o has been established for hives and Z^% for other supplies based
on the manvfacture of hives and supplies during 1940 and 1941, This makes
necessary more careful checking of equipment. It would be well to have re-
placements on hand before discarding any old equipment. If you must secure
new materials, place your orders ag soon as possible.
-5-
f
Package Bees. Package bee shippers are faced with the difficulty of
obtaining wire cloth, tin feeding cans, and sugar. It is entirely possible,
therefore, that shipments of package bees may be below normal this spring. If
you plan to use package bees, it will be necessary to place your orders early.
Price Ceiling on B eeswax . It is of interest to note that a price ceil-
ing has been placed on beesvmx and this was issued as of November 13, 1942. A
cash price of 41,5 cents per pound or 43.5 cents per pound in exchange for
supplies is the maximum allov;ed for crude domestic beeswax.
Early Examination of Bees Desirable . Due to the difficulty experienced
by some in secur"ing~"sugar for feeding together with the presence of a large
amount of honeydew stored last season, it can be expected that the winter loss
of colonies may be above normal. Colonies found to be lov>r in stores can be fed
or doubled up v/ith other colonies having more food. If the colonies are low in
pollen, soybean flour containing not over 5^o fat can be given as a substitute.
AGRICULTURAL INSECTICIDES FOR 1945
Although smaller supplies of some insecticides may be obtainable this
year due to the war, the nation's farmers will still be able to carry on a
suitable insect control program if conservation and substitution practices
are follov/ed. The following report is based on a study made by the Food Re-
quirements Committee (novif Food Advisory Committee) of which Secretary of Agri-
culture Claude R. ITickard is chairman. Insecticides included in the report
are arsenic, cryolite, rotenone, pyrethrum, nicotine sulfate and copper.
The only real shortages, the Committee points out, exist in the sup-
plies of rotenone and pyrethrum. Estimated supply of rotenone is placed at
3,600^000 pounds, with 1943 requirements likely reaching 4,225,000 pounds. A
supply of 16,000,000 pounds of pyrethrum is on hand but 17,250,000 pounds of
this insecticide will probably be needed this year. Supplies of arsenic,
cryolite, nicotine sulfate and copper chemicals seem to be sufficient, or the
possibilities of increasing the 1943 output is believed good enough to assure
adequate amounts of these materials for use as insecticides. It is believed
that some of these chemicals, particularly nicotine sulfate, will serve as
substitutes for some of the scarcer ones. Estimated requirements and supplies
of the following insecticides for 1943 are given in t'o'nst arsenic, 70,800,
70,800j cryolite> 6000, 9000; nicotine sulfate, 2350, 2400; and copper chemi-
cals, 102,500, 105,000.
State and county U.S.D.A. V/ar Boardsare urged to assist farmers in the
selection of insecticides and to request them to use smaller amounts of the
more critical materials and to substitute wherever possible. Virtually all
insecticides have been placed under 17. P. B. control and most of them have been
restricted to use for agricultural crops only. In case of some chemicals such
as rotenone and pyrethrum, l/.P.B. controls permit their use on just certain
specified crops. For example, rotenone, in accordance v;ith the \<.P.B. regula-
tion, can only be used in the protection of food crops other than citrus fruits,
cotton, tobacco, cranberries, eggplants, cucurbits, onions, peppers, sweet
corn, or as a spray, wash or dust in the treatment of cattle for the destruc-
tion of grubs. O.P.A. regulations place most insecticides under certain price
•6-
ceilings which seek to protect the farmer, supplier and manufacturer from
possible fluotations in price due to the scarcity of supply.
Arsenic trioxide, from which all arsenical* are derived, is used
chiefly in the control of pests on apples,, cotton and potatoes. Cryolite
is used to combat apple pests in the Northwest. Rotenone is the principal
insecticidal constituent of timbo, barbasco, cube and derris root. It was
formerly used in the control of many different kinds of pestsr However,
its use is now restricted to certain crops, Pyrethrum is the active in-
gredient of «pray», v/ashes, powders and dusts used on certain vegetable
crops and on livestock. Nicotine sulfate is widely used, and this year
it must help supplant the shortage of other materials,
SHOULD INSECTICIDES AM) FUNGICIDES BE RATIOI^IED?
In view of the situation concerning coffee, sugar, and many other com-
modities, this seems to be a logical question. In a recent issue of A, I,F.
News, these points are brought outi To ration a thing - to limit each con-
sumer to so many oxmces a week - there must be enough so that each consumer
actually can find and buy that many ounces. If insecticides and fungicides
were rationed on any conceivable basis, no grower facing a real attack by
insects or plant disease would get enough. And those fortunate enough to
escape would not need even the amounts alloted to them.
There are more than enough of agricultural insecticides and fungicides
for average needs, even though not enough to ration. Insecticides and fungi-
cides/most vitally needed when insects or plant diseases appear - and when
these emergencies come, they are needed in quajitities large enough to control
the pests. Using not enough is money thrown away, a total loss.
Fire fighting is a good parallel. A city would not think of rationing
fire equipment, stationing so much apparatus and so many firemen in each block.
Instead, apparatus and firemen are concentrated at strategic points, ready to
rush to the places where fires breeik out. Those places are largely unpredict-
able - like plant pest outbreaks,
ViTien the boll v/eevil is on the march, the embattled grower may use 15
pounds of calcium arsenate to the acre. Suppose this material v/ere rationed
to provide 15 pounds for each of the 25,000,000 acres of cotton. That would
require 375,000,000 pounds. Yet the greatest amount of calcium arsenate ever
produced and consumed in a year was 70,000,000 pounds. The annual consumption
may run as low as 20,000,000 pounds. The same situation applies to many other
spray and dust materials.
CRITICAL SITUATION REGARDING YJOOD FIBRE SHIPPING CONTAINERS
The Vfar Production Board recently released information stating that
in order to purchase any empty, new or used boxes, crates, cases, barrels, kegs,
kits, pails, drums, tubs, baskets or hampers, either setup or knocked down,
made either fully or in part from wood or corrugated or solid fibre, and used
-7-
as an outer container for delivflry or shipment of materials, or any shooks,
cleats, staves, headings, veneer, plywood or corrugated or solid fibre cut
to size for shipping containers, preference ratings are needed.
There are five preference ratings, neunely, AA-1, AA2X, AA3, M4, and
M5. AA-1 preference rating is for defense material; AA2X preference rating
is for the Lend-Lease Program. The other ratings are to be used by individ-
uals ordering boxes from their usual sources of supply. However, if any of
the AAl or AA2X ratings are ahead of the others, then there is no possibility
of one getting boxes for some time to come.
It is suggested by officials of the Vfar. Production Board that indi-
viduals desiring complete infonaation in regard to these preference ratings
(Order P-140), should confer with their local V/ar Production Board. (Quoting
from this Order:
The list of fruits and vegetables with AA-3 rating is as followst
Dried apples, dried apricots and dried peaches. Fresh fruits and vegetables
as follows: apples, apricots, bananas, cherries, citrus, grapes, nectarines,
peaches, pluias, pears, prunes (fresh), berries, beans (snap and lima), carrots,
peas (fresh green), and tomatoes. The list with AA-4 rating includes cran-
berries, quinces, and most vegetables not listed under AA-3,
This Order nearly precludes the possibility of obtaining boxes through
the usual channels. However, the l/Tar Production Board says that it is per-
missible for an individual to cut his own logs and have them sawn into lumber.
Boxes for his own use can be manufactured from this lumber without securing
a preference rating, ^
^ *= R. B. Parmenter
THREE APPIE BOXES - VffiSTERN, MICHIGAN, EASTERN
A General Limitation Order affecting wooden containers was filed
March 1, 1943 by the V/ar Production Board. This reduces the number of wood-
en boxes and crates for fruits and vegetables to 64. Three apple boxes re-
main, the V/estem Box, 10^ x ll|- x 18; the Michigan Box, 11 x 12|- x 16, and
the Eastern Box, 1 l/S Bushel, 11 x 15 x 17, all inches, inside measurements.
No half bushel boxes are left for apples,
A pear box, 8^ x ll|- x 18 and the half pear box, 5g- x 11^ x 18, are
both provided for; also a pear lug, 6^ x ISg- x 20 5/8. Use of a cleat to in-
crease the capacity is permitted on the pear lug but not on the other boxes.
The manufacture of boxes of other sizes is forbidden. on and after
March 4, 1943. Those having supplies on hand or other types of packages may
manufacture same until May 31, 1943, and those receiving shooks which are al-
ready in transit, bought and received prior to April 1, 1943, may assemble
such packages provided the work is completed by Llay 31, 1943.
Hampers, baskets and berry cups at present being manufactured are con-
tinued of certain definite sizes, which includes the bushel hamper and the
bushel basket. Certain special containers for use by the Government are per-
mitted.
APPLE BOX REqUIREivlENTS IN THE N.Y.,»N.E« AREA
A survey of the apple'box requirements in the N.Y.-N.E. area indicates
that 9,500,000 new boxes vail be needed. Fruit societies and state officials ,•
present the following estimate: Itoine - 600,000, N.H. - 600,000, Vt. - 350,000,
Llass. - 2,000,000, R.I. - 100, OCO, Conn. - 428,000, N. Y. - 5,433,500.
Total - 9,511,500. Allowing a keg of nails per 1000 boxes, about 9,500 kegs
of nails will be needed. The National Apple Institute has been given these
figures to present to the Vj'ar Production Board,
VICTORY GARDENS
The Victory Garden is the very spot on which a major conflic* of the
war is being decided - the battle for food, health, and security. All ir>di-
cations are that this is another bftttle that is going to go the right way
during the coming months. According to reports there were around 15 million
Victory gardens last summer. Qpite a few of them were on farms that had never
before grown a garden.
As you no doubt know, the 1942 Victory Garden campaign was a success
in part because it was aided by extremely favorable weather. To come up to
last year's record the 1943 Victory Garden campaign calls for bigger and better
gardens and more of them. Many of these gardens will have to produce all the
vegetables, particularly tomatoes, leafy green vegetables and yellow vegeta-
bles needed for the family's entire yearly needs. Our armed forces and our
allies have already spoken for over half of our 1943 output of canned vegetables.
How true is the statement of the famous general who said, "An army
travels on its stomach." A soldier needs plenty of food if he is to do a
good job of fighting. V7e on the home front need plenty of food, if we are
going to produce food for the soldiers and if we are going to produce the
munitions and machines which the soldiers need for winning battles. Yes, all
of us vdth plenty of food under our belts can do a much better job.
In 1942, war activities took 1Z% of our total food production. In
1943 it is estimated that these same war activitiee will take 25^^. Tv/enty-five
per cent amounts to one meal in every four. Nov; that doesn't mean that we
will be short of one meal out of every four. By rationing we will have enough
•feo keep us from going hungry but there is very likely to be a shortage of cer-
tain essential foods unless something is done.
In Massachusetts something is being done. Already Governor Saltonstall
has appointed a Home Garden Committee to work on this problem of food production.
The job of the committee is to promote home vegetable gardens in every city,
town» and community in Massachusetts. Last year we had in Massachusetts hun-
dreds of Victory Gardens but this year we are going to have thousands of Victory
Gardens if this committee has anything to say about it.
Now that's just where you come in. The food that you produce in your
back yard garden may be the very food that will fill the empty spot in our na-
tional market basket. Tomatoes and beans and corn and beets and carrots and
cabbage, and go on through the list - if these are produced in the home garden,
they will supply the family with vegetables during the summer months and the
extra vegetables produced at home can be canned for use during the vanter months.
Then your family will be able to laugh at any food shortage which might develop,
G. 0, Oleson
[SS MILDRED HOWARD
(TENSION SEPVICS
)UTH COLLEGE
April 24, 1943
Prepared by the Fruit Program Coramittee
3 42 .of "the Extension Service
W. 11. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Contents
Radio Spray Service
One Reason for Poor Shaped Trees
Do You Know?
Box Ceilings
New Strawberry Varieties
Fruits in North Africft
Girdled Trees
Here's an Idea
The Place of Small Fruits in the Home Garden Program
RADIO SPRAY SERVICE
Following is the schedule for the broadcasting of fruit pest control
information to be released by the Extension Service in the departments of
Botany, Entomology and Pomology, The message released Monday afternoon will
be broadcast on Tuesday and repeated V/ednesday, while the message released on
\Tednesday afternoon will be broadcast on Thursday and repeated on Friday.
V/henever occasions justify, nev; messages will be telephoned or wired to the
stations for Wednesdays and Fridays to replace the repeat-announcements.
In compiling each message, the Extension Service will have access to
confidential weather information directly from the East Boston Airport Station
of the U.S. ITeather Bureau, for use only in agricultural operational advices.
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of l.lay 8 and June 30,
1914, l/illard A. Munson, director, Massachusetts State College, United States
Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating.
-2-
1. V/BZ, Boston and VJB ZA, Springfield; 1030
(a) The 6:00-7:00 A. LI. program: at 6:20 A.M.
and again at 6:50 A. 11.
(b) The 1:10 P.li. prograra: at 1:10 P.I.I.
2. Y/NAC , Boston (and Yankee lletvrark): at 6; 25 A.M.
vmAC, Boston, Ilass. 1260
l/AAB, VJ'orcester, Ilass. 1410
1,1
VffiAN, Providence, R.I. 790
ViTICC, Bridgeport, Conn. 600
vrcsn, Portland, Maine 970
ViUra, Laconia, N. H. 1340
3, VJEEI , Boston, The "Farmers Almanac of the Air";
at 6:15 A.M. 590
4, V/IAY/ , Lawrence, Mass.; at 7 A.M. 680
5, WTAG, li;orcester, Mass.; at 6;30 A.M. daily. 580
This annual radio spray service for fruit grov.'ers v/ill begin Apri l
26. The first message will be broadcast on April 27. Copies of the same
messages v;ill be mailed to county agricultural agents, to certain ne-v;spaper
editors \/ho have requested them, to fruit specialists of other Ne\v England
states, and to a fen cooperator growers 'v/ho furnish the College at regular
intervals with specific information pertaining to tree and pest developments.
The 1943 APPLE SPRAY CliARTS have been distributed.
If you failed to receive a copy contact your county
agricultural agent or the State College.
Olffi REASON FOR P O OR SHAPED TREES
An article under this heading appeared iia the April, 1936 issue
of Fruit Notes, l.e repeat what was said at that time, firmly believing that
a good framev.'ork is of much importance and that young trees should be induced
to make good growth from the start. "It is easy to maintain a good frame-
work in a tree v/hich is making strong annual growth. A vigorously grov/ing
grafted tree, for example, tends to grovr a leader type of frajnsvrork v;hile a
starved or stunted tree may, vihen stimulated, break out in some unexpected
quarter. Even in an ordinary v;inter when other trees suffer little or none
at all, there may be just enough injury to the Baldwin wood to make it less
efficient in conducting \/ater and other materials to the groviing points of
the previous season. As a result, water and mineral elements become shunted
into other channels where the path of conduction from the roots is shorter.
And after a season of good growth these sprouts continue to grow until they
themselves are wide-tracked in favor of still younger grovrths."
A thought for today} "Do V^hat You Can of V-Tiat
You I'jiow You Ought to Do."
-3-
ruru^ :
That 275 carloads of apples were recently packed in 35 freight cars?
The explanation is that the apples were dried. They were forced under pres-
sure into No. 10 tin cans. Thirty two pounds of apples, dried until they
v.'eigh only 4 pounds, go into one of these cans. A total of 200,000 boxes
•or 275 carloads of fresh apples (7,680,000 lbs.) were transformed into just
under a million pounds of dried apples which were packed tightly into
240,000 cans. This made 40,000 cases.
That a close approximation of the date at Vifhich a given variety of
fruit will mature can be made at the tine of full bloom? After a three-year
study, M. A» Haller of the U.S.D.A. has concluded that the number of days
from full bloom to maturity is a more reliable index of maturity than pres-
sure test, ground color, seed color, or starch test. The average number of
days between bloom and harvest for a few varieties are as follows: Olden-
burg apple, 98; llclntosh, 127; Rhode Island Greening, 155; Llontmorency
cherry, 62; Bartlett pear, 121; Elberta peach, 128.
That there are approximately 4000 acres of cultivated blueberries
in the U. S. with a crop value of nearly Cl»000,000? The raspberry acre-
age amounts to about 59,000 acres with a crop value of more than v7»000,000.
Blackberries and dewberries total nearly 35,000 acres with a crop value of
$3,700,000.
That the total capacity for the manufacture of synthetic nitrogen
in the United States after the war will be more than tv/ice as great as this
country's maximum annual pre-war consumption of nitrogen for all purposes?
The amount of nitrogen v;hich can be supplied to farmers from this expanded
industry will greatly affect crop production after the war. The problem of
utilizing this unprecedented tonnage of nitrogen is to be studied by a re-
cently organized committee of which R. II. Salter, Chief of the U.S. Bureau
of Plant Industry, is chairman.
That soils of Massachusetts are by nature predominantly acid? Many
cultivated plants or crops grov/ poorly on an acid soil v;hile certain others
may fail utterly unless lime in some forra is used to correct this condition.
More than 50,000 tons of liming material are used annually to increase crop
yields in Massachusetts. For full details concerning this subject, see
Mass. State College Leafl^jt No. 134, "Liming Soils."
That crganic matter performs at least four important functions in the
soil? (1) It gives the soil a good structure and improves its tilth. (2) It
provides food for bacteria. (3) It keeps plant food available so the plants
can use them. (4) It serves as a storehouse of nitrogen, available phos-
phorus, potash and other plant foods.
.4-
That the State of V/ashington takes first place in the production of
apples and second in pears? This state is also second in apricots and fil-
berts, third in cherries, prunes and plums, fourth in grapes, and sixth in
peaches.
That bet\/een 2 and 2-^ million pounds of apple syrup will be produced
coimiercially this year from the U. S. and Canadian apple crop, thus opening
a nevj- market for apple growers? The ne-vi syrup has much the same qualities
as glycerine and is being extensively used in the manufacture of tobacco.
This nev; material will free millions of pounds of glycerine for use in the
manufacture of explosives.
That plastic, self-lubricated bearings are now in use in large,
rotary fruit juice extractors? Faced v/ith a shortage of bronze bearings,
one machinery manufacturer found that a nev; type of "Lucite" bearing ivas
actually lubricated by contact v;ith citrus juices. The nev/ bearings are
equally resistant to orange, grapefruit and lemon juices.
That a record grapefruit crop of 46 million boxes is indicated for
the present season compared v/ith 40 million boxes last season and 42 million
boxes the previous season? The quantity of Florida grapefruit handled by
commercial processors to the end of February this year is more than twice
as much as was handled up to that date last year. Texas also has a record
grapefruit crop, 16 million boxes, which is 14^o more than in 1942,
That a thin film of water-miscible v;ax applied to apples during the
packing operation is now considered as a low cost method of prolonging stor-
age and market life of the fruit? This means of reducing losses from shrivel-
ing is being studied at the Maryland Experiment Station, using Grimes Golden
and Golden Delicious, both of which are very subject to shrivelling.
That red currants nay not be as dangerous in the spread of v/hite
pine blister rust as is coiiimonly supposed? Recent studies show that white
pines become infected only rarely, even at short distances, from red currant
bushes. The necessity of removing red currant bushes v.'ithin 900 feet of
which pines has not apparently been conclusively demonstrated.
That an unbelievable total of 27 million board feet of lumber may
be saved by making a fev/ simple adjustments in the thickness of apple box
boards? According to a committee in the Northwest, these suggested changes
will do the trick; Reduce the thiclcness of the ends from 25/32 inches to
11/16 inches; sides from 3/8 to 5/l6, and tops and bottoms from l/4 to 3/16
inches. It is claimed that the slight reduction in thickness of the sides
alone viould save 12 million board feet of luraber in a single year.
That a gigantic machine for shredding orchard brush is now in use in
the VIenatchee district in YJashington? This brush shredder, purchased by a
group of 40 growers last year is capable of chewing brush at the rate of 6
acres per hour. The brush is first windrowed which enables the machine to
scoop up everything in its path, leaving a trail of finely ground wood chips
and splinters.
-5-
That only about IS^^o of the apple trees in the U.S. were of non-
bearing age in 1940, compared v;ith about 24fo in 1930? Even thouch there
were only about l/o as many apple trees in the United States in 1940 as
in 1910, the production has not declined greatly owing in part to the
gradual shift to better soils, higher yielding varieties, less caustic
fungicides, and better all around orchard management.
That an average ton of farm laanure contains about 10 pounds of
nitrogen, 5 pounds of phosphoric acid, and 10 pounds of potash? The amount
of manure produced annually per 1000 pounds of live weight is about 15
tons by cov/s, 12 tons by horses, 10 tons by sheep or fattening cattle, 18
tons by hogs, and 4.2 tons by chickens.
That the guano birds of Peru consume about 5g- million tons of fish
annually, while the people of Peru consur.ie only 4 thousand tons. The guano
birds are considered to be araong the most important in the world because
of the enormous quantities of fertilizer for which they are responsible.
That ragv:eed has at least one advantage to offset its disadvantage
as a spreader of hay fever? The ragweed borer has been found to be host
to several parasites of the Oriental fruit moth, a serious pest of peaches.
One experiment station has even recommended that ragv/eed be allovred to grow
in peach orchards in order to favor the development of these parasites.
That apple scab, fungus disease Enemy !Jo. 1 of apples, is known in
all apple growing regions from the Atlantic to the Pacific? It is also
found in British Columbia and in Southern Canada, in European countries,
and in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The annual loss attributed
to this disease in the northern part of the United States alone is estimated
at v3, 000, 000 while for the entire United States the loss is approximately
!1^40,000,000.
That the entrance of apple scab into a leaf or fruit is dependent to
a large extent upon temperature? If the temperature is 43° the process takes
about 15 hours, at 48° 11 hours, 59° 7 hours, 68° 4 to 5 hours, 75° 6 hours.
Higher temperatures tend to retard or prevent grovrth. Leaves must remain
wet about three times as long at 43° as at 68°.
That spray lime if exposed for a period of time to the air, loses
its effectiveness as a corrective for arsenical burning? This is due to the
fact that thfe essential ingredient, calcium oxide, is changed into the car-
bonate form, calcium carbonate, by the absorption of carbon dioxide from the
air. In the carbonate form, the calciura is ineffective in preventing spray
injury.
That 29^^ of the farm accidents in the United States have to dowLth
machinery? 22^^ involve animals; lO^o, excessive heat; 9^^, falls of various
kinds, 9^j, vehicular traffic, 6% lightning, and 15Jo other causes.
That about 18,500 farmers in the U.S. lost their lives last year be-
cause of accidents? In addition, it is estimated that 100 times as many
were injured. Hazards are even greater no\/ because of new help. Greater
care must therefore be exercised to avoid accidents, particularly with trac-
tors and other farm equipment.
-6-
That the average farm garden in Michigan, amounting to l/z acre,
produces enough food to rate as one of the best cash crops? On good land,
properly managed and with rows spaced three feet apart, this average farm
garden requires 92 hours of work. The resulting vegetables, accordingto
a recent study, are worth nearly s?200. The average farm gardener plants
18 different crops.
BOX CEILINGS
In order to establish a price on New England apple boxes, the
Office of Price Administration has issued recently Amendment No. 3 to
Maximum Price Regulation No. 320, effective April 15, 1943. This estab-
lishes price ceilings on apple boxes, cranberry boxes and field crates
in the six New England states. The original regulation did not include
New England. The amendment places a ceiling of 021.50 per hundred on
1 l/8 bu. apple crates, in the shook, and a price of v24,50 per hundred
nailed up including delivery within 50 miles of the sawmill. The price
on cranberry boxes is ^28. 00 per hundred in the shook, and 1)31.00 nailed
up,
IM7 STRAV/BERRY VARIETIES
The following new strawberry varieties which are being named and
introduced by the New Jersey Small Fruits Council this spring have been
fruited twojears at Amherst. Our observations are as follows:
Julymorn (N.J. 225). Very late, very dark red, large, objectionably
furrowed, firm, very tart, good production. It is reported to be desirable
for canning or freezing, but is not resistant to red stele.
Crimson Glow (N.J. 311). Mid season, dark, glossy, large, good
quality, but not outstanding. Not resistant to red stele.
Sparkle (N.J. 312). Late, excellent quality, attractive red, firm,
good production. Promising at Ajnherst. Reported to be very resistant to
red stele.
A. P. French
PRODUCTION OF FRUI TS IN N ORTH AFRICA
17e have recently obtained from Fred A. Ilotz, formerly foreign market-
ing specialist of the U.S.D.A., some figures concerning the production of
fruits in a much publicized corner of the world. North Africa. The 1938
figures for Morocco are as follows: oranges, 1,547,000 trees; almonds,
4,604,000 trees; figs, 7,366,000; dates, 1,118,000; pomegranates, 585,000;
and chestnuts, 204,000.
The average annual production of various fruits in Algeria between
1934 and 1938 were as follows: oranges, 1,522,000 boxes; mandarin oranges,
1,253,000 boxes; lemons, 102,000 boxes; figs (fresh consumption) 25,500
tons, (dried) 19,200 tons; dates, 114 tons; olive oil, 15,400 tons.
-7-
The 1930 statistics show 29,800 acres in orchards in Algeria with
a total of 1,400,000 trees. Amonc the deciduous fruits v/ere apples and
pears, 4,400 acres; plums, 5,900 acres; peaches, 5,200 acres; cherries,
2,300 acres; apricots, 2,000 acres; almonds, 4,600 acres; medlars, 959
acres. To v/hat extent these fruit plantings are being taken care of at
the present time is a question. Under Axis domination the production un-
doubtedly dropped. It will be interesting to Icnow to what extent the events
of last November may have changed the agricultural picture in North Africa.
RAIN - HAY - MICE - GIRDLED TREES
That's about the order of events which has resulted in some of the
worst cases of mouse injury we've seen in years. In four orchards which
have come to our attention growers are faced with a real job of bridge graft-
ing. The reasons for so much mouse injury are not difficult to determine.
A heavy hay crop in 1942 plus many unharvested drops set the stage
for an unusually heavy mouse population. Ideal "cover" provided not only
protection against natural enemies but a good food supply in the form of
tender grass. And so liicrotus raised large families and many of them. With
well established runs around the bases of apple trees the next step was to
supplement the grass diet with generous samples of succulent inner bark.
Another factor which worked to the advantage of the mice was this. At the
time when mouse bait would normally have been distributed help was scarce
and difficult to get. Ilany growers took a chance on mouse injury, — and
lost. There v/ill probably be a renewed interest in the use of zinc phos-
phide bait next fall, thanks to a combination of circurastances v/hich favored
the furry Enemy No. 1 of tiie orchard underworld.
HERE'S AIT IDEA
At apple harvest time next fall apple growers v;ho are fortunate
enough to have a crop will undoubtedly be scouring the neighborhood for
"scarcer than hens' teeth" apple pickers. Good apple boxes will be not
only expensive but difficult to get. Available storage space must be
used to good advantage. Considering all these things, why not make sure
that at least 90^ of the apples you grow this season are worthy of your
efforts at harvest time, your packages and your storage? Grow only good
stuff. Solve the low grade fruit problem by not growing low grade fruit.
Even in normal times apples below U.S. No. 1 grade are likely to
be more of a liability than an asset. In wartime they become increasingly
so. ITalter R. Clarke of Ulster County, New York, v;riting in the Rural New
Yorker, has this to say about apple grades and prices. "I believe it is
true that the retail prices of apples are as high as we can expect for the
nop notchers, Fancy and good No. I's, but our trouble comes in the growing,
handling and selling of that 30 or 40 per cent betv/een cull and these top
notchers. Carefully worked out figures show a loss of almost 20 cents per
box on that percentage of our crops. This loss, taken from the gain made
on the good GO per cent, does not leave enough profit for the grower and his
investment to keep him happy, grov/ing apples."
■ 8-
FRUIT PEST CONTROL IN GREAT BRITAIN
The ingenuity of the people of Great Britain is v;ell illustrated
in a group which has come to be knovm as Britain's "Golden Angels." The
girls of Great Britain are doing work of every description during these
wartime days that have taken men from their normal posts of work. Included
are the multitude of tasks that must be done in the orchard. The girls are
being trained thoroughly in the use of all apparatus and in the technical
principles of spraying. Recently, a corps of spraying girls was formed in
an endeavor to free orchards and fruit plantations from pests. One of the
sprays generally used has the effect of turning the skin a bright golden
yelloT/. As a result, the spraying girls have become knovm throughout Britain
as the "Golden Angels." (Let's hope that the material they are using is not
liquid lime sulfur.)
J. H. Putnam, former county agent in Franklin County, says, "Right
now there is only one thing we should all be thinking of; that is
what we can do to help win this war. No sacrifice is too great -
no surrender of ordinary rights too momentous - no privation too hard
to bear. Wiy should mq gruinble about rationing of sugar, and oil,
and gas, parity - subsidy, labor troubles, and heavy taxes, when
our boys are offering their all - even their lives?"
THE PLACE OF SHALL FRUI TS IN THE IIOIE GARDEN PRO GRAI.I
Home owners throughout Massachusetts are v/ondering whether or not
fruits of various kinds should be included in the Victory Garden. To ansv/er
questions along this line, the Department of pomology lias prepared the fol-
lowing statement covering the various small fruits.
Vfhere space is limited and the garden is a wartiiiifi measure only,
small fruits should not be grown in preference to vegetables. However,
they make a welcome and valuable addition to the diet, V.'here space is
available and the garden is to be continued for tv^o or more years, some
of the small fruits may well be included. No small fruit plant should be
allowed to fruit the first season except "everbearing" strawberries, which
are not generally satisfactory. Small fruits should not be planted in the
middle of the vegetable garden,
StraviTberries bring the quickest returns. Plants set this spring
will bear a crop next spring. Fifty plants should supply a family of four.
For best results new plants should be set each spring. Grapes usually bear
the third year and continue for many years. Quicker returns maybe had from
renovation of old vines, since they are capable of producing a crop the
next fall. Red Raspberrie s bear a small crop the second year and should
come into full bearing the third year. Boysen berries are not recommended
for general planting in this state but ;iay suc^ceed'on lighter soils. Blue-
berries come into full pi'oduction so slov/ly that they are not well adapted
to the wartime garden.
One definition of Entomology - "Gettin' right in among the bugs
and watohin' 'em work."
''Mi
^
@m4
May 24, 1943
Prepared by the Fruit Program Committee
of the Extension Service
VJ". H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Contents
Curculio Emerging from Hibernation
Apple Scab Situation
Do You Know?
Apple Blossoms
Price Ceilings for Apples
Farm Labor Problem Being Solved
List of Emergency Farm Labor Assistants in Mass.
New Method of Preserving Fruits
VJinter Killing of Raspberries
Controlled Atmosphere Storage
Fungicide and Insecticide Situation
CURCULIO EMERGING FROM HIBERIJATION
As this issue of Fruit Notes is being prepared, the following mes-
sage comes from YL D. VThitcomb of Ifaltham: "Fifteen (15) curculio beetles
were jarred from the trees Friday morning. May 21. This is the first col-
lection this year and represents about 2% of the expected total number.
If warmer v/eather occurs in the next fe\v days, the calyx spray with lead
arsenate v;ill be very helpful in controlling this pest, Curculio collec-
tions vj-ill be made Monday, Vfednesday, and Friday mornings for about one
month. Cankervrorms are quite abundant in some places and are beginning
heavj' feeding on unsprayed apple and shade trees,"
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June SO,
1914, vmiard A. Munson, director, Massachusetts State College, United States
Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating.
-2-
APPLE SCAB SITUATION
Vfhatever we may say about the present season, this much at least is
true* It's different. From the apple grower's standpoint, the season is
characterized by late bud developipent, early scab development, and day after
day of wrong kind of weather for spraying. Below normal temperatures in April
delayed fruit buds to an almost unprecedented degree. Bud development has
been lagging approximately two weeks behind 194E, This spring vihen Mcintosh
buds had reached the Delayed Dormant stage we were reminded that on the same
date in 1942 the buds were in the Pink stage. Fruit buds, being very sensi-
tive to temperature, refuse to open up until the weather is reasonably warm,
V/hile the apple buds were biding their time, the apple scab in the
old leaves on the ground was steadily developing. At the Pre-Pink stage of
bud development there were about as many mature spores in the old leaves as
we normally find at blossoming time, Vfe may safely say that a larger per-
centage of scab spores were either mature or already released by the time
the blossoms were ready to open than has been the case in all the years
we've been fighting scab in Massachusetts, Careful studies of old leaves
from various sections of the state, made by 0, C. Boyd on May 19, revealed
the interesting fact that a mere 10 to 20^o of the scab spores still remained
in the old leaves. This represents an unusual spore discharge - not from
the standpoint of the calendar, but of bud development.
Spray Message for Massachusetts Fpuit Growers (No. 8), issued May 19,
carried this timely suggestion: "If apple trees came into bloom before the
Pink spray could be completed, it is advisable to finish that spray with sul-
fur alone, Apple varieties subject to scab and cedar rust need protection
throughout the blossom period, particularly if v/et v;eather threatens. Either
a sulfur dust or a wettable sulfur spray may be used, but lead arsenate should
be omitted. The protection from the Pink spray can be expected to last only
five or six days at most, Vifhere apple scab infection occurred on May 10 to
12, the new scab spots should begin to show up around May 24,"
Apple leaves were hot held back by cool weather to the same extent
as apple buds. As a result, there is more leaf area in evidence on Mcintosh
spurs at blossoming time than in a normal season, Baldwin trees, on the other
hand, always show a considerable leaf area at blossoming time. This year there
is much less difference in the leaf area on Mcintosh and Baldwin spurs.
Following is a siommRry of the scab situation in Amherst, prepared by 0. Ct Boyd*
Date when scab opots
may be expected to
appear on leaves
? (May 21.22)
Length of
Fruit
Minimum time for
Date
wetting
Bud
Scab infection at
period (hrs,)
Stage
prevailing temp.
5/3
18 hrs.
Late Del. Dorm.
22 hrs.
5/8
14 hrs.
Early Pre-Pink
15 hrs.
5/10-12
60 hrs.
intermittent
Late
45 hrs.
Pre-Pink
15 hrs.
continuous
5/18-19
24 hrs.
Early bloom
8-10 hrs.
5/19-20
10 hrs.
Early bloom
12 hrs.
5/21
?
Full bloom
12 hrs.
May 24-26
May 31- June 2
? " (June l-3j
? (June 3-4)
'J
That only about 20,000 of the 625,000 known species of insects
in the world, damage crops and other property, or spread disease? Of the
80,000 U. S. species, only 600, or less than 1 in 100, are considered
destructive.
That the ovenvintering spores of Black Rot of Grapes are suffi-
ciently nature to cause infection by the time the new shoots are 2 to 4
inches long? Fruit infection vrtiich occurs several weeks later is the re-
sult of summer spores which come from the early infection on the new growth.
That every fruit plant of a given variety in existence, whether
Howard 17 strawberry or Mcintosh apple, is a direct vegetative descendant
of the original seedling? One Baldwin tree in Massachusetts is said to be
of the third generation. In oth.^r v/ords, it vras grafted from a tree which
was grafted from the original Baldwin. The latter is listed as a casualty
in the hurricane of 1815.
That the waste in paring, coring and trimming apples for commercial
canning of sauce amounts to more than twice as much in the 2'^" size as in
the 3" and up? The losses per 100 lbs. amount to about 43 and 18 lbs. re-
spectively. Numbers of apples per 100 lbs. are about 665 and 268. Losses
in the 2-|-" and 2 3/4" sizes amount to 30 x 23 lbs. respectively.
That more than 9,000,000 tons of commercial fertilizers were used
in the U. S. in 1941? Of all the states, North Carolina used the largest
amount - more than 1,000,000 tons. Of the total tonnage used in the country,
federal agencies (AAA h Ilk) distributed about 800,000 tons.
That the total cash income of American farmers in 1941 amounted
to $ll,830rpOOO,000? This is the largest income received since 1920 v^hen
it totalled $12,608,000,000. The increase in 1941 over 1940 was
$2,700,000,000.
That the stone walls in Massachusetts, if placed end to end, would
be long enough to circle the globe at least 5 times, or reach more than half
way to the moon?
That several fruit bulletins from Massachusetts State College have
recently been revised? Among them are: "Peach Growing in Massachusetts,"
"Grape Growing in Massachusetts," and "Top Grafting Fruit Trees," Another
revised bulletin, "Spraying and Dusting Fruit Trees," will be off the press
soon.
EVERY FOREST FIRE IS AN AXIS FIRE , I,t. Gen. H. A. Drum says,
"Forest fires destroy a priceless source of raw material and also
serve the enemy by endangering vital installations,"
■ 4-
■APPLE BLOSSOMS (A Borrowed Editorial)
Seeing an apple tree in bloom makes it easier to understand Johnny
Appleseed's passion for planting orchards in the wilderness. A well-ordered
orchard is a magnificent sight at this time of year, but even more breath
taking must have been the beauty of the trees the old wanderer planted all
up and down the Ohio Country when most of it was still Indian Land. Primi-
tive Christian that he was, old Johnny must have exclaimisd many times at
the beauty of God's works and the bounty of His benevolent hand.
Those who walk the hills today get the same feeling when they come
upon an orchard abandoned to meadow grass and gone wild. The old trees,
gnarled with struggle and untrimmed for years, lift their blossom-laden
branches as offering to the sun, and all around them stand the young wild-
lings, sprung from seed and surviving only by their ovm strength and hardi-
hood. The air is sweet with their fragrance and loud with their company
of bees. Every stage of beauty lines the branches, from the flush of the
bud to the ivide-petaled whiteness of full bloom.
The abandoned apple tree and its seedlings belong with the wild
rose and tho blackberry tangle; with the roso in particular, vihich the
botanist meticulously points out is its cousin once or twice removed. And
it is the particular possession of May, when Spring is no longer in doubt
and Summer has not yet really turned on the heat. It belongs v/ith warm
rain and the first buttercups and scarlet tanagers telling the morning
what a lovely thing it is to be alive.
Johnny Appleseed knew what he was about,
PRICE CEILINGS FOR APPLES
A committee representing the apple growers of the northeastern
states, including John Chandler and John Lyman, has prepared the following
statement for the OPA after considering all angles of the apple industry:
The Northeast has become the arsenal of the United States. In-
dustry has expanded beyond the most optimistic estimates. Agriculture in
the Northeast is not extensive in the light of the over-all picture, but
agriculture is definitely rising to the emergency with greater than anti-
cipated production under handicaps of shortages of labor, machinery,
materials, etc. The apple growers of the Northeast produced and harvested
one of the largest crops on record in 1942 and marketed it in a vory order-
ly manner at fair prices to the consumer. Indications in the orchards this
spring point to a crop of apples which v;ill probably be smaller than that
in 1942, but may not bo smaller than an average crop for the five years
prior to 1942. Thus, we should not expect a real shortage of apples -
neither should be expect a run-away market.
The apple growers of the Northeast feel that we have a definite
part to play in the production of food for the successful conduct of tho
war, Vfo are anxious to grow, harvest and market a crop of the best apples
-5-
possible and, given the propor market support, it v.'ill be done. Any novo
to establish ceiling prices vj-hich will weaken this support will have a
definite destructive effect on the production of apples.
Following a meeting of the National Apple Planning Committee and
a meeting of the apple grov/ers of the Northeast, at which price ceilings
v;ere discussed, it was concluded that ceiling prices on apples v;ould be
impractical and have a tendency to discourage the greatest production of
apples.
Apples are highly perishable, subject to t he vagaries of weather,
deterioration and many other factors beyond the control of growers. Arbi-
trary controls introduced into such situations do not provide for suffi-
ciently flexible adjustments for these rapidly changing conditions.
However, if our Government is committed to ceiling prices on all
commodities, to control inflation and protect the consumer from run-away
prices, the apple grov/ers stand ready to cooperate v;ith it.
To make the plan simple and easily understood by the consumer and
easily enforced, v/e suggest that should there be such a price ceiling, it
be a price ceiling to the consumer v/ith no other control along the line.
This price should be sot high enough to encourage the largest production
of the best grade of the most desirable variety grown in the most remote
areas of production.
We feel that should such a ceiling be established with an average
crop of apples well distributed in all producing areas, as was predicted by
the National Apple Planning Committee, it would provide a chance for the
law of supply and demand to work as nearly normally as possible.
IN CONCLUSION: 1. Vie do not believe arbitrary price controls
are for the best interests of the producers or the consumers
in that they discourage production and hamper distribution.
2. If a ceiling is to be applied, it should
be applied only on the retail price,
3. The Apple Industry is highly competitive,
both vrithin itself and with othJer fruits. If a price ceiling
is applied, we suggest it be applied at a level that will inter-
fere as little as possible xrith the normal laxt of supply and
demand.
FARI/I LABOR PROBLEII BEING SOLVED
Vfith emergency farm labor assistants appointed for all counties
and with state and federal agencies coordinating their efforts, Massachu-
setts is rapidly developing a program which should effectively handle the
farm labor problem.
The program developed by tho Massachusetts Farm Labor Committee
is right in line with the federal farm labor plan which went into offect
■ 6-
May 1. Hence the program already started will continue under the super-
vision of the Massachusetts State College Extension Service at Amherst.
In close cooperation will be the Massachusetts Farm Labor Committee ap-
pointed several months ago by Governor Saltonstall, the high schools, the
U.S. Employment Service, and other interested groups.
In dealing with the farm labor problem first attention should be
given to the full utilization of all labor resources within the comraunity.
ViThere there is not enough labor available locally the farm labor assistants
will attempt to recruit workers from nearby communities. The need of year-
round workers on farms presents a much more difficult problem. There is
no supply pf year-round workers. Consequently close cooperation with local
selectiTO^D%iards is needed to keep present necessary year-round workers on
productive or essential farms.
The county agricultural agents have full responsibility for the
recruitment and placement of farm workers in their respective counties.
They will be assisted by these nev^ly appointed emergency farm labor assist-
ants. These men will do everything in their pov;er, but it will be necessary
for any farmer who has a farm labor problem to take that problem to the
county agricultural agent's office. For Suffolk County the emergency farm
labor assistant is John B. Casey, head master of the Jamaica Plain High School.
In close cooperation with the farm labor program will be the woman's
land army and the 4-H farm labor project,
— Roy E. Moser
State Supervisor
of Emergency Farm Labor
LIST OF EMERGENCY FARM LABOR ASSISTAIITS III LIASS.
County IJame and Address Office Telephone
Barnstable Tr. Edmund deS. Brunner, Smexgelicy Farm Labor Assistant
Cape Cod Extension Service Barnstable S6
Barnstable, Mass.
Berkshire Yifells Conklin, Emergency Farm Labor Assistant Fittsfield 8285
Berkshire County Extension Service
Federal Building
Fittsfield, Mass.
Bristol Carl L. Erickson, Emergency Farm Labor Assistant Dighton 3611
Bristol County Agricultural School ~
Segreganset, Mass.
E s sex Wm. P. Scott, Emergency Farm Labor Assistant Danvers 50
Essex County Agricultural School
Hathorne, Mass.
■7-
County
Name and Address
Office Telephone
Franklin George C. Hubbard, Emergency Farm Labor Assistant
Franklin County Extension Service
Court House
Greenfield, Mass*
Hampden George \{. Harris, Emergency Farm Labor Assistant
Hampden County Improvement League
1499 Memorial Ave.
V/est Springfield, Mass.
Hampsh ire Vta. R. Kershlis, Emergency Farm Labor Assistant
Hampshire County Extension Service
15 Gothic Street
Northampton, Mass.
Middlesex ViTm. H. Slayton, Emergency Farm Labor Assistant
Middlesex County Extension Sf^rvice
19 Everett Street
Concord, Mass.
Norfolk Hilmer S. Kelson, Emergency Farm Labor Assistant
Norfolk County Agricultural School
Walpole, Mass.
Plymouth Frank T. YJhite, Emergency Farm Labor Assistant
Plymouth County Extension Service
Court House
Brockton, Mass.
Suffolk John B. Casey, Emergency Farm Labor Assistant
Headmaster, Jamaica Plain High School
Jamaica Plain, Mass.
Greenfield 9698
Spring field
6^7204"
Northampton
2-55^
Concord 845
V^alpole 268
Brockton 4993
Arnold 4074
Worcester John A. Gatti, Emergency Farm Labor Assistant
Y/orcester County Extension Service
Federal Building
Y^orcester, Mass.
Vforcester 3-5477
NEW I-ffiTHOD OF PPi:SERVING FRUITS
The British made a request when we began to ship them fruits under
the Lend-Lease program. Vfould v/e please just preserve them in sulphur di-
oxide solution, and ship them over in wooden casks? That was a big surprise
for our food men. Wouldn't the British prefer fruits canned in bright tin
containers? No, the British really wouldn't. Ylell, the British were eating
the fruit, so let them have it the way they wanted it. And the sulphur di-
oxide method is saving tin.
So the big American canners turned out the British fruit orders the
■ 8-
way they wanted it: 250,000 barrels have gone to them in this sulphur
dioxide solution during the past three years. The sulphur dioxide method
is simple. Take strawberries, for example. The berries roll straight
from the field to the freight loading platform, alongside the railroad
tracks. They're washed, hulled, and dumped into wooden barrels with a
2jb sulphur dioxide solution. The barrel is sealed, put on the freight
car, and it's on the way to England. The whole thing takes half an hour.
Millions of pounds of these sulphited strawberries are being shipped to
England this season.
The preservation of peaches takes a little longer because they
have to be peeled and pitted. Last year v;e shipped, in this manner, citrus
pulp, peaches, strawberries, raspberries, and dev/berries. This year we'll
probably add cherries. Fruits preserved in sulphur dioxide are used for
preserves, jams, ice cream, and pies.
These sulphited foods, such as strawberries, have to go through a
special step when they're taken out of the wooden casks to start on their
way to jams and pies. They must be boiled vigorously for 45 minutes. That
drives off the sulphur dioxide in the steam. And with it, the bitter sul-
phur taste. Oddly, the sulphur dioxide solution takes most of the color
out of fruits. But when they boil for 45 minutes, the color comes back.
And that's important, because who wants to eat pale ycllov/ strav/berry jam?
WINTER KILLING OF RASPBERRIES
The following table givjs an estimate of the amount of winter kill-
ing in a planting of young raspberries set at the State College in the
spring of 1942. To get a better measure of the true cold resistance of
the varieties, canes which were on the ground and therefore protected by
snow v/ere ignored in making the estimate. On all varieties it was very
noticeable that big, vigorous, branching canes v/ere injured vrorse than
smaller, less vigorous canes.
Red Varieties
% Injury
Red Varieties
% Injury
Sunrise
Cuthbert
25
Tahoma
5
Taylor
28*
Indian Summer
5
Vfeshington
30*
Latham
9*
Ohta
35
Ranere
10
Milton
44*
Chief
11*
Viking
45
Lloyd George
15
Marcy
68*
Cayuga
20
Newburgh
75
Purple Varieties
% Injury
Ruddy
5
Columbian
50
Marion
75
Sodus
90
♦Figures starred are averages of several plots; others are based on
one plot.
~J. S. Bailey
-9-
CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE STORAGE
The controlled atmosphere or so-called "gas" storage room at H.S.C.
was opened April 30 just a little over seven months after it v/as sealed up
on September 25, 1942. The Mcintosh apples from this room vfhich vi&s held
at 40° F. were more firm, crisp and juicy and definitely higher in eating
quality than similar apples held at 32° in a common cold storage room.
This was due to the fact that in the controlled atmosphere storage vmere
the oxygen supply was drastically reduced and the carbon dioxide was main-
tained at a relatively high level, the apples "lived" at a comparatively
slow rate even at the 40° F. temperature. As previously described, apples
use up oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. In the tight room, this process
contined until the oxygen level was dovm to 2% or at times slij^htly lower.
The carbon dioxide increased, of course, but was not allovred to get above
10^ because of possible toxic effects. This was accomplished by periodically
removing this gas by passing the atmosphere of the room through a special
"washer." The contents of oxygen and carbon dioxide were measured every
other day or so to determine when "washing" or ventilation were required
to maintain the artificial atmosphere.
One trouble not encountered heretofore was a soft scald type of
injury which may have been due to an insufficiency of oxygen during the in-
tervals v/'hen the oxygen level v/as below 2^^. This experience indicates the
special care that must be exercised in operating a storage of this kind.
However, the peculiar difficulties encountered with this type of storage
are far from insurmountable as proven by the successful operation of sev-
eral controlled atraosphore storages in Hew York State. It is reported that
Mcintosh out of these storages this spring brought from one to tv-o dollars
a bushel above the wholesale market price of regular cold storage Mcintosh.
Perhaps, with the return of peacetime conditions, controlled atmosphere
storage may find a place in Massachusetts, at least on a limited scale.
— Lawrence Southwick
— 0. C. Roberts
THE FUNGICIDE AHD INSECTICIDE SITUATION
The following information is based upon recent reports chiefly from
the Agricultural Insecticide and Fungicide Association, the Agricultural Chem-
icals Section of the Office of Price Administration, and the Chemicals Division
of the Food Production Administration.
Lead Arsenate: The production for 1943, which will be lO^o less than
in 1942 but 10^T"g."^ter than in 1941, is to be cOmpletedby June 30. A re-
strictive order precludes its use on shade trees, ornamentals, lawns and golf
greens at least ui-^til after sufficient supplies are assured to protect essen-
tial crops. The supply available for food and fiber crops is expected to
equal that used for the corresponding crops in 1942.
Calcium Arsenate; The present schedule calls for a substantial in-
crease over the 'supply m 1942. Sixty per cent of the total production vail
be completed by June 30 compared with 40 per cent at that date last year.
■ 10-
Copper Fungicides! Until recently, the 1943 schedule indicated
80,000,000 lbs, of copper sulfate for agriculture, the same anount allocated
for that purpose in 1942. The Office of Food Production Administration re-
cently announced that this figure would likely be increased to 100,000,000
pounds, in view of the increased acreage of potatoes and vegetables through-
out the country. That office estimates that 75,000,000 pounds will bo needed
to protect potatoes, tomatoes and fruits. It also cautions that "
although the supply of copper compounds will be the largest in history,
every effort must be made to conserve supplies."
Rotencne; The nation's supply is drastically limited and strictly
allocated, "he country used in 1941 about 8,500^000 pounds of roots, and in
1942 about 6,500,000 pounds. The Food Production Administration estimates
that "this year close to 3,000,000 pounds will be available to meet
the requirements of the crops and uses as set forth in amended Conservation
Order K-'.".o3." This limitation ordor restricts the use of rotenone on crops
to per.f fcr weevil and aphids; to beans for the Mexican bean beetle; to
sweot corn fcr the European corn borirT and to cole crops other than cabbage
X^EKirV iSj"to broccoli, cauliflower, brussols 3p'rc'ut's~kaTe, etc.) for cater-
pillars and aphids J Rotenone dusts manufactured in 1943 may contain not
more than 0^5 per cent rotenone, and they may not contain any pyretiirum,
Derris and Cube powders may not contain more than 4 per cent rotenone. Re-
garding the dilutions for Derris and Cube preparations in spray form, the
amended Conservation Order 1.1-133 "permits the use of 4 per cent rotenone
spray powder in accordance v:ith common practice,"
Pyreth rum; Although supplies are substantial, their use in agricul-
ture is dra3tic"ally limited because of military needs. A limitation order
novj- in preparation, it is reported, permits the use of pyrethrum on all Cole
crops (cabbage family); on vegetables in the homo, farm and community gardens;
on beet-seed crops; on corn, beans and potatoes; and on grapes and cranberries,
Cryo lite ; Supplies for 1943 are much greater than ever before —
15,000,000 pouiids as coiapared with 6,000,000 pounds in 1942, Cryolite nay
be used in place of arsenicals on shade trees and« ornamental s , and as a
possible substitute for lead arsenate on apples and pears. It is also being
recoinraended for the control of chewing insscts on various vegetable crops.
Nicotin e S ulfate ; Provision by U.S,D.A. for the production in
1941-43 of about Is800j000 pounds through a tobacco diversion program, in
addition to the quantity ordinarily obtained f rom tobacco wastes, insures
an ample supply for insecticidal purposes, A production of about 3,000,000
pounds is estimated for 1943.
Calciu m Case inat e; Domestic production is now low because of milk
problems. Tne' situation,"^nowever, is expected to improve with the advance
of the season.
These are Adequate ; Cyanides, Fish Oils, Hormone Sprays, Spray
Oils, Paradichlorobonzene, Borax, Spreaders and Stickers, Zinc Oxide, and
Zinc Sulfate.
—0. C, Boyd and A. I. Bourne
June 18, 1943
Prepared by the Fruit Program Coinmittee
of the Extension Service
W. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Contents
Fruit Prospects
The Women's Land Army
Curculio on Non-Bearing Trees
Do You Know?
Cardboard and Fiber Apple Boxes
Do Bees Injure Ripe Fruit?
Grass and Fruit Trees
The Packed Lunch
Additional Nitrogen Released
Half and Half
Where Water Stands
Handling Apples from Tree to Table
Cutting Hay in an Orchard
FRUIT PROSPECTS
Early estimates of the 1943 apple crop indicate at least 10 million
bushels less than in 1942. The peach crop v/ill be about 20 million bushels
less. This 50-million-bushel shortage is only about 5% of the Nation's fruit
crop. The 19 major fruits, grown in this country, grossed in 1942 the re-
spectable total of 15,107,259 tons.
At a fruit meeting at the Chandler farm in Sterling, June 11, attended
by more than 150 growers, the following estimates of the 1943 crop, in com-
parison with 1943, were obtained. The total represents about 25)o of the com-
mercial crop in Massachusetts.
Mcintosh
Baldwin
Delicious
Other varieties
Total
1945
461,000 bu.
67,000 bu.
33,000 bu.
78,000 bu.
1942
500,000 bu.
115,000 bu.
26,000 bu.
93,000 bu.
% increase or decrease
/'
~zw —
'/o
-40^
+27^
-16??
-12^
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30,
1914, YiTillard A. Munson, director, Massachusetts State College, United States
Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating.
-2-
THS WOJffiN'S LMD ARMY
As part of the United States Crop Corps, the Women's Land Army has
been organized nation-wide, to help with the gigantic task of producing
enough food for our boys in service, our allies, and civilians.
The idea of women working on farms is not new. Throughout history
they have done many tasks. And so it is today - women are already working,
and still more - are willing to work on farms in Massachusetts.
Members of the Yifomen's Land Army must be at least 18 years of age
and must secure from their local doctor a certificate stating they are in
good physical condition for hard farm work. Women may enroll as either full-
time or part-time farm workers but must agree to work at least one month.
It is not necessary to have had farm experience. In fact, many farmers pre-
fer training their own help for specific farm \vork.
To hold the patriotic place with WAACS, TfAVES, Marines, and SPARS,
members of the Women's Land Army are eligible to wear the uniform designed
for farm labor. It consists of a dark blue coverall, a light blue shirt,
a hat of two shades of blue, and a dark blue jacket.
On a fruit farm there are many jobs that women have done and can do,
such as: help with the spraying and pruning, picking, grading and packing
of fruit, and driving the truck to market. In some cases, it might be more
efficient, if the members of the Yifoman's Land Army took over some of the
responsibilities in the home, and so relieve the farm homemaker to work out-
side on the farm.
Arrangements may be made by one or two neighboring farmers who might
have need for part-time employment of a woman to help on their farms. To-
gether they could keep her employed full-time. In other cases, a group of
6 or 8 women might be housed in the village center, and several farmers ar-
range for the transportation of workers to their farms nearby.
Your County Agricultural Agent or Emergency Farm Labor Assistant
located at the County Extension Office are able to help you in locating
members of the Women's Land Army to work on your farm.
—Beatrice E. Billings
CURCULIO ON NON-BEARING TREES
Having jarred five curculio beetles from a small peach tree a few
days ago at the Derby fann in Leominster, vfe were interested in knowing if
this insect is commonly found on trees without a crop of fruit. So we put
the question up to TiT. D. Whitcomb of Waltham. He answered as follows: "The
collection of curculio beetles on peach trees withovit fruit is not unusual.
In the early part of the active season there is considerable migration during
which the beetles apparently are searching for fruit for oviposition. Curculio
beetles d efinitely feed on blossom petals but I have no record of feeding on
foliage. It is quite possible, however, that they feed slightly on the leaf
petiole and possibly on tender shoots."
-3-
^)<y ^cn^ I \ ruruj :
That grapes are produced commercially in 44 states and on a farn-
hone scale in every state in the Union? For the 16 years preceding 1939
the average annual farm value of grapes in the United States amounted to
about 049,000,000. California leads all other states in gross tonnage, v/ith
about 90 per cent of the total, while New York, Michigan, Ohio, and Fennsyl-
vajiia are the heaviest producing states in the eastern and central parts of
the country.
That 150,000 pressure canners are being manufactured for this year's
canning season? On request of the Department of Agriculture, YfPB is allocat-
ing enough material for this much needed equipment. These canners will be
distributed under a rationing system through County USDA lYar Boards.
That the early June price of strawberries on the Boston market this
season is about twice that of 1942? The quotations for last year ranged from
17 to 20 cents. This year the price was about 37 cents.
That blueberries tend to keep their Vitamin C content longer than
other berries thus far tested? Being thicker skinned they injure less easily
and as a result the oxygen of the air v/hich is destructive to the vital
ascorbic acid is less likely to r each the cells beneath the skin.
That ammonium sulfamate is very effective in killing chokecherries?
J. S. Bailej^ and L. Southwick used this material at several concentrations
and found that the speed of killing vms proportional to the concentration.
That the use of peat in planting apple trees is under some growing
conditions of very doubtful value? In an experiment at M.S.C. started in
1939 there is no significant difference bet^veen the check and untreated trees
at the present time.
That codling moth and Oriental fruit moth spend the winter as fully
grovm larvae in silken cocoons ? The bud moth spends the v;inter as a partly
grown larva v/hile the gypsy moth spends tho v/intcr in the egg stage.
That frozen food lockers, which v;ere practically unknown during the
first Y/orld Yfar, now occupy an important place in our food preservation sys-
tem. Approximately 3,200 plants, serving more than a half million families,
almost three- fourths of them farmers, v/ere operating in 44 states on January 1,
1941.
That 5 bushel baskets contain enough lumber to box 1500 rounds
machine gun ammunition? Save containers. Use them again. Men, machines
and materials once used to make food containers are now doing war v;ork.
■ 4-
STORAGE TEST OF CARDBOARD AIJD FIBER APPLE BOXES (1945)
Tests of a number of the newer apple boxes have been under way at the
State College during the past winter and spring. The purpose of this test
was to gain an idea of the way in which common types of cardboard and fiber
boxes would hold their shapes in storage ajid to what extent they would con-
tinue for several months to carry the weight of a stack without throwing
such pressure on the fruit as to main it.
About 50 boxes were involved in the test. Most of the leading manu-
facturers in the Northeast wore represented, some with several boxes.
The test v;as set up in duplicate: one set of boxes was placed in a
storage room run at about 40° F. with relative humidity at about 90 per cent.
The other was placed in a room run at about 35^* F. v/ith humidity at 85 per cent.
Each box was placed on an inverted wooden box to keep it off the
floor and it supportad a weight equivalent to a stack of filled boxes. The
heights of the stacks ranged from tv;o to ten boxes.
The boxes were placed in the stacks at intervals from the first of
February to the first of March as they arrived, and the test ended June 1.
Observations and careful measurements of bulging and settling were made at
frequent intervals.
All boxes, including those with wood- frame ends, showed some bulging
of the sides and ends which increased vfith time. On the sides this varied
from 0.2 inch to 1.9 inches. In general, the boxes with no wooden supports
settled most, .and as might be expected the settling was most rapid. Even
the "waterproof" fiber boxes bulged and settled after several weeks under
humid conditions. Five cardboard boxes failed to hold up to the end of the
test ard toppled over. Each was under a stack of six to eight boxes. iThere
placed un.ler threo or four boxes, they stood up better.
Tentativ3 Conclus ions
1. Tfatcr-rssistant fiber holds up longer than cardboard but the dif-
ference aftor two or throe months is much less than was expected. All such
material softens in storage.
2. Boxj£ \\rith glued tops and bottoms and smooth all around are not
only inconvenient to close bur. difficult to lift and handle. They are much
more likely to be dropped or thrown than others, although they need not be
handled roughly.
3. Hand holes provide for easier handling but open the way to serious
bruising and lacerations by fingers and fingernails wiT,h f i-uit as soft as
Mclntcsh is likely to be in late winter. Snao-on co-'erd or oanel ends facil-
itate handling.
4. Apples were in poorest condition in air-tight boxes. Ventilation
should be provided if apples are to be stored for several months.
-5-
5. Boxes with wood-frame ends and side rails stood up best under
normal stacking in storage. Diagonal pieces placed inside the box helped
a great deal. Side rails of fiber bulged more than wooden ones,
6. Where wood is used for support, vertical pieces should be cut
full length or there will be compression and slumping as in other boxes,
7. None of the boxos was as satisfactory as a wooden box for storage
purposes, although almost any of them could be used with careful provision to
offset their weaknesses. They cannot be handled like wooden boxes. No all-
cardboard or all-fiber box should be stacked more than three or four high
without a staging of some kind to carry an increased load. They must be ven-
tilated if they are to stay in storage long. Ventilation is probably some-
what less important at 32° F. than at a higher temperature. Also, boxes are
likely to soften and settle faster at higher temperatures. (Report prepared
June 3, 1943).
— L. Southvz-ick and A. C. Ballard
DO BEES INJURE RIPE FRUIT?
A recent letter vras received relating to the injury of fruit by bees.
The inquirer stated that last year she lost bushels of grapes due to the bees
piercing the fruits and then leaving them to decay.
In 1886, McLain demonstrated that honeybees are incapable of injuring
sound fruit. He placed a colony of starving bees in a cheesecloth tent. In
the same tent a considerable quantity of ripe grapes were placed. The bees
starved to death and did not injure the grapes, thus demonstrating their lack
of ability to puncture the fruits from v;hich they could have obtained food.
Honeybees will visit grapes, plums, and other sweet fruits after these
have been injured by some other agency. Birds and yellow jackets are capable
of injuring fruit. Honeybees cannot penetrate the skin of a grape or a plum
due to the structure of their mandibjes,
— F. R. Shaw
C0I.1FETITI0N BETYJEEN GR.'^SS MP FRUIT TREES
It is rare for the trees in a newly plamted orchard in grass sod to
make good growth. They cannot compete successfully with grass for moisture
and fertilizer nutrients. Frodd R. Trark of Sterling has a young orchard of
one-year whips, mostly Mcintosh set in the spring of 1942, tho.t has made good
grow-th in grass scd. The increase in trunk diameter during tlie fruit season
was from to 14 millimeters, the majority inci easing 6 to 11 millimeters.
Most newly planted trees increase about 3 tc G T.ill .mBters . The soil in the
Trask orchard is rather moist for fruit troos. It v;;.:: fonnei-xy used for
truck crops and therefore must have been \iq11 fertilized. 11 yq^mg trees
are to compete with grass, there must be an ample supply of watfer and plant
nutrients. Under most conditions, young trees should be cultivated or
mulched. — J. K. Shav;
-6-
THB PACKED LUNCH FOR THE FAHtER'S HELPER
Boys and girls who work hard in the fields and barns all day need
good nourishing food. If they are to get each day the foods necessary for
good health and energy, the noon neal must provide one-third of the day's
requirements. Each lunch should contain: (1) Milk. (2) Meat or a meat
alternate such as cheese, eggs, fish, dried beans or peanut butter.
(5) Vegetables and Fruits - one serving of vegetable and one of fruit, or
tiA^o servings of vegetable. (4) Whole wheat or .nriched bread, with butter
or fortified margarine. (5) Something sv/eet.
Milk may be taken as a drink or used in cocoa or milk soup, if a
thermos bottle is available.
The Meat or Meat Alternate is usually most conveniently put into a
sandwich; the devilled eg'g^ slices of meat or meat loaf, cheese, or a piece
of chicken may be wrapped in waxed paper and carried that way.
Vegetables and Fruits (one should be raw). Suggested are:
Vegetable sticks - carrot, turnip, green pepper, or cucumber. Shredded or
chopped in sandwiches. Tomato or celery v/hole, and leaves of lettuce v/rapped
in vreixed paper. Cooked carried in a jar - tomatoes, green beans, peas,
asparagus. A piece of fresh fruit - any kind available; prunes and apricots
stewed; a haiidful of raisins or a few figs uncooked; stewed fruits of all
kinds; jellied fruits - use juice to replace part of water.
Bread may be bakery or homemade. It may be varied with raisins,
prunes, peanut butter or other additions. At least half the bread should
be from whole grain and all white bread should be enriched.
Simple desserts are best and must necessarily bo used now, vrith sugar
and fat rationed. In addition to fruits mentioned above, some suggestions
are: custard, simple puddings (bread, tapioca, fruit); fruit and spice cake;
gingerbread; sinplo cookies. Frosted cakes and pies will not often be avail-
able, which is just as well.
Sandwiches must provide the basis of most packed lunches. Have variety - dark
as vrell as white, hearty as well as sweet. Keep the bread thin and the fill-
ing thick and moist. Some suggestions for fillings are:
1. Vegetables. Uncooked - tomato (sliced), carrot (ground or grated),
spinach (shredded or chopped), cabbage (shredded), lettuce, parsley,
watercress, and green peppers, v;ith or v;ithout dressing.
2. Dried fruit - grind together l/2 cup raw raisins, l/2 cup raw apricots,
1 cup cooked prunes, 1/2 cup prune juice and 1 tablespoon lemon juice,
and let stand over night. This will keep for a week in a cool place,
3. Apple - grinfi rav; apple in skin and mix with equal parts of cooked,
dried prunes and raw raisins ground.
4. Meat (sliced, cliopped or ground) with or without dressing, A little
chopped pickle or green pepper may be added to the dressing.
-7-
5. Fish, fresh or canned, mashed and laixed with salad dressing. Use
with lettuce, cucumber sliced or chopped, chopped cabbage or spinach.
6. Liver spread - 1 cup ground cooked liver, moistened with salad dressing.
To this may be added 2 teaspoons grated onion, 2 teaspoons finely cut
chives, 2 tablespoons minced parsley, or 1 tablespoon chopped pickle,
7. Egg, hard-cooked or scrtimbled, with salad dressing. Chopped celery,
lettuce, spinach, cabbage, or crisp chopped bacon may bo added.
8. Cheese, (a) American - grate and mix with s alad dressing, (b) Cottage
or cream - with chopped dried fruit, nuts, olives, marmalade, jam,
jelly, preserved ginger, or grated raw apple,
9. Peanut butter (softened with salad oil, milk, cream, or salad dressing)
with grated carrot, chopped raisins or prunes, or sliced raw apple,
10. Parsley or chive butter. Cream butter or reinforced margarine, add
equal parts finely chopped parsley or chives.
11. If bread is well flavored or moist, a very delicious sandvfich is made
with only butter or reinforced margarine. This is particularly true
of some of the quick breads to v;hich fruit and nuts have been added,
— May S. Foley
ADDITIONAL NITROGEN RELEASED TO INCREASE 1945 CROP YIELDS
Additional nitrogen fertilizer has been released by VjTB on 1943 crops.
The fertilizer is of two kinds: (1) A very limited quantity of nitrate of
soda (15 per cent nitrogen); (2) a relatively large supply of ammonium nitrate
(30 per cent nitrogen). There is no restriction on tlie use of this supply.
This will be sold by fertilizer dealers direct to farmers. Farmers
who can use this fertilizer should place their orders immediately with their
usual fertilizer dealer so that orders may be assembled in carload lots for
quick distribution.
Dealers' margins on this material will be very small, and little ex-
pense can be incurred by the dealer in canvassing farmers for their needs.
The material must be moved as rapidly as possible and it is hoped that it
can all be distributed in the month of June.
It may be used to advantage on vegetable and forage crops and pastures.
Hay lands from which the first crop is removed may bo treated immediately with
100 to 200 pounds of ammonium nitrate to increase the second crop. On pastures
it should increase the production of late season g rasscs.
Ralph V!. Donaldson of the Massachusetts State College sees in this
supply of fertilizer an opportunity for farmers in Massachusetts to substan-
tially increase their yields of ha;/ and pasture forage.
If you know of farmers in your tovm who can use nitrogen fertilizer
to advantage, urge them to place their orders immediately. Further informa-
tion concerning this may be secured f rom your local fertilizer dealers.
— S. R. Parker
HALF Airo HALF
A combination fungicide made up of half lime sulfur and half wettable
sulfur has been rather widely recommended and is being used by a number of
Massachusetts growers. The danger in using this combination is discussed in
a recent issue of the New York Y^eekly News Letter. We quote from this letter.
"In some years not favoring arsenical injury the injury with the lialf and
half sprays has been less than with summer strength (1-50) lime sulfur. A
grower who has used the mixture for two or three years mth little injury
may r efuse to believe that the half and half spray is dangerous until a
favorable season a rrives and he receives devastating evidence of how un-
reliable the formula actually is. Half and half has been recommended in
Canadian schedules for several years. Little injury was noted until 1942
when widespread serious spray burn was the result.
Ohio workers reported in 1930 that lime sulfur in combination with
lead arsenate released more free arsenic when diluted 1-80 than 1-60, and
1-60 more than 1-40. They reported this effect .was corrected by high-calcium
lime. In 1932 they found that, even with 8 pounds of lime, lime sulfur at
great dilution 'is not alvmys as safe as desired. ' Dutton reports that in
Michigan, lim^e sulfur at 1/4 to l/2 gallon per hundred with lead arsenate
produced immediate and serious burning which was worse with 1/4 than with
1/2 gallon. He found adding lime would usually check the immediate injury
'but v;as not always dependable.' He found the elemental sulfur in combina-
tion sprays had no part in the injury which was 'entirely the result of
extreme incompatibility of very weak lime sulfur with lead arsenate.' By
1940 the Ohio workers reported that flotation sulfur gave better control
of apple scab than the half and half mixture and that the addition of the
elemental sulfur added little to the fungicidal value of the half strength
lime sulfur alone. Later Ohio reports summarize data compiled over a number
of years and conclude half and half is both mora dangerous and less effective
than flotation sulfur paste."
WHERE WATER STANDS
The effects of submerging the roots of an apple tree are clearly shown
in some recent investigations in Ohio. One-year trees were placed in a
specially built chamber where environmental conditions r esembled days in
May and June in central Ohio. The trees were growing in soil in lO-gallon
butter tubs. Tests consisted of ms asuring photosynthesis (food manufacture),
transpiration (water vapor loss), and leaf growth shortly before and after
the roots were submerged.
In these tests photosjTithesis showed a downward trend the day after
the flooding began. Transpiration showed a definite dovmward trend a week
■9-
later. Both processes were almost stopped within three weeks. The rate of
increase in number and size of leaves on the shoots also v/as markedly inhibited.
On the basis of several of these tests it was concluded that under these con-
ditions leaf metabolism was injured from one day to two vreeks after start of
the flooding period. The length of time the trees could resist the effects
of excess water seemed to depend upon the variety, the initial vigor of the
trees, and the evaporating power of the surrounding air. Some trees could
be killed in a week, others would remain alive for tvro months. If, in some
cases, the water ware drained from the soil two weeks after the submersion
period started, the trees did not recover for two weeks or more. Some trees
never returned to their original status. In a number of Massachusetts orchards
the v;ater table v/as so high this spring as to make it impossible to get on the
land with a pov/er sprayer before blossoming time. It is easy to visualize the
handicap under which such trees are growing. They may survive and produce
some apples over a long period of -years. They cannot possibly produce max-
imum crops, however, v/here the soil is so poorly aerated even during the early
part of the gro\ving season. Large annual yields are associated with deep
rooting and good aeration of the soil.
A slogan for Victory Gardeners - "TOED »EM AND REAP."
HAITOLING AFFLBS FROM TREE TO TABLE
A vj-ell illustrated publication under this title (Circ. No. 659),
has recently been written by D. F. Fisher of the Bureau of Plant Industry.
It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C.
(price 15 cents). Following are the topics discussed:
The grower's responsibility. When to pick apples, Criteria of
maturity. When to pack apples. Factors affecting condition during storage.
Maturity at harvest. Storage temperature. Gas storage. Atmospheric humid-
ity. Storage with other products. Fungus diseases. Bruising and other
mechanical injuries. Physiological diseases. Effects of packaging. Pre-
packaging for the consumer. The shipper's responsibility. The dealer's
responsibility. The industry's responsibility.
We quote a few introductory statements in this Circular. "The condi-
tion of apples offered for sale by grocers and other retail vendors is some-
times disappointing to the purchaser. To the extent that the demand for
apples is influenced thereby it affects the market price of the fruit and
the returns to the grower. The factors of condition that are most important
are the stage of ripeness of the fruit and its freedom from decay, bruising,
and other injuries. Growers who invest a season's work in pruning, fertilizing,
spraying, and cultivating their orchards with all the care and expense neces-
sary to produce a clean crop of high-quality fruit cannot help being disturbed
by the poor condition of apples offered by retailers, which also constitutes
-10-
one of the greatest handicaps to success of organizations established by
the apple industry to advertise and otherwise promote the sale and use of
apples."
CUTTING HAY IN AH ORCHARD
In an attempt to furnish some timely and up to date information on
the question, "How essential is the cutting of hay in an orchard?" the ivriter
asked William G. Colby, Research Agronomist, a fev/ pointed questions, as
follo7/s: "If hay is cut and left lay, are moisture or mineral elements con-
served?" "Is the cutting of a heavy gro^vth of grass (2 to 3 tons per acre)
more beneficial than the cutting of a light grov/th (1 to 2 tons per acre)?
■*'Tffhich is influenced more, transpiration from the grass itself or evaporation
from the surface of the soil?" Dr. Colby replied as follows:
"The questions you raised in your memorandum of May 28 concerning the
desirability of cutting grass in orchards raises a number of questions which
unfortunately cannot be answered positively one way or the other. There are
a number of factors involved whose relative importance is largely a matter of
personal opinion. Nevertheless, I offer the following suggestions in the hope
that they may be of some value.
"In my previous report four years ago, I suggested that cutting grasses
after they have reached full maturity results in much reduced aftermath or
rowen grovrth. In the case of bluegrass and orchard grass, this stage will
be reached within a week or two. Some of the hay grass like timothy and red-
top will require another three or four weeks. Cutting late may result in
lower total dry matter yields for the v/hole season and ;7ill thereby reduce
both the mineral and moisture requirements. In reply to your question as to
whether or not moisture or mineral elements are conserved v/hen a heavy crop
of grass is cut and permitted to remain, I would like to say that in the case
of minerals, tliey are conserved so far as the grass sod is concerned, but it
is unlikely that this organic material vn.ll decompose and thereby release
these mineral elements in such form.s as they might be available to the trees.
The grass sod would undoubtedly take them up again.
"With respect to moisture, it is probable that transpiration from the
grass itself will be more affected than evaporation from the surface of the
soil since any grass cover which produces two or three tons of hay to the acre
will have such a dense sod that little bare ground is exposed whether the grass
is cut or not. With a light vegetative cover (one to two tons per acre) it is
probable that cutting would have a temporary effect at least in reducing evap-
oration from bare ground surface. It would be my guess that transpiration
from the grass itself v;ould be considerably reduced with a heavy grass cover
if it was cut late and the hay allowed to remain. There are undoubtedly other
factors other than those I have named but v/hich lie more in the field of pom-
ology than in the field of agronomy. On the whole, I would be inclined to
favor cutting the grass in orchards if such xvore possible so far as time,
equipment and help are concerned. Cutting grass also tends to eliminate vreeds
and tends to favor sod forraing grasses over 'bunch' grasses.
WBMS WILL NOT WIN THE T/AR
.*i-&T>>?>^"^'^^^^''^
^d&i.
July 20, 1943
Prepared by the Fruit Prograjii Comiaittee
of the Extension Service
TiY. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Contents: lieditation on ¥/eeds
"The First Day on a Farn"
Do You Know?
Seen and Heard in the Field
Production in a 45-Year-Old Apple Orchard
Unscrambling Variety Puzzles in the Nursery
Magnesiun Deficiency
Harvest Sprays and Dusts
Ilodified Recipes Y^ill Save Su^^ar
LED IT AT ION Oil TOEDS (A Borrowed Editorial)
It is estimated that there are more than 25,000,000 Victory Gardens
in the United States worthy of the name. Doubtless there are nearly as many
more which the official tabulators - a snooty race at best - consider it un-
dignified to count, though their owners would want to put in a good word for
then in the Shakespearean vein of "a poor thing, but mine ovm."
The figure is important, now that the season of thriving weeds has
arrived. It will explain a vast change v^fhich will be noticed in American char-
acter these coming months. Nothing converts one to philosophy like a lusty
crop of vdtch grass in the com or on eager host of pussley in the onion patch.
Bugs are a challenge to war. Weeds, developing their growth unobtrusive-
ly, call out the virtue in a nan. Over them he meditates upon the newer con-
. cepts of space and time. They inveigle him into botanical surmises, school
his temper, harden his will, stain his fingers, tutor him in the lore of a
backache, in'struct him in the art of hoeing, and send him to Hesiod for solace
when all is done. Pie is not ai.iazed to learn that there are more than 2,000,000
different kinds of plants. He can verify the figure himselfl How much calmer
we shall all be by Autumn!
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of Jiay 8 oiid June 30,
1914, Willard A. Munson, director, Llassachusetts State College, United States
Department of Agriculturo, and County Extension Services cooperating.
-2-
"THE FIRST DAY ON A FARM"
Massachusetts farmers are facing the biggest job of training new
workers they have ever had. Hundreds of people, inexperienced in farm work
are going on farms to assist in the planting, cultivating and harvesting of
crops and the care of livestock. In general, these people vj-ill be willing
but are completely inexpf3rienced. The results obtained from this inexperienced
help will depend a great deal upon the "breaking-in program"which farmers employ.
Greeting the New Farm Worker - There's a Vfrong Yfay and a Right Yfay
A schoolboy has decided to help with farm work, and has been assigned
or directed to go to a certain farm. He has just arrived by bus and finds
Fanner "A" in the barn wherethe following conversation takes place;
Farmer "A" - "Hello, Bub. V/hat do you want?"
Boy - "I was sent here by Mr. Green, the County Agent, to help you
•with your farm work."
Farmer "A" - "You look pretty puny to ne to be much good on this farm.
How old are you, anyvv-ay?"
Boy - "I an sixteen, sir. Vfiiile I'm not as tall as some of the
boys I think you will find I can take it. I have delivered
papers for the past two years and played on the scrub foot-
ball team."
Farmer "A" - "Vfell, you'll find farming isn't football. It's hard v;ork
from before daylight until after dark. ITe farraers have a
hard life and you'll soon find that out. Did you ever vrork
on a farm?"
Boy - "I have never worked on a farm before, sir, but I am certain
I can learn if you v/ill show me,"
Farmer "A" - "Vlell, take that fork and go down there and clean up that
cow stable. Let's get going."
Such an approach makes a boy or any other eager and enthusiastic but
inexperienced worker feel that the farm job is the hardest, most difficult to
learn, and will dampen enthusiasm, shatter morale and cause him to v^ork below
top effectiveness.
Let's see how the young farm worker might better be handled. (Boy
gets off from a bus and finds Farmer Bill Smith in the barn.)
Mr. Smith - "Good morning. Aren't you John Brown, the young man Mr. Green
told us would come out to help v/ith the farm v/ork this summer?"
John - "Yes, sir, I am John."
--5-
Mr. S. - "Well, I »m Vfillieon Smith. They call me 'Bill.' Mind if I
call you 'Jack?'"
J. - "No, sir, that's wliat all my friends call ne."
Mr. S. - "Fine, I'm glad you are here to help us. Jack. Let' sit down
here and get acquainted and I'll tell you something about our
place. Have you ever worked on a fa:in. Jack?"
J. - "No, sir, but I have worked summers delivering groceries and I
carried a paper route. Then of course, I v>rorked around our yard
but it isn't farm work."
Mr. S. - "i.Tell, don't worry about that. Jack, I Icnow you are going to
like farm v;ork and I will shov/ you all about the jobs you will
have to do. Farming is mighty fine work. It is mostly outdoors
where we have plenty of fresh air and sunshine. By the vra^',
that's why lots of people play golf; to get plenty of fresh
air, sunshin." and exercise. Vfell, we have all three right here
on this farr.. You are vrorking with grovang plants and animals,
and ycu learn a lot that wrill be of real interest and help you
as long as j''Ou live. By the v/ay, my wife wants to meet you.
She told me to bring you up to the house when you cane. Boy,
is sh*; a good cook! She puts out lots of good food and plenty
of it."
They go into the house where ivir. Smith introduces
Jack to his wife who carries on a pleasant conver-
sation with him, telling him she is glad that lie
has come to help them,
Mr. S. - "lYell, Jack, let's go out to the barn now. Just as you were
coming I was about ready to start cleaning out the coy; stable.
That isn't the most interesting work we do around here but it
is a job that has to be done every day. You see, on this farm
we produce milk, and babies in the cities drink this milk. The
milk has to be clean and sv/eet and wholesome, V/e can't produce
good cleann milk in a dirty cov; stable so we try to keep our
stable and our cows nice and clean all the time. Do you vj-ant
to take that fork over there and we v/ill clean this up and when
we get done we v/ill do something else,"
This conversation continues vath the main object of getting acquainted.
Jack is shovm his room. The importance of dressing safely is explained to him
so no loose tie or long unbutton^jd sleeve or any part of his clothing would be ^
likely to cause him to trip or be caught in a machine.
The first dayy on any new job is the most important for developing atti-
tude and morale. The new worker should be made to feel that his contribution is
important, that he is doing necessary v;ork, that he will not be expected to know
all the answers but he will be carefully shovm how to do each job. If he is not
accustomed to rath.^r vigorous work, he should be told not to go too fast or hard
unless he is able to do so without unusual tiring or fatigue. (Adapted from a
talk given at Baltimore, Maryland, February 12, 1943 by L. J. Fletcher, VJar
Activities Committee, American Society of Engineers.)
— Roy E. MOBer
T'^/^^AJ
That Mcintosh apples can become infected by scab during July only if
they remain wet continuously for 35 to 40 hours? During August a v;etting pero/od
of 40 to 60 hours is required for scab infection while 3 to 5 days of continu-
ous v/'etting are necessary in September, according to 0. C. Boyd. At the same
time young leaves may become infected in 6 to 8 hours while older leaves require
15 to 20 hours.
That per capita consvunption of food in peace time is somewhat more than
3 pounds a day while soldiers require &|- pounds? In a theater of war, a fight-
ing man eats tvro-thirds of his food out of tin cans.
That 83.8 million of the 127.5 million bushels of apples grovm in the
United States in 1942 were sold commercially as fresh apples? Other channels
of distribution accounting for the balance (expressed in millions of bushels)
are: Food distribution administration - purchases, fresh, 2.5; Cold packed, .5;
Canned, 11.8; Dried, 7.9; Other llfg., 9.; Farm household, 5.; Unharvested, 7.
That Barnstable County, Massachusetts ranks 52nd among the counties of
the United Stat§s in strawberry acreage and 17th in strawberry production? This
indicates that strawberry growers in the Falmouth area have a per acre yield of
approximately tRree times the average yield in the United States.
That several fruits, including cherries, plums, grapes, and currants,
will develop normal color in dense shade? The red coloring material in apples,
however, requires at least partial exposure to sunlight for its development.
That a valuable oil is nov; being extracted from the seeds of grapes?
Grape seeds contain 10 to 17 per cent oil on a moisture-free basis. The
900,000 tons of grapes normally used in making wine in California will yield
more than 3,000 tons of oil. The oil is semi-drying and may be used in paint.
That Yakima County, Yfashington is the loading apple producing county
in tho'. U. S.? The crop last season fron about one and a quarter million trees
amounted to more than 10,500,000 bushels.
That ;a silvery condition in apple leaves, commonly knovm as Silver Loaf,
is caused by a wood rotting fungus? Tho silvering is due apparently to a toxin
or poison produced in tho trunk or branch and carried upward into the leaves.
Extension Leaflet No* 26, "Cultural Practices in Bearing Apple Orchards,"
by J. K. Shaw, has been completely revised and brought up to date. It includes
the following sections; Ideals in Apple Growing, Plant Food Requirements,
Response to Cultural Methods and Fertilizers, Different Elements of Fertility,
Minor Elements, Vfater Supply, Types of Soil Management, and ViTar Emergency Prac-
tices. A copy may be obtained from your county agricultural agent.
-5-
SEEN Airo HEARD IN THE FIELD
Apple roots under a decaying mulch. It is difficult to imagine more
nearly ideal conditions for apple root development than those existing just
beneath a decaying mulch. Moisture supply, aeration, mineral elements (includ-
ing nitrogen in nitrate form), and the absence of competition from grass, com-
bine to favor growth and maintenance of the apple roots. This condition is
well illustrated in several Nashoba orchards where a mulch accumulated over
a long period of years is paying good dividends. It takes about three years
before the nutrient materials stored up in dry hay are again made available
for the tree. Decay is hastened by nitrate applications.
Ben Davis affects adjacent Mcintosh. A striking example of cross pol-
lination was recently observe'dT "at~a twilight meeting at Apple d'or Farm where
a block of Mcintosh trees adjoins a block of Den Davis. V/here the two varieties
are adjacent, the set of Mclritosh is exceedingly heavy, much more so than where
the Mcintosh trees are next to Baldwins. The old Ben Davis may not be much of
an apple to eat out of hand, but it ranks i.'ell with Delicious, Cortland, Astrachaa
and others as a pollenizer.
Fighting scab s uccessfully in a diff icult season. 17hen someone asks
the question, "Doesn't everyone have a lot of scab in Mcintosh trees this year?"
we can truthfully say that scab is almost completely under control in a number
of the larger commercial orchards. One such orchard has received no lime sul-
fur and needs none. The sprayer hus a capacity of 30-gallons per minute and
maintains a pressure of 600 pounds with two 8-no2zle "brooms" in operation.
T/Yettable sulfur has been supplemented by sulfur dust. The foliage looks un-
usually well. Of course, not all Mcintosh growers can justify so large a
sprayer. Neither can thoy afford both a sprayer and v. duster. Lacking these
highly desirable pieces of equipment, a grower must of necessity take more
time in spraying each tree. Faulty coverage is probably responsible for at
least nine-tenths of our scabby foliage and fruit.
A -V/ould-be strawberry grower. An individual vo-iting to the State Col-
lege for information on strawberries said, "Last year I placed a handful of fer-
tolizer in each hole where I set my strawberry plants, and the plants failed
completely. This year I'm going to try lime," (An example of "spoon feeding"
at its \vorst, - all too common among amateurs. It illustrates the difference
between building up soil fertility in advance, and handing out generous gobs
of this and that for immediate consumption.)
Biennial Mcintosh . One Sterling Mcintosh orchard has alternated for
the past four or five years botareon very heavy and very light crops. Terminal
growth is loss than normal. The trees look relatively thin, and the cov-^r crop
id lacking in vigor. All signs point to a nitrogen shortage. The soil is funda-
mentally good but needs a thorough overhauling. If, through soil improvement, a
hay crop of tv/o tons or more per acre is produced, t]ie trees should then make
the kind of growth which accompanies annual bearing.
Young apple trees shov/ brovm leav es. In one end of a South Amherst
orchard of 2-year-old apple trees, the leaves show severe brovming. It isn't
spray injury because they haven't been sprayed, and it isn't at all typical of
■6-
nagnesiun deficiency. The soil is strongly acid and lacking in organic matter.
Leaf analyses show very littlo potash. An old orchard was removed before the
present trees were set. The young trees will undoubtedly respond to a program
of soil improvement including an application of dolomitic limestone and a com-
plete fertilizer. Other possibilities are stable manure and heavy mulching.
Or as one individual remarked, "Jack up the trees and put some soil under them."
Strawberry crown girdlers invade a house . At a recent twilight meet-
ing a grower referred to a particular "beetle which he had found in considerable
numbers in his house. He had no difficulty in capturing half a dozen which
he mailpd to the State College for identification. They proved to be the Straw-
berry Crown Girdler, which has a habit of seeking shelter in houses.
A good ide a, except - At another meeting a grower said that he had seen
many curculio beetles feeding on dock leaves in his orchard and wondered if this
pest might be poisoned there instead of in the trees. There seems to be only
one thing wrong v;ith the idea. The insect in question is definitely not cur-
culio.
Apple maggot and cold storage, V^e hesitate to waste the time of readers
of Fruit Notes with this one, but it provoked some discussion at a twilight meet-
ing. It was offored by the ovmer of an orchard whose standards in pest control
may be judged by the fact that his first spray for scab was applied after bloom.
He claims to prevent apple maggot dtoaage in vdnter apples by placing them prompt-
ly in cold storage. The truth of the matter is that most of the maggots fail to
survive very long anyvmy in a hard apple and even though they are destroyed
within a few days or a month at most by cold storage temperatures the apple
still bears the telltale tunnels, and from a grading standpoint is "railroady"
or maggot infested. The storage idea is not nev;. In fact, it has been care-
fully investigated to determine the effect of sold storage on this unwelcome
summer visitor. (\7e shall continue to recommend poisoning the fly instead of
freezing the maggot.)
PRODUCTION IN A 45- YEAR-OLD APPLE ORCHARD
A row of eleven 45-year-old Mcintosh apple trees in a State College
orchard has been cut down, , not because the trees were no longer producing profit-
able crops but because they were expensive to maintain, the fruit was somev/hat
inferior in color ond the land was needed for a new planting more suitable for
modern research work. The crop in 1942 was the second largest in the life of
the orchard.
Records of the yield of these Mcintosh trees from 1920 to 1942 inclusive,
have been kept. The average annual yield of the 11 trees from the 22nd to the
45th year v/as 25.4 bushels per tree or 686 bushels per acre of 27 trees. The
prize tree produced 88 bushels in 1939 and averaged 38 bushels per year or
1064 bushels per acre for the 23 years j the lowest yield from a permanent treo
was 23 bushels, or 621 bushels per aero. Tv/o of the 11 trees were replaced dur-
-7-
ing the 43 years and one weakened and died shortly before the row was removed.
Omitting these three trees the average annual yield was 30 bushels per tree, or
810 bushels per acre.
Yields of four additional varieties for a period of 14 years, 1923-
1936 inclusive, are available. The average annual yields of all five varieties
for this period were R. I. Greening, 16 bushels; YIealthy, 13 bushels; Ben Davis,
15 bushels; Baldwin, 10 bushels; and Mcintosh, 22 bushels. This shows one
reason why Mcintosh is preferred by our growers; it yields more, largely be-
cause it is an annual bearer. Wealthy and Ben Davis could well be planted more
than 27 trees per acre so they should be regarded as better producers than the
above figures indicate, ^ y. o^aw
UNSCRAMBLING VARIETY PUZZLES IH TIIE NURSERY
The 23rd annual examination of nurseries for trueness-to-name began on
July 12, and it will require about a month for three men to complete the vrork.
It is some job to I'^arn and remember the varietal characteristics of the many
varieties of apples, pears, plums, cherries, and peaches that will be examined.
We propagate many varieties in our own nursery where they can be studied at
various stages of development. There are now in our nursery varieties of var- .
ious tree fruits as follows: apples, 61; pears, 47; plums, 59; cherries, 36;
peaches, 53, ornamental crab apples, 31. Total 287 varieties. They include
many varieties that are new or little known and which may appear in nurseries
either as new introductions or substituted for other varieties. The numbers
given above do not include "strains" or bud sports of apple varieties such as
Starking, Red Spy, and about 20 possible sports of Mcintosh. Many varieties
are represented by both one-year and two-year trees. V.'e have 25 clonal stocks
of apples, several of which are used for the apple varieties. There is a
total of nearly 1000 distinct lots of trees in our nursery. Is it any wonder
that nurserymen sometimes make mistakes?
A bulletin describing and illustrating nearly 100 varieties of apples
is in press; one showing 42 varieties of cherries has just been published, and
others dealing with pears and plums are in preparation.
--J. K. Shaw
MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY
The season is at hand when magnesium deficiency may show up in apple
orchards. The typical symptoms are relatively easy to see although other causes
may manifest symptoms which are quite similar. So one should not bo too hasty
in assuming that a shortage of magnesium is necessarily the cause of a suspicious
orchard trouble that merely "looks something like" the symptoms described for
magnesium deficiency.
In late July or early August, apparently healthy trees will suddenly
show leaf scorch in the form of irregular brown blotches. These blotched sec-
tions along the leaf edge or more likely on the blade itself are dead areas
and naturally interfere with normal leaf functions. The older leaves n^mr the
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bases of the present year's shoot growths are affected first, but soon leaves
farther up the shoots may show the trouble. Affected leaves often drop off,
and branches which appeared normal in June and early July may lose all their
loaves by mid-September except for a few close to the tips of the shoots. Some-
times, hov/ever, the scorched leaves seem to cling tenaciously, especially on
older trees, and more often with some varieties than others, spur leaves are
likely to scorch severely without dropping. Yellow banding aoid mottling of
leaves are symptoms of the deficiency with some varieties, but not so much with
our main varieties, Mcintosh, Baldwin and Dolicious. Magnesii^m deficiency not
only seems to increase preharvest fruit drop but "hormone" harvest sprays are
much less effective on such trees.
As reported before, magnesium deficiency is usually associated with
acid soils although this is not necessarily the case. Also, heavy use of
potash has seemed to increase the trouble. Suggested control measures include
the application of adequate amounts of high magnesium limestone worked into
the soil if possible, plus the supplemeiitary use of magnesium sulfate (Epsom
salts) or some other soluble magnesium compound. Hov/ever, this deficiency has
been somewhat difficult to correct in England ajid Canada where it has been
recognized for a number of years. It yields less readily and less quickly
to treatments than deficiencies of nitrogen, potassium, or boron, for example.
For some reason, affected trees are slow to take up added magnesium. It is
important, therefore, that growers determine as soon as possible if their
trees are affected with this deficiency so that control measures can be started.
Experiments are under way at Massachusetts Experiment Station and else-
where to determine the effectiveness of various treatments.
— Lawrence Southwick
HARVEST SPRAYS AND DUSTS
In 1942, spray and dust applications to control prteharvest drop vrere
compared in the Experiment Station orchards at Amherst on Duchess, Vfealthy, and
Mcintosh. Applications on mature Mcintosh consisted of about 30 gallons of
spray and 3 pounds of dust, and on Wealthy and Duchess similar liberal appli-
cations according to tree size. The following selected data give a good pic-
ture of the results in general. Spray concentrations are 10 parts per million
(p. p.m.) unless otherwise noted. (The numbers indicate commercial brands of
sprays and dusts.)
Variety
Duchess
Yfealthy
Treatment
Date of
Application
check
_
dust (#4)
spray (^1)
Aug. 5
check
_
dust (#2)
spray (fl)
spray (#2)
spray (20 p
apray (40 p
•P
•P
.m
.m.
)
)
Aug. 21
It 11
11 11
11 11
It It
End of Test
Percent
Period
Drop
Aug. 14
54
Aug. 14
29
II 11
7
Sept. 5
22
11 II
22
n II
21
It «i
12
11 ti
8
ti ti
4
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(Continued)
Date of
Variety
Treatment
Application
Mcintosh
check
~
dust iifl)
Sept. 8
dust (#2)
II II
spray (#2)
It M
dust (#2)
Sept. 8 & Sept
spray (^^1)
Sept. 8
dust (#1)
Sept. 8 & Sept
spray (#1) (20p.p.m. )
Sept. 8
spray (-^^l)
Sept. 8 & Sept
11
12
12
End of Test
Percent
Period
Drop
Sept. 19
26
26
18
16
14
10
8
7
5
Tentative conclusions;
1. On Duchess and Vfealthy, dusts v/ore less effective than sprays.
2. On Mcintosh, results vath dusts were somewhat more favorable than on
Duchess and IToalthy.
3. Two successive applications of dusts or sprays resulted in better control
of preharvost drop than single applications.
4. Increasing the concentration of the active chemical in sprays gave better
results on Wealthy*
It is suggested that grov/ers in this state do not dilute conmiercial
drop-control materials belov; standard strength. In general, spraying may be
expected to be more reliable than dusting. Both sprays and dusts should be
applied during hot weather if possible. Spraying in the middle of the day is
usually best while dusting in the early morning when foliage is wet v/ith dev;
may be advantageous.
—Lawrence Southwick
MODIFIED RECIPES OF OLD TIME IMT ENGLilND PRODUCTS V^LL SAVE. SUGAR
> ' ■ ■ • ' '
Many New England farm families having available cull apples, a cider
press and some means of evaporating the cider such as a maple sugar pan, can
make themselves all the sweet syi'up or sweet apple sauce they can use this winter.
Apple cider when it is freshly made fi:*om sound apples contains between
10 and 135= fruit sugars, and about one half of one percent of fruit acid. Jf
six quarts of cider are concentrated by boiling to one quart, a s^/rup will re-
sult which contains about 60)o sugar and about 3;^ acid. This amount of acid ia
too much for most people's taste and it masks the natural sv;eetness of the syrup.
The acid can be eliminated very simply by adding l/2 level teaspoonful of balcing
soda per quart of fresh cider. After the soda is added and the foaming subsides,
the cider should be boiled down to a syrup v;hich should be filtered through
cheese cloth, heated to boiling, and filled into pint jars or bottles which
are sealed and processed in a boiling v/ater bath for 15 minutes.
■ 10-
For the production of apple syrup in any quantity it is suggested
that a maple syrup pan or evaporator be used. Care is necessary not to cara-
melize the juice. About l/3 to l/2 ounce of baking soda per gallon of fresh
cider is required to partially neutralize the acid. The syrup is ideal for
pan cakes, v^affles or for any use for which maple syrup or corn syrup is com-
monly used. If held through the winter it can be used for canning acid fruits
and berries next season. Following are a few suggested recipes:
Sweet Hew Eng l and Boiled Cider Apple Sauce . Take 1-^ pounds of firm,
medium tart, solid apples; peel, halve, remove cores and cut each half .
in quarter slices. Cook these slices slowly in 1 cup of the above syrup
for 10 minutes in a sauce pan with lid on. Pack the apples in pint jars
and cover v/ith the syrup they have been cooked in. Seal and process in
boiling v/ater bath for 15 minutes.
New England Apple Butter (without added cane sugar). Take 12 pounds of
solid, tart apples (Baldwins, Spys, etc.). ViTash apples, cut out calyxes,
halve, remove seeds and cut into thin slices. Cook in large kettle with
one gallon of sweet (unconcentrated) cider. V.Tien thoroughly soft, put
through colander or sieve. Return pulp to pan and concentrate by boiling
until quite thick. (Use care or it will burn.) Vihcn thick add 1 quart
of sweet cider syrup and 1 tablespoonful of cinnamon and -^ tablespoonful
of cloves. Continue cooking with constant stirring until the boiling
material v/ill heap up well on the spoon and flov; from the spoon in
sheets. Pour the hot butter into clean., dry jars, and seal and process
in a boiling v;ater bath for 15 minute s^
Please note the follovdng:
1. Only freshly prepared sweet cider contains the sugar necessary in
the preparation of this syrup. Fermented or old cider v/ill not
make a sweet syrup.
2. Do not use benzoatcd or preserved cider. A bitter syrup will result
if preserved cider is concentrated.
3. The addition of too much soda will cause the cider to turn very dark.
If this darkness is caused by soda alone, the addition of more fresh
cider will brighten the syrup,
4. Be careful not to burn or caramelize the syrup. The finished syrup
should be a light red and hsive a sweet apple flavor v;ithout a pro-
nounced caramel taste.
5. Do not attempt to concentrate cider in a container vihich has an
• exposed iron surface. A black syrup v/ill result.
(if further information is desired, v/rite to the Department of Horti-
cultural Manufactures, Massachusetts State College, Amherst, Mass.)
— F. P. Griffiths and J. J. Powers
Inexperienced apple pickers need careful training. Some suggestions will
be offered in August FRUIT NOTES.
September 8, 1943
Prepared by the Fruit Program Committee
of the Extension Service
W. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Co ntents
Some Suggestions for Handling Inexperienced Apple Pickers
Nursery Inspection - 1943
Do You Know?
"Hormone'' Spraying and Duisting for Lessening Preharvsst Drop
Magnesium Deficiency
Outbreak of Spotted Tentiform Leafrainer
Present Status of Apple Leaf -curling iiidge
Orchard Spraying Experiments Nov; Under ITay in Axaiaerst and Vfelthara
Sidelights on tiie 1942 Harvest
SOjvIE SUGGESTIONS FOR liAIJDLING IIJEXPERIEITCED APPLE PICKERS
At least 2,000 apple pickers will be needed in the IJashoba area this
season, in addition to those to be recruited locally, At least a third of these
individuals will be picking apples for the first time. It will therefore be
highly desirable tiat time be taken at the start to instruct these new workers
in the easiest and best way of removing apples from a tree. Let's not assume
that the newcomer knows just how vre want the apples handled.
In the rush of getting the apple crop picked in a few days, many grow-
ers are in so much of a hurry that they give the new picker a basket and ladder,
and tell hLm to "go to it." IVhere apple pickers are paid by tho bushel, there
is a strong urge to got off just as many bushels as possible in a day without
Issued by the Extension S'.rvice in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and, June 30,
1914, V/illard A. Munson, director, Massachusetts State College, United States
Department of Agriculture, and Goimty Extension Services cooperating.
-2-
too much regard for bruises or pulled stems. It may be a good idea to pay a
liberal hourly wage the first day, and then go on a bushel basis the second
day. If at all possible, an experienced picker should supervise the work of
not noro than 8 or 10 inexperienced pickers. To send out a group of high
school boys without previous instruction or adequate supervision is one of
the easiest ways to reduce the value of the crop. No factory superintondent
would think of breaking in a nev; worker that way.
First of all, a new picker should be shovm how to separate an apple
from the spur, v/ith the stem intact. The stem will separate easily from the
spur if the apple is tilted upward instead of being pulled off. And instead
of pressing the fingertips into the cheek of the apple and giving it a pull,
it is an easy matter to cup the apple in the pain of the hand and break it
off with a lifting motion. Not more than tvvo apples at the most should be held
in the hand at one time, and then only if they can be held without touching
each other. The apple is then laid into the basket or pail and not dropped
into it. Speed in picking does not require pulling apples from the tree nor
dropping them into the container. Some of the fastest pickers harvest fruit
which shows the least bruises.
Then, such simple matters as picking apples from the lower part of the
tree first should be stressed. All apples v/ithin reach of the ground should be
picked before placing the ladder. This prevents bruising from the ladder it-
self or through dropping apples from higher branches. In placing a ladder,
caution the new picker about setting it evenly on the ground and always against
a stout branch, and not at too great a slant. Even though the picker is not
too concerned about taking a tumble, explain to him that ladders cost money
and are not easily obtained. Also, advise against trying to pick from the
ladder, apples which are almost out of reach. Reset the ladder, if for only
a dozen apples.
Patience, tact, diplomacy, and occasionally firmness will be needed
with those new pickers. Pay them well and at the some tine help them to help
themselves in doing an important job.
NURSERY INSPECTION - 1943
For the 23rd consecutive year, men from the Massachusetts State College
have completed the examination for trueness-to-name of nursery fruit stock in
the Northeastern part of the country. This year 18 nurseries located from New
England to Michigan and Virginia v;ere examined and misnamed trees correctly
named or cut down. The report on a rather large nursery of an examination for
the first time reminds one of the old days when we really found misnaraed trees.
Repeated visits al^vays greatly reduce the number of mixtures, and smaller nur-
series may be found completely free of misnamed trees. In some nurseries all
salable stock was examined and in some only certain fruits were gone over.
Peaches are in a class by themselves. Unlike other tree fruits, certain var-
ieties are so much alike in the nursery row that they can ba identified only
with difficulty or not at all. Nevertheless, many misnamed trees are detected.
A list of the nurseries examined may be obtained on request from the Department
of Pomology, Massachusetts State College, Amherst, Massachusetts.
J. K. Shaw
NOTE: The Fruit Notes mailing list is in the process of being revised. If l'^ou have
received a letter (on pink paper) regarding the revision and desire to con-
tinue receiving this publication, be sure it is properly filled out and
returned to the Mailing Room,
c=J_)iy ^o-u- /\ n^^ :
J
That the principal subsistence of the United States comes fron about
30 crops? All told, our farmers grow about 300 different crops. Tliis is about
the average of temperate zone nations. China, on the other hand, produces and
harvests about 6^000 different plants of nutritional value, which is one reason
v;hy that country has been able to survive the Japanese onslaught.
That allowing pears to remain on the tree until sufficiently mature
reduces the astringent properties, tendency to wilt in storage, and on suscept-
ible varieties, scald in storage? Leaving the fruit on the tree too long
causes deterioration in quality and may cause trouble in storage or transit
such as core breakdown and too rapid softening, f'ruit rots are generally more
prevalent in pears that are harvested and packed when too mature.
That the term "Horticulture" originally referr«d to the grov;ing of
crops within walls as distinguished from the growing of crops in open fields?
Today the term relates to the cultivation of gardens or orchards, including the
growing of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and ornamental shrubs and trees. There
is no hard and fast line of distinction between horticulture and agriculture
although the wheat or corn farmer is strictly an agriculturist, while tha grow-
er of any of the specialty crops, vjhether for food or ornamentation, may be
considered as a horticulturist,
That mid-day seems to be the ideal time for applying hormone sprays?
Preharvest sprays containing napthalene acetic acid used on V/illiams, Delicious,
and Stayman Vfinesap apples v;ere more effective v/hen applied at certain concen-
trations at mid-day than at mid-morning, according to L. P. Batjer of the
Bureau of Plant Industry, Beltsville, Maryland. He found that early morning
sprays required nearly an hour to dry compared with a half hour at noon, but
that apparently absorption was much more rapid at the higher temperatures.
75° F. may represent the critical point above which the temperature may not
be an important factor.
That no less than 7 different brands of materials intended for prevent-
ing preharvest drop of apples are advertised in one of the fruit magaisines? All
of these materials contain the same essential ingredients and all may be expocted
to produce similar results if properly applied. None of them may be relied upon
to give good results if haphazardly applied.
That borax applications on apple trees susceptible to internal cork
tend to reduce the preharvest drop of fruit as well as the drop through harvest,
aa compared to trees not receiving borax? An application on trees previously
free from internal cork, has no apparent effect on the dropping tendency, ac-
cording to experiments performed at Ithaca, New York.
That about Z^ million pounds of applq syrup were m^de in 1942? This
year it is hoped that at least 15 million pounds will be produced for the pur-
-4-
pose of replacing glycerine used in processing tobacco. Tests at Michigan
State College demonstrate the practicability of using dairy equipment in con-
densing .apple juice. The dairy industry is becoming interested in apple syrup
because this material can be substituted for sugar in the manufacture of ice
creams and sherbets. One gallon of apple juice or cider can be condensed to
1 1/3 pounds of apple syrup.
That methods for extracting and preserving the juices of small fruits
for beverage purposes have been developed at the New York State Experiment Sta-
tion at Geneva? Strawberries, raspberries, dev;berries, blackberries and elder-
berries have been used in the studies and satisfactory products obtained, par-
ticularly v.'here tlie different juices have been blended with apple juice.
Because the small fruits generally come on v;ith a rush, making it difficult
to handle the fresh fruits to best advantage, the possibilities of extracting
juice from frozen fruits have been explored. With attention to certain details,
frozen small fruits have proved to be an even more satisfactory source of juice
than the fresh fruits.
That water core is likely to be more prevalent in the fruit of trees
bearing a light crop? An examination of the fruit of 7 Duchess troeo at Urbana,
111. by T/T. A. Ruth has revealed these facts: (1) On all the trees, v/ell colored
apples and those v;ith red tinted flesh tended to show more v/ater core. (2)
There was no correlation betv/een size of fruit and water core. (3) Apparently
a high leaf-apple ratio favored the development of water core but various other
factors were also involved.
That softv/ood cuttings of beach plums taken in mid-June liave been
rooted successfully when treated with a root inducing substance? V;. L. Doran
and J. S. Bailey, using a rooting medium consisting of a mixture of 2 parts
of sand to 1 part of peat moss, obtained 67% rooting on 4-inch cuttings of
short new shoots or laterals treated v/ith indolebutyric acid. The basal ends
were emersed for 4 hours prior to planting, and rooting v/as obtained in 25 days.
That the utilization of commercial fertilizers in Nev/ England last
year amounted to about A% of the total used in the United States? New England
consumption amounted to 390,327 tons while that in the United States amounted
to 10,005,238 tons. Massachusetts used 81,876 tons, or a little more than
half as much as Maine where 153,442 tons were used.
That the brilliant red color showing in the foliage of chokecherries
for several weeks is due to X-disease, an incurable ailment of peach trees?
Any grower planning to set peach trees next spring should first consider the
d&struction of all chokecherries within at least 200 yards.
That Hood River Valley fruit grov^ers are asking their employees to take
lOfo of their pay in v/ar bonds?
That each time a IS-inch gun is fired, 120 pounds of nitrogen goes back
into the air from which it originally came?
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"HOPJiOlffi" SPMYIHG Aim DUSTPIG FOR LESSEIIIIIG PREHAir/EST D ROP
ITith tlie Mcintosh harvest season near at hand, the follov/ing comnents
and suggestions concerning "ilormone" sprays and dusts may be of interest:
1. Sprays are probably somewhat nore reliable than dusts,
2, Apply spray on Mcintosh as soon as sound apples begin to drop. A second
application 4 or 5 days later should increase effectiveness and will probably
be Justified this year.
3. ViTith dusts, tvio applications are reconmended,
4, Spray, as nearly as possible, during the hottest part of the day. Ap-
plications are not very effective when the air" temperature is balov/ 70<-' F,
5. Apply dusts vrhen air is quiet, preferably when trees aro wet v;ith dev;
and during hot weather,
6, Use plenty of material. Thirty gallons of spray or three poimds of
dust are noni3 too much for mature Mcintosh trees. Thorough coverage is abso-
lutely essential,
~ 7. Use' spray materials at standard strength (10 parts per million). This
strength is usually recommended by the manufacturer. For increased assurance
of effectiveness, use 1^ to double the standard concentration, especio.lly when
only one application is to be made, Hov/ever, the standard concentration is
likely to be sufficient if the spray is applied thoroughly and under favorable
weather conditions, particularly as regards temperature,
3. Do not use lower than standard strength spray,
9, If Mcintosh trees shov/ severe symptoms of magnesium deficiency, drop-
control applications probably will not be effective,
10. Remember that after about 10-12 days following an application, the
"sticking" effect may be dissipated, resulting in heavy dropping. This is
especially true with Mcintosh and harvesting must be planned accordingly,
-— Lav/rence Southwick
IClG?IES rjM DEFICIEIICY
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency are nov; prevalent in apple orchards.
Dead, brown areas on leaves, often accompanied by yellowing, are tj'pical of
the trouble. Growers who feel certain that this trouble is present at all
in their orchards are asked to drop a card to the undersigned at Mass, State
College, Vfe are endeavoring to get an estimate of the prevalence of magnesiijm
deficiency in this state,
La;;rence Southwick
OUTBREAK OF SPOTTED TEITTIFORM LEAFMINER
A general infestation of the Spotted Tentiform Leafminer has broken
out in eastern Massachusetts orchards, principally in Middlesex County. Al-
though all available reports on this insect state that "it has not been re-
corded as doing serious injury," the foliage in several orchards in this area
is already definitely damaged. Many leaves have 10 or more mines in them and
there is some yellowing and defoliation. The mines are about •§■ inch long and
^ inch vdde, being pulled together in a fold or "tent" on the umderside of
the leaf.
.6_
The insect is named from the spotted appearance of the mine on the
upper surface of the leaf v/here the chlorophyll is eaten in spots rather than
completely. A similar leaf miner eats out the chlorophyll in the mines com-
pletely and is called the Unspotted Tentiform Leafminer.
The life history and seasonal history is very sketchily reported and
apparently they have not been completely studied. References state that the
moths emerge in the spring and the larvae pupate; in September, spending the
v;-inter in the mines in fallen leaves, all of which indicates one generation
annually. However, the iiife stations r eoeiitly observed definitely show 2, and
perhaps 3 generations this year.
On August 11 to 13, moths were emerging and laying eggs for a genera-
ti')n T.'hich will develop in September and October. These moths "flew up" in
clouds from the heavily infested trees resembling a bad infestation of leaf-
hoppors in September,
It is evident that the usual sprays of lead arsenate and sulfur have
little effect on these leafminors since v;ell-sprayed leaves were badly in-
fested, nicotine sulfate and probably other ovicidal sprays should be ef-
fective but they must be timed carefully and applied thoroughly. Theoret-
ically, 7 to 10 days after the moths emerge, at virhich time the larvae are
hatching and starting their mines, v^ill be the most effective time to spray.
Preliminary trials with nicotine sulfate and v/ith DIT-111 did not kill full
grovni larvae and pupae in the mines.
- — W. D. V/hitoomb
PRESENT STATUS OF APPLE LE.'iF-CURLIN G IIIDGE
The Apple Leaf-Curling Ilidge is now generally spread throughout eastern
Massachusetts orchards. ITo practical control of this pest in commercial or-
chards by spraying has been discovered due principally to the necessity for
spraying the unfolding buds eacli 3 or 4 days during the egg laying period of
the midge flies and to the migration of flies from tree to tree and orchard
to orchard.
Operations which v/ill reduce the abiindance of the insect and delay
its establishment in nev/ly infested orchards are:
1. Spraying vrith oil emulsion or DN on the trunk and larger branches,
especially within loose bark, cavities and crotches at dormant or delayed
dormant application.
2. Broadcasting naphthalene flakes at rate of 2 pounds per 100 square
feet under infested trees about blossom time.
0. Cultivating under the trees about blossom time,
4. Using nicotine sulfate in the calyx and 1st cover applications.
5. Pulling and burning v/ater sprouts during July and August to kill the
second and third generation maggots.
6. Pland picking of infested leaves, especially on grafts and small trees.
\i. D. Vniitcomb
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CP.CILIRD SPIUYIIIG EI-^PIJRIIEIITS uOii UIIDER V^AY IIJ AIIIERST AIID VfALTIIAlvi
u
?if;^ardl<3ss of the nany changes v;hich have been i^orced upon us as a
r'ssult of the var effort, the battle against insect a?id disease pests con-
tinues uninterrupted. In fact, the study of new materials by the departnents
of Entx.ioloj^y, Botany, and Pomology has been intensified rather than di-
minished.
In order that fruit growers throughout the state nay be informed of
the nature if the experiments which are being conducted for their benefit,
boti at State College and V.'altham Field Station, we are listing them in this
issuo of "Fruit Notes,"
1. A study of proposed substitutes to replace or supplement present
standard materials and practices giving special attention to roplaceraont
•of :.'iat3rials subject to curtailment because of the war emergency. These
include some of the non-arsenical compounds such as fixed nicotine sprays
and nicotine-pyrethrum compounds. (Araiierst)
2. Tolerance tests on standard varieties of apples of early summer ap-
plicati^ns of DII sprays. The purpose of these tests is to determine the
reliitive safety to foliage of applications at different periods of the grow-
ing season and under different conditions of temperature and humidity such
as :?.ay be encountered in summer applications for the control of red mito.
(A.ri'irst and li^althan)
o. Compatibility of Fermate, with and without lime, in standard spray
c "iLibinctions . (.•'iml'ierst)
4. A study of materials vmich are being sold as bee repellents. The
purpose Tf these experiments are:
a. To determine the effect of a particular repellent, in combina-
tion \.'ith a standard orchard spray, upon blossoms and leaves of fruit trees.
b. To determine hc/r the repellent nay act and the duration of such
action.
c. To determine the efficiency of each material as a repellent to
bees. (,^herst)
5. The effect of measured gallonage as an indication of thorough cover-
age. This is a continuation of last year's experiment using Plum Curculio
as the test insect,
6. A comparison of Cryolite with load arsenate and the compatibility of
Cryolite with Fermate. (Vfaltham)
7. A study of the effect of a complete spray schedule using DU-lll and
Fermate vith lead arsenate added in the calyx and first cover sprays, (V/altham)
8. A study of the comparison of Fermate v/ith various standard wettable
sulfurs. This experiment with test plots in various orchards throughout the
state is associated with the l.'ortheastern Spray Conference Cooperative Project.
9. A study to determine the effect of the addition of lime to the standard
le^^d arsenate-wettable sulfur mixture upon the initial deposit and loss of
sulfur from weathering, (V/althan and Amherst)
10. A study of the comparative scab control and rate of loss from weather-
in;, of coarse and fine grades of wettable sulfur, (Vfeltham)
11. A study of the effect of different r ates of dilution of wettable sul-
fur and the fungicidal value of lead arsenate. (ITaltham and ;\mhorst)
-8-
12. A study to dot^'nnine the offcct of various wettablo suli\irs and liiuo
sulfur in burninr; out scab. (VJalthfon)
13. A study to detormino tho cause of fruit russotting and the tii'ie during
the spraying season when apples are susceptible to this typo of injury.
(VJaltham)
14. A study of substitutes for sulfur and lead arsenate in relation to
insoct and disease control and the prevention of fruit russet injury. (Yfalthan)
0. C. Roberts
^^i^^iil-^ 0^' TliB 1942 HARVEST
Last year when nany types and .ages of individuals picked apples, the
experiences of va rious growers are proving of great help in the 1943 harvest.
Several growers have remarked that some of their most valuable pickers were
husband and wife combinations. Together they finished the tree completely,,
tiie man placing the ladder and picking the upper branches while his vdfe
picked from the ground.
Part time workers also did a good job in many orchards. Ambitious
factory workers ^rho found it possible to put in throe or four hours picking
apples in a nearby orchard cane to the orchard with a definite purpose in
mind and made an excellent showing. In contrast certain people who spent 8
or 10 hours in the orchard picked less efficiently.
A disastrous experience with a group of high school boys under no super-
vision is \;orth mentioning. Experiences of this kind must be avoided this fall.
One grower said that he hired 25 high school boys who in his absence staged a
pitched battle with Fancy apples. The next day he "fired" all but one of the
26. Vifithout in any v;ay excusing the boys for their actions, the writer be-
lieves that the grower v/as as much at fault as the boys. At least his ability
as a tutor is subject to criticism. And perhaps he doesn't recall his ovm
•teen age shortcomings.
Another experience involved a group of junior high school youngsters
Vifho v/ere transported to an orchard under the m.istaken notion that anyone could
pick apples and were then told by the owner that he did not need them. To make
matters worse, they v/ere compelled to walk home, a distance of about three
mil-is. These youngsters are not interested in picking apples this fall. YJq
must build good v;ill not only among consumers but among proapective pickers.
Next year may be v/orse than this from the standpoint of getting efficient
apple pickers.
A fevj-firemen found their way into apple orchards last fall and did a
first class job. Being accustomed to climbing ladders, thoy v/ere right at
home picking the tops of trees. It is unfortunate that v/e haven't enough
firemen in Massachusetts to pick the entire crop.
One grower paid his pickers in part with apples, and v/ith good apples
at that. One paid a bonus to pickers v;ho stayed through the season. Still
another rev/arded his key men in a special v;ay during the picking season. Un-
able, because of duties other than picking, to cash in on the good wages
received for piece work, thoy gained through a substantial voluntary "raise,"
YIe pass these ideas along for what they are vrarth»
October 21, 1943
Prepared "by the Fruit Program Conimittee
of the Extension Service
I,
W. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Contents
The Mbuse Situation in Massachusetts Orchards
Strav:berries in the Falnouth Area
Do ifou Know?
The Time Factor in Fruit Growing
The Fruit Situation as Related to 1944 Food Production Goals
Ceiling Prices on Fresh Apples
THE MOUSE SITUATION IN IIASSACHUSBTTS ORCHARDS
Imagine setting 128 mousetraps on an orchard area of one acre, and
catching 64 mice the first night and 30 the nextl That was the experience
of workers in the Fish and Wildlife Service who conducted a recent survey-
in a Brimfield orchard. This orchard has a heavy grass cover, and at the
time of the survey in September, mouse signs v/ere very much in evidence.
Quoting from a letter written by Robert M. Borg, September 29,
"The mouse population in Massachusetts is high. There are more nice per
acre in the western than in the eastern part of the state. Every tree base
examined in all orchards covered, even where there was sparse cover, was in-
fested with mice. And in one orchard in Franklin County out of 30 tree bases
examined 12 trees were partially girdled. Many other orchards visited had
a few trees partially girdled. The mouse population will vary from 80 to
100 or more to the acre. In one orchard near Brimfield actually 9imicG per
acre vrere trapped. This high population is due in general to a favorable
growing season, hence good cover and food conditions. With the present high
population of mice, and if weather conditions are favorable, the m.ouse popu-
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30,
1914, Willard A. Munson, director, Massachusetts State College, United States
Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating.
■2-
lation may reach extromely dangerous and damaging proportions. Orchardists
should check their orchards immediately after the apple crop is harvested
and where girdling occurs, the orchard should be treated at once with zinc
phosphide apple bait to reduce the population and eliminate further damage
to the trees."
In vievf of the large number of mice now present in our orchards, every
apple grower in Mass. should place mouse control on the priority list, insofar
as fall jobs are concerned. We cannot afford to lose vigorous young fruit
trees at a time when maximum yields from our present plantings are urgently
needed. Another job which should be completed even before we tackle the
mouse problem, is that of finishing the apple harvest and getting the apples
properly stored. October 25 should be the deadline for the apple harvest.
In years past, too many apples have been lost by severe freezing in late
October or November because they were either unpicked or left standing un-
protected in a shed. All marketable apples should be stored in a cool, moist,
rat-proof building. If a suitable storage is lacking the apples should be
sold before cold weather sets in.
STRAWBERRIES IN THE FAL?:OUTH AREA
Records have been assembled from four commission merchants by County
Agent Bertram Tomlinson covering strawberry receipts from Falmouth growers
for the years 1943, 1941, and 1939. The total shipments received by these
concerns during the three years vrere as follows t 1943 - 419,800 quarts;
1941 - 652,515 quarts; 1939 - 938,606 quarts. The numbers of growers inr-
volved were respectively, 109, 150, and 211, while the average numbers of
quarts per grower were 3840, 4350, and 4450,
From these figures it will be seen that the receipts of strav/berries
in 1943 were less than half those in 1939, that slightly more than half as
many growers were in the strawberry business in 1943 and the average number
of quarts per grower was somewhat smaller than in 1939. These facts indicate
a shortage of help and to some extent disappointing prices in previous seasons.
It is estimated that the above data includes approximately 1^% of the Falmouth
strav;berry crop. Based on these figures the 1943 Falmouth strav/berry crop
was 35.6;^ below the 1941 crop, and 52,t belov/ the 1939 crop.
The drop in acreage for 1944 is not expected to equal that of the pre-
vious year. Strawberry growers on the whole made good returns on their in-
vestment this year, and despite the labor shortage, every effort has been
made to maintain production up to the 1943 level. In many cases, this is
being done by holding over a greater proportion of the old beds than v/ould
be done normally. Much depends on winter and spring v/eather conditions, but
the crop outlook for 1944 is about the same as for this year. There has been
a gradual increase in the quantity of berries shipped in the 24-quart crate
which is now the most popular package. 84/t v/ere shipped in that type of
container in 1943 and only 42.5,=^ in 1939,
WANTED - BOYSENBERRY INFORI'L^tTION. Many Boysenberry plants have been
sold in New England. A summary of growers' experiences with this new fruit
will be of interest. If you are experimenting with Boysenberries in your
garden or on a commercial scale please jot down on a penny postcard any com-
ments you may have to offer and mail to thj' writer.
That the output of 3,800 typical farms is required to load an average
ship with Lend-Lease foods? The following list of items might constitute such
an output: Eggs laid in one year by 230,000 hens; Fill: production from 6,000
cows for one year; Meat from 5,000 hogs; Lard from 27,000 hogs; 7/heat from
850 acres.
That total fruit production in the U. S. in 1944 will probably be about
11^ smaller than in 1943? Prospects are that only the prune and grape crops
will be larger, by 12 and llfo respectively, while deciduous tree fruits and
grapos are expected to yield about ll/o less than last season. Citrus fruit
prospects are about as favorable as a year ago.
That large amounts of ammonium nitrate fertilizer are likely to be
available for fruit grov/ers during the coming season? This material carries.
about 33;o nitrogen or approximately twice as much as nitrate of soda. It
does not keep well in handling and if stored should be kept cool and dry.
This new fertilizer may be widely used in New England orchards next spring.
That a number of items of farm machinery are no longer being rationed?
An increase in the allocation of steel for farm machinery in 1944 has resulted
in the removal of the following items from the rationing list, beginning Oct-
ober 16: dusters, disc harrows, tractors, moldboard plows, cultipackers, land
rollers, grain binders and threshing machines. All other heavy machinery is
still rationed.
That apple scab infection was so severe in certain unsprayed orchards
this season as to result in almost complete defoliation by early September?
0. C. Boyd and Thomas Sprostoh report commercial losses from apple scab rang-
ing from a trace to 25^^ in sprayed orchards, and 50-lOOj^ in unsprayed orchards.
A few inexperienced grov;ers have attributed the browning of Mcintosh leaves
and later defoliation to spray injury, whereas lack of scab control was large-
ly responsible.
That a total of 194,775 tons of lime, enough to make 3,900 car loads,
is used every year in the United States in connection with agricultural in-
secticides and fungicides? Fungicides make about 2/3 of the total or 125,000
tons, and the insecticides make the remaining 69,775 tons. In apple orchards
where large quantities of sulfur are being used, without lime, the soil is
becoming so acid that the growi^h of ordinary grasses and weeds is greatly re-
duced.
That the attempt to control harmful insects dates back to the early
days of the Roman Empire? Caterpillars on fruit trees could be controlled,
according to Cato, by moistening the tips of the twigs with the gall of a
green lizard. Pliny recommended that the bones of a mare's head be hung on
-4-
poles around the garden to control canker worm. In Pliny's time, all inhabi-
tants in the area v/hich is now the North Africa battle zone, were ordered to
wage war against the locust. People were compelled to hunt the locust eggs
and crush them, or to crush the young and adult stages. Neglect of this duty
was punishable by severe penalties.
That a nation-wide poll places the total number of Victory Gardens in
1943 at 20,000,0002 As a conservative estimate, all Victory Gardens grovm
this year total about 4,000,000 acres and produced 8,000,000 tons of food.
An estimate of 25,000,000 families did some home canning during the summer
and fall) 22,000,000 Victory Gardens, a 10^i$ increase, is expected in 1944.
That the decaying remains of plants exert a very beneficial influence
by facilitating the penetration of rainfall on a sloping area? Careful measure-
ments in Ohio showed that 5=l/2 inches of the total annual rainfall soaked
into the soil in a cultivated field, while 13 inches soaked into a forest soil.
In an orchard, we may approach the conditions of a forest floor by applying a
heavj'- mulch and by improving the cover crop.
That for the seventh consecutive year, American farmers set a new food
production record in 1943? Nevertheless, there is not enough food in total
to satisfy all the demands and there are definite shortages in a number of
our favorite foods. The increases during the past seven years are indicated
by the following percentages: 1937 - lOl^-^j 1938 - 103j^; 1939 - 106^;
1940 - 111^; 1941 - 115;^; 1942 - 126,1; and 1943 - 131/1.
That about 5,000,000 pounds of dynamite are used annually for agricul-
tural purposes? The various uses include ditching, land clearing, drainage,
irrigation, stump blasting, and to a limited extent, fruit tree planting.
Ditching constitutes one of the largest agricultural uses.
That 59 soil series and eight land types have been recognized in Massa-
chusetts. Glacial till soils are most abundant and of these the Gloucester
series is the most extensive, comprising 20.6^'^ of the land area. Glacial
outwash soils are second in expanse and of these the Merrimac is the most
important, occupying 10.4,1 of the total area. A Key to Mass. Soils has re-
cently been prepared by A. B. Beaumont, and is now available for distribution.
If interested, ask for Special Circular No. 64.
That a codling moth infestation is likely to be more severe on trees
adjacent to a packing house where boxes are stored during the winter, or to
a pile of apple wood? In one case where a Massachusetts apple grower cut down
a number of old trees and piled the wood next to tho orchard, the infestation
was so severe on adjacent trees that each apple showed one or more codling moth
blemishes. The infestation was so heavy that the grower removed the entire
crop from these trees during the summer and destroyed it.
That a mulch of straw or other suitable material on a strawberry plant-
ing may increase the yield by at least 50l? The ideal tine for mulching a
strawberry planting is about the time the ground freezes. In most localities
this means early November. If mulched too early there is some tendency to
smother the plant and if mulched too late there is likely to be some crown
injury from low temperatures.
-5-
That detailed information is nov/ available on the freezing of fruits,
vegetables, and meats for home use? A mimeographed publication, Special Cir-
cular No. 1043, can be obtained ft-om your county agricultural agent or from the
State College. At least three new frozen food locker plants have been made
available in Mass. during the past season. In addition quite a number of in-
dividuals have installed lockers for private use.
That complete immunity to ivy poisoning is rare? L. V/. Kephart of
the U.S.D.A. says, "l\'y poismLng is caused by a waxy or gummy substance present
in most parts of the poison ivy plant even after long drying. Direct contact
with this substance is necessary for poisoning to take place, but contact need
not necessarily be with the plant itself, since poisoning may occur by touch-
ing clothing, tools, dogs, horses, or other objects v/hich have been in contact
with poison ivy. Many persons b elieve themselves immune to ivy poisoning, but
complete immunity is rare. Severe poisoning frequently occurs after many years
of freedom from the disease, although the circumstances causing this change
are unknown."
That an excellent series of articles on Rodent Control by Robert M.
Borg is nov/ appearing in the American Fruit Grower? A heavy mouse population,
amounting in one orchard to 94 per acre, threatens severe damage in Mass,
orchards. Now is the time to do something about it. To obtain the recommend-
ed material, zinc phosphide, and directions for its use, consult your county
agricultural agent.
That the term, "ready to bear" fruit trees is a misnomer? Any nursery
advertising such nursery stock is deceiving the prospective buyer by inducing
him to believe that certain nursery trees, usually sold at a high price, will
bear a good crop the first year after planting. Any experienced fruit grower
knows that it takes considerable time for a fruit tree to become established
and that any fruit borne the first or second year is likely to be borne at
the expense of vegetative grovrth. The apple or two borne the first season
is less significant than the bushel or two v/hich it may bear at 8 years of
age.
THE TIl'IE FACTOR IN FRUIT GR07JING
Through the centuries poets and philosophers have stressed the import-
ance of grasping opportunities as they pass instead of lamenting their loss
afterwards. "There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood,
leads on to fortune - -" . "Strike while the iron is hot." "Tim.e and tide
wait for no man." Nowhere is the truth of this philosophy better illustrated
than in the fruit business. The fruit grov;er cannot do in November what he
should have done in October. A few illustrations may be in order. Mouse bait
must be applied before the mice have turned from a diet of grass to a diet of
bark. If curculio are most active on May 30 it doesn't do much good to apply
a first cover epray on June 2. A hormone spray will be infinitely more effective
if applied a day before the Mcintosh crop shows a heavy drop than a few days —
later. Yife have all seen farmers who get around t o start haying operations in
mid- July while a thrifty neighbor- has his haying completed by July 1. As we
look forward to a busy 1944 we may well keep a calendar and so far as possible
do today those tasks v;hich should not be put off until tomorrow.
-6-
THE F RTTIT SITUATION AS RELATED TO 1944 FOOD PRODUCTION GOALS
At a Food Production Conference held in Amherst October 13 and 14,
attended by representatives of all interested farm agencies and organizations,
Massachusetts goals in each comr.'iodity were carefully considered. The Fruit
Cominittee submitted the following report:
Apple Production in Massachusetts
The apple crop in 1942 amounted to 3,400,000 bushels. In 1943, it
amounted to 2,552,000 bushels while the 1934-1941 average amounted to
2,484,000 bushels. In 1944 we nay reasonably expect a crop somewhat larger
than in 1943 although not as large as the record crop of 1942. The 1944
crop nay total approximately 2 3/4 million bushels. This estimated increase
over 1943 vj-ill be due in part to a larger prospective Mcjntosh crop and to
the fact that next year is the "on year" for the Baldwin variety in many
orchards .
Unlike nost vegetables, and to a certain extent, eggs, apple production
caruiot be greatly increased over a period of a year or two, even under the best
orchard practices. The number of fruit buds vdiich may develop into apples in
1944 was determined several months ago, VJeather conditions at blossoming time
and also the amount of nitrogen available to the tree will be important factors
in the actual set of fruit. The apple grower can, of course, greatly influence
the percentage of apples which develop to maturity since he has at least par-
tial control over insects and diseases. He can also influence the number of
bushels to som.e extent as he increases the size of individual fruits through
fertilization and mulching.
The goal of the Massachusetts apple grower in 1944 will be to produce
maximum yields on present plantings. To do this Vifill not require saving every
tree in the state regardless of age, height or degree of crowding. In many
orchards high production of m.arketable fruit will be greatly favored by re-
moving filler trees. In many cases this will involve cutting out every other
diagonal row. In older orchards where the trees are too tall to be sprayed
and harvested efficiently the tops should be lowered by pruning. Since labor
is such an important item in apple production our orchards should be put in
order. This is an ideal time to lay plans for more efficient spraying and
easier harvesting in 1944,
Weeds of T'assachusett s Fruit Growers
Equipment . Difficulties in controlling apple scab in 1945 err:phasize
the need for both spraying and dusting equipment. Every fruit grower nust of
necessity have a good sprayer. Any grower with 20 acres or more should also
have a good duster. Since dusting can be done with less time than spraying,
and since it provides needed protection at critical tines, dusting should be
considered as a necessary supplement to spraying, particularly in our larger
orchards. We will need 100 percent as many dusters as were delivered in 1940,
We will also need at least 80 percent as m.any sprayers as v/ero delivered in
1940. Sprayer and duster repair parts nust be made available. Growers report
that repair parts were very slow in being delivered last season. A good sup-
ply of all needed parts must bo made available for prompt delivery, including
-7-
scarce metal parts such as stainless steel balls, aliiminum heads for spray-
brooms, etc. T/herever such parts are needed u strong claim should be made
by the interested grower. A considerable quantity of rubber hose will also
bo needed for replacement on our older sprayers. All of these items should
be ordered early. Early placing of orders will undoubtedly influence the
nuraber to be delivered and will also insure having the equipment in v/orking
order at critical times.
Spray and Dust Materials. Supplies of all needed insecticides and
fungicides for 1944 appear to be adequate, although manpower will be a critical
factor in their manufacture. Distribution may be a factor. This emphasizos
the need for fretting orders in early. Standard materials including lead arse-
nate and sulphur are not likely to bo more restricted than in 1943. Not
enough p^rrethrum was available last year for use on cranberry bogs. In view
of this fact, more pyrethrum should be made available in 1944.
Fer-'-.il izers t. If our orchards are to produce to the limit of their
capacity wt- nvx^z have enough nitrogen to maintain ^ood tree Arit^or and to de-
velop the 1944 crop. Certain forms of nitrogen, pr.rticu-arly :u.imoaium nitrate,
will apparently be available in quantity. Arrangements must be m&de to re-
lease enough nitrogenous fertilizers at tne right season to S'Vizlj- our orchard
needs. Fall application of nitrogen is not recommended. Iheru is danger of
winter injury at this latitude from such treatment. Farthe:.- sov;th that danger
does not exist. For this reason our growers must have an adequate supply of
nitrogen for early spring application. Where sufficient nirrcgcn for a broad-
cast application is not available, a ring application is recommended. The
wider use of nitrogen in impoverished orchards will help to attain the fruit
production goal in 1944.
The supply of phosphorus will apparently be ample for orchard needs.
Potash will be scarce, although this will not greatly handicap our growers
since Massachusetts orchards, in general, are well supplied with potash. Most
growers can well afford to release potash supplies for other uses. A liberal
potash application tends to encourage magnesium deficiency. Symptoms of mag-
nesium deficiency are now very prevalent in many orchards. The general use
of high magnesium, or dolomitic limestone, is therefore recommended. Liming
of orchards can best be accomplished through the AAA Program. Dolomitic lime
in bulk shipment, spread by means of an end gate spreader, will constitute a
valuable addition to the orchard fertilizer program. Mulching is also strongly
recommended.
Marketing . No particular problem can be foreseen at present,
Packages. More wooden boxes will be needed in 1944 than in 1943 on
account of the larger prospective Mcintosh crop. Containers made from substi-
tute materials are entirely unsuited for storage use since they do not hold up
under the high humidity conditions existing in a storage. Higli priorities
should be given to v/ooden containers for all fruits including apple boxes,
cranberry boxes, strawberry crates, peach basketc, etc. Delivery of apple
boxes should be made before July 1,
Transportation . Since fruits are highly perishable, and during peak
seasons the fruit grower is dependent upon truck transportation, trucking
-8-
facilitiss must not be reduced in 1944.
Storage. In view of a somewhat larger crop in 1944 more storage space
will be needed than was available during the past two years. To prevent the
waste which occurred in 1942, amounting in some localities to 10;;? of the crop,
adequate storage facilities for the 1944 crop are imperative.
Labor. Fruit growers will benefit greatly by the arrangements now being
worked out wEich will permit experienced workers to transfer to another essen-
tial industry during the off season and later return to the fruit farm when
needed. Labor requirements, except during the harvest season, should present
no more of a problem than in 1943. Harvest labor needs are likely to be greater
in 1944 because of the larger prospective Mcintosh crop. These needs should be
thoroughly surveyed during the summer. Consideration should also be given to
the discovery and training of crew bosses in advance of the harvest season.
Our experience in recruiting and placing harvest labor in 1943 vidll prove val-
uable in 1944 when labor conditions are likely to be more difficult than they
vifere this season. J4any growers have expressed their appreciation of the ef-
forts of Labor Coordinators, Extension Service workers, newspapers, etc. in
helping to solve the harvest labor problem.
Ladders and Picking Baskets. These items were scarce in some locali-
ties in 1943 and plentiful in others. In order to accommodate larger numbers
of pickers on weekends and other ruch periods fruit growers must provide them-
selves with extra ladders and containers. Early orders and wider distribution
of these items will facilitate the 1944 harvest.
Credit. Present farm credit facilities are adequate.
Price Su pports and Ceilings. In vie^v of the fact that present ceiling
prices are established at levels lower than those at which apples were moving
freely, support prices not far below the present ceilings are recommended. A
satisfactory price will provide an effective incentive for maximum production
in 1944.
CEILING PRICES ON FRESH APPLES
Following is an abstract of a statement on this subject, prepared by
Ellsv/orth W. Bell:
Ceiling prices on sales of fresh apples have been established by Amend-
ment 9 to WR 426, effdctive October 7, 1943. This order covers any and all
apples for TABLE USE except the Lady variety and crabapples. Apples for pro-
cessing are not covered by this order and, in the opinion of the Regional Office
of the OPA, establishes one price for table apples of all kinds, varieties and
packs, whether loose-packed, wrapped in individual wrappers, gift wrapped, or
in any other form.
For apples sold by growers and delivered to retailers, insitutional
users such as hotels, restaurants, schools, etc., government procurement agen-
cies and other persons, except to ultimate consumers and intermediate sellers,
the prices in Table 1 will apply for less than carlot sale (L.C.L.)* and less
than trucklot sale (L.T.L.)* For such sales by growers, delivered to inter-
mediate sellers (persons who buy for resale to retailers, institutional users
and other persons except ultimate consumers), the prices in Table 2 will apply.
For sales of carlot (C.L.)* or trucklot (T.L.)* quantities of apples
produced in and sold in New England, delivered at any terminal market or whole-
sale receiving point (except C.L. or T.L. shipments by C.L. distributors or
brokers), the prices in Table 1 and 2 less 1^ per pound shall apply, depend-
ing upon the type of receiver. For example, the grower's ceiling price will
be figured as follows:
(1) Growers making C.L. or T«L. sales, delivered to a retailer, uses
Table 1 price schedules less 1^ per pound. In other words, under Table 1, a
C.L. or T.L. sale of 40-pound containers v;ill be 40/ lower than the $2,85
price quoted for similar containers in October.
(2) Growers making L.C.L. or L.T.L. sales, delivered to a retailer,
uses the ceiling prices indicated in Table 1,
(3) Growers making C.L. ©r T.L. sales, delivered to an intermediate
seller, uses prices indicated in Table 2, less 1/ per pound.
(4) A grower making L.C.L. or L.T.L. sales, delivered to an inter-
mediate seller, uses the prices indicated in Table 2.
For a grower making a C.L. or T.L. sale not delivered at any terminal
market or wholesale receiving point, for example at his farm, there appear
to be no pricing provisions in the language of this order. The price ceilings
prevailing in this type of selling (f.o.b. farm), is being worked out and an-
nouncements will b e made later.
For sales by growers to the ultimate consumer, the schedule of prices
in Table 3 will apply. These prices apply to Zone 1 which covers all of the
North Atlantic states, all of the East-North-Central states, with the exception
of certain counties in Michigan and Wisconsin, and all of the South Atlantic
states with the exception of Georgia and Florida. These ceiling prices cover
all types of sales by growers, made by parcel post or express, as covered in
the footnote under Table 3,
* A carlot sale (C.L.) or a trucklot sale (T.L.) means a quantity of fresh
apples transported in one car or truck or other conveyance at one time
out of which 75% or more by weight is sold to one person. The sale of
the remaining quantity to another person may be considered a less than
carlot sale (L.C.L. ) "or less than trucklot sale (L.T.L. ). For example,
if a truckload of 100 bushels of apples is sold to one person, the sale
would be considered a trucklot and v/ould take the ceiling price for such
a quantity. If 80 bushels were sold to one person and 20 bushels to an-
other person, 80 bushels would be considered a trucklot sale and the re-
maining 20 bushels would be considered a less than trucklot sale. On
the other hand, if 70 bushels or less than 75^ were sold to one person,
and the remaining 30 bushels to another person, the entire load, accord-
ing to the order would be a less than trucklot sale. A 75% figure would
apply to any quantity of apples sold, whether 50 bushels or 500 bushels,
if transported in one car or truck.
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November 23, 1943
Prepared by the Fruit Projjram Committee
of the Extension Service
17. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
J?
/
Contents
Good Advice on Apple ;iark:eting
/inter Injury to Grape Vines
Do You Know?
Ilovie Films Available at il.S.C.
eport on the Boysenberry
Correcting Magnesium Deficiency
Questions and Answers on Apple Price Ceilings
GO OD ADVICE ON APPLE I-IARKETIN G
The follov^ing statement comes from John Chandler, Sterling apple grower
and Executive Secretary of the National Apple Institutes "At the risk of being
called visionary, your Secretary vdshes to make a suggestions which he believes
will prove practical in the long run.
The combination of a very short apple crop, a greatly accelerated demand,
and the preclusion by the apple price ceilings of realizing higher prices for
fine packs is tending to discourage careful grading and packing. At the same
time, the definite and substantial periodic mark-ups in the ceiling regulations
are tempting growers to v;ithhold their apples until the last possible moment.
Unfortunately both of these practices are working against the years of work which
all of us have put into building a greater demand for apples. If there are per-
iods during which the housewife cannot buy apples at all, and if, v;hen she can
get them, they are not of the quality, size or condition she wants, her thoughts
will turn to other foods and v/e will have crossed a good customer from our list.
By the sai.ie token, the store manager, the distributor and all those who depend
on regular supplies of apples will lose their interest in our product in some
degree.
Would it not be better if v/e all undertake to supply our usual trade
with a normal supply of properly packed apples? This ivill mean some financial
sacrifice. Yes. But let us remember that we are experiencing an extraordinary
year, in v;hich most of us can earn a fair profit, even if v;e pack and sell in the
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of Hay 8 and June 30,
1914, Vi/illard A. Ilunson, director, Ilassachusetts State College, United States
Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating.
-2-
nornal way, and particularly let us remember that other years are coning, years
of large yields when, regardless of ceilings and mark-ups, none but the best v;ill
command the naximuni price and when vj-e will be obliged to sell when the market can
absorb our apples regardless of mark-ups. Then we will need our outlets, our cus-
tomers and their good will. VHiat was that parable about the goose that laid the
golden egg?"
V;iIlTER INJURY TO GRAPE VINES
That grape varieties differ widely in their relative susceptibility to
severe winter tempera tures is shown by the results of an examination of the Col-
lege vineyard last spring combined with a study of yields this fall.
During the winter of 1942-43 there were two periods in Amherst whenihe
minimum temperature was abnormally low. The first of these periods came on Dec-
ember 20 and 21 when the minimum temperature on both dates vms 15 degrees below
zero. The second period came on February 15 and 16 Virhen the minimum temperature
was 19 below and 23 below, respectively. Vihile some injury may have occurred in
December, the greater portion of it probably occurred in February, From the fol-
lowing observations on the relative amount of injury it will be noted that Concord,
¥/orden and Fredonia withstood the lovj temperatures remarkably v/ell.
Agawam - Practically dead,
Athens - Vine 50/o injured,
Brighton - Vine 505;o injured; also remaining blossom buds injured,
Brockton -Canes all injured; trunk O.K,
Bronx - Trunk dead,
Buffalo - On one vine, 25^j of canes injured; on other vine, trunk dead.
Catawba - 75Jo injured.
Concord -,- Practically no injury.
Davenport Seedling (blue) - Blossom buds SO^o killed,
Davenport Seedling (green) - 25^o of vine injured.
Delffl'mre - 75^' of buds injured. Practically no injury to vines.
Dunkirk - 10^ of vine injured.
Eden - Trunk dead.
Fredonia - lO^i injured,
Hanover - Trunk dead.
Hector - One trunk dead; other vine, 25^o of canes injured.
lona and Keuka - Trunks dead.
Lindley - eo^'c of vine injured.
M«rrimac - 50^0 of vine injured.
Muscat Hamburg - 85',^ of vine injured (other pure Viniferas -
trunks dead).
Niagara - 90^^ of buds injured; practically no injury to vines.
Ontario - IQj' of canes injured.
Ruby - Trunk dead within one foot of ground,
Salem - 50jo of vine injured,
Seneca and Urbana - Trunks dead,
Vlayne - 60^0 of vine injured.
TiTilder - 50^; of vine injured,
y/orden - Practica lly no injury.
Yates - One trunk killed nearly to ground; trunk of other vine O.K.
but some cane injury.
— -rO. C. Roberts
-3-
W c>Z)<^ ^o-u. /\ ruTW ;
That the nunher of jars of fruits and vegetables preserved in Massachu-
setts last season is estimated at 61,00C',000? The total value is about ^9,764,000
or 900,000,000 ration points.
That peach and apricot pits may be transformed into charcoal which is
very satisfactory for use in gas masks? Extensive tests of this material have
recently been i.iade in Oregon.
That the Delicious apple is probably the most important variety in the
United States? This variety occupies more acres than any otlier and is more v;ide-
ly distributed. Its comi-ianding position is due in part to high quality and to
the publicity it has received.
That the total business of the 900 fruit and vegetable cooperatives in
the United States last year amounted to 325,000,000 dollars? This year's total
tonnage, packed largely for military and lend-lease purposes, will be much larger.
That the yield of pecans from wild or seedling trees in the United States
exceeds that from trees of improved varieties? iiore than 56,000,000 pounds of
pecans were harvested from the v/ild or seedling trees last year while less than
48,000,.000 pounds vj^ere harvested from trees of improved varieties.
That approximately 2,000,000 bushels of Fancy or higher grade apples in
Vfashington and Oregon have been ordered set aside by the \'iFA to meet the require-
ments of the armed Services for fresh apples? The regulations require all per-
sons who own (on or after November 6) 500 bushels or more of apples grown and
located in either of the tv.'o states, which meet the respective state standards
for Fancy or higher grades, to set aside 15 percent of each variety of these
apples for purchase by the armed services or any other governmental agency spec-
ified in the order.
That British scientists i/orking on the fruits of the Rugosa Rose, which
is used in that country as a hedge plant, have found it to be even higher in
Vitamin C than oranges? As a result they are using it to make marraalades and
vitamin concentrates to fortify the lack of these elements in wartime diets*
A. Li. Davis
That the Plov?eringquince, sometimes called Mexican Firebush, and more
conimonly referred to as Cydonia japonica (now correctly Chaenomeles japonica) ,
produces occasional fruits which are not altogether satisfactory for flavoring,
but will make a good jelly? A mixture of the fruits of the Japanese 'quince,
sOjCalled, and either our native apples or some other fruit such as some of the
flowering crabapple fruits, produces a d elicately flavored and delightfully
colored jelly. __.;^. h. pavis
-4-
MOVIE FIUIS AVAIIJiBI£_ATJ4^^SACJ2JSmS_^Sm^
Ilovie films on a wide variety of subjects may be obtained through
E. S. Carpenter, Secretary of the Extension Service, J.S.C, Amlierst, Mass.,
for showing to interested groups anyvfhere in Massachusetts. These films are
both educational and entertaining. Any group interested in the loan of one
of these films may communicate directly with Ilr. Carpenter, Following are
brief outlines covering two films which have recently been deposited at the
State College for general distribution:
Guardians of Plenty - colored - sound - 1 reel - 800 feet. This film is
"Foth entertalmTng and informative for any audience, but especially for any-
one interested in growing gardens or any conanercial crop where pest control
is involved. It shows what goes on in an up-to-date research laboratory
during the development and critical testing of new fungicides and insecti-
cides as v;ell as the demonstration of the effectiveness of old, standard
materials. The close-up color views of such pests as the house fly, the
fruit codling moth, aphids, Japanese beetle, are interesting and even fas-
cinating in most instances. It demonstrates very convincingly how important
is a spreader or sticker when added to an arsenical spray for codling moth
control. It leaves no question in the mind of the audience regarding the
scientific training and experience, as well as the technical, accurate equip-
ment that are back of the discovery and testing of fungicides and insecti-
cides that are eventually placed on the market for us'e in pest control.
Available December 1, 1945 to June 30, 1944, Ilade by Du Pont,
Soldie rs of the Soil - black and v;hite - sound - 1 reel - 1350 feet - running
time 4~d"miiiuteV.~ Put out by Du Pont but advertising not objectionable. A
drajTiatic movie illustrating the importance of agricultural production in the
war effort. The story is built around a young man v/ho is on the home farm
with his father and a brother who has lost his eyesight in the war returns.
The young farr.ier decides to enlist in the ilarines because he feels he is not
doing his part to help win the war. The blind young uan speaks at the Sunday
service in the Village Church not on his experiences in the war, but on the
importance of maintaining agricultural production on the home front. The
deferred brother finally decides to stay at home and maintain production.
Hade by Agricultural Extension Division of Du Pont,
REPORT ON THE BOYSENBErJRY
Two replies have been received in response to our request for information
about the boysenberry, in October Fruit Notes. Report No. 1 (from New Hampshire):
"V/'e have had boysenberries for several years, and under our conditions have found
that practically all the canes winter-kill every year. The only ones that live
through are those which are naturally covered by leaves or rubbish, which sometimes
happens because they lie so close to the^ound, T/.e think that they are a terrible
nuisance to take care of, and the production on the canes that live through the
winter has not been overabundant. Taken all in all, I consider they have no com-
mercial value and very little value even as a hoiae fruit. They should be classed
a^ a novelty. This applies equally to Nectarberry, Thornless Boysenberry, and
Thornless Youngberry, Of the whole lot, Boysenberry is probably the best,"
Report No. 2, "My attempt v/interkilled. Berry when ripe is like a
skin full of water. Color bronze, yield light, but flavor fairly good. It may
be different elsewhere and have some home garden possibilities,"
•5-
CO RRECTIilG l I AGHESIUII DEFICIENC Y
The use of magnesium sulfate spray applications on magnesium deficient
apple trees at Hassachusetts State Collelge this past season has shown that this
method may be a practical and effective treatment. Four special sprays v;ere
applied to young trees in an orchard showing considerable foliage scorch and
leaf fall in 1941 and 1942. Applications were made at approximately pink,
calyx, first and second cover. The sprays contained 16 pounds of Epson salts
per 100 gallons of water and were applied as special applications. Incident-
ally, it is probably safe (although we have no definite data) to add the Epsom
salts to the regular spray mixture thus largely eliminating any extra applica-
tion cost for the magnesium. Compared with the check or unsprayed trees, those
sprayed showed much less foliage scorch this fall. Of the 146 sprayed trees,
65% shov/ed no deficiency symptoms, compared to only 20yo for the sane nuinber of
unsprayed trees. Beneficial effects of magnesium spray applications have also
been reported from New York and llaine.
Soil applications of magnesium canpounds have likewise showii promising
results at Axiherst. Both Seawater liagnesia and Epsom salts applied at the rate
of 5 pounds per small tree in the fall of 1942 were beneficial in reducing
scorch prevalence and severity in 1943, These results are not in line v/ith
experience elsev^here, where benefits have not been apparent for some years fol-
lowing soil treatments. However, the trees at Amherst are young (just beginning
to fruit) and are growing under a heavy mulch system of culture. It is probable
that both of these factors have a favorable influence on the intake of magnesium
from compounds applied to the soil. Tests in an older orchard gave nt indica-
tion of benefit from the soil applications.
In orchards showing serious magnesium deficiency, the application of
magnesium in sprays seems to be a logical procedure. For instance, v/ith trees
requiring 20 gallons of spray for adequate coverage, 12.8 pounds of Epsom salts
would be provided per tree in the 4 applications described above. Thus, in
addition to the imraediat-? corrective effect of a foliage application, the amount
of magnesium applied (and most of it gets to the ground sooner or later) is equal
to or even greater than that in the suggested soil treatment.
Further experimental work is planned, but in the meantime growers should
be doing something to correct serious magnesium deficiency conditions. V/here
soils are very acid (and many orchard soils are), magnesium limestone should be
applied and vrorked in, if possible.
Lawrence Southvirick
WANTED - APPLES OF OID VARIETIES. An exhibit of apple varieties which
were common 50 years ago will be staged at the 50th Anniversary of the ^i.f.G.A.
to be celebrated at Horticultural Hall in Worcester, January 5 and 6. if vou
have a dozen specimens of one or more interesting old varieties available for
tnis exhibit, please comunicate with S. Lothrop Davenport, chairman of the ex-
hibit comr.uttee. North Grafton, Mass. Among the varieties needed are these:
Hubbardston, Porter, Blue Pearmain. Mother. Black Gilliflower, Ben Davis, etc.
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(^UESTIONS AIID AIlfflTCRS ON APPLE PRICE CEILINGS
The following (Questions and Answers were released October 29 by the
Office of Price Administration for the guidance of the trade in pricing apples
sold for horae consumption under Anendinent No. 9 to Uaxiiauri Price Regulation
No. 426 (Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Table Use, Except at Retail) v/hich
went into effect early in October. (Key words in each «^uestion are underscore d. )
1. Q. To what point does the first ceiling on shipments of apples apply v;ithin
a state?
A. The first ceiling which applies to intra-state shipments is the carlot
or less-than-carlot ceiling price in any terminal market or other v>rhole-
sale receiving point.
2. Q. Is it perr.iissible to price loose apples by the bushel or packed by the box?
A. No. Apples must be sold on a minimum "net weight basis. Under some cir-
cumstances, apples may be sold by the bushel or in any other container,
loose or packed, if the minimum net v/eight of the fruit is marked on the
container, and the price charged is not more than the applicable ceiling
price for that weight.
3. Q. Suppose a grower sells a trucklot of apples to a retailer making delivery
in his ovm truck, would he then be entitled to the maximum price for
sales to retailers?
A. No. He is entitled to the maximuiii trucklot price for sales to retailers
which is the same price as the maximum trucklot price to any other kind
of purchaser. There is a carlot or trucklot ceiling price for every
market, which is always the same price within the particular market for
sales to any kind of purchaser.
4. Q. Under what circumstances can a grov>rer or shipper perform the functions
of an interTiiediat e sell er and obtain the allov;ances therefor?
A. The only circumstances under which a grower or shipper may obtain part
or all of the intermediate seller's markup occur when he sells less-
than-carlot or less-than-trucklot quantities delivered to a retailer
or to an intermediate seller.
5. Q. If a person buys from three or four different grov/ers and makes up car-
lots, is he entitled to the carlo t distribution markup?
A. No, In order to qualify as a carlot distributor a person must buy un-
broken carlots and resell unbroken carlots.
6. Q. If a grower consigns apples to a cormnission merchant who sells in less-
than-carlots to retailers is the grower entitled to the proceeds after
deducting transportation charges and coinmission?
A. Yes, but the grower selling through a commission merchant establishes his
ceiling price by taking the carlot delivered price in the market or other
wholesaler receiving point plus the usual commission of the commission
merchant. The ceiling price is not permitted to exceed the applicable
less-than-carlot price to retailers or to wholesalers. If a commission
merchant sells in carlots, the price is the carlot market ceiling price.
7. (^. If a grovifer sells a half-car of apples through a broker to each of tv/o
wholesalers or jobbers, what ceiling price applies?
A. The ceiling price is the less-than-oarload" ceiling price for sales to
intermediate sellers.
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8. Q. Is it permissible for the grower to add a brokerage charge to the f.o.b.
ceiling price, when making an f.o.b. shipping point salet
A. No, Brokerage may only be added when a carlot is sold delivered by a
broker in the terminal market or other v;holesale receiving point,
9. Q. ilay a shipper or grower qualify as a carlot distributor ?
A. No. Original shippers are specifically excluded from taking a carlot
distributor's markup.
10. Q,. Hay a chain store share with the original shipper in any of its markup
out of the consumer retail price?
A. No.
11. (ci. Vrnat is the maxiraun price a grovrer or grower's sales agent can quote to
a chain store organization?
A. If the gro\;er or his agent is selling f.o.b. shipping point in one of the
states listed, Idalio, Nev; York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vfashington
and \rest Virginia, the grower's ceiling is the f.o.b. price listed. If
the grower or his agent is selling carlots delivered in the market, the
ceiling is the applicable less-than-carlot ceiling price to retailers less
one cent per pound. If the grower is located in a state having f.o.b.
ceilings, the ceiling for a delivered carlot sale is the f.o.b. price plus
freight to the market or other wholesale receiving point. If the grov;er
or his agent is selling less-than-carlot to an intermediate seller, de-
livered in the market, his ceiling price is the applicable less-than-car-
lot price. If the grovrer is selling less-than-carlot to a chain retailer,
delivered to the premises from v/hich the retailer resells to consuiaers,
the price is the less-than-carlot ceiling price for sales to retailers.
12. Q, Can a grov;er legally make an additional charge for boxes or other con-
tainers?
A. No, nor may a seller accept any deposit for any reason, whether he is
trading in containers or lending the money to the buyer.
13. Q. IThat price ceiling applies for sales to the Anay or Navy?
A. If the sale to the Armj^ or Navy is in carlots or truckl'ots , the ceiling
price is the same as the carlot or trucklot ceiling price to any other
carlot or trucklot buyer. If the sale to the Army or Navy is in less-thar>-
carlot or less-than-trucklot quantities, the ceiling price is the applica-
ble less-than-carlot or less-than-trucklot price for sales to retailers.
14. Q. Is a seller permitted to "roll a car unsold " in October for a market
arrival and sa le in November? ~
A. Yes. If delivery (see question and answer 36) is made in November the
November ceiling price applies.
15. Q. Are freight subsidies a part of the apple price ceiling program?
A. Yes. Freight subsidTes on v>restern apples sliipped into eastern zones
have been undertaken by the 17ar Food Administration.
16. Q. May the agent of a seller in his terminal market selling through an
auction return to the grower any amount of excess of tiie commission
or charge of the agent?
A. There is a specific ceiling price for sales at auction. The seller may
receive the proceeds of the auction sale less all auction charges, less
the agent's usual commission and less any other charges.
^8-
17. (^. Do the inaxinuin prices to retailers and interm ediate sellers apply on
apples t^rovm and shipped from llichii^an or o^fTer states not covered by
f.o.b, ceilings?
A. Yes,
18. Ci. Do the maximum prices covering sales in an auction market apply to pur-i
chases by an ultimate consuiaer in an auction market?
A. Yea.
19. Q. Is there any allovmnce made for grower ♦S sales agents ?
A. Growers' sales agents obtain their maximum 'prices if they are making
• sales f.o.b, shipping point,
20. Q, Can a subsidiary of a chain organiaation purchasing unbroken carlots
legally add the carlot ^STsTribution raarlcup when reselling unbroken cars?
A. Yes, '
21. q. Has any consideration been giv^n to price differentials for grades and
varieties of applee to b« nvado by regional or" district' offices of the
OPAf
A. The regional and district offices of the OPA have the authority to es-
tablish community ceiling prioes at the wholesale and retail levels,
but ar.iendiaent 9 was not intended to provide a basis for the making of
varietal and size differentials.
22. (^. In cases virhere it lias been the custom to add cartage for out- o f-tovm
deliveries to retailers or institutions, is it pen.iissible to add such
chafijes to the maximum prices?
A, No. The uniform zone prices established in araendir.ent 9 include nonnal
delivery charges to the place where the retailer or institutional buyer
is located. However, consideration is being given to provide higher
less-than-carlot prices for delivery to retailers or institutions lo-
cated substantial distances from primary receiving points where carlots
or trucklots can be received,
23. (^. Define a commission merchant .
A, A commission merchant is an agent of a grower or shipper, located in
the terminal market or other wholesale receiving point, v/ho sells in
less-than-carlot or less-than-trucklot quantities to wholesalers, i^-
tailers or institutions, who usually sells through a store and extends
credit and who remits to the grower or shipper the net proceeds of a
sale deducting therefrom his commission and all other applicable charges,
24. Q. A grower takes a trucklot of apples to Cumberland, Maryland, and sells
in 1 e_s s -than -truckl ot quantities to retai lers. Does he determine hia
maximum price by reference to the"Table covering sales to retailers?
A. Yes.
25. (^. A grower does not have time to go to Cumberland, Maryland and visit each
store to make sales, but he is in a position to sell in lol quantities
by phone to the retailers. He loads hia truck and sends it to a central
point where the apples are picked up by the buyers. He finds that sales
of this kind are considered pool trucks, V/hy is there a difference in
the ceiling price for this method of sale as co mpar ed to I'e s's -'than^oarl ot
sales to retailers? ""^ — — — -
-9-
A. Because the expenses involved in making this kind of a sale are consid^
erably less than if the grower himself performs the function of selling
delivered to the premises of the retailer. If the grcwer after having
taken his phone orders, delivers individually to each retail buyer he
takes the less-than-carlot price to retailers.
26, Q. Does a grower or shipper have the option of selling deli^rM^d to a mar-
ket or f .o.b. shipping point in order to FEtain the highest possible
legaT'return?
A. Yes, but the grower or shipper will not obtain a higher return on any
but an intra-state shipment (see question and ansv/er 34),
27. Q. In selling to truckers who come into the producer's area covered by the
f , o'7BT'ceTlTng''Y"-"ceT"i s the grower allowed to sell at a price higher
than the net f,o.b, ceiling price?
A. No.
2a. Q. In selling the consuiiier a fev.^ baskets of apples, may the grov/er take
the~ceil'ings on sales to consumers or does he have to make physical
delivery?
A. Delivery is not necessary. The grower in this case takes the ceiling
for sales to consmaers.
29. <^, If a shipper sells direct to a jobber is the shipper entitled to the
broke~age""or carlot distributor' 'al 'l'o wance ?
A. !!o.
30. Q. l/here a shipment is made from a point within a state covered by f .o.b.
ceilings to another point v;ithin the same state, but crosse» another
state's lines en route, is such sale an intra-state tale and -therefore
not subject to the f,o.b, ceiling price?
A, Such a sale is an intra-state sale since the point of ultimate delivery
controls the price to be charged,
31. Q. Suppose a seller does not v;ish to weigh each box. May he take a repre-
sentative sample? '~^
A. Any sampling runs the risk that the boxes will weigh less than the l«gal
minimum v/eight. If a seller "guesses wrong" as to the weight, he is in
*criolation,
32. Q, liay a carlot distribut or invoicing buyers include brokerage providing
brokerage is paid by the carlot distributor?
A» Wo. The maximum price for sales by carlot distributors is the price
set forth in paragraph (c) (2) of amendment 9 and no further addition
may be made. In any one transaction, both the carlot distributor's
markup and brokerage charge cannot be taken. These allovmnces are
mutually exclusive.
33. I). IThat is the ceiling price for export sales of apples?
A. Export sales of apples may' be made at prices which are composed of the
domestic ceiling prices per pound, plus certain premiums for packing,
^lus freight. The Second Revised Export Price Regulation covers export
sales of all commodities covered by domestic ceiling price regulations.
-10-
34, Q,. \Then the terminal narket price is greater than the f.o.b. shipping
point price"'pTus' fre'it^ht, 'protective services and other charges from
the states having f.o.b. ceilings, does the higher terminal market
price become the maximiun price?
II. The delivered price in carlots or trucklots for any interstate ship-
ments of apples from any one of the states having f.o.b. ceilings, is
the fjo.b. ceiling price plus freight to tlie market or other whole-
sale receiving point. The carlot delivered price computed by sub-
tracting 1 cent per pound from the less-than-carlot or less-thai:i-
trucklot price to retailers applies only to intra-state shipments
in sta tes having f.o.b. ceilings and to both inter-state and intra-
state shipments of apples from states having no f.Ocb. ceilings.
55, Q,. A carlot or trucklot of apples is placed in te rminal cold storage by
a grower under an arrangement that delivery to a retailer is to be
made from time to time in less-than-carlot quantities, with the grower
paying .cartage to the retail store, Would the maxii-ium price to re-
tailers for the appropriate month and zone be the ceiling price for
such transactions?
A. Yes, provided that sales of this type are made to retailers in less-
than-carlot quantities.
36. Q. IVhat constitutes "delivery" for the purposes of establishing a maximum
price?
A. There are four tests to be applied for the purposes of determining
wlien title passes to the buyer and delivery has taken place.
(l) If at any time delivery has been made to a carrier not owned or
controlled by the seller, "delivery" has taken place^ (2) If at any
time actual physical delivery has been made to the buyer, "delivery"
has taken placer (3) If at any time the particular lot being sold
has been car marked or citBnpletely segregated for the account of the
buyer, "delivery" has taken place.' (4) If at any time there has been
legal agreement between the buyer and the seller to the effect tliat
title shall pass to the buyer upon actual physical receipt of the
goods, then delivery takes place v:hen the buyer physically receives
the goods. In other v/ords on a "delivered sale" if the buj-'er and the
seller agree that title shall remain in the seller until such buyer
physically receives the goods, "delivery" has not taken place until
the buyer actually receives the goods.
37. Q,. Can a shipper, cooperative or grovrer's sales agent offer less-than-
carlot q uantities of apples through brokers at auction?
A. Such' sellers may legally sell" at auction. 'The ceiling price is the
same as the ceiling price for sales to intermediate sellers. Auction
fees and brokerage must come out of (not be added to) the ceiling
price for less-than-carlot sales to intermediate sellers,
38. Q. If decay exists in a package of apples, may the fruit be invoiced at
the v.'eight markeH~on tlie package, or must an allowance be made on the
invoice covering the amount of decay?
A. The apples in this package must be sold on the basis of their pf^r
pound ceiling price, derived from the net iveight marked on the pack-
age, without regard to the condition or quality of the fruit,
GFG 11/23/43
10 43
December 30, 1943
Prepared by the Fruit Program Committee
of the Extension Service
W. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
3
i^
Contents
To Plant or Not to plant Peach Trees.
ontrol of Peach Tree Borers.
anger in Heavj'- Early "/inter Pruning.
List of Subjects Discussed in Fruit Notes durin[; 1943,
Do You Knoiv.
Spray Materials for 1944 Ilust be Ordered and Stocked Early.
^Pomological Paragraphs -
-T^Absorption of Nitrogen Through Apple Leaves.
/ Potash and T'agnesium Deficiencies,
( Potash Content of Apple Leaves.
\ Some Effects of Mulching,
^Sectional Meeting of A.S.H.S.
TO PLANT OR NOT TO PLANT PEACHES
This past season peaches were a "golden harvest," Six to nine
dollars a bushel makes a few acres of peaches look like a gold mine. But
looks can be deceiving. So if you're planning to plant peaches, let's con-
sider a few facts and what they mean.
The 1941 crop was 57% below the 1942 crop and 24^ below the ten
year (1932-41) average. With the exception of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and
New Jersey, which had fair crops, the crop in the eastern half of the United
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30,
1914, Willard A. Munson, Director, Massachusetts State College, United States
Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating.
-2-
States was very short. The New Ent;land crop was a total failure. It is
unusual for so nanyof the eatern peach sections to have crop failures in the
same year.
According to the 1940 United States Census, there were in the
United States in 1939 47.1 million peach trees of bearing age and 21,7 mil-
lion not of bearin;;; age. Assuming that l/3 as many trees not of bearing age
as those of bearing age are required for normal replacements, there is an
excess of 6 million young trees. In another 4 or 5 years, these should be
at the peak of their production. This indicates a considerable increase in
peach production with its consequent influence on price just as trees planted .
in 1944 are coming into bearing.
Therefore, prices in 1943 were far above normal because of un-
usual circumstances. Normal prices will tend to decline due to increased
production of young trees already planted and coming into bearing.
However, the picture for the commercial grower in Massachusetts
is good if he uses his knov/ledge and skill to best advantages The number
of peach trees in Massachusetts, both bearing and nonbearing, is the lowest
in many years. Locally grown peaches have always found a ready market at
satisfactory prices » However, six or seven dollars a bushel cannot be ex-
pected from locally grown peaches if the national crop is large-,
On the other hand, the novice better follow the time honored
advice to "make haste slowly," Just consider a few of the difficulties'
1. The orchard site is very important. Massachusetts is on about the north-
ern limit of peach growing. Unless the peach orchard is vrell situated,
frequent v/interkilling of buds v/ill make tlie orchard unprofitable, and
killing of the trees may ruin it. All too frequently crops are lost
even in favorably situated orchards.
2. Variety selection is important, A beautiful picture and glowing v/ords
guarantee nothing,
3. Among the insects and diseases to be controlled are the following ser-
ious one SI
a. The oriental fruit moth, which is the chief cause of wormy
peaches, has been in Massachusetts for many years. No ade-
quate control has been vrorked out for tliis pest.
b. The peach tree borer is a serious pest. A single borer can
ruin a young tree before it reaches bearing age,
&• The yellow-red virosis (X-disease) has come into Massachu-
setts recently. This virus disease can be controlled by elim-
inating all chokecherries in the vicinity of the peach orchard,
but this is no small job.
d. The plum curculio, vfhich also makes peaches wormy, is some-
times controlled with arsenate of lead. However, peaches
are very susceptible to injury by the arsenic in this material.
4. Peach orchards, except very small ones, require mechanical equipment for
their care. Under war conditions this equipment is high priced and hard
to get.
5. It costs money to bring an orchard into bearing, A crop failure or two
at the wrong time may turn that gold mine into a millstone.
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The experienced peach grower knows where to locate his orchard
as regards site and soil. He knows varieties and what to look for in a new
one. He has the equipment and knows how to use it. But most important of
all, he has the "know how" for growrLg and handling peaches. The novice who
has all tliis to learn had better "stop, look, and listen" to make sure that
he gets onto the train and not onto the track.
— J. S. Bailey
CONTROL OF PEACH TREE BORERS
Dr. Oliver I. Snapp, the originator of the eythylene dichloride
treatment for the control of peach tree borers, has been looking for some-
thing more safe and equally effective. He reported recently that propylene
dichloride, even when l/4 to l/3 less is used, is as effective as ethylene
dichloride and much safer. However, his experiments have not progressed to
the point where he is recommending propylene dichloride for general use.
— J. S. Bailey
DAHGER IN HEAVY EARLY 17INTER PRUNING
An apple grower told at a recent meeting that he had started to
do a very drastic job of lowering the trees in an excessively tall orchard.
Some of the trees had been slashed back to about half their former height,
TJ'ords of caution from others at the meeting about heavy pruning before mid-
vanter will probably set him thinking. The following is quoted from the
October issue of "Food for Victory with King Apple," (University of Illinois)}
"Experience in Illinois indicates that fall and v/inter pruning of apple and
peach trees may result in serious tree-killing v;hen the pruning is followed
by sub-z«ro temperatures. During the v/inter of 1935-36 a 30-acre block of
peach trees pruned from December to February was killed to the ground by a
Feburary sub-zero cold wave. The rest of the orchard, which was unpruned,
was killed back to a height of about six feet. Durin.^ the severe v/inter of
1929-30 a block of '.wealthy and Duchess trees in the University orchard at
Urbana, which had been pruned before the cold v/ave, was so heavily damaged
that more than half the trees eventually died. The heavier the pruning, the
greater is the hazard. Pruning wounds heal better when cuts are made in
the spring. If it becomes necessary to prune during the winter because of
labor shortage, it is suggested that stubs about a foot long be left on all
cuts more than 2 inches in diameter. These stubs may thon be cut off in
early spring v/hen the danger of sub-zero temperature is past. This will en-
able the bremch to be taken out of the orchard during the winter."
Similar observations v/ere made in Massachusetts after the severe
winter of 1935-34. There is apparently much less danger from fall and early
winter removal of weak, drooping branches or parts of branches, than from
heavy cutting of vigorous branches.
In a recent release to Connecticut growers under the heading,
"Tall Trees are Expensive," H, A. Rollins says, "If you cannot reach the tops
of your a^jple trees with a 20-foot ladder it is time to lower the tops by
pruning, so that you can spray, thin and pick the apples more easily next year.
-4-
Growers are finding it very expensive t ) produce apples on the tall trees
and almost impossible to get them picked with inexperienced labor. Some
growers, in recent years, have lowered the tops of their tall trees by
rather drastic pruning. Others are planning to do something about it this
winter. To avoid v/inter injury, large cuts should be made in late T//inter
after the danger of extremely low temperatures has passed. Unless cuts are
made so that the main limbs will be partially shaded, sunscald on the tops
of the branches may cause serious injury. If the tops are pruned heavily,
the rest of the tree should have only a light pruning. Plan your pruning
program navi before you forget how difficult it was to pick those apples
from tall trees."
LIST OF SUBJECTS DISCUSSED IN FRUIT NOTES DURING 1945 - Page No . in ()
Apple Insects, May (1) June (2) Sept. (5) (6)
Apple Scab May (2)
Bees Feb. (8) Mar. (4) June (5)
Boysenberries Nov. (4)
Containers Feb. (8) Mar. (6) (7) (8) Apr, (6) June (4)
Contour Planting Feb, (5)
Cost of Production Mar. (4)
Do You ?Cnow Jan. (5) Feb. (3) Apr. (3) May (3) June (3) July (4) Sept, (3)
Oct, (3) Nov. (3) Dec. (5)
Fertilizers Jan, (1) (6) Feb. (6) June (7)
Foods and Food Production Mar. (l) (8) Apr. (8) June (6) July (9) Oct. (6)
Fruit Preservation May (7)
Fruit Statistics Apr, (6) June (l)
Grapes Feb. (2) Nov. (2)
Harvest Sprays and Dusts July (8) Sept, (5)
Harvesting Feb, (5) Apr, (7) Sept, (8)
Labor May (5) June (2) July (2) Sept. (l)
Magnesium Deficiency Jan. (6) July (7) Sept. (5) Nov. (5)
Marketing Jan. (5) June (9) Nov. (1)
Mice Apr. (7) Oct. (l)
Movies Nov. (4)
Nursery Stock Mar. (3) July (7) Sept, (2)
Orchard Management June (5) (8) (10) July (5) (6) Oct. (5) Dec. (7) (b)
Peaches Jan. (2) Feb. (7) Dec. (1) (3)
Price Ceilings May (4) Oct. (8) (10) Nov, (6)
Pruning Apr. (2) Dec. (3)
Raspberries May (8)
Russeting Feb. (5)
Spraying and Spray Materials Jan. (6) Mar. (5) (6) Apr, (l) (8) May (9)
June (8) Sept, (7) Dec. (6)
Storage May (9)
Strawberries Apr. (6) Oct. (2)
Taxation Feb. (lO)
T/inter Injury Feb. (l) Mar. (2)
A sign in a Connecticut Valley retail store window carries this
message: FANCY U. S. NO, 1 SELECTED MACINTOSH APPLES. The only things wrong
with this statement are (1) if the apples are U. S, No. 1 they can't be Fancy ,
(2) if of either grade they would naturally be Selected , (3) the apples &pZ
pear to be ungraded, and (4) the Variety name is misspelled. (The printing,
at least, is good).
2)."U
That the Common Barberry (Berberis vul^^aris L.) is one of the
first plants brought over by the early English settlers for the purpose of
providing a fruit from which jellies and jam could be made? This plant with
its sour fruit makes an interestingly flavored jelly. Since its early in-
troduction it has spread because of birds eating the berries and thus dis-
seminating the seeds, until now it is found all over our pasture hillsides
in the Northeast, This plant is frequently used as an ornamental in gardens,
and in the fall of the year the sprays are much used in decorative arrange-
ments. Of interest to fruit growers, however, is the fact that it was orig-
inally introduced from Europe for its fruit. It has always been interest-
ing to me that in a land which abounds v;^ith native fruits, the early set-
tlers, because they did not know these fruits, made an effort to introduce
some from the region v;ith v;hich they were familiar. Of the native fruits
three are outstanding, - the blueberry, cranberry, and native strawberry,
all of which soon offered stiff competition to a plant which was introduced
for its jelly possibilities. — A, M. Davis
That history records the finding of cranberries on Cape Cod as
early as 1602? In 1638 an English naturalist visited this section and in
making a record of New England "rarities" mentions "cranberries" which he
stated "The Indians and English use much, boyling them with sugar for sauce,
to eat with their meat".
That the use of magnesium as a soil treatment may become as com-
mon in some sections of the U. S, as the use of calcium, nitrogen, phosphor-
us and potassiura? An application of one of the magnesium compounds appears
to be very much needed on some iiassachusetts fanas.
That ground limestone obtained under the AAA program maybe ap-
plied to crop land, pasture, poultry ranges or commercial orchards? Ground
limestone may be secured by farmers up to a tonnage not exceeding that de-
termined by the total of the units on the farm, divided by 5, fi^jured to the
nearest ton on the basis of farmyard delivery. If lime is taken at the rail-
road siding, 20/j more material may be added. If taken at the lime manufact-
uring plant, another 20;,o is added.
That ceiling prices idll probably be established on all fresh
fruits during 1944? OPA is planning to bring under control, well in ad-
vance of next season's crops, all the remaining fresh fruits including sweet
cherries, apricots, peaches, pears and plums.
That certain gift packages of apples are exempt from price con-
trol regulations? The provisions of an OPA release dated November 25, are
as follows! "Apple growers and shippers v/ho package their apples in boxes
with a net weight of not more than 26 pounds, with not more than 5 boxes
sold at one time to one buyer, shipped by Express or parcels post, are not
under price control with respect to such sales."
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That a recent ainendiaent to the apple ceilintj order increases the
ceilin,; in so-called sec mdary or rural markets? Under this araendment the
ceilintj on apples delivered in less than car lots or less than trucklot quan-
tities to secondary markets at a distance of 25 miles or more from primary
markets is 18/ per box higher than the primary market ceiling. This in-
crease of 18/ in ceiling price of apples delivered into these secondary mar-
kets will, it is hoped, result in a more equitable distribution of current
limited supplies,
3PHAY i.IATERIALS FOR 1944 LIUST BE OltPERED AIJU STOCKED EMLY
One of the most important questions that confronts the farmer and
victory gardener right nov/ is looking out for his supply of fungicides and
insecticides for 1944, It is equally essential that retailers estimate their
needs of these materials for the coming year, get their orders in and actu-
ally stock up on those supplies at the earliest possible moment. If these
matters are not attended to promptly, many of us are likely to find it im-
possible next summer to obtain the right kinds of dusting and spraying ma-
terials at the time they are most needed.
In the past season, supplies of copper fungicides, mercury and
nicotine dusts vrere short in many localities at the time they v;ere needed to
combat such pests as cucumber and potato blights, cabbage maggot and plant
lice on potatoes, tomatoes and a number of other vegetables and 'fruits. The
officials of both the Agricultural Insecticide and Fungicide Association, a
nation-wide organization of manufacturers and distributors, and the Tiar Food
Administration warn us in no uncertain terms that the situation is likely to
be even v/orse in 1944 due to increasing shortages of labor or manpower at
manufacturing and distributing points, and to the critical container situation
and tha limitations in transportation facilities.
VHiile the present outlook for fungicide and insecticide supplies
is fairly good for 1944 as regards allocation of rav/ materials for their man-
ufacture, yet the Agricultural Insecticide and Fungicide Association issues
the warning that, "Host important of all, the dii^ tributor s, dealers and con-
sumers all must place their orders and take their deliveries earlier than
ever before — to beat those manpower, container and shipping deficiencies.
This applies particularly to copper compounds," The Yiar Food Administration
recently sent out the following telegram directed to people over all the
country: "\fer Food Administration urges farmers to help make the 1943-44
distribution of insecticides and fungicides fully effective by placing orders
now and requesting early delivery, . . Because of transportation, labor and
shortage difficulties it is necessary to keep insecticides and fungicides
moving if manufacturers are to meet farmers' needs. . , Manufacturers have
been taking in raw materials for next season production since September 1st
and the finished insecticides are now building up in storage. . . Farmers ac-
cepting insecticides and fungicides now should have no difficulty
in storing them on their farms in a dry, floored, weather-proof building. , ,
Unless farmers cooperate with V/ar Food Administration by accepting supplies
early Vire may encounter serious problaas."
For the benefit of all concerned, it is hoped that farmers and
gardeners, as v/ell as retailers, throughout Massachusetts heed these requests
and i/arnings , and place their orders for and stock up with fungicides and
insecticides just as early this fall as possible,
— 0. C. Boyd
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'^-aiccLo /<uia
ABSORPT I ON OF NI TROGEN THROUCzH APPLE LEAVE S
All v;e 11- informed fruit grov/ers laiow that their trees obtain min-
eral nutrients, includinij nitrogen,, from the soil. Some people have been
very skeptical of the ability of leaves to absorb mineral nutrients, but it
is now viTell established that they may do so. However, it is unlikely that
the spray outfit will replace the fertilizer distributor. One difficulty
is that soluble minerals, as nitrate of soda, applied in a spray are likely
to burn the leaves. The Geneva Experiment Station has shown that Urarion
(urea) applied in the regular pesticide sprays, 5 lbs. per 100 gallons, v;ith
lime, did not burn Ilclntosh leaves but resulted in a typical nitrogen color
response and increased the nitrogen content of the leaves. These trees were
obviously deficient in nitrogen. I.hen applied to trees well supplied with
nitrogen, there was little or no response. It is suggested that this method
of supplying nitrogen may offer means of a more exact control of the nitrogen
supply of the tree. (Proc. Aner. Soc. for ilort. Sci. Vol, 43: p, 125.)
— J, K. Shaw
POTASH AMD LIAGI-JES lUl i DEFICIENCIES
Many Massachusetts fruit growers know Dr» A. B. Burrell and also
Dr, Damon Boynton who formerly managed an orchard in A;nherst. They have been
studying potash deficiency in apple trees in the Champlain Valley, They dug
in 3 pounds of sulfate of potash in a narrov; band under the tips of the
branches in successive years. In the second year, leaf scorch was strikingly
reduced and in the third year was almost eliminated and shoot grov-rbh was in-
creased. In the fourth year, potassium leaf scorch disappeared, shoot growth
about doubled and the potash content of the leaves also doubled. But there
appeared a ''fertilizer injury" to the leaves; the writer is willing to bet
a cigar that it was due to magnesium deficiency. On other trees, a \% sol-
ution of sulfate of potash applied 6 times as a spray, and sulfate or muri-
ate dug in or applies on the surface all increased the potash content of
the leaves and also increased growth. No increase in yield is reported.
Potash deficiency seems more prevalent in the Champlain Valley than in other
parts of Nev; York. (Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. 5ci, Vol, 43, page 61.)
— J, K. Shaw
POT.^ SH CONTENT OF /iPPLE LEAVES
It has been found by Baker in Indiana that the application of
potash to culvivated orchards did not consistently increase the potash con-
tent of apple leaves over those from trees not fertilized with potash. How-
ever, v;hen trees were mulched with straw or tobacco and even witli paper,
sawdust, or glass wool, the potash content of the leaves was consistently
higher than that of leaves from trees not mulched. This is interesting as
it suggests that not all the greater available potash under a mulch cTmes
from the mulching material] there must be an effect of the mulch on the
potash of the soil. (Proc, Amer. Soc. for Hort. Sci. Vol. 43: p, 7).
— J, K, Shaw
SOME EFFECTS OF JIULCHING
Many Massachusetts fruit growershave mulched their orchards v/ith
good results. TTander and Gourley in Ohio have tried to find out the reason
for the favorable results of mulching. They compared the soil under mulch
and under cultivation and found that the available potash was much greater
under mulch even to a depth of 21 inches. The increase of magnesium and
calcium was less, although that of organic matter, phosphorus and boron,
while large in the surface 3 inches, was small or showed no increase at great-
er depths. The acidity of the soil was not affected. The potassium and
phosphorus content of both leaves and fruit was increased by mulching,
while the content of both magnesium and calcium was decreased in the leaves.
No comment is made on nitrogen, but it is always evident that i.iulched trees
have plenty of nitrogen. This confirms the belief of the v/riter that the
beneficial effects of mulching are largely due to increased available nutri-
ents. (Proc. Araer, Soc, for Hort, Sci . Vol. 43: p. 1)
— J, K. Shaw
SECTI ONAL l E nTIiJG O F A.S.II.S.
Host fruit grov/ers knov/ of the Aj-.ierican Society for Horticultural
Science, v^/hich is the national organization of the "scientific" horticul-
turists. This Society omitted its annual meeting last year and vdll do so
this year. Instead, group meetings will be held in different sections, thus
avoiding the congestion resulting from war time travel. The New England
members will meet in Worcester on January 4, 1944. V^Tiile this meeting v;ill
be devoted to discussion of Horticultural Science, any fruit grov/ers who care
to attend will be welcome.
-- J. K. Shaw
The national apple crop in 1943 was Cl^o below that of 1942 and
2'6'/o below the 1954-41 average. California v/as the only major state
with a larger crop in 1943 than in 1942, In l/.'ashington unfavorable
spring weather in 1943 reduced the crop about I'J/o below that of 1942,
In checking on a worthless crop of apples a few days ago the
writer was told that the orchard received three "pink" sprays. Fur-
ther inquiry brought this explanation;- "three applications of that
pink stuff, lead arsenate".
A number of instructive and entertaining movies are available
at the State Colle^je for general distribition. Ai'.iong the recent ones
are: "Farn ■' ork is l/Tar l.'ork," "l.ar Time Nutrition," and "Out of the
Fryinj^ Pan into the Firin^ Line,"
VmT:VA
January 31, 1944
PROF.. JOHN: S.EM LEY,
FREHCM HALL,
11 43
Prepared by the Fruit Program Committee
of the Extension Service
\7. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Contents
Relative Iiiportance of Apple Varieties in the U.S.
l.Iid-winter Tasks on the Fruit Farm
Pomological Paragraphs;
ITater in the Soil
Intake of Nitrogen During Vfinter
Another Kind of Dwarf Apple Tree
Manganese and Copper Deficiencies-
The Yellow-Red Virosis
Seen and Heard in i,iaine
Apple Advertising
Soil Acidity in the Orchard
RELATIVE lilP ORTANCE OF APPLE VAR IETIES IN THE U. S.
The LIcIntosh variety is nov; one of the three most important varieties
in the U.S. V/ith a production of 9,249,000 bushels in 1943 and 13,609,000
bushels in 1942, it accounted for between 10 and 11 per cent of the total apple
production in the country. It is the most important variety in the Northeastern
and North Central States, particularly Nev/ England, Nev/ York, and Michigan. In
other sections of the country, except for iiontana, where the bulk of the apple
production is liclntosh, this variety is of minor importance. In 1945 and 1942
more than half of all apples grown in New England and almost a third of all New
York apples v/ere of this variety.
The volume of several other common varieties grown in the United States
in 1943 and the percentage of the national crop are as followsj Delicious,
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of Hay 8 and June 30,
1914, Ti7illard A. Munson, Director, Massachusetts State College, United States
Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating.
-2-
14,130,000 bu, (about 16^,. Two-fifths of the Delicious apples in the U.S. are
produced in lYashington) Golden Delicious, 2,353.000 bu. (a little less than
5)1). Rone Beauty, 5,597,000 bu. (6.4:%). Stayman, 5,683,000 bu. (4.2^^).
ITinesap, 9,869,000 bu, (about ll^o). Yellov^ Nev/town, 3,898,000 bu. (4.4^o).
York Iiaperial, 4,250,000 bu. (5%). Jonathan, 6,854,000 bu. (about 8%).
Grimes Golden, 1,560,000 bu. (about Z%) . Baldwin, 2,637,000 bu, (about 3%),
V/ealthy, 2,336,000 bu. (2.7J^),
I.IID-Y/I1JTER TA SKS OIJ T HE FRUIT FARLl
Overhauling the sprayer and other fruit farm equipment should take first
place amon^; raid-vj-inter tasks. If the sprayer has not yet been put in the best
possible condition it should be overhauled at once and all worn parts replaced.
Ordering supplies, including fertilizers, spray materials, and boxes,
is another job v^hich should not be delayed. Even though boxes are not needed
for another six or eight months, there is urgent need for locating new boxes ^
box shooks, or used boxes this winter and spring. Boxes arq certain to be scarcer
than in 1943. Araong the ingeraois methods being used by some growers are;
getting out the logs and hauling them to the mill to insure a supply of raw
material, and in one case furnishing several workers for a short handed box
shop. There will undoubtedly be more buying of box shooks and nailing at the
farm than in years past.
A third item of utmost importance at this season has to do with "etream-
lining the orchard"for more efficient spraying and harvesting. Crov/ded trees
are being removed on a wholesale scale in a number of orchards. In a recent
meeting of 40 fruit growers in Yforcester this question was asked, "Hov/ many are
either removing fillers or are planning to remove fillars before next spring?"
Eleven of the 40 raised their hands. Pruning at the ground level or lifting
the trees out, stumps and all, by means of a bulldoasr, is a most effective
way to reduce the cost of production \/ithout materially reducing the actual
yield. l,7ithin tv/o years a crowded orchard from v.'hich half the trees are re-
moved will be back to its former production v;ith a considerably lov;ered pro-
duction cost. Vfashin.ton State College specialists say that the costs for
grov/ing and harvesting apples in central Washington decline rapidly as yields
increase from less than 200 boxes per acre to 350 boxes an acre. Getting rid
of the extra trees in an orchard is a big factor in increasing the yield of
salable fruit.
James F. Gallant of the Essex County Agricultural
School, Hathorne, Ifess, informs us that a graduate
of the School, now employed as a farm manager on an
estate, is available this spring for emplo^.onent in
orcharding, vegetable gardening, or general farming.
He is primarily interested in horticulture and is
well qualified to serve as an orchard manager.
In 1917 there were only about 50,000 tractors on farms, Toda- there
are nearly 2,000,000.
'C(zly h^vi^^'iM /ui^
WATER IN THE SOIL
In early spring or following a period of heavy rainfall, the space
between the particles in the soil may be nearly or quite filled with water.
Part of this water drains away by gravity and is good riddance, for fruit
trees will not grow in a v/ater-logged soil. Air in the soil is necessary
if tree roots are to grow and function properly, and air and water cannot
occupy the same space. After drainage has removed what water it can, much
still remains. The trees drav/ upon this water until it is so far exhausted
that the leaves wilt, and if not watered, the trees soon die. Considerable
study has been made to learn if this available v;ater is all of equal value
to the trees, and whether the trees suffer before the v/ater falls to the
wilting point.
Experimenters at the V^ashington State Experiment Station studied this
problem by measuring the carbon dioxide intake of the leaves under various
amounts of available v/ater in the soil. This is a good measure of the grov/th
of tree and fruit. They found that the trees v/orked efficiently until the
water dropped to within 3^ of the wiltin^, point. This 3U(^^fjsts that a drought
period v/ill not harm the trees if it is not too severe and prolonged, Vdien
the leaves begin to wilt, and do not entirely recover over night, the tree is
in a bad v/ay. If they V/ilt during a hot dry afternoon, it means that water
is getting scarce and it is time to pray for rain or do something else about
it. (Proc. Amer. Soc. for Hort. Sci. 42 j page 133.)
— J. K. Shaw
INTAKE OF NITROGEN DURIH G Vf lNTER
Experiments conducted by Batjer, Ilagness, and Regeimbal of the U.S.D.A.
show that young apple trees may take nitrate and ammonium nitrogen into the
roots under winter conditions, but that the nitrogen does not move upward in
the tree during the dormant season. The roots were subjected to a temperature
of 38-40° and the tops to 45-60". At 45-6C°, the roots absorbed no more nitro-
gen than at the lower temperature. The fact that apple roots take in nitrogen
at relatively low temperatures suggests one reason v;hy fall applications of a
nitrogenous fertilizer meet with favor in the more southern . apple areas. In
New England, there is evidence that fall applications may cause v^inter injury
to the trees. (Proc. Amer. Soc. for Hort, Sci., Vol. 42", p. 69. 1943),
--J. K. Shaw
ANOTHER KIND OF DY/ARF APPLE TREE .
Dwarf apple trees are produced by budding the desired varieties on
dwarfing stocks v;hich are small, slow growing kinds of the com^'aon apple.
Different stocks produce trees ranging from vsry dvmrf (6-8 feet tall) to
nearly full-sized trees. By budding or grafting a very dv/arfing stock oiato
^<.-
a seedling stock and then ^^^f "^^f^l; J^ J°,f Vt j''''' t ^"''''^' "'^ "^^^ -P-^o^t
a partially dwarfed tree, or in other words a tp .^ h^^^^^ ^ seedling root
anS a Mcintosh top, v.ith a section °f 7?,°f °J^|, ^^^ f^^^fing stock in betx^^en.
We may briefly describe such a tree ft,s LlcIntgaA/ Mailing ix/ French Crah
Seedling." Such a tree §hould not l^e confused. v;ith a Mcintosh on Mailing |X
which would be a v«ry dwarf tree. It ^9!^i-4 t>e more like a Mcintosh on Iviklling
I or II. (Proo, Arier. Bocs, fgr Hor^. Sol. ^^, page 357.)
— J. K. Shaw
MAIIGMESE ^JD^ ?£PPER_ MFIG^HCIES
It has been shov/ri :^hat def^cienc^les of Bproii and Magnesium sQmetimeg
QGOur in'apple trees in Massachusetts. In the area ^D^rdering the Gu^f of
MexiQ© and locally in California, deficienQies of other elements haye been
found, Perhaps similar deficiencies may appear here. In the Gulf regipji gul-
tivatidn of the tung tree is developing rapidly. Oil from tung m%s fiRda
many uses in Industry, particularly as a drying oil for painty i-^ h%s teen
found ^"hat tung trees sonetimec suffer from a lack of Manganese and Qf Qopper,
Pymptoirs cf Manganese deficiency are a ''f ranching" or chlorosis qf the leaves,
wxtt; small dead areas and r^/emature dropping of some of the leaves, It is
cured by applications of .manganese sulfate. Armoniuiu suifate is beneficial
as it increases soil acidity and releases Manganese which is fixh;d in the
soil by too little acidity.
Copper deficiency is indicated by small "cupped" terminal leaves,
chlorosis, and dying and drcpning of the leaves. Axillary shoot grov/th is
stimulated and shoot tips die. Application of a vrjak copper sulfate, eithar
to the soil or as a spray, corrects this condition. (Proc. itoier. Soc . for
Hort. Sci. 42, pages 74 and 79.) _j_ ^^ 2^^^^
THE YELLOV / -RED VIRQSI3
The "X-disease" of peaches is now acquiring a real name. It v/ill be
known as the Yellow-Red Virosis, because it turns peach leaves yellow and choke-
cherry leaves red. It vms discovered in Connecticut in 1933. It had doubt-
less been present there and probably in Massachusetts before that time. It
was discovered in the Iludsoii Valley in 1938 and is now pretty well spread
over the northern part of the peach country. A recent bulletin of the Geneva
Experiment Station reports the results of a study of the disease in that state.
It is caused by a virus vihich is "an exceedingly minute infective principle
not visible under the highest magnification of the microscope." The chokecherry
is very susceptible, and the virus is supposed to be carried to the poach by
some insect v/hose identity has not yet been discovered. It may pass from peach
troo to peach tree, but less rapidly. It may also be transmitted by buds from
diseased trees. Chokech^irry bushes must not bo allov/ed to grow v;ithin 500 feet
of a peach orchard. Sodiujn chlorate and ammoniuin sulfamate vjoro the only ma-
terials found satisfactory for killing chokecherries. Ho poach variety oscapod
the disease vjhen inoculated with virus-infected tissue but possibly some var-
ieties Jvre less susceptible than others. The common black cherry does not
carry the disease. (N.Y. State Agr. Expt. Sta. Bui. 704.)
— J. K. Shaw
-5-
S EEU AI ID l EAPJ ) IN ilAIIE
IIavin£; boen loaned to the Stato of Main'j for tvra wooks (Jan. 9-2^),
the v;ritor tak^s this opportunity to r eport a few of his observations. The
trip involved seven v/ell attond^^d fruit meetings, throe county agent confer-
ences and numerous visits vdth individual growers. Nev/spaper accounts of
heavy snowstorms this winter are not exaggerated. Snow plows, in some tov.'ns,
have been taxed to the limit and many of them are laid up for repairs. Some
telephone lines are dov/n, and certain orchards are so deeply buried that
mid-winter mouse control measures are out of the question.
Hardy Stocks. Cold winters have caused so much damage to apple trees
in i.Iaine in yoars"pa'st that there is real interest in establishing orchards on
one of the hardy stocks. The severity of Maine winters is shown by the fact
that Baldwin trees on ordinary seedling stock will survive only tv:o or three
years in the vicinity of Orono, But if grafted in the branches of a Hibernal
or Virginia Crab tree even the tender Baldwin will survive for many years.
The method of establishing an orchard on a hardy stock is briefly thisj An
ordinary seedling -v/hip is budded to Virginia Crab or Hibernal in the nursery
and after growing a year or t\io is transplanted to the orchard and developed
as a leader tj'pe tree. T/7ide angled branches develop naturally on these var-
ieties. V/hen the framev/ork is v/ell established the brandies and "leader" are
either budded or vihip grafted to the desired variety, the buds or scions being
placed on the branches as far out as 18 inches from the trunk. The resulting
tree is thus a throe-story affair, having a seedling root. Hibernal or Virginia
Crab trunk and main branches, and a top of the desired variety. This kind
of tree looks especially promising since much of the winter injury in ordinary
trees occurs in the trunk and crotches. A nursery pool under the supervision
of State Horticulturist Stanley L. Painter, makes it easier for growers to ob-
tain these custom made trees.
Leaf Scorch (Magnesium Deficiency). As in Massachusetts, leaf scorch
\_caused by magnesium deficiencyX presents a real problem in some Maine orchards,
The leaf symptoms include yellowing betv/een the veins, and later, a dropping
of the older leaves on the terminal growth. Tests have been conducted in a
Maine orchard for a number of years, using a v;ide variety of materials, V^Tiere
potash was used, leaf scorch was more apparent than before, V/ithin the last
two or three years the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salts) has
been clearly demonstrated. At present, three spray applications, using 20 lbs.
in 100 gals., are recommended in magnesium deficient orchards, the first around
Calyx period and the other two at ten-day intervals.
Northern Spy an d Golden Deliciou s. Certain orchard locations seem very
well adapted to the grov;ing of Northern ^pies . At the fruit meetings in Buck-
field and T(/ilton large Spies of unusually (,ood color and quality (from the
Conant and Weeks orchards) v/ere distributed. On the basis of these saiaples
it appears that this old variety is very much at home in the Pine Tree State.
The Golden Delicious varies vddely in different orchards. From the Y/allingford
orchard in Auburn we sav/ some exceptionally fine Golden Delicious. These ap-
ples vrere the result of a good soil and good management, including thinning.
In other orchards this variety is snail in size and of mediocre quality, due
in part, perhaps, to a lack of thimiing.
-6-
Orchard Crov.'ding. Vjliile the snowisas too deep to walk through any
of 'the o rcli'a'r'cf s~,~th" "prob 1 e m of crowding appears to be as widespread as it
is in Massachusetts, Many of the orchards have just about reached the age
where something r.iust be done about it. Maine growers seem as much inclined
as \.'e to delay the removal of fillers "one more year." At most of the meet-
ings this point was brought out: Yi/hen a grov;er finds the branches brushing
the sprayer as he drives through, he should begin a drastic cutting back of
the temporary trees, or the trees in every other diagonal row, V/hen this
practice no longer allov/s ample space for efficient spraying, the temporary
trees should be removed entirely. And if the removal of filler trees is al-
ready ovt^rdue, as is so evident in many New England orchards, the sooner we
remove every other diagonal rov/, the better. A bulldozer is an ideal tool
for this purpose,
Appl^ Scab Control. In general, Maine growers seem to have an easier
time in "coivfcFo 1 1 i n g'Tcab' Ifh an vje have in Massachusetts, An exception to this
rule is found in counties near the coast where tr^jos seom to dry off lese
readily after a rain. Growers farth'^r inland and at higher elevations find
it possiblo to control scab, in some seasons, with only two or three sprays.
On*^ groi/er is actually reported to have qualified for th*^ 90^i Clean Apple Club
on a crop which receiv«:;d only tvifo sprays. There is considerable intf;rest in
dusting both for the control of scab and apple ins^;cts. One insect, known as
the mealy bug is causing consid-;rable damage in Maine orchards. Thus far, our
Massachusetts grov;ers have not had to v;orry about this particular pest.
Deep Snow Favors Mice. There is some cause for worry about possible
mouse damage unTeTTh" "sirow'^in some of the Maine orchards. T^vo very heavy
sno\7stormG have cor.f letdly covered all mouse runs, thus preventing growers
from doing effective mid-v/inter baiting. Unfortunately, quite a number of
orchards had not been baited when the first heavy snow came in rfovember. As
the snow thav/s, grovrers are advised to pack it dovm around the trunks of trees
as one means of checking mouse damage.
"A GOOD PRODUCT IS IT S BEST ADVERTISEIvJENT-"
In a release from the National Apple Institute under this heading
John Chandler, Executive Secretary,, says in part, " . , , Of recent years,
the economic factor has worked against good apples doing their own advertis-
ing. Back in the tvrenties, v;hen apple prices returned a good living to grow-
ers and when there were no ceilings, the better packs of apples resulted in
handsome returns to the growers for the extra expense incurred. Consequently
apples were their ovm best advertisement. Unfortunately, during the dark
decade of the thirties wlien most consiuners were buying the cheapest food avail-
able, the premium for fine packs practically disappeared, Du.ring the last
twelve years on] y enough grading and packing hae bcjn done to move the apples.
Many good Eastern packs disappeared entirely. Although growers far from i.iarket
maintained the high standards vriiich paid out during tho twenties; this was
done to retain an outlet for their apples rather than \;.-j.tii any hope of com-
mensurate returns, since they v;ere often obligt.d to accept prices disastrous
to them.
"So I feel that the long depresiion, rather than the attitude of
apple growers has been responsible for so many poor apples appearing in the
markets with the consequent falling off of demand and the further depression
of prices. By the same token most apple jrov/ers have had their pride in,
and enthusiasm for, quality packs pretty well atrophied over a period of
many years, during which better packs have meant only added expense. Since
the present economic outlook indicatee the possibility of profitable years
aJiead for apple grov/ers, nov/ is the time to stress placing attractivf^ appl«?s
before the public as the best possible advertisement for our products. Good
packs of apples, plus the promotional machinery brought into existencfj through
the depression years, should restore apple production to a sound and profit-
able business,"
TIIE SIGNIFICAIICE OF SOIL ACID IT Y IN Tl iE ORCHARD
For many yiars farmers have considered the various fruit crops as
being either very tolerant of acidity or as actually preferring a strongly
acid soil. An occasional orchard is found growing on a soil which is much
too acid for the grov^th of clover and other legumes. But vie should not
lose sight of the fact that cover crops in general have a shallower root
system than apple trees and are therefore influenced to a greater extent
by the acidity and availability of mineral elements in the surface layer.
Cur Massachusetts soils are generally more acid in the surface soil than
they are in the subsoil. This is due to at least four causes. (1) Crop
removal tends to take from the soil calcium, magnesium and other basic ma-
terials. (2) Leaching tends to carry these basic materials into the subsoil
or they may be removed in the drainage water. (3) Erosion carries some of
these materials to lower levels. (4) Heavy applications of sulfur have great-
ly acidified some of our orchard soils. This latter factor alone has actually
made the soil ben^jath some of our trees so .acid that nothing but moss will
grow at the present tine. All flowering plants, including the various grasses,
have bf;en completely excluded because of the acidifying action of sulfur.
Under th^jso conditions, one may wonder how an apple tree can continue to live,
to say nothing about producing crops of fruit. This mystery is explained by
the fact that the roots of an apple tree under good growing conditions range
deeply into tho subsoil and also far beyond the spread of the branches where
soil conditions may bo much more favorable.
There is a definite relationship between the availability of the var-
ioui mineral elen^'nts needed by a growing plant and the acidity of the soil.
If the soil is too acid nitrifying bacteria become inactive and as a result
the decomposition of organic matter becomes so slow as to affect the supply
of nitrates. Furthermore, if the soil is either too acid or too alkaline
phosphorus is believed to be locked up in unavailable forms. V/e may there-
fore think of lime as a soil conditioner. As we bring about the desired de-
gree of acidity we create conditions which favor the availability of minerals
needed for plant growth. In addition, tho lime which we apply contains calcium
and laagnesium both of vihich are essential in plant development.
Every fruit grower should determine tho acidity of the soil in his
various blocks to determine whether or not lime is needed, and if so, how much
-8-
should be applied. Unless the soil is obviously very acid we ought not to
apply lime vfithout first making a soil test. In grandfather's day, folks
took sulfur and molasses in the spring on the assuraption that it would do
no ham and it might do some good. Some folks lime the soil on the same
basis, a little now and then as a matter of insurance.
In the absence of a soil test, much can be learned about the need for
lime by studying the natural growth of weeds, grasses, etc. If orchard grass
grows waist high, we needn't worry about soil acidity. And if clovers thrive,
there is reason to believe that conditions are reasonably favorable for the
trees. But if the cover crop consists of a discouraged grovith of cinquefoil,
sorrel, dewberries, poverty grass, and certain sedges, there is ev^ry reason
to believe that the soil is very acid. Ordinary grasses fail to grov/ before
these miscellaneous acid tolerant plants occupy the soil. An occasional ap-
plication of lime is of great benefit in maintaining a good cover- crop which
exerts an indirect effect upon the troo. The continued use of sulfur in the •
control of apple scab has more or less completely changed the type of cover
crop in many of our orchards. Tliis is to be expected since 500 pounds of sul-
fur mixed with the surface six inches on an acre of fine, sandy ioam tends to
lov/er the acidity rating by about one-half a pH unit. In other words, a soil
rating pH 6 might actually become pH 5.5 after applying a quarter of a ton of
sulfur per acre. It is interesting to note that many of our best orchards
are on soils ranging betv/een 5.5 and 6.5,
One other factor in connection with soil acidity should also be con-
sidered. Magnesium deficiency is becoming a serious problem, particularly in
eastern Massachusetts. Many such orchards are on Gloucester or Merrimac soils
which are naturally low in magnesium. Such soils are also inclined t'l be
strongly acid. As a matter of good orchard management, soils of this kind
should be limed, using a high magnesium or dol :)mitic limestone. This will
aoc mplish two purposes. It will tend t'l c 'nditi on the s 'il by reducing
acidity, and it may ultimat^ily supply s me of the magnesium nw lacking in
the soil. But if the deficiency is severe, a more readily available form
of magnesium, such as magnesiuiii sulphate -tr epsom salts, should als'i be ap-
plied. An application of high magnesium limestone seems to be long overdue
on the average fruit farm. In view of the fact that 50 gears may have elapsed
since some of our fields received an application of lime, the 50th Anniversary
of the Massachusetts Fruit Qrowers ' Association is an appropriate time to satis-
fy a long felt need.
To clear up any misunderstanding concerning the relation of the pH num-
bers to actual soil acidity the following figures are presented: 7 represents
a neutral soil; 6,5 slightly acid; 6.0 moderately acid; 5.5 medium acid;
5,0 strongly acid; 4«5 very strongly acid; and 4.0 extremely acid. A soil
which rates pH 4 is ten times as acid as one v;hich rates 5, and one hundred
times as acid as one vihich rates 6. Practically all of our Massachusetts
soils fall within the range of pH 4.5 to pH 6.5.
Evolution of the apple box: Bin - Barrel - Basket - Box,
Perhaps the Bag deserves a place in this scheme of things.
February 29, 1944
Prepared by the Fruit Program Conmittee
of the Extension Service
W. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Contents
Peach Moth Parasites
A Spraying Record
Heard in Ilaine
Apple and Pear Utilization
Do You Know?
Changes in 1944 Apple Spray Chart
Blueberry Varieties
Ilanure for Cultivated Blueberries
Developraent of the European Red Mite
PEACH MOTH P ARAS ITES
Because of the war emergency it v/ill not be possible to con-
duct the Oriental Fruit Moth parasite rearing project this season. Hot
only is the labor shortage very acute, but transportation conditions
are such that no assurance could be given us that breeding material
would not be delayed in transit. Any prolonged delay en route v/ould
endanger the life of the insects. Ar; effort v/ill be made to secure a
very limited number of parasites by direct purchase from Connecticut,
provided there is any surplus in that state,
—A. I. Bourne
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and
June 30, 1914, Willard A. Munson, Director, Massachusetts State College,
United Sta tes Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services
cooperating.
-2-
A SPRAYING RECORD
Hoosier HorticulturQ, issued monthly by the Indiana Horticultural
Society, reports that Mr. Glen Jones of Mt. Sterling, Illinois personally
applied 268,000 gallons of spray material on his orchard in 1943. His only
assistant was the tractor driver . He used a sprayer with a 400 gallon tank
and did all the spraying from a ttwer. ^ .,.,•,
f J b — L, Southwiok
HEARD IN I.IAINE
At the annual meeting of the Maine Pomological Society the question
came up concerning what variety to plant to prolong the Mcintosh season. Many
Maine growers are interested in a hardy winter apple to take the place of the
once widely planted Baldwin. Some hardy varieties produced in the Middle West
and some unnamed seedlings from the breeding work in Maine and elsewhere may
find a place. Bat one of the most interesting comments to come out of the
discussion was made by County Agent Lovejoy who operates a sizeable orchard
venture of his own. He argued that instead of seeking a brand new variety
for the late market, Maine growers should first test extensively a variety
that has already proven itself. This variety is Golden Delicious. Mr. Love-
joy contends, on the basis of his own experience, that the Golden Delicious
can be grown successfully and profitably in Maine. Furthermore, a man who
has marketed many Maine apples in New York was present and he stated that
Maine grown Golden Delicious have topped the New York market. He felt strong-
ly that the market can absorb a greatly expanded production of well-grown
Golden Delicious apples and urged that grovrers who have the right soil and
growing conditions might well increase their plantings of this variety.
— L, Southwick
APPLE AND PEAR UTILIZATION
The Crop Reporting Board of the U.S.D.A., Bureau of Agricultural
Economics, reports that during the period 1934 to 1942 about two-thirds of
the country's commercial apple crop v;as sold as fresh fruit. Considering
the 1942 crop, 78,246,000 bushels were sold as fresh fruit; 6,541,000 bush-
els were used in farm households; and 35,102,000 bushels 'were manufactured
into products as follows: canned apples - 11,426,000 bushels; dried apples -
7,376,000 bushels; vinegar, cider, apple juice and other products - 16,300,000
bushels.
New York, Pennsylvania and Washington are the most important states
in the canning of apples, accounting for 57 percent of the apples canned in
1942, About 90 percent of the nation's production of dried apples comes from
California, 1/Yashington, and New York. The three leading states in the man-
ufacture of vinegar, cider and apple juice are New York, Pennsylvania and
Virginia.
Of the 1942 pear crop, 15,584,000 bushels were sold for fresh use;
10,797,000 bushels were canned; 3,244,000 bushels went for farm household use;
and 627,000 bushels were dried.
— L Southwick
-3-
^MfJ^Z^^
That a new insecticide, known as DDT, is found to be extremely and
instantaneously toxic to many insects? This material, the full name of
which is diohloro-diphenyl-tri-chloroethane, was first synthesized 70 years
B-go V-y ^ German chemist. It was not until 1959, however, that it was patent-
ed by a Swiss firm as an insecticide. DDT is very toxic against flies,
mosquitoes, bedbugs, and body lice, and in powder form may be dusted on
human skin without harm. One application of the pov;der to the walls of
a room makes the room a death chamber for flies for three months. At pres-
ent the entire output of this nev/ material is being used by the Army, Look-
ing ahead, one caji foresee a new era of insect control in the orchards of
America,
That the designation "Mailing," applied to dwarf apple trees, is de-
rived from the East Mailing Research Station in England, v/here the more common
root stock materials for the apple were freed from mixtures, standardized
and designated by number as Mailing 1, Mailing 2, etc.? Most of these dwarf-
ing stocks are relatively old, as plants go, although their standardization
and introduction by number has taken place within the last few years,
That several of the so-called "Hailing" stocks have been known for
many years under various names, including Doucin and English Paradise?
Mailing 1, for example, was known as Broad Leaf English Paradise, Mailing 2
as English Paradise, Mailing 4 as Dutch Doucin, Mailing 5 as Improved Doucin, etc.
Mailing 9 v;as selected as a chance seedling in France about 1879.
That a sodium salt of dinitro-cresol at concentrations of ,1 to ,2^,
applied at blossoming time, offers considerable promise as a means of reduc-
ing the set of fruit on certain biennial bearing varieties? This material
v/ill destroy a blossom that has been open for oniy a fev/ hours but does not
seem to prevent fruit setting if a blossom has been open for a day or more.
Thus it is possible by proper timing of the spray to destroy 5 of the 6
blossoms on the spur. It is a well knoi-m fact that the center flower tends
to open a day or so before the lateral flowers, ^ince this practice is still
in the experimental stage, it is recommended that trials be limited to cer-
tain varieties, including Transparent, Early Mcintosh, Duchess, suid Vfealthy,
in which the results have been quite gratifying.
That more than 10 million bushels of pears v/ere canned in the United
States in 1942? Pear production in the United States varies less from year
to year than apple production. The yield of pears in the United States, dur-
ing the nine years from 1934 to 1942, varied from 25,943,000 bushels in 1935
to 31,704,000 bushels in 1938.
-4-
That tho supply of nitrogenous fertilizers available to farmers this
season v/ill be about 35^.0 greater than in any previous year? There v/ill,
therefore, be more nitrogen in mixed fertilizers and for direct application
as top and side dressings. This increased supply will be equivalent to about
850,000 tons of annonium sulfate. Ammonium nitrate is at the present tine,
and may continue to be, a lov; cost source of nitrogen for direct application.
More than 200-,000 tons of ammonium nitrate will go into mixed fertilizers in
1944.
That a probe for hot haymows is now available? This piece of equip-
ment consists of a pipe with a thermometer inserted in a pointed nose. A
reading as high as 150*^- F. indicates danger from spontaneous combustion.
If a similar gadget were available for investigating the subsoils in some
of our orchards, we venture the opinion that the cause of poor yields would
be apparent. Unlike haymows, some of them would probably register "not so
hot."
That an individual in Stevirardstown, Pa. is interested in buying apple
logs, for which he pays $40 a thousand board feet? The logs must be green,
not dead or wormy, and must measure 13 inches or over in diameter at the
small end, and may be as short as 3 feet. For further information, consult
R. B. Parmenter, Extension Forester, M.S.C.
That the ability of a rye plant to withstand deep freezing of the soil
may be due in part to the elasticity of the roots? Unlike the roots of many
other plants,, including strawberries, a rye root may stretcli an inch or more
without damage. Thus the rye plant possesses at least two advantages as a
cover crop, namely, its ability to grow in late fall and early spring, when
the temperature is too low for most other plants, and the ability of its
roots to withstand stretching.
That thavdng of the soil in spring takes place both from above and be-
low? In view of the fact that the soil just below the frozen layer is con-
siderably above the freezing point, thawing from below may be relatively rapid.
Thus a deeply frozen soil is ready for tillage much oarlior in the spring than
if all the thawing were to take place from above.
That one of the most efficient packers of apples in the Wenatchee
district in Yfashington is totally blind? At first she packed about 50 boxes
per day although now she is able to pack more than 90.
That the interval between full bloom and fruit maturity is fairly con-
stant from year to year for a given variety? The apple is more consistant
in this respect than other fruits which have been studied. There appears to
be a greater variation in the bloom-maturity interval in early maturing than
in late maturing varieties. H. B. Tukey of the Geneva, N.Y. Experiment Sta-
tion suggests that growers, by keeping records, may obtain information v;hich
should be useful in planning their orchard operations. M. H. Haller of the
U.S.D.A, in a study of four varieties, T/illiams, Jonathan, Grimes Golden, and
Yellow Newtov/n, found that regardless of locality and seasonal variation, the
number of days from bloom to maturity is quite constant. VJ'ith the above var-
ieties, he suggests that harvest should not begin until at least 70, 130, 135,
and 150 days, respectively, after full bloom. The optimum maturity stage
v/ould be somev/hat later.
-5-
That sawdust is proving to be a desirable mulching material for blue-
berries? In a study of mulching materials in Georgia, where temperatures are
high and there is frequently a deficiency of soil moisture, sawdust because
of its ability to reduce evaporation and runoff, v;as by far the best mulch
material tested. Being cheap and easily available, it is recomiaended for
mulching blueberries in the Southeast. Looser materials, such as straw and
oak leaves, were better than clean cultivation but not so effective as sav;-
dust .
That strawberries sometimes yield better under a spaced runner system
than in a matted rovj? In YiTest Virginia, five varieties, Blakemore, Catskill,
Culver, Fairfax, and Howard 17, were spaced 8 inches apart. In each case the
spaced plants outyielded the same varieties in matted ro\/s . Under Massachu-
setts conditions, we sometimes get a better yield v;ith certain strong grov/ing
varieties like Catskill, although the Howard 17 may do almost as well in a
matted row.
That there are at least four reasons why some grov/ers have failed to
get satisfactory results with sprays applied for controlling ilclntosh drop?
Among these reasons are: (l) Faulty coverage. It takes much more material
and a better distribution to wet the stem of each apple than is applied in
the average spray during the spraying season. (2) Temperature too low. The
spray is much less effective if applied v;hen the temperature is 60 degrees
than at 75 degrees. (3) Faulty timing. Since the spray is effective on
Mcintosh for only 9 or 10 days at best, the effect in some cases wears off
before the apples are due to drop. In otlier cases, the apples may begin
to drop before the material tecomes effective. This latter interval is about
two days. (4) The Mcintosh variety is less easily influenced than certain
other varieties. VJ'illiams, Duc?ie5S, Delicious, and certain other varieties
are apparently held on the tree more easily than Mcintosh.
That more than 7,000 varieties of apples have been named and intro-
duced? As late as 1900, 340 varieties were recommended, and nurseries v^ere
selling at least 1400 kinds. The variety list has rather steadily narrov/ed
down until today only about 30 varieties are of commercial importance. Con-
sidering the 1942 and 1943 production, Delicious led all other varieties in
importance, followed in order by Vfinesap and Mcintosh,
— L. Southwick
CHAIIGES IN 1944 AP PLE SPRAY CHART
V/e have been informed by the printer that the 1944 Apple Spray Charts
have been shipped. They will be distributed to county agents and growers
immediately upon their arrival. The chart this year has been printed on two
sheets so that the notes can be referred to more conveniently. In general,
changes in the Spray Chart this year are of a minor nature. It vdll be noted
that v;-ettable sulfur may be used in Emergency Spray A instead of lime sulfur
provided that this spray is applied merely as a protective cover. Line sul-
fur must be used if scab spots are to be burned out.
A revised Spray and Dust Chart for Peaches is expected to be available
for distribution presently, __^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^
-6-
BLUEBERRY VARIETIES
During the past tv;o or three years there has been an increasing
interest in the planting of cultivated blueberries. As with other fruits,
a careful selection of sites, soils, and varieties is highly important in
making a good start.
Better blueberry varieties are being introduced so rapidly that
in a very few years much better varieties than those in our present list
will be available. Since this will probably be just as true 3, 5, 10, or
100 years from now, the grower who always \vaits for those better varieties
will probably die waiting. "Time is now," so let us make the best of v>rhat
we have.
Since blueberry varieties vary from partly to totally self unfruit-
ful, tv;o varieties are needed for cross pollination. The coirunercial list
is short, - Pioneer, Rubel, and \Tarehain. To these might be added Gabot where
an early variety is desired for roadside stand or local trade.
Pioneer is a midseason variety, ripening from middle to late July or
early August. The berries are large, fine flavored, attractive, and good
keepers, Tlie bush is of medium height and fine appearance for ornamental
planting. Unfortunately the yield is lov/ and it is difficult to propagate
and prune. It is being rapidly replaced in other sections and will probably
be replaced in Massachusetts as soon as a better midseason variety appears,
Rubel is a late variety, ripening a few days after pioneer. It is
a good producer. The berries are only fair in size, but their color and
quality are good and they ship well. The bush is tall, upright, well
shaped, vigorous, and easy to propagate and prune. This is one of the
best varieties for the home gardener because it will withstand adverse
conditions as v^ell as any and better than most other varieties,
y/areham is an excellent late season variety, ripening a week after
Rubel"]! The bush is vigorous, upright-spreading, easy to propagate and
prune, and yields heavily. The berries develop good size throughout the
season and have a highly aromatic, wild flavor v/hich is v;ell liked by most
and highly pleasing to some. Although it starts v/ith Rubel, it ripens about
15^ of its crop after all other varieties are through. Unfortunately, it
is dark in color and, therefore, not so attractive as other varieties and
cracks badly following rains,
Cabot is an early variety, ripening a few days to a vieek before Pioneer,
The berries are largo and ship well but are rather flat in flavor. The
plants are low and spreading and not so vigorous as Rubel, but yields are
good. They are hard to propagate, costly to prune, and very susceptible
to Phomopsis gall, a trouble v/hich looks much like crown gall.
Other varieties which are recoLuiended for trial only are;
Stanley is a promising midseason variety. The fruit is large, handsome,
and excellent in flavor. The bush is upright, fairly vigorous, productive,
-7-
and easy to propagate and prune, but doesn't sprout so freely from the
base as could be desired. It may be a suitable replacement for Pioneer.
Jersey, which ripens with Rubel, looks very promising. The bush is
very vigorous, upright, productive, and easy to propagate and prune, but
does not sprout from the base so freely as is desirable. The berries are
long sterimed, making for easy picking, large sized, very attractive, and
keep and ship v/ell. The flavor is excellent if the berries are v;ell ■
ripened, otherviise they are sour. Since the berries turn blue a couple
of days before they are ripe, it is very difficult at times to keep pick-
ers from picking the underripe, very sour fruit.
Pemberton is a very promising nev/ variety which ripens with Rubel.
The bush is upright, very vigorous, productive and winter hardy. The fruit
is unusually large, attractive, and fine flavored. It is easy to prune
and is said to be easy to propagate. It's worst faults are a large v/atery
scar where the stem separates and the tendency for a little piece of skin
to tear off v;ith the stem. This leaves a place for molds to enter and
start decay if the berries are not used within a fevif days,
Atlantic and Burlington, tvio other nev/ varieties, have not yet been
fruited at the Massachusetts Experim'^nt Station, but information available
indicates they are v/orthy of trial,
Dixi, although introduced several years ago, has not been tried ex-
tensively enough yet to warrant any very definite opinions about it. The
berries are very large, attractive, fine flavored, and ripen late. It is
worthy of trial,
— J. 3. Bailey
IvIAIIURE FOR CULTIVATED BLUEBERRIES
Dr. F. V. Coville, the father of blueberry culture, in his early
greenhouse experiments \vith blueberries found that manure was so very toxic,
in fact killed some of the plants, that he never carried the 'ixperiments
into the fi'jld. Ilis repeated warnings against the use of manure were heeded
for 20 or more years. Then a few grov/ers of blueberries because they wore
more venturesome, or hadn't heard of Dr. Coville 's v/arning, tried manure in
the field with apparently good results. For this reason, an experiment was
started at Amherst in 1941 to compare three manures, cow, horse, and poultry,
on cultivated blueberries.
Horse manure v/as applied at the rate of 10 tons per acre, the
first year, and 20 tons per acre the next two. The other two manures v/ere
applied at such rates as to give approximately the same amount of nitrogen
as in the horse manure.
It is noteworthy that the blueberry plants have thrived and pro.»
duced heavily under this treatment with no signs of the toxicity reported
by Dr. Coville. The choice of a manure seems to be immaterial as all gave
equally good results.
— J. S. Bailey
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MR. WILLED A. laUI^bUW
DIRECTOR u'^^^X
SOUTH CfQLLicjS^ ^\^--aO 43
Ijftrch 27, 1944
Prepared by the Fruit Program Coi.mittee
of the Extension Service
\J, II f Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Con tents
Cause of Injury from Oil Sprays
Peach Crop Prospects for 1944
Can 17e Thin the 1944 Apple Crop?
Do You Know?
Orchard Soil Tillage in New England
Gumming of Poach Trees
Spring Control of Peach Tree Borers
Planting Cultivated Blueberries
Little Known Facts about Apple Scab
CAUSE OF IIIJURY FRO M OIL SPRAYS
Oils cause injury by smothering or excluding the supply of oxygen and
possibly by breaking da;irn the cell contents. On the bark of dormant trees
injury is apparently due to the penetration of the oil through the outer
bark to the caMbiuir.. Under favorable conditions the reoomi;iended Eimount of
oil in a spray will evaoorute or dry before it penetrates to the living
cells. Howe-ver, if mere than a safe amount is applied^ or the rate of
evaporation is decreased by cold, or by high humidity, the oil may have
time to penetrate the oaiabium before it dries.
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of Hay 8 £ind June SO,
1914, Y/illard A. I.Iunson, Director, Massachusetts State College, United States
Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating.
• 2-
Many remember that when dormant oil sprays were first recommended
caution against freezing was strongly emphasized. If the emulsion freezes
before it dries, the oil separates and collects in larger drops which do not
dry as rapidly as the smaller drops dispersed through the emulsion. There-
fore, oil sprays should be applied when the weather is clear and drying may
be reasonably expected in a few hours. Oil injury frequently develops first
and more seriously on the small twigs v/here the bark is thin. Here the, cam-
bium is less protected and the living cells are nearer the surface.
— 17. D. YJhitcomb
PEACH CROP PROSPECTS FOR 1944
If the College peach orchard can be taken as a good indicator, the
prospects for a full crop this summer is very bright. None of even the most
tender varieties, such as Elberta, Hale, Goldeneast, and Halehaven, has lost
over 35 percent of its buds and most have ].ost less than 25 percent. The
more hardy varieties such as Charapion, liarigold, and Oriols have lost only
a fev! buds.. Varieties like Champion, v>rhich set fruit buds very poorly, us-
ually average 10 buds per foot of shoot. Ordinarily a tree should not be
allov'/ed to bear more than 2 fruits per foot. Therefore, 60 percent of the
buds can be lost and still have left tv'vice as many as should be allovred to
develop into fruits. Varieties which set fruit buds very freely, 30-40 per
foot, such as Cumberland or the old Greensboro, can lose a higher percentage
and still have enough left for a full crop,
— J. S. Bailey
CAN Y/E THIN THE 1944 APPLE CROP?
Probably few fruit growers do as much thinning as they should. This
year will present an especially difficult situation. Several Experiment Sta-
tions have studied the possibilities of applying a caustic spray at blooming
time to control the set of fruit. Vie have in preparation a brief summary of
the results of these experiments. It is a little early to advise the general
use of these blossom sprays but they show promise. Me expect to make some
trials next sumiaer. If any grower wants to try them in an experimental way
we are glad to offer assistance and advice,
— J. K. Shaw
(The Extension Service is in position to cooperate with at least five Massa-
chusetts apple growers interested in testing the material mentioned above.
Any reader of Fruit Notes interested in mapping out a test in, his own orchard,
with the idea of checking results, is invited to drop a line to V/. H. Thies,
II.S.C, Ai'iherst, Mass.)
HELP.' J . - Two eastern Massachusetts apple growers are looking Ibr orchard
foreman. One of these vacancies is in a largf" orchard and the other in a
medium sized orchard. Both appear to be good opportunities for experienced
men. ^jnother apple grower is interested in buying a good orchard of at
least 500 bearing trees. Detail.s concerning these three inquiries may be
obtained as indicated in the paragraph above.
-3-
/m
That the importation of dried fi^js into the UnitRd States has dwindled
from a high of 20,300 tons in 1925 to only 700 tons in 1940? From 4-5 to lb%
of the imported figs formerly came from Turkey. The state of California
shipped its first carload of dried figs to eastern markets in 1389. During
the ensuing 50 years production has increased to 32,800 tons of dried figs
and 19,000 of fresh fruit frorii a bearing acreage of 34,82G.
That about 3,000,000 lbs. of apple syrup was made from the 1942 apple
crop? 100 lbs. of apples make approximately a gallon of apple syrup weighing
11-g- lbs. At IG/ a lb. for syrup, the processor should be able to pay about
60;^ per 100 lbs. for apples. The largest single use of syrup is in the to-
bacco industry where this syrup is being used in place of glycerin.
That about 20,000,000 Victory Gardens were planted in 1943? The goal
of 18,000,000 v/as exceeded by 2,000,000. In these 20,000,000 gardens,
8,000,000 tons of food v/ere produced, viforth conservatively half a billion
dollars. Yet probably a third of the Victory Gardeners were rank beginners.
The goal for 1944 is 22,000,000 Victory Gardens, 6,000,000 on farms and
16,000,000 in towns and cities. These gardens should be laade to produce
10,000,000 tons of food.
That a shorter storage life of horiaone sprayed apples is due not to the
use, but to the misuse, of this material? If the sprayed fruit is harvested
during its normal maturity range over a period of 10 days to two weeks from
the time of application, the storage quality of the crop is not materially
lessened. It is only when the grov.-er elects to permit his hormone sprayed
fruit to hang on the trees to acquire additional size that increased ripening
and impairment of storage quality will result from the use of the hormone spray.
That apples left loosely stacked under the trees over night may be
cooler by morning than if placed in a crc(v;-ded storage room? Fruit picked in
the afternoon is ordinarily hotter than if picked in the morning. For this
reason, there is a decided advantage in bringing fruit to the cold storage
during the morning hours, only.
That top grafting of a single branch provides an effective v^ay of solv-
ing the cross pollination problem? To provide a showy permanent bouquet of
the pollinating variety a prominent limb vfell up in the tree and on the sunny
side should be selected for grafting. Growers sometimes make the mistake of
selecting an insignificant, low limb for this purpose.
That the farms of Georgia derive an estimated annual income of betv;een
^800,000 and ^.2, 000, 000 from pecans? If we consider the nearly 2,000,000 trees'
of bearing age, the yield per tree is disappointingly low.
-4-
That lack of crop due to insufficient pollination or to a poor spray
program are two reasons why many apple trees grow too tall? By the time these
shortcomings have been corrected, branches which would otherwise bend down-
ward, are too stiff to be influenced to any extent. Other reasons for tall
trees are orchard crovuding and the development of two or more leaders.
That a Quad spray nozzle with 5/64th inch disc opening will deliver
about 6 3/4 gallons at 300 lbs. pressure and 8 l/S gallons per minute at 400
lbs. pressure? The spray drive, or distance the mist \dll carry, is stepped
up from 15 to 17 feet by increasing the pressure from 300 to 400 lbs. Added
spray drive helps to provide coverage on otherwise poorly covered top branches.
That the civilian population of the United States consumed about 75^0
of our total food supply last year? In reality the civilian supply is slightly
higher than 75%, although for practical purposes the total food supply may be
divided as follows: civilians, 75^o} our armed forces, 13^^; our allies, lO^j,
and our territories and neighbors, including Porto Rice, Hav/aiian Islands and
That a bushel of apples sold in Ilichigan last fall for 4-325? This was
the svireepstake bushel at the apple shoi'/, a bushel of liclntosh grovm by Homer
Waring, and ii/as auctioned to the highest bidder, the money being used for charit-
able purposes.
That our first knowledge of the plow, as used by man, comes from wall
paintings in the tombs of Egyptian nobl»)s of 3,000 years ago? The plowman is
shovm at work in a field with a plow rnade of a forked tree, one branch left
long and attached to the ox yoke, the other cut short and pointed, to be dragged
through the soil, and the butt of the tree was shaped into a handle. The Greeks
used plows of a similar type^ to which they added a metal point. The points for
this primitive type of plow, made of a forked tree, were still made in Connecti-
cut as late as 1923 for shipment to the backwoods in South America.
That almost 17,000 food stores distribute fruits and vegetables to Nev\r
York City customers? Of this number, independent grocery stores number about
one-third, chain grocery stores about one-tenth, and meat markets only 3jo.
The weekly sales of fruits and vegetables averaged in chain stores from 12 to
14^^ of all sales and they handled from 14 to 17^j of the total fruit tonnage.
That the term "bearing age fruit trees" is very often a misnomer?
T/Yriting in the Rural New Yorker, II, B. Tukey says, "There is nothing wrong
with the idea of bearing age trees, \j7ien trees are well grown in a nursery
for this purpose, are transplanted in the nursery once or twice to develop a
compact root system, and v/hen a first class article is delivered, there is much
to be said for the bearing age tree. The difficulty lies in the fact that so
many bearing age trees are nothing more than left overs from seasons when the
demand for nursery stock was not high. Such trees may have been neglected in
the row, may have suffered foliage injury and borer attack} and may have other-
ivise been subjected to mistreatment. Vflien such trees are dug and delivered as
bearing age trees the planter really gets an inferior product and is inclined
to be disgusted, not only with bearing age trees, but v>rith the nurseryraan who
supplies them,"
-5-
That prunes, steamed before dehydration, produce a dried prune very
similar to the fresh prune in color? These new prunes have the pink to red
skin color of the fresh fruit and the flesh is a golden yellow. The steamed
fruit dries much more quickly than that treated in the usual manner, and after
drying it cooks quickly. It is believed that the new product, if produced
commercially, will make new friends for the already popular dried prune.
That the number of days between bloom and fruit maturity for a given
variety is remarkably similar from year to year? The Geneva New York Experi-
ment Station reports the following time intervals for several fruits j Early
Harvest apple, 77 days; Oldenburg, 98 days; Uclntosh, 127 days; and Rhode
Island Greening, 135 days; Montmorency cherry, 62 days, Bartlett pear, 121
days, and Elberta peach, 128 days.
That Vitamin C is being extracted from green vralnut hulls? These hulls
have 20 tines the vitamin C potency of orange juice. This extract is used for
fortifying food products. Incidentally, Vitamin C is now being made syntheti-
cally and can be sold for about i^l per ounce.
That the average prices received by farmers for fruits of various kinds
in 1943 were just about double those received in 1941? The average index mem-
bers for the past four years are as follov;s: 1400 - 73; 1941 -. 85; 1942 - 114;
and 1943 - 179. For the first month of 1944 the index number was 204,
That the War Food Administration will establish support prices on cer-
tain fruits in order to encourage the utilization of prospective 1944 supplies?
These support prices will apply to producers and processors of peaches and
pears for canning and for the following dried fruits; Apples, apricots,
clingstone and freestone peaches, pears, prunes and raisins.
That a decided shift from apples to nut crops has occurred in Oregon
during the past few years? The apple acreage declined between 1910 and 1943
from 73,000 to 15,300 acres. During this time the walnut acreage jumped from
7,500 to 24,100 acres while filberts increased from 100 acres to 15,200 acres.
Cherries increased during that period from 8,800 acres to 15,200 acres.
That the total supply of processed foods available in 1943 was 321,000,000
standard cases, a decrease of 38,900,000 cases from the 1942 total of 360,700,000?
A standard case of fruit contains 24 No. 2^- cans each holding approximately a
quart. Production of processed canned fruits decreased 16,800,000 cases in
1943, the total supply being 41,400,000 cases compared to 58,200,000 in 1942,
IN TODAY'S MAIL - A letter has just been received from the district manager
representing the manufacturer of one of the commonly used orchard sprayers
asking that v/e refer to him, for prompt attention, any case in which a grower
is having difficulty with that particular make of sprayer. He says, "If you
know of any service problems of any particular grower I wish you v;ould tell
me about it. Vlhenever you have done this in years past it has been a service
to the grower and to myself." This is too good an offer to pase up. Regard-
less of the make of sprayer, it should be put in first class working order be-
fore the beginning of the spraying season.
-6-
ORCHARD SOIL TILIAGE IN ITB7 B NGLAIJD
Fifty years ago, plowing and continued cultivation of apple orchard
soils in Nev/ England v/ere fairly commoji practices. Today the Sod-Mulch system,
which is subject to iTieiny modifications, has been adopted by practically all
of our commercial grovrers. The latter system tends to encourage good yields
of well colored fruit. It also facilitates the penetration of rainfall and
thus prevents, to a large extent, the erosion which was so common in clean
cultivated orchards.
Our better orchard soils have a sloping or rolling topography and
a fairly high elevation. Under these conditions, in the absence of contour
planting, any extensive tillage is certain to encourage both sheet erosion
and gullying. But if mulch material is applied around the trees in sufficient
quantity to smother the grftss more or less completely as far out as the tips
of the branches, ideal conditions for tree growth and production are main-
tained without danger of erosion. Furthermore, the tremendous demands of an
apple tree for water are better satisfied if rainwater penetrates v/here it
falls instead of flowing to a lower level, as occurs when a heavy rain falls
on a bare soil.
Another advantage of the Sod-Mulch ^stem over plowing and cultiva-
tion lies in the maintenance of a smoother orchard floor. This makes it
easier to travel through the orchard with a power sprayer or a truckload
of apples. Plowing leaves dead furrows which are difficult to level off
even v/ith a disc harrow.
Many of our orchardists are broadcasting a complete fertilizer be-
tween the trees, in addition to supplying the nitrogen needs of the trees
through a ring application of nitrogenous fertilizer. This practice, of
course, adds to the reservoir of organic matter since it encourages a better
grovTth of the existing cover. It nay also bring about some replacement of
plants in the cover, as for example, clovers in place of grasses. Since the
supply of organic matter increases frora year to year under this system if of-
fers an opportunity to disc once or twice, in spring, the strip between the
trees and thereby bring about partial decomposition of the organic matter.
This releases nitrates and other mineral elements for the tree and eliminates
for a brief period the competition betv/een the tree and the cover crop. The
tree is thus stimulated at a critical season, and later in the summer when
tree (_^rowth should be completed, the cover crop has reestablished itself, and
it proceeds to take up the nitrates which the tree no longer needs.
Partial cultivation of the surface six inches and incorporation of
some of the organic matter into the surface soil offer these additional ad-
vantages i Soil aeration is improved. Compacting, due to heavy machinery, is
corrected. And, in case the soil needs lime, an opportunity is offered to
work it dovm beneath the surface. The magic influence of organic matter on
the surface of the orchard soil and in the surfact layer are nov^ so apparent
to the New England apple grovrers that plowing and clean cultivation are becom-
ing obsolete practices.
-.1*'
GUinJING OF PEACH TREES
Persons with peach trees are often disturbed by the formation of
masses of gum on the trunks or branches. This gurming is the natural means
of the peach tree in protecting itself. ' YiTherever there is a break in the
bark, the sap oozes out, thickens, and forms a guiimy mass. It may or may
not be a sign of serious trouble depending on the cause of the injury.
If Johnny took a few shots at that peach tree v;ith his air rifle
or cut his initials in the bark with his new jackknife, there is no cause
for v/orry. The injury will heal over in time and the gum will disappear.
On the other hand, there are some insects which e«it into the bark
and cause trouble. The most common of these is the peach tree borer. The
grub of this insect eats the inner bark, or carnbiuia, and young sapwood. It
usually v/orks near the ground line or just below it, although occasionally
it is found v/ell up the trunk or even at the base of the main branches,
Masses of gum at or near the ground level are a pretty good sign that peach
tree borers are present. They are a serious pest and should be dug out with
a knife or treated with paradichlorobenzene. Directions for the use of this
material will be sent on request.
Occasionally, when peach trees become very weak from improper care,
shot-hole borers v.'ork in the tree. These little beetles make hundreds of
little holes in the bark so that the tree looks as if someone had peppered
it with a shotgun. The real remedy is to keep the trees growing vigorously,
since shothole borers seldom attack vigorous trees. Strong stimulation of
infested trees by heavy fertilization, pruning and cultivation may help the
tree to outgrow the trouble but badly infested trees usually die.
Although there are certain diseases which cause slight gum forma-
tion on small branches and twigs of peach trees in this state, diseases
which cause serious guriiming on the truiiks and main branches are not present.
Therefore, any serious gum formation is probably not due to disease.
Y/here the bark splits as a result of winter injury, where a branch
is broken off, or v;here the bark is chewed by rodents, gum formation will
take place. The remedy is to make the tree outgrow the injury if possible*
— J. S. Bailey
SPRIITG COIITROL O F PEAC H TREE BORERS
Can peach tree borers be controlled in the spring? This question
is often asked by those who failed to apply control measures at the proper
time in the fall.
Because of low soil temperature in the spring, paradichlorobenzene,
or PDB, has given universally poor results at that time of year and is, there.
fore, not recomi.iended.
Then v/hat about ethylene dichloride emulsion? Dr, Oliver I. Snapp
of Georgia says, "Ethylene dichloride emulsion is effective at ■ low soii
temperatures and, therefore, caii be used late in the fall and early in the
spring, vifhen it is too cold for paradichlorobenzene to be effective," Fall
applications of ethylene dichloride emulsion have been tried in the Experi-
ment Station peach orchard for three years. Very good control of borers was
obtained and no injury resulted when applications were made according to
Dr. Snapp's recommendations. Since severe injury has occurred in some states
and the rosipon for it is not known, this material is not being recomiTiended
for general use at any time of year. However, directions for its application
are available and vrill be sent to anyone wishing to use ethylene dichloride
emulsion experimentally at his ow n risk .
— J. S. Bailey
PLAITTIN G CULTIVATED BLUEBEIglES
planting tine is fast approaching and blueberries like other fruits
are best transplanted in the spring, the earlier the better. -But first, where
shall they be put? The place to plant blueberries is largely determined by
the nature of the soil. If the soil isn't right, the bushes ivon't grov/. Lov/
"frost pockets" are not good pj.aces. In such locations the bushes may be in-
jured by cold in winter or the crop nay be ruined by spring frosts.
The cultJ.vated blueberry requires a moist, acid soil well supplied
with organic matter. Tlie amount of moisture in the soil is very important
because the blueberry will not thrive with either too much or too little.
Being a native of the sv/amp^ it will stand flooding during the dormant season
but its roots must be out of water during the summer^ Hcn.vever.. a soil that
is merely saturated with water but not flooded is very unsatisfactory. The
freezing and thawing of such a soil heaves the plants out of the ground,
breaks their roots and results in very poor grov/th. On the other hand, the
plants grow poorly and bear little in a dry soil. A soil that is constantly
moist but well enough drained to prevent "water logging" is the ideal.
Most of the soils of New England are acid unless they have been
lined. 1/fliile these blueberries will grov; in extremely acid (pH 3.5) to fairly
acid soils (pH '0.6), they usually thrive best in soils classed as very acid
(pH 4.5 - 5.0). The presence of wild swamp blueberry, leather leaf, cranberry,
white cedar, or red maple indicates a good blueberry soil.
V/hile most commercial blueberry plantings are on soils composed of
mixtures of sand and peaty material, such a combination is not necessary as
is shovm by the fact that so:ne plantings are grOT/ing well on sandy loaras,
loams, and even mediura clays.
For a coLimercial planting the land should be ploived and harrov;ed
thoroughly before planting. If this can be done a year in advance and a cul-
tivated crop grovm, or the land fallowed for a year, there v;ill be less dan-
ger of grubs destroying the roots of the young plants.
Those v;ho wish to grow a few plants in the backyard can remedy minor
soil deficiencies if they are v/illing to take the time and trouble. If the
soil has been limed, it is usually not acid enough for blueberries and is dif-
ficult to acidify. Otherv>rise, a bushel of acid horticultural peat, which
-9-
should be thoroughly v;et before use, partly decayed leaves from liardwood
trees, woodland turf or rotten wood from a decayed stump or log mixed with
the soil in the planting hole helps to acidify the soil and retains moisture.
More acidity can be developed by the application of sulfur or aluminum sul-
fate. During dry periods in the summer, it maybe necessary to water the
bushes .
Commercial plantings of blueberries are generally set 5 x 8 or
6 X 10 feet. The planting distance depends on the fertility of the soil,
that is, how large the bushes will grow, and the cultivating tools to be
used. If cultivation is to be by a one-horse cultivator, rototiller or
some similar narrow equipment, 8 feet between rovrs is enough. Hov/ever, if
a large tractor and tractor equipment are to be used, 10 feet is none too
much. If the plants are to be mulched - rotted sav;dust, shavings, acid
peat, v/aste hay or straw are all good - and/space is at a premium they can
be set 7 feet bet\:een rows.
Blueberry plants transplant best if they are moved with a ball of
earth. However, from nurseries in areas where Japanese beetles are present,
it may be necessary to ship i/ith bare roots. VjTien the plants are received,
they should be set as promptly as possible in holes a little larger than the
root ball, and the soil firmed vrell around the root ball. They are best set
a little deeper than they stood in the nursery. If the plants ai'e received
ivith bare roots, the roots should be c arefully spread out in the hole and
fine dirt sifted around them and thoroughly packed to eliminate air spaces.
Ile'ver put fertilizer in the planting holes. It is likely to burn the roots.
— J. S. Bailev
LITTLE KIICT'ni FACTS ABOUT APPLE SCAB
Several growers have shovm an interest in the details of the apple
scab disease. Some of the following facts might serve a practical purpose.
However, they are intended for the most part as informative and interesting
information.
Apple scab has been knovm since the early part of the nineteenth century. The
fungus that causes the disease was first described by Elias Fries in Sweden,
1819. The first authentic record of the disease in America v/as from Hew York
and Pennsylvania in 1834.
The disease is world wide, occurring practically wherever the apple is grov-m.
Pear scab is caused by a distinct but closely related organism. The pear scab
fungus cannot attack apple or vice versa,
A large share of the 80,000,000 lbs. of sulfur sold as fungicide is used against
apple scab.
Cordley of Oregon in 1908 successfully used sulfur as lime sulfur for control
for the first time (per record).
An estimated loss due to apple scab in Massachusetts for 1943 is 20^o and this
is an underestimation. New York State figures a loss not less than' t. 3, 000, 000
annually. Yearly loss in Australia is estimated at ^48. 50 an acre.
-10-
There are tv/o spore stages of the fungus, the spring spores called ascospores
and summer spores termed conidia. It is well to know these terms.
Ascospores are shot forcibly from the old leaves on the ground a short dis-
tance into the air enabling the air currents to carry them farther.
At ttie peak of ascospore production, usually in the late pink, it is stated
that in 45 hours 8,170,200,000 spores can be ejected from the old leaves on
the ground in a 1600 square foot area. Keitt found an average of 2J9 ascospores
per cubic foot of air in a 4 hour rainy period.
Mature ascospores are ejected 5 minutes after the leaves become wetted. The
spores change color in maturity thus making it easy to tell when they are ready
to be shot out.
Ascospores are four times larger than the majority of the sulfur particles in
most sulfur sprays,
A moderate amount of infection can take place on unprotected leaves between
63° F. and 75*^ F., when the young leaves are wet for 12 hours. It takes only
13 hours of v/etting \;ith temperatures betv;een 64° F. and 75° F. to get severe
infection.
On terminals, leaves below the fourth loaf are resistant to the scab fungus.
If scab appears on such leaves they were inoculated when young.
Although Daldv/ins are considered by many to be resistant to the scab fungus
they may have as much infection as liacs. The fungus can change in its capa-
bilities of attacking certain varieties.
Careful cost and production records have shown net profits, due to spraying,
of 4^65 to v<'00 per acre.
The above are little knovm facts of my own choosing; the well knovm fact, of
course, is that we still have plenty to learn about the disease and tlie fungus,
— Thomas Sproston
WORCESTER CONCERIT TfAI JTS AP PLE ITOOD
A much better offer for apple wood than was reported in February Fruit
IJotes comes from a large manufacturer in Worcester. This concern needs sound
apple wood of these dimensions; 2" tliick, 6" wide or wider, and at least
1* long. One gro\jer who plans to deliver some of this material says it takes
about 1-^- cords to make 1,000 board feet.
For further details contact 'J. D. l/eeks, 1/orcester County Extension Service,
Post Office Building, 1/orcester, Mass.
April 20, 1944
Prepared by the Fruit Program Conmittee
of the Extension Service
T/Y. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Contents
Earliest Year on Record for Apple Scab Spore llaturity
Schedule of Spray Message Broadcasts
Adventure in Soil Conservation
Poultry llanure as a Strav;berry Fertilizer
Bee Repellents
Impressions in the Hudson Valley
Controlled-Atmosphere Storage in New York State
Costs of Production
Peach Prospects for 1944
An Easy VJay to Thin Fruits (?)
Treatment for Magnesium Deficiency
New Seedling Apples
F'Jrtilizing Cultivated Blueberries
EARLIEST YEAR ON RECORD FOR APPLE SCAB SPORE IvIATURITY
Mature apple scab spores were observed this spring in one of the
College orchards on April 1, at the time fruit buds v/ere barely in the silver
tip stage. In view of this unusual situation, it is of interest to reviev; the
factors which are believed to influence the time of maturity of the v/inter
spores.
Past observations indicate that, as a rule in Massachusetts, winter
spores begin reaching maturity about green- tip stage; a very small por cent
are ready to discharge at delayed dormant; the period of heavy discharge is
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30,
1914, V^illard A. Uunson, Director, Massachusetts State College, United States
Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating.
-2-
fram pink to crIjoc; and spors disoh&rg© thereafter f&ilS off sharply •vrith
light dischErgea lasting until around Jun« 10-.15. In some seaeons, epor«
development lags behind this so-oalled average or normal course, and in
others, it is ahead 6f fruit bud de7*lopment» In aay season, leavas under
any particular tree may vary considerably regarding the time at which the
scab fungus reaches the spore-discharge stage.
One reason for the above mentioned variation among leaves is the
difference in the tine scabbed leave* drop from the tree. Those that drop
first, other factors being equal, usually develop winter spores first the
follw;ing spring. Mild, wet weather in the fall between leaf drop apd the
onset of winter usually favor* marked development of the young perithecia
(winter spore-caseS) before winter weather forces them into a dormant state.
Such perithecia are therefore likely to produce spores somewhat ahead of
schedule the following spring. Hence, either premature defoliation or a *alld,
damp fall may result in early winter apore maturity the following spring.
An unusually late anow cover ysuaily is followed by a comparatively
late period of winter spore Maturity. Likewise, regardless of what trans-
pired in the fall and winter, a dry spring usually contributes to late spore
maturity and delayed discharge, as oqcufred during the unusu&lly warm, dry
ftpring of 1942 which forced fruit bude far ahead of the normal season. Con-
versely, a wet spring, starting about the time fruit buds begin to swell,
favors scab spore development even though the temperature may be so low that
fruit buds make very slow progress. Such prolonged wet periods early in the
8pri3:>g are usually accompanied by cold v;eather, and such weather is likely to
constitute a back^vard season for plant growth, as occurred in 1943.
IThat is the situation this spring? premature defoliation last fall
was common for scabbed leaves, and was followed by a comparatively dry fiill.
There was very little snow cover during the winter, and spring, this year,
started out cold and wet« At present, apple fruit buds are about two or three
days earlier than in the very late season of 1943. Mcintosh buds jumped into
silver-tip stage in Amherst on April 9-10 and they have remained there until
the present (April 18), due to low temperatures. In Block A of the College
orchard, on April 3 v;ith fruit buds dormant, the farthest advanced perithecia
showed asci formed, but not spores. On Api:*il 11 with buds in the silver- tip
stage, immature spores were plentiful, but no ripe ones. On April 17 with
buds still in the silver tip stage, a small per cent of winter spores had
reached maturity and discharged during the preceding night. In Block D, scab
spores viere equally developed on April 11, following the warm period which
forced fruit buds into the silver tip stage.
Other orchards in Amherst ahow various intermediate stages of spore
development, between sligf;tly earlier than normal and the stage in Block p at
the College. If the season is normally wet from the present until blosscming
time a majority of the spores in our Blo»k D will have been discharged by that
time. And if scab spore development in commereisl orchards in other parts of
the state is correspondingly early, which ia probably the case, there v/ill be
an abundance of spores ready for discharge when the fruit buds reach the. delay-
ed dormant stage. This means that, generally over the state, growers will have
to be doubly cautious to prevent primary infection^, beginning at the full de-
-3-
layed dormant stage of fruit bud development, particularly since the scab
carryover is heavy this year. Grov;ers vrho apply an oil spray will very likely
need to add a dry Bordeaux, to give 2 lbs. of metallic copper to 100 gallons,
or make an 8-8-100 Bordeaux, and add the oil to it,
— 0. C. Boyd
SCHEDULE OF SPRAY MES S AGE BROADCASTS
Following is a schedule for the broadcasting of fruit pest control
information to be released by the Extension Service of the State College.
The first message will be issued Monday, April 24. The message released
each Monday afternoon will be broadcast Tuesday and repeated V/ednesday, while
the message released Yfednesday afternoon will be broadcast Thursday and re-
peated Friday. Y/henever occasions justify, new messages will be telephoned
or wired to the radio stations for V/ednesdays and Fridays to replace the re-
peat announcements. In compiling each spray service message, the Extension
Service v/ill have access to vreather information directly from the East Boston
Airport Station of the United States ViTeather Bureau,
1. YffiZ, Boston and YQZA, Springfield; 1030K; at 6j25 a.m. following
"the" weather report, and again at 6:55 a.m. Also, at 7j25 a.m. the
weather report and spray message are repeated.
2. TOTAC, Boston (and Yankee Network); at 6j25 a.m.
Y/IJAC, Boston, Massachusetts 1260 K
VJ'AAB, Vforcester, Massachusetts 1440
YffiAN, Providence, Rhode Island 790
V^ICC, Bridgeport, Connecticut 600
VrcSH, Portland, Maine 970
YiTLNH, Laconia, New Hampshire 1340
3. YffiEI , Boston, The "Farmers Almanac of the Air"j 590 K; at 6s35 a.m.
immediately following the weather forecast,
4. YJTAG , YJ'orcester, Massachusetts; 580 K; 6;45 a.m. daily; again fol-
1 owing the 1 p.m. news, and will include a new weather forecast
received at noon.
5. WTIC, Hartford, Connecticut; 1080 K; 6:05-6:16 a.m. following
weaTher forecast.
6. Possibly Y/LA17, Lawrence, Massachusetts; 680 K; ? a.m.
ADVENTURE IN SOIL CONSERVATION
Anyone who advocat*3S new agricultural practicis runs the risk of
being called an upstart, radical, or crackbrain. But come to think of it,
many of the now approved farm practices were novel not many years ago. The
use of commercial fertilizers made headway slowly in the beginning. Some
-4-
farmers thought that fertilizers would poison the soil, and, strangely, some
few still think so. The fanner who built the first silo in his community
vms probably laughed at. Doubtless, the first orchardists to begin spraying
were considered queer by their neighbors.
So it is to some extent with conservation practices, albeit many
of these have been used for years in some sections. Some New England farmers
have always used conservation methods, some are now trying then for the first
tine, and still others are considering their use. No doubt, the tine v;ill
come v;hen fundamental conservation practices will be as common as certain
cultural practices now are. Fruit growers as a group are among the most
open-minded and progressive farmers, and it is expected that they will adopt
soil conservation practices when they become convinced of their soundness and
practicability.
There are a fev/ good conservation demonstrations in orchards of
Massachusetts. More are needed for educational purposes. Orchardists v;ho
may want to try an adventure in soil conservation by way of contour planting
v:ill be given technical aid in eo far as available technical personnel permits.
— A. B. Beaumont
POUL TRY ItANURE AS A STRAVraERRY FERTILIZER
Ov/ing to its relatively high nitrogen content, poultry manure is
recognized as an excellent fertilizer for stimulating vegetative growth. It
is used to good advantage in a young orchard, and if certain precautions are
observed, in a strav/berry planting, but not during the bearing year, for at
least four reasons; (1) It is a mistaken notion that a strav/berry plant can
be forced into heavy production by liberal fertilization in the spring of the
bearing year. Fruit buds develop in Septenber for the following June. For
that reason no aiaount or kind of fertilizer between September and June will
increase the actual number of berries. (2) Wiile an application of a nitrog-
enous fertilizer in the spring of the bearing year encourages additional leaf
growth, and consequently larger size berries, it also results in berries of
poorer shipping quality. Loss in transit may be often traced to soft berries,
resulting from a spring nitrogen application. (3) Increased growth of leaves,
and incidentally of weeds, not only renders picking more difficult, but it
prevents the berries from drying off after a rain. In a rainy season, such
a planting presents a real problem in the form of decayed berries. (4) For
obvioua reasons, the mere thought of clusters of luscious berries resting on
a layer of poultry manure is distasteful, to say the least. Clean berries,
such as are harvested in a planting mulched with straw or pine needles,
represent this fruit at its best.
It is not the intent of the writer to discourage the use of poultry
manure in grov;ing strawberry plants. It is a question, not of the material
itself, but of the time of application. Poultry manure harrowed into the soil
in advance of setting the plants, works wonders in growing vigorous runner
plants. The amount of poultry manure to be harrowed in will vary, of course,
depending upon soil fertility. There is probably no better fertilizer for
.5-
growing strawberry plants thEin either poultry manure or v/ell rotted stable
manure. More poultry manure should be used for this purpose in Massachusetts.
Another very effective way of using poultry manure is found in stim-
ulating the cover crop to be plowed under in advance of setting the plants.
For example, if rye is sown on a soil which has received a liberal application
of poultry manure, a heavy growth may be expected. Then as the rye is plov»-ed
under, soil organic matter is greatly increased, and the strawberry planting
is directly benefitted. One of the large producers of strawberry plants in
Nev; England has adopted this practice with good results. He grows fine straw-
berry plants on a soil well filled with organic matter from a rye crop stimu-
lated by poultry manure.
One other disadvantage of applying poultry manure in the spring of
the bearing year is briefly thist As the strawberry plants develop in the
spring, the tender pedicels or fruit stalks are likely to be burned if they
come in contact v/ith this material. The writer recalls seeing a planting
several years ago which looked as if it had been scorched by fire. The ex-
planation was found in a layer of poultry manure wliich the v/ell meaning owner
had applied around the plants in early spring, V/ith large quantities of poul-
try manure available for agricultural use in Massachusetts, v/ays must be found
to utilize this material to good advantage, A considerable quantity can be
used by strawberry growers, not as a spring tonic in the bearing year, but
as a means of encouraging a strong grov/th of runner plants the first year.
If vigorous plants are grown, and if they are v;ell mulched in the fall, there
is little or no need for fertilizers of any kind the following spring,
BEE REPELLENTS
In the spring of 1943 some experiments were conducted at the State
College by F. R. Shaw and A. I. Bourne to determine the repellent value of some
of the suggested bee repellents. The reader may ask, "Vfhy repel bees from fruit
trees when they are known to be necessary for pollination?" The answer, of
course, is that bees are needed only while the trees are in full bloom. They
should leave promptly after they have accomplished their viork, since they may
later be poisoned by spray materials. In these experiments the following test
was made on 10 Cortland trees. Applications were made on May 22, using car-
bolic acid, creosote, and a phenol preparation. The west side of each tree was
Sprayed v/ith one of these materials, and the east side with a standard spray
mixture, without any repellent.
The most apparent result was blossom injury. This appeared in all
treatments, varying from 10 to lOOjj. The injury was indicated by a curling
and browning of the petals which dropped sooner than the untreated petals.
There was also some leaf injury, evident as a browning and drying of the tis-
sues. Some of the veins appeared blackened, followed by a cupping and crinkling
of the leaves. Fruit counts at harvest time shov/ed no consistent differences in
in the number of apples on the treated sides of the trees. Observations during
bloom indicated that within one day's time there V\rere about as many bees on the
treated as on the untreated branch'js. In these experiments there vms more in-
jury to the tree from creosote than from the carbolic acid or phenol preparation.
Feeding tests indicate that the addition of these materials tends to reduce the
length of life of the bees. Y/liether this reduction is due to starvation or to
actual poisoning has not been determined. 17ith our present limited knowledge
of bee repellents, the general use of such materials cannot be recommended.
-6-
II'IPRESSIONS IN THE inJDSON VALLEY
A recent visit to Ulster County across the Hudson from poughkeepsie
renewed our impression that it is the habitat of up and coming fruit growers.
17e came away with a few definite impressions. (1) The absence of old neg-
lected orchards. Practically all the trees Mere young to middle aged and
vrare well pruned, vigorous and apparently productive. Spraying was already
under v/ay (April 6). (2) Diversified plantings. 7/hile apple tro^^s were
most evident, many pear, plum, cherry, and some peach orchards v/nre seen.
Currants and grapes were common. This locality is v/ell adapted to fruit
growing, and market connections v/ith New York City are good. But the most
important factor is Y/ide awake, up-to-date ^^rov/ers. Vfc will not adnit that
they are any smarter than Massachusetts growers but v;e must put on steam if
v;e are to compete successfully with them.
Many of our good orchards are growing old and we must have new plant-
ings to replace them or we will fall behind in the race. V/hether v;e should
grov; more fruits other than the apple may be doubtful. We cannot grow sweet
cherries, and currants are out of the question in many localities because
they harbor white pine blister rust. But why should vre not grow enough pears,
plums and peaches to satisfy state markets during our season? Grov/ers would
have to learn the fine points of the game, but that can be done.
Incidentally, two grov/ers applied the new blossom thinning spray in
1943 to biennial bearing VJ'ealthy trees. At the time they thought they had
ruined the trees, but they harvested a good commercial crop last year, and
the same trees promise to have a good crop this year.
— J. K. Shaw
CONTROLLED- ATMOSPHERE STORAGE IN liWJ YORK STATE
Our trip into the Hudson Valley on April 5 and 6 was mainly to in-
spect, and discuss with the owners, two controlled-atmosphere storages. One
of these storages is in Clintondale, operated by Mr. Jerome Hurd. The other
is in I.Iilton, operated by Mr. Claude Hepworth. These men operate both con-
trolled-atmosphore and regular storage rooms,
Mr, Hurd's 8,000-bushel controlled-atmosphere storage was built
some three years ago and was made "gas-tight" mostly by lining with sheet
metal. He opened this room on April 1 and the apples were in good condition.
Demand for them, of course, has been heavy, Mr. Hepworth 's 13,000-bushel
room was made over into a controlled-atmosphere storage by the use of special
paint over concrete v:alls and floor and aluminum foil on the ceiling. Many
of the Mcintosh in this storage v/ere grown in Upstate New York,
Both men are satisfied v/ith their controlled-atmosphere storages,
even though this year they cannot get the usual premium of 50 cents to a
dollar over ordinary cold storage Mclntoeh. Mr. Hurd is building another
large storage and is planning to make up to one-half of this new space into
controlled-atmosphere storage. Two such storages were operated this year
-7-
in V/estern Uevr York. At least three other nen in New York State are planning
to build this type of storage and it is believed that after the v/ar, some 10
or 12 will be constructed. In short, there is an active and growing interest
in this improved method of late storage for Mcintosh. The apples keep longer
and in better condition, and stand up v;ell after removal. In the spring of
1943, controlled-storage Mcintosh were listed separately on the Nev/ York mar-
ket and will probably be so listed again when pfice ceilings are a thing of
the past.
Considering its apparent success £ind its projected expansion in New
York, it would seem that this type of storage should have a place in Massachu-
setts. Controlled-atmosphere storage of LIcIntosh in this state should prob-
ably be undertaken at first by a fov; individuals v/ho fully appreciate its
special problems and advantages. The experience of the fev/ "pioneers" in
Nev; York v/ould seem to justify the expectation of similar success on the
part of a few progressive Massachusetts storage operators. ITe have had some
experience in the -operation of a small controlled-atmosphere room at the
Massachusetts State College and are convinced of its practicability.
— Lawrence SOuthwick and 0. C. Roberts
COST S OF PRODUCTION
All fruit growers are and should be interested in costs of produc-
tion, not only his own but those of his competitor, because his survival in
the industry may depend on lower per bushel costs. The grower has little
control over selling price, but he can exercise some control over costs of
production. In central l.'ashington it was found that the average cost of
grovfing and harvesting apples in 1942 was 92/^ per packed box, but it varied
from less than 60/ to more tlian 01. 60 per packed box. Packing and storage
costs averaged 72/, making a total average cost of $1.64 per packed box,
ready for the buyer. This total cost varied from $1.32 to $2,32. The prin-
cipal cause of this variation was yield* Grov/ing and harvesting costs for
those averaging less than 200 boxes per acre was $1.71 per box. This cost
decreased with increasing per acre yields so that grov/ers v;ith yields of
over 750 boxes per acre grew and harvested their apples at a cost of only
72/ per box. Growing and harvesting costs v;ere generally less in larger
orchards varying from 80/ in smaller orchards to 67/ in larger orchards.
(V;ashington Bui. 429). . „ ou
^ '^ ' — J. K. Shaw
PEACH PROSPECTS F OR 194 4
The cold weather of early April seriously reduced crop prospect*
in southern areas* South of central Virginia to central Illinois there wafc
more or less severe injury varying with area and orchard site. None has
been reported north of this line. Indications are that while the crop in
the southern area will be nearly tv^ice that of last year, it will be not
much over half that of the 10-year average. Perhaps the northern peach
grower is going to get a break this year,
-- J. K. Shaw
-8-
Aii EASY y;ay to tiiin fruits (?)
The use of caustic sprays applied at full bloom to thin apples and
peaches has been investigated in various fruit growing states, in view of
the prospective shortage of labor some of our growers may wish to try this
method of thinning and promoting annual bearing of biennial varieties » No
experiments have been made at the College but we expect to try it this year.
We are not yet ready to recomriend this practice except as an experiment.
We v/ould be glad to make suggestions to any fruit groiver v;ho wants to try
it. Blossom spraying to thin fruits offers promise and v;hen v;o learn just
hov; to do it, vre may adopt this nev/ practice in fruit grov/ing.
— J. K. Shaw
TREATIvlEHT FOR I.IAGIIESim.I DEFICII^NCY
Some suggestions for the treatment of magnesium deficiency in apple
orchards in Massachusetts are as follows;
(1) Broadcast one to tv;o tons per acre of a high magnesium limestone,
and work into the soil if possible. The limestone should contain more than
15 percent MgO. High magnesium limestone is available under the Atik program,
it is often spoken of as dolomitic limestone. The use of limestone is ex-
pected to help tremendously in effecting a lasting cure of the trouble.
(2) Apply 5 to 10 pounds of Epsom salts per tree depending on tree size
and previous symptom severity. This may be applied about the same time and
in the same v/ay that nitrogen fertilizers are applied. The magnesium in
Epsom salts will be more quickly available to trees than that in limestone.
(3) Probably the quickest way to relieve magnesium deficiency is by
spraying the foliage of affected trees with Epsom salts solution. Three
special applications are suggested at v/eekly to ten-day intervals, beginning
just after the calyx spray. Use 20 pounds of Epsom salts per 100 gallons
of vmter. Lacking sufficient evidence on the safety of including the Epsom
salts in the regular spray mixtures, special or separate applications are
suggested.
(4) Be cautious in applying potash to orchards that have shown definite
magnesium deficiency sj,Tnptoms, Considerable evidence shows that potassium
fertilization aggravates magnesium deficiency symptoms and there are appar-
ently few orchards in this state that are suffering from an actual shortage
of potassiuiii at the present time,
— Lav;rence Southwick
HEW SEEDLING APPLES
Some years ago. Professor F. C. Sears started a Small apple breeding
project at Massachusetts State College. Most of the trees have nov/ fruited
for one or more years and, as might be expected, they vary widely in both
tree and fruit.
■ 9-
A very few have shewn sufficient promise to merit propagation and
further testing. We have a limited supply of one-year trees of four of
these seedlings propagated on semi-dwarf rootstocks in the Experiment Sta-
tion nursery. Any grower who would like to set a few of these trees for
trial may contact the writers at French Hall, Massachusetts State College,
Amherst, Mass, Only a few growers cem be accommodated, of course, due to
the small number of trees available. 1/e will allot the trees and send them
out as soon as possible. There will be no charge except for express trans-
portation and naturally there is no guarantee that any of the s<^edlings
will prove to be worth naming.
Seedling
Numb er Description
A-13 Cortland x Red Astrachan. Color like Cortland or well-
colored Gravenstein, V/hite flesh, good quality. Season -
late August.
A-17 Cortland x Red Astrachan, Bright red striped or splashed,
25-30 percent colored, attractive, good quality. Season -
late August.
C-31 Mcintosh x Red Astrachan. Color deep red, good quality,
ripe before Aug. 25.
F-IO Northern Spy, selfed. Good color, somewhat small.
Red Baldv/in. \le also have a few trees of a new red sport of Baldwin
v/hich v;e will~sVn'd" out to tv/o or three interested growers. This red pport
was discovered on a tree in the Experiment Station orchard about 10 years ago,
It was propagated and has nov; fruited at imherst. There seems little doubt
that it is a red sport. It colors some\<iiiat earlier and takes on a very deep
red by harvest. It may possibly be too dark or it may have other faults,
but it seems to be worthy of further testing. Available trees are one-year
whips.
— Lav/rence Southwick and J. K. S^^aw
FERTILIZING CULTIVATED BLUEB ERRIES
No fruit plant will grow and yield well if starved. The cultivated
blueberry is no exception. Although care must be used not to burn young
plants by too much soluble fertilizer, bushes in full bearing will regpond
favorably to heavy applications.
At present, the combination to use will be largely determined by
v;hat is available. Fortunately, a 7-7*7 combination, which is available
this year, has been found to be excellent for blueberries. If the materials,
labor, and time are available for home mixing, a good combination isi
Nitrate of soda .,.«»»,.., 450 pounds
Calcium nitrate ......,<.« 450 "
20fo superphosphate 800 "
Sulfate of potash ,....,.. 300 "
.10-
This combination analyses about 7-8-7 and is especially good for
very acid soils, belov/ pH 5, In soils above pH 5, it is better to substi-
tute 710 pounds of sulfate of ammonia for the sodium and calcium nitrates.
This helps to make the soil more acid. The home gardener, to whom only
5-10-5 is available, does not need to worry. Since phosphorous is so rapid-
ly fixed in the soil, the extra amount in this combination v;ill probably
make little difference ono way or the other.
Since young plants are so easily burned by soluble fertilizer, it
is better not to use any fertilizer the year the plants are set. The second
year a very small handful v;ell spread out may be used. Mixing an equal
amount of dry sand v/ith the fertilizer will facilitate spreadiiig. In suc-
ceeding years, the fertilizer can be gradually increased until GOO to 1000
pounds of the 7-7-7 mixture is used vihen the bushes are in full bearing. A
good rule to follov/ is 1 ounce per plant the year follov/ing planting and
increase this 1 ounce per plant per year until a total of 10 to 16 ounces
is reached. The amount to apply to bearing bushes depends on the fertility
of the soil and the response of the plants. In this climate, fertilizer had
best be applied in the spring. Fall applications may result in winter injury.
Although the fertilizer can be put on all at once, just as growth starts,
it has been found advantageous to split the amount and apply half v;hen the
plants start to grov; and the other half 3 to 4 vieeks later. In the Exper-
iment Station planting, v;here the soil is about pH 5, it has been found a
good practice to apply v;hen growth starts, 600 pounds per acre of the recom-
mended combination made up with sulfate of ammonia in place of nitrate of
soda and then about June 1 apply 100 to 150 pounds per acre of sulfate of
ammonia.
Experiments carried on at Amherst have shown that manure can be used
on blueberries without producing the toxic effect that has previously been
supposed to follow its use. Two tons of good poultry manure v/hich contains
20 pounds of nitrogen per ton would be roughly equivalent in nitrogen to
600 pounds of 7-7-7. Two tons per acre is about 4 pounds per plant. The
amount of manure applied can be increased if there is considerable litter
in it. Since horse manure contains about 14 pounds of nitrogen per ton
and cow manure 12 pounds, 1 l/S times as much horse manure and 1 2/3 as
much cow manure as poultry manure can be used,
— J. S. Bailey
194 4 Fruit Prospects . Assuming average growing conditions in 1944,
total deciduous fruit production should be from 10 to 20^^^ greater than in
1943. Indicated percentage increases over 1943 for various fruits are about
as follows: apples 25, peaches 50, pears 15. There may be a decrease of
about 10/i for gi-^^s and~pr'JneT. C i'tr'u s p r oduc ti on will probably be main-
tainer near tKe'liigh leve'r~6*F~the past two years.
Farm Income. The total cash farm income is higher in this war per-
iod than ~"3urlng' World War I. In 1943, it totalled 19.1 billion dollars,
31^0 more than the previous record income in 1919, yet prices per unit received
by farmers averaged considerably lower in 1943 than in 1919. (Agricultural
Situation, March, 1944). — Lav;rence Southv;ick.
May 31, 1944
Prepared by the Fruit Program Committee
of the Extension Service
W. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Contents
Winter Injury to Red Raspberry Varieties
Frost Damage
Dwarfing Effects of Mailing Stocks
Heavy Borax Application May Cause Injury
The Peach Situation
Peach Thinning
Controlled-Atnosphcre Storage for Mcintosh
Orchard Depreciation
Prevent Accidents
Review of Literature on Bee Repellents
Keep Newly Set Trees Growing
Plum Curculip Pays Annual Visit
Used Container Situation
Blossom Thinning Sprays
A Poen
WINTER INJURY TO RED RAS P BERRY VARIETIES
Even though the winter of 1943-44 seemed to be a rather mild one,
considerable damage occurred on bramble fruits, due probably to a combina-
tion of factors, December temperatures, vAiile not extreme, averaged lower
than for many years. The extremely light snowfall for the v/inter permitted
the ground to freeze deeply, thus reducing the available water supply of
shallcnr/ rooted plants. The mildness of late winter probably caused bud tips
to open fairly early and while the ground was still frozen the drying south
winds contributed materially to the situation.
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30,
1914, 1/Villard A. Munson, Director, Massachusetts State College, United Stat«6
Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating.
-2-
IThil'J the amount of injury is generally less than a year ago,
the crop of sorae varieties will be reduced. In tiie college planting, Indian
Sunraer, Ca;,aiga, Chief, LathaiA, Sunrise, Tahoma, aiid Reoiere showed lO^J or less
of damage. Taylor, Ohta, Milton and Tennessee Autuian showed from 13 to 20^o;
Y/ashington, Lloyd George and Newburgh from 30 to bOfo; while Cuthbert, Marcy
and Viking had from 60 to yoj^o of their total cane growth killed.
The above order of varieties, based on amount of injury, is con-
siderably different from that of a year ago. This offers further evidence
that a number of factors contribute to winter killing of bramble canes and
that varieties react differently to these several factors.
— A. P. French
FROST DAI il AGE
The serious injury to fruit crops by frost on the morning of May 19
reminds us that even Massachusetts orchards occasionally suffer frost damage
Although injury has been reported in some orchards in the state in other
years, only once before in 37 years have we seen serious frost injury to
tree fruits in the College orchards. Orchards planted in frosty locations
suffer rather frequently ,
This year's experience emphasizes the oft repeated advice to plant
orchards only on sites considerably elevated above the stream level of the
vicinity with opportunity for free air drainage and without bare areas above
v/here heat radiation is considerable.
The question has been raised as to what temperature will kill
blossoms or young fruits. Probably the temperature at which the tissues
are actually killed varies v/ithin rather narrow limits. Since ive measure
the temperature of tho ■ air, near or even at some distance from the tree
itself, v/e cannot easily tell vAiat is the exact temperature of the plant
tissue. These temperatures vifill differ somovjhat. Hence, one camiot toll
from a thermometer reading whether or not it has been cold enough to kill
the fruit tissue.
Air temperatures at different points in an orchard on a still,
frosty morning may differ several degrees, or enou^ to cause injury varying
from none at all to complete. The differences in temperature between dif-
ferent orchards will be much greater. Hence, it will be found in some or-
chards that the crop has been completely killed while in others no injury
has occurred.
It is probable that the tissue of young fruits will not survive
temperatures of more than 3 or 4 degrees below 32° F. Tissue temperature
tends to lag behind air temperature. Consequently, if the air minimum con-
tinues only a short time, the tissue temperature does not fall to that of the
air. But if it continues long enough, the temperatures will be the same,
Contrary to a comraon belief, young fruits in general are more easily injured
than blossoms, and peaches in the balloon stage are hardier than at a later
stage.
/
-3-
It will be three or four weeks after the frost before the full
amount of damage can be estimated. The core se^jms to be most injured and
such apples may drop later.
Fruits at different
stag*
3S of
dev€
ilopment
have endur'
ed
the follow.
ing temperatures for 50
minutes or
less
•
•
Buds
Clos
led
but
Full
Small Green
Showing Col<
ar
Bloom
Fruits
Apples — Delicious,
—
25°
28°
29°
Rome Beauty
23
'27
29
Pears — Beurre Bosc
27
29
29
V/inter lie lis
26
28
29
Poaches
25
27
30
Cherries
28
28
30
Plums
25
28
30
Grapes
30
31
31
-- J. K. Shaw
DTfAPJING EFFECTS OF I/IALLING STOCK S
Some people have the mistaken notion that all Mailing stocks <exert
dwarfing tendencies. That, of course, is not the case. Certain Mailing
stocks result in trees of standard size, as for example. Mailing XII. At
the other extreme. Mailing VIII results in a tree so dwarfed that it usually
must be supported in order to remain upright. This is even more true of
Mailing IX. The latter is a very brittle stock but it is preferred to Mail-
ing VIII because it is easier to propagate. The following Mailing stock
numbers are arranged in approximate order of dv;arfing!
Very dv;arfing: VIII, IX
Semi-dwarfing: VII, II, III, V, IV, I
Standard or near standard: X, XIII, XV, XVI, XII
— J. K. Shaw
HEAVY BQR.^ APPLICATIO II MAY CAUSE INJ ITRY
Apple trees are known to be quite resistant to boron toxicity.
Yet experiments in Hew Hampshire shav that it is possible to injure trees
by excessive soil applications of Borax. Im application of 5 lbs. per 18-
year-old tree v;as as much as was safe. Applications of 10 and 20 lbs.
caused injury. Trees on soils that have been liiaed will stund more borax
than those on soils that have not been limed. If one k-^eps borax applica-
tions within the recommended amounts of not over 2 lbs. per tree, there is
no danger of injury. (Proc. Amer. Society for Hort. Science, Vol. 43, page 21)
~ J. K. Shaw
17e are interested in knowing what has been done or is
being done concerning the correction of magnesium de-
ficiency in Massachusetts apple orchards. We would
appreciate it if grov/ers having a magnesium problem
would drop us a line, — L. Southv;ick and J. K. Shaw
-4-
THE PEACH SITUATION
(The follovdng information was obtained before the freeze of May
18-19. Honce tlie prospects here roport'^d are subject to modification)
Judfjing from the results of a questionnaire sent to a number of
peach ^rovrers o-ror the state, the crop prospects are good. The information
sent in indicates the followingj
1. Fruit bud killing has been less than 25^3 in most orchards even on
tender varieties. The highest killing reported v;as GOf^,
2. Most young trees have made a good recovery from the severe v^inter
of 1942-43.
3. Many trees 15 years old or older have not made a good recovery,
4. In a few orchards, trees under 3 years of age were severely damaged.
5. In most orchards, the bearing trees under 15 years of age appear to
be in good condition to boar a crop.
Of 56 questionnaires sent out, 40 have been returned, representing
abt)ut 15,000 trees. This is an unusually high proportion of replies. At a
time v;hen so many questionnaires are being circulated such a rcsponso is very
gratifying. The writer wishes to thank the peach grov/ers for their help,
— J. S. Bailey
PEACH THINNI NG
Although many peach trees appear to have made a good recovery
from the cold v/inter of 1942-43, examination will reveal that they have
much dead, dark brovm heartwood. In spite of the thrifty outward appear-
ance of the trees, their framework has been seriously vreakened. The result
is going to be a lot of broken branches and split trunks if the trees are
allowed to carry too heavy crops. The ansv/gr, of courso, is thinning.
Thinning should pay additional dividends this year in the number of trees
saved.
— J. S. Bailey
CONTROLLED- ATHO SPHERE STORAG E FOR I;IC IIITOSH
It is a r.ecognized fact that the practicable limit of the storage
life of Mcintosh apples held in refrigerated storage at 52° F. is reached
by the first to the middle of March and that Mcintosh held later in the
season lose most of tliat quality which has made this variety famous in
the Northeast. A contributing factor limiting storage life of Mcintosh
in 32° F. storage is the danger of cold temperature troubles such as core
flush or internal brov/ning of the flesh near the core.
-5-
Extensive and careful experiments at Cornell University have demon-
strated that Mcintosh apples can be stored for the late spring market much
more satisfactorily at 40° F. in controlled-atmosphere storage than at 32° F.
in regular cold storage, Exp^-riments at the Massachusetts State College
support these findings.
C on trol led-Atmo sphere Storage - THiat it is. Controlled-atmosphere storage
is "a"recently developed type of cold' storage. Instead of the usual air
(21^0 oxygen, a trace of carbon dioxide, and 78^0 nitrogen) in most ventilated
cold storage rooms, the three constituents of air are maintained at artifi-
cial levels. In controlled-atmosphere storage, the oxygen is maintained at
approximately 2%, carbon dioxide at 5^o, and nitrogen at 93^. The tempera-
ture is kept at 40° F.
Vrhat it Doe s .
rr This typo of storage is especially adapted to extend the
storage season of Ilclntosh, Apples from controlled-atmosphere storage
can be taken out in April and Uay in similar condition to those removed
from average 32° F. cold storage in January and February.
2. Apples taken from controlled-atmosphere storage will usually
keep several days longer at room temperature than apples from ordinary
cold storage.
3. The 40° F. temperature elirainates most internal brovming,
4. Shrinkage losses due to decay are reduced,
IIovj itWorks. Apples respire and in so doing they use oxygon and give
off "carbon 'dioxide. The rate of ripening and breakdovm of apples in stor-
age depend largely on the speed of this respiration. Therefore, any storage
condition that tends to retard or slow dovm tho respiration process prolongs
the storage life of tho fruit. The speed of respiration may be reduced in
several vvays, tvio of which are; (1) by lowering the temperature and, (2)
by reducing the amount of oxygon. In ordinary 32° F. storage, low temper-
ature alone is utilized; in controllod-atnosphoro storage, both 1 )v; temper-
ature and low oxygen operate to slov/ dovm respiration and, hence, ripening.
In short, apples "live" more sloi-^ljr over a longer period in this nev; type
of storage.
Sp ecial St orage Room Re quirements. The maintenance of the artificial at-
mosphere requires that the st orage be practically gas- or air-tight. This
is achieved by special gas-proof linings (often galvanized sheet iron),
caulking compounds, and special enamel paints in both novz-ly-constructed and
remodeled rooras. Most we 11- cons true tod rooms can be made sufficiently gas-
tight for controlled aimosphore storage.
Special Equipment Requirements. An atmospheric vmsher or scrubber to remove
carbon dioxide is necessary. V/lien a gas-tight room is filled v;-ith apples and
sealed up, respiration of the fruit proceeds quits normally. Oxygen is used
up; carbon dioxide is given off. As the room is gas-tight, the oxygen con-
tent is gradually lov/ored and the amount of carbon dioxide increased. Since
a high accumulation of carbon dioxide may be harmful, the concentration of
this gas usuallj'- is not allovrod to go above 5 percent, '^fhen this level is
reached, the atmosphere in the room is forced through a simple washer con-
taining a solution of caustic soda v/hich has the capacity to absorb carbon
-6-
di oxide. Through this means, the level of this £&$ can be maintained at
or belov; 5 percent.
Also, frequent analysis of the atmosphere in the room necessitates
the purchase or construction of a gas-analysis apparatus. This job is not
difficult but will require from 5 to 10 minutes per day. It must be empha-
sized that in this type of storage, the levels of carbon dioxide and o::y£en
must be controlled rather accurately; otherv/ise results may be disappointing.
Extra costs. As already indicated, there are certain added costs involved
in both the construction and operation of controlled-atnosphere storage. It
is estimated that the total cost per bushel in addition to ordinary cold
storage costs is around 10-15 cents per season. Fifteen cents vias the addi-
tional charge for storing Mcintosh in a controlled-atmosphere storage in
New York in 1943-44 over cold storage in the same building.
The Future of Controlled-Atmosphere Storage. Four storage rooms varying in
cETpac'ity'lYam' 2,000 to* 13 ,l)Otr'BTrsTieTs~vifere~successfully operated in New York
this past season (1943-44). All of those have been operated for two or more
years to the satisfaction of -the ov/ners. Tv-fo more are under construction now;
probably at least 10 will be built as soon as the v;ar is over.
It seems that there is definitely an opportunity for the successful
operation of a limited number of these storages in Massachusetts.
Construction in Massa chuse tts. The Departments of Pomology, Food Technology,
and Agrrcultu'rirr"Engi ne'e ring' v;ill be pleased to counsel and assist in every
v;ay possible any proposed construction of controlled-atmosphere storages in
this State.
(Prepared by the Departments of Pomology, Food Technology,
and Agricultural Engineering, Massachusetts State College.)
O RCHARD DEPRECIATION
The question of orchard depreciation has been recently called to
our attention by two growers, Donald Priest of Groton and John Rice of Marl-
boro. Following is a copy of a letter of explanation written to Mr. Rice
by \l, G. Simmering of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau:
"As requested in your letter to Mr. Howard Russell, we are pleased
to explain briefly our general procedure in handling depreciation for fruit
growers. In this past year, we established a value on apple orchards at the
rate of $300 to $^400 per acre average, setting up this amount for each tax-
payer in proper asset form and depreciating this amount at the rate of four
and as high as five per cent per year. These amounts were properly estab-
lished in reserve for depreciation form, thereby allowing for continuing the
S£une procedure each year, also taking into consideration new additions to the
orchard. As to a ruling fraa the Collector of Internal Revenue in Boston,
there has been no such basis established, yet they toll us our figures are a
fair allowance and would no doubt bi:; acceptable. Should there bo any further
question, do not hesitate to v;rite us so that your depreciation records may
be established as early as possible this year."
■ 7-
PREVENT ACCIDENTS (From Circ. issued by U.S.D.A., February, 1944)
Suggestions for Accident Prev ention on the Fa rm
(1) Are you protecting your fami l y and prope rty against fires? Do you —
Regularly inspect and clean chimneys and stovepipes? Avoid using kerosene
and gasoline in starting fires? Insulate wood and other inflammable ma-
terials from the heat of stove and stovepipes? Store gasoline and other
inflammable or explosive materials at safe distances from major farm build-
ings? Properly clean and adjust kerosene ajid other burners? Have handy
means available for putting out fires?
or
(2) A re yo u pro tecting your famil y a gainst preventable falls ? Do you —
Use on'ly"~afe ladders "securo'ly fastened? Provide adequate ' hjindrails f
steps, porches, stainvays? K-^ep steps, porches, and stairways in good re-
pair and clear of rubbish and all tripping hazards? Keep v/ells, cisterns,
pits, etc., securely oovorod?
(3) Are you protecting your fsyrdly against preventable injuries f rom animals?
Do "you -- Keep bulls, boars*ji and ' rams securely peniied? Use care in hand-
ling animals with nev;born young? Keep vicious dogs tied up and away from
children? Speak to animals before entering stalls?
(4) Are you protecting your family against preventable injuries by machinery,
tools, equipment of all kinds? Do you — Keep all hazardous belts,
gears, etc., v;ell guarded? Permit only experienced operators on machinery?
Stop equipment before adjusting, refueling, etc.? Keep children away from
dangerous equipment? Safely use a nd store sharp-edged tools? Keep yard
clear of broken tools, machinery, etc.?
(5) Are you encouraging accident prevention in your home? Do you -- Urge mem-
TJeVs of your faraily'to work safely, play safely, drive safely, ai^d other-
wise prevent accidents by correcting conditions that might cause accidents?
Have first-aid materials on hand for treatment of minor scratches and
injuries? Are such materials safely placed away from children?
Accidents touch tirie life and pocketbook of one out of every four
Americans, In 1942, accidents in the United States caused 93,000 deaths and
9,200,000 injuries and cost v5. 200, 000, 000. Approximately 5 perctjnt of these
losses occurred on famis. This means that accidents killed 4,600 farmers,
injured 450,000 farmers, and caused a loss of $26,000,000 to farmers and their
properties. By being careful you can do your part in preventing farm acci-
dents. Here is whao 'you~can do; Locate tho dan;:er spots on your farm.
Get rid of th ose danger spots. Remember that nest accidents do not ''just
happen." They are caused. Accidents that can happen usually do happen. Soon-
er or later an accident is likely to occur from a neglected dangerous condi-
tion. Know the causes of accidents and get rid of then.
Inspection points the way to protection. Find it and fix it.
The compiler of Fruit Notes will spend the week of June 5 in Maine, attending
a series of four tv/ilight meetings and visiting as many orchards as time will
permit.
-8-
BEVim OF LITERATURE 0^ BEE RSPELLHITS
Since certain individuals are urging the use of so-called repellents
in spraying as a possible safeguard for bees, the following sfuramary of experi-
mental work is presented*
One of the earliest known references to the use of bee repellents was
the reconnendation in 190D of carbolic acid for this purpose.
In 1921, Melander conducted some tests to detejrmine the value of several
naterials as repellents. Among his conclusions are the following: (1) Creosote,
craosol and carbolic acid are -^ery repellent. (2) Carbon disulfide, nicotine
sulfate and napthalene are quite repellent.
In 1922, Morse in eastern Massachusetts, suggested the use of a proprie-
tary cresol confound, "Milkpl." The only "evidence" was that bee losses were
reduced even though all shade trees had been sprayed,
Dadant, 1923, declared that liiae sulfur and bordeaux mixture were repel-
lent to bees. He stated that these materials, mixed with spray solutions,
would prevent bees from sucking up the poison.
Bourne, 1927, stated that nicotine sulfate acted as a repellent. Bees
v/hich had a choice of blossoms sprayed with solutions containing nicotine sul-
fate or untreated blossoms alv/ays preferred the latter.
In 1936, Root declared that the odor of creosote was not offensive to
bees so far as is known,
Bottchor, 1937, stated that nicotine, lime sulfur, and sodium fluoride
or sodium fluosilicate act as repellents.
Southv;ick, 1928 and later, has insisted that creosote, at the rate of one
pint to 100 gallons of spray solution, is an effective bee repellent. He states
that the use of this material has reduced bee losses.
Milum, 1940, stated that llilkol had been used as a repellent apparently
with good results . He also thought that Black Leaf 155 might have some value
since its residue would contain nicotine.
In 1941, Shaw and Mendall tested many materials including creosote, tar
oil, phenol compounds, Milkol, naphthalene and alpha and beta naphthols. The
number of visits of bees to treated foliage in all cases V^as less than to the
untreated foliage. The materials were applied by means of a compressed air
sprayer. It is realized that agitation might not have been adequate even
though the sprayer was shaken thoroughly before any spraying was done. In
all Milkol combinations, from alight to moderate blossom injury occurred. Both
creosote and tar oil compounds produced severe blossom injury.
In 1942, Butler stated that in England no very Satisfactory results had
been obta ined with creosote and its use at present is not recomi:iended.
— F. R. Shaw
KEEP imrLY SET TREES GROTIIIG
Recent drj'' weather is likely to raise havoc with youn[^ fruit trees,
particularly on dry soils, unless water is supplied during this critical per-
iod. In a recent issue of a national magazine, John C. Snyder of Washington
State College makes these pointed statements i "The root system of young
tr«os is reduced about nine tenths when they are dug from the nursery row.
It is considered a good practice to prune the top somewhat in order to tut
down the amount of water needed; the reduced root system obviously can't
supply the original water-losing leaf surface. However, it is not advisable
to reduce the top to one tenth of its former spread in order to get balance
between roots amd leaf surface. Some orchardists reduce the pruning required
by keeping the soil more moist than usual during the first half of the growing
season. Keeping the soil moist around the roots and never allowing it to dry
out helps the reduced root system to supply the tree vdth water. Plenty of
wator can be responsible alone for doubling the size of the tree by the end
of the first growing season."
PLUf! CT.IRCULIO FAYS AIuTlIAL VISIT
The last fev; days of May and the first few days of June are almost
invariably the season of intense activity on the part of the plum' curculio.
Tbis insect, which probably bleraishes as many fruits as any other single in-
sect in r'assachusetts, is running true to form this season. 17. D. Vfiiitcomb
reported on May 51 that curculio emergence was practically completed. This
report is further empiiasized b^ limited jarring tests in the Connecticut Val-
ley, A 5- year -old peach trce/jarred twice on Thursday, June 1, netting 18
beetles in the morning and 6 in the evening. About 50 beetles have been
collected from that tree thus far. Incidentally, the tree 3hov/5 a heav^''
set of fruit and there are prospects of bringing a crop through to maturity
by frequent jarring and collecting of beetles, even thouph no lead arsenate
is applied. Can the reader visualize combatting curculio with a baseball bat?
This weapon, vrell padded, is being used on the above peach tree as a means of
jarring the individual branches and thus dislodging the beetles.
USED COOTAINBR SITUATION (Maine Fruit Notes, by R. N. Atherton)
With the increased arrivals of southern vegetables, some types of
used packages are more plentiful in Nev/ York State markets, but in general
the demand still exceeds the supply of most types. The general over-all con-
tainer situation has not improved, and in some spots is somewhat worse, due
to continued manufacturing difficulties. Barring further and nev/ linexpected
disaster, prospective c rops will require every new and used container that
can be made available. Reports on the probable carry-over of new baskets,
hampers and boxos from last year's short crops are necessarily incomplete
and inconclusive, but they range from 10 to 25 percent of requirements in
IJeAv Engl'^ndj the four Appalachian States, South Carolina and Georgia, the
most pessimistic outlook being in the Middle West and New York where the car-
ry-over is practically negligible. In only one or two instances (liaryland
and South Carolina) does it appear that actual delivery in appreciable quan-
tities has been made on confirmed orders,
-10-
BLOSSOM THIMJING SPRAYS
The Experiment Station has started work to learn something about
the value of caustic sprays for thinning apples and peaches. Comparisons
are being made o.^ different concentrations, time of spraying, and number of
sprays. It ir boo early to draw many conclusions. The injury to the foliage
was less thr^n crp^-oted and the trees now shovi little or no injurious effects
of the sp-ay. It 1:^ e""idRnt that the sprays were more or less effective and
we hope to le.y]— i soruething of the best procedure. We would be glad to hear
from groviirs who have tried this method of thinning. The frost was more ef-
fective but lejs discrminating. Fortunately, most of our experiments were
on trees which suffered little or no frost injury.
— J. K. Shaw
Too many apple tree trunks in Massachusetts are coverod by
a dense growth of poison ivy. It is no wonder that apple
pickcrp who are susceptible to ivy poisoning stay aviray from
such orchaxdo, M'-J d- sumir.er is the time to tackle the poison
ivy problem, using as a v/er.pon that nev;ly developed chemical.
Ammonium Sulfamate.
ORCHARDS ALL OVER THE HILLS
New orchards now grow near the woodlands
They're plonted all over the hills,
Overlooir tho Lroud valer and deep valleys.
The brook'3 ■-■■'.-'. tne rivers and rills.
On lands o.'.jb pb^naored ^nd barren^
A] 3. cc'v^Tod vii'.h mc«fes an^ fern
The porf'.^.n'- oT l.lc.i- in the tpr.'.ngtime
Returns and fond mA-nori^s burn.
The spirits of folks who one? lived here
Have '■■ciui ba-^k to ecrth onc^ rigain.
To guide jr anc. cheer us and b'.ef-s us
And r'^iward us for trouble yrd pain.
Restored are 'ri" fo/^mp cf ou' fathsrs^
Brcug'it ha-k are th'j ] -Ji^di cf their toils.
Now life r.iS .u-av cc-ae tc The.sf. hillsides,
Nev/ enterrrisi: b^cj: to tr.oi^e soxls-.
The fruit'j of cur latox-s shall fill us
171 th g?.-\dnesijj cortcntP'r.rt and cheer.
And fruit.3 of t.hese crchari.'.s E-h'\ll ever
Bring f'-.^e-icn fr-.v.i wai.vt and frcn fear.
And now t^ ou;" C'~d ■m Hi 3 Heaven
■■.Ye pr?.y fos- the strengbh to go on
Until all thaL-o }:ills of our birthright
Return to prosperity's dawn.
— R. H. Lovejoy
County Agr'l. Agent
Sanford, Maine
mMM^^m
June 28, 1944
Prepared by -yie Fruit Program Committee
of the Extension Service
VT. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Contents
X-Disease Control
Notes on Fruit Insects
Seen and Heard in Maine
Grass
Fruit and Nut Crop Prospects
Orchard Sites as Related to Freeze of May 19
Summer DN Bums Out Scab Spots
More on Blossom Thinning Sprays
First Year Training of Grape Vines
X-DISEASE CONTROL
It is time to get after the chokecherries arox^nd peach orchards
or prospective peach sites. Eliminating the chokecherries is the only
known method for the control of X-disease, or yellow-red virosis, of peaahos.
This disease is known to be carried as far as 200 feet. Fop safety, choke-
cherries should be eliminated for a distanpe of 500 feet.
Chokecherries are best eliminated by the use of a weed killing
spray. Such sprays are carried from the leaves into the roots and thus
kill the whole plant. Treated in this way, there is no crop of suckers
to deal with, as would follov/ mowing or attempts at digging them out.
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30,
1914, Vfillard A. Munson, Director, Massachusetts State College, Unii-ed^^fcwfew^
Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating.
-2-
Two types of sprays are available, those containing ammonium sul-
fajnate and those containing sodium chlorate. The Eimmonium sulfamate type
is slightly more effective in killing chokeoherries, is easier to handle,
leaves no undesirable residue in the soil, and no fire hazard is involved
in its use. On the other hand, it is more expensive per pound, and is cor-
rosive on metal parts, particularly copper.
The manufacturer has made several suggestions for overcoming the
corrosive effect of ammonium sulfamate. Mix oil with the spray or coat the
inside of the tank with grease. Hanging a strip of zinc or putting some
granulated zinc in the spray tank is said to help. Most important is to
wash out the sprayer thoroughly after use. Adding hydrated line or baking
soda to the last rinse water is recommended. Probably adding a couple of
pounds of spray lime to 25 gallons of water and washing the sprayer out
thoroughly are most practical for the fruit grower with a large sprayer.
— J. S. Bailey
NOTES ON FRUIT IHSECTS
Apple Maggot { The number of maggot flies which had emerged in
cages at V^altham on June 23 vms 72, equal to 24^ of the expected number.
This nuiiiber of flies has not been collected in other years until July 5
to 10. In addition, at least 1 maggot fly has emerged from last year's
cage, having been in the soil since Septembei*, 1942. These observations
indicate that either emergence is 2 to 3 weeks earlier than usual or that
the number of flies surviving the v/inter is greater than normal, or both.
Also, that some flies which did not emerge last year, probably because of
the dry soil in July, will appear this year.
For maggot fly control, spray or dust is usually applied when the
emergence reaches 15 to 20j2, and again just after the peak of emergence.
Therefore, the spray program may be adjusted as follows: Where the 2nd
Cover spray was not applied before June 18, this application will serve
as the first spray against maggot. The 3rd Cover spray should be timely
July 5 to 10. On early maturing varieties this should be sufficient pro-
tection for the season. On late maturing varieties, a 4th Cover spray
July 25-August 1, may be necessary to protect against late migrating maggot
flies, and also to control 2nd brood codling moth and l^iaf roller. If dust
is applied, 75-25 or 70-30 sulfur-lead arsenate dust should be used in the
4th Cover ,
If the 2nd Cover spray was applied before June 18th and the rainy
period, June 19-22, the 3rd Cover spray will be timely June 30-July 3, and
the 4th Cover spray about July 12-15. This will make another application
for late codling moth and leaf roller advisable July 25-August 1.
Green Apple Aphis t The green apple aphis lives on the apple
throughout the summer usually concentrating on watersprouts after July 1.
Its abundance is governed largely by the number of predators, such as lady-
bird beetles, lace vang flies and syrphus flies. These beneficial insects
were abnormally abundant this spring but appear to have been greatly reduced
-3-
by the f reezg of May 19. They should increase in numbers now. It is doubt-
ful if spraying to control the green aphis is necessary unless they become
so abundant that they make the fruit sticky from honeydew.
Oriental F ru it Moth ; Although the Oriental fruit moth larvae
of the third generation normally feed in peach fruits, they can survive
as twig borers in the absence of fruit especially in vigorous trees v^hich
continue to produce twig growtli throughout the summer. They also live in
the fruit of quince and apple. Observations so far this season indicate
that enough Oriental fruit moths survived in 1943 to produce a small or
moderate twig infestation by the first generation. The development of
the later generations will depend on v/eather conditions.
— ViT. D. Vilhitcomb
SEEK Airo H EAKD IF MINE
During the week of June 5 the v/riter had the privilege of attending
four t\'rilight meetings in Maine and visiting about twenty fruit farms. Fol-
lowing are a fevx ri:undom obsarvationsj (1) A one-nan spray outfit. In the
orchard of V/i]son Llcrse a very thorough spray program is being applied, using
& very iriger.ic jc arrr.ngcrner'fc whereby the tractor di iver also operates an ele-
vated nultipie v.nz^,^B i'pruy broom. Tlie speed of the tractor is so regulated
that even th^ largest trees rocoivo their full quota cf spray material* Mr.
Morse lias produced lemarkubly clean crops in years past by applying only
three spr.'iy;:^. About 15 years ago a new set of lower limbs was established
in a bJ.o?.V of hixh headed apple trees, through the method of inserting scions
at car*vfuJ."!y SrOected points on the trunk. By placing the scions upside
down, these liinbc deve]0D(id at an ideal angle both from the standpoint of
strength and case m harvesting. Capitalizing on our present day knowledge
of orchard sn.bsoilsj. Mr, Llorse is making an investigation of subsoil condi-
tions in a ncar'->y field where, if conditions warrant, he plans to set a new
orchard. S^'^eral holes vrere dug in this field to a depth of 2 feet or more
to determine ivhat newly set trees may be up against.
(2) Scarcity of plum curculio. In at least a dozen orchards care-
ful observations were made to discover which pests were present. V/ithout
looking at the nap vie were absolutely sure that we were not in Massachusetts,
Plum curculio was conspicuous by its absence. Only here and there was a
light infestation observed. Even where apple and plum trees were growing
in close proximity to stone walls or brush land, plum curculio appeared to
be a pest of minor importance. In a Kezar Falls orchard one particular
tree (August Sv/oet) showed a rather heavy infestation of apple curculio,
but no plum curculio beetles were observed. The orchard owner, Daniel Lord,
reported a similar condition in that one tree in years past and occasionally
a light infestation in his northern Spies,
(5) Frost damage. Except in the University orchard at Orono where
frost damage was rath3r severe j very little damage to apples or other fruits
was observed in any Maine orchard. On the average,, the set of apples is rela-
tively heavy and only in an occasional frost pocket is the damage worthy of
-4-
mention. Incidentally, Maine escaped the severe freeze which occurred in
Ilassachusetts May 19. A later frost about June 3 caused some damage to
vegetable crops but relatively little to fruit crops.
(4) Among the fungus troubles observed were several rather severe
infections of apple scab, particularly in orchards relatively near the coast
where foggy conditions prevail. In two orchards plum trees showed evidence
of plum Pockets and .in two peach orchards some Leaf Curl was in evidence.
(5) Other miscellaneous observations. Orchard crowding is as much
of a problem in some orchards as it is in Massachusetts. Cutting back of
temporary trees which was done last spring, will provide temporary relief
in one large orchard. A rough stony orchard floor in a Wilton orchard sug-
gests a need for a few hours' work with a bulldozer, to prevent wear and
tear on the sprayer and the -operator. Two heavy swarms of bees were observed
within a few minutes in a cOuple of York County orchards. In both cases
apple branches were heavily bent with the weight of bees av/aiting the magic
hand of a beekeeper. Trunk damage to the extent of killing one tree entirely
was observed, following the wrapping with heavy paper of doubtful chemical
content about two years ago. The bark beneath the paper was in one case com-
pletely killed. One enterprising grower with woodworking ability exhibited
some sturdy, light weight step ladders which he constructs on rainy days,
at the rate of about three per day. One grower with a block of exceedingly
vigorous 5-year-old trees and a cover crop of equal vigor, is a strong be-
liever in liberal fertilization. He used, in the form of ammonium. .nitrate,
the equivalent of about 12 pounds of nitrate of soda per tree. Two spray
rings are in operation with fairly good success. In one case where the op-
erator uses a 500 gallon tank, it appears that the material is in some cases
left in the spray tank too long, as evidenced by a black sludge on some of
the trees. Spraying with epsom salts to correct a magnesium deficiency is
becoming fairly common. One grov/er made a test of blossom thinning for the
first time this year. The results, although variable, show some promise. As
a final item, wo report a peach crop in one orchard in 1943 amounting to exact-
ly one peach, a Rochester. How this peach in the top of the tree came through
a temperature of 2CPbelow zero is a mystery,
GRASS (from The Soil Auger)
"Next in importance to the divine profusion of water, light, and
air, those three physical facts which render existence possible, may be
reckoned the universal beneficence of grass. Lying in the sunshine among
the buttercups and dandelions of May, scarcely higher in intelligence than
thope minute tenants of that mimic wilderness, our earliest recollections
are of grass; and when the fitful fever is ended, and the foolish wrangle
of the market and the forum is closed, grass heals over the scar which our
descent into the bosom of the earth has made, and the carpet of the infant
becomes the blanket of the dead.
"Grass is the forgiveness of nature j- her constant benediction.
Fields trampled with battle, saturated with blood, torn with the rut* of can-
non, grow green again with grass, and carnage is forgotten. Streets abandoned
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by traffic become grass-grown like rural lanes, and are obliterated; forests
decay, harvests perish, flowers vanish, but grass is immortal. Beleaguered
by the sullen hosts of winter, it withdraws into the impregnable fortress
of its subterranean vitality and emerges upon solicitation of spring. Sown
by the winds, by wandering birds, propagated by the subtle horticulture of
the elements, which are its ministers and servants, it softens the rude out-
line of the world. Its tenacious fibers hold the earth in its place, and
prevent its soluble components from washing into the sea. It invades the
solitudo of deserts, climbs the inaccessible slopes and forbidding pinnacles
of mountains, modifies climates and determines the history, character and
destiny of nations. Unobtrusive and patient, it has immortal vigor and ag-
gression. Banished from the thoroughfare and field, it bides its time to
return, and when vigilance is relaxed, or the dynasty has perished, it
silently resumes the throne from which it has been expelled which it never
abdicates. It bears no blazonry of bloom to charm the senses with fragrance
or splendor, but its homely hue is more enchanting than the lily or the rose.
It yields no fruit in earth or air, and yet should its harvest fail for a
single year famine would depopulate the world." (John J. Ingalls)
Biographical note ; John James Ingalls was born in Middleton, Massachusetts,
December 29, 1833 and died in Las Vegas, Hew Mexico, August 16, 1900; was
graduated from \7illiams College in 1855; moved to Kansas in 1858 and estab-
lished a law practice; held various territorial and state offices, and served
as United States Senator 1873-1891; and from 1891 until his death was a
prominent v/riter and lecturer. Senator Ingalls was knovm as one of the
Senate's most eloquent members. His statue is in the rotunda of the Capitol.
He had an opportunity to see grass at its best on the virgin prairies of the
West.
— A. B» Beaumont
A MADE- TO-ORDER SCAB INFECTION PERIOD . The rainfall record in Ajnherst for
the week of June 19 is as follows » June 19 - 64"; June 20 - 1.12"; June 21 -
.19'!; June 22 - .OS'i June 24 - 1.84'!; Total - 3.64". Here we have almost as
much rainfall over a six day period as we normally get in a whole month,
and with uncounted hours of wet foliage it is easy to imagine the amount
of scab infection which probably occurred in unsprayed Mcintosh trees.
WHAT A BEE EATS . Bees need about 12 times their ovm weight in food in a
year, just as humans do. For example, a man in the army, weighing 150 to 175
pounds, eats about a ton of food in a year. A ten-pound colony of bees needs
60 pounds of honey and four or five combs of pollen stored in the hive to
carry it through the winter, (from The Furrow)
SPLIT FERTILIZER APPLICATIONS . That this is not a new idea is shown by the
following quotation from Jethro Tull, written in 1731i "There's no doubt
but that one- third part of the nourishment raised by dung and tillage given
to plants or corn at many proper seasons and apportioned to the different
times of their exigencies will be of more benefit to the crop than the whole
apply'd as it commonly is only at the time of sowing."
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FRUIT AND NUT CROP PRC6PBCTS (June 1)
A-Ts, 1934-42
1943
1944
Applas
- Uass.
U.S. (35 states)
65
68J5
62
71?5
72
June 1 oonditiona indicate that deciduous fruit production in 1944
may be more th6n 1943 by as much as ZZ% and about 1% above average, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture report*. The peach crop is indicated to be 17^
above average and about 60$^ more than the short 1943 crop. Pear production
is indicated Z% below average. Cherry prospects are ZT/, above average and
69^ above the short 1943 crop. Sweet cherry production is estimated about
\Qffo above last year and sour cherry production is expected to be more than
2^ times the short 1943 crop. Ceramercial apple production is indicated to
be somewhat larger than the crop harvested in 1943. Grape production pros-
pects are for larger crops in the eastern states but it is not expected that
the California crop will be as large as the record 1943 harvest, although
conditions are again favorable in that state. The apricot crop is indicated
to be more than three times the 1943 record small crop and about one- third
above average, California plums show a h% decline from 1943. The California
prune crop is short with production indicated about 21^ below last year.
Condition of Calif oniia almonds is above average and above June 1, 1943.
The California walnut crop is inilicated slightly larger than last year's
production. Prospects for filberts in Oregon and V^ashington, and for pecans
in the important Southern states, are favorable at this time.
Citrus production from the bloom of 1943 (marketings from the fall
of 1943 to the fall of 1944) is a record crop, exceeding the previous season
by aiiout 12 percent. Present prospects for citrus fruits from the bloom of
1944 (for marketing from the fall of 1944 to the fall of 1945) are favorable.
(tiSDA. BAE Crop Reporting Boarci).
ORCHARD SITES AS RELATED TO JHE FREEZE OF MAY 19
' ' I I I I ■ II w^— .^^ I ■
V/hether the actual crop reduction in Massachusetts orchards, as a
result of the recent freer0, amounts to 20, 25, or even 30 per cent, is
something which will not ba definitely settled until harvest time. It may
mm as high as 25 per cent* But this one thing is emphasized over and over
again as we visit damaged orchards. The amount of damage is quite closely
related to the air drainage and that, of course, has to do with the elevation
of a particular block of trees with respect to the immediately surrounding
country. Orchards in frost pockets fared badly. Orchards with good air
drainage show, on the while, very little damage. And so as we look back
at the severe freeze of May 19 we ought also to look ahead and give serious
consideration to the site of our next orchard. However serious the damage
this year may have been in a particular orchard, the frost will not be with-
out some benefit if it results in a better location of our future orchards.
DOES AMYBODY READ FRUIf NOTES? This incident provides a partial answer.
On a recent visit to a good fruit grower in Norfolk County we found him seated
in his truck about 10 foet from his mailbox reading - of all things - Fruit
Notes.
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Sm.aER DN BURIIS OUT SCAB SPOTS
Apparently little has been published about the fungicidal proper-
ties of Suiruner DN (DN-111). Judging, hov/ever, from its chemical relationship
to Elgetol, one v/ould suspect that if applied at sufficient concentration it
might possess some eradicative, if not perhaps even soiTie protective, proper-
ties against such diseases as apple scab. Recent experi^snce with this
material in one of the College orchards indicates that when applied at the
summer concentration for red mite control, it possesses considerable eradi-
cative properties for scab spots on Mcintosh foliage.
In the afternoon of June 16, two I.lolntosh trees that had not been
sprayed previously this season received an application of DN-111 (1.4 gals,
in loo). Other trees in the same block wore sprayed vath the same solution
to which load arsenate was added at the rate of 4 lbs. in 100 gals. At the
time of the applications, the latter trees showed 18^i of the terminal shoots
with light scab infection, while the unsprayed trees had 50^o and 10% respective-
ly of their terminals infected. The temperature ranged from 83° to 85° F.
and the humidity vms high. In the early forenoon of June 19, practically
every scab spot on all of the sprayed trees where the leaves were thoroughly
wet by the sprays appeared to be burned out. Tlie leaf tissue was brown and
dead clear through the leaf. There was no visible injury to the leaves
th-^^m selves except at the scab spots.
Based on a macroscopical examination only, the eradicant action of
the sprays appeared to be more uniform and complete and with less leaf injury
than is ordinarily obtainable with a spray of liquid lime-sulfur (2 gals, in
loo). Hov;ever, it is a bit early to pass judgment on the question of foliage
injury since less than three days had elapsed after the treatments were made.
If DN-111 spray at the summer concentration for red mite control should prove
consistent and reliable as an eradicant for scab spots on the foliage, its
use in scabby orchards would indeed be valuable aside from its effect on the
red mite population.
— 0. C. Boyd
MORE ON B L QSSQLI THINNING SPRAYS
VJ'e are looking for reports from growers who tried caustic sprays
at blossoming time for thinning apples or other fruits. We tried this method
on V/ealthy, Duchess, and Mcintosh, also on several varieties of peaches, using
concentrations of from 1 to 3 piats of Elgetol in 100 gallons. A comparison
is being made of one and two applications, and times of application as rela-
ted to the development of the blossoms. It is too early to draw final con-
clusions, but some preliminary statements may bo ventured. A spray of 2
pints in 100 gallons took off all or nearly all the fruits on moderately
vigorous Mcintosh. Duchess trees were sprayed once, 2 pints in 100 gallons,
on either May 9, May 11, or May 12. All sprays were more or less successful.
Thespray on Muy 11, v/hen practically all spur flowers were open and a fev^
petals were falling, gave the best results. These trees need little or no
further thinning. Similar treatment on VAjalthy on the same dates, when the
flowers v;ere less advanced, apparently show no results from the early spray
and only partial thinning from the medium and late sprays.
-8-
Concentrations of from 1 to 3 pints in lOa gallons applied once or
twice on Y/ealthy in another orchard gave varied results. The first spray
was applied on May 12 and the second (whan used) on May 15. Only the double
spray, 2 pints in 100 gallons, seems to have thinned the fruits effectively.
The weaker and the single sprays seen to have had some effect on the weaker
trees which v/ere somewhat lacking in nitrogen. Nearly all sprays were less
effective on the more vigorous trees which have been heavily mulched.
These preliminary statements suggest that Mcintosh is easily thinned
while Wealthy requires severe treatment, especially v/hen the trees are vigor-
ous and high in nitrogen. Duchess takes an intermediate position. Perhaps
we should use strong or double sprays on trees known to have the habit of
setting heavily, and weaker sprays on trees known to set only moderately.
Injury to the trees v/as less than expected. Measured by what we
would expect from pesticide sprays, it v;as rather severe, but the trees now
look all right and perhaps the spray injury weakened the trees less than
would the setting of an excessive crop. All these trees (except the Mcintosh)
have been distinctly biennial. Vflnether any of them will set a crop next year
remains to be seen.
Sprays of 1 and 2 pints in 100 gallons applied to peach trees in
full bloom vfere only partially effective. All trees required further hand
thinning. These trees showed little injury.
-- J. K. Shaw
FIRST YEAR TRAINING OF GRAPE VINES
A recent bulletin from Ontario describes a new method of training
a young grape vine which results in a straighter trunk and may hasten fruit-
ing. A twine is tied to a side stub on the nevfly set vine, the other end
of the twine being tied to the top wire of the trellis. Only one shoot is
allowed to grov; and no lateral shoots are allowed to develop on it. As this
shoot grows it is twisted loosely about the twine, two or three times during
the season. liVhen the cane reaches the top wire it is cut off and tied. If
the cane does not reach the top v/ire by the end of the first season it should
be cut off above the lov;er wire and tied to it. Nothing is to be gained in
pruning a vigorous vine back to two buds at the beginning of the second
season as was formerly practiced.
A word of caution is necessary on tying the lower end of the twine
to the vine - be sure it is not attached to the main trunk below the shpot
lest girdling result, Jf the trellis is not to be erected the first year
a tall stake vali suffice in place of the twine, in which case the growing
shoot should be tied to the stake,
— A. P. French
UNSCRAIvIBLING PLUM VARIETIES . A new bulletin, (No. 413), "The Identification
of Plum Varieties From Non-Bearing Trees" by Lawrence Southwick and A. P. French
is just off the press. It is well illustrated and v;ill help to accomplish for
plum varieties what has already been accomplished through nursery certification
of apple varieties.
July 31, 1944
Prepared by the Fruit Program Committee
of the Extension Service
W. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Contents
The Apple Maggot and the Blueberry Maggot
Seen in the Field
Fighting Farm Fires
Thinning Peaches by the "Clubbing" Method
Dusting for Oriental Fruit Moth Control
Notes on Apple Insects
Apple Crop Prospects
THE APPLQ MAGGOT AND THE BLUEBERRY MAGGOT ARE THE SAME — ONLY DIFFERENT
In comparing the apple maggot with the blueberry maggot, we find
a brilliant example of "a gray horse of another color."
The apple maggot has long been widely known as a destructive pest
through eastern apple growing sections from Nova Scotia to Massachusetts,
New York, and Pennsylvania. In Maine, it was a live subject of discussion
in the State Pomological Society as early as 1882. Probably it was known
in Massachusetts at an even eai-lior date.
Although infestation in blueberries had been observed on wild land
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30,
1914, Yfillard A. Munson, Director, Massachusetts State College, United States
Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooporating.
-2*
for many years, it was not until 1906, that the late Dr» IJ. E. Britton, while
State Entomologist of Connecticut, showed that the insect attacking blue-
berries ia the same species as the "railroad worm" in apples. During more
recent years a number of careful studies have been made of both the apple
maggot and the blueberry maggot. A, D. Pickett and M. E. Neary, working in
Nova Scotia, have shovm very clearly some of the relationships between the
two pests.
The apple maggot attacks apple* and thorn apples (Crataegus spp.).
The blueberry maggot attacks blueberries, huckleberries^ snowberries, June
berries, and a number of other berries. The apple maggot is larger than the
blueberry maggot in every stage (egg, maggot, pupa, and fly), but', except
for size, the two pests are as nearly alike as identical twins. The inter-
esting observation is that the apple maggot can be forced to attack blue-
\jerries, and the blueberry maggot can be forced to attack apples. Apparently
in nature, however, the apple maggot does not attack blueberries, and the
blueberry maggot does not attack apples. In experiments conducted in Wash-
ington Coimty, Maine, very young maggots were transferred from blueberries
to apples, and others were transferred from apples to Talueberries. After
the transfer to apples, n^ormal, small-sized blueberry flies were produced,
just as when the maggots fed upon blueberries. In the blueberries, the
apple maggots developed to their normal, large size, but a single blueberry
did not furnish sufficient food for an apple maggot. An additional blue-
Ijerry was provided to enable the apple maggot to complete its development.
Does this show a stage in the evolution of two separate species?
Vfho knows? Perhaps some entomologist in the future can answer the question.
(F. H. Lathrop, Maine Agr^l, Exp. Sta.)
£[EEN tS THE FIELD
Gangplank for Bees . For transferring a swarm of bees to a new hive
Prank Foskett of Orange is using a sort of glorified gangplank consisting
of a box, somewhat smaller than an apple box, with large holes bored in all
sides, attached to the end of a long pole. V/hen this device is placed along-
side of a sWarm of bees on a branch, they more or less promptly go aboard
euid the o«mer carries them (at a safe distance) to their new home* This
contraption may not be new although it is the first time the writer has
seen it. Mr. Foskett rates recognition in the Gadget Department.
Duster on a Skid . For his ingenuity in solving a thorny problem^
the CaoWs Corsage goes this month to Roger Peck of Shelburne. In the midst
of a dusting operation a few weeks ago, a broken axle on a trailer supporting
the duster gave way, and put one wheel out of commission. Instead of going
fishing that day, Roger corralled a nearby fence post which he attached
firmly as a Skid on tie disabled side, and in a few minutes the dusting op-
fration proceeded without further interruption. When it's dusting time in
the Peck orchard a little thing like a lost wheel or two cannot be allowed
to interfere.
-3-
One Gallon Instead of Ten . A few days ago an extremely poor job
of controlling scab was observed in an orchard where the present operator
is getting his first experience in spraying. Although he thought he had
sprayed five times, the trees show very little evidence of it. On inquiry,
it vms found that a spray tank of. material is being stretched too far. The
trees are receiving about one gallon instead of the ten needed for good
coverage.
Last Year's Spray Lime . Imagine using in the spray tank, hydrated
lime held over from 1943. Although the spray chart specifies "freshly hy-
drated" lime, one grower has been demonstrating that old lime will not do
the trick. Having stood for a year, the lime is now partly carbonated and
is gritty enough to resemble ground limestone. Clogged nozzles and a les-
sened corrective effect generally result from using old hydrated lime.
Bridge Grafts Too Short . Twice in recent weeks the writer has ob-
served failures in bridge grafting. In one instance the ovmer said, "I
seera to have very little luck in bridge grafting." V/e tried to convince
him that success in this venture involves much more than luck. His diffi-
culty lay in cutting the scions too short and in failing to insert them far
enough beneath the bark above and below the girdled area. If ordinary pre-
cautions are taken, including tacking the bridges in place with small flat
headed nails and waxing the wound to prevent drying, at least nine out of
ten of the scions should unite. A first class job of bridge grafting of
a tree trunk one foot in diameter can be completed in less than an hour,
and that's not a bad investment of time, on a tree which required 20 years
for its development.
Frost Rings on Pears . Some peculiar looking pears have been ob-
served in a number of orchards this season as a result of the freeze of
May 19. Some Bartletts have a v/ide russet band extending entirely around
the pear about midway between the stem and the calyx, suggesting a variety
v/hich combines Bartlett and Bosc. Maybe they'll rate a special market as
"Fcincy" pears.
Wild Morni ng Glory . This rank grovfing perennial with strong root-
stocks seems "to be~closely associated with a pest of apple trees, the buf-
falo tree hopper^ which lays its eggs in the wood of the terminal growth.
V/liile this pest selaom causes severe damage, many trees shovY badly scarred
branches ar, a result of the deeply inserted eggs. And very often, the more
wild morning glory in the tree the more scarred branches are in evidence.
TOiite Grubs, The need for a rotation of crops in strawberry grow-
ing is well illustrated in a planting visit^jd a few days ago. A planting
which bore in 1943 vras plowed under after the crop was harvested, beans were
then planted, and last spring strav/berry plants v;ere again set on this par-
ticular land, instead of waiting the usual three or four years before reestab-
lishing a strawberry bodr in this field quite a number of the plants look
wilted and on digging around the roots every one of them showed a white grub.
Half a dozen plants were dug up v;ith the same result. This suggests the need
for grov/ing tvro or r.iort. crops between crops of strawberries, for the purpose
of elL'ainating white grubs. There are, of course, other reasons for a ro-
tation, aiaong them the destruction of weeds, increasing fertility, and add-
ing organic matter.
-4-
New Ras pberry Seedling . A few years ago a raspberry plant, apparent-
ly a seedling, grev; up in the flovi/er garden on the farm of Arthur Lundgren,
in Orange. It was transplanted, and as new canes grew, the planting was ox-
tended until now it covers an area about 30 feet square. This nevi unnamed
variety looks promising. The fruit is large, of fairly good quality, and
thus far the foliage shows no signs of mosaic.
Planting Strawberries on Run Out Land . On a Hampden County farm
a particular field of excellent soil "type shows evidence of continued crop
removal v/ith little, if anything, put back. Fifty years or more of "mining"
has left this field in an impoverished condition. None of the ordinary
grasses are in evidence and the scanty weed grov;th consists mainly of acid
tolerant plan'ts. The previous owner had continued to plow and cultivate
until it may have been necessary to "prime the hayrake with last year's hay"
in order to gather up the scanty crop. The present owner would like to es-
tablish a strawberry planting of half an acre or so next year, if possible.
To do so successfully v/ill mean strenuous efforts, to say the least. Brief-
ly, these things v/ill be needed: 2 tons of lime per acre, a heavy applica-
tion of manure, or of a complete fertilizer, and a cover crop sown immediate-
ly to provide as much organic matter as possible. Even then, the chances of
providing a soil good enough for strawberries next spring are very remote.
It v/ill be easier to get the land in shape for planting in 1946,
Sunburned Apples . In a Northboro orchard, quite a number of apples,
amounting to perhaps 1% on some trees, show distinct sunburn. There is
reason to believe that spray materials may be a factor. The trees have
been well sprayed with a wettable sulfur, and in mid-summer an application
of DN was made for red mite control. On the side of the apple exposed to
the sun the skin has turned almost black. A combination of sulfur, DN, and
strong sunlight may be the answer.
Fewer Tentiform Leaf Miners . The heavy outbreak of spotted tenti-
form leaf miner in eastern Massachusetts, so evident in certain orchards in
1945, seems to be on the wane. One orchard where this pest was very preva-
lent last year shows very few miners this summer. Vif. D. Y/hitcomb hae found
at least one parasite working on this insect and is of the opinion that the
leaf miner may disappear from an orchard after about three years,
Gypsy Moth in a Woods Orchard . In a Connecticut Valley orchard,
immediately adjacent to pine trees, we have seen one of the worst outbreaks
of gypsy moths in years. For protection against this pest, it seems highly
desirable to "bring an orchard out of the woods."
A Poor Combination . A combination of circumstances in one part of
an orchard in the llashoba area indicates at least three things in need of
serious attention. Those particular trees, on the average, look exceedingly
sick. In fact, some of them are practically dead. The reasons are winter
injury and mouse injury, induced by the follovnng system of management: A
hear;/ application of poultry manure vms apparently placed around the trees,
about tv;o years ago, in late summer. As a result, the trees grew too late
for their own good and suffered from viinter injury. The poultry manure also
caused a heavy growth of grass around the trees and that in turn encouraged
-5-
a build up in the mouse population in the heavy grass beneath the trees. To
make matters still vrarse, the strips between the trees have been so persist-
ently cultivated that serious erosion has occurred and only a scanty growth
of grass is in evidence. We point out these three items, namely, applying
poultry manure at tnevfime, failing to control mice, and long continued strip
cultivation, as three reasons for an extremely poor block of trees. Fortu-
nately, the rest of this orchard is under a much better system of management.
Soils, Good and Bad . If it were possible to place side by side two
orchards visited during the past few days, we vrould have an object lesson
worth travelling many miles to see. In the first orchard, the soil is very
sandy and the trees are seriously crowded. The foliage has a sickly appear-
ance due to lack of nitrogen and v;ater, and the apples are failing to size
up as they should. The grass turned brown during the recent dry spell. In
the second orchard, conditions are the exact opposite. A fertile, retentive
soil has shovm no sign of drought in either the tree or the cover crop. A
rank grovfth of grass is in evidence and the leaves on the trees are unusually
large and green. Yellow Transparant trees bearing a heavy crop show many
apples 2 3/4 inches in diameter. The soil and the manager are two extremely
important factors in fruit grov;ing.
Magnesium Deficiency in a Middlesex County Orchard , A few trees
about 25 years of age in this orchard showed mild symptoms of magnesium de-
ficiency in 1943. These same trees are beginning to show symptoms again
and the evidence is a little more widespread than it was last year. Evi-
dently this particular orchard is on the border line as regards magnesium
deficiency. An application of epsom salts will be highly desirable. In
another block on this farm where symptoms'isere more pronounced, an applica-
tion of epsom salts has corrected the difficulty. Other striking examples
of the effectiveness of this material in providing needed magnesium in apple
orchards are to be found elsewhere in the state.
Rainy Day Jobs . Nailing apple boxes is one of the favorite rainy
day jobs on a fruit farm, -fhis summer we have had so few rainy days that
this important task has in many cases been left undone. As we approach the
harvest season, we may have more rainy days, and we certainly have more reason
to survey the box situation. Spare time should be used in such jobs as nail-
ing box shocks, repairing boxes, and if both of these tasks are completed,
we night use the next rainy day in looking around for more apple boxes to
take care of the extra bushels on those trees vxhich we thought were entirely
frozen out,
Hold-Over Maggot Flies , In one of the YJ'altham cages v;hich housed
maggots of the 1942 season only, \i. D, V/hitcomb has observed five flies
this siunmer. In other words, five flies failed to come out in the summer
of 1943 and have emerged after spending two winters in the ground. This
behavior has been reported before, although it is interesting to have actual
evidence of hold-over flies in Massachusetts.
Meeting of lfe.ssachusetts Fruit Growers -
Rice Orchard, Ilarlboro, 10:00 A, 11,, August 19.
.6-
FIGHTING FARM FIRES
A few days ago Edwin S. Hartley, V^yben Orchards, V/estfield, Mass.,
told of tv/o experiences with fires in his locality. In both cases, a power
sprayer of the type used for orchard spraying was used to very good advan-
tage. Mr. Hartley was asked to Jot down the facts as ho recalled them.
Here they are. It is just possible that someone in Massachusetts may prof-
it from Mr. Hartley's experiencej
"Last spring a brush fire broke out in a 5-year-old block in our
orchards. I discovered the fir© when it was quite small, but the wind was
blowing and it v/as so very dry that three men couldn't keep up with it. I
drove one-half mile to the barns on the tractor (at 18 m.p.h.) to get the
sprayer and found that it had just been emptied in another part of the or-
chard. ¥/o took five minutes to fill the tank two- thirds full and that gave
the fire good headway. On returning to the fire it was burning over an acre
of groimd on a hundred foot front and the brush and mulch were burning as
high as fifteen feet in the air. Using a heavy duty type gun with a nozzle
delivering 10 gallons per minute one could walk into the fire and smother
the flames and drive the fire back into the burned area. A 12 or 14 gallon
per minute nozzle v^ould have given a heavier fog but the smaller disc was
in the gun. In five minutes the fire was under control. The city fire de-
partment arrived but they realized thftt their equipment was hardly needed,
oven the regular forest firo truck, so they left in a short time. Later,
the crew that was off duty appeared in the sarvioe truck to see how good
a job the sprayer v;as doing.
"On another occasion a brush firo was burning in the Shaker Village
district of V/estfield when a bam caught fire, both inside and outside. A
farmer who was spraying nearby was called on for assistance. He drove across
fields to the barn and sprayed it, smothering the fire promptly. Some C.C.C.
boys v:ho were fighting the brush fire with knapsack sprayers emptied their
sprayers into the power sprayer tank, and in fifteen minutes the bam fire
was out and the house was wet down to prevent the flying sparks from setting
that, too*
"For ordinary grass fires a 6 or 8 nozzle head delivering 12 or 14
gallons per minute v;orks best. The man with the gun rides, and the driver
moves along the fire line about 10 feet away. Using a power sprayer to fight
firo is very fast and efficient. Several mon need to follow the sprayer
with bags or brooms or knapsack sprayers to put out small flare-ups and
stray sparks."
The last radio spray message of the 1944 season
(Number 22) was released July 24. The objective
of those messages is not so much to tell each
grower just what he should do in his particular
orchard, but to furnish fundamental information
about the seasonal behavior of fruit pests and
to provide frequent reminders at a time when he
can still do something about it.
-7-
THimJING PBACIIES BY THE "CLUBBING" I^ETHOD
Hero are two reports on a nev; methvod of thinning peaches »
Carl Henry of V/estboro says, "I am satisfied that the method I used
saved rae considerable time and money. I used a light stick about the size
of a brooi;i handle with about eight inches of rubber hose slipped over one end.
I found tliat I could hand thin the lower branches nearly as quickly as I
could vdth the stick. Therefore, I "clubbed" only the branches that I could
not reach without the use of a ladder. It took me about a half day to get
into the swing of this method. "I'/hether I shall continue to use this method
next year v;ill depend on how the peaches look v/hen I harvest them this fall.
I don't believe any injury was done to tlie tree or the remaining peaches
but of course you cannot select the peaches to be taken off as carefully
as by the hand method. By the hand method you should get a distribution
of peaches something like this: d — By the clubbing method
it will be more like this: .0^. .. ... ^ .
C5 «:j —
Vfalter D, V/eeks of the Vforcester County Extension Service gave a
demonstration of this method at a meeting of fruit growers in Leominster,
He says, "'Club thinning' consists of knocking off the peaches with a short
stick such as a broom handle, A piece of old garden hose is attached to
the stick to prevent severe bruising of the peach limbs. Tw^'o such sticks,
one about 18" long and one 30-40" work very well; the longer stick is used
to reach the higher branches, \7ith a little practice one can thin much
faster by the 'club' method than by the conventional hand method."
DUSTING FOR ORIENTAL FRUIT MOTH CONTROL
j i I I ■ . .
Oil Dusts were developed and first used for the control of Oriental
Fruit Moth in_Illinois in 1929. Extensive work by the Natural History Survey
Division of Illinois has showTi that Oil Dusts are quite effective in combatting
this insect. The use of this material has become a standard practice among
grov/ers in many peach sections where Oriental Fruit Moth is apt to take its
toll. Control of Oriental 'Fruit Moth by means of insecticides is never 100^
effective, but tho degree of control with Oil Dusts is sufficient to keep
losses from this insect v/ithin reasonable limits.
The present i;>aterial, for use just' prior to the harvest season, con-
tains the following active ingredients: Petroleum Oil - 5^o, Sulfur - 1)1%,
This dust is designed for use on peaches for control of Oriental Fruit Moth,
Brown Rot, and Scab. The recommended practice involves applications at 5 day
intervals, beginning 4 v;eeks before the fruit ripens. Thus, applications
begin at an earlier date on early ripening peaches than on late ripening
peaches. The objective is to maintain a light, uniform coating over the fruit
during the period whon the larva of the Oriental Fruit Moth is apt to make
its entry. The Oil Dust may have some ovicidal properties, but it acts prin-
cipally on the young larvae as they hatch from the eggs and crawl to the
fruit to make their entry.
In the final analysis, the success of this material in the control
-8-
of Oriental Fruit Moth depends to a large extent on -tae way in which it is
applied. The grower must faithfully maintain a ligh-| coating of Oil Dust
in the orchard eveiyS days for a period of 4 weeks bgfore the fruit ripens.
If he has a very heavy infestation to contend with, the dusting should be
exceptionally thorough,
FIXED NICOTIHE FOR CODLING MOTH C O NTROL
The following note concerning the use of fised nicotine for codling
moth control comes from W. E. Tomlinson of the li7alth«i Field Station: "Fixed
nicotine is effective in controlling codling moth, but not apple maggot.
Since the Fourth Cover spray is as much for magjjot as codling moth control
in most of our orchards, the lead arsenate must be us*,d. These two materials
can be used together so long e.s no lime is present in, the spray, but since
the lead arsenate talces care of both insects there is no advantage in using
Black Leaf 155. After the Fourth Cover spray, lead should not be used be-
cause of the residue, in which case fixed nicotine is the answer."
TIIE APPLE MAGGOT SITUATION
■ Three peaks of 'jmergence of apple maggot flirs in the Waltham cages
are reported by v;. D. ViBiitcomb: June 17 to 19, July I to 3, and July 17 to 19,
Very few flies emerged after July 18, A larger percentage than was expected
(57^b) of the original 600 maggots have already appearad as flies. There are
prospects of fewer migrating flies in late season for two reasons; (1) Owing
to the heavy late J.me and early July emergence, previous arsenical applica-
tions would be likely to destroy more of the flies thr^n in other years, sind
(2) Having emerged early most of the flies on unsprayod trees will' have lived
their normal life span before late August,
APPLE CROP PROSPECTS
The 1944 apple crop in the U. S. has been es|iiiiated at 109,000,000
bushels. This is about half way between the bumper cr<>p of 127,000,000 in
1942 and last year's crop of 88,000,000 bushels.
The state of V^ashington leads in the estimates with 24,000,000
bushels, followed by Hew York with 16,000,000, Virginia with 10,500,000,
Miahij^an with 7,200,000, Pennsylvania with 7,000,000i CJilifornia with
6,ij00,000, Ohio with 5,500,000 and \Tost Virginia with 5*000,000 bushels.
Massachusetts will have in the neighborhood of 2,000,000 bushels.
Blightville Grouper - "If a man sprays tho)+oughly
until the first of June, he may go fishing the rest of
the summer."
Bugtov'm Grower - "You mean if ho doesn't sprjiy
thoroughly, he may as well go fishing the rest of the
suiiimer."
i^h:L Ik
August 28, 1944
Prepared by the Fruit Program Coinnitte©
of the Extension Service
W, H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Contents
"Hormone" Spraying and Dusting for Lessening Preharvest Drop
V/ar Prisoiaer Program Gets Under Vmy
German V/'ar Prisoners in Middlesex County Orchards
Apple Harvest Labor Situation in Worcester County
Youth in Agriculture
Jamaicans on the Cape
Looking Ahead in the Fruit Business
Training Inexperienced Apple Pickers
Some Suggestions for Inexperienced Apple Pickers
"HQRIviONB" SPRAYING AIID DUSTING FOR LESSENING PREH AR VEST DROP
ViTith the Mcintosh harvest season near at hand, the following com-
ments and suggestions conceraing "Hormone" sprays and dusts may be of interesti
1. Sprays are probably somewhat more reliable than dusts, although dusts
were very satisfactory in many cases last year. In our tests at Aml^erst,
dusts have been as effective as sprays on Mcintosh but not on some other var-
ieties.
2. Apply spray or dust on Mcintosh as soon as sound apples begin to drop.
A second applicsition 4 or 5 days later often enhances drop control. Two ap-
plications of either spray or dust may well be justified in many instajices.
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30,
1914, Vfillard A. Munson, Director, Massachusetts State College United States
Departmfjnt of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating.
•"2""
3. If just one application is to be used on Mcintosh, it should be delayed
until natural dropping is well begun (at least 6 good apples per tree per day)
in order to insure protection through the harvesting period.
4. Remember that after about 10-12 days following an application, the
"sticking" effect may be dissipated, resulting in heavy dropping. This is
especially truo v;ith Mcintosh and harvesting must bo planned accordingly.
5. Spray, as nearly as possible, during the hottest part of the day.
Applications are not very effective when the air temperature is below 70° F.
6. Apply dusts when air is quiet and the temperature is high.
7. Use plenty of material. Thirty gallons of spray or three pounds of
dust are none too much for mature Mcintosh trees. Thorough coverage is abso-
lutely essential.
8. Use spray materials at standard strength (10 parts per million). This
strength is usually recommended by the manufacturer. For increased assurance
of effectiveness, use 1^ to double the standard concentration, especially when
only one application is to be made. However, the standard concentration is
likely to be sufficient if the spray is applied thoroughly and under favorable
weather conditions, particularly as regards temperature. Do not use lower than
standard strength spray,
9. If Mcintosh trees shov/ severe symptoms of magnesium deficiency, drop-
control applications probably v/ill not be effective.
10. Possible over-maturity of Mcintosh is a factor to consider in utilizing
"Hormone" applications as growth and development of fruits proceed as long as
they remain on the tree. Hence, in the latter part of the picking season,
some of the apples may be a little too mature for extended storage and ehould
be segregated accordingly,
—Lawrence Southwick
V/AR PRISONE R PROGRAI l GSTS UI'IDER VfAY
A certification of need has btjen made for 1000 prisoners of war to
assist with the apple hurv>r-st in the Nashoba area. A wage h»^aring was held
at West Acton to dett;rmine the prevailing v:age rnte, vdiich was determined to
be 15 cents per bushel and 60 cents on hour at the farm.
The Ilashoba F^'uit Growers' Association is sponsoring this program for
the apple grov;ers in the area and they hav-e employed Miss Eileen Draper, Groton,
to look after the business details for them.
The Nashoba Fruit Grov/ers' Association has been informed that they
may proceed to make arrangements with the Commanding Officer in charge of the
prisoners at Fort Devens for their use. The committed is noiv at work making
these arrangements.
It is expected that there v;ill be about 1000 prisoners available for
the fruit growers in this area.
— -Roy E. Moser
k2«*
GERMAIJ YfAR PRISONERS IN MIDDLESEX COUNTY ORCHARDS
For the past v/eek there have been a hundred German Vfer Prisoners
in apple orchards in Middlesex County and the same number again this week.
The first month the total number of prisoners requested is small as compared
with the seven hundred ordered for the picking of the Macs the first two weeks
of September,
The officials at the Army post have been most cooperativg and helpful
in every v;ay and are anxious to have the program run smoothly. To date the
orchardists have all furnished their own transportation but if several growers
wish to combine their units for transportation purposes arrangements for a bus
may be taken up with the Nashoba Fruit Growers' Association,
As far as results; the growers here reported varying numbers of bushels
picked the first day from eighteen to thirty. This variation on different farms
is no doubt due to the difference in supervision. These prisoners should be
handled exactly as any other "greon" help and to get the best results thoy
should be carefully directed. As for the much talked about rest period the
army officials do not require this; it is entirely optional v;ith the grower.
The wages according to the contract v;hich the Nashoba Fi*uit Growers'
Association has drawn up between the Association and the grower are fifteen
cents a bushel or sixty cents an hour. The contract requires the payment of
a week's wages in advance at the rate of six dollars a day. Adjustments in
these payments are made the following week betv;een amount paid and actual work
done.
All in all, to date the whole program of using prisoners of vmr has
v/orked out most satisfactorily in this county,
— -Ramona I. Davis
Emergency Farm Labor Assistant
Middlesex County
APPLE HARVEST LABOR SITUATION IN TTORCESTER COUInITY
With the apple harvest facing us again this year, it would be a good
policy for our growers to contact pickers who worked for them last year and
who were satisfactory, to estimate about how many more pickers would be needed
to harvest the crop, and keep in mind to have adequate picking equipment. Last
year many of the men could not use all of their pickers at one time because of
a shortage of ladders and other equipment k
This year, the Nashoba Fruit Growers have appointed a labor committee
who have looked into the possibility of procuring German war prisoners to help
out in the harvesting. To date, it is known that German war prisoners will be
available, and any grov/ers 'who are interested in this type of help should
contact the Nashoba Labor Committee even though they are not • members.
Of course, the first step in acquiring help should be the utilization
of the local talent. By this, I mean workers who live in or around the vicinity
of the orchard. If then the growers are still in need of help, they should
contact their Farm Labor Coordinator,
-4-
T^e, in VTorcester County, recruited over 1,300 pickers last year which
consisted of men. women and boys. This year, however, v/e are trying to recruit
only men.
Again this year, lYar Ration Boards are allowing extra mileage to and
from th'3 orchards for pickers v/ho will transport other pickers. Y/e have forms
that the grower vfill have to sign, stating — that the picker is working for
him, and the trips made per day covering a certain amount of mileage from city
to orchard.
We are in hopes of getting British sailors to go out and pick for
seven to ten days at a time. Grov/ers who can use this help v/ill have to board
and house these men. It would be a good policy for anyone *rho may want the
British sailors to start thinking of camps or places v/here they could house"
these, men.
The growers should lot the County Extension Service knor; their needs
as to the number of pickers that will be necessary to harvest the' crop, so
that v/e may recruit sufficient help if possible,
— -John A. Gatti
Emergency Farm Labor Ass't,
Vfo re ester County
YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE
If there is any one word which we will have reas')n to remember for
years to c )me, I think it is "Youth." A short while ago we felt a boy, unless
he was old enougii to vote, was of little value, rather limited in experience,
and could not except in rare instances, be utilized efficiently. IVe seldom
stop to think of the remarkable contribution the yo-origstai-s of today are mak-
ing tovmrd the preservation of our Country. Without ''Youth." as we know it
today, v;c could not operate our tremendously fast and efficient types of fine
machinery; in the field of Industry and the nev;er developments, such as radar,
plastics, and others, nearly all of which are carried on by our Youth,
This is equally true in Agriculture. Without our youngsters it would
have been impossible to plant, grow, and harvest our record-breaking crops of
the past two years. Here in our County of Hampden v:e have had hundreds of
these youngsters doing men's jobs. Last year over tv;o thousand different
young individuals worked on our farms. There are still hundreds this year
carrying on the sarae i/vay. It is not uncomiaon to see individuals belonging
to this youth mass as young as eight or ten years old driving some of our
small tractors and other equipment utilized on the farms which, in some cases,
cannot be operated at all by the fathers and older men.
This is also true in some of our orchards in Hampden County. Some
of us take it as a matter of course to see youngsters picking and thinning ap-
ples and doing other operations around the orchard. The youngsters have taken
readily to this type of work although it is a little more difficult than pos-
sibly work in the market gardens,
V/'e can all think of plenty of youngsters v/ho failed on the job; others.
-5-
who were fired and v/ent back to the city, and we are. inclined to comment only
on this type of worker. The sincere, conscientious boy or girl is seidom
given credit for what he or she may bo doing, simply because we are comparing
thoir labor with imaginery adult labor. In the aggregate, may I say the boys
and girls, when considered in connection with fruit farms only> have done a
commendable job. Combined v;ith the v;ork of others, this will have its effect
on the County, State, and Nation for a long time after the individual has been
forgotten. I cannot commend too highly the vast horde of youngsters for
helping us older people through a very strenuous period which, I believe, we
would not have been able to handle alone,
— -George H. Harris
Emergency Farm Labor Ass't.
Hampden County
JAI'IAICMS ON THE CAPE
Despite the fact the crop will be short due to 18 per cent winter kill,
a 30 per cent freeze Eind unusual damage by fruit worm. Cape cranberry growers
have enjoyed a pleasant summer so far as labor is concerned and look forward
with some assurance to the harvest season. The reason for this complacency is
that they have had the services of 150 Jamaicans on their bogs this summer.
They have been able to accomplish much work that might not be possible if the
crop was normal or heavy.
Early in September when the berries ripen, the present force of Ja-
maicans vdll be augmented by 200 more, making 350 v/orkers available for the
harvest operation. The first contingent of 150 arrived in Plymouth June 18.
They had signed up last winter at a recruiting station in Jamaica and agreed
to work here until December 1. Their trtuisportation was paid by the V/ar Food
Administration. Besides paying their wages, the growers also assume respon-
sibility for their transportation. Quarters for these men will be Camp Manuel,
Plymouth, formerly occupied by a detachment of Army engineers. Seven barracks,
tvfo mess halls, and recreation hall and infirmary are nov; in use. Board and
room costs the Jamaicans a dollar a day.
Frank T. V/hite, emergency farm labor assistant for Plymouth County,
v/ho has had countless arrangements to make in connection with the project,
feels that things have gone along so smoothly this summer that it is almost
too good to be true. Most of the Jamaicans have a high school education.
Others have attended college. A number have been taking correspondence courses
this summer. They are politeness itself and their speech is distinctly British,
Their names have the sai.io flavor^ Everal Tylor, Vivian McFarlane, Casley Bail-
ey and Gladstone Aitchoson. They are not fast workers but are steady and
willing and do not lie dovm on the job. Perhaps it is enough to say that the
growers v/ould like to have them again next year.
A new mg vie, in color, with many practical suggestion*
for inexperienced apple pickers, is now available. It
may be 'booked through E. S. Carpenter, Extension Ser-
vice, M. S. C, Amherst, Mass,
-6-
LOOKIIJG AHE.AD IN THE FRUIT BUSINESS
Just the other day, or, in fact, early in August, when apples v/ere
selling at a pretty good price, someone said, "I suppose Llaine apples are not
in yet." He was thinking of the days when Maine raised and shipped many ap-
ples into Massachusetts, and eastern Massachusetts vms a very small producer
of apples in a commercial way. Times have changed since then, and the Massa-
chusetts apple crop is frequently several times that of the Maine crop.
Back in 1912, there were very few commercial orchards in Massachu-
setts. Most of the apples v/ere raised as a part-time, cash crop by men viho
had other agricultural interests. In the last thirty or thirty-five years,
hov^evor, apple growing has pretty definitely drifted into the hands of pro-
fessional or full- tine apple growers. This has probably enhanced the quality
and marketability of Massachusetts apples. Massachusetts nov-i produces enough
apples to make it an attractive buying location for large apple buyers. That
makes it really a better market for all of us. I think the same thing would
happen in small fruits if the advantages of quick freeze multiply the length
of the selling season so that vastly more people will produce small fruits.
It may be possible to grow them in Massachusetts in sufficient volume to at-
tract buyers and to develop cooperatively a better technique in growing and
selling. I hope that we will never lose our youthful spirit, whether it be
small fruite or apples,
■.Many of us who were worrying along v/ith young trees twenty-five years
ago haven't set out many young trees in the last few years. I fear that v/e
may be approaching a period of orcharding in Massachusetts when all the trees
will be ma-bure trees. That is the condition that occurred in Maine, for in-
stanc-e, before the 1934 freeze. They are now rebuilding a good horticultural
business there. I hope we continue a moderate planting either of standards
or some dwarf trees and continue picking a part of our crop from young trees.
No one wants runaway overplanting but we should have an orderly system of
young trees coming along.
Louis A. Vfebster
Acting Commissioner of Agriculture
TRAINING IIIEXPERIENCED APPLE PICKERS
(The following item from Seasonal Fruit Notes by H. A. Rollins, Exten-
sion Horticulturist in Connecticut, is quoted here because it is equally appli-
cable to Massachusetts conditions.) "The lack of sufficient trained supervisors
is present again this year, Dr, Bradt, State Supervisor of the Farm Labor pro-
gram in Nev; York State, stated at a recent meeting that growers often say, 'I
can't take time to train this green help." A good many fruit growers will have
to make use of 'green help' if their apples are harvested this year. Dr, Bradt
made it very plain that we cannot just take these inexperienced apple pickers
into the orchard and say, '♦Here are the apples, go to iti ' He explained that
there were three rather important points for every fruit grovrer to consider in
training inexperienced help. Jlis suggestions were: (1) Obtain the confidence
of your worker, put him at oise, build up his interest in the job, and get him
in the right frame of mind. (2) Present the job to him, tell him v^hat you ex-
pect v/ithout giving him too many details, show him what you want done, and re-
member it is all new to him. (3) Let him pick apples under your supervision J
correct him if necessary and make him do it right; be sure he knows the job J
check up on each picker after he has had a little experience. Tell him not to
both'-r othnr pickers but go direct to the foreman v;ith any questions."
-i'C>>.
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September 30, 1944
Prepared by the Fruit Progrroa Comnittee
of the Extension Service
1Y. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist
Content 8
Hurricane Apple Purchase Program
Pornological Paragraphs
Nursery Inspection
CaiT you Afford to Renove some of Your Trees?
Tree .Ripened Fruit
"Farn Help Can't Take It"
V/hat is DN?
Do You Know?
HURRICAIiS APPLE PURCH.^E PROGRAM
At least 150 carloads of hurricane apples v/ill be purchased in
Massachusetts. The program is now under way v/ith headquarters at the County
Extension Building in Concord (tel. Concord 202). 1/7. P. Bauer, a represent-
ative of the "ffar Food Adnini strati on, is in charge of this nev/ program.
Full details iriay be obtained from any of the county agricultural agents
or froK tlie Uon>3crd headquarters. The minimum offering is 100 bushels of
one variety. Applos must conform to the U.S. Utility Grade with the ex-
ception that bruises affecting, in the aggregatp-, not more than 10^ of the
surface with no one bruise larger than an inch in diarueter, will be accept-
able; also, serious damag*;! in the form of cuts or punctures v;ill be allowed
on only 15^, of the apples. The toleruico for apple maggot injury ip only
5% and for decay, 1%^ The variety name must be st&jiiped or v-ritten on each
container. Two slats are required on corrugated covers and three sjLats on
cardboard covers. Apples may be packed in either bus}iel baskets, standard
bushel bojsres or crates, or nev; fiber boxen, A minimum carload consists of
793 bushd'ls. 'All apples offered to tlie WA must be inspected, and ^.nspec-
tion charges are to be paid by the vendor.
Issued by the Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of May 8 fund June 30,
191-i, V.'illard A. Munson, Director, Massachusetts State College, United State*
Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating.
-2-
iAVi(:;^^ynu2J>^
THE "SPEED SPRAYER"- At the Pennsylvania Station the work of the new speed
sprayer was compared with that of the older conventional high pressure
sprayer. It was foxond that the speed sprayer deposited less lead in the
tops of the trees but more on the bottoms, and gave somewhat less control
of insects and diseases, especially with Mcintosh. However, applications
were made twice as fast with the same amount of labor, (proc. A.S«H«S»,
Vol. 44, page 129).
FERIJATE FOR CEDAR RUST . Cedar rust is not the most important disease of
apple trees in Massachusetts, yet it sometimes does great damage to sus-
ceptible varieties such as Wealthy and Golden Delicious* Experiments in
Virginia showed that Fermatg, l-g- pounds, plus 1 pint miscible kerosene in
100 gallons controlled cedar rust on both fruit and loaves almost perfectly.
It also proved superior to Bordeaux mixture in controlling bitter rot.
(proc. A.S^H.S., Vol. 44, page 107).
SULFUR SPRAYS AND GROV'JTH . Y/e are changing from liquid lime sulfur to wetta-
ble sulfur largely because of a feeling that lime sulfur is injurious to the
trees. The RJiode Island Experiment Station has carried on a comparison of
various sulfur sprays and dusts including trees v/ith no fungicide. After
five seasons with Baldwin, the dusted trees were the larger in trunk diam-
eter, followed by those receiving wettable sulfur and those with no fungi-
cide. The Mcintosh trees receiving wettable sulfur and dust grew best,
while those with no fungicide were the smallest of all. This suggests that
Y/e may do very well if we do not spray young Baldwin trees but had better
not omit scab sprays on young Mcintosh. Their figures confirm the idea
that liquid lime sulfur does check the grov;th of trees and that a 1-50 spray
is worse than one of 1-100. (proc. A.S.H.S., Vol. 44, page 99).
LEAF AREA PER FRUIT IN PLUMS « Much has been published relating to leaf
area and the size and quality of the fruit. EiJ^eriments in the State of
Washington showed that with tv/o varieties of plums, at least four leaves
per fruit were necessary in order to mature the fruit and to permit adequate
fruit bud formation for the crop of the succeeding year. A larger number
of leaves per fruit resulted in larger, better colored fruit, higher in
sugar and, therefore, of better quality. It is possible that under our
conditions more leaves per fruit are necessary. The regulation of leaf
fruit ratio is a matter of judgment. Perhaps it is safe to say that at
least 6 to 10 leaves per plum arc necessary under our conditions.
(proc. A.S.H.S., Vol. 44, page 94).
EXPLODING THE SKIN FROM APPLES . Apples placed in a tight retort and heated
to 2400-2500 and then suddenly cooled by shutting off the steam and forcing
cold water into the retort were peeled almost instantly with little waste.
Potatoes were peeled and lima beans shelled by the same apparatus. A patent
on the process has been applied for by the Ohio state University Research
Foundation, (proc. A.S.R.S., Vol. 44, page 190).
-3-
VifAXING APPLES. One of the weaknesses of the Golden Delicious apple is its
tendency to shrivel in storage. Ihis can be largely avoided by vraxing the
apples, [[he Cornell Station describes a home-made waxing machine v/hich
could be built at a prewar cost of about $300. On this basis, apples could
be waxed at a cost of about 3 cents per bushel. V/eight loss vias reduced
about one-half. \Yaxing must be properly done or the apples may develop an
alcoholic flavor, (proc A.S.H.S., Vol. 44, page 183).
A NETiY HEASON FOR GROYJING MORE PEACHES IN MSSACHUSEITS . We sometimes wonder
why some of the peaches shipped into Massachusetts should not be replaced by
home-grown fruit. Peaches shipped long distances must be picked earlier
than those for the local market. Peaches, like other fruits, grow as long
as they are on the tree. Experiments in the State of Vfeshington showed that
increases in^i.z1%r&m the time of picking Elberta peaches for shipping to
the time of picking for canning were as follows: Average circumference 12^,
weight 35%, soluble solids '60%. Peaches are picked for canning at about
the same stage as for a local market, peaches allowed to remain on the
tree until the flesh begins to soften are more attractive in appearance,
of better quality and you get more bushels. (Washington Expt. Sta., Mimeo.
Giro. 8, 1943) .
MOiffi ABOUT J.IULCHITIG ORCHARDS . Massachusetts fruit growers are interested
in mulching orchards. The New Hampshire Station has started an experiment
in a young Mcintosh orchard comparing the common sod system of culture,
sawdust, hay and seaweed mulches. After two years little difference has
been observed between sod and savj-dust or between hay and seaweed. Hay and
seaweed have resulted in more and larger fruits of slightly less red color.,
and deeper green anci more dense foliage than sod and sawdust. Witch grass
grew up through the sa;vduEt but only slightly through hay and not at all
through seaweed. These results are similar to those of the Massachusetts
Station and indicate the value of a hay mulch or seav;eed if you can get it.
It also suggests that sav/dust is of doubtful value. (Proc . A.S.R.S., Vol.
44, page 49)
MORE PEACHES IN MASSACHUSETTS . Walter piper says that there are practically
no good peaches in the Boston market because natives are being sold at the
farm. Supplies come mostly from the Virginia section. Y/hy shouldn't we
supply Boston from more Massachusetts orchards? BUT plant the trees on
high sites, exterminate chokecherries , select the right varieties, control
borers, brovm rot, curculio, and oriental peach moth. Perhaps DDT will help
in the future .
J. K. Shaw
MAG^TESIUl-1 DEFICIENCY, A limited number of reprints
of a journal article entitled "Some Results in Correct-
ing Magnesium Deficiency in Apple Orchards" are avail-
able to interested growers. The authors, Lawrence
Southv;ick and J. K. Shaw, report in this article the
effects of spray and soil applications of magnesium on
magnesium deficient apple trees at Mass. State College.
Requests for this reprint may be sent to Lawrence South-
wick, M.S.C., Amherst.
-4-
NURSERY INSPECTION
t Four members of the staff of the Massachusetts State College
uav« organized the Massachusetts Trueness-to-Name Inspection Service,
sponsored by the I;& ssachusetts Fruit Grov/ers' Association. The members
of the Service are J. K- Shav/, A. P. French, 0. C- Roberts, and L- South-
wick. This move implies no change in this work which has been carried on
for 24 years. It only gives it a name and the expressed approval of the
orgahized fruit growers of Massachusetts.
The v/ork of examining nursery trees for trueness to name has
been completed for 1944. Several new nurseries have been examined and a
few Omitted examination for this year. Yftien a nursery has been examined
for two or three years, mixtures and misnamed trees are eliminated. How-
ever, new ones soon creep in, often among buds from bearing trees. Our
experience indicates that such buds are mixed quite as often as those cut
in the nursery.
Ihe examination includes apple, pear, plum, sweet cherry, and
t.;o-year sour cherry; one-year sour cherry trees of certain varieties are
difficult to identify, hence, the desirability of waiting until they are
older, peach trees are examined j but, as it is difficult or impossible
to identify some varieties as nursery trees, examination of peach trees
is less satisfactory than that of other tree fruits. Nevertheless, a great
many mixtures and misnamed, peach trees are detected and corrected each year.
Bulletins describing the young trees of apple, cherry, and plum
varieties have been prepared by the men of the Massachusetts Trueness-to-
Name Inspection Service and are available on request to the Massachusetts
Experiment Station. Bulletins on pears, blueberries, and raspberries are
in preparation.
A list of the nurseries examined for trueness to name may be
obtained by sending a postal card to the Department of Pomology, Massachu-
setts State College, Amherst, Mass.
J • K • Shaw
CAN YOU AFFORD TO REMOVE SOl'.ffi OF YOUR TR EES?
Many of our fruit growers have orchards in wiiich the trees are
too close together and find it hard to get up courage to thin them out
because of fear of reduced crops. A circular from the feshington State
Experiment Station gives some figures.
s
A liYinesap orchard planted in 1905, 106 trees to the acre, wa
thinned to 54 trees in 1925. In 1940 one-half of the remaining trees were
removed from one-half the o 
