Full text of "Fruit notes"

C!Us:iy|uom •

"•■» aOCMOLATt

^777,

FRUIT NOTES

January 1950 - January 1955

Extension Service
U. of M.

-p

'^tulthkft^

r^RNUARY-aijoar

PROTEIN 0.3 %

FAT 0.4 %

ASH 0.29 7o

ACID 0.47%

VITAMINS
A B C G

IBER 1.0%

Prepared by the Departments of Pomology, Entomology, and Botany, and

Other Staff Members
Compiled by W. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Soae Facts About Apple Varieties
Two New Blueberries
Aaendnents to Deer Daoage La«
Consunption of Fresh Fruits

Storage Tests

1950 Apple Spray and Dust Chart
A Few Facts About Spray Oils
The Mcintosh Selling Job

A Hnman Approach to Distribution

Issued by the Extension Service, Willard A. Munson, Director, in furtherance of Acts of May 6 and June 30, 1914.
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services Cooperating.

sq:!E facts about apple varieties

Grovrers frequently ask about the parentage and place oi ori<^in of the newer

apple varieties including Macoun, Kendall, etc. Here are the facts concerning some
of the more important varieties.

Place of Year of

Variety Season Parentage Origin Introauction

Cortland

Crimson Beauty

Dolgo Crab

EI-.!

Early Hclntosh

Haralson

Kendall

Lobe

Lodi

I,!acoun

Medina

Melba

Milton

Nev;fane

Orleans

Red Gravenstein

Red Spy

Sweet Mcintosh

Unknown USDA

Ben Davis x Mcintosh NY Sta.

Unknown Canada

A Russian Crab S. Dak. Sta.

Yel. Trans, x Mcintosh MY Sta.

Malinda (open poll.) Minn. Sta.

Zuzoff X Mcintosh NY Sta.

Mcintosh (openpnll.) Canada

Montgomery x Yel. Trans NY Sta.

Mcintosh X Jersey Black NY Sta.

Deacon Jones x Delicious NY Sta.

Mcintosh (open poll.) Canada

Yel. Trans. X Mcintosh NY Sta.

Deacon Jones x Delicious M Sta.

Deacon Jones x Delicious NY Sta.

Bud Sport "vYash.

Bud Sport N. Y.

Lav/ver x Mcintosh NY Sta.

1915

1916

1923
1923
1932
1909
192I4
1923
1922
1911
1923
1927
192U
1911
1923
1922

(E=Early M=Mediun L=Late V=Very)

r.70 NE.. BLUEBERRIES INTRODUCED

Tv/c new varieties of cultivated blueberries, Berkeley and Coville, have
recently been named and introduced by the Bureau of Plant Industry'', Soils and
Agricultural Engineering of the U.S.D.A. and the New Jersey Agricultural Experi;r.eiit
Station.

The Berkeley, tested as U-85, was named after Berkeley township in New Jersey.
The Coville, tested as DN-76, vias named in honor of the late Dr. Fredrick V. Ccville,
who started the pioneering vrork which developed into the present cultivated blue-
berry industry.

The frllowing are the official descriptions:

"The BERKELEY (U-65) is a seedling resulting from a cross of Stanley x GS-1U9
(Jersey x Pioneer). It v/as selected in 1938 at V/eymouth, New Jersey and has been
tested and propagated 1\ the years since. The Berkeley ripens about a week later
than Stanley and a week before Jersey. The berries are lighter blue and also
larger than any variety now in the trade. The berries are firm and the flavor
medium vath some aroma. The clusters are rather open and loose and the berries are
not subject to cracking. The bush is a vigorous, good grower and it has been
productive. It has been easy to propagate.

-2-

"The CCVILLE (DW-76) resulted from a cross of GM-37 (Jersey x Pirneer) x Stanley.
It has the same parentage as Dixi and was raised and selected at the same time.
The fruit usually ripens about a week later than Jersey and because it does not
drop may be picked in New Jersey until the end of August. It is later than any
variety now in the trade. The berries are lighter blue than Dixi and about the
same in color as Jersey. They have averaged slightly larger than Dixi and nearly
as large as Berkeley. The berries are firm and the flavor tart until fully ripe.
It has a high aroma. The clusters are open and loose and the berries are not
subject to cracking. The bush is vigorous, a good grovrer, and very productive.
It has been relatively easy to propagate,

"The Berkeley and Coville have been tested chiefly at Belts ville, Maryland, and in
New Jersey and are recommended for trial as commercial varieties fr^m Maryland to
New Jersey. The Berkeley has also been tested at the South Haven Horticultural
Experiment Station in Michigan and has been promising there. The Coville is being
tested there but has not been there long enough to determine its value. Neither
variety can yet be recommended as far south as North Carolina."

The Berkeley and Coville, as vrell as numerous other selections, are under
observation in the Experiment Station fields, both at Amherst and East vVareham.
HoY/ever, they have not been under test long enough to evaluate their usefulness
under Massachusetts conditions. Plants are not available from either of the
introducing agencies. They must be obtained from cooperating growers and nurseri'.s
A list of these will be sent on request.

— John S. Bailey

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BIRDS Aim BLUEBERRIES

Vrtiile catbirds and robins are frequently found feeding on blueberries, this
fruit has been found in the stomachs of 93 kinds of birds in the United States.
In a Michigan study, 11 kinds were found eating cultivated blueberries and 11 other
kinds were active in the planting. Some were probably feeding on insects or vreed
seeds. The observers drav/ these conclusions: — "Losses to birds in plantations
Df cultivated blueberries of commercial size appear minor and not to justify much
expenditure in crop protection. Damage in small plantings may be severe. The
ground feeding habits of robins and other birds are probably beneficial, especially
in small plantings where the number of birds per bush is great enough to remove
all fallen fruit."

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UV; PERTAINING TO DEER AND DEER DAIvlAGE CHANGED BY LEGISLATURE

Three Amendments to the General Laws, of concern to fruit growers, v/ere pass^c
by the Legislature during 19h9 . Every grower interested in the deer damage problem
should make a careful study of these Amendments in order to be fully infonned on
the present situation. Following are the Amendments as supplied to us by the
Department of Conservation:

CH. 282 - AN ACT REL^TIV^ TC THE HUIITING CF DEER . Chapter 131 of the General Lav^
is hereby amended by striking out section 13, as appearing in section 2 of chapter
599 of the acts of 19^1, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-
Section 79. V/hoever, except as provided in this chapter, hunts or has in possession
the carcass of a deer shall be punished by a fine of one hundred dollarsj provided,
that any person may, on land ovmed or occupied by him, hunt any deer which he finds
in the act of damaging crops, fruit or ornamental trees, except grass growing on
uncultivated land; and he may authorize any member of his family, or any person,
other than an alien, employed by him, sc to hunt a deer under the circumstances
above specified. In the event of the wounding or killing of a deer as aforesaid,
the person by vrtiom or under whose direction the deer was wounded or killed shall
within tvrenty-four hours thereafter send to the director a written report, signed
by him, of the facts relative to the said v/ounding or killing, including the time
and place thereof, and the kind of tree or crop injured or destroyed, or about to
be injured or destroyed, by the deer. All deer so killed shall be turned over
immediately to the nearest conservation officer and shall be disposed of by the
director. — Approved Kay 10, 19li-9.

CH. 30ii - AH ACT RELATIVE TO THE HUNTING OF DEER AND OTHER lIAI'.il L^.LS . Section 7c of
chapter 131 of the General Laws, as amended by chapter 275 of the acts of 19L7, is
hereby further amended by striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place
thereof the following paragraph: ■ — ^iVhoever constructs, erects, sets, uses, locates,
repairs, tends or maintains any snare for the purpose of catching or killing any
mammal, or hunts a mammal by such means or by the aid or use of any motor vehicle
or airplane, or hunts a mammal by the aid or use of artificial light, shall be
punished by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than two hundred dollars. The
construction, erection, setting, using, locating, repairing, tending or maintenance
of any snare by any person shall be prima facie evidence of a violation by him of
this section.

—Approved May 13, 191^9

CH. 751 - A!I ACT RELATIVE TO THE PAYIvlENT OF COMPENSATION FOR DAI.IAGS CAUSED DY DEER
ORjroOSE. Section b3 of chapter 131 of the General Laws, as appearing in section 2
of chapter 599 of the acts of 19Ul, is hereby amended ay adding at the end the
following paragraph:- No compensation for damage shall be paid under this section
to any owner or lessee of land if such owner or lessee has, within one year prior
to the damage claim, posted said land, other than an orchard or that portion of
the land immediately surrounding his house, barn or other out-buildings, to prevent
the hunting of deer.

— Approved August 26, lyi^V.

SURVEY SHOWS TfHERE FRESH FRUIT CCHSUIaPTION HAS GONE . (From The Packer, December 17,

19U9)

Seattle, Wash., Dec. l6. — No vrander the apple grower is in for a rough time,
if a survey by Washington State College economists, using figures gathered by the
USDA means anything.

The average citizen is eating considerably less fresh fruit than in former
years, vdth apples taking the biggest decline.

-u-

Fresh apple consumption in the I9IO-II1 period was 6? povinds per capita
annually. By I9I1.8, the consumption was dov.-n to 25 pounds. On the other hand,
citrus fresh fruit consumption has gone up from 19 pounds per capita annually
in the I9IO-II4 period to Sh pounds last year.

Demand for canned, dried, frozen, or juiced fruits has brought about the
fresh fruit consumption decline, economists declared. The apple growers take a
beating on this account, as their high quality product is primarily adapted for the
fresh market. Pear and peach growers complained this year that canneries offered
them less than the cost of production of No. 1 fruit.

Processed fruit consumption in I9U8 was given at I8 pounds per capita in
juices, 17.7 pounds canned, four dried, 2.9 frozen. Consumption of processed
fruits has increased from nine pounds in the 1910-l[i period to nearly h} pounds
today. Over the same period, fresh fruit use has dropped from lli9 pounds to 13u
pounds .

— 0. C. Roberts

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STCRAGE TEST ON MCINTOSH

In company with Donald T. Thayer, Associate County Agent in Franklin County,
four storages were visited December 22, 19ii9, and samples <^f tJcIntosh tested for
ripeness. Each lot listed, consisted of 10 apples vrith tvro pressures on each.
These storages were as follows:

(Roger Peck - Kemp Orchard) The apples yrere picked about September 20 or
about mid-season of the Mcintosh harvest. The early picked fruit was in the
back part of the storage and was inaccessible. A storage temperature of 32° was
maintained. The average test on these apples was 9.0''9 lbs.

(Vy'ellsmont) The apples were picked about mid-season. The temperature of the
storage vras 36° for about a vreek while apples vrere going into storage. The average
test on these apples was 9.ii2 lbs.

(Lyndon Peck) The storage was held at 32*^ continously. The test on these
apples was 9.0? lbs.

(Clarkdale Orchard) Samples vrere taken from apples that had just been brought,
back to the farm from the Amherst Apple Cold Storage. The test on these apples
v/as 8.37 lbs.

— 0. C. Roberts

To make one pound of honey, bees must travel a total

distance of about <0,000 miles, or tvrice the distance

around the earth. It is believed that no honeybee

ever made a pound of honey by its:;lf .

i.IAJOR CimiGES IN THE 1950 SPRAY AMD DUST CHART FOR APPLE IMSECT CCNTRCL

Dormant ; No change in the face of the chart, but Note 1 has been rewritten
to explain more completely the differences between the older types of DN compounds
and those containing butyl phenol. The note also de-emphasizes the substitution
of the butyl phenol types of DN's for oil sprays against overv;intering eggs of
Red Mite.

Delayed Dormant ; Miscible or emulsible products containing at least 96^
superior type oil or raw superior type oil, tank-mixed, with blood albumin are
recommended in applications made Y;hen l/k to l/2" of green leaf tips are showing,
A note indicates that superior oils may be used when 1, 2, or even 3 leaves are
folded back from the bud.

Pink: DDT has been given preference over lead arsenate because of the
lessened danger to pollinating insects and also because of its increased effective-
ness on plant bugs. Nicotine sulfate is recommended only when DDT is not used.

Calyx ; No change in the face of the chart except additional references to
notes on curculio and leafroller, Prtiere plum curculio has been especially
destructive, it is recommended that 2 lbs. of ^0% methoxychlor wettable powder be
substituted for DDT in the DDT-lead arsenate combination. Methoxychlor at 3 to
U lbs, of the ^jO% powder is recommended in Calyx, First and Second Cover sprays
on inter-planted peach and apple blocks. The note on leafroller refers to the use
of DDD at 1 lb. of ^0% v/ettable powder or 1 qt. of 2^% emulsion in a special
application either before or after First Cover if leaf rollers are sufficiently
abundant to vfarrant such a spray.

First Cover ; No change except as indicated in paragraph above.

Second Cover ; The use of a summer miticide is suggested in the Second Cover
wherever 5 or more active stages or eggs are found per leaf. TEPP is recommended
as the lowest cost miticide available which can be used at any time during the
groviing season. A safety warning is included and also the fact that TEPP is
incompatible with Phygon and probably phenyl mercuries at least on some varieties.

Third Cover ; No change except for the recommendation of TEPP as a miticide
as indicated in the above paragraph.

Fourth and Fifth Covers ; No change except that under Note 8 Parathion is
discussed. Following a suitable warning statement, Parathion is suggested to
control Summer Brood Bud Moth. This v/ould be in the Fourth Cover or in an early
Fifth Cover. Parathion is suggested also for use in the Fifth Cover spray virhen
mites are still a problem and it is necessary to combat newly hatched Red-banded
Leafroller, The possibility of injury on Kclntosh and related varieties when
Parathion is used at concentrations greater than l/2 lb, of \S% pov;der is noted
here. You will note that the use of Parathion previous to Fourth Cover is not
recommended.

DDD is recommended in place of DDT wherever i, second-brood Leafroller is
a problem.

— Ellsworth H. lYheeler

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A FEW FACTS ABOUT SPRAY uILS

If you are not applying an oil spray tliis spring the rest of this story is
unimportant. But if you are buying oil, these facts nay save you money, —

(1) Highly paraffinic or " superior " type oils (those meeting or exceeding
the minimum standards listed below) are recommended for use in the
Delayed Dormant and Lnte Delayed Dormant at 2 to 100. (2) Lew paraffin
or " regular " type oils are not recommended. (3) Naphthenic type oils
(vdth A.P.I. Gravity below 2bo) are not recommended.

Specifications for high paraffinic or "superior" type oils are listed below.
If in doubt about the oil you intend to buy, take these specifications directly tc
your dealer. Any oil listed as "superior" should meet these minimum standards:

Viscosity (Saybolt, at 100°F.) 90 - 120 seconds

Viscosity index (Kinematic) 90 (minimum)

Gravity (A.P.I, degrees) 31 (minimum)

Unsulfonated residue (U.R, value) (A.S.T.M.) 90 (minimum)

Pour Point Not greater than 30°F.

Homogeneity A relatively narrow

boiling distillate
portion of petroleuiii.

It is recognised that these are minimum standards. Growers are urged to
note A.F.I. Gravity and U. R. values and tc understand that higher cost may
reflect higher quality — that " superior " type oils vary with respect to these
specifications.

— Ellsvrorth H. '.Tieeler

CUR COVER . vIYiat are apples made of? On a percentage basis — mostly v/ater (about
bkfo) and a long list of other things, some of thea in very small amounts. V/e've
all seen the data covering the chemical composition of a man — enough iron to
make a nail or two, calcium to whiteirash a henhouse, etc. But a man's worth isn't
figured that way. Like an apple, certain subtle ingredients can scarcely be
expressed in chemical terms. VJe eat apples not alone because they supply sugars rr
acids, but because we like 'em. They add a certain zest to life. They satisfy
a certain craving. Maybe it's the flavor, the aroma, the crispness or a combination
of many things. The chemist tells us what an apple contains. Our senses of taste
smell and touch reveal it in its true perspective.

Ethelbert Bliss of l.ilbraham, 98 years old, is said to be the first Man in
'Massachusetts to grow peaches on a commercial scale. Four generations are
now living on the farm -.^.to which he moved as a youth in I87O.

-7-

A I'tote Cn Fire BligHt

During a 10-year study ol' a Michigan pear orchard of the Bartlett variety,
more fire blight was observed in a clean culture-cover crop plot than in a sod-
mulch plot. Also blight infections were more frequently fatal to trees during
their vigorously grov/ing, non-bearing years than similar infections during later
years. As the trees came into bearing and growth became less vigorous and succule..t
they became more resistant to the invasion and rapid movement of the blight
organism. The decrease in growth and succulence of twigs was hastened by the
competition of the sod cover for moisture and mineral nutrients in the sod-mulch
plot thereby encouraging a type of growth resistant to blight infection.

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A Nurseryman Says , —

"'i/Vhy is the maintenance of the soil such an important problem? It can be
truly said- that the nurseryman has two bank accounts and each is of equal
importance. Into one bank he deposits his cash receipts; into the other bank
represented by his land, he must also deposit regularly a most iiaportant asset
a goodly increase of plant humus, an improvement of the mechanical condition of
the top soil and a little plant food. Withdraviral of the assets from either of
these banks faster than they are put in results in disaster."

The apples in the top layer sell the first box; the
ones in the bottom layer sell the second.

-is -;;- -"-

In the Ijext Issue, — A Pruning Platform . In other fruit growing
regions particularly in California, hoirie-made elevated platforms
are coming into common use as a substitute for ladders in pruning.
Of adjustable height and with two movable planks which can be
shifted quickly and easily to plac^ the worker in a more favorable
position, this gadget is worthy of trial in New England. 'S. C.
Harrington of the Agricultural Engineering Department is preparing
a simple sketch for the next issue of FRUIT NOTES fmm which a
platform may be built. The construction is no more complicated
than that of a brush pusher and the platform may bo installed
on almost any type of truck.

Ve get too zoon oldt
Und too late schmart.

THE MCINTCSH SELLIIIG JOB, 1950, '.TITH C0:?FARISCrJ3

On January 1^ , 1950, the Special Apple Market Report listed Mcintosh holdings
in cold storage, Boston area, Massachusetts as ii76,627 bushels.

More people have enjoyed apples this year than for several years. The
selling effort by growers and the trade has moved mere apples (771,i;22 bushels)
betvreen October 15, 19l;9 and January 15, 1950 from storage in the Boston area than
were moved in the entire storage season in all but one of the last 15 years. The
exception was in the 19U14-U5 season when the October 15 holdings were 890,000
bushels.

The application of the cut of storage movement in bushels .-of- the 'years. 19l[t-u5
and 19l;7-l48, to the amount of Mcintosh apples on hand, Boston area January 15,
1950, may be interesting as a pace setter for the rest of this season.

Storage Holdings, Mcintosh
Boston Area, Massachusetts
(Bushels out of storage in i9iili-U5 and 19U7-i+8
for each storage period, in parentheses)
-Thousands of Bushels-
Applying the Out of Storage
movement of 19hii-ii5 and
19l47-l;8 to the Jan. 15 amount,
1950, we get the follomng
set ->f figures.

Jan. 15
Feb. 1
?eb. 15
March 1
March 15
April 1

On Hand

I9UI1-I5

season

39h

319 (75)

263 (56)

212 (51)

166 (ii6)

113 (53)

On Hand

19^7-^8

season

315

2i;2 (73)
205 (37)
163 (U2)
117 ih6)
66 (51)

19liii-ii5
movement

1^76(1/15/50)

iiOl
3hS
29h
2li8

195

19h7-hQ
movement

176(1/15/50)

li03

366

32U

278

227

From the loregomg data, it is very apparent that if Mcintosh apples move out
of storage ne faster during the next few vreeks than during the 19li;-i45 and 19i47-l;8
seasons, April 1 will find a large volume still unsold.

— Frederick E. Cole

A HU!.1AN APPROACH TO DISTRIBUTION

''^"^y people have commented on the damage to apples in
retail stores. The man on the produce counter has been criticized for the poor
condition of apples. Handling in the stores has been blamed for poor sales and
poor returns It is comr.cnly stated that the retail store is the weakest spot in
the distribution system as far as handling is concerned.

-?-

"Changing help, inexperienced help, uninterested help, low priced help" have been
the reasons given for the small amount of progress. "Men have not made a career
of a fruit and vegetable counter."

There is one produce counter where I got to know 'Talter and then Bobby - bcth
good boys. They are given responsibility in the store. They try to treat the
customers right. Bobby and 'i^alter are all right. Then it occurred to me that 1
knew Bobby . It was the ones I didn't know who vrere at fault. Then I realized
how human and unjustified that attitude vvas.

The problem from the vieiA-point of produce counter men, sounds like this:

"The fruit grovrer sends all kinds of fruit, some ripe, some bruised, some
scabby, some good, all in the sane kind of b'^x. Often the boxes are second hand.
Sometimes they are thin, cheap boxes that hardly hold together. Apples are not
packed, just d^jmped. The apples are put up as if the grow-r did not think -nuch
of the fruit himself - and then he crabs us because we don't handle the apples like
eggs. The grower does net hardle the apples v;ell, v^hy should we? Custcmers get the
same idea, tool" Some growers have the idea that as long as the consumers do not
see or handle the packaf^-e,"'.'"! they need in a box is to get the apples to the store
and that's all - it is a gift package. Grov/ers pack for the vvholesale buyer.

One day waiter got some apples in a carton. They looked good to him. They
were not bruised. They were really packaged. The grower thought enough of the
apples to take good care of them. Y/alter built up a display at the end of a g'^ndola
- fastened a new piece of cellophane on the top of one carton and placed it on its
side so that the customers c^uld see the good apples - each one in its ovvn cell -
clean, unbruised - really something choice. The sign read "3 lbs. for 29;J." He
said, "Those apples are really moving, customers like them." The men on the
produce counter are human beings. They react to cheap packaging, good packaging,
poor quality and good quality, the same as anyone else.

Then came a series of articles in trade papers about packaging - new designs,
attractive colors - in lines v/here the customers did not see the package. The
attractive package was just for the clerk behind the counter i It vias working.
More goods were being sold - better care - the clerks knew the lines better -
more sales. Packaging for the »lerks on the counter is a paying preposition.
7/hy not for apples?

Apple grovrers could use attractive packages - do better packing in y/holesal^
package - for the clerks, and attack the weakest spot in the distribution chain .
The more I thought about it - compared costs, compared prices - the less excuse
there was for good apples in a crate, particularly good apples in the same kind
of a crate that carried the poor apples.

Therefore, I pass the thought on to you: - Use a carton , label it and put
instructions on it for th e clerk on the produce counter. Package for the produce
counter cl-rk . Tackle the vjeakest spot in the apple distribution v.-ith a pacicage
and instruction? designed for him. Dress up the apples instead of crabbing the
clerk. Put only poor apples in the crates where poor apples are at home.

Treat the man on the produce counter as a human being, give him good apples,
packed right, in an attractive package, and the man who has been blamed for poor
conditioB may turn out to be one of the best friends the apple grower has . Just a
human appi^ach to a difficult problem, - but who isn't human?

— Frederick E. Cole

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laK. JAMiia ij\ AWyaKSON

MARCH 30, I95C

PROTEIN 0.3 % — / yy/^y/y/ j x

FAT 0.4 % -^/^^•••- •^•^••• ^■ •-- ^

% // /

ASH
ACID

0.29 %
047 %

FIBER 1.0 %

VITAMINS
A B C G

Prepared by the Departments of Pomology, Entomology, and Botany, and

Other Staff Members
Compiled by W. H. lilies, Extension Horticulturist

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Evaluation of Newer Apple Varieties
Costs of Tree Removal

Hay Mulcb Dividends

County Agent' s Corner

Hand Pollination

Relation of Nitrogen to Fruit Profits

Issued by the Extension Service, Willard A. Munson, Director, in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914.
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services Cooperating.

EVALUATION OF SCI.IE OF THE NE?ffiR VARIETIES OF APPLES IN COMPARISON WITH I.£CINTOSH

The accompanying chart gives evaluation of a few varieties of apples v;hich
have been rather widely tested by Massachusetts growers in recent years. It
represents the collective opinion of a panel of eight persons and the audience
which discussed it at the recent annual meeting of the M.F.G.A.

Variety

Annual or
Biennial

Years to start
bearing

Yield

Growth habit

Pollmizer for
Mcintosh

Fruit size
Fruit color

■ ID
(X : -H

^^ O rH

.t^ -« S, : Other

"^ "!;? 2 . weaknesses

3 0) o
a* > -p ■

t^ CQ

-p cd

•H ^ Ti ■

3 0) rH

5-1 t, C
Cn 0-. O

Lodi

3 3 5 3 3 S

Melba

ii i 3 2 ,3 5
i '

Early Mcintosh

5 2 ! 2

5 ; 5 JFruit cracking

Milton

A-3

2 ' 2 : 1

I 1

3 : S Irregular fruit
\ shape

Hume

2:3(1

5 , U purr Knot

Lobo

2 |2

1 : 1 • 3

i !

3 U '

Mcintosh

1 I-

.G.

2 2 ■ 1

2 Easily bruised.
Scab

Kendall

1 ; 1 : U '3

ii Scab, Baldwin
Spot

Cortland

1 ■ 2 1 1 3 Scald

Macoun

1
B I 10

3 |.

it ; 1 1 •■ h 3 Short stem

Golden Delicious

B t 7
i

li ' 3 1 2 2 Shrivel

Davey

A-3

7 2

2 2 i 2 .1 2 lahrivel, Fruit
j ; • cracking

Gallia

7 2
1

4 ^ 1 ; 1 h 2 1 fccald, Cedar
■ ' '■ Rust

The folloTfing points sht^uld be kept in mind for a better understanding of the
chart: (l) Years to start bearing is interpreted as the age at which a tree will
bear one to two bushels of fruit. (2) All items, except the first two, are evalua-
ted on a scale of five, 1 is the most desirable and 5 the least desirable degree.

-2-

(3) Growth habit includes not only uprightness of growth, but sparce branching,

excessive twigs, etc. (k) Desirability as a pollinizer for Mcintosh is based
chiefly on age of bearing, regularity or bloom, and season of bloom. As far as is
known all of these varieties produce an abundance of viable pollen.

It is quite evident from the evaluations placed on those varieties which are
listed below Mcintosh, that the ideal late vj-inter variety has not yet been found.
Your Pomology Department is intensifying its search for a superior apple to fill
that season and vdthin the lirrits of its funds v/ill test everj'- nev; introduction
which has any promise as a late v;inter variety in this territory.

— A. P. French
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''^lAT DOES IT COST TO REiviOTO APPLE TREES?

How much it costs to remove apple trees obviously depends upon several factors
such as size of trees, method of removal, cost of labor, topography, etc. A recent
experience of the Pomology Department indicates the approximate cost under a
particular set of conditions.

Last fall the Pomology Department decided to remove one of the University
orchards vrhich ceased to be of value for experimental purposes. The trees in this
orchard were full sized 35-year eld apple trees. Fourteen of the trees were Baldwin
and 13 Mcintosh making a total of 2? trees. The orchard was on a relatively level
piece of land with no obstructions to interfere with the removal of the trees. A
bulldozer was employed to push the trees over. The entire orchard vras pushed over
in two hours. The actual time of removing a tree from the time the bulldozer made
contact with it until it v>^as shoved to one side vras hS seconds.

After the trees were removed, the stumps were sawed off yfith a chain sav^
operated by two men. The sfomps vrere then hauled to the dump and the tops worked up
by hand tools into l-fcot lengths for firewood. The use of a chain saw would have
reduced the cost of cutting up the tops to some extent.

The costs of the various operations for the 2? trees have been calculated as
follows:

Pushing trees over viith bulldozer $10.00

Cutting off stumps 20.00

Hauling stumps to dump 75.00

Cutting up tops and burning brush 80.00

Total cost ^iBTTOO

Cost per tree ;3;6.85

Approximately 10 cords of firewood vvere obtained. At a conservative value of
$8,00 a cord, the net cost of removing the orchard was approximately IjJlO^.OO, or a
net cost per tree of $3.90.

— 0. C. Roberts

■5!- ■)!■ ^i- -it -Ji- i;- -;;- -::- ^:- i-. j<. j«. .^ .^

-3-

HAY IvIULCH . m[ LONG DOES IT PAY DIVIDENDS ?

We are all familiar v;ith what a heavy mulch can do for tree grovrbh and soil
nutrients, but we have not been too sure for how long a period we could expect to
receive benefits after mulching vras discontinued. Recent results of soil tests
which were taken from one of our long term niulching experiments reveal some
interesting information on the question. In 1922, Dr. Shaw began a mulching
experiment here at the University. For 16 years 2 plots received heavy applications
of mulch in the form of low grade hay. Two similar plots were kept in cultivation.
In 1939 the differential treatments were discontinued and the plots v;ere continued
as sod orchards except that the mulched plots did not receive any fertilizer. In
19li8 soil samples were t,aken from the different plots and analyzed for total nitro-
gen, phosphorus, available potassium, magnesium and calcium. The analyses revealed
that 10 years after the mulch had been applied the soil in the mulched plots
contained twice as much nitrogen and potassium as the cultivated plots, fear times
as much magnesium, eight times as much phosphorus, and nearly tvdce as much
calcium. The performance of the trees on the mulched plots and the results of the
soil analyses indicate that we may expect to receive benefits from mulching long
after it has been discontinued.

Here are possible reasons for larger amounts of available mineral elements in
the mulched plots, considerable quantities of minerals are added by the heavy
application of hay. As this material decays, the organic matter not only yields
these mineral elements in available form, but tends to retain them against leaching.
Prevention of soil erosion by the mulch also helps the mulched plots to retain
more nutrients.

■* -;;- -;«• -ss- * *

W. D. Yv'eeks

-Y- *

"Phony Peach"
knovm t

Leafhoppers are now

spread the serious disease of
peaches known as "phoney peach." Four
species of leafhoppers have been found
capable of transmitting the disease .
They are general feeders, but at
certain seasons they suck the juice of
peach trees. The disease causes dv;arfed
trees which produce limited numbers of
small peaches. More than a million
peach trees have been lost in south-
eastern states since 1935 because of
"phony peach" disease. There is no
known cure for it.

COUITTY AGEIJT'S CORNER

Bad Time for Apple Curculio in Franklin
;County~Tly d7"T. Thayer)

You can sweat over scab, be miserable
jover mites, and rent your garments over
j red-banded, but you've never had it so
I good unless you've tangled with the virile
{hill tovm strains of apple curculio. Ask

genial Don Howes of Ashfield's Apple

Valley:

j Not too long ago, Don might rest on
jhis porch of a warm summer's nooning, and
ifrom the Wealthy block might hear the
I little Tachypterellus quadrigibbus sneer-
jing at his fine lead cover amid the patter
iof little apples. Storing his pent-up
•vfrath for a real hot, still day, Don and

Grapevines on Light Soil Respond to

Fertilizers Four tons of grapes per

acre are considered a reasonable goal in

certain vineyard areas in the Middle

•-Yest. The average yield in the Lake Erie 1 crew would sally to the Wealthy block and

grape belt is said to be approximately , pluck the invaders with nimble thumb and

1 1/2 tons per acre. Growers Virhg are
getting a ton or less are applying little,
if any, fertilizer. Hoviever, grovrcrs v/ho
are applying a complete fertilizer annual-
ly and manure every U or 5 y^s, are har-
vesting 3 1/2 to I4 tons per acre.

finger. But that's a losing game, so r^c
and saw were resorted to, in the belief

-i;-

that if you can't protect the lYealthy apple you can so-and-so well get rid of the
tree.

Then along came the good Doc VvTieeler, prescribing "smelly stuff" (F'r:) ar.d
"my \vord don't spill that"' (7EPP) and some others, and George Greaney of " .'iagara
came up v.'ith the g^ods to compare with the standard lead. Some general conclusions
were reached. Don learned that TEPP is a real "kill 'em deader" on contact, but vre
Wanted to know more about the protection angle of the cover spray.

So this year we rigged up a similar deal with amiable Aubrey Amidon, Jr., of
South Halifax, Vermont. Taking only slight geographical liberties, Aubrey's
orchard is astride the L'assachusetts-Vermont line, and everyone knows that the
apples that qualified him for Red Apple Club in '[t6 and 'U9 came from spurs under
the Massachusetts environment. However, on the Vermont side, apple "cutcS" were
lurking in the brushy walls and corners. Plenty of varieties in the Amidon
orchard and the beetles liked them all, especially a scattering of Winter Bananas
near the graveyard (no connecticn) ,

To bolster Doc Wheeler's morale, he v;as sulking because he couldn't find any
red-banded up there, we let him in on it, and of course, reliable George Greaney,
The come-on was DDT and lead; DHC and lead; Ghlordane and lead; and (gxap!)
Parathion. TEPP v.-as also on hand for a "fireman treatment" if needed. Check
trees v:ere left unsprayed in each rcvr in the block of thirty-year-old V/ealthies,
Combinations were put on in calyx, 1st and 2nd cover, except Parathion v/hich was
applied separately at about the same time. Table 1 below sums up the results.
There remains but one variable to be explored; is there any correlation between
lead applications for Odocileus virginianus virginianus(look it up) and build up
of apple curculio in the Amidon orchard?

Table Shcv-dng Apple Curculio Control on Wealthy

Treatment IJc.

Materials and Pounds Per 100 G

(Note 1)

aliens

"Percentage of Fruit
" Clean at Marvcst

II
II

DDT, ^0% w.p. (2)

Lead Arsenate (2) (3 in Calyx)

11
ti
It
n

87.3

II
II

BHC, 12^ Gamma (1)
Lead Arsenate (3)

tt
II

81.1

Chlordane, $0% w.p. (2)

No counts made.

II
II
II

ti
It

Severe injury to
foliage. (Note 2]

II
II
II

Parathion, 1^% w.p. (1 l/2)
No Lead Arsenate

II
II

83.8

l!o treatment

est. 10-25

Note 1: One half the normal concentrations of Kolofog and lime sulfur were

included in each application of insecticides.
Note 2: Injury probably caused by lime sulfur - chloixiane combination and

not by chlordane alone.

-5-

Cultivated Blueberries in Bristol Coimty (By Harold 0. Woodward)

Southeastern Massachusetts, including Bristol County, seems to be vrell
adapted to the infant enterprise of highbush blueberry production. The requirement
seems to be a high organic soil with a high constant water table, yet v.dth good
drainage of the top soil. These conditions are well met on our so-called dry
cranberry bog sites.

Climate on the coast is modified by the ocean dulling the edge of cold spells
and taking some of the bite out of spring frosts. Blueberries bloom late, over a
considerable period and the delicate part of the bloom is inside a nearly closed
tell. For these reasons they quite consistently escape the frost hazard.

Up until now grovrers have been quite successful in moving their crops locally
at luxury prices which means a price beyond the range of the ordinary family. As
volume increases the price may fall to a point comparable to that of wild berries.
If growers can afford to produce at such a price, and the v;riter believes they
can, then there is an almost unlimited outlet for this highly desirable fruit.

We are located near a verj^ great potential blueberry market and by virtue
of location, ability to stand holding and shipping is loss important than with
berries from competing areas. In other words, a high quality berry that may tear
might not be at a serious disadvantage in Bristol County. Occasionally, we hear
folks say the cultivated berry is not as good as the wild fruit. Actually, there
are as wide differences in blueberry varieties as in apples. Some are sweet, some
sour and at the same time, flavors vary. It would seem important for grov/ers to
learn the high quality varieties and plant for quality, size and high yield.
Plantings in Bristol County are on the increase and those who have well managed,
bearing bushes appear to be doing well with the enterprise,

-;;- -ii- -;;- ■>,!• -;;- * -;c- -ii- ■;;- •«■ -x- ^ -k- •«• ■«■ % "/<■ -si- -x-
COI-glERCIAL HAND POLLINATIGH IN TIffi APPLE ORCHARD

(The follovring details of hand pollination were presented at a Nashoba meeting
in Harvard, Kass., by Ralph C. Palmer, Associate County Agent, lionroe County, ;I.Y.
They are based on operations in his own orchard.)

Commercial hand pollination in the apple orchard is suggested as an emergency
measure for solid blocks of Mcintosh-. Delicious and Northern Spy pending the time
that adequate provisions for cross-pollination can be made by interplanting or top-
v;orking. Bouquets and bees are also recommended in such situations. Hand pollina-
tion vri.ll also prove profitable ivith any self-unfruitful variety when there is too
little favorable Treather during the bloom for the activity of those insects
responsible for cross-pollination.

In collecting pollen, only those varieties that furnish an abundance of viable
pollen should be used. Among these are Delicious, Hubbardston, Duchess, Tvfenty-
Cunce, Jonathan, Ben Davis, northern Spy, "vYinter Banana, and Wolf River. "Joalthy
has good pollen but it is not produced in very large quantity. Baldv/in, Rhode
Island Greening, Roxbury Russet and Gravenstein are worthless as pollen sources.
Care should alvrays be used to gather pollen of some variety other than the one to
be pollinated. If enough pollen of one variety cannot be obtained, it can be
combined with that of any other desirable variety; that is, a mixture of Duchess
and Delicious pollen would be quite all right to use on Northern Spy trnes.

-6-

One of the most practical ways of collecting pollen in quantity is to gather
the blossoms when they are in the balloon stage or just before the flov/ers open.
Blossoms in this condition can be picked rapidly just as the trees are comine; into
bloom. A convenient method is to use a fruit picking bucket slung from the
shoulders by straps so that flovrers can be picked with both hands.

There are several methods cf removing the anthers or pollen bearing organs:
from the flowers. The anthers can be pulled off along with the petals by breaking
or twisting the unopened flower -A-ith the fingers. A faster and very effective v.ay
is to dump a handful of flowers on a screen having about eight meshes per inch and
gently rub the flowers back and forth so that the anthers are broken off and fall
through the screen to a suitable receptacle. With either of these methods
considerable quantities of torn petals and other floviev tissues are mixed with the
anthers. The anthers can then be easily cleaned of this "chaff" v;ith a small
sieve that v^ill just allow the anthers to pass through. A flour sieve used in
bread making equipped with a hand crank and agitator is v.-ell adapted icr the
purpose.

The green anthers should then be spread out thinly on waxed or glazed paper
to ripen. Do not use ordinarj'- nev/spaper because it is fuzzy and much of the
pollen will adhere to the surface. The anthers should be ripened in a dry place
in sunlight before a window. Mild heat may be applied if sunlight is not available.
After about 2I4. hours the anthers should have ripened and split so that the pollen
appears as powdery yellovj- dust.

The dried anthers shedding the pollen may be stored in small glass bottles
containing one-half to one ounce. Pollen is a living material; it respires, and
if stored in large quantities or under warm or moist conditions it will heat up
and lose its viability. It should be kept cool and drj'-. If the bottles are
stoppered, cotton plugs should be used. Storing the bottles in a dessicator held
at about 36°F. v;ould be ideal. If such equipment is not available, keep the
bottles Yihere these conditions vfill be most nearly met. In any case, under
ordinary conditions, it is not advisable to keep pollen more than a week from the
time it is dried until it is used.

One of the most practical vrays of applying pollen is to spread it on the
flower with a small brush of camel's hair with bristles about 3/14- inch long and a
6-inch handle. The brush is dipped in the container holding the pollen so that
some of the powdery yellow dust adheres to the bristles, then daubed lightly upon
the center of the apple floxTOrs so that the stigmas come in contact with the
bristles. It is necessary to pollinate only one or two flowers in every Uth or
5th cluster on a full blossoming apple tree. Under conditions vihen insects fly,
pollen vri-ll be spread from the hand-pollinated cluster to other parts of the tree .
The small vdde mouth bottles commonly used for individual servings of coffee cream
in restaurants make excellent containers for carrying the pollen in the orchard.
A small strip of gauze can be sewed tightly around the neck of such a bottle and
this pinned vfith a safety pin to the operator's shirt. Such an arrangement, makes
for convenience in getting around through the tree, and decreases the chances of
tipping containers and v;asting pollen.

The time spent on a tree depends on its; size. For a 20-year old Mcintosh
tree capable of bearing 2^ bushels. If; to 20 minutes per tree should be adequate.
Of this about half the time should be spent on the ground and the rfmainder in the
top of the tree, either using a step ladder or climbing into the tree. As a

-7-

practical working program it is advisable not to pcllinate every tree. Applying
pollen to every other tree in every other row will ordinarily be adequate if bee?
have seme opportunity to work. If time permits, the orchard can be gone over again
applying pollen to some of the other trees.

Although the problem of applying pollen in quantity with a duster and other
types of blowers has been investigated to some extent, no practical or effective
method has been devised or tested that can be recommended at the present time.
iYhen one considers the nature of apple pollen, the problem of collecting it in
large quantities, liandling and keeping it in a viable condition and applying it
to the small stigmatic surfaces; it seecis, that the process of cross-pollination
lends itself mainly to some method of contact such as is performed by bees, other
insects or the brush method described above.

* ^c- -;;- ■»■ «• * -jf- -is- *

Place Beehives in the Sun . If possible, beehives in the orchard
should be placed~where the sun vdll shine on them and with the
entrances toward the east or south. The heat from the sun, and
the additional sunlight induce the bees to fly and work on the
blossoms at times when colonies in the shade vfill not be active.

■)!■ -y "ir -/c -Jt

An Objective in Pruning A federal publication says, "Pruning in the ho.ie
orchard is often so done that the result is vrorse than no pruning at all."
This statement need not be limited to home orchards. Commercial blocks are
frequently pruned in such way that only the more convtnient cuts are made,
or so many vigorous, upright growths are removed as to encourage a heavj?-
growth of suckers. In bearing trees it is extremely important that those
branches and parts of branches which have become submerged and overtopped
by younger v/ood, be removed. It is alv/ays advisable to remove the older
•TOod instead of trying to invigorate it by giving it more light.

Set Strawberry Plants Early The strav^rberry plant thrives in
cool vfeather. Early set plants are able to develop a root
system before weather conditions favor top development and loss
of water through the leaves. Furthermore, a runner plant which
takes root in July is likely to yield t^idce as many berries as
one v^hich starts in September. It is better to set plants in
mid-April even though the soil is a little muddy than to wait
until mid-May.

3rowing Peaches in Sod The practice of cultivating a peach orchard until mid-
sumjaer or later has been shovm to be unnecessary, and in many cases, detrimental.
A peach tree is less able to compete rri-th grass than an apple tree, and if the
competition is too severe, the tree fails to make the kind of grovrth v/hich
accompanies good production. But if heavily mulched , favorable growing condi-
tions are created (See Hay Kulch article on page 3 ) and good crops of excellent
quality are produced. Peach trees are being grown under those conditions in
several Massachusetts orchards with very favorable results, tho fruit maturing a
fevr days earlier and frequently attaining a more attractive color. The secret
to bear in mind is that competing vegetation must be fairly well suppressed by
the mulch and unless the soil is naturally fertile, a somev/hat heavier fertilizer
application may be needed.

-8-

fik: , :iigh - colored apples as related tc the nitrogen applicatign

■ffith the season for fertilizing the sod orchard near at hand, an analysis of
the above relationship is in order. Apple buyers every^where are interested in
Mcintosh v;hich are not only firm but of good color. And they are vdlling to pay a
premium for that kind of fruit. If color and firmness were the only factors to be
considered, growers vrould be using less nitrogen, on the average, and in many
blocks, none at all. But the number of bushels per acre must be kept above a
certain minimum if the grower is to stay in business, because it takes at least
200 bushels per acre to cover expenses. And nitrogen is sooner or later the
limiting factor as regards yield in every sod orchard. The buyer has little
interest in the number of bushels per acre. The grower has a very real interest.
To satisfy both the buyer and the grower, common sense suggests the use on each
tree of enough nitrogen to maintain tree vigor and thus encourage a satisfactory
yield vrithout seriously interfering with either firmness or color.

On a particular farm in Middlesex County the Mcintosh apples in one block are
•/Tell above average in firmness and color. In another block of the same age on a
deeper soil, the trees are at least ^0% larger and the fruit softer and less well
colored. There is considerable crowding of trees and many of the apples have poor
exposure to light. Obviously, the latter block is well supplied -vdth nitrogen,
perhaps too vrell, and if more vrere applied v/ithout removing some of the trees, it
is quite likely that the fruit might be even less desirable than at present.
In the other block, where the soil is lighter and less fertile, the nitrogen
application could probably be doubled, vfith a gratifying increase in yield, but
v;ithout appreciable reduction of either firmness or color.

We need to recognize the fact that soils vary tremendously in depth, texture,
and fertility and that trees growing on a particular soil type must be fertilized
or mulched in accordance with their needs, bearing in mind that i40G bushels per
acre year after year are necessary for a fair margin nf profit. We must get away
from the idea of applying nitrogen according to age of tree or trcmkc diameter,
■Viithout reference to soil type. '."iie can well afford to step up the nitrogen
applicaticn on some trees and cut it out entirely on others. Magness of the USDA
says that nitrogen is a t\JO-edged sword: The higher the nitrogen content of fruit
and foliage, the poorer the color. But if not enough is used, yield will suffer.

->'_ -^t ^', ,"_

A Valuable Storage Gadget , the Pressure Tester In January Fruit Notes
reference v;as made to the testing of apples in several storages, viithout
an explanation of the significance of the readings. Similar readings v;ere
taken in at least 30 storages during the \vlnter months to determine the
rate of ripening apples, particularly Mcintosh. It is interesting to note
that the plunger of the pressure tester breaks through the flesh of the apple
(skin removed) under less pressure as the apple ripens, the gauge reading
being a direct measure of maturity. A reading of 8 means that an apple is
in prime eating condition and must be sold promptly wJiile 12 means several
v;eeks more of storage life. The pressure tester tends to take the guess-
work out of a critical storage problem.

■ii- ■«■ -if -ii- -ii- -is- ■«■ -js- -/t -Ji- -K- -i^ ■?}■ -i^ <■- -/^ -;<■ ■>/!■ •«■

An Omission and an Explanation In January Fruit Notes viq promised

to include in the current issue the plans for a Pruning Platform.

These plans must be omitted for reasons beyond our control. They

will, hov.'evcr, be included at a later date.

'^tuiH hkibiL

AUGUST 14, 1950

PtiOTEIM 0.3 %

FAT 0.4 %

ASH 0.29%

ACID 0.47%

VITAMINS
A B C G

FIBER 1.0%

Prepared by the Departments of Pomology, Entomology, and Botany, and

Other Staff Members
Compiled by W. H. ITiies, Extension Horticulturist

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Agricutture in Germany

Accounting for the Apple Scab Situation

Movement of the 1949 Apple Crop

Out-of>Storage Movement->Mclntosh -- Chart

1950 Red Apple Club

Suggestions for Picking Fruit

Issued b> the Extension Service, Willard A. Munson, Director, in furtherance of Acts of Ma> 8 and June 30, 1914.
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services Cooperating.

Professor W. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist and Editor of FRUIT NOTES, is
on a temporary leave of absence assisting >idth extension work in Germany. During
his absence FRUIT NOTES is being edited by 0. C. Roberts, Associate Professor of
Pomology.

Professor Thies writes that he has been assigned to Coblenz in the French
Zone of Occupation,

Previous to going to Coblenz he was stationed in the State of Hesse, Gemiany,
and tells in the follomng article of some of his impressions of Agriculture in

Germany.

AGRICULTURE IN GERILINY

I arrived in Germany June 16 on a three-months agricultural mission ivith the
State Department. After spending about a month in the State of Hesse, I have been
assigned to the French Zone of Occupation where fruits are relatively more important.

In Hesse it has been ray privilege to visit many farms, large and small,
although small farms predominate. The average size of farms is i;.2 h ectares, or
about 10,5 acres. Farms are very much split up. It is not uncommon for a 5-acre
farm to consist of 20 or 30 separate fields scattered in different directions from
the village. There are about 2700 villages or farm communities in Hesse. A start
has been made in the consolidation of farms to solve a problem resulting from
centuries of subdivision in accordance vath inheritance laws. There is one farm
of about 65 acres consisting of 625 separate pieces of land. This number has
recently been reduced to 120, Land consolidation is one of the biggest agricultural
problems in Germany,

Women do about 60^ of the farm work. Hand labor and long hours are the
accepted lot of farm people. Farm machinery of every description is seen here and
there on large farms, but it is not adapted to most farms even though money were
available to buy it. Crops look unusually well this season, and large yields are
expected. The yield per acre, due in part to liberal use of manure and other
fertilizers, is high, but the yield per worker is low.

Fruits, particularly grapes and apples, are a major enterprise in some
localities. No large orchards are in evidence. Instead, a few rows of fruit trees
with other crops between, are of common occurrence. All fruit trees are "high-
headed" to facilitate cultivation of potatoes, sugar beets, currants, or the
handling of grain crops underneath. The lowest limb is generally 5 or 6 feet from
the ground. Land must be conserved . Germany was not self-supporting from a food
standpoint under normal conditions. Now vath 8 or 10 million refugees in the
Western zones, food production is even more of a problem.

At a cooperative fruit auction in Weinheim visited June 27, the principal
offerings ^^^ere cherries, currants, and-gbcspberries. About 100 tons vrere sold in
less than an hour. Fruits for this sale vrere brought in from 50 assembly points
in that area.

Vineyards along the Rhine will be the subject of a later story. Some of the
plantings are on areas so steep that high retaining vralls are necessary,

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-2-

ACCOUNTiriG FC'R THE APPLE SCAB SITUATION

Apple Scab has caused a great deal more trouble than most growers expected
considering the relatively light carryover of the Scab fungus and the character
of the weather. By studying the rain dates (with temperature and duration of wet
periods) and the dust and spray dates during the growth period from delayed dormant
unx.il one to two weeks after petalfall, it is not difficult to account for primary
and secondary'- infections that occurred in certain orchards.

Below is a list of Scab infection periods for Amherst, rath the tree develop-
ment stages and the dates when the infections showed up as Scab spots.

No.
1
2
3
h
5
6
7
8

9
10

Rain Date
Apr. 20
V30-5;/l
May 9-10
May 17-18
May 19-20
May 2ii-26
Hay 29-30
June 1-2
June 3
June 10-11

Fruit Bud Stage

Del. Dorm,

Pre-pre-pink

Pink

Mid-bloom

Full bloom

Calyx

Before 1st Cover

First Cover

Second Cover

Scab Spots Appeared
May 11-13 (Late pink)
May 16-17 (Early bloom)
May 2ii-26 (Calyx)
l'.a.y 31- June 2
June 3 (First Cover)
June 7-8
June 10-11
June 12-13
June Ii4-l5
June 20-21

Most other sections in the vrestern half of the state, including the southern
half of V.'orcester County received the same infection periods. Upper ".Worcester
County and all the remaining eastern areas had fewer and shorter rainy periods and
consequently are experiencing less trouble vrLth Scab.

Much of the difficulty vri.th Scab goes back to fruit spur leaf spots that
originated on April 20 and ii./30-5/l in the low elevation orchards, and on [i./30-^/l
and Hay 9-10 in the later or high elevation orchards. These spots were plentiful
in orchards that received no or inadequate fungicidal protection ahead of pre-pink
bud stage, and they were present and furnishing an abundance of summer spores for
secondary infections throughout the blossom period. Primary inoculum, as ascospores,
vras also available during bloom, although the supply diminished rapidly with each
wet period from pink bud onward.

This was a season when at least two protective applications were needed during
bloom: ahead of the Vl7-l8 rain or the S/19-20 rain, depending vfhen the pink spray
was applied, and again ahead of or during the extended rain of IJay 2U-26. This
applies to loT/ elevation orchards. In fact, one dusting in some instances was not
sufficient for the Hay 2i;-26 rain, particularly when applied from one side only.
It seems, also, that very few groviers applied an eradicant fungicide follovdng that
protracted wet period even though it v;as tine for the regular petalfall spray.

Infections that shovred up between June 1 and 10 originated during bloom in the
earlier sections, and they were definitely more pronounced vi-here early season
spur-leaf spots were present in the trees. In a few orchards observed, a moderately
heavy crop of Scab spots shoTred up on leaves around June 1^>, originating no doubt
in the rain of June 3j even though the calyx spray was applied about May 29.
Hovifever, the June 1-2 rain brought one inch of precipitation ahead of the infection

-3-

period of June 3. The first cover spray went on about June ^, In these orchards
fruit-spur leaf spots \7cre plentrful, furnishing inoculuni after practically all of
the vdnter spores had been discharged from the overvidntered leaves.

Fruit 'p^^^'jr'^j}} To many groovers. Scab spots on the apples v/ere even more
difficult to explij In than leaf infections. It is true that :>uit Scab is far more
abundant than the dust and spray programs might indicate. It did not occur as
sepal infection during pre-pink or early pink bud stages, but as spots on wliat was
tlie inner side of the fruit when pink buds were still unseparated. This year the
blossom buds generally were unusually late in separating in the fruit bud cluster,-
in fact, in many cases not until after one or more of the buds had opened into
bloom. This was particularly true in the earlier or low elevation orchards. This
meant that, unless the pink spray was delayed until early bloom, the inner surface
of many of the small apples received no protective fungicide until the first dust
or spray during bloom. Hence, they Trere open to both primary and secondary
infections at the first rain that occurred after the buds split apart.

Remarks: — based upon orchard observations so far:

1. It is dangerous to omit fungicidal protection on Scab-susceptible
varieties during the early-to-late delayed dormant finit bud stage, especially in a
season when ascospore maturity is abnormally early.

2. It is extremely important to delay the pink spray just as long as possible
— even until a few blossoms are open — particularly in a season v/hen the fruit
buds are reluctant to separate.

3. In seasons vdien 2 to 3 infection periods occur during bloom, two supple-
mentary protections are likely to be needed between the pink spray and the petal-
fall spray, especially if an eradicant fungicide is not used in the calyx spray
at the end of an infection period.

U. An emergency or supplementary dust application during bloom or elsewhere
in the schedule is likely to be inadequate for protection against Scab unless applied
from both sides of the tree. This is particularly true for an extended vret period
such as occurred on May 2li-26 during bloom.

5. Scab spots on fruit spur leaves, that originated at delayed dormant to
pre-pink, can be a dangerous source of secondary infection for both fruits and
leaves during bloom and even subsequently. Furthermore, such spots are difficult
to burn out vdth eradicant fungicides unless applied at pink or calyx.

6. Secondary Scab infections this year were most pronounced on the upper
sides of leaves in the lower parts of the tree — indicating (2) accumulation of
spores as they dripped downward through the trees; (b) the lack of enough protective
fungicide and at the right time on the lovrer branches; and (c) the absence of
appreciable drip and run-off from semi-concentrate applications of protective
fungicides.

7. There was evidence in more than one orchard v/here semi-concentrates, i^X in
particular, were applied with a Speed-Sprayer, that the lower branches of the trees
vrere not as well protected as the upper tvro-thirds of the tree. Probably, either
not enough material v;as delivered to the lower branches or it was not well distri-
buted there — in the absence of little or no drip and run-off. A similar failure

-k-

to control Scab as well on the lower branches as the upper ones was observed in an
orchard where the standard, dilute formula was delivered through an 8-nozzle broom
from a tower on the tank. There, primary Scab spots were nuiaerous on both surfaces
of the leaves, there being only a trace of early season infection on the spur
leaves,

8. There is some evidence, although no definite proof, that UX concentrations
of sulfur or ferbam have not given as long protection between applications as the
standard, dilute concentrations. If this is really tme, might it not be due to
poorer redistribution of the kl spray deposit during wet periods that follov/ the
application than the amount of redistribution in the dilute spray deposit?

— 0. C. Boyd
-;;• •)!• ii- -Jc -X- -;'(■ -Ji- * -;s- -;*• ■}!- -s;- -;(- -it- •«• -ji- -Vc ■«•

IJOVEIviENT OF TUE 19h9 APPLE CROP

At the meeting of the National Apple Institute in Swampscott last June,
Dr. John D, Black, Agricultural Economist of Plarvard University made this significant
comment vdth respect to the movement of last year's apple crop:

"I am particularly impressed here, while listening to the accounts of
activities of your various grower associations, T/ith their efforts in making apple
producers consumer-conscious. You who produce have got to become more consumer-
minded, market-minded, as you haven't been in the past. It has been a typical
attitude of all farmers that ""v/e'll grow the stuff j it's up to the market to take
it." Your ordeal this past season contained some great lessons. One is that it
makes you put more thought on promotion in connection with your product, I was
particularly interested in seeing what happened to your big apple crop last fall
and onward. Something happened that makes an outside observer sit up and take
notice. Something was going on so that you came out better than it seemed in the
cards you could. I'm interested in the way you got the purveyors, the stores, to
viork vdth you. Doubtless, this was one big part of it. I'd like to see a study
project on this, to find out and describe how you got that big crop moved through
the channels of trade as you did. Your state and area associations, vrorking
together like this, are in position to do a wonderful job along the lines being
discussed today. Remember, you don't make your living grov;ing the crop. You make
it, or don't, from vrtiat happens aftenmrd."

ViJhat actually happened in the case of the Massachusetts Mcintosh crop last
year compared vdth other years and a standard desirable rate of movement is shovm
by the chart prepared by Professor F. E. Cole, Extension Specialist in Fruit and
Vegetable Marketing,

Both Dr. Black's comments and Professor Cole's chart are a compliment to
Massachusetts growers and their ability to meet what seemed to be a tough problem
a year ago. The good job done with the 19h9 crop should inspire confidence that an
equally good job can be done vdth the 19^0 crop,

-;i- -ii- •)!• -;;- -;;- 4;- -;;- ^a- •;;- -;!■ -;;- -;;- -;r -;;- ^^ •«- -;;- -a-
Orchard Trees Through State Pool . Edvrard D. Johnson, State Horticulturist for
Maine, reports that: Maine orchardists have received 7,659 fruit trees through
the Apple Tree Pool operated by the Maine Department of Agriculture . The pool
included 6,U8li apple trees, of which total almost half, 3,10U, vrere of the
Mcintosh variety. Cortland was the second most popular variety with 1,.^39
trees. The Maine Apple Tree Pool supplies orcharc Ists v<-ho require ^0 or more
trees and apply to the department some months in advance of planting each year,

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EXPLAMATOBY KOTES ON "STAKDABD STOEAGE LINE" FOR MCINTOSH

An appraisal of a market price can lie made "by comparing actttal crop moTcment
to a desired crop moTemeait «

The "STANDAED STOEAGE LINE" for Mcintosh. - the solid t»lack line on the chart
on the other side - nay "be used to measure current out-of- storage movement of
Mcintosh apples in the Boston (Eastern Massachusetts) area.

The I9U7, ISMS and 19^ out-of-storage morement of Mcintosh is indicated "bj the
green lines.

The table helow gives the figures used in making the chart.

You may plot the out-of-storage movement of Mcintosh for 195t>-51 on this chart
from figures released by the MDA Special Apple Market Berport. All percentages are
based on the October 15th storage holdings.

You may also plot your own out-of-storage movement of Mcintosh by basing your
percentages on Mcintosh in storage on October 13f 1950.

The "STANDAED STORAGE LINE" is not presented as an ideal out-of-storage
movement for all apples. The "STANDAED STOEAGE LINE" may be used as a measure to
determine whether the current out-of-stora^e movement is faster, slower or the sane
as in previous years. The standard line was developed from a record of the 1935-^
averages with sli^t modifications suitable to changed storage and marketing
practices. The standard line furnishes a guide to an orderly movement of the crop
with the most rapid movements in periods when the most sales outlets are available
and when people seem to want apples the most.

Mcintosh Storage Holdings

Total Bushels and Percent of Oct. I5 Holdings

Boston Area

Standard

I9U9

191*8

19U7

Storage

bushels

bURhels

Date

Line 56

(000)

12^9^

(000)

l()kSf>

(000)

19^7^

Oct. 15

100.0

l,2l«!

100.0

580

100.0

669

100.0

Nov. 1

92.0

1,093
93*^

87.6

9U.5

641

95.2

Nov. 15

80.0

7H.8

81.5

561

83.9

Dec. 1

65.0

SOU

6l^.U

387

66.7

U79

71.6

Dec. 15

50.0

6gg

55.1

28U

U9.0

U09

61.1

Jan. 1

iw.o

?T?

^6.8

190

IU2

32.8

362

trX

Jan. 15

30.0

38.2

2U.5

315

Feb. 1

20.0

350

28.0

102

17.6

2U2

36.2

Feb. 15

10.0

238

19.1

10.2

205

30.6

Mar. 1

5.0

160

12.8

6.7

163

2I+.U

Mar. 15

2.5

7.1

3.1*

117

17.5

April 1

2.U

00000

4 * 41 * ■!> ■

1.7

9.9

Issued by the Extension Service, Willard •*■. Monson, director, in furtherance of
Acts of May 8 and June 30, I9IU. Ifaiversity of Massachusetts, Tfeited States Depart-
ment of Agriculture and County Extension Services Cooperating.

-6-

1950 RED APPLE CLUB

The time is at hand to make application for the 19^0 Red Apple Club. Any
apple groT/er in Massachusetts v/ith an orchard of at least five acres may apply to
his County Agricultural Agent for an official inspection of his apple crop.
Applications should be filed not later than September 1,

Requirements for Club Membership .

To become a member of the Red Apple Club the following standards must be
met. (1) The crop must score at least 90^ free from insect and disease blemishes,
(2) grade at least 6^% U. S_, Fancy^ 0) yield at least l^OO bushels per acre if trees
are more than 20 yrs. of age, 300 bushels per acre if 15 to 20 yrs. and 200 bushels
per acre if less than 15 yrs . and (U) a simple record of the spray and dust program
v/ill be submitted, including dates, laaterials and such other information as is
needed to determine the approximate per bushel cost of pest control.

The grower may select any one commercial variety to be inspected and
membership vn.ll be based on the inspection of that variety. The per-acre yield,
however, will include all varieties in the block inspected. In other words, where
a block involves mostly Mcintosh with pollinizers of various kinds, the sample y;ill
be made up of Mcintosh and the total yield will include Mcintosh and pollinizers.

Information on procedure of collecting and storing official samples v;ill be
furnished by your County Agent,

•»• i:- -;;- ■«■ -> -;;- -Yr -;;• -;;- -> -;;- -> ■«• •;;- -s;- •«• -;;- -;;-

A Good Vfay to Tell Folks About Massachusetts Apples . There are
in Massachusetts 250 Women's Clubs; 2000 P.T.A. Associations;
135 Garden Clubs; over 300 Service Clubs, Rotary, Kivranis, Lion,
Exchange, etc. More than 250,000 members in the above groups.
Most of these are in urban and suburban areas, just where apples
should go, A very simple way to tell these folks about apples
would be to distribute a recipe folder at their meetings. All
of them would undoubtedly be glad to allow this. Another way
to get this message to prospective users of apples would be
to enclose such a leaflet with your letters. If you would like
to try this out, i-vrite to the Department of Pomology, University
of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass., and find out how easy it is
to get these leaflets,

— 7.'. K. Cole
■»■ -X- ■«• -;;- -;;- ■«■ -;t -ji- -;!• ■» a- -n- rr * -k- ^<- -^ -is-

A recent study by the U.S. Dept. of Agric. ("Changes in American Faming,"
Misc. Pub. No. 707) of the forces novj- in operation and those on the horizon indicates
that the follov.ang changes in farming are likely to occur in coming years:
1.. Farmers vjIII continue to shift to mechanical povrer until it has largely
supplanted animal povrer. 2. The use of fertilizer and lime -vrLll be increased, 3. Use
of grass and legumes in rotations, contour farming, strip cropping and other means
will be used to control erosion, li. More effective use of improved crop varieties,
fertilizer, lime, rotations and other soil practices will increase yields. 5* Control
of pests and diseases of plants and animals vdll become more efficient. 6, Irriga-
tion in humid areas will be stepped up, T" . Good roads, electricity, and other con-
veniences vfill cause more people in nonfarm ivork to seek rural homes. Q, Fewer
workers will be needed in full-time farming as mechanization gains, i. Fanily farms
are likely to become larger and fewer, and some increase mil occur in number of
large-scale farms. Id Commercial farming v;ill become more complex as technological
advances continue.

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-7-

Mclntosh Slogan Contest . A Steering Committee made up of George A. VanHorn,
Extension Radio Editor, Fred Cole, and W, R. Cole met recently and have
drawn up the following outline of procedure and operations.

1. Enlist fifteen radio stations each to carry four two-minute
presentations on successive Thursdays, Sept. 21-28, October
!?-12; these to be supplied to the stations in the form of
recordings, all made in advance and at hand for use.

2. Prepare and release four nevfspaper stories to be used on
successive Thursdays, Sept. 21-28, October 5-12.

3. Enlist as complete as possible a list of Retail Distri-
butors to use small mats supplied by the Association, in
their week to v/eek advertising, for the four weeks,
September 21-October 12.

U, Prepare, print, and distribute to all possible individuals,
firms and organizations, a circular or flier describing
the Contest, carrying information about the ilclntosh Apple,
and other pertinent material.

-X- -;<• -X- -j;- ^s- -;!■ -si- ■>/<■ ■?;- -;;- •5^ -;}■ a- -si- ■};- -x- -/0 plants each of > varieties vrere distributed to 11 ^rov/ers
scatteroa over the state. This summary covers the observations of only 7 of thes^
grov.ers, the other h being omitted for various reasons, - severe drought or
insufficient data. The nurabers following "good", "fair", etc., Jndicate the
numbers of gror/ers reporting that particular observation.

Howard 1?

Catskill

III id land

Fairland

SDi.r,il

Runner Plant
Developnent
{^;oo^l, fair, poor)

good-7

good-5
fair-2

good-3
fair-1
poor-3

good-6
poor-1

good-6
fair-1

Approx. number of
original plants (50)
vfhich failed to grow

(Totals fo

r seven grows

ij2

rs)

Date cf ripening of
first berries

(Range of
June 9 to
June 17

dates)
June 16 to
June 22

June 11 to
June 20

June 11 to
June 21

June 16 1 ■--
June 2li

Date of ripening of
last berries

July 1 to
July 18

July 3 to
July 21

June 30 to
July 20

July 6 to
July 111

July ^ to
July 25

Approx. number of
quarts harvested

(Totals fo
Ul6

r seven growe
32h

rs)
2I49

1|27

U59

As season advances,
do berries hold up
in size? (yes, no)

yes-5

no-2

yes-6

no-1

yes-1
no-6

yes-3
no-i;

no-^

Quality

(f'cod, fair, poor)

good-It
fair-2
poor-1

good-5
fair-2

good-1
fair-!";
poor-1

<^;ood-2
fair-2
pcior-3

good-6
fair-1

Firmness

(goou, fair, poor)

good-2
fair-3

poor-2

t-cnu-5
fair-2

good-Li
fair-2
poor-2

good-it
fair-3

good-7

Viij'SUi ER APPLE BUYING CHased on Results of a U.S.D.A. Consumer Preference Survey,

This study, conducted in 19h9 by the Bureau of Agricultural EconoKics, was
designed to obtain information about consumer preferences and practices -;,'ith
regard to deciduous fruits. Apples vrere the chief subject, but attention v/as als^
given to fresh and commerciallj'--prepared apple products. A total of 2,5'73 house-
holds were used in the saraplc; and these vrere considered representative of the
k2 million private households in the United States. Urban and iniral households,
these of different income levels, community size, and fnmilj' size were all
proportionately represented. Additional interviews were conducted in Philadelphia
and Chicago, giving special attention to the use of and attitudes tovrax'd small
apples.

Homemakers are likely to use apples in more than one way. About Ii5f' of those
who used fresh apples said they served them raw7 baked and cooked. One out of
three reported serving them both raw and cooked. Only 17% reported using apples
ravv' only.

Consui.iers wtio used few apples vire re. less likely to make as i-.any uses cf thci:i .

The way in \/hich apples v/ere used most was eating then, raw. Ilearly 70'' of
tht homemakers who used apples reported this the most frequent use. About 2Sr
said cooking i/as the most Lmportant use. Only 3r said they used most of their
apples for baking. This pattern held true in both urban and rural areas.

Ninety-seven per cent of those v;ho used apples from the 19h8 crop said thi.y
Jtrvcd them raw ; 67f^', in salads; 66f made apple pies; ST^'- cooked applesauce; and
hUt baked the apples.

:!ost homemakers , both urban and rura]., said they preferred to have sep-:-ratt
pieces of apple in their pies after they v.-ere cooked, rather than have them cookt u
smooth . Only a third of the rural and about a fourtli of the urbaji homemakers
rndicated they preferred a smooth texture.

!!ost homemakers preferred to have applesauce cooked smooth . Only a fifth of
Che rural homemakers and even fewer urban homemakers favored applesauce v/ith piec- :
'f apple in it.

— Charles E. Es}ibacl;

■Jr •/<■ -/i" •J\- -/O "/C" -)i- ■/'- -"- ■''- "?J" ^ "X" 'Js* '/- iS" -/' "W"

Apples are influenced by Nitrogen Fertilisers . Tests at the Ohio Agricul-
tural Experii.ient Station (V/ooster) show that nitrogen fertilizers affect
fruit color, size and, to some extent, the quality of fruit, ■■icrking
vdth 26-year old Stayr.ian V/inesap and Baldwin trees, ammoniura nitrate was
applied to each of six trees at rates ranging from 1 l/2 to 6 pounds per
tree. Samples of fruit taken at harvest time showed best color vihero
the smallest amount of nitrogen was applied although the color was still
satisfactory where somewhat more was used. Fruit size increased v/ith
increasing nitrogen up to the U l/2 pound treatment while- fruit q;ic.lity
was best at the 3-pound nitrogen li.vel for both varieties. On the
basis of these tests, it appears that a so-called normal application of
nitrogen fertilizers results in high quality and larg.. size without
sacrificing either fruit color or i^.rLeld.

■;;■ -M- •;<■ i!- * -ss- -it ^<- a- a^ -is- ^r ■«■*•>!• ^^ -it -is-

-5-

Judging the Nitrogen Needs of An Apple Tree

Some coinnon sense on this question is expressed in an article by J, ; .
'Seattle in Hoosier Horticulture. Quoting from his article "Fruit gro\;ers i,iust
learn to observe and recognize certain signs and s;}Tnptoms v;hich v;ill pcniit thei,:
to adjust their nitrogen fertilizer program accordingly. If apple trees r.ake ou
the average from 6 to 12" of shoot growth each season and if the leaves by
mid-July are a true green in color, it is alnoat certain that they are receiving
an adequate supply of nitrogen. If shoot groiivth is less than 6" and the leaves
become yellow-green in color, the nitrogen supply is too lor;. Excessive growth,
large green leaves, and the production of veiy large, poorly colored fruit indica-
tes the nitrogen supply is too high. By applying these principles tlie keen,
observing orchardist can largely solve his ovm nitrogen fertilizer problems."

4'r -,■- -J!- ■!!■ -se -JE- -K- -A- ^/- -A- -if -J^ "i'^

LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR THE FRUIT GRC':VER

Tvro kinds of insurance which vdll protect the fruit grov;er in the event of
accidents to his employees are briefly described in Fan.iers ' Bulletin No. 2Cl6 as
follows, - Employer's liability insurance protects the employer in case of a suit
by an employee who is injured while at work. From the standpoint of the farmer,
such insurance provides protection about equal to that provided by Vforfa^ien's
Compensation Insurance except that it does not provide for payments to the injurfd
employee. This employee must first prove negligence by, or the rLSponsibility of,
the farmer and be avrarded a judgment against the farmer in coiirt in order for the
insurance company to pay him under the policy.

Vforknen's compensation insurance assures the employee that he -vdll receive
certain benefits or payments set up by law in case he is injured, if he agrees
not to sue his employer. In this sense it protects the farmer against claims or
court awards arising from injury to the hired help just as employer's liability
insurance does. Yet workmen's compensation insurance generally costs no more than
straight employer's liability insurance without the worker benefits.

Sensitive Strav/berry A Kind Of Guinea Pig . Progress in combating strawberry
diseases has been speeded up~1by a British discovery that Fragaria vesca, the ■'..lld
strawberry of Europe- is extremely sensitive to the viruses that da;.i£ge comraercial
and garden varieties. Tried out here through preliminary U. S. Department of
Agriculture tests at Beltsville, I.id., several diseases show their presence in this
guinea-pig plant with much more conspicuous changes than occur in the vroll-knovm
I'arshall variety — which had been used for the purpose. It makes identification
quicker and surer. Vflien some forms of virus were transmitted to this wild straw-
berry especially by grafts, they caused extreme dwarfing, thin, short leaf stems
and very small leaves. A form of virus that attacks strawberries on the Pacific
Coast is easily identified v/hen put into this test plant as it mottles the leaves.
An Eastern virus causes no mottling but makes the leaf stems turn dovm. This
sensitive test stra.v^berry also shows a difference vfhen the Eastern vj.rus is trans-
mitted by the aphid vector rather than by some other means.

■K- -it ■!!■ -Ji- -K- rr -Sf- 4r ^(- -J^ -Yc ii- -J!- ■>{•

-o-

SPMYIIJG CC'STS CC:,PAR5D

The average cost cf spraying and dustinp apples for 100 fanns in ".liestern
Hew York and the Hudson River Valley in I9u9 vvas ^-2.79 per tree. Apple probers
usinp high pressure rigs I'or the control cf Insects and diseases had slightly
lower costs than farraers using speed sprayers.' The major differences v/ure that
growers with speed sprayers used more materials and had higher equipment costs
despite Inx.er labor requirements.

Growers \{hn used a gun or broon in connection with a high pressure rig had hi.
average cost of $2.61 per tree or 18 cents belov, the average on all fan.is. The
labor cost for these farmers was hi.gh, but their investment in equipment was Ic;..
Also they were, able to aii:i the spray more directly at the tree and consequently
used less materials. Fanaers using a mast or aechanical device ;ri.th a high
pressure rig reduced their labor considerably. However, their cost per tree v^as
>2.77 or just below the average of all fanns. This is because the equipment cost,
for those growers \rere higher and off-set the reduction in the cost of labor and
povfi^r.

The cost of spray and dust materials made up 63/J or close to two-thirds of
the total costs of spraying. Each grower kept a detailed record including the
hours of labor and eq-jipmcnt used and the amounts of spray and dust materials put
on one block of apples. The cost of the spraj' equipment including depreciation,
interest, repairs, gasoline, oil and grease amounted to 19r> or one-fifth of the
total. Labor was 11"^ and tractor power T/*.

-!!• r< -ir -JS- -K- -.i- ic -;t <- -/<■ "it -i^ ii- -it i> ^s-

SC"^ G3SERVATI0HS GTI TREE FRUITS V.] GEK'.^'^.IiY

As I traveled through -cstern Germany last summer, I vms impressed by tht
number of different fruits grovm in quantity. In one lai'ge fruit and vegetable
auction, red currants were the principal item. In another, it was plui.is, both
yellow and blue. And as suggested in Januaiy FRUIT IJGTES, gropes are grovm by
thousands of farraers for the making of wine.

In the French Zone of Occupation, ;7ith which I am most familiar, there ar.
relatively few large, specialized apple farms although there is an imr.xmso nunL.r
of siaall orchards including trees along the roadside. V/lierever the climati is
suitable, and that does not include a highland area around Donaueschingen v.heri
there arei only 90 frost-free days during the year, most fam.s include a small
orcliard, frequently a row or two of trees. One large applv,' by-products plant in
Radolfzcll, near the Swiss border, receives apples from about 3000 farmers -v.ho an
..lembcrs of the cooperative. This pl.-nt made 1,^00,000 liters of Apfclsaft (the
German equivalent of cur apple juice) last year. And in the basement of one of
the agricultural schools, facilities are available for pressing out apples for all
farikGrs in the community thus providing a drink for homi- use at a nominal charge.

Few of the apple trees in this area get more than three sprays. Double
croppj.ng of the land frequently interferes with a good spray prograju. And since
rost of the apple crop goes into juice anyway, farmers are not much concerned about
post control. A distinct rotten apple taste in much of the Apfelsaft is
suggestive of the apples from -v-vhich it is made. One orchard I visited had receivt.c-
sprays and the o-vmer np.s very much interested in scab control, this fungus bting

troublesone on certain varieties. But the variety list, in general, excluaes scab
susceptible varieties. Another fungus, apple nildev;, is also prevalent. There is
little or no interest in '."cintosh and its relatives because of the extensive spray
progra. 1 they would require.

There is some interest anong research 'u'crkers and teachers in d\/arf trees on
"allinp: stocks. Tlany of the Vi'inter Schools have such a planting. IJui.ibers 3, Ix,
c'jid 1 are favored. I sav/ one experinental Lalling stock orchard of 2000 trees,
half of which was irrigated. The differences in yield were quite striking. In
this orchard I sa7ir one tree ^v'hich had taken root above the graft union and the
resulting tree was behaving in the sarie v/ay as they do in this couiitry.

All fruits on standard stocks, v^ith the exception of peaches, have relatively
long trunks. In fact, one can walk under niost fruit trees vdthout bujiiping his heed
on the lowest branch. This arrangement makes it possible to grow other crops in an
orchard without lauch interference. Among the second crops groim are hay, grain,
potatoes, fodder beets, vegetables, etc. In one orchard of about 15U0 trees ncai'
thu Rhine on a light soil, hay was being harvested for cattle even though the tre. s
'.'ore very much in need of a liberal r.iulch.

High headed fruit trees arc the result of a special ..lethod used in tht.
r.ursrry. In one nursery visited where pluiii trees were being budded, th. oud i/as
inserted at a point 180 centimeters (almost six feet) from the ground. All branch, s
beloK; that point are subsequently removed. Incidentally, it is now possible to
obtcin from German nurseries very good apple trees on Yialling stocks for the
equivalent of 750 to |1.00. A 1950 catalog shov^ed a quotation cf 3 DL. (A
Deutsche Hark is vrorth about 25^). About the only familiar apple varieties
encountered were Ontario, Cox Orange, Gravenstein and an early apple ('.Yeisseklar)
very similar to Yellow Transparent. It may be that variety.

Here and there in Ge.rmany one finds very good pears, including Bartl^tt ^.nJ
rlapp, both of vrhich are knoi/m by their Gernan names. 3ut ;aany of the pears are
snail, some very small, and are used for juice (Birnensaft) . Probably half of th^.
jears produced are used in this way.

Plui.is occupy an iinportant place on Geman tables, and having saiiipled t)ieir
plijir: cake several times, I can understand why. It is very edible, to state th.
case mildly. But plums are also used in making Sclmaps, a jiotent beverafe takt u
in small amounts on special occasions. Chori-ies, cultivated and wild, also find
their way into this concoction.

In one section of Rliineland-Pfalz, apricots are ptovvTi quite extensively. I
./as fortunate enough to visit this area irtien they were in their prime. NeedL.ss
to say the samples were enjoyed, Mariaalade is commonly served in Germany and r..an,
)f the apricots are used in making this proiluct. In the Bad Duerkheim area,
peaches are of some ii.iportance, and a peach experiraent station is testing more th;.r.
100 varieties including South Haven, Elberta, Champion, etc. At three fan.is I
had an opportunity to compare the quality of several varieties.

Of the remaining tree fruits, quinces are no mort' coiruuon than in ilassachuft tt.-, ,
and one of the varieties is shaped like a pear. iVhere this quince was obs. a-v^'d,
the CTivncr had a small stationary spray outfit, the only one which caE^e to my
attention.

Cherries are <^1 some ir.iportancc in the Kaiserstahl area vifhen; the tL.iiptrnt'ir.
av';rages several degrees higher than in other parts of vVestern Gen.iany rnd the sr , 1
tests above the neutral point because of its litaestone origin. I was told that ;■.

-8-

cherry maggot (Not the same species as we have in the U.S.) is occasionally
troublesome. In those years the fruit is turned into Schnaps because, in th<:.'
many, small plantings, control would be difficult even if the o;mers vfrre well
equipped. In other years some of the clierries are sold for eating cut of hand.

Cf the various fruit insects with which we are familiar a fev; appear to oe
absent in German orchards. No one mentioned plum curculio, apple magPiot or piuar
psylla. In fact, pear trt:es, if sprayed at all, are sprayed the same as apples.
A single spray chart is prepared for both fruits. The codling moth is very
common, and if I am not mistaken, it came to the U.S. from Europe, originally.

In the next issue of FRUIT L'CTES, I'll tell how fruits and vegu-tables are
sold in Germany through a unique cooperative auction rac;thod.

-,i- ^c r- -,t 'A- -yr -A- ^i- -,i- -)ir -.ir •>(■ ■!!■ ^/- -/r -A ■>.'<■ '/-

Handle Potent Chemicals Carefully . Fruit growers can profit by the follov.lng
quotation that Dr. J. G. Tov.nsend, Chief, Division of Industrial Hygiene, U.S.
Public Health Gervj.ce, made at the l6th annual meeting of the National Agricul-
tural Chemicals Association:

"The farmer need not bow to economic pests, but can use to the fullest
advantage the potent nev/ insecticides if he is scrupulous in protecting himself
and his employees,"

"On the farm, as well as in the factory, dangerous chemieals may be used
safely i/ith proper precautions. If laanufacturers, processors and distr?butoi-s
had to relinquish certain s-jbstances because they are toxic, American inclu3tr;y
would be in a primitive stage."

"Too much emphasis cannot be put on education of the person wh^ may be expos.: d
to these chemicals. Correct information insures safe practices an^ Vvipes out
apprehension and distortion of the facts."

"VJe are intv 'ested in protecting the health of the worker from harnJ:"ul
exposures in plants handing i,hese cliemicals. Our second concern is the health ul
the man on the ;iim who uses them. One of the principal ten ts of th ; Division
of Industrial "H^u'iene is that any poison, no matter ho\; toxic, cBn be handled
safely if proper precautions are observed."

— Z. H. ,»heoler

As I See It. "There's not much left on earth that I, or you, or anyone
can buy, that's fit to eat, according to a few! For when they try to
kill the bugs with all these nev/ fandangled drugs, the worms they bea.t,
but leave a rfrsidue. To eat, or not to eat. Ah, racl The choice is
bugs - or drugs. The only dish that's left is fish, as far as I can se^

(Author ^onknoi.n)

I have gathered a posie from other men's flov/ers and
naught but the thread that binds them is my ovm,

(Flyleaf. Familiar quotations,
John Bartlett)

-9-

Effects of Ferban en :,.cIntosh Apple ?reos . The beneiicial eiTects ci' ierbar.i on
apple has~been noted for several years. Some interesting' light on this question is
contained in a recent letter from Dr. D. H. PaLniter of the Hew York State
Agricultural Experiment Station.

"In one experiment at Rock City I have had ferbam sprayed Llclntosh compared
vdth sulfur sprayed liclntosh for eipht years. On plots v/here no fertilizer of any
Icind has been used the ferbam plots have out-jlelded the sulfur plots by ovur i+0
per cent. The ferbam without fertilizer has out-yielded the best nitrogen fertili^i.d
sulfur plots during the last four years.

"Trunk circumference measureir.ents vrere made each year to determine the inci't:at,'. .
The sulfur plots vri.th no nitrogen increased 9.9 inches in eight years, sulfur plus
soil nitrogen increased 11.3 inches^ and vdth N^JGreen foliage sprays 10,2 inches
compared v/ith an increase of 10.7 inches v/ith ferbam and no nitrogen. The soil
nitrogen plots made the best groiifth but had poor fruit color and a heavy drop.

"Nitrogen and chlorophyll data have not been taken every year but there arc-
some indications that the ferbam sprayed trees have a greater chlorophyll content
for a given nitrogen level than the sulfur sprayed trees. The ferbam sprayed trovS
alvrays look greener than the sulfur sprayed trees v/ithout nitrogen and often grceiu r
than the sulfur sprayed trees vdth nitrogen.

"Ff.rbara contains about 10 per cent nitrogen but at the rate used a tree would
not receive more than I/I4 pound of nitrogen during the season frcm this source. I
feel the increased yield is due to reduced spray injury rather than any nutrient
effect from the ferbam."

Can Apple Growers Influence Consumer Acceptance ? Discussing this question
in the February 6 issue of FRUIT AMD VEGETABLE MARKETER, F. E. Cole says,

"If a good proportion of the crop is sold early in the year, it is not ncci ss; j-
to have increasing quantities on the market week after week from January through
March. However, if an insufficient proportion of the crop was sold before
Qiristmas, there is no alternative but to place the remaining apples on the market
during the vdnter. The apples have to be sold. If consumer demand is not steppea-aj
to take the apples, the pressure remains on the supply end.

"There art v/ays of bringing apples to the attention of consuiaers - apple
publicity. There are ways of making apples more attractive in bigger and better
placed displays. Groviers have ways of protecting the condition of apples so as to
make them better tasting and of greater use. The rate at v>[hich apples are put on
the market, the changes in v^ek to vreek supply - i.e., the pattern of apple
movement is in the hands of gro^rers.""

•ii- r(■ -i^ -i^ -Ji- r(■ -Ji-

MARCH 31, 1951

Prepared by the Departments of Pomology, Entomology, and Botany, and

Other Staff Members
Compiled by W„ H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Virus Free Strawberry Plants

Infection and Incubation Periods for Apple Scab

Notes on Organic Gardening

Orchard Fertilization

County Agents' Corner

Fruit Auctions in Germany

Issued by the Extension Service, James W„ Dayton,, associate dean and director, in furtherance of Acts of May 8 (aid June 30, 1914.
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services Cooperating.

PRCDUniNG VIRU3-FREF STRAV»'3ERRY rUNTS i:.' ENGLAriD

5^traT;berry growers in England have some of the same troubles as grovrers in Lhic
country. Anong the more serious cf these are virus infections. Four strains of
viz'us have been recogni::ed, each of which can be identified by inoculation into
the Alpine stravfberry, Fragaria vesca , which grows wild in England. The virus
situation becane serious enough and the denand from grovrers insistent enough so
that a very interesting method has been developed for suppljdng virus-free plants.

A single virus-free plant was found and taken to the Experiment Station at
East I.ialling. From this single plant virus-free runner plants are produced. These
are sold to strawberry plant propagators who dc nothing but produce strawberry
plants. They never produce any fruit. These propagators increase the plant supply
by what is called the isolated block method. The plants are set in a double row
and the runners from four plants trained to the center of the square formed by
these plants. Thus, the field becomes a checkerboard of these squares or blocks
with two foot paths between them. If one of these blocks becomes infected, it can
be removed at once without infecting ether blocks. These stock nurseries must be
at least a mile from any commercial stravfberry planting. The beds are lumigated
7vith nicotine to keep their, free of aphids vrhich transmit the virus. Tv^'ice during
the s'jmraer the stock nursery is inspected 'oy a representative from the ministry cf
Agriculture. If it passes inspection, a special stock certificate is used. As a
further precaution these stock nurseries must renexi their stock from the original
source at East Mailing every three or four years.

naturally the plants produced by the plant propagators are high priced; too
high priced to be sold to the grower. They are sold to nurserj'Taen with an ordinary
license v^ho produce plants for the stravfberrj' grov/er. This may seem like a costly
and time consuming way to produce strawberry' plants, but it gets results.

— J. S. Bailey

irjFECTiGN A:ra incubation periods k-r apple scab

Infection Period ; In the case of primary infection of apple scab, an infection
period is an overall period of sufficient vretness to allow discharge of ascospores
from the overv,rintered leaves, their disseminati'^n to green leaves and fruits, their
gennination, and penetration far enough to establish infection. Length of such
a wetting period varies with the temperature. A v/et period Vi'ith insufficient water
or insufficient length to permit ascospore discharge, dissemination, germination
and penetration vrould not be an infection period. Intennittent rain periods may
constitute an infection period provided not more than 3 hours of drying occurs
between the wet periods.

For secondary infections by the summer spores (conidia) of apple scab, an
infection period implies a vretting of sufficient duration for dissemination

(dripping and wind-blovm in rain) , germination and penetration by the suimaer spores.

It may be only about tv;c- thirds the length of the earlier primary infection periods.

Table 1 indicatec the relationship between time and temperature requii-ements
for primary infection in orchards vfith medium to heavy scab carryover.

-2-

Table 1. Hours of vretting needed at different temperatures f'ir apple Scab primary
infection en 'onsp rayed leaves early in the season.*

Temperatures (op.) Light Infection Moderate Infection Heavy IrXaction

— - r— —

h^, 20 26 iiO

50 li4 19 29

55 12 16 2U

60 10 13 20

65-75 9 12 18

78 12 17 26

Incubation Period: Incubation period covers the time from penetration and
establishment of infection to the appearance of the disease lesions. It too varies
in length i*d.th the temperature, and also v/ith the kind of disease. The lower the
daily temperatures after infection takes place, the longer vdll be the incubation
period. Y/. D. Llills in IJev; York State found that the mean temperat,ure for the
first 5 days after infection vras a more reliable criterion than the mean temperature
of the entire incubation period in arriving at an accurate relationship betvreen
temperature and length of incubation period. The data in Table 2 show the relation-
ship between the mean daily temperature for the entire incubation period and the
length of that period, as compared Tdth the mean temperature for the first 5 days.
One value of these data lies in the ability of one to figure back after scab spots
appear and determine through temperature records which vret period caused the
infection. Also, it is possible to note the mean daily temperatures for five days
after an infection period and then figure out when the spots will show up. This
latter advantage is by far the mere useful one to the grower.

Table 2 . Observations on incubation periods for Apple Scab in 'western Nev/ York,
based upon the first important infection period of each year for 27 years. -;;-

i.'iean temperature (*^F.) for Approximate number of Mean temperature (°F.) of
the entire incubation days in the incubation first five days after
period period infection

— 19 35-37

18 38-l;0

U8-U9 17 Ul-ii3

50-51 16 UU-U6

52-53 15 U7-h9

5U-55 11 50-53

56-57 13 Sh-S6

58-59 12 57-59

60 11 60-62

61-62 10 63-65

63-6ii 9 66-68

65-66 8 69-72

7 73- 7U

* Data from reports by '-H. D. Mills, Cornell University

-3-

There are other factors besides temperature that affect the length of the
incubation period for apple scab. Observations in Massachusetts indicate that
2 to 3 applications of Yrettable sulfur during the incubation period v.dll lengthen
it from 1 to 3 days over the incubation period for the corresponding infections in
unsprayed orchards. W. D. Mills states that lime-sulfur applied too late for
after-rain (kick-back) control may delay the appearance of scab spots as much as
5 days. Phenyl mercury spray has been knovm to permanently inactivate the scab
fungus midway in a l^'-day incubation period. Under some conditions, however, like
ILme-sulfur it may only lengthen the incubation period. The reason v;-hy the scab
fungus in incubation may be slovred up or otherwise hindered by spray applications
is its close proximity to the surface of the leaf, i.e., just beneath the cuticle.

~ C. C. Boyd

■^;- -Yr -y- -?;- -5r -\- -i- -is- -^ -f- -- -/r -;- -i^- -^ -^:- -;- •??■

NOTES ON ORGMIC GARDENING ;

In a recent issue of Agricultural Chemicals the opinions of tvro eminent soil
scientists on this controversial subject are expressed. Dr. Truog of "..isconsin
is reported as saying, "Soil organic matter is of tremendous importance: it
facilitates the intake of water and thus reduces runoff and erosion. It also
favors workability or ease of cultivation, aeration and drainage. Fresh organic
matter contains all of the elements needed for plant grovrth, vj-hich as decomposition
proceeds, are released in forms suitable for nevf plant grovfth ... Hc;vever, to say
(as the organic school does) that checmical fertilizers, such as super-phosphate
and muriate of potash should not be used to make up inevitable deficiencies of
nutritive elements that cannot be supplied through the use of organic matter is
just pure bunkum.

This same authority is also quoted in part as follows: "Fertilizer elements
in commercial fertilizers are fully as available to crops as those in organic
materials, and in some cases even more so. There is absolutely no difference in
the nature of the nitric and sua.pha2:*L(r'-'acfd3' -forBed in, theuSoil. from organic matter
through the action of bacteria, as the nature of these same acids as used in a
fertilizer factory. The form in vfhich plants take up their nutrients is the same
whether they are originally supplied as organic material, such as compost or
commercial fertilizer. It is true that the use cf composts adds to tiie supply of
organic matter in soils, and in this vvay promotes a better physical condition of
soils ... .This use maybe important especially with the city gardener. .. .The farmer
in general, however, cannot cover his large acreages v.'ith compost. Sufficient
amounts of leaves and other organic materials just do not exist on his farm for
this."

Dr. Bear cf New Jersey refers to the organic group as an "international cult —
cluttering up our soils literature with a mixture cf facts and fancies that are so
cleverly interwoven that it is very difficult to knov; vihere one leaves off and
the other begins. .. .Such teachings link the farmer inseparably vdth the manure pile
and peasantry. They set aside some of the most important findings of a century of
agricultural science."

■j;- ■;;- iS-

A Mote on Orchard Fertilizaticn It's almost time lor the spring tonic
In apple~orchards, - the allotment of nitrogen which v:crks Vifonders in
encouraging better terminal grovrth, making leaves a darker green and in
stepping up the per acre yield. But how much nitrogen is enough and net
too much. Folks have tried for years to use a "rule of thtmb", by-
correlating the nitrogen application vath trunk diameter or age of tree.
As a rough guide that's not a bad idea. But neither diameter nor age
shovf vmether a tree is starved for nitrogen or at the opposite extreme,
getting too much nitrogen. The best indicators of nitrogen needs are
(1) last year's terminal grov.d:h, (2) shade of green in the leaves, and
(3) color of the fruit. If vegetative grov.-th is excessive, leaves a
dark green and fruit color poor, a grower should lay off on nitrogen
entirely for a year. And if all of these items indicate nitrogen
starvation, double the standard application may be a good investment.
It is time \ie quit fertilizing trees as we fertilized them last year, or
as a neighbor does. The ideal system involves gauging the fertilizer
application to fit the needs of the tree, decreasing the amount v.henever
it seems to interfere with the development cf good color. But if a tree
is deficient in nitrogen, the yield is reduced and even the Ixintosh
variety tends to become biennial. For the correct aniount of nitrogen to
be applied — ask the tree.

F'all vs. Spring Planting of Stravmerries The principal
advantage of setting strawberry plants in the fall is that
the roots become established Y/hile the air is cool, and before
top groYrth begins. But if fall set plants are not mulched
they are likely to suffer from v/inter injury and actually make
a poorer shovdng than plants set in early spring. Thus the
grower must mulch his planting tv/ice for one crop of berries.
Fall planting is much better than late spring but little, if any,
better under our conditions than early spring.

Girdled Trees? Then you may be interested in an
excellent publication vAich illustrates and describes
the practice of "Bridge Grafting". It is Farriers'
Bulletin No. 1369. A copy is available from your
County Extension Office or from the ivlailing Room ax
the University. -x- -y- -;;- -;- -;:- -;:• -;.- ■;;- ■>;- -:;- -;;- ■;;- -;;- -»

* COUNTY AGENTS' CORIIER

Try This for Size An apple tree in

Footnote to a Spray Schedule
D. T. Thayer, FrankTin Ccun ty

a crowded orchard pruned as follovv-s: -;;- Vegetable grower Gilbert S. ..at-„r,

Side limbs removed because of interfer- -;;- no stranger to the edible root, stem,

ence. Lc^k/er limbs removed to facilitate -;;- and leaf clan as co-author cf "the be ok"

mowing. Center liinbs removed to adiait -;;- among vegetable texts, journeyed to

light. Top limbs removed because too -;,^ Amherst from his home acres in Pennsyl-

high. — A special case? Not at all. -;;- vania during January to talk on the

Only one or the many trees in -;;- annual Vegetable Day Program.

Massachusetts cvmed by men who v/ant to .;;.

get "one more crop" before removing .;;. to those of us fortunate tc catch

ever^/ other diagonal row. -x- one-half of the ./atts family it L^ecai.e

apparent early, l' it the speaker packed nuch more than the customary uoothbrush and
pajamas in the eld rladstone. One man doesn't carry so many good ideas around in
one head, not all the vray from Penn's \:oods.

Delivering at a rate variously estimated by growers present I'rom UOO-^00 i/ords
per minute, Gilbert VJatts really laid it on the line to the olericultural set, ana
v.'hat the nan said ought to make sense to a lot of us these days, vihether we tend
an apple orchard or babbitt bushings, or vfhatever it is they do to bushings.

Departing from strictly subject matter, i.!r. :;atts took a din view ol what >.■-
called "superimposed leadership," or leadership thrust dovm from the loftier top
levels, rather than springing from the grassier grass roots. Then, angling to the
marketing side, there's never yet a master plan been whipped up on the Potomac
flats, cr any place else that could solve everyone's problems for then, or words to
that effect. If you vrant to lay out a buck ninety-eight for a magic set (junior
size) you may "amaze and mystify your friends," but don't count on it to sell
squash, (or apples, or bushings).

Then he hauled out and dusted off the old pioneer virtues. Cver-rated and
over-done? Perhaps a little "corny" this day? Maybe, (who knov;s when Flag Day
comes?) But scnehov/ it sounded level coming out of this speaker, and maybe we
would be smart to buy some pioneer virtues.

Sure, vfe are forging ahead, but v/hen a horse is said to be "forging", lie is
over-reaching, clipping his forehand vifith his back, and it is still a job for a
blacksmith, a pioneer type guy.

And then :!r. V.atts said something like, "Let's not be feeling sorry lor
ourselves." The fruit men, like the vegetable men (and the babbitt bushers,) iiave
had their good ones and their rough ones. Dut not yet avfhile in this country do
we have to me


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