Full text of "Fruit notes"

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UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
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FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Staff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massochusetts, Amherst

FEBRUARY 28, 1963

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bird Damage Research in Massachusetts
Fertilizer Recommendations for 1963
Extension Entomology Program
Strawberry Planting Time
Mechanization for Strawberry Growing
Leaf Analysis

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Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, in firtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914;
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating.
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland. State Pu^hasing Agent, No. 44.

Bird Damage Research in Massachusetts

Investigations of bird damage to commercial fruit crops In Massachusetts
were continued during this past summer. A review of past findings in this
study resulted in the initiation of a different approach to this troublesome
problem. Formerly research, was directed at the testing of scare devices which
would, if successful', give Immediate relief. Now, however, it is thought that
studies of the basic biology of the individual species involved will provide
much of the badly needed Information about behavior of depredating birds.

No entirely successful scare device has yet been developed. Firearms give
immediate relief, but they require that the cropped area be regularly patrolled.
Reflectors and scarecrows are ineffective. Firecrackers and exploders give
temporary relief, but songbirds soon become accustomed to the noise and Ignore
it. Hawk and owl decoys give only temporary relief from bird depredation.

Total enclosure of areas, especially small cultivated blueberry plantings,
has been the most satisfactory control measure to date. Such materials as
tobacco cloth netting, nylon fish net, chicken wire, and netting made from
twisted paper have been used for this purpose. They are all highly effective
but are expensive to install.

A statewide fruit damage survey in 1962 showed a loss of 35 per cent of 157
acres of uncovered cultivated blueberries and a loss of 17 per cent of 220 acres
of peaches. A similar survey in 1961 disclosed a loss of 37 per cent of 121
acres of blueberries and a 3 per cent loss of 148 acres of peaches. Surveys
covering only cultivated blueberries for the years 1955-1958 have shown losses
of 38 per cent, 20 per cent, 19 per cent, and 27 per cent respectively. If these
surveys show a true pictttre of the bird damage situation then, we can assume
that this heavy economic loss is stable, even though local areas may be more
heavily damaged in some years than in others.

Five hundred and fifty-seven birds were banded at the University orchards
during this past summer in order to trace bird movements. Two hundred and
forty-two of these, including robins, blue jays, starlings and bronzed grackles,
were marked with plastic-coated nylon wing tags for field identification. Some
of them were marked with numbered tags for individual field identification.
Local birdwatchers were then asked to report the sighting, location, species
and date of all marked birds seen. By October 1, 1962, 152 Individual sightings
had been recorded. Several of these sightings were undoubtedly repeats for the
same bird, as not all of the tags carried numbers and the numbered tags could
not be identified in every instance. Only 3 of these sightings were outside a
3 mile radius of the orchard. This shows that the fruit damaging birds remained
local for some time after being captured and released. Of notable significance
is the fact that only 19 of the marked birds were subsequently recaptured in the
University orchards even though intensive mist netting was carried out for the
entire fruit season. An analysis of this data shows that even though the marked
birds remained in the near vicinity of the orchards, most of them did not revisit
the area after once being captured.

In view of the special attention given to individual species in behavioral
studies the Baltimore oriole was considered separately. This species caused
damage to all fruits in the University orchards, though principally to grapes
and peaches. Because of their small size they were not marked for field identi-
fication. Consequently it was necessary to recapture banded individuals in
order to learn of their movements. One hundred and forty-nine of these were
captured, banded, and released. Seventy-five of these individuals were banded
and released at a point 2.1 miles from the University orchard. Only 4 of these,
or five per cent were subsequently recaptured in the orchard. In contrast 19
per cent, or 14 individuals of the control group or those released at the
point of capture were again netted. Apparently the transporting of this species
to a distant point before releasing had some effect on movements.

The Baltimore orioles tended to converge upon fruit in groups of from
twenty to thirty individuals. The flocks were easily captured even though they
were feeding in peach orchards several acres in extent because individual birds
damage fruit on several trees on each visitation.

Future research will be given to the robin, the chief depredating species
according to grower surveys and personal observations. A few of the questions
which must be answered include:

1. How permanent, in relating to range, are the feeding habits developed
by adult robins upon their arrival in the spring?

2. How far will young robins move from their nests to establish a feeding
locality?

3. How do young robins establish a feeding locality?

4. Why will a field sometimes be heavily damaged in one year yet receive
negligible damage the following year?

5. Why are the cultivated crops preferred when abundant crops of natural
foods are readily available?

The knowledge gained from studies of individual species, including the
principal fruit damaging birds: robins, starlings, blue jays, bronzed grackles
and Baltimore orioles will be essential to any method of reducing damage to
commercial fruit crops.

J.IBRAPY
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■--Albert E. Hester, Graduate Assistant
Dept. of Forestry and Wildlife
Management

•3-

Fertllizer Recommendations for 1963

There will be no basic changes in recommendations this year compared to
previous years. We are still of the opinion that adjusting nitrogen to the
proper level which will produce the maximum yield of highly colored fruit of
maximum storage life is the key to a successful orchard fertility program, it
may take two or more years to determine the amount of nitrogen required to produce t
desired level. This is especially true in those blocks which are too high in
nitrogen.

In our fertilizer experiments, we have found that it may take two or more
years for reduced rates of nitrogen to be effective. We have also found that
omitting nitrogen applications from trees which were high in nitrogen did not
significantly reduce yields below trees receiving normal rates of nitrogen.
It appears that it may be necessary in some situations to omit nitrogen in order
to bring nitrogen down to the desired level.

We are suggesting that growers should:

(1) Apply no more than normal rates of nitrogen.

(2) Omit or reduce nitrogen applications by one half in those
blocks which have produced fruit with poor color.

Suggested rate of fertilizer for normal applications are given in the
following table.

Normal Rates of Fertilizer for Bearing Apple Orchards
Approximate Amounts per Tree

Potential bushel Nitrogen Potash Ammonium Muriate

yield of tree required required Nitrate of Potash or 0-15-30 8-16-16

Pounds

Less than 15

0.66

1.3

2.0

2.1

4.3

15 - 25

0.66-1.00

1.3-2.0

2.0-3.3

2.1-3.3

4.3-6.6

8-12

More than 25

1.33-2.00

2.7-4.3

4.0-6.0

4.5-7.9

9.0-14.3

16-25

The suggested amounts of materials to apply in the table are for hand appli-
cations under the spread of the branches. When the materials are broadcast over
the entire orchard floor it may be necessary to increase the rate of application
in order to obtain the same tree response as with the band applications. Ferti-
lizer materials other than those given in the tables may be used so long as they
are applied at rates which provide equivalent amounts of nitrogen and potassium.

The tree's magnesium and calcium requirements can best be met by main- I
taining an adequate dolomitic liming program. The pH of orchard soils should be
maintained between 6 and 6.5. If a soil test shows that the pH of soil is 5.5 or
below, magnesium sulfate sprays should be applied to prevent possible occurrence
of magnesium deficiency. It takes from three to five years before dolomitic
limestone is effective in correcting magnesium deficiency. When magnesium sul-
fate sprays are used apply two to three sprays of epsom salts at the rate of 20
pounds per 100 gallons of water. These sprays should be timed by calyx, first
and second cover sprays. To avoid possible incompatibilities the epsom salt
sprays should not be combined with the regular insecticidal and fungicidal sprays

-4-

Boron should be applied to orchard soils every three years. Borax is the
most common material used. The rates of application per tree vary with age and
size. Apply one-quarter pound of borax to young trees, one-half to three-quarters
pound to medium age and size trees, and three-quarters to one pound to large or
mature trees. Boron may be applied as a foliar spray on a trial basis.
Polybor-2 or Boro Spray applied at one-half pound per 100 gallons of spray one
and three weeks after petal fall have given satisfactory results in New York
State.

The amounts of fertilizer applied to trees which have received annual appli-
cations of 200 pounds or more of hay mulch per tree may be materially reduced or
entirely eliminated. Tree performance should serve as a guide in determining the
extent to which the rates of fertilizer may be reduced.

In young, non-bearing orchards, it may be possible to produce sufficient
high quality mulching material for the young trees by broadcasting 500 to 800
pounds of mixed fertilizer per acre. Place the mulch in a band under the spread
of the branches. The amount of fertilizer required for the trees with this
system of culture will vary with the quantity and quality of mulch applied around
each tree. If the trees are not making sufficient growth, one-eighth pound of
ammonium nitrate per year of tree age may be applied to the mulch.

Recommendations for fertilizing peach orchards are given in the following
table. The amounts given may need to be increased if the trees are in a heavy
sod. A suggested increase would be to double the amount of nitrogen.

Normal Rates of Fertilizer for Bearing Peach Orchards

Approximate Amounts per Tree

or 0-15-30 8-16-16
Pounds Pounds

Tree Age

Ammonium
Nitrate

Muriate
of Potash

3 - 6
6 - 9
9 - 12
12 & over

Pounds

%-l
1 -Ik

1 -h

Pounds

1-2
2-3

3-4
4-8

2- 4

4- 6

6- 8

8-12

8-16

Walter D. Weeks

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Extension Entomology Program Areas of Responsibility within the

College of Agriculture Staff.

No single individual now has entire responsibility for the Extension
program concerned with insects and their control and related subjects. Instead,
several persons are listed officially as part-time extension and have accepted
responsibilities for specific or general areas. Others, although not officially
assigned to extension responsibilities, do assist in certain parts of the program.
The following outline is provided for your convenience.

staff Member

Areas of Repponsibillty

Headquarters at Amherst

E. H. Wheeler

Dairy, Poultry, other Livestock and associated buildings

etc., Forage crops. Tobacco all statewide. Vegetables

and Potatoes Berkshire and Valley counties. Small

fruits (except blueberries) Berkshire and Valley

counties. Miscellaneous requests (except Apiculture).
Pesticides in general. General coordination of Reports
etc.

H. E. Wave

F. R. Shaw

Tree Fruits -■
Blueberries -•

statewide. Low-bush and Cultivated
Berkshire, Worcester and Valley counties,

Bees and Beekeeping

statewide,

Headquarters at Waltham

W. D. Tunis

Floriculture

Horticulture

eastern counties
cranberries)

statewide. Commercial Ornamental
statewide. Vegetables and Potatoes

Cultivated Small Fruits (except
eastern counties. Coordination of

Reports etc. from Waltham.

W. D. Whitcomb

W. J. Garland

Assistance in Tree Fruit, Small Fruit, Vegetable,
Floriculture and Commercial Ornwental Horticulture
programs eastern counties. Miscellaneous requests.

Miscellaneous requests and assistance in programs listed
under W. D. Whitcomb.

A number of areas or commodities are not accounted for in the above listing.
The following guide lines will be useful in these cases.

Cranberries

handled entirely by Cranberry Experiment Station Staff. Prof.
W. E. Tomlinson assists also in the programs for Cultivated
Blueberries.

Forestry and Christmas Trees program in this area carried out in cooperation

with W. B. Becker or the Experiment Station Staff at Amherst.
J. H. Noyes, Extension Forester and the Bureau of Insect Pest
Control, Department of Natural Resources and others. E. H. Wheeler
will aid in general coordination where this may be helpful.

Mosquitoes, Ticks, Flies etc. (Pests affecting health, comfort and recreation)

information available through staffs of the Department of Entomology
and Plant Pathology at Amherst or entomologists at Waltham Field
Station and Cranberry Experiment Station. Main responsibility
assumed by E. H. Wheeler in cooperation with other personnel at
Amherst and Waltham and associated with the State Reclamation
Board and several Mosquito Control Projects.

-6-

Shade Trees and Related Municipal Problems information available through

staffs of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology,
(especially the Shade Tree Laboratory) or entomologists at
Waltham Field Station, particularly C. S. Chater.

Structural and Other Home and Home Grounds Pest Problems joint responsibility

of staffs in entomology at Amherst, Waltham and East Wareham.

E. H. Wheeler will assist the general coordination of the program

where helpful.

---£. H. Wheeler

Professor of Entomology

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

STRAWBERRY PLANTING TIME

It will soon be time to plant many things including strawberries. The
standard practice in New England has been and still is to dig and set the plants
as early in the spring as the soil can be worked. Delaying the planting almost
always results in a reduced crop no matter how carefully the plants are handled.
Even if they are dug in very early spring and held in cold storage, the later
the plants are set, the smaller the crop.

Since not enough strawberries are raised in New England to satisfy the
demand, many plants have been shipped in from southern nurseries. In the past,
this has often been unsatisfactory because growth often starts before or during
shipment and all too frequently arrived in very poor condition. These shipping and
storage problems plagued the nurserymen who produced the plants as well as the
growers who purchased them. Often heavy losses were incurred because of
deterioration of plants in storage. Fortunately, new methods for packing and
storing strawberry plants are not only bringing solutions to these old problems
but also opening up possibilities for solutions to other problems in strawberry
growing.

The first change in strawberry plant storage methods was brought about by
the Introduction of polyethylene film. This film is somewhat permeable to gases
but not to water. This meant that carbon dioxide could diffuse out of a package
surrounded by this material and oxygen could pass in but water would be retained.
Therefore, plants could be packed in "poly" bags or crates lined with "poly" film
without the usual damp sphagnum or other moist material. This partly solved the
plant storage problem by providing vastly improved moisture control.

The second change was initiated by the discovery that dormant strawberry
plants can be stored at below freezing temperatures. If the plants are fully
dormant when dug, they can be stored at SG^F for several months without Injury.
If the temperature rises above freezing, molds are likely to develop. If it drops
below 28°F, the crowns may be injured by cold.

Thus, by digging when the plants are fully dormant and storing them at 30°F
in polyethylene containers or polyethylene lined containers, strawberry plants can
be held in storage for several months. These plants come out of storage in
excellent condition and make a vigorous growth when planted.

One of the benefits of this new method of storing is that plants in good
condition are available for setting any time of the year. In areas to the south
of us where the seasons are longer, this method of storing plants has been used
to very good advantage.

In Virginia stored plants set in mid-August have yielded as well as plants
dug and set in the spring. By setting the bed in August the grower saves much
labor in caring for the bed. This is particularly true in regard to weed control
since the period of germination of most of the worst weeds is past-

In southern California, the use of cold storage strawberry plants set in
August has made it possible to increase the early season portion of the crop when
prices are high.

How then will this benefit New England? At present the chief benefit
appears to be the possibility of obtaining plants in much better condition from
southern nurseries. Experimental evidence indicates that late planting in this
section is too uncertain.

In one year cold storage plants set in early June yielded as well as plants
set in early May. The June set plants v;e.ve thoroughly irrigated immediately after
setting and a prolonged and unusual rainy period followed so that the newly set
plants had unusually good conditions for growth. In another year cold storage '
plants set in mid-May, early June or late June yielded less than freshly dug plants
set in late April. In this experiment the later the plants were set the less the
yield.

Therefore, it appears that for those in New England who get their strawberry
plants from southern nurseries, the plants can arrive in excellent condition for
planting. Such plants should be set Immediately on arrival. Holding them after
arrival results in detcvtoracion. So far holding plants in cold storage for late
planting has produced uncertain results here and is not recommended.

John S. Bailey

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

MECHANIZATION FOR STRAWBERRY GROWING

The national conference on the strawberry held at Rutgers University,
New Brunswick, New Jersey January 24 and 25 was an extremely interesting and
successful conference. A wide variety of subjects were presented by research
workers from all over the United States and Canada. All the talks were concise
and to the point.

-8-

One group of talks which seemed especially timely was on labor-saving machinery,
Among these one discussion concerned a runner-cutting machine which has been
developed by a grower in Connecticut. This is a rather large machine and is drawn
behind a tractor and operated from the pov^er take-off. This machine appears quite
promising.

Several growers in the northwest have developed a picking machine which
resembles very closely the pickle pickers used in the Connecticut Valley. These
are simply long narrow moving platforms on which the pickers lay face down and
pick the berries as the platforms are moved slo\7ly across the field by a tractor.
A second smaller type of picker has been developed in which the pickers sit upright
in a frame over the row and pick between their legs as the machine is drawn slw^ly
across the field.

One of the most interesting developments in mechanization was shov^n by
Dr. Frank Gilbert of Wisconsin. A large grower in that state has almost completely
mechanized his operation except for picking which is done by the public. This
grower has gone so far as to have not only separate sprayers for weed control and
Insect and disease control, but has different types of sprayers which are best
adapted to each operation.

This Wisconsin grower is one of the few who have fully appreciated the
difference between spraying for weed control and spraying for insect and disease
control and has adapted his equipment to each job. Too frequently growers forget
that in weed spraying, rate of application and volume of material are extremely
important. They make up their spray material and then do "a very thorough job
of spraying". This usually results in an excessive application of the herbicide
with consequent Injury to the crop. It can't be emphasized too strongly that
spraying for weed control and spraying for insect and disease control are two
entirely different types of operations. Attempts to combine the two have usually
proved to be quite unsatisfactory.

John S. Bailey

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

LEAF ANALYSIS

High nitrogen level in Mcintosh orchards has been a consistent problem for
the last several seasons, even in a light crop year such as 1960. Treee which
have received the same fertilizer program for several years will have a nitrogen
level which is ,2 to .3 of a per cent lower in a light crop year than it is in a
heavy crop year.

Leaf Analyses of Mcintosh Orchards

Year

No. of
Samples

High Nitrogen

Per Cent of Samples With ;
Loft7 Potassium

Low Magnesium

1959

136

1960

1961

108

1962

151

46.3
36.7
50.0
48.0

15.4

10.2

5.6

19.2

38.2
9.2
8.3
9.2

It can be noted in the table that low potassium level was mora prevalent
this year than the two previous seasons. However, since the samples are not from
the same orchards each year, it is not feasible to interpret any trends. For
example, one might say the reason for the increase in percentage of samples with
low potassium in 1962 might be due to dry weather. On the other hand, rainfall
was ample in 1959 and low potassium levels were quite prevalent.

Leaf samples were obtained from 40 orchards ir 1962. In twenty-three of
these orchards growers used a complete fertilizer but 16 growers used no nitrogen
in some blocks. Some growers are not using nitrogen in an attempt to lower the
nitrogen level in the trees and thereby increase fruit firmness and color.
Growers attempting to lower the nitrogen level in their orchards should realize
that it may take two or more years for this to occur following reduced rates of
nitrogen application. On the other hand, a moderate nitrogen level should be
maintained.. Leaf analyses should be requested from county agents in order to
follow the effect of the fertilizer program adjustments.

William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

FRUIT NOTES

Propqrod by Pomology Stoff, Deportment of Horticulture

Cooperotive Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

APRIL 10, 1963

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chemical Weed Control in the Orchard

Peach Tree Borer Control on Young Peach Trees

Pomological Paragraph

Reducing Load of Fruit on the Leader
of Trees on Moiling Rootstock

The Chemical Thinning of Apples in 1963

Winter Losses of Honey Bees

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Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director. In furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating.
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent. No. 44.

CHEMI CAL WEED CONTROL IN THE ORCHARD

The elimination of grass and weeds under fruit trees may materially aid
tree growth and mouse control. However, successful use of chemical weed killers
requires close attention to details. With chemical weed control it is necessary
to - read the label - follow the instructions - apply only on crops specified -
not apply more than the suggested amount - make applications only during suggested
seasons - and calibrate your sprayer to insure rate of application.

Sprayer Calibration

Calibration of the sprayer is as important as following the directions on
the chemical label. Overdosage can cause injury to trees. Speed of sprayer,
nozzle spacing, application rate and discharge rate per nozzle are the four
major factors to consider in calibrating a farm sprayer. Farm equipment dealers
can furnish information on sprayer calibration and proper nozzling.

If using a hand gun, the rate of discharge can be found by determining the
time required to fill a container of known gallonage. This procedure will enable
the grower to time the application for each tree.

If the amount of herbicide desired per acre is dissolved or suspended in
100 gallons of spray solution, then each gallon of spray solution should cover
the number of trees listed in Table 1. Note that the heading for the first column
is "distance sprayed from the middle of the trunk". This is an important
consideration when spraying around large trees one foot or more in diameter. The
number of square feet in the area three feet from the trunk of large trees is
greater than that within 3 feet from the trunk of small trees.

All pesticide chemicals mentioned in this publication are registered and
cleared for the suggested uses in accordance with federal laws and regulations.
Chapter 727, Acts of 1960, Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that all
pesticides sold in Massachusetts be registered with the Massachusetts Department
of Public Health. Trade names, where used for clearness, do not indicate
endorsement nor imply that similar products are not satisfactory.

WARNING I MOST PESTICIDES ARE POISONOUS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS
AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON LABELS. HANDLE CAREFULLY AND STORE OUT OF REACH OF
CHILDREN, PETS AND LIVESTOCK.

■2-

Table 1. Number of trees to cover with 100 gallons or with 1 gallon of spray

solution when applying at the rate of 100 gallons per acre and spraying
the stated number of feet from the tree trunk on all four sides of the
tree.

Distance sprayed from
middle of the trunk

3 feet

4 feet

5 feet

6 feet

7 feet

8 feet

No. Trees/100 Gals.

Approx. No.

Trees/Gal.

Calculated

Calculate

Calculated

Cal

culated

as a square

as a circ

as a square

a circle

1210

1539

681

868

436

555

303

385

222

283

170

217
Equipment

1-3/4

Many of the herbicides used for weed control are wettable powders that form
suspensions rather than true solutions. If agitation is not sufficient, the
materials will settle out and result in a higher concentration of herbicides in
the bottom of the tank. This, in turn, could cause serious injury when the mixture
is applied around the trees.

Mechanical agitation cannot be provided as easily as jet agitation. Jet
agitators have been developed which can be connected to the pressure line between
the pump and the by-pass valve. The agitation consists of a head with three
orifices from which streams of spray solution are expelled. It is suspended by a
hose to the bottom of the tank where the expelled streams agitate the spray
suspension.

Herbic:fdes should not be applied with a high-pressure spray rig unless it
is modified. The equipment should have an operational pressure of 30 to 40
pounds per square inch. Low pressure and 1ot7 gallonage rates help avoid
forcing the spray into the soil - a common cause of herbicide injury.

There are two basic types of general farm sprayers - boomless and boom
equiped. Either of these is available with a variety of pumps and carriers and
can be tractor or trailer mounted. The boom sprayers in common use would have
to be modified for orchard grasF control because of the limited area to be covered.

He rbicid es

The chei lical weed control recommendations for 1963 are given in Table 2.
The table is for the convenience of the reader but the information -contained is
necessarily brief. For further information read the notes which sunriiarizes the
weed control trials conducted in 1962. The lower dosage rates given in the table
may result in satisfactory weed control and gives a greater margin of safety. For
the most satisfactory results apply the foliage-active herbicides when the grass
is 6-12 inches in height.

Table 2. Weed control recommendations for fruit trees - 1963

Crop

Herbicide and the
Amount/Acre on Area
Treated

Weeds Controlled

Remarks

Apples
Bearing

DALAPON 857, WP
(DCWPON) 5-10 lbs.

Perennial grasses

The 10 pound rate gave the
best control of grass of all
materials used in 1962. Does
not control annual weeds. It
is reported that Idared trees
are sensitive to DALAPON
(DOWPON).

DALAPON 857„ WP
(DOWPON) 5-10 lbs.
plus DIURON 807, WP
(KARMEX) 2-4 lbs.

Perennial grasses
and annual weeds

Do not use combination under
dwarf or semi-dwarf trees.

DALAPON 857, WP
(DOWPON) 5-10 lbs,
plus SIMAZINE 807,
WP 2-4 lbs.

Perennial grasses
and annual weeds

Safe to use on semi-dwarf
trees in addition to those
on seedling roots.

Non-bearing

DALAPON 857, WP
(DCWPON) 5-10 lbs,

Perennial grasses

The 10 pound rate gave the
best control of grass of all
materials used on non-bearing
trees in 1962. Does not
control annual weeds. Trees
should be at least 4 years of
age.

DALAPON 857, WP
(DCT'JPON) 5-10 lbs.
plus DIURON 807,
WP (KARMEX) 2-4
lbs.

DALAPON 857, WP
(DOWPON) 5-10
lbs. plus
SIMAZINE 807,
WP 2-4 lbs.

Perennial grasses
and annual weeds

Do not use combination under
dwarf or semi-dwarf trees.
Trees should be at least
4 years of age.

Perennial grasses
and annual weeds

Trees should be at least 4
years of age.

AMIZINE 7 lbs,

Perennial grasses Use on trees established one
and annual weeds year or more.

AMITROLE 50% WP
(WEEDAZOL or
AMINO TRIAZOLE)
4 lbs.

Perennial grasses
and annual weeds.
Poison Ivy

Use on trees established one
year or more. For best control
of poison ivy, apply during
June or July. A combination
AMITROLE (WEEDAZOL or AMINO
TRIAZOLE) with SIMAZINE or
DIUROM (KARMEX) will improve
the weed control. Do not use
the combination with DIURON
(KARMEX) on dwarf or semi-
dwarf trees.

AMITR0LE-T2 lbs./
gal. (CYTROL or
AMITROL-T) 1 gal.

Perennial grasses
and annual weeds.
Poison Ivy

For best control of poison ivy
apply during June or July. Use
on trees established one year
or more. A combination of
(AMITROLE-T (CYTROL or AMITROL-T)
with SIMAZINE or DIURON (KARMEX)
will improve the weed control.
Do not use the combination with
DIURON (KARMEX) on dwarf or
semi-dwarf trees.

Pears
Bearing

DALAPON (DOWPON) or DALAPON (DOWPON) plus DIURON (KARMEX) may be used
in bearing pear orchards. The recommendations for the use of these
materials are the same as those given for bearing apple trees.

Non-bearing

Peach
Bearing

DALAPON (DOWPON), DALAPON (DOWPON) plus DIURON (KARMEX), AMITROLE
(UEEDAZOL or AMINO TRIAZOLE) may be used in non-bearing pear orchards.
The recommendations for the use of these materials are the same as
those given for non-bearing apple orchards.

DALAPON (DOWPON) is labelled for use under bearing peach trees.
However, it should be used with care because peach trees are easily
injured with this material. Apply at rate of 5 pounds 857, WP per
acre on area treated.

-5-

I. DALAPON (DOWPON)

Dalapon applied at the rate of 10 pounds per acre gave the best grass control
of all the materials used in 1962. Although the control with 5 pounds of dalapon
was not as satisfactory, this rate gives a greater margin of safety because of the
tendency to overdose.

Good grass control v;as obtained in June and July when it was 18 to 24 inches
high. Although the grass was killed, it remained standing and constituted an ex-
cellent mouse cover. It is recommended that tall grass be mowed and allowed to
make 8-10 inches of regrowth prior to treatment.

When the sod cover is predominately grass, dalapon may be the only herbicide
necessary the first year of use. When weeds are present in the orchard, either
diuron or simazine can be added to the spray to control the seedling weeds that
might othen^ise move in where the grass was suppressed. Do not use the combina-
tion of dalapon and diuron on semi-dwarf or dwarf trees.

H. AMIZINE

Amizine is a mixture of simazine and amitrole. It has label clearance for
use in bearing apple orchards but must not be applied under trees after full
bloom. The label also states DO NOT ALLOW SPRAY ip CONTACT STEMS , FOLIAGE OR
TRUNKS OF TREES SPRAYE D. This is a serious limitation since it is difficult for
the grower to spray without accidental wetting of the trees. Therefore, it is
suggested that the use of amizine be limited to weed control under non-bearing
apple trees.

Amizine at the rate of 7 pounds per acre gave good grass control but failed
to suppress all broadleaf weeds - vetch and milkweed.

III. SIMAZINE

Simazine 857, WP at the rate of 4 pounds per acre failed to give satisfactory
control of grass in several trials conducted in 1962. The treatments were applied
during May and June under trees having well-established grasses. This time of
application was used because many orchardists apply herbicides in May and June.
Simazine should be applied as a pre-emergence treatment and is not effective
when used at the 4 pound rate on established and growing vegetation. The best
use of simazine in our orchards, v/hich are grov/n under the sod-mulch system of
culture, is in combination with a label-approved contact weed killer such as
dalapon. The combination should eliminate many weeds which are likely to take over
where the grass has been subdued. Simazine stunts but does not eliminate all
sorrel, vetch, dandelions and other weeds.

Trials have been established using Simazine under apple trees on October 15,
November 1 and as soon as the snow leaves the ground.

IV. GRANULAR SIMAZINE

Granular simazine has label clearance for use under non-bearing apple trees
at the rate of 50 to 75 pounds per acre. This material should be applied prior
to v;eed emergence.

Some growers have obtained good control of established grass and weeds
vrith granular simazine applied in May. It is the writer's opinion that the
granular simazine was applied under the non-bearing apple trees at a rate in
exfcess to that recommended. In trials conducted in 1962, granular simazine
applied at the rate of 75 pounds per treated acre failed to control grass.

Trials have been established using granular simazine under apple trees on
October 15, November 1 and as soon as the snow leaves the ground.

V. DIURON (KARMEX)

Diuron at the rate of four pounds per acre gave varying degrees of orchard
weed control in several trials conducted in 1962. The treatments were applied
during May and June under trees having xtoII -established grasses. This liming
was used because many orchardists apply herbicides in May and June.

Diuron 'ill not give satisfactory control of deep-rooted grasses or well-
established annual weeds consistently. These weeds should be removed prior
to treatment. Since most of our apple orchards are in sod, the best use of
diuron is in combination with dalapon. Dalapon controls grasses bvit has no
practical effect on other weeds. T'le combination will control grass and
eliminate or dwarf many weeds which are likely to take over where the grass
has been subdued. Diuron stunts but does not eliminate all sorrel, vetch,
dandelions and other weeds.

Trials have been established using diuron under apple trees on October 15,
November 1 and as soon as the snow leaves the ground.

William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Peach Tree Borer Control on Young Peach Trees

Successful control of peach tree borers by a preplanting treatment was re-
ported in an article published in the June 1962 issue of the Journal of Economic
Entomology , by E. H. Smith of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station
at Geneva. Since control measures are often omitted on young trees until they
come into bearing, this simple method of treatment before planting should be of
great value, especially, if new trees are planted among older ones which can
serve as a source of infestation.

The treatment consists of dipping tho, roots and the basal portion of the
trunk in a v;ater suspension of 5 to 10 pounds of 50?/, endosulfan (Thiodan)
v/ettable pov/der per 100 gallons. V.'ettable powder formulations r'^quire constant
agitation. Although the results reported were based on dipping individual trees,
presumably bundles of 10 to 25 trees could be dipped at one time. After treat-
ment the trees were air dried before planting.

Both the 5 and 10 pound rate gave complete control of borers during the
first growing season. There was no evidence of chemical injury to the roots or
trunks hy either rst-^ under New York conditions. Since the Iwwr rate gives
complete control, there appears to be little reason for using the higher rate.

Control measures against the borers in subsequent years will require trunk
sprays which should be applied to coincide with hatching of the earliest eggs.
(Usually early to mid-july.)

---H. E. V.'ave

Department of Entomology and
Plant Pathology

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Reducing Load of Fruit on the Leader of Trees on Mailing Rootstock

Growers should avoid allowing too many fruit to develop on the leader of
trees on Mailing VII rootstock when they start to bear. This was evident in an
orchard of 4-year Red Delicious and Mcintosh on E. Mailing VII this past month.
Some of the leaders were arched toward the ground and in a few instances were
broken off because of the t^eight of the previous crop.

William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

TH E CHEMICAL THINI^IIIG OF APPLE S IN 1963

This spring we anticipate a somewhat heavier bloom and potential crop on
many of our Mcintosh trees than existed in 1962. The situation with other varieties
is less clear-cut and v/ill vary as usual from orchard to orchard.

Our experimental results of the past 3 years indicate that Sevin is an excel-
lent thinner for Mcintosh and Delicious when applied from one to three weeks after
petal fall. In fact, it seems to be as good or better than NAD or NAA for Mcintosh
thinning and the best choice for Delicious at rates of 0.5 to 1.0 lb. (50% W.P.)
per 100 gallons. Sevin has no visible harmful influence on the foliage at these
concentrations and its chances of overthinning are minimal. It seems to be the
safest thinning material we've ever used on these two varieties. In addition, it
has about the same capacity to induce annual flowering as other thinning materials
when the degree of thinning vjith these materials is comparable.

-8-

Sevin is not the complete ansv/er for thinning all varieties, however. It's
a very mild thinner and for this reason will not reduce the set of heavy setting
Early Jlclntosh and IJealthy trees sufficiently by itself. For such varieties it
may be necessarj-^ to use Sevin once or twice during the period from petal fall to
7 to 10 days later and then follow up with an NAD or NAA application after another
7 to 10 days elapse. Also, Sevin may not thin Golden Delicious appreciably or
Bald^i?in as well as MAD or NM.

Our 1963 revision, of Special Circular 189, Chemical Thinning of Apples is
now available through your County Extension Service or by writing to the Mailing
Room, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts. This circular contains
our suggestions for the use of NAD, NAA and Sevin as thinning agents on most of our
commercial apple varieties.

F. W. Southwick

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

WINTER LOSSES 0. ? HONEY BEES

The winter of 1962-63 is considered to be the most severe in many year.
Some concern has been expressed relative to the effects of the V7inter on honey
beec .

Actual data at this time are fragmentary and somewhat variable. In Vermont,
heavy winter Tcss is anticipated. Pennsylvania reports that colony losses in the
central part of the state will be rather hi£;h. In New York, apparently colonies
are wintering well in spite of the fact that they have not been able to have good
cleanr3ing flights.

Data from Massachusetts indicate that losses will be above average. One
beekeeper in Worcester Coun:y reports a 5 per cent loss of his own bees but a 25
per cent loss in the apiary of a friend. From personal observations and
conversations with beekeepers in various parts of the state, I would anticipate
from 10 to 30 per cent winter loss, in other words above average losses are
anticipated.

The problem is intensified by the lateness of spring. As of March 27 in
Amherst, I have observed no bees bringing in pollen even though colonies have
had good flight on several days. This v/ould lead me to suspect that colony build'
up may be slower than normal and that colonies may dwindle in strength if they
cannot replace the old bees that have over^-rintered.

It \70uld seen advisable for fruit grovrers, v/ho depend on rented bees for
pollination, to contact in the near future the beekeepers who provide colonies in
order to make certain that sufficient bees for pollination will be available.

Those who ovm their own colonies would do v7oll to check colony condition
to make sure the colonies are alive and vzell provided with honey anil pollen. If

colonies appear to be light in weight, they can be fed. For complete directions
on spring care of bees, Massachusetts Extension Service Leaflet 148 - BEECEEPING
is available,

F. R. Shaw

Dept. Ent. fit Pi. Path.

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

FRUIT NOTES

Prepored by Pomology Staff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Mossochusetts, Amherst

MAY 8, 1963

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chemical Weed Control in Small
Fruit Plantings

Approved Farm Stand Meeting

Pesticides vs. Honey Bees

Pomological Paragraph

A New and Safer Superior Oil for
Fruit Trees

X-Disease of Peach

M/l

'%■

K-U

-^^

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, In furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914;
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating.
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Pta-chasing Agent, No. 44.

GIIEIIICAL WEED CONTROL I N bllAL L FIIUIT PLANTIIIGS

Chemical weed control is the newest of v;eed control methods and is undergoing
rapid changes as new materials are introduced. Therefore, this discussion will
be limited to chemical methods. For a fuller discussion of x^eed control in small
fruit plantings, see Fruit Notes for June 1962.

Before using chemicals, several important points should be considered.
Fir St , chemicals cannot entirely replace cultivation, at least not with such
crops as strawberries and raspberries. Especially for the strawberry, the soil
needs to be kept in a friable condition for the prompt and rapid rooting of
runner plants. Seco nd, chemicals, like a sharp knife, can be a great help if
properly used; improperly used they may result in severe injury. Third, spraying
with weed killers is entirely different from spraying with fungicides or insecti-
cides. With the latter, one makes up a mi;:ture of the proper strength and sprays
until the plant and foliage are thoroughly covered v;ithout particular regard to
the amount of the spray mixture applied. On the other hand, recommendations for
the application of herbicides are usually based on so many pounds or so many
gallons of the commercial material, or so many pounds of actual active ingredient,
per acre. Therefore, it is very unwise to get careless about amounts where
chemicals are being applied for weed control. The equipment used should be cali-
brated so that the required amount can be applied fairly accurately. The County
Agricultural Agent or equipment manufacturers can usually furnish the information
needed for this calibration. Fourth, use of chemicals on food products is
strictly regulated by law. These laws are for the protection of both the producer
and consumer. To be released for sale and use, a chemical must be approved by the
United States Department of Agriculture as not injurious to the crop and by the
Federal Food 6c Drug Administration as not hazardous to human health. The use of
a chemical has to be approved for each kind of plant to which it is applied.
In many cases this use is limited to a certain region of the country. Also, rates
of application and timing are specified. Therefore, it is extremely important
that the user of any chemical for weed control on or around fruit plants read the
container label very carefully and follow its directions precisely.

WARNING: MOST PESTICIDES ARE POISONOUS. READ AND FOLLOT ALL DIRECTIONS
AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON LABELS. HANDLE CAREFULLY AND STORE
OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN, PETS AND LIVESTOCK.

FOLLOW ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

Avoid contaminating streams, lakes and ponds with insecticides.

NOTE

All pesticide chemicals mentioned in this publication are registered and
cleared for the suggested uses in accordance with federal laws and regulations.
Chapter 727, Acts of 1960, Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that all pesti-
cides sold in Massachusetts be registered with the Massachusetts Department of
Public Health. Trade names, where used for clarity, do not indicate endorsement
nor imply that similar products are not satisfactory.

-2-

Strawberries

Sesone (SES) has been recommended for the control of summer weeds in straw-
berries for a number of years. If used according to directions, it is a fairly
good weed killer and is very unlikely to damage the strawberry plants. This
chemical is in an inactive form when applied to the soil. It must be changed to
the active form by bacteria before it becomes effective. Furthermore, it is
effective against germinating seeds and very small weeds only. After the weed
seedlings become 1/4 of an inch tall or more, Sesone is not effective.

To obtain the best results with Sesone, the field should be thoroughly cul-
tivated and hoed to eliminate all weeds i.mmediately before application. Because
of the necessity for bacterial action to make Sesone active, the soil should be
at a moisture content suitable for a good seed bed. If the soil is very dry and
there is no rain for several days, it may be necessary to irrigate in order to
make Sesone effective.

The usual rates of application for Sesone are 2 pouvids per acre on very
light soils, 2-1/2 pounds per acre on light soils, 3 pounds per acre on medium
soils, and 4 pounds per acre on heavy soils. For small areas, one level teaspoon-
ful for 150 square feat equals one pound per acre.

Since newly set strawberry plants are sensitive to Sesone, it is safest to
wait two to three weeks after planting before making the first application.
Applications made while runner plants are rooting may cause temporary injury and
"delay in the rooting process. When Sesone is used during the bearing year, avoid
undesirable residue by not making applications later than one week before picking
begins.

2,4-D was one of the first of the modern weed killers used on strawberries
and looked very promising for a time. Hox^ever, it was soon found that it could
seriously upset runner growth if applied during the period of runner development.
Furthermore, if it is applied during fruit bud formation or at any time when
there are flowers or fruit on the plants, the result is small misshapen berries.
Therefore, the periods when 2,4-D can be used are quite restricted. Probably its
greatest usefulness is in assisting to clean up the bed after the first crop where
the bed is to be renovated and a second crop produced. The recommended rate is
1 to 1-1/2 pounds of actual 2,4-D acid equivalent per acre.

Chloro-IPC (GIPC) is useful for the control of fall and winter weeds, par-
ticularly chickweed. This is a material which can be extremely helpful if used
properly but can do serious harm if not used according to directions. First, it
should never be used until the strawberry plants have become dormant. This is
usually the middle of November or later. Second, it should never be used in
excess of recommended rates. Although it has been cleared for use at rates up to
3 pounds per acre, it is felt that under Massachusetts conditions 1 pound per acre
is much safer.

There are several of the dinitros wh:Lcl\ Iv.v,' been cleared and can be used
for the control of fall and winter weod^ in s trawbcvries but In i iassacnusetts
these are generally Icgs effectivi. than Chloro-IPJ. i.'hese materials are not
selective and act by killing the tops of plants. jjecause of this "burning" action,
they are much more effective on warm sunny days tiian on cold days. Li'-c JIPC,
they must be applied after the strax^7bL;rl■i■:3 become dormant. oince Virarin, sunny
days are not plentiful after mid-ijovember , the i.isefulucss of these nvt'rials is
limited. Since there arc several formuj.ati'jns of tliese materials, ii- is wise to
follow very closely the manufacturer's directions as to rate of application.

Dacthal is the most recent materia] to be cleared for weed control in straw-
berries. Like Sesonc, it appears to be more effective when applied to a weed
free soil. In Ohio satisfactory results followed four applications made in a
single season at rates of 4 to 6 pounds active ingredient per acre. Summer
applications have some carry-over effect into the fall for controlling chickweed
and other fall weeds. Late October or early Jovember applications were found to
be very effective in controlling fall and winter weeds. During 1962 Dactlial
looked promising both in grower and experimental trials.

Blueberries

Diuron has been cleared for use as a weed killer in blueberries at the rate
of 2 pounds per acre. It is most effective when applied to a weed-free soil in
early spring. In no case should it be applied vrithin 60 days of harvest. Diuron
is quite effective against most annual broadleaf weeds and grasses but is much
less effective against the deep-rooted perennials.

Chloro-IPC has also been cleared for use around cultivated blueberries up to
a total of 12 pounds per acre applied during the dormant season. Since this is
essentially a grass and chickweed killer and can be used only during the dormant
season, its usefulness is limited.

2,^^-0 up to 3 pounds per acre has also been cleared for use on cultivated
blueberries but care should be e::ercised not to get it on the leaves of the
plants. Since its use is limited to fall application and it is effc^ctive only
against broadleaf weeds, its use in blueberries is also limited.

Raspberries

Only two materials have been cleared for we 'd control in raspberries in the
Northeast. 2,4-D can be used to control broadleaf weeds since mature canes are
quite resistant to it. However, care should be e::ercised to use a directed spray
and not to use it at a time when the grov/ing tins of the new canes will be sprayed.
It may be applied at the rate of 1 pound actual acid equivalent per acre.

Chloro-IPC, as x</ith strawberries and blueberries, can be used as a dormant
application up to a total of 8 pounds per acre.

Simazine 80-W has been cleared for use on [grapevines at least 3 years o]d.
It should be applied before the weeds emerge in the spring at rates from 2 to 6
pounds per acre.

Dalapon may be used for grass control up to 14.8 pounds per acre. The spray
should be so directed that it does not hit the vines.

Diuron, as previously stated, is most effective when applied in the spring
before weeds germinate. It can also be applied in the fall for the control of
fall and winter weeds. The total amount applied should not exceed 4.8 pounds per
acre. If the application is split, half may be applied in the spring and half in
the fall.

The herbicidal formulas of dinitro may also be used on grapes up to a total
of 1.9 pounds per acre active ingredients. These are most useful where most of
the weeds are annuals.

Amino triazole may be used as a dormant application at rates not to exceed 2
pounds per acre on vines 3 years old or older.

When ever using herbicides, read the lab ej^ c ar e ful ly unt ij^ jrou t]lor oughl^
understand its directions . Then fo llo w th em exactly.

John S. Bailey

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

APPROVED FARM STMD MEETING

The annual spring meeting of the program members was held in April at which
time there was a free exchange of ideas and discussion of the rules and regulations
of the program. The inspections and price reports are two outstanding assets of
the Approved Farm Stand Program in the opinion of the program members.

The members requested that the report of apple prices at the Approved Farm
Stands be continued. In the past, three reports have been issued - pre-season,
one month later, and one month later. These reports give the operators first-
hand Information on apple prices at other Approved Farm Stands.

The Approved Farm Stands are inspected tv/ice during the fall months by an
Inspector hired by the program members. Plaques are awarded annually to the
outstanding Approved Farm Stands. The 25 per cent of the membership with the
highest quality of packs receive the awards.

VJilliam J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

PESTIGIDES VS. HOMY BEES

It is recognized that pesticides are necessary for the production of a
crop of saleable fruit. To obtain a fi-uit set, bees are necessary to trans-
fer pollen from the anthers to the stigmas. Consequently it is to the advan-
tage of both the fruit grower and the beekeeper to minimize the chances for
bee losses through exposure to pesticides toxic to bees.

Honey bees may be poisoned by contact with sprays or dusts at the time of
application, by exposure to residues of pesticides and possibly in a few
instances, from a fumigating action. For example, parathion has been reported
to have fumigating effects on bees even under field conditions. Since bees
collect nectar, pollen and water and carry them to the hive, these materials,
if contaminated, are capable of causing loss of brood (immature bees), "nurse
bees" and the queen. The extent of damage from poisoned pollen, water and
nectar may range from slight (often imperceptible) to loss of the entire colony
depending primarily on the toxicity of the pesticide and its peraistance in pollen.

To obtain information on the effects of pesticides on honey bees in
Massachusetts, we established a research project to investigate, among other
problems, the effects of these materials on honey bees. We have exposed bees to
direct applications and also to deposits and residues of a number of pesticides.
Among these were DDT, carbaryl (alone and in combination with certain fungicides),
Dylox, Eastern States Garden & Orchard Spray, endosulfan, Guthion, malathion,
dieldrin, naled, Imidan, Zectran, dodine, endrin and the microbial formulation
Thuricide.

In these experiments, where bees were sprayed directly, the organic phosphates
(including Guthion, naled, Dylox and Imidan) were more toxic than the other
materials tested. Carbaryl and endosulfan, while somewhat less hazardous, were
not sufficiently so to warrant their substitution for the phosphates. DDT and
Thuricide exhibited the least toxicity with the latter causing no discernible
mortality. It is of interest to note that some honey bees are becoming resistant
to DDT.

Exposure to dried pesticide residues on foliage yielded variable results
depending on materials and dosage. In most instances, bees exposed to deposits
on the day of application had an appreciable reduction in length of life. However,
deposits of DDT or Thuricide did not cause appreciable reductions in length of
life.

Exposures of honey bees to residues four to five days after application also
produced results which varied with the treatment. For example, carbaryl in
combination with thirara was more toxic than in similar combination with ferbam
or glyodin. Both dieldrin and Guthion residues were highly toxic after four days
producing 50 per cent mortality within 36 and 24 hours respectively. The remainder
of the pesticide residues did not cause appreciable mortalities after four or five
days.

• 6-

Our suggestions for reducing bee losses from pesticides include:

1. Spraying early in the morning or in ttie evening, since fewer bees will be
exposed to direct contact action of pasticides at these times.

2. Do not spray plants attractive to bees during their bloom period with"
materials known to be toxic to these insects.

3. Avoid contamination of the area where spraying equipment is being filled.
Bees often collect water from such accumulation and may thus be poisoned.

4. There is evidence that if spraying with toxic materials is necessary during
the bloom period, colonies can be partially protected by covering them with
moist burlap during the application period. This may reduce the hazard of
contact action but not the effects of residues.

F. R. Shaw

Department of Entomology
and Plant Pathology

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

P OMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Red Delicious More Popular than Mcintosh in Vending Machine s

During a recent visit to some packing sheds in New York State, the writer
visited with a grower who had vending machines for apples. The grower stated
that 657o of the apples sold from these machines were Red Delicious and 357o
Mcintosh.

— -William J. Lord
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

A NE W AND S AFER SUPERICffl OIL FOR FRUIT TREES

A new 60 second superior oil is being evaluated and tested as a possible
replacement of existing oil types. The nev; oil has been designed to provide
complete safety to foliage when applied after considerable new growth has
occurred, possibly even including cover sprays. Previously, oil sprays could
be applied only during the dormant or delayed dormant bud stage due to their
tendency to injure foliage, or due to their incompatability with other spray
materials.

-7-

To design an oil with this potential, specifications called for a highly
refined petroleum oil low in unsulfonated residues and with a short residual.
The unsulfonated residues are highly toxic to plant tissues. Injury can also
be eliminated or greatly reduced if the oil does not persist on the foliage after
completing its pesticidal action.

Since the mode-of-action of the highly refined petroleum oils are largely
or wholly mechanical - causing death by asphy^ciation, they preclude the develop-
ment of resistance characteristic of organophosphorus and other pesticides. If
use of the 60 second oil can be extended to include the cover sprays for the
control of such pests as the European red mite, a new era in mite control may
result. Furthermore, since petroleum oils, as used, are exempt from a tolerance,
they present no residue problem on fruit.

Besides the European red mite, oil sprays have been used effectively to
control scales, aphids, mealy bugs, and psyllids. They are also effective
ovicides for codling moth, oriental fruit moth, leaf rollers, and cankerworms.

H. E. Wave

Department of Entomology
and Plant Pathology

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

X- DISEASE OF PEACH

Twenty years ago X- Disease of peach was common in many orchards and caused
extensive and serious losses. Systematic removal of diseased trees by growers
and eradication of chokecherries, which carry the disease, near orchards has
brought the disease under control. An occasional tree with X-Disease is still
found but, frequently, reports of X-Disease turn out to be other troubles which,
at least in part, cause similar symptoms.

Names, Cause and Plants Attacked ;

The disease was first reported from Connecticut in 1933 and was called
X-Disease because the cause was not knovra. The name still persists but other
names for the disease are eastern X-Disease, yellow-red disease, yellow-red
virosis and eastern yellow-red virosis.

Stoddard, in 1938, worked with the disease in Connecticut and reported the
cause to be a virus and that, "as far as is known, X-Disease occurs in nature
only on peach, nectarine and chokecherry" . It has also been found on sweet and
sour cultivated cherries and has been transmitted artificially, by budding and
grafting, to many plants related to peach, cherry and plum and even to unrelated
plants such as tomato, carrot, parsley and periwinkle. Wild black or rum cherry
( Prunus seroti na) and beach plum (P. maritina) could not be infected and are
considered immune.

-8-

Symptoms on Peach :

Diseased trees appear normal and cannot be distinguished from healthy trees
for the first 6 or 8 weeks after growth starts. The leaves are normal and so are
the flowers. About mid- June, leaves on branches scattered throughout the tree,
or on only one or t\<ro branches, start to turn yellow, develop yellow-red blotches,
become brittle, and, on many, spots fall out leaving a ragged tattered leaf.
Some leaves may roll longitudinally with the edges rolled upward, and others may
be distorted or twisted. Often normal leaves are interspersed with the diseased
leaves.

Up to this point, the sjrmptoms are similar to those caused by any one of
several conditions. But with X- Disease the leaves drop, beginning at the base
of the twig and progressing toward the tip, until finally there remains only a
tuft of undersized green or yellowish leaves at the tip.

The immature fruit on severely diseased branches drop soon after leaf
symptoms appear. Fruit on less severely diseased branches may grow to maturity
but are undersized, ripen prematurely, have poorly developed pits, and an insipid
slightly bitter taste. Branches with normal leaves and no disease symptoms pro-
duce normal fruit.

Diseased bearing trees leaf out normally in spring and may live for many
years but become commercially worthless in 2 to 4 years after becoming diseased.
Seedling trees 3 years old or less may be killed before they reach bearing age.

Symptoms on Chokecher ry :

The change in leaf color begins about the same time as on peach - i.e. 6
to 7 weeks after growth starts in spring or about mid- June. Newly infected choke-
cherries start off with dull green or yellowish leaves which become brilliant
yellow, orange or red by August. Often the midrib remains green. The second and
third year after infection the leaves are less brilliantly colored and even dull.
Tufts or rosettes of small stunted leaves develop on the ends of the branches some
of which die and eventually the whole plant dies.

Transmission ;

The disease has been transmitted from peach to peach, peach to chokecherry,
chokecherry to peach and chokecherry to chokecherry. Transmission has been
successful with buds, bark patches, and grafts but not with plant juice.

The disease first appears in an orchard near the edges, near diseased choke-
cherries. It may spread to other trees in an orchard at the rate of 20% of the
trees in one year. How does it pass from chokecherry to peach and from peach to
peach in an orchard so rapidly? No one really knows. Certainly there is no
budding or grafting of diseased chokecherries onto commercial peaches and no
grafting from peach to peach in an established orchard. It is believed that
insects may be the carriers and there is some evidence to support this view. In
experiments, the virus has been successfully transmitted to healthy plants by at
least one leaf hopper.

Control ;

X-Disease has been successfully brought under control by the following
practices .

(1) Removal of diseased peach trees as soon as they are found - they will be
unproductive and die eventually anyway. Cutting out diseased branches
in an attempt to save the tree does not work.

(2) Killing chokecherries for some distance around the orchard. This can be
done easily with the modern effective chemical weedlcillers . Also killing
other cherries such as pin or bird cherry which may be carriers.

(3) When starting a new orchard, killing out the chokecherries and other wild
cherries in the area and then planting disease- free plants obtained from
a reliable nursery.

C. J. Gilgut

Department of Entomology
and Plant Pathology

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Stoff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

MAY 28, 1963

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Storage of Peaches
Pomological Paragraph

Netting to Protect Small Fruit Frorti Birds
Winter Injury

Systemics for Aphids on Nonbearing Apple Trees
Observations of New York State Orchards and

Packing Sheds
Margin — Mark-up
Size and Yield of Mcintosh Apple Trees on E.M. II

and VII Rootstocks
Progress at the Horticultural Research Center

Renovation of Farm Buildings

Tree Fruit Plantings

Small Fruit Plantings

^•

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'^^

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, in fi»therance o/ the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914
University of Massachusetts, United States bepartment of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating.
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Ageot, No. 44

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE FRUIT PROGRAM

BARNSTABLE

BERKSHIRE

BRISTOL

DUKES

ESSEX AND
MIDDLESEX

FRANKLIN,
HAMPDEN AND
HAMPSHIRE

NORFOLK

PLYMOUTH

WORCESTER

Oscar S. Johnson, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Cape Cod Extension Service, Barnstable (Tel. FOrest 2-3255)

Dick L. Boyce, County Extension Agent In Agriculture,
Berkshire County Extension Service, Federal Building,
Pittsfield (Tel. Plttsfield Hlllcrest 8-8285)

Harold 0. Woodward, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Bristol County Agricultural School, Center Street,
Segreganset (Tel. Dlghton NOrmandy 9-3611 or 9-2361)

Ezra I. Shaw, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Dukes County Extension Service, Vineyard Haven
(Tel. Vineyard Haven 694)

Max G. Fultz, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Middlesex County Extension Service, 19 Everett Street,
Concord (Tel. Concord EMerson 9-4845)

G. Everett Wilder, Pioneer Valley Extension Agent in
Agriculture, Hampden County Improvement League, 1499
Memorial Avenue, West Springfield (Tel. Springfield
REpubllc 6-7204)

Howard Wilson, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Norfolk County Agricultural School, 460 Main Street,
Walpole (Tel. Walpole MOntrose 8-0268 or 8-0269)

Dominic A. Marini, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Plymouth County Extension Service, Court House, Brockton
(Tel. Brockton JUnlper 6-4993)

William R. Goss, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Worcester County Extension Service, 36 Harvard Street,
Worcester (Tel. Worcester PLeasant 3-5477)

All pesticide chemicals mentioned in this publication are registered
and cleared for the suggested uses in accordance with federal laws and regu-
lations. Chapter 727, Acts of 1960, Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires
that all pesticides sold in Massachusetts be registered with the Massachusetts
Department of Public Health. Trade names, where used for clearness, do not
indicate endorsement nor imply that similar products are not satisfactory.

WARNING I MOST PESTICIDES ARE POISONOUS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS
AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON LABELS. HANDLE CAREFULLY AND STORE OUT OF REACH OF
CHILDREN, PETS AND LIVESTOCK.

STORAGE OF PEACHES

Several years ago it was rather common to find peaches stored at 40°F or
higher. As a reminder to growers, research workers have found that a storage
temperature of 32°F Is most suitable for peaches. There is practically no
softening of fruit at this temperature. Haller and Harding (U.S.D.A. Technical
Bui. 680) showed that peaches soften 20 times as fast at 80°F as at 32o (Table 1)

Table 1. Dally Rate of Softening of Peaches at Various Temperatures.*

80OF

7 OOF

60°F

50OF

40OF

320F

lbs.

4.0

3.4

2.0

1.1

.34

.19

*Mean of 4 varieties for two years.

In addition to the slower ripening rate of peaches at 32°F, less mealiness
and breakdown occurs at this temperature than at higher storage temperatures.
Haller and Harding found that abnormal ripening takes place If peaches are stored
between 36° and 50OF for any extended period of time. Undesirable flavor developed
at 50°F and rapid flavor loss and internal breakdown and mealiness occurred at
40° and 360F.

Growers who have had poor results when storing peaches for two or three weeks
might try delayed storage. If the peaches are to be sold at the roadside stand,
hold them at 70 to 80°F after harvest, until they are practically eating ripe
before placing them in storage. This procedure as research results have shown
may prevent the development of mealiness. Fruit to be sold to stores should not
be held as long at 70 to 80°F because firmer fruit is necessary for this method
of sale.

A delay In storage is not necessary if peaches are to be held in storage for
only three or four days.

Only peaches free of bruises and brown rot infection should be stored. Even
under the most favorable conditions peaches cannot usually be stored longer than
two or three weeks .

---William J. Lord
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Netting to Protect Small Fruit From Birds

At present there appears to be no satisfactory method of protecting fruit
from the depredations of birds except covering with some sort of netting, A list
of suppliers of netting can be obtained by dropping a card to the Editor of
Fruit Notes, Department of Horticulture, French Hall, University of Massachusetts.

WINTER INJURY

Bearing apple trees in several orchards suffered considerable injury to the
trunks during the winter of 1962-1963. The bark on the injured trees was in some
instances split, but most frequently pulled away from the wood. Therefore, it
was necesfjary to thump the bark in order to determine injury. A hammer is a
satisfactory tool for this purpose.

Although the winter injury was predominantly on the north side of the tree,
in two orchards the south side of the tree trunk was affected.

The results of grower and personal observations revealed that the winter injury
was mainly confined to bearing Mcintosh trees. One grower estimated 657o or more
of his bearing Mcintosh trees 12 years or older were injured. Cortland, Macoun,
Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Early Mcintosh had little or no injury.

The winter of 1955-1956 was the previous time that severe winter injury
occurred. The Injury was most severe and extended to the lower scaffold limbs.
Also, it was most evident on the south side of the trees. Variety susceptibility
was similar to that of this past winter.

In 1955-1956 the injury appeared to be correlated with pruning in late
December and early January. This was not the case this past winter. Although,
one grower who keeps excellent records, reported that on trees pruned January 4, 1963
the injury was much more severe than on those pruned January 24 to February 5.
The inconsistensy of plant response to environmental factors always makes inter-
pretation difficult.

The main purpose of this article is to have a written account of the damage
and the method of treatment. Experience gained with the repair of damage that
occurred in 1955-1956, which was recorded in the May 1956 issue of Fruit Notes,
was of value this past spring.

Prior to 1955-1956 growers used a hammer and tacks to tighten the bark to the
wood on winter injured trees. In 1956, gun-type staplers with 9/16 inch staples
were used. The staples were driven one or two inches apart in order to insure good
bark-wood contact. The injured area was then painted with cold water soluble
asphalt emulsion commonly used as a grafting compound. Mcintosh trees having very
little "tight bark" prior to treatment made remarkable recovery.

In 1963, gun staplers and air guns are being used. These air guns are being
operated from a compresser used for pneumatic pruners. One grower is using one
inch crown staples of 21/32 inch length in the air gun. The same grower welded
a handle on a mowing machine cutter bar section (serrated) which he used for
scraping off the old shedding bark prior to stapling.

---William J. Lord
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

SYSTEMICS FOR APHIDS ON NONBEARING APPLE TREES

The green apple aphid causes serious injury to young nonbearlng trees If not
controlled. The injury is twofold: new growth is stunted and deformed by toxic
secretions In the saliva of feeding aphids, and the honey dew secreted by the
aphids drips on the foliage and provides an ideal medium for sooty molds to grow.
This reduces the photosynthetic area of the leaves and results in poor tree
growth.

Since most growers do not take the time to adequately spray or dust for
Insects on young nonbearing trees, a systemic insecticide might prove helpful,
especially in aphid control. Its use would make repeated applications unnecessary.
Application of a suitable systemic should be made before the aphid Infestation
has had time to build up. Several of the systemic phosphate materials have been
used successfully in experimental trials against aphids. With few exceptions,
systemic insecticides are not yet cleared for use on bearing trees.

Two methods of application are available for use on nonbearing trees:
(1) foliar application, and (2) soil application (granular) . Demeton at 3/4
pint/100 gallons as a full coverage foliar spray is currently recommended for
aphid control on bearing trees and can be used at this dosage on nonbearing trees.
Di-syston 107o granular, applied at 4 ounces for each inch of trunk diameter, has
given good control of aphids. Spread granular uniformly from trunk to dripline
on all sides, work into soil, and water thoroughly. Higher dosage may be neces-
sary on heavy organic soils. Follow label directions and do not overapply.

H. E. Wave

Department of Entomology
and Plant Pathology

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

OBSERVATIONS OF NEW YORK STATE ORCHARDS AND PACKING SHEDS

Visits to fruit growing areas in other states are always of interest and
profitable. Growers should make an effort to visit orchards and packing sheds in
their own area and in other fruit growing regions, because ideas obtained during
these visits will result in better oi'chard and packing house management procedures
and in savings. In March, three Massachusetts apple growers and the writer had
the opportunity to visit orchards and packing sheds in the Hudson Valley and
Champlain areas. Below are a few comments on what we observed.

Orchard Managemen t

There appears to be a tendency to leave more scaffold limbs in bearing apple
trees in New York than Massachusetts. Interplanting young trees in bearing
orchards was frequently observed. Having two ages of trees in the block presents
a spray, fertilizer and pruning problem. Naturally\ the New York growers are well
aware of this fact and many would prefer to rotate blocks of trees rather than
rotate trees within a block.

-5-

As with many Massachusetts growers, the New York apple growers are concerned
with the nitrogen levels in their Mcintosh orchards. It was of interest to note
that for the Peru area (Champlain) Dr. Arthur Burrell considered the nitrogen
level of 1.80 to 1.90 per cent for bearing Mcintosh was optimum even though the
climate is more favorable for color development than in many other Mcintosh
producing areas. In Massachusetts, we have set an optimum of 1.80 to 2.00 per
cent nitrogen for bearing Mcintosh.

Eighty-five to 90 per cent of the acreage in the Peru fruit growing area is
planted to Mcintosh which presents a problem at harvest. Large crews are
necessary to harvest the fruit in prime condition.

There is little interest in semi-dwarf trees and Red Delicious in the Peru
area because of the fear of winter injury.

Bulk Boxes - New York apple growers are gradually switching from field crates to
bulk boxes, because of the savings in container cost, labor, transportation and
storage space. However, many of the growers are cautious in the adaption of this
type of container because of cost of water dumpers and driers, space requirements
of this equipment and their dislike to use grading machines for Mcintosh apples.

The question of bulk boxes is foremost in the minds of many apple growers
throughout the New England-New York area. Growers are interested in the possible
savings with their use but at present if water dumpers are to be used, they are
feasible only in the larger packing sheds. Over-mechanization of our smaller
packing sheds must be avoided. It is very easy to over-invest in equipment
without obtaining sufficient increase in efficiency to warrant the investment.

Packing Sheds - The degree of mechanization of the New York packing houses varies
considerably from area to area within the state. In the Peru area apples are
hand packed directly from field crates and very little packing equipment is used.
Packing houses in the Hudson Valley area are using apple sorting and sizing
equipment for regular storage apples but some go to hand packing of CA Mcintosh.

Xa the hand packing operations, individual packers averaged 70 to 80 bushels
of packed fruit per day. On the other hand, it appeared that the per woricer
output of packed fruit in some highly mechanized packing sheds Was not much higher.

A recent report on packing apples in the Northeast (Marketing Research Report
No. 53) stated that all-manual packing operations were the most efficient in
comparison to mechanized packing operations as long as skilled packers can be
obtained, the wage rate remained low, and the daily volume did not exceed the
space available for packing stations. "Should the cost of labor rise, the manual
operations would rapidly become more costly and the mechanized packing lines would
become relatively more efficient. Or, if skilled labor should become difficult
to hire, the manual packing line would become less efficient, because it requires
greater skills of its workers than do the other more mechanical lines."

Several efficient hand grading operations were observed in New York and some
of the procedures and packing area arrangements if adapted by some Massachusetts
growers would increase the efficiency of the hand packing operation. The
arrangement of the work stations for the individual packers in some of the New York

)

State packing sheds was similar to that described by Perkins and Burt (An Improved
Work Station for the Manual Sorting, Sizing and Packing of Apples - Maine Agr. Exp,
Sta. and U.S.D.A. Misc. Publication 641). All work stations are tilted toward
the packer which gives a clear view into each container and males it easier to
slide full containers from the packing platform. Some growers placed metal strips
on top the packing platforma or cover them with sheet metal to further facilitate
the ease of sliding full containers. The supply racks are located directly over
where the cartons were being packed- The racks are divided into sections with
pads and partitions in each section for the carton being packed directly below
it. A chute was provided for the disposal of cull apples. These are constructed
of wood or sheet metal. The packer merely drops the cull apples Into the chute
and they roll into a box. This eliminates the necessity of the packer having to
reach under the table to dispose of cull apples.

In one storage a switch was located by each packer. When a packer had a
full carton she flicks the switch which turns on a red light. The lights are
located so they can be easily seen by the man who is responsible for keeping the
conveyer loaded with fruit for packing and the removal of filled cartons. This
helps reduce the shouting and confusion in the packing shed,

William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

MARGIN --- MARK-UP

The terms "margin" and "mark-up" are being used in discussions of prices of
apples to retail stores. There does not appear to be a uniform understanding of
the two terms .

A 257, margin is approximately equal to a SSZ mark-up.

A 337., margin is approximately equal to a 507, mark-up.

A 407« margin is approximately equal to a 667o mark-up.

A 507„ margin is approximately equal to a 1007o mark-up.

The word "approximate" is used here because of the current practice of rounding
the percentages of odd numbers to whole cents.

"Margiri' is used generally in the analysis of retail businesses because the
total sales for a period is the one solid figure available. All costs of goods
sold, labor, overhead and profit must come out of the total sales amount. In
this instance, "margin" is used to represent the percentage of the retail price
retained by the store.

"Mark-up" is used as a method of arriving at a retail price when costs are
more significant than price appeal. "Mark-up" is based upon the cost of goods
at wholesale. Now a days price appeal is considered important in retail pricing
and is the basis for the 39, 49 and 59 cent prices. "Mark-up" is therefore
seldom used.

-7-

The following examples will Illustrate the difference between the two. A
50-cent retail price is used in these examples, rather than the prevailing A9c
price merely to simplify the arithmetic. Fractions are rounded to the nearest
cent.

a) A store margin of 257„ on a 50c: item at retail is 13c - price to grower 37c.

A mark-up of 33% on this wholesale price of 37c would result in a retail
price of A9c •

b) A store margin of 33% on a 50c item is 17c - price to grower 33c. A mark-up

of 50% on this wholesale price would result in a retail price of 50c.

c) A store margin of 40% on a 50c item is 20c - price to grower 30c. A mark-up

of 66% on this wholesale price would result in a retail price of 50c.

d) A store margin of 50% on a 50c item is 25c - price to grower 25c. A mark-up

of 100% on this wholesale price would result in a retail price of 50c.

Fred E. Cole

Professor Emeritus
Department of Agriculture
and Food Economics

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

SIZE AND YIELD OF McINTOSH APPLE TREES
ON E.M. II AND VII ROOTSTOCKS

The branch spread of 19 year old Mcintosh trees on E.M. II and VII rootstocks
was determined by taking two measurements at right angles to each other. Measure-
ments were made from the tip of the outermost branch on one side of the tree to the
outermost tip on the opposite side. The average spread of trees on E.M. II was
25 feet. The smallest tree had a spread of 20 feet and the largest tree had a
spread of 28 feet. Trees on E.M. VII were a little larger and more uniform in size.
The average spread was 29 feet with a range of 27 to 31 feet. No attempt has been
made to confine the spread of these trees by pruning. Some heading back has been
done in the tops of the trees to restrict tree height. The height of the trees
ranges from 12 to 14 feet.

The average annual yield per acre during the past 19 years for trees on E.M. II
was 547 boxes per acre, and 619 boxes for E.'M. VII trees. These yields were
calculated on the basis of a 20 ft. x 30 ft. planting distance for permanent trees.
Trees on seedling rootstocks planted 30 ft. x 40 ft. would have to have average
yields of 15 and 17 boxes per tree to equal the yields of trees on E.M. II and VII.

The average yield in 1962 for E.M. II was 1447 boxes per acre and for E.M. VII
1483 boxes per acre.

Walter D. Weeks

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

PROGRESS AT THE HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER

Renovation of Farm Buildings

Since the Trustees of the University were given the property In Belchertown
for our Horticultural Research Center last June, a good deal of work has gone
into planting plans, land improvement and preparation. In addition, considerable
effort was spent this past winter renovating the existing farm buildings.
Although further work remains, we feel that a great daal has been accomplished.

Our foreman, Loren Glazier, and his men plus several from the University
maintenance staff have accomplished the following things:

1. Rewired the entire main barn complex.

2. Installed heating units so that all major areas can be kept warm during
the winter.

3. Reroofed many areas where it was needed.

4. Laid concrete flooring under the entire main hay barn and cow stanchion
area so that we now have an acceptable place to house and service our
machinery and vehicles.

5. Installed modern toilet, shower, and lunch room facilities suitable for
our personnel and visitors.

6. Remodeled an area at the south end of the buildings to provide office
space for our foreman and storage space for small tools and supplies.

A number of smaller jobs too numerous to mention have been taken care of,
also. Certainly, those of you who had a chance to visit the Center last summer
will now have no difficulty spotting the improvements that have been made in our
physical facilities.

F. W. Southwick

Tree Fruit Plantings

Extensive planting of experimental blocks has not been made at the
Horticultural Research Center this spring because trees, which had to be custom
propagated last summer, will not be ready for planting until 1964. One small
planting was made to study the effects of rates, and placement of fertilizer and
lime on the growth of newly set apple trees.

Several East Mailing and Mailing Merton rootstocks were planted to establish
a stool bed.

The large field north of the barn will have some 3,000 feet of drainage tile
installed this summer. We plan to set most of this area to apple trees next
spring.

W. D. Weeks

Small Fruit Plantings

Plants of nine named varieties of blueberries and a considerable number of
unnamed selections are being grown in a nursery for field planting In the spring
of 1964. A variety raspberry planting is being started this spring. Also, a
comparison is being made of commercial vs. virus-free stoclc of raspberries.
Strawberry plantings were made to test the yield potential of several named
varieties and unnamed selections. Also, an experiment was started to compare
the yields of new stocks of virus-free catskill plants with commercially produced
superior stock which has a very low virus content.

John S. Bailey

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Staff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperofive Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

JULY 8, 1963

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Annual Summer Meeting of the Massachusetts
Fruit Growers' Association

Critical Factors to be Considered in Automating
Control of the Atmosphere in C-A Storage of
Apples

Pomological Paragraph - New Publications Available

Damage to Bagged Mcintosh Apples in Shipping

Containers by Impact '^"N'

Pomological Paragraph — Storage Holdings

Boron for Peach Trees

Response of Raspberries to the Winter of 1962-63

'■-'->. />':^

'A mil

■■V--'/A

-^^

U.ued by the Cooperative Extension Service. A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30. 1914-
University of Massachusetts. United States Bepartment of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperatine
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No. 44.

ANNUAL SUMl'IER MEETIMG
of the
MASSACHUSETTS FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATIOI
ill Cooperation wiih Lhe
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS

Orchard of Arthur D. Bishop, Shelburae, Mass.
Thursday, July 25, 1963

Program

10:00 A.M. Tour of orchards - Arthur D. Bishop, Guide. Items of special

interest include: Young Mcintosh and Delicious on Malus robusta II,
five hardy stocks, and EM VII; weed control and tree mulch plots.

12:00 NOON Lunch - Sandwiches, dessert and cold drinks will be on sale.

1:30 P.M. Important Production and Marketing [rends in the Apple Industry,
Dr. A. B. Burrell, Peru, New York.

2:15 P.M. Some Factors to Consider for Late Storage of Apples.
Dr. F. W. Southwick, University of Massachusetts.

2:A5 P.M. Crop Prospects for 1963.

Mr. A. Warren Clapp, Massachusetts Department of Agriculture.

3:00 P.M. Apple Promotion Opportunities and Materials.

Mr. Rockwood Berry, New York and New England Apple Institute,

3:15 P.M. Late Season Insect Control.

Drs. H. E. Wave and E. H. Wheeler, University of Massachusetts,

How to get there: Mohawk Trail (Route 2) to Shelburne Center, which is approxi-
mately 3 miles east of Shelburne Falls, At Shelburne Center
road sign turn south and follow "M.F.G.A. Field Meeting"
signs to Bishop's Orchard.

CRITICAL FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN AUTOMATING
CONTROL OF THE ATMOSPHERE IN C-A STORAGE OF APPLES

Recently, there have appeared on the market, at least two units designed to
generate or to control the atmosphere for C-A storages. In evaluating these units
for possible installation in existing C-A rooms or in new construction, the
following critical factors may provide basis for a decision.

The potential advantages of automating the control of the C-A process are
mainly: a savings in labor costs; an increase in reliability; and an operating
advantage, in being able to open the C-A room, unload a portion of the produce
stored, and then close the C-A room and operate again. The control pattern with
these new units may show less variation than with manual control, but the
quantitative improvement in fruit quality as a result has not been established.

CA PROCESS HAS BEEN BIOLOGICAL. WITH MANUAL CONTROL

With the CA process, as it is known today, generation of the atmosphere
has been achieved primarily by biological means, with chemical absorption towers
to aid in the control of the excess CO2 *nd nitrogen gas as an aid in reducing
•xygen level to operating conditions. The atmospheric composition has been con-
trolled manually by the operator on the basis of an Orsat analysis.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MECHANIZATION AND AUTOMATION OF CA

Application of time clocks to program CO2 towers or to program addition
•f nitrogen or outside air, represents some mechanization but no t automat ion
since self control of the process is not possible by simple mechanization.

Indicator-controllers or recorder-controllers with sensing and control
capabilities for humidity, oxygen level, and CO2 level have been available for
some time but their application to automatically control the CA process has been
slew due to high initial cost. However, these instruments require periodic
calibration, which is usually against an Orsat analysis or a mixture of purchased
gases of known composition.

LIMITED AUTOMATION OF CA PROCESS ALREADY ACHIEVED

Of the variables that require control for the CA process (CO2 level, O2
level, humidity and temperature), temperature control has already been automated
and in a well designed refrigeration system humidity control is inherent.
Therefore, any further automation of control must deal with the variables of
CO2 and O2 levels.

"COME-DOWN" AND "OPERATING" PERIODS IN CA

There are two distinct periods in the operation of a CA storage; the period
commonly referred to as the "come-down" when the O2 level drops from approximately
217, to 3% and the CO2 level increases to 5% (for Mcintosh); and the period
commonly referred to as the "operating" period, when the atmosphere is maintained

-2-

at a. relatively constant composition. Requirements to automate these two periods
are different and it should be recognized that the commercial units presently
available attempt to generate the required atmosphere as needed or in excess,
thus reducing the requirement for relative gas tight room. However, a certain
degree of gas tightness is still required and lower operating costs are achieved
with a tighter room.

If one generates the required atmosphere, instead of achieving it biologJcally
one is attempting to gain a fruit quality advantage from a rapid O2 drop. If one
generates the atmosphere in excess, he minimizes the need for automatic controls,
since the atmosphere generator components can be progranmied with time clocks or
other devices, although this makes lowest cost operation difficult. The advantage
in rapid O2 drop has not been substantiated at this station in studies over
three seasons. However, a rapid O2 drop has some operating advantage in that a
CA room could be opened, partially unloaded and then operated again as CA,

John W. Zahradnlk

Agricultural Engineering Department

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

New Publication s Available

The following publications have recently been printed and are available by
writing to the Mailing Room, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts.

Raspberry Growing. Extension Leaflet 48. Revised May, 1963.

Controlling Weeds in Small Fruit Plantings with Chemicals. Special Circular
215. April, 1963.

Out of Storage Movement and Prices of Mcintosh Apples in Massachusetts.
Publication 388. January, 1963.

---William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

DAMAGE TO BAGGED McINTOSH APPLES IN SHIPPING CONTAINERS

BY IMPACT

Shipping tests conducted with Starr apples by F . A. Perkins in New Jersey
have shown that placement of the bags within a master carton materially affects
the quality of the fruit. Less damage to apples occurred when twelve, 4-pound
bags were laid horizontally in two tiers as compared to that occurring in a

-3-

contalner holding twelve pounds of apples vertically in a single tier. Perkins
concluded that much of the severe damage on Starr apples was caused by impacts
during handling and trucking the apples and not the result of minor vibrations
which nemally occur in transportation of the fruit.

The study reported below was undertaken to study the relationship between
bag placement in master cartons and mechanical damage caused by impacts, where
the damage occurs, and how it may be reduced.

Method of Study

All mechanical damage on composited samples of Mcintosh apples was encircled
with a Btarking pencil prior to the study. The apples were then jumble-packed in
3 pound capacity polyethylene bags.

The standard procedure of many Massachusetts growers bagging apples is to
place 2-\ inch and up diameter apples in the bags. Therefore, in two tests
random sized apples were bagged. In another test uniform sized apples were used
in comparison to these of random size.

Two types of master containers were used in the study. A fibreboard carton
designed to hold twelve 3 pound bags vertically in a single tier. The interior
•f this carton was divided by non-test C Flute corrugated partitions into 12
vertical cells for additional protection of the apples. The second fibreboard
master carton was designed to hold twelve 3 pound bags with 4 bags laid horizon-
tally per layer in 3 layers. A non-test C Flute corrugated pad was placed between
the bottom and middle and the middle and top layers of apples. Additional
protection was provided by non-test C Flute corrugated partitions which separated
the bags in each partition.

In one trial, the effectiveness of a non-test C Flute corrugated partition
and ^ inch thick Ethafoam pad (expanded polyethylene product of the Dew Chemical
Company, Midland, Michigan) as a means of reducing bruise damage was tested.

The filled containers were dropped 3 times from a height of 12 inches to a
wooden floor by a mechanical drop-impact tester. After treatment, the apples
were allowed to remain at room temperature for 48 hours to allow the bruised
areas to darken. All the fruit in the test were examined for stem punctures and
bruises.

Results

In 4 trials, the number of % and 3/4 inch diameter bruises was less in
cartons with horizontal bag placement than in those with vertical placement
(Table 1).

-h

Table 1, Mechanical damage to Mcintosh apples In cartons holding twelve 3 pound
bags vertically in a. single layer in comparison to damage occurring on
apples in cartons with four 3 pound bags laid horizontally in each of
three layers. Cartons dropped 3 times from a height of 12 inches.

Number

of Brul

ses

Avg. Brui

sed

Apples WitV

Trial

Bag Placement

Apples

3/4"

I'V

Area/fru

Stem

PunctuTi

1961

sq. in.

1«

Vertical

439

295

139

.3060

■\

110

Horizontal

445

219

.2635

Vertical

720

488

198

.2909

193

Horizontal

720

293

.1328

143

1962

Vertical

720

311

184

.2282

112

Horizontal

720

204

.1397

114

Vertical

720

313

164

.2131

119

Horizontal

720

177

.0954

108

*Trial 1; 4 cartons per treatment,

''Trial 2; 6 cartons per treatment,

*^Trial 3; 5 cartons per treatment,

*^Trial 4; 5 cartons per treatment,
10.8 pounds.

Average fruit size 2.93. Flesh firmness - 10.6 pounds.

Average fruit size 2.84. Flesh firmness - 10.9 pounds,

Average fruit size 2.65. Flesh firmness - 10.9 pounds.

All fruit between 2.60-2.70 inches. Flesh firmness

The bag placement had no consistent influence on the number of 1 inch bruises and
the number of apples with stem punctures.

The apples used in trial 3 were sized prior to bagging so that each bag
contained a similar number of various size fruit. The sizes ranged from 2.30-
3.00 inches and averaged about 2.65 inches. The fruit used in trial 4 were from
the same let of composited apples as in trial 3 but were of uniform size (2.60-
2.70 inches in diameter). The data in Table 1 show that with the exception of
1 inch bruises for the horizontal bag placement the amount of mechanical damage
to the uniform sized fruit did not differ from that on random sized fruit.

More Bruising in Bottom of Cartons

The apples in the bottom of the cartons are subject to severe bruising from
the impact of dropping. This is particularly noticeable with the horizontal bag
placement since most of the serious damage occurs on the apples in the bottom
layer of bags. The data obtained in Trial 1 is used as an illustration of this
point (Table 2).

Table 2. Mechanical damage to Mcintosh apples by layers In four cartons with four
3-pound bags laid horizontally in each of three layers and dropped three
times from a height of 12 inches.

Layer Apples

Number of Bruises

T7V' 172^^ 3W' F

No.

Top

145

Middle

150

Bottom

150

Avg. Brui

sed

Apples With

Area/Fru

Stem Punct.

Sq. In.

No,

.1571»

32*

.1969*

31*

.5252^

30*

100** 70* 3* 3*
96* 62* 20* 5*
84* 87* 57b 41b

♦Figures with same letter do not differ significantly.

Bagged Mcintosh apples in the bottom layer of the cartons with horizontal
bag placement had significantly mere 3/4 inch and 1 inch diameter bruises and
total bruised area than the upper two layers. There was no significant difference
ia the damage to the apples in the top and middle layers. The number of stem
punctured apples did not differ significantly between the three layers.

The surface of 90 per cent of the apples in contact with the container bottom
was bruised with 30 per cent being 1 inch in diameter or larger.

Additional Protection Reduces Bruising

A pad of 1/4 inch Ethafoam or a corrugated partition placed on the bottom of
mister cartons, holding four 3-pound bags in each of three layers, reduced the
Incidence of 1 inch diameter bruises and the average bruised area (Table 3) .

Table 3. The effect of additional protection against mechanical damage from impact
to Mcintosh apples in twelve 3-pound bags in four cartons with four 3-
pound bags laid horizontally in each of three layers. The cartons were
dropped three times from a height of 12 inches.

Protection

Apples

Iven Bottom

No. of
Cartons

No. of
Apples

Number of

Bruises

Avg. Bruised
Area/Fruit

w/Stem

of Carton

1/4"

1/2"

3/4"

Punct.

Sq. In.

No.

one

445

280**

219*

85*

49*

.2930*

93*

orr. Pad

431

234*

196*

67*

25b

.2294b

106*

" Ethafoam

435

210*

165*

56*

.1741^

95*

Figures with same letter do not differ significantly.

The only bruises found on the apples surfaces in contact with the Ethafoam
were three ^-inch bruises. However, Ethafoam probably is too expensive for grower
use as a means of reducing impact damage.

Tha number of apples with stem punctures was not influenced by the treatments.

-6-

Suimnary

)

Bagced Mcintosh apples In master containers are serleusly bruised when the ^
apples are trapped. This study showed that horizontal bag placement In comparison
to vertical placement will reduce bruising caused by impact.

The apples in the bottom of the cartons are subject to severe bruising from
the Impact of dropping. This Is particularly noticeable with the horizontal bag
placement since most of the serious damage occurs to the apples in the bottom layer
of bags .

The use of pads as a means of increased protection to the bottom layer of
fruit reduced bruising.

---William J. Lord
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Storage Holdings

A record has been kept of the Apple Storage Holdings on October 15 and
November 1 from 1933 through 1962 in Massachusetts and of the New England and
New York CA Holdings from 1956 through 1962. A copy of this information may be
obtained from the Editor of Fruit Notes.

---William J. Lord

I I I i I I I I I I I I I I I I

BORON FOR PEACH TREE^

It would appear that boron should not be applied to peaches unless a real
deficiency occurs. Boron deficiency sjmiptoms in the peach are characterized by
failure of both leaf and flower buds to "break" normally when spring growth
starts. The buds remain alive until full bloom and turn brown and die. Stem
tissue may appear normal for two or three weeks after the buds die.

We have no evidence of boron toxicity occurring in Massachusetts peach orchards.
However, reports from North Carolina and New Jersey indicate that the peach is more
sensitive to excessive applications of borax than the apple.

In North Carolina annual applications of 1/8 and 1/4 pound of borax per tree
were made to Georgia Belle peach trees. Fruit from trees receiving the 1/4 pound 1
rate was characterized by earlier ripening, a reduction in red coloration, insipid ■
fruit flavor, and a softer more mealy texture. The 1/8 pound rate per tree
appeared to be close to the maximum tolerance of the trees.

In New Jersey 3/4 pound of borax per tree hastened fruit maturity, fruit
flavor was flat and insipid and fruit was poorly colored with many split pits.

Tree symptoms of excess boron are characterized by witherin;^ and dying back
of terminal shoots in mid and late season, small can' er areas along the shoots,
rough bark, prominent lenticels, excessive development of lateral shoots which
gives a bushy type growth,

Walter D. Weeks

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

RESPONSE OF RASPBERRIES TO THE WINTER OF 1962-63

As is Indicated In the following table, there was very little winter injury
to the raspberry plants in our variety planting at Amherst. None of the injury
was of commercial significance as normal heading-back of the canes would
eliminate most of the Injured wood.

Estimate of Cane Killing of Raspberries 1962-63

7o of Cane Killed

7= of Cane Killed

Canby
Comet
Durham
Early Red
Gatineau
Lake Geneva
Latham
Madawaska

10.0

Milton

2.0

Muskoka

2.0

0.0

New Hampshire

1.0

2.0

N.H. #56-2

2.0

September

1.0

2.0

Sumner

3.0

1.0

Thames

2.0

0.0

Success

2,0

•-James F. Anderson

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Staff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER, 1963

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Compressor Low-Side Control Adjustment for
High Relative Humidity in CA Rooms

Pomological Paragraph

Report Storage Holdings Promptly

Scold Control for 1963

Pomological Paragraph

Large Apples Have No Place in Polyethylene Bags

The Harvest and Storage of Delicious Apples

Warning

A Labor Saver

//'

•-^?^=^

?X-'/a

-<j=»'^

Issued by the Cooperstlve Extension Service. A. A. Splelman, Dean and Director, in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agricultu-e and County Extension Services cooperating.
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No. 44.

COUN TY EXTEN SION AGENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE FRUIT PROGRAM

BARNSTABLE

BERKSHIRE,
FRANKLIN,
HAMPDEN and
HAMPSHIRE

Oscar S. Johnson, County Extension Agent in Agriculture, Cape Cod
Extension Service, Barnstable (Tel. FOrest 2-3255)

G. Everett Wilder, Pioneer Valley Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Hampden County Improvement League, 1499 Memorial Avenue,
West Springfield (Tel. Springfield REpublic 6-7204)

BRISTOL

DUKES

ESSEX and
MIDDLESEX

NORFOLK

PLYMOUTH

WORCESTER

Harold 0. Woodward, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Bristol County Agricultural School, Center Street, Segreganset
(Tel. Dighton NOrmandy 9-3611 or 9-2361)

Ezra I. Shaw, County Extension Agent in Agriculture, Dukes
County Extension Service, Vineyard Haven (Tel. Vineyard Haven 694)

Max G. Fultz, County Extension Agent in Agriculture, Middlesex
County Extension Service, 19 Everett Street, Concord (Tel.
Concord EMerson 9-4845)

Howard Wilson, County Extension Agent in Agriculture, Norfolk
County Agricultural School, 460 Main Street, Walpole (Tel.
Walpole MOntrose 8-0268 or 8-0269)

Dominic A. Marini, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Plymouth County Extension Service, Court House, Brockton
(Tel. Brockton JUniper 6-4993)

William R. Goss, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Worcester County Extension Service, 36 Harvard Street,
Worcester (Tel. Worcester PLeasant 3-5477)

WARNING I MOST PESTICIDES ARE POISONOUS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS AND
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON LABELS. HANDLE CAREFULLY AND STORE OUT OF REACH OF
CHILDREN, PETS AND LIVESTOCK.

Aificdltml

En^ineet'in^

COMPRESSOR LOW-SIDE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT FOR HIGH RELATIVE HUMIDITY

IN CA ROOMS

In view of the fact that most humidistats presently available are designed
to operate in the range of 30-70 per cent relative humid:'.ty and good control at
85-90 per cent relative humidity is difficult, a practical solution to maintain
at least 85 per cent relative humidity is as follows:

1. Thoroughly wet down boxes and fruit on loading.

2. Use mist nozzles to saturate the air as it leaves the refrigeration
cooling coils.

3. Periodically measure R.H. by means of a wet and dry bulb thermometer
and operate mist nozzles accordingly.

4. Adjust the low pressure (suction side) control on the compressor, so
that at CA room operating temperatures of 37°F / 1-2°F, the outside
surface temperature of the refrigeration cooling coils does not fall
below 340F / 1-2 °F. This coil surface temperature will prevent the
R.H. from dropping below 85% once it has been attained. The table
following gives the suction pressures corresponding to 34°F for the
two most commonly used refrigerants in CA rooms.

Low side gag e pres sure corresponding to 340F .

Refrigerant

Freon 12
Ammonia

Theoretical

31.7 psi
50.2 psi

Allowance for 3° temp. diff.
inside to outside of coil

29.3 psi
46.3 psi

Use of these small temperature differences between the inside of the coil
and the room will reduce the Btu capacity of the coil to about 307, of what most
colls are designed for. This should be of no serious consequence, since the
maximum cooling load on the coil is during loading and initial cooling. The
change in low side cutout recommended above would take place after this peak
load has passed.

One possible complication might result in a situation where one compressor
was used simultaneously on a 37°F CA room and on a 32°F cold storage where lower
low side pressures corresponding to a coil temperature perhaps below 32°? would
be required. In this case, a back pressure regulating valve would be required
on the low side line from the coil in the CA room.

John W. Zahradnik

Agr'l. Engineering Department

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH
Report Storage Holdings Promptly

At a recent meeting of the Marketing Committee of the Massachusetts Fruit
Growers Association, growers complained about the delays in learning about prices
and storage holdings. Warren Clapp, who was present, explained that a few
growers are consistently slow in making their reports. The Marketing Committee
urges these few growers to improve their reporting. There is no need to use up
public funds that we need elsewhere for follow up phone calls and most important
it is unfair to delay information reaching your fellow growers.

Our only salvation in fruit growing is in working together to do a better
job. Remember if you hold your information for a phone call, you are costing us
all money and loss of time.

Marketing Committee

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

SCALD CONTROL FOR 1963

Scald control for our varieties is not simply a question of what chemical to
apply. Scald varies tremendously with variety (sometimes between strains of a
variety), the type of growing season experienced, maturity of the fruit when
harvested, period of time from harvest to storage, how it is stored (regular cold
or CA) and how long it is to be stored. Because of the importance of the above
factors in the development of scald the blanket use of Stop-Scald (ethoxyquin) or
CPA (diphenylamine) on all stored apples is not warranted. In addition, neither

of these materials is so reliable that its use guarantees scald coated. In
years such as 1959-60, unusually hot weather during August and September may
markedly increase the susceptibility of some varieties to this disorder.

The Available Materials
S TOP-SCALD (ethoxyquin )

This material should be used after harvest at the rate of 3 pints per 100
gallons of water (2700 ppm.)« It has a residue tolerance of 3 ppm. Preharvest
tree sprays are not advised because of the coinmon appearance of dark-spot ,
res idue marks on the fruit and they may be considerably less effective than
post-harvest dips, sprays, or flooding applications. Also, Stop-Scald is
generally inferior to DPA for scald control on Cortland and Delicious. Stop
Scald's chief advantage over DPA is that it is not as apt to cause surface
injury to fruit that is box or bin flooded or dipped. This material has no
ripening action on stored fruit. Do not apply to fruit more than once. Allow
fruit to drain well after treatment. Keep the solution well agitated. A 100
gallon batch can be expected to treat about 1000 bushels of fruit. All fruit
treated after harvest must carry the label "Eth o >cyquin treated to retard spoilage '
The letter ing mu st be as larg e a s other grade labels .

D PA (diphenylam ine )

This material will be sold as a 55% and 837 formulation. Except for a few
varieties that are somewhat susceptible to DPA injury it should be applied at
the rate of 2000 ppm. (2 pounds of the 83% or 3 pounds of the 55% formulation).
Solutions for use on Rome Beauty and Baldwin should be reduced to 1000 ppm. (1
pound of the 83% or 1 1/2 pounds of the 55% formulation) to reduce the chances
of injury to the fruit. The residue tolerance is 10 ppm. This material is
generally m ore effective for sc ald control th an any other known chemical method
on most va rieties .

a . Preharv est DPA Spra ys

In Massachusetts tests dilute (IX) sprays have been nearly as effective as
post-harvest treatments. The fruit must be harvested within 36 hours following
treatment to be effective, however. Thorough coverage of the fruit surface must
be obtained. Do not apply sprays when temperatures are 80°? or higher. Do not
make repeat applications with DPA unless a heavy rain occurs between a tree
application aad harvest. Apply DPA separately as a dilute (IX) spray.

b. Post-Harvest DPA Treatments

Keep the suspension well agitated. A 100 gallon batch can be expected to
treat 1000 bushels of fruit. Excellent drainage of excess DPA suspensions is
necessary to avoid collection of liquid material around the fruit in the bottom
of containers when crate or bin-dipping, spraying or flooding is practiced.
Those who work with DPA should use rubber gloves and avoid inhaling the DPA
dust. DPA can be applied to fruit wraps and used for scald control by those
interested in wrapping each apple. This chemical has no apparent ripening action
on stored apples. A ll fruit treated after harvest must have a label on the
shipping container stating, "Tr eated with diphenylamine to retard spoilage" in
letters as large as the grade labels used on the package .

-4-

varietal suggestions
M cintosh

Results of the past 5 years at Amherst show that Mcintosh placed in CA
storage will not scald appreciably through April. This statement is predicated
on the assumption that the fruit is picked at a flesh firmness of 15 to 17
pounds (Magness -Taylor tester with 7/16 inch head), moved from the orchard to
storage within 24 hours and cooled to 32°F promptly. CA storage may not always
control scald on this variety indefinitely but only delay the time of its
appearance. Consequently, some scald may develop on some lots of CA Mclrt osh
in May or June which were entirely free from it earlier. It is suggested that
DPA, if used at all on Mcintosh, be applied only to those lots of fruit held
into May and June.

Scald on regular cold storage Mcintosh is generally not a problem until
after January at which time the bulk of this fruit should have been sold. Our
results with DPA or Stop-Scald have not been outstanding for controlling
scald on Mcintosh held beyond January in regular cold storage.

CORTLAND

In contrast to Mcintosh, CA storage often increases the severity of scald
on Cortland in comparison to regular cold storage. Cortland keep.'> exceedingly
well in CA (same requirements as Mcintosh) except for scald. Therefore, chemical
treatment with scald inhibitors is a necessity if Cortland are to be stored in
CA or beyond January 1 in regular cold storage. DPA is distinctly superior to
Stop-Scald on this variety. In years when mean temperatures are well above
average for 6 weeks or so before harvest, even DPA may not control this disorder
adequately. However, DPA may be expected to provide sufficient scald control in
most years so that Cortland may be considered for trial in commercial CA rooms.

DELICIOUS

Results obtained with this variety indicate that CA may reduce scald on
Delicious sometimes but the reduction may not be great enough to eliminate the
need for scald control chemicals in some years. This variety is so valuable
that DPA is suggested for fruit (particularly the early picked, less mature
fruit) placed in CA or to be stored beyond January 1 in regular cold storage.

ROME

During the past two seasons CA storage alone has provided commercial scald
control on the Romes harvested after October 10. However, DPA is suggested at
1000 ppm. (1 pound of the 837, or 1.5 pounds of the 557. formulation) as a
preharvest treatment (since 2000 ppm. may occasionally cause some fruit injury)
to Romes held in regular cold storage beyond January regardless of when they
were picked. Stop-Scald is probably more suitable than DPA as a post-harvest
treatment for Rome since it controls scald well and is less apt to injure the
fruit than DPA. Work from other areas indicate that the suggestions given for
the chemical treatm ent of ^ome appl y equally well to Baldwin .

F. W. Southwick

I I I I I I I I I I I i I I I I

- J-

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Large Apple s Have No Place in Polyethylene Bags

At a. recent Marketing Committee Meeting of the Massachusetci Fruit Growers
Association there was a discussion of how to handle large size apples, especially
Mcintosh. After considerable talk by committee members who arc pickers and after
seeing and hearing reports by Fred Cole and Bill Lord (See Table below) it was
unanimously agreed that 3" Macs do not belong in poly bags. Tn.-j- bruise, break
down and generally discourage repeat sales for Macs.

The best solutions offered were cell cartons or overwrap trays. However,
in the case of the trays, it was urj^ed that packers remember that overwrapping is
expensive, the apples are brought for eating out of hand, and that Mrs. Consumer
expects to pay more for them; thertifore, nothing should happen to down-grade
the fruit in these packages.

The following table from a recent study by F. E. Cole and W. J. Lord
(Selling Apples to Retail Food Stores - Publication 380) substantiates the
statements above.

Table 1. Relationship between fruit size of Mcintosh apples in retail stores and
per cent of apples below U. S. No. 1 grade because of bruises, November
and December 1960.

Size (In c hes)

Over 3 inch
3 inch
2 3/4 inch
2 1/2 inch
2 1/4 inch

Per Cent
i_n Grade
■ 36.4%
46.8%
50.2%
60.3%
78.5%

Per Cent of
Apples Below
Grade Because

of Bruises

85.7%
67 . 1%
63 . 2%
51.0%
35.0%

— Marketing Committee

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

THE HARVEST AND STORAGE OF DELICIOUS APPLES

Water core and internal breakdown of Delicious apples was a major problem
during the 1962-1963 storage season. Because of the prevalence of water core
at harvest, some growers did not hold some lots of Delicious for late storage.
As the storage season progressed, it became apparent that these growers made a
wise decision and avoided considerable financial loss.

The disappearance of water core and the occurrence of internal breakdown
appears to be related to the severity of water core at harvest. In 1926,
Brooks and Fisher of the U. S. D. A. stated that picking at the proper stage
of maturity is the most practical preventive now known for water core. This
statement still holds true in 1963.

The data presented in Table 1 indicate that, under conditions at Arnherst,
Delicious should be picked before mid-Octobei in order to minimize storage

losses due to internal disorders

Unfortunate

, storage scald may be a

probl

em in some ye

ars. For exam

pie, the data

Table 1 show that only A

.1 pe

cent

of the Starking Delicious harvested on Octo

ber 9, 1961

had internal

disor

ders 1

after

storage plus

7 days at room temperature.

tlowever, 21

per cent of these

fruit

had storage

scald.

Table

1. Per cent

of Starking Delicious having

water core a

t harvest in

1959-

1962

and per

cent having internal disorde

irs

and scald a

fter regular

32°

storage

andi seven days

at room tempe

;rature.

After Storage

Pit

Picking

Apples with Water

Core at Harvc

!St

Total

7 Days at
Int. Disorde

Room
r

Temp . 1
Seal.

Date

Slight

Medium

Severe

1959

7„

10/1

21.1

0.0

21.1

3.6

10/15

48.3

9.3

1.5

59.1

23.1

10/29

37.0

9.2

25.0

71.2

28.6

1960

9/29

22.2

5.1

1.3

28.6

0.9

7.6

10/10

24.7

8.0

15.6

48.3

19.6

0.0

10/20

40.7

3.7

6.3

50.7

10.5

0.0

1961
9/29

0.0

0.4

42.7

10/9

3.5

0.4

0.0

3.9

4.1

21.3

10/24

48.0

5.5

4.6

58.1

35.3

0.3

1962

9/28

17.9

0.0

17.9

0.5

6.0

10/10

19.4

9.0

, 9.0

37.4

44.9

0.0

10/24

24.3

14.3

39.1

77.7

76.8

0.0

^Stored

until: 1959

- 3/7/60; 1960

- 3/2/61; 1961

- 4/3/62; 1962 - 4/1/63.

Growers should watch the maturity of Red

Delicious appl

es carefully.

Under

the conditions at

Amherst, Richa

red Delicious

apples appear

to be more suscept

ible

to water core than

those of the

Starking strain.

The amou nt

and severit>

' of

water core may be observed by sampling and cutting the more mature Delicious
apples on the tree. The fruit should be harvested before or while the disorder
is limited to a series of small water-soaked spots bordering the primary vascular
bundles. However, growers should plan to treat the Delicious held for late
storage with DPA for scald control.

storage tests conducted during two seasons failed to show any consistent
effect of CA, in comparison to regular storage on the severity of scald of
Richared and Starking Delicious apples. However, CA storage may reduce the
severity of internal breakdown of both Richared and Starking Delicious apples
having considerable water core at harvest.

William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

WARNING

THIS is for YOU - the food or feed producer.

YOU are L EGALLY responsible for the CHEMICAL RESIDUES
that remain in or on Y OU R produce. (Fruit, vegetables, milk, meat, eggs,
feed etc.)

Avoid ILLEGAL RESIDUES by £ollov, lng DIRECTIONS on
LA BELS and in P_E^ S JT C NT R L ~C"~HirR T S. and preventing DRIFT
to other crops. You cannot cover up an illegal residue so chemists can't find it.

KNOW what you are usingl KEEP a LABEL with a list of Active Ingredients ,
(Trade names are not enough)

KEEP a RE CORD . It will show FDA inspectors that YOU are reliable,
cooperative and K NO W what you are doing.

Massachusetts growers have a good record to date. Let's apply chemical pesticides
as they should be used and continue to produce a safe , wholesome product.

STAY ALIVE - protect yourself and your help.

RED SKULL and C R S S B N E S and the RED word POISON are

used only when the danger is great. Seeing these on a label means B E CAREFUL

really careful.

E. H. Wheeler

Department of Entomology
and Plant Pathology

-8-

A LABOR SAVER

E asy Way to Unload T railer

An easy way of unloading a trail-
er of apples has been devised by a
Massachusetts grower. Two roller con-
veyors are placed on the platform of a
flat bed trailer. On the conveyors are
placed 3 pieces of plywood 5/8" x
37 1/2" X 69" and one piece 5/8" x
18 3/4" X 69". Since leveling takes
place at the unloading dock, the
trailer is loaded with one layer of 35
boxes.

Sliding of the conveyors and plywood off the trailer is prevented by a 32 x
3-2. plank having two bolts that protrude and fit in holes bored in the trailer
bed.

To unload the boxes of apples the trailer is backed up to a platform at the
unloading dock. The platform with two roller conveyors on it is at the same
height as the trailer bed. The retaining plank is removed and the trailer is
quickly unloaded by grasping the boxes at the front of the trailer and sliding
the load onto the platform. Another set of ply\70od boards are placed on the
trailer and the driver is off for another load of apples without any further
delay.

The platform is of sufficient size to hold 2-2 trailer loads of apples. This
also helps eliminate waiting at the unloading dock.

The boxes are leveled by women and then a man places them on a skid for
storage.

William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Staff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

SEPTEMBER 20, 1963

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Feathered Friends or Foes

Pomological Paragraph
Picker's Tapes

Approved Farm Stand Meeting

Pomological Paragraph
Knov/ the Condition of Fruit in Storage

The Morses' "Big Apple"

How to Make Calls to the University

Orchard Mouse Recommendations —
Fall 1963

Pomological Paragraph

Foliage Color in Apple Orchards in
September

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-^4

Issued by ttie Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, in fixtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914;
University ot Masaachusetts, United Statea Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating.
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No. 44.

MAILING LIS T REVISION

In accordance with penalty maillug regulations, the mailing list for Fruit
Notes is being revised. Enclosed with this issue is a return card for you to
indicate if you wish to remain on the mailing list. Return this card promptly
so as not to miss the next issue of Fruit Notes to be mailed in November.
Persons receiving this periodical by subscription will not receive a card, but will
be sent the usual renewal notice at the time their subscription expires.

All pesticide chemicals mentioned in this publication are registered and
cleared for the suggested uses in accordance with federal laws and regulations.
Chapter 727, Acts of 1960, Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that all
pesticides sold in Massachusetts be registered with the Massachusetts Department
of Public Health, Trade names, where used for clearness, do not indicate
endorsement nor imply that similar products are not satisfactory.

WARNING'.' MOST PESTICIDES ARE POISONOUS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS AND
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON LABELS. HANDLE CAREFULLY AND STORE OUT OF REACH OF
CHILDREN, PETS AND LIVESTOCK.

FEATHERED FRIENDS OR FOES

There is no doubL in the minds of most indivldualc, whether gardeners, farmers, or
bird watchers, that birds in general are beneficial to mankind. Nearly all species
at one time or another are insect or weed-seed eaters; and some subsist entirely
on these foods. However, some compete directly with man for food, thereby
causing considerable amounts of economic d.image to fruits, small grains, truck
crops, and to th ■ livestock and poultry industries.

In the New England area, bird depredations to agricultural crops generally take
place at two distinct times of year. First, great losses occur when tree fruits
and berries ripen. Usually at this time damage is also occurring to sweet corn
and other garden crops. A second loss occurs during severe winter months when
groups of winter resident birds utilize poultry, mink, pheasant, and cattle feed
areas to obtain food. Each type of damage, whether occurring in the summer or
winter, is iBually a unique problem and may be caused by a variety of birds,
depending on surrounding habitat, season of the year, and product involved.

Little is known as to why agricultural products in this area are apparently
receiving more depredations today than ten years ago. Several theories have been
advanced: (1) reduction of desirable feeding 1-abitat for birds because of
increased building; (2) reduction in numbers of farms, thereby concentrating
birds at remaining farm areas; (3) a decrease in available insects that birds
normally eat due to the increased use of insecticides; and (4) a population
increase in some species of birds. It seems logical to assume that all of these
factors have contributed to greater bird depredations during the last few years
and that no one factor is responsible for the problem.

Contrary to what most farmers believe, there are comparatively few bird species
causing crop depredations in the New England area. However, these few cause
considerable damage each year. VJhen all agricultural crops are considered, the
six most troublesome species are: starlings, robins, Baltimore orioles, red-
winged blackbirds, grackles, and catbirds. Other bird species are pests at times,
but usually only isolated problems involving these species occur. Of the six
mentioned, starlings, rod-winged blackbirds, grackles, and Baltimore orioles are
in the blackbird group; the remaining three are classified as songbirds.

Of the species mentioned, only the red-winged blackbird is not a serious depreda-
tor of fruit. However, red-winged blackbirds have gained unfavorable reputations
because of the amounts of damage that they cause to si-zeet corn plantings. Other
truck crops,, for instance peas, squash, onions, may be damaged by birdE--but due
to small acreages and other more preferred foods, damage of this sort is minute.

Bird damage to agricultural crops is difficult to alleviate or prevent. Many of
the species involved are protected by Federal and State laws, but even if they
were not control would be dif ficult--f or each situation varies according to
habitat, species and nui-iibars . Those species that are not protected may be
destroyed, but usually they are in such numbers that destruction of a few serves
no purpose. Even so, it might prove beneficial if unprotected problem bird species
were reduced, if such a reductional progrcun covered a large geographical area.
But this type of program cannot be advocated until much more is learned about
the habits of the bird species involved.

To date, there appears to be at least two courses open to an individual whose I
crop is jeopardized. He may exclude the birds from the crop by covering it or !
he may use some type of scaring device. Exclosures made of lasting material i
and erected properly are birdproof, resulting in complete protection. However,
they are expensive and impractical unless used on small acreages on a high-income
crop.

Small fruits, such as blueberries, strawberries, and grapes lend themselves to the
exclosure type of protection. Other crops, such as small grains, and peaches
cannot be covered economically. Therefore, scaring devices must be employed where
bird losses are heavy. Scaring devices do not eliminate bird depredation, but
they do help in reducing amounts of damage. However, it must be remembered that
scaring devices arc most effective on flocking bird species; hence, starlings are
much more apt to be deterred with noise than robins or orioles. The effectiveness
of a scaring device depends on habitat, crop to be protected, species causing
damage, type of device, and manner in which it is used.

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is fully aware of the seriousness of bird
problems and is currently conducting basic research and field investigations to
develop ways and means of effectively combatting these problems. In order to
be acceptable, control methods must be selective so that only the culprits
responsible for the damage will be punished. Also, control methods must be
safe — presenting a minimum hazard to humans and desirable animals and birds.

Richard N. Smith

U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH
Pic ker's Tapes

Growers are making good use of picker's tapes not only for tallying the
number of boxes harvested by each picker but as a means of determining who
picked the apples and from what block of trees they were harvested.

Every morning during harvest the orchard foreman gives each picker a roll
of the tape which is used to identify the boxes harvested by each picker. A
serrated section having the picker's number and the box number is fastened to a
top edge of each apple box.

In one orchard, the foreman keeps a daily record of: (a) names of pickers;
(b) the date; (c) the name or number of the section of the orchard being
harvested; (d) the first box number on the tape handed to each picker in the
morning; (e) the box number on each tape at the end of the day; and (f) the
results of the bruise count made by the checker. By inspecting the tape the
grower can determine the above data for any box during harvest, storage, or
packing period.

APPROVED FARM STAND MEETING

The summer meeting of the program members was held on August 15th at the
Waseeka Farm in Ashland, at which time there was a free exchange of ideas and
discussion of selling at farm stands. To some program participants the
meetings, inspections and price reports are the principal benefits of the
program rather than the Approved Farm Stand Sign.

A brief review of United States Grades of Apples was made to clarify some
points in question. It was emphasized that "Drops" (an apple that shows evidence
of having been on the ground) is not an official grade classification. Drops
should be sold unclassified or as Drops (Unclassified) for the benefit of the
customer.

A drop could be placed in one of the numerous grade classifications If it
shows no evidence of having been on the ground and meets the grade requirement.
However, drop Mcintosh without bruises are rare.

There appears to be some misunderstanding concerning the requirements of
the Utility grade. Utility is a good grade of apples and not a home for culls.
The Apple Sorters Manual which can be obtained from your County Agent specifies
grade requirements.

The availability of only plastic cartons in the future is of major concern
to the participants of the Approved Farm Program. The problem with plastic
cartons for cider Is that of sealing. Many operators have found only stapling
the wax containers was unsatisfactory and used a sealing device. At present,
no economical sealing device is available for plastic cartons. It seemed to
those present at the meeting that a top fold or other device for closing could
and should be developed for plastic cartons. At present the plastic carton is
considered to be unusable.

It appeared to be the opinion of the group that careful consideration should
be given to Including " All apples must be clean " as a future regulation of the
Approved Farm Stand Program. The term'hlean" to mean free from apparent residue
or dirt .

During the discussion of special displays and decorations It was emphasized
that all displays and decorations should be built to promote apples. There are
only a few items that you can sell at the orchard roadside stand without taking
something away from the principal product - apples .

William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Know the Condition of Fruit in Storage

The use of picker's tapes, chalk or other devices to mark stored boxes of
fruit is worthwhile. Jordan H. Levin, Head, Fruit and Vegetable Harvesting

-4-

Investlgation, ARS, USDA, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
stated at the Conference on Factors Affecting Fruit Condition held in February 1961
at Rutgers - The State University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, "One simple practice
which I feel everyone who stores fruit should follow is to label each box or lot
with the date of harvest. The fruit should be put in storage so fruit at proper
maturity could be t ikci out last, and overripe fruit and fruit picked at an early
stage of maturity taken out first. Few growers realize the importance of maturity
to storage life and fruit condition and thus fail to take the little time
necessary to keep such records."

---William J. Lord
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

THE MORSES' "BIG APPLE"

Any fruit grower who knows a peach of an operation will drool over this
Norfolk County family enterprise which is rapidly growing into the largest fruit
farm in the area. The Big Apple fruit farm located on Arnold Street in Wrentham,
Massachusetts has been built into a thriving family-run retail business and is
under the supervision of son, Peter, a Stockbridge School graduate. Apples,
peaches, pears, apricots, strawberries and blueberries are produced for sale at
the stand.

Although Arnold Street is a side road, the use of signs draws a fine retail
business to the farm stand and cider mill which are in a converted barn. A 1007.
retail business has been built up and cider has baccme one of their major items.

At first, the Morses were buying cider from other mills but transportation
costs were prohibitive. Although cider was a convenience item for customers,
the demand was so great that the Morses felt that the loss should be turned into
profits by installing their own mill.

Preparations for the new mill began in 1959 by investigating all types of
cider mills. In 1960 they toured through New York state searching for ideas for
a press. After a long search, it was decided to get what they considered the
best press on the market. Their conclusion was the Willmes Press.

The Willmes Press is basically an inflatable rubber bag, which squeezes the
juice from the fruit. This German-made press is filled with pomace in the
horizontal cylinder, which consists of a slotted screen periphery enclosed in an
open housing of cylinder ribs. The press is closed, the bag inflated and the
pomace squeezed outward against the slotted screen.

The operation cost $15,000 to install and took three years to construct and
work the "bugs" out to where it is now a one-man, semi-automatic operation.

All apples are cooled and washed before grinding and then rice hulls are
mixed with the apples during the grinding process to prevent packing in the press
and permit easier juice flow. Pomace is exchanged with dairymen for manure.

The yield of cider in peak season is 4 gallons per bushel and 3 1/2 in
winter, an extra gallon over conventional presses. The press holds 25 bushels of
pomace per cycle of 20 minutes. The lov;- operating expense has also increased
profits .

The stand's volume of 75 gallons a week has increased 3007, to about 250
gallons a week the first year. Season is from early harvest to early spring.

Everything is packaged in waxed cartons from _„.
1/2 pints to quarts and 1/2 gallons. Glass jugs
are filled if customers bring them.

The Morse family is happy on their 50-acre
fruit farm, and we mean the whole family -
Mr. 6c Mrs. Morse, Peter Thomas Jr., Greg and
Stephen. They all contribute time and plenty
of energy to make the Bis Apple a big success.

Peter Morse has travelled widely in search
of ideas and has one of the most mechanized
operations around. Whether it's a self-
propelled aerial picker-pruner or weed control
sprayers, Pete makes them himself in their ovzn
shop.

ft
•

•■

^^^Hh% jI

|£^

Pete Morse points out the filter
press and pumps. One pump is
used just for the filter. The
other pump has two valves on the
intake side and two on the
discharge end wiiich allows the
pump to be used for two pumping
jobs.

Pete Morse shows the juice tray which is
rolled out of the way when the cylinder
is tipped to allow the pomace to drop to
the take-away auger below.

Outside of the mill: at left bulk bin used
for storing rice hulls and air compressor
with gas engine. Inside of the mill:
Filter Press and Willmes Presser.
Foreground is pomace auger.

— Howard Wilson

County Extension Agent in Agriculture
Norfolk County

-6-

H_W TO MA KE CALLS TO THE UNIVERSITY

Growers wishing to call some member of the University staff can now dial
their party directly without going through the central switchboard. University
personnel may be reached directly by prefixing their present extension by
545-2. The new telephone numbers of the Pomology Staff and Department of
Entomology and Plant Pathology members frequently called are:

Prof. John Bailey - 545-2244

Dr. Constantine Gllgut- 545-2280

Dr. William Lord - 545-2248

Dr. Frank Southwlck - 545-2244

Dr. Herbert Wave - 545-2284

Dr. Walter Weeks - 545-2244

Dr. Ellsworth Wheeler - 545-2280

— -Williaw J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

ORCHARD MOUSE RECOMMENDATIONS— FALL 1963

Orchard mice can be controlled by placing poisoned baits in mouse trails by
hand, broadcasting, or by using the trail builder machine.

The BROADCAST METHOD is fast and very effective for MEADOW MICE that feed
and travel on the surface. A man can hand bait an orchard about as fast as he
can walk the tree rows. Forcibly throw a small handful of bait into the matted
grass within the drip area of the tree. Be sure to treat both sides of the tree
row. Baiting should be done when the grass is dry so the bait will sift through
where the mice can readily find it. A hand or tractor-drawn seeder is faster and
also does an effective job. The recommended rate of application varies between
6 and 10 pounds per acre, depending on density of ground cover and the severity
of the mouse infestation. The method is not recommended for controlling pine
mice because of their subsurface activities and habits.

HAND BAITING, although slow and laborious. Is still a good control method
for PINE MICE on small acreages. For large acreages, a MECHANICAL TRAIL BUILDER
produces good results. Both the Zinc Phosphide Rodenticide-treated apples and
the Zinc Phosphide-treated Steamed-crushed Oats should be used for this species.
When using the Trail Builder, make parallel applications on each side of the tree
within the drip area of the tree. Four to six pounds of bait per acre should be
used. When using any poisoned bait, the importance of favorable weather during
treatment and for at least two days following cannot be overemphasized!

-7-

We do not recommend the use of ENDRIM for controlling orchard mice In
Massachusetts orchards for several reasons. The results achieved with Endrln
applications In most cases do not Justify the additional expense. Secondly,
there is a very real danger of contaminating wells and public water supplies in
hilly terrain, especially when using a residual, highly-toxic material. Care
should be exercised not to spray vegetation that will be consumed by domestic
animals. Also, any drops present during spraying should not be harvested or
used for human or animal consumption. Since Endrln is highly toxic to fish
at very low concentrations, this material should not be used where it may drain
into farm ponds or state stocked waters. If used, careful adherence to label
restrictions must be followed and the orchard should be posted.

HERBICIDES are being used increasingly to control vegetative growth near
trees. This will be helpful In reducing mouse infestations. However, growers
should check carefully to determine the infestation of mice before winter sets
in. Mice may do severe damage under snow cover; hence, it is important to get
the orchard treated well ahead of sleet and snow. Some of the most devastating
damage has occurred in early winter when a sleet storm covers the grass with ice
and is followed by snow.

RODENT CONTROL IN APPLE STORAGES

The storage should be baited as it is being filled. Strychnine-treated
Steamed-crushed Oats are the recommended bait for mouse control in storages.
They maintain their poisonous quality under the humid conditions inside.
Teaspoonful quantities of this bait should be placed in stations such as cigar
boxes, short lengths of pipe, or sections of rolled roofing paper. These stations
should be placed under the pallets, as well as along the walls. Since mice may
not travel more than a few feet during the entire winter, numerous bait stations
should be used. A room 20' x 20' should have at least 15 bait stations. One
application of this bait ordinarily provides adequate protection for the winter.

ORCHARD MOUSE BAITS

Orders and remittances for the following materials should be sent to:
RODENT CONTROL FUND, University of Massachusetts, Old Conservation Building,
Amherst, Massachusetts. Prices are F.O.B. Amherst, Massachusetts. Postal
regulations do not permit mailing poisons. Shipments will, therefore, be made
by REA Express or Truck Freight, with the shipping charges collect. MAKE CHECK
PAYABLE TO: Treas., Rodent Control Fund.

Zinc Phosphide RODENTICIDE (l~Ounce Cans) $ .30 Can

(Packed 25 cans to the carton)

Zinc Phosphide-treated Steamed-crushed OATS. 35 lb.

(In 10, 25, and 50-pounds bags)

Strychnine-treated Steamed-crushed OATS 35 lb.

(In 10 and 25 pound bags)

These orchard mouse baits are available also from farmer-owned cooperatives.

- — John W. Peterson

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

-8-

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Foliage Color in Apple Orchards In September

Prior to the 1963 harvest we were blessed with excellent weather conditions
for development of red color on apples. However, at harvest the foliage of
apple trees in some orchards appeared light in color. This was particularly
true in areas having insufficient rainfall, or on shallow rooted trees or those
on light soil, and where growers have been attempting to lower nitrogen levels.
In some instances, growers wished that additional nitrogen had been supplied.
However, weather conditions are not predictable, and firm red apples are
preferred to soft green fruit. Therefore, we believe the decision to reduce
nitrogen was sound and that the maintenance of 1,8 to 1.9 per cent nitrogen level
in bearing Mcintosh trees should be the goal of orchardists desiring firm red
apples.

—William J. Lord
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Stoff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amfierst

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1963

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Winter Injury

Research from Other Areas

Pomological Paragraph

Cider Notes

Deer and Rabbit Control With Chemical Repellents

Pomological Paragraphs

New Jersey Peach Tree Survey
National Strawberry Conference

Carburetor Air Cleaner Maintenance

Dr. Franklin W. Southwick Named Head of
Horticulture Department

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, In firtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914;
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating.
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No. 44.

MAILING LIST REVISION
In accordance with penalty mailing regulations, the mailing list for Fruit
Notes Is being revised. Enclosed with this Issue Is a return card for you to
indicate If you wish to remain on the mailing list. Return this card promptly
so as not to miss the next i'^sue of Fruit Notes to be mailed in January.
Persons receiving this periodical by subscription will not receive a card, but
will be sent the usual renewal notice at the time their subscription expires.

SAVE THESE DATES

The 70th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Association,
Inc. in cooperation with the University of Massachusetts Extension Service will
be held in the Gardner Armory, Gardner, Massachusetts on January 7 and 8, 1964.

All pesticide chemicals mentioned in this publication are registered and
cleared for the suggested uses in accordance with federal laws and regulations.
Chapter 727, Acts of 1960, Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that all
pesticides sold in Massachusetts be registered with the Massachusetts Department
of Public Health. Trade names, where used for clearness, do not Indicate
endorsement nor Imply that similar products are not satisfactory.

WARNING I MOST PESTICIDES ARE POISONOUS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS AND
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON LABELS. HANDLE CAREFULLY AND STORE OUT OF REACH OF
CHILDREN, PETS AND LIVESTOCK.

winter Injury

The results of H. A. Rollins, Jr. and et al published In Ohio Agricultural
Experiment Research Bulletin 901 show that for a short period after apple trees
are heavily pruned, the cold resistance of the trees is reduced. They suggest
that prior to January, growers should avoid pruning the more tender apple varieties
if severe low temperatures are predicted within a few days.

The findings of H. A. Rollins, Jr. and et al substantiate the observations
of growers who have noted winter injury to apple trees pruned just prior to a
period of sub-zero temperatures.

---William J. Lord
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

RESEARCH FROM OTHER AREAS

The results of a fruit tree survey conducted in New York was discussed by
B. A. Dominick in the November 1962 issue of the New York State Horticultural
Newsletter. Surveys of this type are of value in determining the future trends
of the fruit industry. Because the varieties grown in New York are similar to
those in our Massachusetts orchards, the information taken from B. A. Dominick's
article is of particular interest.

It can be noted below that in western New York, Monroe and Idared account
for 7 and 6 per cent respectively of the total non-bearing trees. Idared has
been recommended for trial in Massachusetts for the last several years. The
Monroe variety was discussed in the January 1963 issue of Fruit Notes by
Dr. W. D. Weeks in the article titled "Notes on New Apple Varieties". This
variety was introduced primarily as a processing apple but has good dessert
qualities. Dr. W. D. Weeks is of the opinion that where a dual-purpose variety
is desired, Monroe appears worthy of trial.

Apple Varieties in Eastern N. Y.

"While recent plantings of young apple trees in both sections of the State
have been at rates high enough to maintain bearing tree numbers, the percentages
vary widely between different varieties in both areas. Included in the tables for
Eastern and Western New York are each variety of apples amounting to at leant one
per cent or more of trees under eight years of age or those eight years old or
older. In Eastern New York, Mcintosh is the leading variety among bearing trees
accounting for 42 per cent of the total (table 2). This variety accounts for
only 27 per cent of the total non-bearing trees of all varieties. Only 16 per
cent of the Mcintosh trees are non-bearing, while the estimated percentage
necessary to maintain the number of bearing Mcintosh trees is estimated to be
18. Among the five leading varieties, Delicious promises to be more important
in the area in the future with 39 per cent of all the non-bearing trees. Followed
by Mcintosh, the next most important variety in young plantings is Golden Delicious
with 10 per cent of the total. Rome follows Golden Delicious with eight per cent.
No other variety accounts for as much as four per cent of the total young trees.

-2-

Table 2. Relative importance of apple varieties and how they are being maintained,
Eastern New York, January 1, 1962.

Bearing

Non- bearing

Variety

treesa

trees^

per cent

of total

Mcintosh

Delicious

Cortland

Rome

Golden Delicious

Northern Spy

R. I. Greening

Baldwin

Early Mcintosh

Stayman Winesap

Milton

Macoun

Lodi

Spartan

i J.

Idared

Wellington

Jersey Red

Other

Proportion
Non-bearing

per cent
16
42

7
20
38

3
*

38
19
9
22
57
94
98
99
100

Total 100

Number of trees (000) 878

^!Eight years and older.
"Under eight years.
*Less than one per cent.

100
261

Apple Varieties in Western N. Y.

"In Western New York, Rhode Island Greening leads the bearing trees with 19
per' cent of the total, followed closely by Mcintosh with 18 per cent (table 3).
Rome, Baldwin and Cortland account for nine or ten per cent each of the total
bearing trees. Delicious leads all the other varieties in recent plantings and
amounted to 20 per cent of all trees less than 8 years old. Rome is second with
13 per cent and Rhode Island Greening and Golden Delicious are tied with 10 per
cent each. Some newer varieties and older ones important in plantings in Western
New York are Monroe with 7 and Idared with 6 per cent of all young trees".

•3-

TablG 3. Relative importance of apple, varieties and how they are being maintained.
Western New York, 1962.

Bearing

Non-bearing

Pro

portion

Variety

treesa

treest>

Non

-bearing

per cent

of total

r cent

R. I. Greening

Mcintosh

Rome

Baldwin

Cortland

Delicious

Northern Spy

Ben Davis

Wealthy

Twenty Ounce

Golden Delicious

Early Mcintosh

Jonathan

N. W. Greening

•k

Monroe

Idared

Webster

Wellington

Other

■■ ^

Total

Number of trees (OC

100

>0)1.112

100
440

^Eight years and older.
t»Under eight years.
*Less than one per cent ,

•--William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

R. G. Hill, Jr., Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station reports in Research
Bulletin 903 titled "The Effect of Sod as a Soil Management Practice Upon the
Growth and Yield of the Peach" that peach trees may be expected to produce growth
and yields comparable to those under cultivation if ample quantities of moisture
and nutrients are available. Under the conditions of this study the nitrogen
level of the peach trees grown in the bluegrass sod was maintained at approximately
that of the trees grown under cultivation by doubling the rate of nitrogen applied.

It is of Interest to note that Dr. W. D. Weeks of our pomology staff has
suggested that peach trees in sod should receive about twice the normal rate of
nitrogen.

-4-

Slnce the foliage analysis service is limited to sampling In problem
blocks only, the grower must rely on experience and observations of annual
terminal growth for evaluating nitrogen status of his trees. Non-bearing peach
trees should produce 18 inches of terminal growth and bearing trees 12 to 15
inches. Without irrigation, it is difficult to obtain this amount of growth
during a summer like 1962.

---William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

CIDER NOTES

Sanitation

Food plants throughout the nation are continually visited by Federal Food
and Drug inspectors, state public health personnel, city Inspectors and others.
Many of the plants have their own sanitarian supervising a clean-up crew. Why?

Many reasons can be given but the principal one is that clean, wholesome
food processed in a clean, sanitary plant has more appeal to the consumer plus a
longer storage life. Tests on frozen, canned and refrigerated foods have
definitely shown that as the number of bacteria, yeasts and molds rises, there is
a corresponding loss in flavor, color, and storage life.

Fresh cider reacts in the same way. Thorough cleaning with hot water,
brushes, sanitizers and detergents of the press, tanks, grinder or grater, racks,
press cloths, elevator, and other equipment plus the floors and walls will
insure good said tation. Equipment should be dismantled, hosed off, and then
cleaned. House flies and fruit flies while reduced in numbers by a good sani-
tation program, still must be controlled with a spray program.

Combining refrigerated storage of the finished apple cider with a good
sanitation and fly control program will pay off in a better keeping product and
satisfied customers.

Call It "Ap-peel" Cider

At a recent meeting of ciderfanciers, the product produced from apples
containing one orange peel per bushel of apples had "decidedly" greater appeal
than any other straight or combination-cider product. (From "Food Processing")

Next Year's Cider

Ever notice how flat and insipid early cider is? Why not plan now to
produce and freeze cider from Baldwins, Greenings, crabapples, Jonathans or like
varieties to give a lift to early cider. By producing it now, holding it frozen
until next Fall, you can give a lift to early cider flavor, as well as boosting
sales.

Kirby M. Hayes

Food Science and
Technology

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

DE ER AND RABBIT CONTROL WITH CHEMICAL REPELLENTS

DEER CONTROL :

With Winter approaching, the problem of DEER browsing on fruit trees may
become acute in many orchards. There are various means of controlling deer,
depending upon the situation and the economics involved. If the financial
expenditure can be justified, deer-proof fences can be used. Fencing affords
year-round and long-term protection. A second means of minimizing damage is
by using chemical repellents. Basically, there are two types of repellents:
area repellents; and taste repellents.

To date, area repellents have proved unsatisfactory. Taste repellents are
more practical and effective. The function of a taste repellent is to make the
treated material less desirable and palatable. Taste repellents are divided
into two groups: Winter or dormant season; and Summer or growing season.

It is appropriate that we discuss the dormant season repellents at this
time. The duration of effectiveness of any repellent is primarily dependent
upon weather conditions. Usually under normal conditions a repellent, with a
sticker, will last for 2 or 3 months; one without an adhesive material tends to
wash off or become diluted more readily.

The NEW IMPROVED, Z.I. P. is a ready-to-use concentrate which contains a
sticker. One gallon of NEW IMPROVED Z.I. P. should be mixed with one gallon of
water and stirred thoroughly,

ARASAN 75 is another effective repellent. For brush application , mix 1
pound of Arasan 75 with 1 quart of Rhoplex AC-33 or Latex 512R and 2-1/2 quarts
of water. For spray application , use Arasan 75 with 0.5 millimeter orifices or
larger and 50-mesh strainer. Stir this mixture frequently.

When ARASAN 42-S is used, mix 1 quart of Rhoplex AC-33 or Latex 512R with
2 quarts of water and add 1 quart of Arasan 42-S. Mix these ingredients thoroughly.
When using Arasan 42-S, mix only enough material for immediate use as the solids
in the finished preparation settle after standing several days and are difficult
to mix into suspension again. This mixture may be applied as a spray or by brush.

Arasan contains Thiram. Other commercial products containing Thiram as a
repellent agent are available. However, if any of these materials are used,
close adherence to the directions on the label should be followed.

When applying a repellent, treat all the terminal tips to at least 6 feet
above the expected snow line. If difficulty is encountered when trying to get
the material to adhere to the smooth bark of young stock, add 1/4 ounce
Methocal (1500 c.p.s. viscosity) per gallon and 3/4 ounce of Hexadecanol-ethanol
per gallon. The weather-resistant qualities of the mixture are also increased
by the addition of these materials.

Applications of repellents should be made before snowfall; and frequent
checks should be made throughout the area to determine how well the material is
standing up to the elements. If an area has had a past history of damage, plans
should be made to treat this location.

-6-

RABBIT CO NTROL;

Although COTTONTAIL RABBITS are an important game animal, they can cause
serious damage to fruit trees, cultivated blueberry plants and nursery stock.
Cottontail populations are relatively local; removing or excluding these animals
can be accomplished by live trapping, shooting, fencing, and the usr of repellents.

For Winter protection, use repellm ts such as IMPROVED Z.I. P., ARASAN, and
RINGWOOD. The formulas and means of application for IMPROVED Z.I. P. and ARASAN 75
are the same as for controlling deer. However, when using ARASAN 42-S for control-
ling rabbits, use 3 quarts of water. RINGWOOD REPELLENT is a commercial product
that is sold in ready-to-use form. RINGWOOD is recommended for use only during
the dormant season. This repellent can be applied by spray gun or brush. Usf^
benzol, or a similar solvent, to clean spray equipment before using for other
purposes. This material is highly inflammable and should not be used near an
open flame.

All bark and twigs, to a height that rabbits might reach during a heav/
snowfall, must be coated with the repellent. Trees should be checked frequently
to determine when the area should be re-treated. If damage begins to reoc':ur, the
area should be treated immediately. Effective duration for rabbit repellents is
about the same as for deer. As a general rule-of-thumb, for all rabbit repellents
1 gallon will treat 100 two-four foot trees by brushing; or, 300-600 trees by
spraying. Applications should be made early in November.

Rene M. Bollengier, Jr.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPHS
New Jersey Peach Tree Survey

The most popular peach varieties in New Jersey as reported in the
September, 1963 issue of Horticultural News are: 1. M A. Blake, 2. Rio-Oso-Gem,
3. Red Haven, 4. Sunhigh and 5. Triogen. These 5 varieties accounted for 49%
of the peach trees in the state. A sharp drop in plantings of Elberta, J. H. Hale,
Jerseyland, Summercrest, Sunrise and Triogem has occurred since 1957.

In the last 6 years the number of peach trees in commercial orchards has
Increased 8 per cent. On the other hand, the number of commercial peach growers
in New Jersey has declined from 499 in 1957 to 345 in 1963. Forty-four per cent
of the 1,079,192 peach trees were young trees, 5 years old or less.

In summary, it appears that the peach industry in New Jersey is expanding
but is in the hands of fewer growers .

William J. Lord

-7-

National Strawberry Conference

On January 24-25, 1963 a National Strawberry Conference was held at Rutgers
University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, A very fine program was arranged by the
members of the Horticultural staff. Speakers from all over the United States
and several foreign countries gave short, pointed talks on a wide variety of
subjects. An excellent report of this conference "The Strawberry, Varieties,
Culture, Marketing, Pest Control" has been compiled by Carter R, Smith and
N. F. Childers, Copies of this report can be obtained by sending a check or
money order for $2,50 to N. F. Childers, Department of Horticulture, Rutgers
University, Nichols Avenue, New Brunswick, New Jersey,

This report contains brief summaries of the latest information on strawberry
insect, disease and nematode control, the booming Mexican strawberry industry,
varieties, planting problems, irrigation, nutrition, winter protection, weed
control, labor saving machinery, and economics and marketing,

John S. Bailey

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

CARBURETOR AIR CLEANER MINTENANCE

An air cleaner is standard equipment on every tractor now manufactured,
purpose is to prevent dust, grit, and other foreign matter from entering the
engine with the air.

Its

Many tractor troubles arise from the lack of air cleaner service yet it is
difficult to get farmers to recognize the importance of this maintenance chore.
Under severe dust conditions an engine would be worn out and completely ruined in
less than a week's operation if it were not equipped with an efficient air cleaner,
Proper servicing is essential if the air cleaner is to maintain its original
efficiency.

Lack of Service Reduces Power and Causes Wear

A tractor engine requires about 225,000 cubic feet of air per day -- enough
to fill four farm silos and this amount of air can contain as much as \ pound of
dust. Without an air cleaner all
this dust would be drawn into the
engine and cause terrific wear.

Without proper service an
air cleaner can become so plugged
with dirt that air flow to the en-
gine is restricted thus reducing
its maximum horsepower output.
Air cleaner neglect is also a
quick ticket to the repair shop
because poor cleaner maintenance
accelerates wear of rings, pistons,
sleeves, and bearings and promotes
the formation of oil sludge and
other engine troubles.

ftpuht^'^

-8

A Schedule for Proper Servicing

Most air cleaners on present day
tractors are of the oil bath type.
These cleaners collect dirt in
four places that require periodic
cleaning.

1. in the screened cap or precleaner.

2. On the sides of the center pipe.

3. In the bottom of the oil cup.

4. In the filter element.

Most cleaners will continue to
perform efficiently if operators
will follow this schedule:

Daily or Every 10 Hours - Remove

and inspect the oil cup. If more

than ^ inch of dirt has collected,

or if the oil has thickened,

discard the old oil, scrape dirt

out of the cup, wash the cup in

kerosene, refill to the oil level

bead with fresh oil, and replace

the cup. It is important that

the proper oil level be maintained in the cup whether it is or is not cleaned.

Check the lower screen of the filter element and remove any chaff or dirt while

the cup is off. The screened cap or prefilter should also be checked daily and

cleaned if necessary.

Every 60 Hours - In addition to the regular 10 hour maintenance, remove the air
cleaner from the tractor, disassemble it and wash it thoroughly in kerosene.
Clean the oil cup, precleaner, and valve cover breather by washing in kerosene.
Inspect air cleaner hoses and clamps to make sure there are no air leaks.

What Oil to Use - The oil for the air cleaner should be the same viscosity and
type as the oil used in the crankcase. Too heavy an oil will choke the tractor
causing it to lose power and waste fuel. Oil that is too light will be pulled
into the engine where it will form harmful deposits. Also, the resulting low oil
level in the cleaner will permit dirt to enter the engine. Used oil is not
satisfactory for use in air cleaners since it already contains carbon, unburned
fuel, and dirt.

Special Warning to Diesel Owners

Because diesel tractors require more air than gasoline
models, the air cleaner will require more frequent ser-
vice. Using too light an oil in the cleaner cup or
overfilling the cup can cause a runaway engine. As ex-
cess oil is drawn into the air cleaner it provides an
uncontrolled fuel source and though the governor will
shut off the regular fuel supply, the engine will con-
tinue to run on the oil supply from the air cleaner
gaining uncontrollable speed and possibly causing ex-
tension damage. The engine can be stopped by blocking

-9-

the air cleaner inlet. It is best to prevent such emergencies by using the
proper amount of oil of the correct viscosity.

Remember -

Proper air cleaner care insures longer engine life I

M. Boyd

Agr'l. Eng. Dept.

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

DR. FRANKLIN W. SOUTIIWICK NAMED HEAD OF HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT

Dr. Franklin W. Southwick, research professor of pomology at the University
of Massachusetts since 1948, has been named head of the department of horticulture
in the College of Agriculture, President John W. Lederle announces.

Dr. Southwick, an alumnus, pomology '39, succeeds Professor Grant B. Snyder
who retired June 30 of this year.

From 1945-48 Dr. Southwick was an assistant professor in the department of
pomology at Cornell engaged in Extension and research work. Prior to this time
he did research and teaching in the horticulture department at the University of
Connecticut .

Dr. Southwick obtained his M. S. degree in horticulture from Ohio State
University in 1940, and his Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1943, majoring in
pomology with a minor in plant physiology and plant anatomy.

Radie H. Bunn

Communications Specialist

I t I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Sfoff, Deportment of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Mossochusetts, Amherst

JANUARY 10, 1964

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Mailing List Revision

Varieties of Pears and Quinces for Massachusetts

Pomologicol Paragraph

Apple Variety Observations from Bristol County

The Mexican Strawberry Industry

New Apple Varieties for Future Production "^i ,

Checking Apple Varieties

Varieties of Blueberries for Massachusetts

Plum Variety Observations

AOv/i

f:n

Si5;-:

rt.xsu>

'hilB*

' *■/■

'^4

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Spielman. Dean and Director, In furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914;
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating.
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No. 44.

MAILING LIST REVISION

If you did not return the mailing list revision card for Fruit Notes
enclosed with the October issue, you will find another card enclosed
with this issue. This card must be returned if you wish to receive
future issues of Fruit Notes.

VARIETIES OF PEARS AND QUINCES FOR MASSACHUSETTS
Pear Varieties

Variety

Recommended For

Harvestirtf^ Season

Clapp Favorite

Early Seckel

Bartlett

Go r ham

Devoe

Seckel

Flemish

Ewart

Bosc

Anjou

Dumont

C
T
C
C
T
C
C
T
C
C
T

& H

Mid-August
Late August
Early September
Mid-September
Mid-September
Mid-September
Mid-September
Mid-September
Late September
Late September
Early October

T - Trial H - Home Garden C - Commercial

Varieties so marked are not equally adapted to all sections of the State.

Variety Notes

Clapp Favorite Fruit greenish yellow with a blushed cheek, good quality, large

attractive, tends to blacken at core when over-ripe, does not ";eep
well. Tree hardy, productive, susceptible to fireblight.

Early Seckel

Bartlett

Gorham

Devoe

Seckel

Flemish

A seedling of Seckel. Resembles its parent in coloring but is
larger and Has a more distinct neck. Fruit is attractive, very
good in flavor and keeps well for an early variety. Tree is medium
in size, vigorous and productive.

Leading commercial pear variety. Fruit yellow, good quality, large
size, firm, ships well. Tree medium in size, productive, adapted
to wide variety of soils, is susceptible to fireblight.

A seedling of Bartlett which it resembles in size and color. Flesh
is white, tender, melting and juicy. Holds in storage longer than
Bartlett and may be a desirable variety to extend the Bartlett
season. Said to require a higher level of nutrition than Bartlett
to maintain production.

A large, attractive pear of oblong pyriform shape, clear yellow with
a red blush, good quality. Tree is vigorous and very productive.
Tendency to ripen unevenly may necessitate spot picking.

Fruit bronze color, small, excellent quality, a popular variety for
pickling. Tree large, upright-spreading, productive in alternate
years, immune to fireblight.

Fruit large, attractive, excellent, highly susceptible to pear scab
which can be controlled effectively with modern fungicides. Tree
large, vigorous, very productive in alternate years, highly resistant
to winter cold.

Ewart

Bosc

Anjou

Damont

Fruit large, yellowish-green with some russeting, good quality,
keeps well in storage, less attractive than Bartlett. Tree is
moderately productive and is more blight resistant than Bartlett.

Fruit russet, large with long neck, excellent quality when ripened
properly, excellent keeper and shipper. Tree medium size, zig-zag
growth, productive, tendency to biennial bearing.

Fruit greenish, large, good quality, good keeper and shipper.
Desirable as a late market variety. Tree large, may lack in vigor
and production.

A late ripening pear of medium to large size and obtuse pyriform
shape. The flesh is firm, juicy and the quality very good. The
tree is vigorous and productive.

Quince Varieties

Quince production in Massachusetts is primarily a home garden enterprise
although there are a few commercial plantings. This fruit is used entirely for
jellies and preserves. Quince trees are notoriously susceptible to fireblight
and quince rust. These diseases are not so serious in Massachusetts as to
preclude the growing of this fruit provided adequate control measures are employed.
Two varieties only are propagated by Eastern nurserymen, namely Orange and
Champion. Characteristics of these varieties are as follows:

Orange Fruit roundish, greenish yellow, medium size, flesh pale yellow,
tender, mild. Ripens in October a few days ahead of Champion.
This variety is by far the more popular.

Champion Fruit large, pear shaped, yellowish, with considerable pubescence,
flesh pale yellow, firm slightly astringent, aromatic, mild
subacid. Somewhat inferior in quality to Orange.

—James F. Anderson

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Special Circular Revised - Special Circular No. 247 titled "Pollination of
Fruit Plants" has been recently revised and is available through your county
extension service or by writing to the Mailing Room, University of Massachusetts.
Tliis circular discusses the pollination requirements of our common fruit. Also,
some of the apple varieties grown in New England which are generally suitable
cross-pollinizers for each other are listed.

—William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

APPLE VARIETY OBSERVATIONS FROM BRISTOL COUNTY

Idared

Monroe

Melrose

Excellent size and color. Bears young, annual bearer and does
not overset. Good keeping quality, excellent baker and good for
pie. Fair as fresh fruit. Tree on small side. Picks late.

Tree like Rome but fruit superior in quality. Picks late.
Would plant in preference to Rome or Baldwin.

Tends to be biennial.
Monroe .

Fruit less attractive than Idared or

Spencer
Spartan

Good size, vigorous tree, picks late.

Excellent color but small. Harvest date follows close to
Mcintosh.

Bridghara
Delicious

N.Y. 44416-6

Niagara

Puritan

Lacks Delicious fruit shape. Tree also coarser (diameter of the
one year x^ood much larger than on other Delicious sports),

Macoun X Spy. Late, large attractive fruit of excellent quality.
Fruit russets in Bristol County. Slow maturing tree.

Two weeks earlier than Mcintosh. Fruit large and attractive
but quality only fair. Would plant in preference to Milton.

Two pickings about mid-August. Fruit large, often irregular,
attractive. Too acid for fresh fruit. Soft if picked too ripe.

Mass. A 11*

Transparent X Cortland. Trial samples distributed same time
as Puritan. Should not be discarded. Better than Wealthy,
Gravenstein or Duchess as a cooker. Bears young, alternately
light and heavy. Fruit large, smooth, attractive if allowed
to mature.

*Editor's Note - Mass, A 11 was one of several seedlings developed at University
of Massachusetts, It was discarded in preference to Puritan.

---Harold 0. Woodward

County Extension Agent
Bristol County

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

THE MEXICAN STPvAIJBERRY INDUSTRY

It will probably surprise you, as it did me, to learn that Mexico not only
has a strawberry industry but exports a considerable amount of berries to the
United States.

-4-

Mexico has two strawberry growing areas. Onp. is near Irapuato about 200
miles northwest of Mexico City, at an elevation of about 5,700 feet. The other
is a new area in the vicinity of Zaraora a few miles east of Guadalajara at an
elevation of about 6,000 feet. The two areas are about 200 miles apart.

The principal varieties are Klondike and Florida 90. Klondike is preferred
for freezing and Florida 90 for fresh fruit. Most of the berries are frozen.
Only a small portion is shipped fresh.

Fruit is harvested all twelve months of the year. During November, December
and January the crop is light. The heaviest picking is in March, April, May and
June. By far the largest part of the berries exported to the United States is
frozen.

Imports of Strawberries from Mexico in 1,000 Pounds

1959 1960 1961 1962

Frozen 14,064 25,017 29,817 32,421

Fresh 51 562 579 751

If the Mexicans solve their quality control problems, many more fresh berries
will be exported to the United States.

— -John S. Bailey

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

NEW APPLE VARIETIES FOR FUTURE PRODUCTION

The choice we make in planting new varieties now will determine what the
production of new varieties will be in 1973. How successful we ai*e in choosing
a profitable variety cannot be fully determined until we have enough volume of
fruit to determine consumer acceptance of the variety. Planting any new variety
is a calculated risk until consumer acceptance has been determined.

The method of sale may be a factor in the selection of a new variety. A
variety which has desirable qualities for a processing apple may not have suffi-
cient quality and appeal for sale on a retail stand or in the fresh fruit market.
However, some varieties possess suitable qualities for both processing and fresh
fruit sales. These varieties are called dual-purpose types.

New varieties which have been tested for a sufficient number of seasons to
indicate their potential value will be discussed first.

Purjtan is an early attractive red apple which ripens just ahead of Early
Mcintosh. Puritan appears to have made a favorable impression in the trade as
an early apple. It may possibly replace Early Mcintosh. The attractive Mclntosh-
like appearance and good size are Puritan's major strong points. Puritan tends to
be biennial and its fruit quality is only average as it has a rather tart flavor.

-5-

V/clllnp,ton is a large fnj.rly attractive apple which ripenn with Melba. It
has average quality, but is primarily a processing apple. Wellington has never
set a full crop in our test planting, although other varieties in the same
block have set full crops and some have overset. Wellington also has very tender
foliage which is very susceptible to spray injury. It appears doubtful that
Wellington has much potential as a variety for the future in this area.

Spartan is an attractive well colored dark red apple x^jhich ripens about a
v.'eek after Mcintosh. It has excellent quality and good storage qualities.
Spartan's most serious weakness is lack of fruit size. Spartan is potentially a
good retail stand variety.

Idarcd is a verj' attractive bright red winter apple which ripens about one
nonth after Mcintosh. It has good quality and a long storage life. The tree is
productive and annual. Idared is a dual purpose apple and offers much promise
.",s a future variety.

Melrose is another dual purpose apple which ripens about three weeks
after Mcintosh. It has excellent quality and is an attractive dark red r'hen
well grown. Under some growing conditions Melrose is subject to russeting.

Spencer is a late maturing high quality apple. The fruit is attractive bright
red. Ivfhile Spencer is primarily a dersert apple, it is also suitable for pie. The
fruit may be subject to storage disorders if held too long in storage. Spencer is
a promising apple for roadside stand trade.

Monroe is a late maturing processing apple which ripens about one week after
Delicious. It is bright red and fairly attractive when V7ell colored. It has
fair to good dessert qualities. Tonroc foliage is susceptible to powdery mildew.
Monroe appears to fit the need wliire a processing apple is desired.

A second list of varieties which have not been tested, but are worth watching
as future varieties would include Tydeman's Red and Niagara which ripen before
Mcintosh. New varieties ripening after Mcintosh would include Wayne, Spigold,
Mutsu, and Sungold, and the spur type Delicious and Golden Delicious sports.

W. D. Weeks

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

CHECKING APPLE VARIETIES

Apple varieties make an interesting suhiect for discM""?nn by both Mie
consumer and the grov7cr. r-< -s with farm saTjs.ooi-a find many customers with
an interest in old Lime varieties. However, except for sales at roadside stands
or for cider, there is little n^i^'er intero-^t in growing old varieties. Interest
in new varieties is great, however,

Apple varieties carry the key to production economics and consistent crops.
Although not generally discussed, the variety is recognized by marketing

-6-

specialists to be an integral part of a successful selling program. Moreover,
it should be kept in mind that variety selection determines to a great degree
the success or failure of an orchard operation for years to come. There is no
better example of this than Mcintosh, which has set a long time pattern for the
New England apple industry.

Promising new varieties should be given thorough testing by growers I Top-
working trees is a time saving way to get a quick look at the fruit. Information
on tree growth, hardiness and production is best obtained over a longer period of
time by starting with trees budded to the desired varieties.

Don Priest of Groton is supplying us with some valuable information on the
performance of several new varieties. He has top-worked trees to Spartan, Ruby,
Idared, Spencer and Mutsu. Of the Geneva, New York Experiment Station crosses,
he is testing Spigold and two promising selections still under number. These
are N.Y. 44416-6 (Macoun x Red Spy) and N.Y. 43021-2 (Red Spy x Golden Delicious).
The fruit of the latter is brilliant blush, pinkish-scarlet over a light yellow
ground color with high quality. Mr. Priest was slightly disappointed in fruit
size of N.Y. 43021-2 during the past dry summer. The delicate, high eating qua-
lity of even the smallest sizes was remarkable, however. Other years the size
has been good.

Spartan is a favorite with Don Priest and with other growers testing the
variety. Don has fruited Spartan for several years and it has proven to be an
annual producer of high quality fruit that handles and keeps ';ell in storage. It
is a consistently attractive dark, red apple. The principal weakness of Spartan
is small fruit size. Extra attention is needed to improve its size.

Picking maturity is a factor in determining the storage life of Spartan.
Downing Brothers of Westford checked this point by comparing fruit harvested on
September 20 with fruit picked on October 2, 1963. These dates were considered
to be the harvesting extremes of this variety and the apples tend to substantiate
this claim. A recent examination of these fruit reveals that those harvested on
September 20 were in firm condition with little apparent ripening. An earlio
harvest date might have adversely affected the flavor. The Spartan apples har-
vested on October 2 had attained excellent eating quality but appeared too mature
for long storage.

Another promising development is a sport found at the Pinecrest Orchards of
Stephen Sabin, Groton. This resembles regular Mcintosh in appearance except for
its unusually bright red color. The sport seems to be firmer than other strains
of Mcintosh.

These are merely a few comments on some of the varieties which we believe
show promise. Special Circular 212-A will give you a brief but useful descrip-
tion of apple varieties currently being recommended for Massachusetts.

Max Fultz

Regional Agricultural Specialist

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

VARIETIES OF BLUEBERRIES FOR MASSACTIUSETTS

y.nrlety^''

Recommended For

Harvesting Season

Earliblne

Collins

Blue ray

Bluocrop

Berkeley

Herbert

Jersey

Coville

C
T
C
C

T
C
C

& H

Early

Midseason

Late

C - Commercial

*In approximate order of ripening.
T - Trial H - Home Garden

Variety Notes

Earliblue Ripens early, fruit light blue, very firm, good flavor, cluster medium
size, medium loose. Bush upright, vigorous, well shaped, easy to prune
and propagate, fairly productive. Especially attractive to birds.

Collins Ripens early, midway between Earliblue and Bluecrop. The bush is erect,
vigorous, and moderately productive. May winter kill in cold x^7inters
or cold locations. The fruit is borne in medium-sized, rather tight,
attractive clusters. The berries are as large as Earliblue, firm, light
blue in color and highly flavored. Fruit does not drop nor crack.
Recommended for trial as a second early.

Blueray Ripens early, just after Earliblue, in Rancocas-Stanley season; fruit

clusters small, tight, attractive; berries very large, firm, light blue,
aromatic, very fine flavored if fully ripe; bushes erect, somewhat
spreading, vigorous and productive. Has considerable cold resistance.

Bluecrop Ripens early mid-season, fruit very light blue, very firm, good flavor,
small scar, clusters large, medium loose. Bush upright, vigorous and
productive, easy to propagate. Resistant to spring frost and winter
cold.

Berkeley Ripens mid-season, fruit very large, light blue, firm, mild flavor,
scar large and dry; bush upright, vigorous, productive, easy to
propagate and prune.

Herbert Ripens late, fruit large, fair blue, good scnr, flavor good, skin

tender; bush spreading, vigorous, productive and easy to propagate.
Superior for local market and home use.

Jersey Ripens late, fruit medium to large, fair blue, attractive, firm, good
flavor, but tart if not fully ripe, good scar, open cluster; bush
upright, vigorous, productive, hardy.

-8-

Coville Ripens very late, fruit large, firm, good scar, highly aromatic flavor,
tart when not fully ripe, good blue, attractive; bush upright, spread-
ing, vigorous and very productive.

- — John S. Bailey

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

PLUM VARIETY OBSERVATIONS

Burmosa A large attractive plum ripening in late July. The fruit is a cherry
red, of high quality and a freestone. The tree is small in size and
of moderate vigor. Production was light in 1963. Japanese type plum.

Brilliant This red plum is of good size and quality. Brilliant ripens with

Formosa in early August and is inferior to that variety in size, flavor
and appearance. Brilliant is more productive than Formosa in our
planting. Japanese type plum.

Great Yellow - A Japanese type plum ripening in early August. The fruit is of good
size, good quality and a freestone. The tree is productive and the
fruit hangs well on the tree. Great Yellow ripens with Shiro and is
superior to Shiro in size and quality. Shiro May have a slight
advantage in color.

Howard Miracle - A large, attractive, high quality Japanese plum. The fruit is a
golden yellow with a light red blush. Howard Miracle was picked on
August 30th in 1963. The crop was very light in 1963 but it is too
early to make an evaluation as to its productiveness.

Red Heart Another Japanese type plum ripening in mid-August. Red Heart has

proven to be a very good producer of medium size plums. This variety
has failed to develop satisfactory fruit quality under our conditions.
Red Heart is said to be a very good pollinizer for other Japanese
varieties.

Golden Transparent Gage - A high quality plum ripening in the third week of

September. The fruit tends to be small and is golden yellow with
numerous small red flecks. The tree is fair in production and dwarf-
ish in habit. European type plum.

Pacific An attractive prune type plum of very high quality. The fruit is quite
firm and keeping quality appears to be excellent. The fruit ripens in
mid-September; ripening has been uneven in the past two seasons.
Pacific has been a good producer in Amherst. European type plum.

New York 981 - A large reddish purple plum of very high quality. This attractive
plum ripens in early September and appears to be promising. The
selection should be productive. European type plum.

New York 826 - A late ripening plum of good size and quality. This selection
ripened in early October and was quite productive. It is a prune
type of reddish black color. European type plum,

—-James F. Anderson
I I I I I I I i I I I I I I I I

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Staff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

FEBRUARY 10, 1964

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Research from Other Areas

Pomological Paragraph

Stub Pruning

Growth in CA Storage Holdings In Massachusetts

Pear Variety Evaluation - 1963

Pomological Paragraph

Lygus Bugs as o Cause of Fruit Deformity in
Strawberries

Pruning Bearing Apple Trees

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Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, in fixtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914;
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating.
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No. 44.

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE FRUIT PROGRAM

BARNSTABLE

BERKSHIRE,
FRANiaiN,
HAMPDEN and
HAMPSHIRE

Oscar S. Johnson, County Extension Agent in Agriculture, Cape
Cod Extension Service, Barnstable (Tel. FOrest 2-3255).

G. Everett Wilder, Pioneer Valley Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Hampden County Improvement League, 1499 Memorial Avenue,
West Springfield (Tel. Springfield REpublic 6-7204)

BRISTOL

DUKHS

Harold 0. Woodward, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Bristol County Agricultural School, Center Street, Segreganset
(Tel. Dighton NOrmandy 9-3611 or 9-2361).

Ezra I. Shaw, County Extension Agent in Agriciilture, Dukes

County Extension Service, Vineyard Haven (Tel, Vineyard Haven 694),

ESSEX, Max G. Fultz, Regional Agricultural Specialist, Middlesex County
MIDDLESEX and Extension Service, 19 Everett Street, Concord (Tel. Concord
WORCESTER EMerson 9-4845).

NORFOLK

PLYMOUTH

Howard Wilson, County Extension Agent in Agriculture, Norfolk
County Agricultural School, 460 Main Street, Walpole (Tel.
Walpole MOntrose 8-0268 or 8-0269).

Dominic A. Marini, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Plymouth County Extension Service, Court House, Brockton
(Tel. Brockton JUniper 6-4993).

WARNING.' MOST PESTICIDES ARE POISONOUS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS
AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON LABELS. HANDLE CAREFULLY AND STORE OUT OF REACH OF
CHILDRF:N, PETS AND LIVESTOCK.

RESEARCH FROM OTHER AREAS

(Items included under this heading are for your information and may not apply to
Massachusetts conditions in all instances.)

MALLING MERTON ROOTSTOCKS

In the March-May 1963 issue of Farm Research, Karl Brase discussed his
observations of Mcintosh, Red Delicious and Monroe on 4 Mailing Merton Rootstocks.
The follbwing is information taken from the article.

M.M. 106

On heavy soil at Geneva, New York, Mcintosh, Monroe and Red Delicious on
M.M. 106 rootstocks have resulted in trees of a size one-half that of the same
variety on seedling roots. Tlie size controlling effect is more pronounced on
Monroe than on either the Red Delicious or Mcintosh varieties. Growth performance
under the test conditions indicate that the important apple varieties grown in New
York on M.M. 106 might best be planted 15 feet apart in the row and 30 betvjeen rows.

The roots of M.M. 106 provides good anchorage since they arise at nearly a
right angle from the trunk and are equally well distributed on two sides.
"Furthermore, sucker growth from the root system of the tree, often occurring when
E.M. VII makes up the root system, is absent with trees on M.M. 106. Although a
longer test period is needed to critically evaluate this apple rootstock, results
obtained thus far indicate advantages over the presently much used E.M, VII
rootstock."

M.M. Ill

The growth of Monroe, Mcintosh and Red Delicious on M.M. Ill indicates that
the trees will be of similar size as those on E.M. II. Depending upon the variety,
the trees will be 1/2 to 3/4 the size of the same variety on seedling roots.

The larger anchorage roots are more numerous than on M.M. 106. "Observations
made during the past very dry summer indicate that trees on M.M. Ill in comparison
with other E.M. and M.M. stocks were not affected by prolonged drought periods.
Similar experiences as to the drought-resistance of M.M. Ill are reported from
test areas in England."

Brase states for a tree of medium vigor such as Monroe, 15 feet by 30 feet
planting distance should be ample. On stronger growing varieties the planting
distance in the row might be increased to 20 feet.

M.M. 104

Brase reports that trees grown on M.M. 104 will be no smaller than 3/4 the
size of the same variety on a seedling rootstock. Also, the trees do not reach
full bearing as rapidly as those on M.M. 106 and M.M. 111. "Our test plantings
indicate that the three varieties tested will not bear much earlier than those on
standard seedling rootstocks, but that after full bearing age is reached, fruit
production will be heavier than that of trees on seedling rootstocks."

The anchorage roots of M.M. 104 are not well distributed and the trees have
a somewhat one sided root system. Brass points out the neces: ity of giving atten-
tion to proper placement of roots when planting and that the strongest root should
be directed towards the prevailing x^ind.

The performance of the trees in the teHt area indicates that trees on M.M. 104
are best adapted to lighter well drained soils. On these types of soil, 20 feet by
30 feet planting distance appears to be a minimum.

M.M. 109

Tills rootstock has no size controlling effect. It is similar to E.M. II in
that it has one-sided anchorage root development. However, M.M. 109 appears to be
better adapted to heavy slowly drained soils than 104.

In conclusion, Erase states: "It must be kept in mind that these four clonal
rootstocks of the M.M. series are new, but deserve trying out. For the fruit tree
nurseryman, they have definite advantages over the older E.M. rootstocks, and
orchard trials thus far are encouraging wider use of the four M.M, stocks in com-
mercial orchard operations."

William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I }, I I I I I

POMOLOGICAL PAI^GRAPH

' ^ick-your-own" Method of Sale

It was of interest to note on the program of the Indiana Horticultural Society
Orchard Tour that an orchardist to be visited in Kenosha, Wisconsin sells the crop
from 13 acres of cherries and 35 acres of strawberries under the "pick-your-own"
system of marketing. This grower started xjith 3 acres of strawberries in 1950 and
has expanded to 35 acres in 1963.

It is the editor's opinion that Massachusetts fruit growers, particularly
those who raise small fruit, have not fully exploited the possibilities of the "pick-
your-own" method of sale.

—William J. Lord
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

STUB PRUNING

Stub pruning of young apple trees is being advocated in some states. Tliis
means that undesirable limbs on the young trees are left instead of being removed.
If the limbs are competing with the selected scaffold limbs, they are stubbed back
to 6-12 inches in length. The theory behind stub pruning is that by leaving extra
limbs on the tree, the leaf surface is increased, resulting in more growth and

-3-

earlier production. The extra limbs also help to produce wide angles by forcing
the scaffold limbs to grow outward instead of growing in a more upright position.

To learn more about this system of pruning, in March of 1962, 458 one, two
and three year old Delicious and Mcintosh trees were selected for a pruning demon-
stration at the Marshall Orchard in Fitchburg. Approximately 1/2 of the trees
v;ere pruned the ordinary way with the complete removal of undesirable branches.
On the remaining trees, the undesirable branches were shortened to about 6 to 12
inches. Trunk circumference measurements were taken at the beginning of the
demonstration and during November, 1962 and 1963. The data in Table 1 show that
the stub pruned trees made more grovjth, as indicated by increase in trunk circum-
ference, than the trees pruned the regular way.

Table 1. Increase in Trunk Circumference of Stub Pruned Trees in Comparison to
Those Receiving Regular Pruning.

Variety

Trees
Planted

Stub Pruned

Avg. Increase in Trunk
Circumference (3/62-11/63)

Re;;ular Pruned

Delicious

1939
1960
1961

cms .
6.02

5.83
6.49

cms.
5.82
5.30

5.94

Mcintosh

1960
1961

6.17
5.86

5.36

5.69

The writer is of the opinion, however, that stub pruning only should be
practiced by those growers who carefully prune young trees annually.

Sucker growth from many stubbed
branches was 3-4 feet in length at
the end of the first growing season.
These very vigorous shoots from the
stubbed limbs with narrow crotches
were apt to be upright and interfere
V7ith the development of scaffold
limbs above. It seemed necessary to
cut back these vigorous shoots se-
verely. Consequently, the writer
suggests that most limbs with nar-
row crotches be completely removed
rather than stub pruned in spite of
the somewhat better overall growth
where stub pruning is practiced.

Sometimes a bud on the lower
side of a stubbed branch will de-
velop into a desirable shoot. As
shown in Figure 1, the growth may
be more horizontal than the branch
from which it originates.

Figure 1. The arrow points to the location
where the branch was stubbed in March 1962.
The limb originating from the stub bears the
white tag. Picture taken November 20, 1963.

-4-

Thcrefore, stubbing of some branches \<iith narrow crotches, whixh because of
location would be desirable to keep, may be beneficial.

In conclusion, because of the necessity of annual pruning of the young trees
to continually remove, replace or restrict the growth from stubbed limbs, the
practice is only suggested for trial by growers that conscientiously prune young
trees annually.

William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

GROWTH IN CA STORAGE HOLDINGS IN MASSA CHUSETTS

Approximately 50 per cent of the Mcintosh crop in Massachusetts storages on
November 1, 1963 was in CA and 40 per cent of the total stored crop was in this
type storage (Table 1). Naturally, these percentages will fluctuate with crop
size but the data clearly illustrates the rapid increase in CA storage holdings
since 1956.

Table 1. Apple Storage Holdings in Massachusetts On November 1, 1955 through 1963.

(thousands of bushels)

Mcintosh

% of Stored '

Standard CA Mcintosh ' S^tandard
Year Storage Storage Crop in CA ' Storage

All Varieties

7. of Total
CA Stored Crop
Storage In CA

1956

736

1957

1,362

1958

1,012

1959

1,023

1960

646

1961

1,208

1962

929

1963

661

118

181
397
437
473
585
610
655

12.9
11.7
28.2
29.9
42.3
32.6
39.6
49.8

1,232
1,951
1,594
1,630
1,162
1,791
1,483
1,108

118

194
442
471
486
634
698
746

8.7
9.0

21.7
22.4
29.5
26.1
32.0
40.2

Data obtained from the Special Apple Market Report.

—William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

-5-

PEAR VARIETY EVALUATION - 1963

Chapin - A seedling of Seckel that is harvested in early August. The fruit was
small to medium in size, green with a red blush. Chapin resembles
Seckel except for a more prominent neck. The flesh is fine textured,
juicy, free of grit cells and of good quality.

Devoe - The fruit is a clear yellow often with a blush-red cheek, oblong pyriform
in shape and of good quality. Devoe has been a heavy producer with a
tendency to ripen unevenly. The fruit was harvested in the second week
of September and held in storage until December. Devoe is worthy of
trial.

Grand Champion - A russet sport of Gorham which it resembles in size, shape and
quality. The fruit is overspread with a uniform "cinnamon" russet and
is very attractive. The fruit tended to shrivel in storage. As this
was our first crop, its productivity is undetermined.

Packham's Triumph - The fruit is large in size, greenish yellow in color, free
from blemishes and although the surface is somewhat rough it is an
attractive pear. The flesh is white, fine melting, free of grit cells
and of very good quality. The fruit was harvested in late September
and held up well into early January. As the fruit was harvested from
a top-worked tree, an evaluation of tree characteristics cannot be given.

Alexander Lucas - A late ripening pear of medium size, smooth surface, obovate,
obtuse-pyriform shape and greenish yellow color. The fruit is of good
quality, Alexander Lucas was harvested in the third week of September
and keeps well into December. Production appears to be satisfactory.

Dumont - A late ripening pear of medium size, obtuse pyriform shape and yellow

color. The flesh is firm, juicy and the quality very good. The fruit
was harvested in late September and kept well into early January. The
variety has been productive under our conditions and is worthy of trial.

---James F. Anderson

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH
Entering CA Rooms

Some operators of CA rooms are taking unnecessary chances when entering rooms
to repair equipment. Some are using "make-shift" equipment; others enter the
room by themselves. Never enter a sealed CA room without a suitable air mask or
an oxygen mask . NEVl'.R GO IN A CA ROOM ALONE .

Some growers borrow respirators from the local fire or police departments.
Bor row at le a st two . Be sure that you know how to operate the equipment properly .
Tr3^ it out before you go into the room . Be sure the tanlcs have a full charge of
oxy gen or air .

In some instances it is more desirable to purchase your own respiration
equipment. Or else, several CA operators in an area can purchase the equipment
jointly.

Your County Agent has information concerning where suitable equi.pment can
be purchased.

William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

LYGUS BUGS AS A CAUSH OF FRUIT DEFOllMITY IN STRATOERRIES

Deformed strawberries generally referred to as "cat-faced" or "nubbined"
berries, occur commonly and sometimes abundantly in some strav^berry plantings.
Some of the causes of "cat-facing" are insects, weather, and lack of pollination.
Furthermore, this injury can be directly attributed to the failure of individual
achenes or seeds to stimulate receptacle development, either due to insect injury
or to lack of pollination. Insect injury to the achenes can occur during the bud
stage, during blossoming, or even during early fruit formation. Lack of pollina-
tion is more pronounced during years v;hen early spring weather is cold as this
results in the curtailment of bee activity.

An article published in the December issue of the Journal of Economic
Entomology by W. V/. Allen and S. E. Gaede, of the University of California, stated
that even with adequate pollination achenes can be destroyed so that they do not
stimulate complete fruit development. Their study showed that lygus bugs, such as
our common tarnished plant bug, are important in destroying achenes both before
and after pollination. They accomplish this by puncturing and injecting a poison-
ous substance into the individual achenes wliich stops development of the berry in
the immediate area of the puncture, llie most susceptible period for injury to
occur is from the time the flowers open until the achenes have completed their
enlargement. Since flowers are open for only a few days (3 to 4), whereas the
achenes are enlarging for over a week (10 to 12 days) , it becomes apparent that
more damage may be caused by lygus bugs after blossoming.

It is possible to distinguish damage to berries v;hether caused by lack of
pollination or by lygus bug attack. With lack of pollination, the achenes are all
small and uniformly pale green in color. I'Jlien the berries mature, the unpollinated
achenes become somewhat collapsed but do not turn brown until the fruit is nearly
ripe. With lygus bug attack, a few of the enlarged achenes in the cat-faced
areas turn a light brown color long before the berries ripen.

Where lygus bugs are the cause of cat-facing, the application of insecticides
V7ill greatly decrease this damage. For current control recommendations on this

-7-

insect, consult your Pest Control Chart for Strawberries. The cat-facing in the
ripe fruit arises from injury that was caused four or five weeks earlier, but by
keeping a close watch on the developing fruit, it is possible to observe the
effects of control in about txi^o weeks,

H. E. Wave

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

PRUNING BEARING APPLE TREES

The right perspective in regard to pruning is necessary when we attempt tc
relate it to the entire orchard operation. Many growers approach pruning in an
apologetic fashion. They are likely to be on the defensive concerning the method
used, for too much or too little pruning, or for over-emphasizing its importance.

Common opinions about pruning are that no two individuals prune alike or
that it actually makes little difference how It is done as far as its final effect
on tree growth and fruit production. There is often indifference to the impor-
tance of making the right cuts from the standpoint of effectiveness and efficiency
of the pruning operation.

Although some differences in opinion on pruning exist, there are certain
basic principles that should be followed in order to develop strong trees which
are capable of high yields and the production of a large percentage of good
quality fruit. One grower may select different limbs to cut than another. How-
ever, by following certain basic principles the end results are similar.

Finally, bear in mind that pruning reduces the number of growing points and
total leaf area. Pruning is more likely to decrease rather than increase the
total yield per tree, and the leaves are the food factories of the tree. Thereby,
pruning should be limited to those cuts that will (1) eliminate weak wood, (2)
allow even, light distribution throughout the tree, (3) change direction and/or
height of growth, and (4) help spray coverage. Also, good pruning practices will
reduce the yearly expense of this operation. Well pruned trees are easier and
more economical to harvest.

Now that we have discussed the purpose of pruning, the following pruning
tips may be of help. Even though the growth response to pruning is localized
largely in the immediate area of the cut, detailed pruning should be eliminated
whenever possible because of the time and expense involved. Bulk pruning
(removal of large limbs that will "open" up the tree) should replace detailed
pruning. This will help eliminate the practice of pruning the smaller fruiting
wood along the main limbs with the end result of having the fruiting wood only
at the periphery of the tree. Not only will the area in the inside of the tree
become non-productive, because the removal of the fruiting wood, many water
sprouts originate in the vicinity of the cuts which interfere with spray coverage
and penetration of sunlight.

Keep small cuts larger than finger size. Decide what limbs should be eli-
minated and then remove them. Considerable time can be wasted in the decision

-8-

phane of pruning. The first impression is usually the best. When the tree is
finished do not keep trying to find more cuts to make. They are relatively
unimportant and slow up the pruning operation.

Organize your pruning I Make the most essential cuts first. You can then
more readily determine the remaining cuts to be made. If you use a saw and
lopping shears or pole pruner, a good system to follow is to make the necessary
saw cuts from the ground and then in the top of the tree. After this is done
prune with the lopping shears or pole pruners in the top and work back towards
the ground and then finish the job with the shears from the ground.

Prune as follows:

1, Remove broken and diseased branches.

2o Remove water sprouts which are not needed to protect branches from
sunscald or to provide for branch removal.

3. Eliminate crossing and parallel branches which tend to shade more
desirable branches.

4. Remove weak drooping branches which are severely shaded and have few
fruiting spurs.

5. Remove branches which are growing toward the center of the tree.

6. Remove suckers which arise at the base of the tree.

7o Reduce the height of excessively tall trees by complete removal of a
branch or by heading back to a strong outward growing lateral.

8o Head back canopy forming limbs in the middle to top section of the tree.

Water sprouts in the tops of the trees present a problem when trying to
control height. Retain those that tend to bend or encourage them to bend by the
removal of shoots on the side opposite the desired direction of bending. If a
"stiff" water sprout must be retained, head back to a strong lateral. The
practice of merely heading back a Vi^ater sprout will only encourage new upright
growth from the promixity of the pruning cut.

Max G. Fultz

Regional Agricultural Specialist

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Staff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

MARCH 10, 1964

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Varieties of Strawberries for Massachusetts

Pomological Paragraph

Should We Continue to Plant Trees on E.M.
Vii Rootstocks?

Pomological Paragraph

Apple Marketing Outlook

Fertilizer Recommendations for 1964

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Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, in fi»therance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914
University of Massachusetts, United States beparlment of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No. 44.

VARIETIES OF STRAWBERRIES FOR MASSACHUSETTS

Jlaviety_

Recommended for

Earlidawa

Midland

Redglow

Surecrop

Midway

Catskill

Fulton

Robinson

Fletcher

Sparkle

Frontenac

Vesper

Trial

& H
C

& H
T
C
T

& H
T
T

H - Home Garden

Harvesting Season

Very early

Early

Early midseason

Midseason

Late

Very late

C - Commercial

Varieties so marked are not necessarily equally adapted to all sections
of the State.

Variety Notes

Earlidav/n - A very early ripening variety. The fruits are of medium size, firm

and of fair to good flavor. The plants are productive and of moderate
vigor. Earlidawn is recommended where red stele is not a factor.

Midland - An early ripening variety with large firm fruit of very good flavor.
Midland produces many large, coarse berries and the berries are in-
clined to be dark in color. The variety, though a poor plant maker,
has been a good producer. Good yields are obtained only with virus
free plants. Midland is not resistant to red stele.

Redglow - This early-midseason variety is vigorous and productive. The berries
are of good size, very attractive and of good flavor. Redglow is
resistant to the common strain of red stele.

Surecrop - Recommended largely because of its resistance to several strains of
red stele. The fruits are attractive, medium in size and fair to
good in flavor. The plants are vigorous and moderately productive.

Midway - The fruit is of good size, a deep red color, glossy and very good in
flavor. The plants are vigorous, productive and resistant to the
common strain of red stele.

Catskill - A leading commercial variety with many growers because of its large
size, attractiveness, good quality and vigorous, productive plants.
Quite susceptible to leaf spot and requires a high level of fertil-
ity for good production. A good freezer.

Fulton - This new variety rates high in firmness, appearance and flavor. The
plants are vigorous and productive. Fulton is not resistant to red
stele.

Robinson - Its large, attractive, bright red fruit, high yield and abundant

runner production have made this variety commercially important in
many parts of the state. The quality and firmness of the fruit,
however, are below average.

Fletcher - The fruit is of good size, attractive with very good flavor. The
plants are vigorous and productive. Fletcher has rated slightly
below Fulton in firmness, appearance, flavor and production in tests
in Amherst. Fletcher is not resistant to red stele.

Sparkle - One of the important late season varieties. Its outstanding values
are productiveness, firmness, good quality, and resistance to red
stele disease. Berry size is medium to large in early pickings but
tends to decline rapidly. It is rated as a good freezer.

Frontenac- A late ripening variety with vigorous and productive plants. The
fruits are large, medium to dark red in color, good in flavor and
moderate in firmness. Frontenac is not resistant to red stele.

Vesper - The plants are large, vigorous and productive. The fruit ripens late,
is very large in size, attractive, moderate in firmness and good in
flavor. Vesper has prominent protruding seeds. This variety merits
trial because of its large size, attractiveness, lateness and produc-
tiveness. Vesper is not resistant to red stele.

James F. Anderson

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Examine Apple Trees for Winter Injury

Winter injury to trunks of apple trees generally becomes apparent in April.
It usually is necessary to thump the bark on the trunks to determine injury,
since frequently no splitting occurs, A hammer is a satisfactory tool for this
purpose.

Trees pruned in November and December may be more susceptible to injury.
However, during the winter of 1962-1963 Mcintosh trees pruned in January and
February in two orchards had severe winter injury.

Gun-type staplers or air guns are efficient devices for tightening the bark
to the v;ood on winter injured trees. With the gun-type staplers, 9/16 inch
staples are suggested. The staples should be driven one to two inches apart
to insure good bark-wood contact. Paint the injured area with a cold water
soluble asphalt emulsion.

3 -

The air guns are operated from a compressor used for pneumatic pruners. One
inch crown staples of 21/32 inch length are suitable for tightening the bark.

In 1963, one grower welded a handle on a mowing machine cutter bar section
(serrated) v;hich he used for scraping off the old shedding bark prior to
stapling. Another grower scraped off the loose bark with the claws of a
hammer.

-- William J. Lord

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

SHOULD WE CONTINUE TO PLANT T R EES ON E.M. V I I ROOTSTOCK S?

The most popular size controlling rootstock in Massachusetts has been
E.M. VII. Now another series of rootstocks. Mailing Merton (M.M.), are being
tested at various experiment stations and in growers' orchards, some of which
may have distinct advantages over E.M. rootstocks. An excellent discussion
of the performance of trees on E.M. and M.M. rootstocks was given by Prof. Karl
Erase, New York Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, New York, at the Massa-
chusetts Fruit Growers' Annual Meeting held at Gardner in January. His report
will appear in the Report of the 70th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Fruit
Growers' Association.

At present we have had more experience with the performance of trees on

E.M. rootstocks than on M.M. Although trees on M.M. are worthy of trial, trees

on E.M. VII are suggested for extensive plantings of Mcintosh, until more is
known about the performance of M.M. stocks.

Under some circumstances, trees on seedling rootstocks may be more desir-
able than those on size-controlling rootstocks, for example on exposed, windy
sites. The need of size-controlling rootstocks for Red Delicious is doubtful.
In many of our orchards. Red Delicious aren't excessively large trees, since
they lack the inherent vigor of Mcintosh in this region. Some growers believe
they can control the size of seedling trees by pruning without too much diffi-
culty, Mcintosh on seedling roots has produced yields of 1000-1800 bushels per
acre in Massachusetts.

We feel the final decision rests with the grower. Our obligation is to
supply the best possible information upon which the grower can make his decision.

Recently, it has been suggested that growers plant trees on M.M. instead
of E.M. rootstocks to avoid virus problems. Prof. Karl Erase provides the
following thoughts on this subject, and he is quoted directly as follows.

"Those who advise your growers to use the Mai ling -Merton
rootstock clones instead of certain East Mailing clones, because the
former do not carry a latent virus or latent virus complexes, better
first inform themselves about latent virus diseases in apple varieties
and rootstocks.

- 4 -

Even among the MM group are clones that do not have a single
mother plant that indexes virus free on certain indicators. The same
is true of many of the so-called super strains of our well advertised
varieties. There are latent virus diseases present in apple varieties
as well as in certain apple rootstock clones. But before one condemns
the use of certain rootstock clones, one has to prove that the latent
virus actually affects growth, bearing, and the end product, namely
the fruit.

Virus diseases that do harm, of course, should be eliminated -
I am referring here to those with visible symptoms either on the tree
or the fruit. As long as we do not know what effect the latent virus
present in the rootstock has upon the variety, we should not condemn
the use of the rootstock.

We have used EM VII and others in the EM group for more than
30 years successfully and shall continue to do so. As far as we know
now, the latent virus present in EM VII has not affected in any way
the varieties we have grown on this rootstock.

I see no advantage in the use of rootstocks free of latent virus
if we have to grow on them varieties that carry also a virus in a
latent stage.

It will take a number of years to prove or disprove that the
latent virus present in EM VII is harmful and affects the performance
of the trees. As long as this is unknown, growers should not be
alarmed about it,"

-- William J. Lord
/ I I I I I I I I I

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Soil Versus Leaf Analyses

"Fertilizers for Fruit Crops" was the title of an article by A.L. Kenworthy
in the 91st Annual Report of the Michigan State Horticultural Society. In his
article he mentions that experience has shown that there is a very poor relation-
ship between soil tests and actual needs of fruit trees. Leaf analysis is the
most reliable diagnostic method. Leaf analysis combined with a thorough knowledge
of the crop considered will provide the most reliable method of determining
fertilizer needs for fruit crops.

-- William J. Lord
/ I I I I I I I I I

APPLE bL\RKETING OUTLOOK

The apple marketing situation is discussed by Fred Perkins, Department
of Agricultural Economics and Marketing, Rutgers, New Brunswick, New Jersey
in Economics Information Report No. 2. Below is his analysis of the factors
that affect the future of the apple industry.

" Production Trends

During the recent five year period 1959-1963, the U.S. apple
crop amounted to 126,8 million bushels, 108,5 million, 126,7 million,
125,4 million, and 122.8 million, for an average annual crop of 122.1
million bushels.

Statistics show that the production trend for most major pro-
ducing areas in the U.S. is upward, indicating increases of more than
10 million bushels can be expected to provide average national crops
of from 130 to 135 million bushels by 1966, There is also the further
possibility that if all producing areas in the U.S. should have favor-
able weather conditions in a given year, a bumper national crop of
some 147 million bushels might result.

Varietal Planting s

Nationally, the variety to increase most heavily in the future
is Red Delicious, As a percentage of total production, slight increases
will also occur for Winesap, Rome and Golden Delicious; while decreases
will occur for the Mcintosh, Staymen and York varieties.

Population Estimates

The U.S. population and the U.S. production of apples are both
expected to increase a total of 8.5 per cent over the next five years
for an annual increase of about 1.7 per cent. This means that apple
consumption must continue at its present level if the industry is to
maintain its position over the next five years. On the brighter side,
the statistics show that the composition of the population will be
such in five years that 22 per cent of the people in the U.S. will be
under 10 years of age and 49 per cent will be under 25 years old.
Therefore, the increase in population and shifts in its age classifi-
cations may help the apple industry - if more younger people are en-
couraged to eat and enjoy apples.

Consumer Patterns

In the early '20's, the total annual consumption of apples
averaged more than 50 pounds per person, but over the years it has
decreased appreciably. For the period 1941-50, total apple consump-
tion averaged 30 pounds per person, compared to 28 pounds for the
last 10-year period, 1951-60.

During this period, fresh sales of apples decreased an average
of four pounds per person; canned sales increased two pounds, while
other processing uses remained relatively unchanged.

6 -

This downward trend in consumption has been influenced by
shifts in the demand for apples brought about by population changes,
improved incomes, new trends in consumption preferences and changes
in the status of substitute or competing products.

Per capita disposable incomes in the U.S. has been steadily in-
creasing over the years and is expected to continue to rise. This
should result in a good future demand for apples - if strong promo-
tional efforts are continued.

Storage Trends

During the period 1946-60 about 44 per cent of the U.S. produc-
tion of apples was placed in refrigerated storages. This volume has
increased gradually to approximately 54 per cent of the 1963 crop
being placed in cold storage.

Revolutionary changes in the methods used to hold apples have
occurred in very recent years with the introduction of C.A.
(controlled atmosphere) storage. In 1946, a total of 76,500
bushels of apples were stored in C.A. Today nearly 10,000,000
bushels are stored in C.A., of which nearly one-quarter are in
Tectrol storage. These C.A. stored apples have met with good
buyer reaction.

Mcintosh, Delicious, Jonathan, Rome, and the Newton have
accounted for the major varieties commercially stored to date in C.A.

Fairly substantial increases in C.A. storages throughout the
country are still likely, even though the high premium price re-
ceived will probably not be received to the extent that it has
in the past.

As C.A. storage holdings increase, two things may happen:
(1) larger quantities of apples might be sold later in the year
than has been the custom in the past, and as a result, apples
will become more available to Mrs. Consumer on a twelve month
basis, or (2) more apples from C.A. will be sold earlier in the
year than has been the practice in recent years, which may force
greater competition on those selling apples from regular storage
late in the season. Given a choice, buyers will choose C.A.
apples over regularly stored apples - even at a slightly higher
premium. (Very likely--both possibilities outlined above will
occur) .

Price Trends

Generally speaking, apple prices are influenced by two key
factors--supply or quantity available and demand, which is the
volume of apples consumers will purchase at various price levels.
From statistical studies, it is estimated that about 96 per cent
of the year-to-year fluctuation in apple prices is explained by
variations in the size of the crop and changes in consumer income.

7 -

A 1 per cent increase in production is estimated to decrease prices
by nearly .8 per cent, where a 1 per cent increase in income will
up prices by about 1 per cent.

Since 1949, there have been nine years when the total U.S.
apple crop was more than 110 million bushels. For these years,
the price received by growers averaged $1,61 per bushel. This
compares to $2.12, or an average difference of 51 cents per bushel,
for the five years during the same 14-year period when the total
U.S. production was less than 110 million bushels.

Ways to improve prices include producing quality apples, im-
proving grade standards, using better packages, selling at road-
side, conducting direct delivery programs, developing specialized
market outlets and, in certain cases, creating a customer desire
for grower-identified apples. To maximize income, the individual
grower should seek the most profitable grades and quantities of
apples to sell in line with his own particular situation. Collec-
tively, growers must encourage greater demand and increased
consumption of apples.

Export Prospects

Traditionally, the apple has played an important role In the

U.S. export trade. However, while apples got off to a strong start

a century ago, their present position in the export trade has been

considerably reduced. During the five-year period 1934-39, on the

average about 10 per cent of the U.S. apple crop was exported. For

the period 1957-61 this percentage had dropped to slightly over

3 per cent. In 1962, only about 2.3 per cent of the U.S. apple crop

was exported. As apple production in Europe trends upward, future

prospects for the export market in Europe appears less favorable

than in the past."

-- William J. Lord

--This article will be concluded in the April issue of Fruit Notes--

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1964

For the past several seasons, we have suggested reduced rates of nitrogen
in those blocks which had a record of poor fruit color. Growers who have re-
duced or omitted nitrogen in some blocks may feel that the nitrogen level is
now too low. Growers have two possible choices - they can increase the rate of
nitrogen application, ox they can maintain the present rate and apply a urea
spray around first cover if the foliage indicates a low level of nitrogen.

Another factor to consider in determining the rate of nitrogen application
is the amount of pruning which the trees receive. Trees Vi/hich have received a
heavy pruning will require less nitrogen than trees lightly pruned.

8 -

The suggested rates of fertilizer for normal applications are the same as
in former years .

Normal Rates of Fertilizer for Bearing Appl e Orchards

App roxim a te Amounts per Tree

Potential bushel
yield of tree

Less than 15
15 - 25
More than 25

Nitrogen Potash Ammonium Nitrate

required required Nitrate of Potash or 0-15-30 8-16-16

Pounds Pounds

0.66 1.3

0.66-1.00 1,3-2.0

1.33-2.00 2.7-A.3

Pounds

2.0

2.1

4.3

2.0-3.3

2.1-3.3

4.3-6.6

8-12

4.0-6.0

4.5-7.9

9.0-14.3

16-25

The suggested amounts of materials to apply in the table are for hand appli-
cations under the spread of the branches. When the materials are broadcast over
the entire orchard floor it may be necessary to increase the rate of application
in order to obtain the same tree response as with the hand applications. Ferti-
lizer materials other than those given in the tables may be used so long as they
are applied at rates which provide equivalent amounts of nitrogen and potassium.

The tree's magnesium and calcium requirements can best be met by maintain-
ing an adequate dolomitic liming program. The pH of orchard soils should be
maintained between 6 and 6.5 „ If a soil test shov7s that the pH of soil is 5.5
or below, magnesium sulfate sprays should be applied to prevent possible occur-
rence of magnesium deficiency. It takes from three to five years before dolomitic
limestone is effective in correcting magnesium deficiency. When magnesium sulfate
sprays are used, apply two to three sprays of epsom salts at the rate of 20 pounds
per 100 gallons of water. These sprays should be timed by calyx, first and sec-
ond cover sprays. To avoid possible incompatibilities, the epsom salt sprays
should not be combined with the regular insecticidal and fungicidal sprays.

Boron should be applied to orchard soils every three years. Borax is the
most common material used. The rates of application per tree vary v/ith age and
size. Apply one-quarter pound of borax to young trees, one-half to three-quarters
pound to medium age and size trees, and three-quarters to one pound to large or
mature trees. Boron may be applied as a foliar spray on a trial basis,
Polybor-2 or Boro Spray applied at one-half pound per 100 gallons of spray
one and three weeks after petal fall have given satisfactory results in New
York State,

In young, non-bearing orchards, it may be possible to produce sufficient
high quality mulching material for the young trees by broadcasting 500 to 800
pounds of mixed fertilizer per acre. Place the mulch in a band under the spread
of the branches. The amount of fertilizer required for the trees with this
system of culture will vary v/ith the quantity and quality of mulch applied
around each tree. If the trees are not making sufficient growth, one-eighth
pound of ammonium nitrate per year of tree age may be applied to the mulch.

Recommendations for fertilizing peach orchards are given in the following
table. The amounts given may need to be increased, if the trees are in a heavy
sod. A suggested increase would be to double the amount of nitrogen.

Normal Rates of Fertilizer for Bearing Peach Orchards

Appro:<

imate Amounts

^er_

Tree

Anmonium

Muriate

Tree Age

Nitrate

of Potash

: 0-15-30

8-16-16

Pounds

3 - 6

k-1

1-2

2- 4

6-9

1 -1^5

2-3

4- 6

9-12

l%-2

3-4

6- 8

12 & over

2 -4

4-8

8-12

8-16

-- Walter D. VJeeks

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

FRUIT NOTES

Prepored by Pomology Stoff, Deportmsnt of Horticulture

Cooperotive Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

APRIL 10, 1964

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Role of Bees in the Pollination of
Deciduous Fruits

Get Good Strawberry Plants In Well
Prepared Soil

Apple Marketing Outlook

Chemical Control of Weeds in the Orchard

Chemical Thinning of Apples

'/A.

L^'V>

'*;

Issued by the Coopfratlvc Extension Servic;, A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914;
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating.
Publication Apfx-oved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No. 44.

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE FRUIT PROGRAM

BARNSTABLE

BERKSHIRE,
FRANKLIN,
HAMPDEN and
HAMPSHIRE

Oscar S. Johnson, County Extension Agent in Agriculture, Cape
Cod Extension Service, Barnstable (Tel, FOrest 2-3255).

G. Everett Wilder, Pioneer Valley Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Hampden County Improvement League, 1499 Memorial Avenue,
West Springfield (Tel. Springfield REpublic 6-7204)

BRISTOL

DUKES

ESSEX,

MIDDLESEX and
WORCESTER

NORFOIiC

PLYMOUTH

Harold 0. Woodward, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Bristol County Agricultural School, Center Street, Segreganset
(Tel. Dighton NOrmandy 9-3611 or 9-2361).

Ezra I. Shaw, County Extension Agent in Agriculture, Dukes

County Extension Service, Vineyard Haven (Tel. Vineyard Haven 694).

Max G. Fultz, Regional Agricultural Specialist, Middlesex County
Extension Service, 19 Everett Street, Concord (Tel, Concord
EMerson 9-4845)

Howard Wilson, County Extension Agent in Agriculture, Norfolk
County Agricultural School, 460 Main Street, Walpole (Tel.
Walpole MOntrose 8-0268 or 8-0269).

Dominic A. Marini, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Plymouth County Extension Service, Court House, Brockton
(Tel. Brockton JUniper 6-4993).

All pesticide chemicals mentioned in this publication are registered and
cleared for the suggested uses in accordance with federal laws and regulations.
Chapter 7 27, Acts of 1960, Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that all
pesticides sold in Massachusetts be registered with the Massachusetts Department
'of Public Health. Trade names, where used for clearness, do not indicate
endorsement nor imply that similar products are not satisfactory.

WARNING! MOST PESTICIDES ARE POISONOUS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS
AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON LABELS. HANDLE CAREFULLY AND STORE OUT OF REACH OF
CHILmEN, PETS AND LIVESTOCK.

THE ROLE OF BEES IN THE POLLINATION OF DECIDUOUS FRUITS

F. R. Shaw
Department of Entomology
and Plant Pathology

The principal insects of value in the pollination of fruit in New England
include honey bees, solitary bees and bumble bees. Honey bees overwinter as
colonies consisting of n queen plus many thousand workers. Solitary bees include
a great number of species. These pass the winter in the adult stage in sheltered
locations. In the spring, each female constructs her own nest, usually in the
soil, collects pollen and nectar, and lays an egg in each cell. True colonies
are not formed. Bumble bees, like solitary bees, hibernate. In the spring, the
fertilized females construct their nests, obtain food and rear young. These are
worker bumble bees. The workers help to enlarge the colony by gathering pollen
and nectar and tending to the young.

Relative Importance of Different Kinds of Bees for Pollination

1. Honey bees are the only pollinating insects that can be increased
in numbers and located where needed, from a practical viewpoint,

2. Honey bees are less dependent on favorable weather for flight than
solitary bees. Bumble bees are superior in this respect.

3. Honey bees are more constant to ^ single species of plant when
collecting nectar or pollen than are solitary bees or bumble bees.
Investigations in Canada have indicated that honey bees are 80 per
cent constant, solitary bees 55 - 70 per cent and bumble bees

65 per cent.

Characteristics of Colonies Most Suitable for Pollination

1. Should be strong. It is suggested that there should be sufficient
bees to cover 5-6 frames as a minimum (determined by checking colony
when temperature is 60-65 F.) Such colonies should be sending
40-50 bees per minute at these temperatures unless rain, wind,
light or other factors are unfavorable.

Farrar made comparison of flight rate of different types of colo-
nies during pollination period. A portion of his data is
reproduced below:

Type of colony Temperature 90° F. Average No. bees

Relative Humidity 507, flying per minute

3 lb. package 15

5 lb. package 50

3.5 lb, overwintered colony 65

7 lb. overwintered colony 128

2o Colonies should be queen right.

3. Colonies should be disease free.

- 2 -

Number of Colonies Needed Per Acre

An old "rule of thumb" recommendation was one colony per acre. We now
recognize that it is difficult to select a standard that will apply under all
conditions due to variation in populations of pollinators naturally present,
weather factors, colony condition, exposure of orchard and other factors.

Location of Colonies in Orchard

Most recent investigations demonstrate the advisability of placing colonies
in groups throughout the orchard taking advantage of natural wind breaks or pro-
viding artificial cover if necessary. Colonies should face south or southeast.

When to Move Colonies Into the Orchard

It is not recommended that bees be placed in orchard ahead of bloom since
the bees may become trained to visit other flowers. It is suggested that the
colonies be moved in when bloom has opened or even to wait a day or so if
conditions for flight appear to be satisfactory.

Some of the Problems Facing Beekeeper Who Rents Bees for Pollination

1. Loss of queens or colonies during moving,

2. Swarming.

3. Exposure to disease.

4. Exposure to pesticides.

How Bees May Be Poisoned

1. Contamination of water, nectar or pollen with pesticides which
have stomach poison action on bees. Contaminated water and pollen
may kill both the brood (immature bees) and the adults. Poisoned
nectar kills mainly adult field bees but there are some exceptions
depending on speed of action of pesticide and distance bees have
to fly.

2. Direct contact with pesticide during application, adult field bees
are primarily affected but brood may die from neglect. (Starvation
or exposure to extremes of temperature) .

3. Exposure to pesticides having prolonged residual action. In some
instances heavy mortalities have resulted from exposure to residues
on leaves, twigs, or blossoms on which bees may crawl or rest.

Comparative Toxicity of Pesticides to Honeybees

Anderson and Atkins (University of California) set up four groups of pesti-
cides based on their comparative toxicities to bees. Much original information
was presented, some of which was obtained from laboratory experiments. Most of
the more important materials were also tested in the field. It must be empha-
sized that weather conditions in California may influence the effects of most
pesticides so as to give very different results than we might obtain in the
Northeast,

1. Materials that are toxic to bees which should not be used if there
is a possibility of bee poisoning at the time of treatment or with-
in several days thereafter:

BHC dieldrin lindane

calcium arsenate Guthion parathion

Diazinon lead arsenate carbaryl (Sevin)

2. Materials that are highly toxic to bees but which may be used if
certain precautions, involving proper method and timing of applica-
tion, recommended dosages and avoidance of high temperatures, are
followed:

malathion Phosdrin TEPP

3. Materials that are only moderately toxic to bees which may be used if
dosage and timing are correct. Should not be applied directly on bees
in the field or on the colonies:

chlorobenzilate endrin endosulfan (Thiodan)

TDE (DDD) ethion carbophenothion

DDT tetradifon (Tedion) (Trithion)

4. Materials that are relatively non-toxic but deliberate spraying of
bees even with these materials should be avoided.

captan Karathane demeton (Systox)

dodine (Cyprex) methoxychlor thiram

dioxathion (Delnav) chlorobenzide (Mitox) 2,4-D

ferbam ovex 2,4,5-T

Genite sulfur

What Is Being Done to Reduce Danger of Poisoning?

1, Research on comparative toxicities of pesticides to bees. This pro-
vides information of value in making recommendations for the use of
such materials,

2, Investigations on possible use of substances repellent to bees. These
would be included in sprays in order to cause bees to avoid treated
surfaces,

3, Extension specialists recognize danger of poisoning and recommend
measures to minimize poisoning. Among these might be (1) proper
timing to avoid pesticide applications to plants attractive to bees
while in bloom, (2) applications in early morning or in evening
when fewer bees will come in direct contact with poison, and (3)
avoidance of contamination of area where spraying or dusting equip-
ment is being filled, particularly if there is standing water in
vicinity by bees.

- 4 -

Suggestions to Improve Grower- Beekeeper Relations
Have definite agreement as to:

1. Number of colonies wanted.

2. Strength of colonies,

3. When colonies are to be moved in and out of orchard. Beekeeper
needs 48-7 2 hours notice.

4. Distribution of colonies in orchard.

5e Avoidance of use of harmful pesticides while bees are in orchard,
6. Rental price with terms of payment.

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

GET GOOD STRAWBERRY PLANTS IN WELL PREPARED SOIL

John S, Bailey
Department of Horticultural
Science

The importance of starting with good strawberry plants is becoming increas-
ingly more evident" Good plants are not only free from disease but also in good
physical and nutritional condition (well developed plants with a large crown and
root system, high in food reserves and mineral nutrients).

In a recent Report of the Committee on Deciduous and Small Fruits of the
Council on Fertilizer Application, it is stated, "The pre-planting application
of fertilizers is gaining acceptance among the growers of small fruits, especially
strawberries. The sensitivity of the strawberry to nitrogen and potassium salts
is well kriown. In order to avoid this effect, the green manure crop is fertilized
heavily the season before the land is to be set with strawberries. This system
seems to work very well and its use will probably increase." This statement is
worthy of more attention and more thought.

A strawberry plant grower of my acquaintance has for years made a practice
of turning under large amounts of heavily fertilized green manure crops before
setting strawberry plants, and subsequently applying no more fertilizer. The
result has been unusually large, vigorous daughter plants.

In some of our experimental work with strawberry plants, we started out with
virus-free plants which were unusually large and vigorous. There was no response
to a large variety of fertilizer treatments. These plants were probably so high
in nutrient reserves as a result of unusually high soil fertility in the nursery
that they needed little, if any, fertilizer the following year.

This all points to two very important practices in starting a strawberry bed.
First, get your soil well prepared by turning under heavily fertilized green
manure crops (or farm manures, if available). Second, obtain good vigorous plants

- 5

high in mineral and food reserves. Such plants will really "take off" and gr

ow.

Remember that good plants mean plants free of all disease, not just virus-
free. Be especially careful not to bring red stele into your bed. Also, be
fussy about the size and vigor of the plants. The free plants obtained from a
neighbor may not be so cheap in the long run.

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

APPLE MARKETING OUTLOOK

Fred Perkins
Department of Agricultural
Economics and Marketing
Rutgers

--Continuation of the article that appeared in the March issue of Fruit Notes in
which Fred Perkins analyzes the factors that affect the future of the apple industry.

" Packaging Trends

In recent years, there has been a tremendous increase in the sales
of fresh prepackaged fruit and vegetables in the U.S. Today, consumer
packages must have eye appeal. They must provide for convenience, be
reasonable in cost and give greater confidence in the quality and fresh-
ness of the contents.

The most widely used consumer package for apples is the polyethylene
bag. It is estimated that from 35 to 45 per cent of all apples are sold
at retail prepackaged in bags. Medium to large size apples, however, do
not fit well into 3 to 5 pound capacity bags--further, there is little
protection afforded to these larger apples from bruising.

Especially promising, for display and protection, are the newly
developed shrinkable films now used widely on some commodities and on
a test basis for others. (These over-wrapped packages usually hold
from 6 to 8 apples) .

Let's take a look at the shrink film situation for apples. There
is general agreement that volume production offered by shrink film opera-
tions offers real potentialities of reducing the cost of packing apples
in consumer trays over former techniques and that bruising, especially
to the larger sized and easily bruised apples, is substantially reduced
over bagging by using consumer tray packs.

With twenty or more suppliers of equipment and various films, how-
ever, the job of selecting the best product or material to use becomes
difficult. Perhaps the best general concensus of opinion is that no
one product now on the market is highly recommended by all users (not

manufacturers) to be the best in every respect. A number of users ex-
pressed concern over wrinkling of the film, costs, condensation, etc.
Some packers feel that large volumes are required to justify high
overhead costs of equipment and therefore shrink film packaging can be
best used by large growers or packers who can specialize and lower their
per unit packing costs.

Some retailers and chain store organizations have been reluctant
to pay a slight premium for prepackaged apples to help offset the added
cost involved in shrink film packages, even though their net profits
might be increased.

There are people closely associated with the industry who say that
shrink film packages are primarily supplementary in nature and should
be used along with bagged apples to maximize sales. Others feel that
the total consumer acceptance for some tray packed apples has not yet
been adequately proven. Some retailers advance the theory that to
maximize sales we should be thinking of even larger units especially
at harvest time, during the Halloween season, and on other special
occasions.

There is no question that polyethlene jumble-filled bags and shrink
film packages are here to stay. From a grower standpoint, it appears
presently that tray packages are proving most advantageous to distant
shippers and producers who are handling large volumes of the softer
flesh varieties of apples.

Competition

From the marketing aspect, the time has passed when producers can
rely heavily on local buyers to sell their apples to, without meeting
strong competition from other producing areas and from a multitude of
highly advertised and competitive items being offered for sale to con-
sumers. The marketing pattern for apples with few exceptions has now
become exceedingly more complex.

U.S. apple producers must continually do a better job of meeting
the price, quality and services offered by competitors.

Some of these needs can best be met by individuals, while others
require the joint effort of all producers, well organized and working
together in harmony, to do the job. Only those producers who are will-
ing to recognize the changes taking place in the apple industry today
and who are willing to adjust their operations accordingly will con-
tinue to be successful in the apple business in the years ahead.

Costs and Efficienc y

In many cases, efficiency is the most critical factor in deter-
mining whether a profit or loss results from the production and sale
of apples. Present economic conditions in marketing apples indicate
an efficiency of the highest degree is needed in order to be success-
ful in today's extremely competitive situation.

Efficiency calls for the adoption of new production practices to
lower costs while producing a quality product. In addition, improved
handling, storing, grading and packaging practices and selling techniques
for apples are needed.

As the trend toward specialization and increased size of business
in the apple industry continues, added emphasis must be continuously
devoted toward improving accounting procedures and obtaining information
to make better management decisions."

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

CHEMICAL CONTROL OF WEEDS IN THE ORCHARD

VJilliam J. Lord
Extension Pomologist
Department of Horticultural
Science

Chemical weed control should not be considered as a substitute for mulch,
but as an aid in orchard management, when insufficient mulching material is
available. Then, it is suggested that herbicides be applied only to the grass
that can't be machine mowed under the trees.

In general, the results from herbicide applications have been satisfactory.
However, successful use of herbicides requires close attention to details. Fruit
trees have been severely injured or killed by over-dosage with herbicides.

While several herbicides are labeled for use in apple and pear orchards,
only dalapon may be used under bearing peach trees. However, peach trees are
easily injured with this material.

Our experimental results of the past two years indicate that amizine or
amitrole-T (commercial product Amitrol-T) plus diuron or amitrole-T (Amitrol-T)
plus simazine may give partial control of poison ivy plus grass control if
applied just prior to fruit set. Although these materials will not give complete
control of poison ivy Virith this timing, they should help prevent the rapid influx
of this weed in the area where grass has been controlled.

Dalapon fails to control annual weeds. However, our results indicate that
when the sod cover is mainly grass under bearing apple trees, dalapon may be the
only herbicide necessary. The following year, simazine or diuron may be used
with either dalapon or amitrol T (Amitrol-T) . Amizine which contains amitrole
and simazine also is suitable.

Dalapon is the only material labeled for use in bearing apple orchards after
June 1 of any year. Diuron may be used up to June 1, and amizine, amitrole T
(Amitrol-T) and simazine must be applied prior to fruit set of apples. The
restriction on timing is similar in bearing pear orchards. However, amizine and
simazine are not labeled for pear trees.

- 8

9^JL 12^^S^}!^3^J:^§^SS}-3JLSi}-J£}^J^9Jf. A^^j_ Cjl^j? ical^ We£^ci_^ qnt r ol In The Orch ar d
is n ow available through your County Extension Service or by writing to the Mail-
ing Room, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts. This circular con-
tains our suggestions for the use of herbicides labeled for orchards.

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

CHEMICAL THINNING OF APPLES

Franklin W. Southwick

Department of Horticultural

Science

The crop in most orchards in 1963 was not excessive on our leading varieties
so I would anticipate a rather heavy bloom in many Mcintosh blocks. Some chemical
thinning may be desirable if good pollinating weather prevails at blossomtime and
a late spring frost is not a serious threat. Some moderate thinning of heavy
setting Mcintosh trees is usually necessary to assure annual flowering. This is
a much more important reason for thinning Mcintosh in this area than the necessity
for improving fruit size. On the other hand, many other early to late apple vari-
ties need chemical thinning not only to improve the chances of annual flowering
but also to significantly improve fruit size.

The problem of chemical thinning Mcintosh has been given sufficient attention
so that we know that Lt can be satisfactorily done with either NAD (Amid-Thin) or
Sevin when these are applied from 1 to 3 weeks after petal-fall. Sevin is an
extremely safe and reliable thinner over a very wide range of concentration. Data
shown in Table 1 illustrate this point very clearly. Sevin thinned to the same
degree at all concentrations from 1/4 to 2 lbs. per 100 gallons of water. Since
Sevin has no temporary size depressing action on persisting apples and causes no
visible foliar effects, it has these advantages over NAD. The primary advantage
NAD has over Sevin as a chemical thinner of Mcintosh is that NAD thinned trees
may occasionally exhibit a heavier "return or repeat" bloom than similar trees
thinned to the same degree with Sevin.

Table 1. The Influence of Chemical Thinners on Fruit Set and Size of Mcintosh
Apples. 1963.

Fruits/cm.

Avg. Fruit
Diameter

No. of

of Limb

Treatment •'•

Applied

Trees

Circumference

(Inches)

1. Check

7.0

2.64

2. Sevin - \m^

PF+18

5.6

2.69

3. Sevin - l/2#

PF+18

5.7

2.70

A. Sevin - 1#

PF+18

5.8

2.71

5. Sevin - 2#

PF+18

5.5

2.70

6. NAD - 25 ppm.

PF+18

5,1

2.65

Amounts of Sevin (50% wettable) used in 100 gals, of water.
^Fruit size measurements made Sept. 4, 1963 (35 fruits at random per tree).

- 9

Although Sevin Is an excellent material for Mcintosh and an outstanding
niiiterial for thinning Delicious, it is such a mild thinner that it won't do
an adequate thinning job on such heavy setting varieties as Early Mcintosh.
Table 2 shows its limitations on this variety.

Table 2. The Influence of Chemical Thinners on Fruit Set and Size of Early
Mcintosh Apples. 1963.

Treatment

Applied

No. of
Trees

Fruits/cm.
of Limb
Circumference

Avg. Fruit

Diameter
(Inches)

1. Check

19.9

2.11

2. Sevin-3# + Tw.20
NAD-50 ppm.fTw.20

PF
PF+10

7.9

2.36

3. Sevin-3#

NAD - 50 ppm.

PF
PF+10

9.5

2,32

4. Sevin-3# + Tw.20
NAA - 20 ppm.+Tw.20

PFno

7.6

2.A7

5. Sevin-3#

NAA - 20 ppm.

PF
PF+10

6.9

2.41

6. Sevin-3# + Tw.20
Sevin-3# + Tw.20

PF
PF+10

15.9

2.22

7. NAD - 50 ppm.+Tw.20
NAA - 20 ppm,+Tw.20

PF
PF+10

7.2

2.46

■•■Amounts of Sevin (50% wettable) used in 100 gals, water. Tw,20 equals Tween 20

at 4 oz„ per 100 gals.
2
^ Fruit size measurements made August 6, 1963 (60 fruits at random per tree) about

2 v;eek.s before harvest commenced.

The data in Table 2 show an exceptionally fine series of chemical thinning
jobs done with applications of Sevin at petal-fall plus NAD or NAA 10 days later
or by applications of NAD at petal-fall supplemented by NAA 10 days later. In
addition, the use of Tween 20 as a v/etting agent seems to be of slight benefit
as far as increasing thinning and ultimate fruit size. On the other hand, two
applications of Sevin (Treatment 6) even at 3 lbs. per 100 gallons each time was
inadequate on these Early Mcintosh. The story is not complete on these treatments,
however, since we won't have "repeat bloom" data on these trees until later this
spring. At this time it is rather certain that Sevin must be supplemented with
either NAD or NAA in order to get adequate thinning on Early Mcintosh.

V.'e have been trying to get information on the new early variety, Puritan,
in recent years. Since this variety is the result of a Mclntosh-Red Astrachan
cross, we anticipated that it would set heavily like virtually all other early
apples and be quite biennial in production, as well. Table 3 represents some
typical results on some 10 year old Puritans.

- 10

Table 3. Tlie Influence of Chemical Thinners on Fruit Set and Size of Puritan
Apples. 1963.

Treatment
XEer_J.O,0„£al.s_,X

1. Check

2, Sevin 1#

._AEplied_.
fF+14

No. of
Trees

Fruits/cm.
of Limb
Circumference

10
10

6.4
4.0

Avg, Fruit
Diameter
(I nches)

2.53
2.58

■'-Fruit size measurements made August 6, 1963 (30 fruits at random per tree) about
1 week before harvest commenced.

It is apparent from Table 3 that these Puritan did not need to be thinned with
Sevin at all to obtain suitable fruit size. Similar results over the past few
years and comparable observations by growers have convinced us that Puritan may
be the rare early apple which doesn't often overset. Of course, all trees of this
variety arc relatively young and oversetting may become a problem as they get older.
However, we suggest that young Puritan should not be chemically thinned even where
interplanted with other varieties that are suitable cross-pollinizers . NAA and NAD
should not be used on Puritan since they are apt to be quite injurious to Puritan
foliage and very apt to overthin this variety, ■

Unfortunately, Puritan is extremely biennial even though it doesn't overset.
We are now in the process of trying some other treatments that we hope will tend
to induce annual flowering on this and other hard-to-make-annual varieties.

Details concerning chemical thinning of various apple varieties will be
available in our Special Circular No. 189 sometime in April, as usual.

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Stoff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massochusetts, Amherst

MAY 10, 1964

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Response to Irrigation and Soil Moisture Use
By Mcintosh Apple Trees

Orchard Insect Surveys with Traps

Chemical Weed Control in Small Fruits

Economics of Pest Control

Records Are Important

Mulches and Plastic Soil Moisture, Soil
Temperature and Plant Growth

Pomological Paragraph

Factors Affecting Nutrient Content of
Apple Foliage

Vr^'

7/i

VI.

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Splelman, Dean and Director, In ftrttierance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914;
Universlt> of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating.
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Pirchasing Agent, No. 44.

RESPONSE TO IRRIGATION AND SOIL MOISTURE USE
BY MCINTOSH APPLE TREES

William J. Lord
Extension Pomologist
Department of Horticultural Science

The value of irrigation of Mcintosh orchards located on the better soils
in Massachusetts is questioned by L.F. Michelson, W.J. Lord and D.L. Field in
their recent Massachusetts Experiment Station Publication No. 537, 1963.

The irrigation studies they report upon were conducted in a Mcintosh or-
chard from 1956 to 1962, inclusive. In this investigation, the orchard was
irrigated in 1957 and 1962, but a fruit growth response was obtained only in
1957. Even in this instance, some possible disadvantages of irrigation occurred.
For example, 277, of the irrigated fruit had water-core, while only 4.3% of those
from non-irrigated trees had the disorder in 1957. Twenty- four per cent of the
irrigated fruit in 1957 was 3 inches or larger in diameter, but these larger
apples are softer, more susceptible to bruising and are often less suitable for
present markets than sizes 2 1/2 and 2 3/4 inches in diameter.

The orchard selected for the study was located on a soil with only 0.7 to
1.9 inch per foot moisture holding capacity. The majority of Massachusetts or-
chards are located on drumlins or drumloid hills with soil having an estimated
available moisture holding capacity of more than 1.5 inches per foot of soil to

a depth of 3 or 4 feet or more.

A major problem encountered in this irrigation study was the extreme varia-
bility of soil moisture measurements under a given tree and among adjacent trees.
This variability illustrates the problem of obtaining a reliable estimate of the
soil moisture available under apple trees.

Moisture extraction by individual Mcintosh apple trees was studied. It was
found that the degree of the moisture depletion increased, as the sampling loca-
tion progressed toward the tree trunk.

Those persons interested in receiving a copy of Experiment Station Publica-
tion 537 may do so by writing the Mailing Room, University of Massachusetts in
Amherst or your County Extension Service.

WARNING I MOST PESTICIDES ARE POISONOUS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS
AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON LABELS . HANDLE CAREFULLY AND STORE OUT OF REACH OF
CHILDREN, PETS AND LIVESTOCK.

ORCHARD INSECT SURVEYS WITH TRAPS

H.E. Wave
Department of Entomology
and Plant Pathology

An interesting item on fruit insect surveys appeared in the February issue
of the Journal of Economic Entomology by E.R. Oatman, University of California
Citrus Research Center, Riverside. This article describes a trapping method
for detecting economically important species or orchard fruit insects in Wis-
consin. The method described uses an all-directional light trap, which is
equipped with a 15-watt BL (blacklight) fluorescent lamp mounted vertically
between a single baffle. The lamp is enclosed by a cylinder of 1/4 inch screen-
ing to keep out insects larger than the codling moth. Cyanide granules were
used to kill the trapped insects. Traps, operated through June, July and
August were emptied and examined 3 times a week.

Insects trapped by this method included: Codling moth, red-banded leaf
roller, eye-spotted bud moth, strawberry leaf roller and others.

Information obtained with the blacklight traps helped to establish the
time of emergence, population abundance and seasonal distribution, including
the number of generations per season of tho principal pest species. The timing
and number of sprays needed for adequate insect control can be greatly improved
through this method.

Some commercial growers in Wisconsin, taught to recognize the adults,
operate their ovm light traps and disseminate the information gathered to
others in the area.

CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL IN SMALL FRUITS

J.S. Bailey
Department of Horticultural Science

Weeds are serious enemies of many crops including small fruits. Among the
small fruits, strawberries are the most seriously hurt by weeds. Many a straw-
berry bed has had to be abandoned because weeds choked out the berry plants. The
rapid development of weeds, during the first fruiting year with the resulting
problem and expense of getting rid of them, is one of the chief reasons why
strawberry beds in the northeast are fruited only once. If weeds were kept
under control so that the bed could be fruited two or three years, the cost
of growing berries could be considerably reduced.

With cultivated blueberries and raspberries, the problem is not quite so
serious, because these plants grow above most weeds and, therefore, do not suffer
from shading as strawberries do. Tliey do suffer from competition for soil nutri-

- 3

ents and moisture. Most blueberry varieties are shallow rooted, at least most
of their feeding roots are near the surface. This poses a double barreled
problem. Deep cultivation to kill weeds can destroy many feeding roots. If
the weeds are not eliminated, they compete with the blueberries and may reduce
growth. Several years ago, I saw a row of blueberries part of which had been
treated with a weed killer. The weed population was very small compared with
that in the untreated part of the row. The leaves of the treated part were
darker green, and chemical analysis proved they contained more nitrogen than
the leaves on bushes in the untreated part.

Raspberries also have many of their feeding roots near the surface where
weed competition can become a serious problem. This is particularly true if
the rows are not kept narrow. A wide row with many plants is very difficult
to keep free of weeds by mechanical means. The really good grower doesn't allow
the rows to get more than a foot wide at the base. Even in a narrow row, weed-
ing by cultivation is laborious and costly.

Chemical weeding has not entirely eliminated the need for cultivation and
probably never will, but properly used, it can be a big help. Special Circu-
lar 215, "Controlling Weeds in Small Fruit Plantings with Chemicals" has recent-
ly been revised. Anyone wishing detailed directions for chemical weed control
in small fruit plantings should send to the office of his county Agricultural
Extension Service or to the Hailing Room, Massachusetts Agricultural Extension
Service, Amherst, Massachusetts.

ECONOMICS OF PEST CONTROL

Max G. Fultz

Middlesex County Extension Service

Concord, Mass.

The item of pest control in the apple operation is an expensive one.
Compared with that of a decade ago, it actually has not increased in proportion
to many other expenses of the operation. Compared with some txjenty years ago,
there is, hov;ever, some substantial difference. In spite of all the yearning
for the good old days, however, the modern way has much in its favor.

A factor that has been injected with more emphasis over the years as an
expense deterrent has been the sensational production increases. This has the
same effect on the basic cost per unit of production as a reduction in expenses.
What is even more important from the marketing standpoint is a parallel in-
crease in percentage of well-colored, sound, generally high grade fruit. Des-
pite the hazards of a complex and formidable line-up of chemicals, the percentage
of russeted, rough- finished or netted fruit is less than it once was. This is
in comparison with the old days, first of lime sulfur and then the milder sul-
furs. Despite the great step forward taken with the advent of mild wettable
sulfur fungicides, the further improvement has been marked with the introduction
of organic fungicides with "kick-back" and arresting properties for better scab
control and improved finish, if properly used.

- 4 -

Stating these advantages cannot be done lightly without at once recognizing
the need for better understanding of the increasing number of chemicals. Such
diverse selection means varying response to different weather conditions, to
combinations with other materials in relation to compatibility, to variety dif-
ferences, etc. As a matter of fact, in the days of limited choices of fungi-
cides and insecticides, one could predict with considerable certainty the
results of simple combinations such as arsenate of lead and sulfur. In other
vjords , injury to foliage or fruit, although admittedly not occurring so often,
still may happen as a surprise and is not always easy to explain.

Accordingly, the economics of pest control demands a very good balance of
judgment. Most growers will accept a little more outlay for materials that
will produce the result desired. Most are not inclined to omit a spray if there
is reasonable doubt about the feasibility of doing so. This decision cannot be
mathematical, for one can suffer much more in actual loss and down-grading of
fruit than can possibly be saved by leaving out one application. A fallacy in
figures that is too frequently presented is gauging the percentage of control
to the operation. For instance, 90 percent control cannot be set as a point
of attaining the most profit. Nor can this be set at 75, 80 or any other per
cent. On paper, hoii/ever, it is possible to produce figures of diminishing re-
turns above a certain point. The trouble is that pest damage often occurs so
quickly that the stopping point in percentage cannot be accomplished short of
disaster.

All of this does not mean, nevertheless, that one cannot achieve pest con-
trol effectively and still inject efficiency and practical saving into the job.

Emphasis should be placed on dosing correctly. Those who feel that "if a
little will do good, drastically increasing the mixture strength will do better"
waste money. They also increase chances for foliage and fruit injury and
damage to fruit finish. The residue problem is increased. With concentrating
of materials more or less common, it has become increasingly important to
figure dosage accurately.

The operation of the equipment can affect greatly the cost of pest control.
Applying too much can have the same results as indicated with mixing too strongly.
On the other hand, poor results will occur if the mixture is too weak or the
application too light, not distributed well and generally not thorough. With
air blast sprayers, accuracy in operation pays in money. Gallons per tree is
the index and observing the coverage in application and deposit comprise the
check. All are essential--tractor speed, nozzle capacity and nozzle arrange-
ment and adapting the rig to the job. Substantial checking as the season starts
and as conditions change during the season will go far towards accurate, effi-
cient operation of the rig.

For setting up the air blast sprayer for proper delivery this formula has
been used effectively over the years. It will bear repeating here.

Gallons per minute per Rate of travel in One half of dilute

X gallonage

sprayer side feet per minute (F) required per tree (G) ^
equals

required for average tree X concentration Average tree spread in feet (S)

X or

in block at given speed desired Distance between trees (D)

R = F X 1/2 G Also this has been written R = F x G

XxSorD 2xXxDorS

Another variation is that some feel that tht_ distance (D) between trees
in large bearing orchards rather than the actual spread (S) is accurate enough.

Pest Control is critical. It can make or break the operation.

**********

RECORDS ARE IMPORTANT

E.H. Wheeler
Department of Entomology
and Plant Pathology

Records of pesticide applications, complete and accurate records, can
help growers in many ways.

They protect the food or feed producer - the growers, should any questions
arise concerning pesticides used and the possibility of residues.

Records help producers make better management decisions based upon results
obtained earlier that season or in previous years.

Regulations established by the Food & Drug Administration do not require
the keeping of such records. However, records do help a producer explain to
inspectors what he has been using and when he used it. The absence of records
may lead an inspector to suspect that something is wrong.

If no records are available, prospective buyers may ask to have a sample
of the food or feed product analyzed for pesticide residues before completing
the purchase contract. The producer would be expected to stand the expense of
such an analysis.

Trade names are not enough to identify the chemical used. Any user of a
pesticide on food or feed crop should know the identity of the chemicals, the
active ingredient (s) in the trade-named product.

Records should show the identity of the active ingredients, the type of
product used such as wettable powder, dust, granular or liquid, the dosage per
100 gallons or per acre, the number of applications and the dates of those
applications.

Any producer who keeps accurate records on the points suggested above can
prove to anyone very easily that he knows what he is doing.

Any producer who follows label directions or other sound, up-to-date
recommendations should have no worries when his records are examined or his
produce analyzed.

READ and FOLLOW DIRECTIONS or LABELS. KEEP RECORDS OF PESTICIDE USE.

**********

6 -

MULCHES AND PLASTIC SOIL COVERS AFFECT SOIL MOISTURE,
SOIL TEMPERATURE AND PLANT GROWTH

Martin Weeks
Department of Agronomy
and
William J. Lord

Mulches include any protective material or covering that rests on the
soil. They have been used for centuries by farmers, gardeners and fruit
growers to protect plants from drought and weed competition and to prevent
rapid changes in temperature from injuring root systems. Mulching materials
in these early times have included dust, gravel, a variety of organic materials
such as straw, old hay, manure or leaves. It has always been difficult to ob-
tain sufficient quantities of the natural materials that are free of weeds or
other objectionable constituents. For this reason, in recent years paper and
plastic mulching materials have been produced together with machinery that
aids in applying them uniformly to the soil.

Mulches are used mostly in accordance with rule-of-thumb experience either
of the grower himself or of his neighbors. Since some of these mulches and
plastic covers do have a pronounced effect on soil climate the principles
governing their effects should be of interest.

Porous mulches permit more-or-less evaporation of soil moisture depend-
ing on the material. Whether they conserve any moisture may depend on the
length of time between rains and the degree to which they prevent runoff. Also,
their effect on transpiration plays some part in conservation. In a controlled
experiment, workers at the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station found recently
that unmulched soil evaporated 1.25 to 5 times more water than mulched soils
in a given time. In this work a gravel mulch was most effective, a corn cob
mulch less so and a dust mulch least effective in retarding evaporation from
the soil surface. Orchardists in some areas have traditionally used a straw,
hay or manure mulch in combination with sod cover. One effect of this practice
was to supply nitrogen and some potassium to the trees. It has been especially
beneficial at times on shallow soils. One disadvantage is the fact they form
conditions favorable for mice.

During the last two or three years, grower interest has developed concern-
ing the use of plastic as a means of weed control under non-bearing trees. The
question has been asked as to the effect of plastic on soil temperature and
moisture.

Waggoner, £t al. (Conn. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 63A) have made an extensive
study of plastic mulching: its principles and benefits. Their results show
that in the spring, black plastic has little ability to warm the soil. On the
other hand, clear plastic has great ability to warm the soil, and their data
show that the depth of soil thawing on March 17, 1958 was double that of under
black plastic. Aluminum film and hay mulch both retarded the warming of soil.

The data obtained by Waggoner, et al. show that during the summer months
soil temperatures were 4 to 10 degrees higher under clear plastic than under
a hay mulch. Black plastic sheets had little, if any, effect on soil temperature,

In the Connecticut studies, clear plastic permitted weed growth that was
mentioned as an objectional feature. In limited trials with clear plastic
under apple trees in Massachusetts, it was found that the grass and broadleaf
weeds were controlled during the summer months. During cool weather growth of
grass and broadleaf weeds was stimulated. Whether the competition of the grass
and broadleaf weeds during certain periods of the growing season is sufficient
to have a detrimental effect on tree growth is not known.

Other questions pertaining to the use of small plastic sheets under apple
trees remain to be answered. What is the effect of plastic mulches on the
rooting habit of apple trees? Research with tobacco and other crops has shown
that under plastic mulch, root growth near the surface was appreciably greater
but root extension at deeper levels was not affected.

\-Jhat is the effect of plastic mulches on tree growth? Will the higher
soil temperature under clear plastic have an effect on tree growth in
comparison to black plastic or hay mulch?

Until more is known about plastic for mulching apple trees, it is
suggested that black plastic may be tried under nev<7ly planted trees if
insufficient hay mulch is available to suppress grass and broadleaf weed growth.
After the trees have been established more than a year in the orchard, the
grower has the choice between black plastic, hay mulch or herbicides to con-
trol grass and broadleaf weeds. When hay mulch is available, it remains the
number one recommendation.

* * * *

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Plastic for Mulching Under Apple Trees

William J. Lord

There is grower interest in the use of black plastic as a means of weed
control under apple trees. Black plastic is now available in rolls of individ-
ually serrated squares with each square perforated to facilitate placement
around the tree trunk.

How much of a problem mice will be under the black plastic is not known -

reports have been conflicting in this regard. We are trying to at least obtain

a partial answer to this question in a demonstration experiment comparing black
plastic with hay mulch.

Placement cost will at least equal that of the material assuming that
36" X 36" squares are used. A report from New Jersey indicated that 3 men
were able to place the plastic squares at the rate of thirty trees per hour.
T^^o men placed the squares and a third man covered the edges with soil.

In our mulching demonstration, one man unrolled the plastic and ripped
off the squares. One man ripped the serration in the middle of the square
and placed the plastic around the tree. A third man followed and pinned the
4 corners of each square into the soil by placing the point of a shovel on the
plastic and thrusting it into the soil. Gravel which was hauled into the or-
chard was then placed on the edges of the plastic. Not taking into account
the time necessary to get the gravel, 3 men were able to place 40 plastic

squares in 52 minutes.

Various other methods of laying the plastic are being tried by growers.
One grower placed hay over the plastic. In another instance, short pieces of
wire were bent U-shape and thrust through the plastic to keep it in place.

•/< i< -k i< ■k it

FACTORS AFFECTING NUTRIENT CONTENT OF APPLE FOLIAGE

W.D. Weeks
Department of Horticultural Science

Crop size can have a considerable effect on the quantity of several
elements in apple foliage. Leaves from a tree with a large crop will contain
more nitrogen and less potassium than leaves from a tree with a light crop.
Leaves from a light crop tree may have a leaf nitrogen which is .2 and .3 per
cent lower than the same tree when it has a full crop. Differences in leaf
potassium as great as .4 per cent may occur between heavy and light crop years.
Calcium follows the same trend as nitrogen and exhibits about the same differ-
ence as nitrogen in leaf content between the light and heavy crop year. Leaf
magnesium is slightly higher in a heavy crop than in a light crop year. Crop
size has little, if any, effect on leaf phosphorus.

The relative amount of one element in relation to another may effect the
mineral content of the leaf. For example, leaves which are relatively high in
nitrogen tend to have lower levels of potassium and phosphorus and higher
levels of magnesium and calcium than leaves from trees which have a low to
medium level of nitrogen. High levels of potassium may depress leaf magnesium
and calcium, particularly if the soil supply of magnesium and calcium are low.
However, moderate levels of potassium do not seriously depress magnesium where
there is an adequate supply of magnesium.

Another factor which may influence the leaf content of some elements is
soil moisture or rainfall. Leaf potassium is generally lower in dry growing
seasons than in years with adequate soil moisture. Magnesium is generally
lower in years which have above normal rainfall during the early part of the
growing season. The magnitude of the change in leaf content caused by seasonal
rainfall will depend upon the wetness or dryness of the season and the supply
of nutrients in the soil. Soil moisture extremes, either wet or dry, which
prevent the development of new roots could conceivably reduce the leaf content
of essential elements.

*****

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Staff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

JUNE 10, 1964

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Baited Sticky Board Traps for Timing
Apple Maggot Emergence

Safety Booklet

New Common Names for Some Pesticides

Raspberries in Massachusetts,
Past, Present and Future

Save This Date

Pomological Paragraph

Prof. John S. Bailey Retires

Spring Meeting of Approved Farm Stand
Operators

y/i

.'^.

»/»

'^•*

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, in firtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 191
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating.
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No. 44.

BAITED STICKY BOARD TRAPS FOR TIMING APPLE MAGGOT EMERGENCE

H. E. Wave

Department of Entomology

and Plant Pathology

A baited sticky board trap suitable for use in determing apple mag-
got fly emergence has been described by George Still in the January-Febru-
ary, 1964, Ohio Farm and Home Research . Twenty-eight percent ammonia* was
used as the attractant. Ordinary household ammonia (4%) can be used also
but this only lasts for a day and has to be replaced every day. The strong-
er ammonia lasts 3-4 days without losing its attractancy.

Figure 1. Sticky board trap with bait
container in place.

The trap is made of 1/8-inch masonite 5 x 6 inches square A 3/8-inch
diameter hole is located in the center of the square ^° f ^^^^^e ammonxa
vanors to attract flies on the opposite side of the panel. Both sides ot jn^
nanelare painted with 2 coats of yellow enamel. The paint gives the panel a
M^ht baelground for observing trapped flies and also provides a smooth surface
for applying the sticky material.

The author of the article states that 2 brands of sticky compounds
are satisfactory for use on the panels. One, "Stickem", is obtainable
in 1-pound containers from local nurseries, hardware stores, or from the
supplier, Michel & Pelton Co., Oakland, California. The other "Bird
Tanglefoot", is available in 1/10 gallon tubes which fit caulking guns.
If a local supplier cannot furnish them, they may be obtained from the
Tanglefoot Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The sticky material is applied to both surfaces of the panel with
a putty knife, preferably one with coarse serrations. The panel may be
cleaned of debris and dead insects whenever necessary by scraping with
a smooth blade and washing with xylene or kerosene.

The ammonia is placed in a 2-ounce prescription bottle, obtainable
at drug stores. The bottle is lightly stuffed with absorbent cotton and
wired to the panel so that the cap is just below the hole drilled in the
center of the square (fig. 1) • A l/L|--inch hole is bored through the
plastic top of the bottle to allow the ammonia fumes to escape from the
saturated cotton.

Traps should be placed well up in trees and within the foliage if
possible. Foliage and limbs close enough to the traps to cause rubbing
or sticking in high winds should be removed. The sticky board can be
hung in the tree by attaching wire or string to a hole bored in one cor-
ner and pulling it over a limb or by climbing into the tree to attach it,

To record the earliest apple maggot emergence, traps should be put
in operation by the middle of June in Massachusetts. Depending on
weather, the earliest emergence varies from mid- June to early July.

After counting, the trapped flies should be removed with the point
of a jackknife blade or some other sharp -pointed instrument to prevent
counting the flies again later.

*Twenty-eight percent ammonia is considered a poison and purchasers are
required to sign for it at drug stores.

**************

SAFETY BOOKLET

John F. W. Schulze
Rural Civil Defense Specialist

How experienced is your farm help? How much new help must you hire
each year? Do you depend on teenagers to complete your harvesting crew?

Should your answer to the last question be "yes", there is a safety
booklet for young farm workers available to you in limited numbers. The
publication has been prepared by the U, S. Department of Labor and con-
tains nine pages of suggestions that will help to minimize accidents and
injuries.

It is suggested that each young worker be given a copy of the book-
let to read and keep as a guide in continuing safe work practices. Per-
haps you would like a copy for yourself to use as a reference in instruct-
ing your adult workers.

For your supply of this useful booklet, write to: Mr. John F.W.
Schulze, Chairman, Farm and Home Safety Program Committee, 211 Stock-
bridge Hall, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass. (01003)

**************

NEW COMMON NAMES FOR SOME PESTICIDES

H. E. Wave
C. J. Gilgut

Recently, several pesticides used on fruit were given new common
names. To keep you abreast of these changes, the following list of ac-
cepted common names together with their trade names is provided. Some
of the names in the list are not new but were added to make the list
complete.

Common Name

binapacryl

carbaryl

carbophenothion

demeton

dioxathion

endosulfan

mevinphos

phosphamidon

tetradifon

cap tan

dichlone

dodine

ferbam

folpet
glyodin
karathane
thiram

Trade Name

Morocide

Sevin

Trithion

Systox

Delnav

Thiodan

Phosdrin

Dimecron

Tedion

Captan 50 W, Orthocide

Phygon XL

Cyprex

Fermate, Carbamate, Cremate,

Karbam Black, etc.

Phaltan

Crag Fungicide

Karathane

Thylate

**************

RASPBERRIES IN MASSACHUSETTS
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

John S, Bailey
Department of Horticultural
Science

A dish of raspberries with a little sugar and cream is a delight
to the palate whether you are a gourmet or not. Why are raspberries
not in larger supply in our markets? Is there any likelihood of their
becoming more plentiful? Let's take a look at the history of raspberry
growing in Massachusetts first, then sum up the present, and look in
our crystal ball to see what the future holds.

In the late teens and early twenties, there was enough of a rasp-
berry industry so that Massachusetts berries were going to market in
considerable quantities. According to the census of Agriculture, in
1920 there were M-81 acres of raspberries in the state from which 934,656
pints were marketed. This industry was based mostly on the variety
Cuthbert, which is a high quality variety still grown to a very limited
extent in very favorable situations. It has two serious weaknesses.
It is very susceptible to virus and to cold injury. It was principally
virus infection, especially the mosaic type, which ruined most fields
of Cuthbert, By the late twenties, the raspberry industry in the state
was definitely on the decline. Growers, those who had the courage to
stick with raspberry growing, were looking for a variety to replace Cuth-
bert, Many varieties have been tried and are still under trial, because
the ideal variety has not been found.

At present, most commercial growers depend on the variety Latham.
It was originated in Minnesota and selected because of its outstanding
cold resistance. It also is slightly more virus tolerant than most
other varieties. Unfortunately, it is very susceptible to spur blight,
a fungus disease for which there is no satisfactory control. The fun-
gus of spur blight often develops near the base of a cane, girdling and
killing it during the winter so that the injury looks like winter kill-
ing. Winter injury, virus and other diseases are not the only problems
of the industry.

Picking raspberries is a slow and often disagreeable job. As the
economy went into an upward trend, pickers became more difficult to ob-
tain and they demanded higher wages, thus increasing the cost of pro-
duction. Also, raspberries are a very perishable fruit. A little mois-
ture in the container and the berries mold and break down in a few hours,
Tl-ie result is a messy, unsaleable product.

All these troubles have harassed the industry to the point where
many growers have stopped growing raspberries. In 1960, the few who
still persisted had 68 acres which produced 78,768 pints, about 8,5%
of the 1920 crop. Thus, it is obvious that raspberry growing is at a
very low ebb in the state. Most of the plantings are small, an acre or
less. The demand for raspberries is still good but has to be satisfied
mostly by frozen fruit or fruit shipped in from other states.

- b

Predicting the future of raspberry growing in Massachusetts is
about as certain as predicting the weather years in advance. However,
there are some practices, some results of research and some trends that
point to a better future for the raspberry grower in Massachusetts.

First is the control of virus troubles. For several years. Dr. R.
H. Converse of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture has been working on the
raspberry virus problem. By persistent search and special methods, he
has collect 28 varieties of red raspberries free of virus. At present,
only a small supply of a few of these varieties has been distributed to
nurseries for multiplication and distribution. Very few growers will
be able to get these superior stocks in 1964, but in a year or two after
the supply has been built up in nurseries, plants of most desirable var-
ieties should be available. The problem of keeping the^e superior stocks
virus free in commercial plantings has not been solved, but the grower
will be able to start a planting with far better plants than have been
available for a long time.

The problem of cold injury will not be solved but may be somewhat
alleviated by the use of virus free plants. The cold resistance of vi-
rus free compared with virus infected plants will have to be determined
by research, but one would expect healthy plants to stand more cold
than sick ones.

The use of chemical weed control is a promising method for reduc-
ing the requirements for labor and thus the cost of production. Spec.
Cir. 215 of the Massachusetts Agr. Extension service gives the details
for the chemical weeding of raspberries.

With the increase in the overall prosperity of the country, the
problem of obtaining pickers becomes increasingly difficult. Some of
the Massachusetts growers have solved this by adopting the "pick-your-
own" system of marketing. This system not only eliminates the necess-
ity for obtaining pickers, but it solves one of the worst marketing
problems, getting the fruit into the hands of the consumer in good con-
dition.

There is a development which gives promise of assisting in getting
raspberries to market in good condition. A chemical, dihydroacetic
acid, has been used to retard the growth of molds on berries. It does
not eliminate mold but slows its growth so that the fruit has a much ^
better chance of reaching the consumer in good condition. This chemi-
cal could be helpful where berries are marketed at a roadside stand.

It is very unlikely that any sizeable raspberry industry will de-
velop again in Massachusetts. However, for the grower who has a favor-
able locatjon near even one of the smaller centers of population, the
prospects for successfully handling an acre or so of red raspberries is
brighter.

SAVE THIS DATE

The annual summer meeting of the Massachusetts Fruit Growers'

Association in cooperation
with the Cooperative Exten-
sion Service, College of
Agriculture, University of
Massachusetts, will be held
at the Horticultural Research
Center at Belchertown, on
July 15.

One of the projects at
the Research Center has been
top working some Baldwin trees
to Red Delicious in order to
have sufficient fruit of this
variety for storage studies.
Walter Weeks and George Olanyk
are shown doing the top working.

**************

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Mechanical Harvesting of Strawberries

In a talk presented at the 68th annual meeting of the Virginia
State Horticultural Society, David Friday of the Friday Tractor Company,
Hartford, Michigan, stated that they have been working on the mechanical
harvesting of strawberries for ten years and have made little or no
progress. David Friday was of the opinion that--

"It will take a new variety that has all of its berries ripe at one
time, and the fruit tough enough so that the patch can be combined all
at once.

We had one of Dr. Scott's experimental seedlings (USDA) out of
thousands on our farm last year that had 50 per cent of its berries ready
to pick at one time, but this is not enough. This means that in 10 years,
if you want strawberries to eat, you will have to pick them yourself.
Unless there is a breakthrough in mechanical harvesting, some of these
high harvest labor crops will be mainly grown around large population cen-
ters and offered in pick-yourself patches. This trend is already in prog-
ress around Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit."

Editor's Note - The "pick your own" method of harvesting strawberries has
kept a number of Massachusetts growers in business during the last sever-
al years. With the introduction of virus free raspberry plants and bet-
ter weed control materials, growers may find the growing of this crop
profitable if they are sold by this method also.

**************

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH
Northwest Fruit Industry

At the 68th Annual Meeting of the Virginia State Horticultural
Society, Dr. L. P. Batjer, U.S.D.A., Wenatchee, Washington, stated
"the newest development in the Northwest fruit industry is the real-
ization that we have too many apple trees". A tree census conducted
in 1961 revealed that Washington has 5.1 million apple trees which rep-
resents a 66 per cent increase over the number of trees in 1949. Of
these, 71 per cent of the Red Delicious trees and 87 per cent of the
Golden Delicious trees are under 10 years old.

The average apple crop in Washington for the past ten years was
21 million boxes. Batjer estimates that within 5 to 10 years an aver-
age crop will be 34 million boxes, a 65 per cent increase.

-- William J. Lord
***************

PROF. JOHN S. BAILEY RETIRES

Professor John S. Bailey, Associate Professor of Research, Depart-
ment of Horticultural Science, retires on June 30, after 41 years of
service to the University and the fruit growers.

Born in East Aurora, New York, he was raised in Lakewood, Ohio.
He received his B.S. in 1922 from Michigan State College and qn M.S.
from lowas State College in 1923. Prof. Bailey did further graduate
study at Cornell University from 1926-1927.

Prof. Bailey joined the staff of the Massachusetts Agricultural Col-
lege at Amherst in 1923 as an Investigator in Pomology. He was advanced
to Assistant Professor in 1926 and to Associate Professor in 1952.

Between the years of 1952 and 1958, he was headquartered at the
Cranberry Field Station at Wareham, Massachusetts, where he conducted
research on strawberries, blueberries and beach plums. During the sum-
mer of 1957, he took a 6 months sabbatical and made a special study of
small fruit growing on the west coast from Southern California to Brit-
ish Columbia, Canada.

His intensive study of the inheritance of certain fruit and foliage
characters in peach trees from 1924 to 1949 led to the start of a chrom-
osome map for peaches. Later he became well ]<nown for his research with
small fruit. He has published research on the propagation, nutrition
and pruning of cultivated blueberries, and winter hardiness of raspberries.
His research results were instrumental in obtaining grower acceptance of
virus-free strawberry plants, soil fumigation for strawberries and chem-
ical weed control in small fruits. Prof. Bailey has published over 50
papers in technical journals and Extension Service Publications.

He holds membership in the American Society for Horticultural Science,
Alpha Zeta and Sigma Xi.

**************

SPRING MEETING OF APPROVED FARM STAND OPERATORS

Fred E. Cole
Inspector, Approved Farm Stand Program

The annual spring meeting of the Approved Farm Stand Program members
was held on May 20th, at the Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, at which time
there was a free exchange of ideas and discussion of selling at farm stands.
The following are notes from general discussion.

Red Apple Farm wipes all apples. Considered it a sales advantage.
The wiping of apples is gaining in practice.

Box liners of fix.n are in use for Golden Delicious, Russets and pears.
The extra weight at packing time pays for the film bag.

There was a reported tendency to shift from 8 qt. packages to 4 qt.
packages on some stands.

The question of weight rather than measure for retail packages was dis-
cussed at length. Conclusions seemed to be to stay with measure for several
important reasons from standpoint of roadside sales.

The advantage of choice of variety, size of packs and size and grade of
apples on Approved Farm Stands was considered a substantial sales advantage.

Jams and jellies are moving OK. There seemed to be some items which
moved faster than others and orders are being trimmed accordingly. Fruit
syrups - Blackberry, Blueberry, Strawberry - are "taking hold". Maple
products and honey are continuing popular,

Apple sectioner is a good item. There is need for a good apple corer.

Mrs, Clieney explained the use of the recipe of "Open-faced Mcintosh
Sandwich" on radio and TV.

The annual debate as to whether radio or newspaper ads were most help-
ful was carried on with newspapers getting the edge. Local differences
were apparent.

Product Liability Insurance was considered a necessity by some operators,

There was some discussion regarding the proposed shortening of the "CA"
storage period with the concensus of opinion in favor of maintaining present
requirements and not for taking the risk of losing present advantages.

A motion was made by Charles Dowse, of Sherbon, seconded by Walker
Cheney of Brimfield, and voted unanimously as follows:

"All drops shall be marked as to grade or marked "Unclassified"
but the term 'drops" may be used with the name of the variety
in addition to the above requirement' . A typical mark for drops
might be 'Mcintosh Drops, U.S. Utility' . The grade designation
provides a minimum standard for apples in the pack.

y -

The group discussed the desirability of any change in the rules and
regulations of the Approved Farm Stand Program and made no changes other
than the one above regarding the use of the term "drops". The existing
rules were working satisfactorily and profitably.

**************

All pesticide chemicals mentioned in this publication are registered
and cleared for the suggested uses in accordance with federal laws and
regulations. Chapter 727, Acts of 1950, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
requires that all pesticides sold in Massachusetts be registered with the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Trade names, where used for
clearness, do not indicate endorsement nor imply that similar products
are not satisfactory.

warning: most pesticides are poisonous, read and follow all
directions and safety precautions on labels. handle carefully and store
out of reach of children, pets and livestock.

FRUIT NOTES

Prepored by Pomology Staff, Deportment of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

JULY TO, T964

TABLE OF CCNTENTS

Increased Blueberry Profits: A Speculation

New Staff Members

Pomological Paragraph

Mechanical Harvesting of Blueberries

Pomological Paragraph

The Economics of Irrigating Apples in
the Hudson Valley

Pomological Paragraph

Annual Summer Meeting

'^•

IM^

r«,i':^^

^m.

'■A''

'^^

Uiued by the Cooperative Extension Servi.-.f , A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, In furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914;
University of Massachusetts, Unit-rd States L)epartment of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating.
P'jbllcation At.proved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No. 44.

»yt 0-p-ni!rophenyl thiophosp^
P«tro!sum Derivaflvd Solvent ..
ih ..... _..._

Setting Point - W* C.
»« 3 pounds DDT per gallon.
mm m pounds Methyl Parathion per gesw^

Jlt-^ ENTIRE LABEL. USE STRICTLY IN ACCORjj
ANCE WITH LABEL CAUTIONS, WARNINGS ANt^
R CTIONS; AND IN CONFORMITY WITH FED
_^^AL AND STATE REGULATIONS.

^ WARM AREA. PROTfc

DISCARDING THIS CONTAINeSJ.
I'^sTAaESPOONFUtS CAUSTi'"
ASHING SODA (SODi

WFR W!TH

The most important 21 words in pest control

You see those 21 words— or words like
them — on every pesticide container
you buy. They're the whole key to
pesticide performance.

It takes thousands of hours of test-
ing to come up with label directions.
Laboratory and field tests conducted
by professional chemists and agricul-
tural scientists. Tests that have to
meet the most stringent standards of
government agencies.

But the important thing is what
happens when you use the product.
Those thousands of hours of tests
behind the label directions have but
one purpose: to help you get the
safest, most effective and economical

pest control possible. And following
those directions is the only way to
make sure you're getting it. That's
why it's so important to read and
understand the label before using
any chemical product.

NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS ASSOCIATION
1145 Nineteenth Street, N.W. Washington 6, D.C.

INCREASED BLUEBERRY PROFITS: A SPECULATION

J. S. Bailey
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

With some people, speculation is a popular pastime. Like most
speculators, we shall not be any richer, but we may be wiser.

Birds like blueberries. In fact, the birds like them so well
that getting the berries first has become a serious grower problem.
If he picks early, he sacrifices both quality and quantity. If he
waits, tbe bushes must be covered with some kind of netting or a large
part of the crop will be lost. Covering the bushes is very expensive.
Can this cost be recovered?

Let's look at some figures and do some figuring. In 1957, Dr.
Shutak and his associates published some interesting figures on blue-
berry development. They tagged berries and measured the volume when
they turned blue and again after 3 and 6 days. Here are their figures:

Increase in Volume after Development of Blue Coloration of Highbush
Blueberries

Volume

Percent

Quarts

Variety

No.

Days

Increase

Volume

Increase per

fr(

3m Blue

Ccu . mm)

Increase

1000 Ots.

Bluecrop

280.3

18.3

183

Bluecrop

580.0

38.2

382

Ivanhoe

256.3

18.4

184

Ivanhoe

464.2

29.6

296

Earliblue

276.1

26.3

263

Pemberton

292.4

18.5

185

Dixi

578.5

11.1

111

Now, let's do the figuring. Leaving the Bluecrop berries on the
bushes 3 days after they turned blue increased the crop by 183 quarts
for every 1000 quarts picked. If your yield is about average, 3000
quarts per acre, the increase from delayed picking is 3 x 183=549 quarts
or 1098 pints. At 3 pints for a dollar, the added income amounts to
$3 66. If picking is delayed 6 days, the increased return is even more
startling - $764 per acre.

Now, how much are you losing, if the bushes are not covered? Let's
assume the birds get 25 per cent of the crop, a conservative figure in
some cases. Then the birds get 750 of those 3000 quarts or 1500 pints.
At 3 pints for a dollar, that's $500.

So you cover the bushes:

Saved 1500 pints (D 3 for $1 $ 500

Leaving the berries 6 days to size up 764

TOTAL Savings to OFFSET Netting Cost $ 1264

Fantastic? Probably I Even if you cut that figure in half, it
would go quite a way toward paying for covering the bushes with netting.

********

NEW STAFF MEM]:!(:RS

Franklin W. Southwiek

Head, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

During the winter and spring we actively searched for well trained
young men to fill positions which became available in the Department of
Horticultural Science through retirement of former staff members. Three
positions were available and all of these have now been filled. A brief
description of the training and interests of the men who have accepted
these positions follows.

Dr. Allen V. Barker - Dr. Barker was born and attended higli school
in McLeansboro, Illinois. He did his undergraduate work at the Univer-
sity of Illinois in Agricultural Science and graduated with high honors
in 1958.

He continued his studies at Cornell University where he majored in
soil science and minored in plant physiology and biochemistry and obtained
his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in 1959 and 1962, respectively. His tliesis
work, under the direction of Dr. Richard Bradf ield , was concerned with the
influence of potassium and nitrogen on the growth and composition of corn
plants.

In 1962 Dr. Barker was appointed a Post-Doctoral Fellow at North Car-
olina State College in the Department of Soils, where he has been working
with Drs. W. A. Jackson and R. J. Volk on plant physiological problems.
His most recent work is related to the effects of NHlj on photosynthesis,
respiration and growth of plants.

Dr. Barker's background in soil science plus his interest in plant
nutrition and other physiological problems should make him a very valuable
addition to the new Plant and Soil Sciences Department (combined Horticul-
tural Science and Agronomy Departments) being established July 1, 196t+.
He joins our staff on July 1, 1964.

Dr. William J. Bramlage - Dr. Bramlage is a native of Ohio and went
to high school in Dayton. He graduated with honors from Ohio State Uni-
versity in 1959. At Ohio State he majored in Hort i.cu i ciirp witu a n^i.Too
interest in tree fruits.

Dr. Bramlage continued his studies at the University of Maryland
under the direction of Dr. Arthur Thompson. His thesis work at Mary-
land i\/as related to the influence of early-season boron sprays on fruit
color, finish, maturity and storage life of apples and on carboliydrate
changes and enzyme activity in the fruits. This work has recently been
published in Maryland Agricultural Station Bulletin A-129, 1963. Dr.
Bramlage majored in Horticulture at Maryland and minored in plant physi-
ology, biometrics and biochemistry and received his M.S. and Ph.D. de-
grees in 1961 and 1963 respectively.

Following receipt of his Ph.D., Dr. Bramlage has been employed at
the U.S. Horticultural Field Station, Agricultural Marketing Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fresno, California. At Fresno, Dr.
Bramlage has been concerned with the evaluation of gamma radiation as
a means of reducing losses of fruits and vegetables during storage and
marketing.

We antit'ipn Ic IhjiL Dr. I'.iMin I age will make s isni I'.ican I. (!on Lr\i hii I i mis
to our L"eacli.1n,t!; aiul rt'searc-h progi\Tni.s .in the area of pos t-iiarvest pliysi-
ology of ecMiiioniie crops. lie joins our staff .Tiiiy 1 , l')6i|.

Dr. If. V. l^arsh, Jr. - Dr. i^arsh was brought up in tlie local Con-
necticul: Valley area, and obtained his precollege education at Deerfield
Academy. At the University of IMlassachusetts he was a chemistry major
and graduated with a B.S. degree in 195'^ After a period in the Armed
Services, ho continued his education at the University of IMassachuset ts
in horticulture with a minor in botany and obtained his IM.S. degree in
1958. His I^.S. degree work provided substantial evidence that seed abor-
tion was not a necessity nor the basic mechanism causing young apple
abscission following an application of NAA (naphthalene acetic acid)
shortly after petal-fall.

He continued his graduate work at North Carolina State in plant
physiology and biochemistry under Dr. Harold Evans (now at Oregon State
University) . His work at North Carolina State involved an investigation
of the role of iron in chlorophyll metabolism. Dr. Marsh received his
Ph.D. in 1961 and then spent a summer at Brookhaven National Laboratory
at Upton, L.I., in the laboratory of Dr. Robert SmilJie, where he studied
an enzyme which functions in both photosynthesis and carbohydrate break-
down.

In the fall of 1961, he accepted a post-doctoral appointment in the
Biochemistry Department of Cornell University under Dr. Martin Gibbs.
During a two-year period at Cornell he worked with a group attempting to
establish definitive evidence as to whether or not the citric acid cycle
operates in plants. For the past year Dr. Marsh has been employed at the
Research Laboratories of the United Fruit Company at Noi^wood , Mass.

Dr. Marsh has the training and interest to initiate basic research
programs dealing with plant response. He has already indicated a desire
to study the mechanisms involved in abscission of young apple fruits fol-
lowing application of growth regulators, such as NAA for apple thinning.
He'll join our staff sometime in September, 1964.

********

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

X-Disease - Cornell Extension Bulletin 1100 titled "X-Disease of Peach
and Cherry Trees and Its Control" is a publication that should be of in-
terest to peach growers. In addition to a discussion of X-Disease and
its control, the publication contains some excellent photographs which
aid in identifying chokecherry.

By sending 20 cents, a copy may be obtained from the Cooperative
Extension Service, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

- - William J. Lord

A * ******

MECHANICAL HARVESTING OF BLUEBERRIES

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

The followin-r is an article taken from Agricultural Research Volume
12, No. 8, February, 196^1 :

"Some agricultural leaders predict that fruit crops not harvested
mechanically will someday be of minor importance, grown only as
specialty items.

ARS and State agricultural engineers are working to prevent this
from happening with blueberries. In cooperative research at Mich-
igan State University, East Lansing, ARS engineers G. E. Monroe
and J. H. Levin have developed an experimental machine that will
harvest cultivated blueberries at less that 1 cent a pound for labor.

Three men and a harvester that incorporates the principles of the
experimental unit should be able to do the work of 120 men harvest-
ing by hand. One man would drive the machine while two handle ber-
ries.

The experimental unit consists of two rotating spindles, mounted
vertically on a steel frame, that straddle a row of blueberry bushes.
Each spindle has 160 vibrating 'fingers'.

As the unit moves down a row, the spindles rotate like giant turn-
stiles, moving the vibrating fingers in and out of the bushes.
Mature blueberries are shaken off the plants and caught in wooden
boxes carried at the base of the machine.

Blueberries ripen over a 4 to 6 week period and three harvests are
usually necessary to get most of the fruit. Because of the extended
harvest season, hand pickers usually make only one or two harvests,
then move on to other crops. As a result, tons of fruit often go
unharvested. The new harvester should eliminate this problem and
thus enable growers to market a far larger crop of cultivated blue-
berries .

Experience hand pickers, who earn about 8 cents a pound, harvest
less than half an acre of blueberries in 8 hours. In contrast, the
machine can harvest more than half an acre in only 1 hour.

The development of the experimental machine is another step toward
mechanization of fruit harvesting. In 1958, Levin and two other
ARS engineers at Michigan, S. L. Hedden and H. P. Gaston, developed
a hand-held, electrically operated vibrator and catching frame that
cut the cost of harvesting blueberries to 3 . 5 cents a pound.

Last summer, the hand-held equipment was used to harvest about 3 5
percent of Michigan's blueberry crop and 20 percent of the New
Jersey crop. These two States produce about 70 percent of all U.S.
cultivated blueberries."

********

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Hot Water Treatment of Peaches - Research conducted by personnel of the
Agricultural Marketing Service indicates that hot watei" shows promise
as a control of fruit and vegetable spoilage. Treatment in water at
130 F. for 2 to 3 minutes reduced decay of peaches to a small fraction
of the amount present in untreated peaches.

- - William J. Lord
********

THE ECONOMICS OF IRRIGATING APPLES
IN THE HUDSON VALLEY

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

C. G. Forshey, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Hud-
son Valley Laboratory, Highland and B. A. Dominick, Jr., Department' of
Agricultural Economics, Ithaca, in the January-February issue of Farm
Research presented their analysis of the Economics of Irrigating Apples
in the Hudson Valley. The information presented was based on data ob-
tained from an apple irrigation project conducted in the Hudson Valley
since 1955.

The article is of particular interest since irrigation studies on
apples was conducted in a Massachusetts orchard from 1956 to 1962,
inclusive. In the Massachusetts investigation, the orchard was irrigated
in 1957 and 1962, but a fruit growth response was obtained only in 1957.
The orchard selected for the study was located on a soil with only 0.7
to 1.9 inch per foot moisture holding capacity. The majority of Massachu-
setts orchards are located on drumlins or drumloid hills with soils having
an estimated available moisture holding capacity of more than 1.5 inches
per foot of soil to a depth of 3 or 4 feet or more. Therefore, the value
of irrigation of Mcintosh orchards located on the better soils in Massa-
chusetts is highly questionable. Irrigation may be of value only in years
of limited rainfall in orchards on soils of low water holding capacity
and/or where trees are shallow rooted .

Forsheys' and Dominicks' economic analysis of irrigating apples in
the Hudson Valley is as follows :

"Both experimental evidence and practical experience have indicated
that the success of irrigation of apples is dependent upon four fac-
tors :

Soil type - Apples will size surprisingly well on a good deep
loam even during the driest years. It is the shallow and
coarse textured soils that will be most responsive. For rea-
sonable returns, appreciable acreage must be located on soils
such as Hoosic gravelly loam or Cossayuna sandy or gravelly
loam.

- 6 -

Equipment - To irrigate efficiently, the grower should have
sufficient pipe to cover 2 to 3 acres, depending on the dis-
tance from water supply, and a pump to deliver a minimum of
one-half inch per hour to this acreage. Less pipe or less
power greatly increases the cost per acre inch and reduces
the acreage that can be covered.

Water supply - If irrigation is to be undertaken seriously,
there should be enough water to apply 12 inches to 30 acres,
or more, in even the driest years . This requires 7.5 million
gallons.

Varieties - The increase in yieJ.d that can be expected is not
enough to support this expensive operation. Sales value of the
fruit must also be increased. This requires more of a price
differential between sizes than $2.00 appJes will provide.

Assuming that all of the above conditions are satisfactorily
met, the response to supplemental irrigation will then be dependent
upon rainfall. That the practice might be highly profitable in very
dry years like 1962 is generally conceded. The practical question
that arises is, what happens to this profit when it is spread over
the intervening years when irrigation is unnecessary or unprofitable?

In computing the cost of irrigation, interest and depreciation
were charged on the basis of the average number of hours the equip-
ment might be operated per year. Using the number of days during
the growing season that soil moisture was below the critical level,
and assuming that an alert grower would want to irrigate almost every
day that such conditions prevailed, it appears that the equipment
might be used more than 600 hours in years like 1957 and 1962, or it
might not be needed at all, as was the case in 1956, 1959, and 1960.
But the annual average for the 9 years 1955 - 1963 was approximately
200 hours.

The response of Delicious apples to irrigation in 1962 is pre-
sented in Table 1.

Table 1. - The Effect of Irrigation on Size and Yield of
Delicious Apples - 1962

Fruit size - percent of total

Less than Yield - field

Treatment 2h in. 2% - 3 in. 3 in. and up boxes per tree

Unirrigated 33.4 66.6 16.1

Irrigated 17.8 76.9 5^^3 18.3

The response to irrigation obtained with Delicious in 1962
showed a net return per acre of $162. The added income was derived
from two sources; more bushels of apples and larger-sized apples.
After allowing for utilities and wastage, the volume of apples har-
vested and sold from the irrigated orchard increased 14- percent
compared with the unirrigated block. Irrigation resulted in 40 per-

- 7

cent more bushels of apples of size 2^ inches and larger and nO per-
cent fewer bushels of apples smaller than 2% inches in diameter.
Tliis increase in size of individual apples as well as the added num-
ber of bushels contributed to the increased net returns. This is
typical of response to Irrigation in this area. Increases in number
of bushels picked are usually rather modest. Increased returns will
be realized only if the variety irrigated is one with a substantial
price differential between sizes.

During the period under study (1955 - 1963), irrigation of apples
was profitable in the Hudson Valley only during 1952 and 1957. The
net return from irrigating Golden Delicious in 1957 was $] 57 per acre.
Therefore, the total return for the past 9 years would amount to
$319 per acre. However, if optimum soil moisture conditions had been
maintained throughout each of these growing seasons, it would have
been necessary to apply some water in 1955, 1958, 1961, and 1963.
This would have required a total of 21 inches. These unproductive
efforts add $12 5 to the costs and reduce the net return to $194.

Interest and depreciation amount to $900 per year. The average
net return for the two profitable years was $160 per acre. Assuming
that the previously mentioned conditions of soil, equipment, water
supply, and variety are satisfied, irrigation equipment would pay for
itself if the response in the order of that in 1957 and 1962 could
be obtained on about 3 5 acres or more as frequently as once in 5 years.
Added net returns would be possible with a more favorable response
such as more bushels of apples, greater size changes, larger price
premiums between sizes or by irrigating, more acres of bearing apples."

********

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Reducing Load of Fruit on the Leader of Trees on Size Controlling Stock -
Growers should avoid allowing too many fruit to develop on the leader
of trees on size controlling rootstocks. In fact, in some areas it is
recommended that fruit should be removed from the trees until the fourth
year. Then for the succeeding year or two, depending upon tree size,
the removal of fruit from the leader should be continued.

********

ANNUAL SUiMMER MEETING

of the

MASSACHUSETTS FRUIT GROWERS ASSOCIATION

in Cooperation with the

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS

Horticultural Research Center, Univ. of Mass., Belchertown*

Wednesday July 15, 1964-

10:00 A.M. Tour of the Research Center plantings and its present
facilities.

12:00 Noon Sandwiches, Coffee, Cold Drinks and Ice Cream will be served
by the Women's Auxiliary of the Belchertown American
Legion, Post 239.

1:30 P.M. A Word of Welcome - M.F.G.A. President Charles A. Dowse, Jr.

1:35 P.M. Progress Report of the New England Apple Council - William
Doe and William Hermann

1:50 P.M. The Fruit Grower and his Labor Problem - Philip Good,

Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Massachusetts Farm Bureau
Federation

2:30 P.M. Increasing Apple Harvest Efficiency - Dr. Howard A. Rollin, Jr.
Horticulturist, V.P.I. , Virginia

3:15 P.M. Crop Estimate for 195^1 - Warren Clapp, Massachusetts
Department of Agriculture

3:25 P.M. Insect Control Problems from Now until Harvest -
Dr. Herbert Wave, University of Massachusetts

*Directions: - From Belchertown center, proceed on Route 181 about 2.5
miles toward Palmer, bear left on Mt. Sears Road (Cold
Spring Road on some maps) 0.7 miles to Sabin Street,
bear left to the Research Center. If approaching
Belchertown from Palmer, take Route 181 from Route 20.

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Stoff, Deportment of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massochusetts, Amherst

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1964

TABLE OF CONTENTS

For MORE Customers - Have FEWER Flies

Pomological Paragraph

Mechanizing the Harvesting and Handling of Apples

Pomological Paragraph

Direct From Tree To You

Pomological Paragraph

:U;J\

-^«

Issued by the Coop- alive Extension Servi. e, A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, In firtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30 1914-
University of Mas-iachusetts. United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No. 44.

PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Available upon request through your County Extension Service or
by writing to the mailing room, University of Massachusetts, are the
following publications:

Special Circular No. 254 - Preharvest Drop Control of Apples

Special Circular No. 246 - Be A Better Apple Picker

Special Circular No. 246A - Be A Better Apple Picker (Spanish
Translation)

Special Circular No. 277 - Scald Control for Apples

Extension Publication 422 - Proceedings of the New England - New
York Controlled Atmosphere Storage Seminar

********

All pesticide chemicals mentioned in this publication are regis-
tered and cleared for the suggested uses in accordance with federal
laws and regulations. Chapter 727, Acts of 1960, Commonwealth of Mass-
achusetts requires that all pesticides sold in Massachusetts be regis-
tered with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Trade names,
where used for clearness, do not indicate endorsement nor imply that
similar products are not satisfactory.

WARNING! MOST PESTICIDES ARE POISONOUS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL
DIRECTIONS AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON LABELS. HANDLE CAREFULLY AND
STORE OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN, PETS AND LIVESTOCK.

For MORE Customers - Have FEWER Flies

E. H. Wheeler
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

Flies do NOT attract customers, but many roadside and farm stands
and cider pressed DO attract flies.

You, Mr, Owner or Operator, can DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

1- CLEAN UP and KEEP CLEAN!

Flies are attracted to moisture - especially juices from fruits,
vegetables, milk, eggs, and meats. Fruit pomace and any decaying
fruit, vegetable or meat scraps are attractive to flies. Even
small amounts, if moist, may be a breeding ground for more flies.

Provide tight containers with tight covers such as galvanized cans
for wastes. Stand them on a hard, easily cleaned surface. Empty
waste containers and clean them every day. Bury or burn the
wastes immediately - flies travel farther than you may think pos-
sible.

Clean out and remove empty boxes, baskets, cartons, etc. Store
them as far from the stand or mill as possible. A dump out back
may be out of sight, but the flies it attracts and breeds will be
out front in full view.

2. SCREENS are WORTHWHILE.

Screen insects out wherever possible. For the tiny fruit flies
it helps greatly to paint screening with an oil solution of 1%
diazinon.

3. USE RESIDUAL INSECTICIDES ON SURFACES!

Apply residual materials to all surfaces on which flies commonly
rest in and around the stand or mill; include nearby fences,
refuse areas, etc. AVOID contamination of edible products and
ecruipment .

Wettable powders leave a visible deposit; emulsifiable concentrates
diluted with water do not; oil solutions are not diluted and leave
no visible deposit.

Emulsifiable liquid concentrates of ronnel (Korlan) , dimethoate
(Cygon) and diazinon are most suitable and effective for long
lasting residual applications. Malathion and naled (Dibrom) re-
main effective for just a few days. Follow all directions on con-
tainer labels for correct dilution and precautions in use.

- 2 -

4. BAITS SUPPLEMENT other MEASURES to control the HOUSE FLY.

Baits containing dichlorvos (DDVP) , trichlorfon (Dipterex) , diaz-
inon or malathion are available under many brand names. Use them
sparingly, but frequently, on all horizontal dry surfaces in or
around the stand or mill where flies tend to gather. Bait sprays
may be prepared and used according to directions on the labels of
ronnel, dimethoate and diazinon.

5. SPACE TREATMENTS ESSENTIAL TOOI

Stands and cider mills that can be closed up completely or enough
to prevent cross ventilation may be "space treated" with a finely
atomized spray or aerosol. All flies then in the building should
be killed by the treatment; there is no_ residual effect.

Apply space treatments at closing time and at other times as op-
erations permit and the number of flies make it desirable. COVER
FOOD and FOOD HANDLING EQUIPMENT.

Pyrethrin or allethrin, each synergized by materials like piperonyl
butoxide, sulfoxide or others, are the chief killing agents. Some
products contain methoxychlor or other materials. Extra care to
prevent contamination of food or equipment must be used if insecti-
cides other than pyrethrins or allethrin are included in the pro-
duct.

Apply space treatments by using oil based pyrethrin or allethrin
"fly sprays" in hand or electrically operated atomizers or by using
aerosol "bombs". Large (5 lb.) bombs are less expensive than
smaller types if used according to directions. Otherv\7ise the
smaller types may be just as convenient and no more costly.

Read the list of "active ingredients" to get what you want. Fol-
low "directions for use" to do the best job safely.

Try resin strips containing 20% dichlorvos (DDVP,Vapona) if you can
reduce ventilation at least part of the time. Determine the space
and follow directions so as to obtain an effective concentration
of vapor.

6. FANS HELP

Fans that direct a current of air across displays may help greatly
to keep flies off those products especially attractive to them.
"Curtains" of moving air currents directed across doorways from
inside or above will reduce the number of flies which enter.

BUT

Without your complete attention to NO. 1, you cannot expect the
suggestions under No.'s 2, 3, '+, and 5 to solve your fly problem.

* ****** *

- 3 -

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

CA Storage Hazard - The June 18, 1963 issue of Produce News carried a
story about two men that nearly lost their lives by wandering into a
CA room. The storage manager stated that the room was well marked and
the reasons for danger stated.

Let's prevent this happening in Massachusetts! Apparently signs
will not do the job.

- - William J. Lord
********

MECHANIZING THE HARVESTING AND HANDLING OF APPLES

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Most efficiencies in apple production have been made in the grow-
ing, storage and selling operations. As a result, harvesting costs
make up a large share of the total cost of raising apples. A study of
49 apple enterprises in Ulster County, New York, in 1962, showed that
harvesting costs averaged approximately 45 cents per bushel where yields
were about 350 bushels per acre. (Fruit-Farm Management Letter, No. 9,
March 24, 1963 - B. F. Stanton and B. A. Dominick, Jr. , Department of
Agricultural Economics, Cornell University)

Picking costs were approximately 40 per cent of the total cost of
harvesting. Other harvest labor, including such jobs as distributing
boxes prior to harvest, leveling boxes, hauling fruit to storage, and
supervision of labor crews accounted for 30 per cent of the harvest
costs. The other cost items were: harvest equipment - 2 per cent,
housing labor - 5 per cent, truck and tractor - 6 per cent, and con-
tainers - 17 per cent.

Stantons' and Dominicks' studies show that approximately 70 per
cent of the harvest cost is labor. The increasing difficulty of obtaining
labor and the high cost when it is available is a problem of increasing
magnitude in all agriculture.

Research on Mechanization of Fruit Harvest

Research on mechanizing the harvesting and handling of fruits has
in(!reased many fold the last 10 to 15 years. Today, studies are current-
ly being conducted on the mechanical handling and harvesting of apples,
peaches, apricots, prunes, dates, citrus, grapes, and blueberries.

A. R. S. Special Report, United States Department of Agriculture,
22-88 published in February, 1964 discusses the progress that research

_ ^. ..

is making to mechanize the harvesting and handling of fruits. A few
of the examples cited in this publication are as follows: "During 1962,
about 2 million i^ounds of sour cherries were harvested mechanically at
a cost approxima cely % cent per pound against 3 cents per pound usually
paid handpickers." "Compared to handpicking, mechanically harvesting
Stanley Prune plums saves the grower about 23 cents per bushel." "One
man can mechanically harvest as many blueberries as six handpickers and
six men can harvest as many cherries as 33 handpickers."

Growers have constructed and tried apple picking aids of various
types for many years: stilts, mobile ladders, and platforms, and hy-
draulic lifts, etc. The platforms and lifts are in use by some growers
for pruning and thinning in addition to picking. Growers' use, however,
has been limited because many of these devices have failed to perform
the necessary functions satisfactorily and economically.

Use of Mobile Towers Studied in Virginia

Dr. Howard Rollins, Jr. reported on the use of mobile towers in
Virginia during the fall of 1963 (Proceedings of the 68th Virginia
State Horticultural Society). He is quoted directly as follows: "Two
different types of mobile orchard towers were used in 1963 studies. One,
referred to as the "wish basket", is manufactured by the Friday Tractor
Company of Hartford, Michigan. It is a tractor drawn unit with hydraulic
controls powered by a tractor -powered ptimp. The man in the basket is
able to place himself anywhere in the tree that he might wish. The
equipment is basically designed for pruning. To adapt it to harvesting,
a two and a half bushel bucket was fitted to the front of the basket.
The bucket contained a bladder which was gradually deflated allowing
the fruit to settle slowly to the bottom of the container. A trailer
carrying bulk bins was drawn behind the "wish basket", and the picker,
upon filling the two and a half bushel basket, maneuvered himself to
the bulk bin and released the fruit.

The second mobile tower included in the test was manufactured by
the Edwards Equipment Company of Yakima, Washington, and is referred
to as the "Dynasoar". It is a self-propelled mobile unit. The "Dyna-
soar" tower was fitted with a specially constructed conveyer system and
automatic bulk bin filler by Dr. Cunningham and Mr. Pfost in order to
provide a means of continually moving fruit from the picker.

In order to evaluate the potentials of the mobile orchard towers,
a detailed comparison of the ability of a picker to harvest fruit using
each of the two towers and a conventional ladder was made. A total of
13 5 trees were harvested during the course of the tests. Each of the
three pickers harvested 15 trees with each of the three methods. Each
step of the harvest operation was timed with a stop watch. Fruit samples
were collected and later appraised for bruising.

A critical evaluation of the data revealed that under the condi-
tions of this test the use of mobile orchard towers did not increase
the efficiency of the pickers. In fact, their rate of picking was slow-

er with the mobile orchard towers than with conventional ladders. It
is believed that with additional operator experience, better adopted
orchard conditions, and refinements in the equipment, the efficiency
of the picker could be improved. However, even with these improvements,
it is doubtful that the equipment would be practical in the harvest
operation.

The fruit picked with the "Dynasoar" showed less bruising and the
fruit picked with the "wish basket" more bruising than fruit picked by
conventional ladder methods. However, the differences were not suffi-
cient to be major factors in the evaluation of this particular test.

On the basis of the 1963 results, there appears to be little prom-
ise in the use of mobile orchard towers to ease the harvest labor require-
ments. It also appears that future efforts should be concentrated in two
principal areas: (1) modification of the tree to facilitate harvest
either by hand or by machine, (2) development of mechanical fruit removal
procedures.

Work will continue. The problem is a difficult one, but one that
must be solved."

Mechanical Harvest of Baldwin Apples in Massachusetts

Mechanical harvesting of apples using an inertia shaker and col-
lecting equipment has been tested in several states including our own.
In 1961, Arthur Selders , graduate student; Department of Agricultural
Engineering, University of Massachusetts initiated a study to develop
and evaluate a system of harvesting and handling Baldwin apples from
the tree to the processing plant by the use of mechanical equipment.
The equipment consisted of a commercially manufactured tractor mounted
tree shaker, a collector unit and power driven conveyor system, bulk
boxes, a tractor fork lift and a truck. Apples were removed from the
tree with the shaker, collected and conveyed into the bulk boxes which
were then handled in the orchard and loaded onto the truck with the
tractor fork lift for transporting to the processing plant.

Quality of the fruit was acceptable to the processor and the
wastage factor was only slightly higher than for hand-picked fruit.
However, severity of rot on mechanically harvested apples held in stor-
age may be a problem.

Our Agricultural Economists calculate that a volume of approximately
6,000 bushels of apples harvested by this mechanical system is necess-
ary before any savings can be realized. With a volume of 10,000 bush-
els, a grower could expect a savings of from $500 - $1000, depending
upon harvesting rates obtained.

The utilization of machine-picked apples for processing looks prom-
ising. However, trees must be modified to facilitate equipment place-
ment.

- 6

Will Mcintosh Be Harvested Mechanically?

Whether or not mechanical harvesting of Mcintosh will ever become
a reality is not ]<nown. Growers have planted semi-dwarf and dwarf
trees so that they will make a solid hedge row. Whether or not these
trees can or will be hearvested mechanically is also a question. What
the writer is quite certain of however is that an increasing number
of growers are going to invite the public to "pick your own" fruit.
It is a natural, for orchards located near centers of population.

Until mechanical harvesting of Mcintosh apples becomes a reality
we must continue to strive for efficiency by making use of those aids
for handpickers that fit our operations: self-propelled lifts, plat-
forms, pick and drop equipment, pallets, bulk boxes, lift equipment, etc.

Modifying Trees to Facilitate Harvest Efficiency

Dr. Howard Rollins, Jr. at V. P. I. Blacksburg, Virginia, suggests,
"If we cannot develop machinery to reduce labor i^equirements with con-
ventional trees, we may be able to modify the tree to facilitate greater
harvest efficiency. If a high density hedge row planting could be
established with trees planted about six feet apart, in a row and trained
to provide a "wall" of trees 5 feet thick and 10 to 14 feet high, har-
vest labor efficiency could be increased. Men riding at two levels on
a low trailer moving slowly down the tree row could reach the center
of such trees. They could pick either on to a conveyor or into conven-
tional picking bags and consequently dump the fruit into a bulk bin
also on the low trailer. With such a system, additional equipment costs
would not likely exceed equipment savings. For example, no ladders
and less bulk bin placement would be necessary.

With such a high density hedge row production system, a picker
could harvest significatly more fruit during a given period of time,
than is true in conventional plantings. In conventional orchards a good
picker can harvest 100 bushels of apples a day and by receiving 15<;^ a
bushel, he receives a day's pay of $15. On the other hand, if he were
able to pick 200 bushels of apples during the same period of time, still
at the ISt;: per bushel rate, his day's wages would be doubled without
increasing the per bushel cost to the grower. With such a pay incentive
harvest help may become available that is not presently available.
Energetic workers with full time employment elsewhere might wish to put
in a week or two picking apples in lieu of a vacation or local workers
may be willing to put in 6-8 hours additional work late in the after-
noon and during the early evening hours to earn a little extra pay.
Night harvesting could be effectively carried on through the use of
flood lights in such hedge row plantings. It is also possible that
since the work would be lightened, women could be more effectively used
in the apple harvest operation.

Another factor to be kept in mind is that high density hedge row
plantings would bo better adapted to ultimate complete mechanization
of the apple harvest operation. If fruit removal equipment is developed.

- 7 -

It is likely to be used more effectively in plantings where fruit is
oriented along the relatively uniform plane that would exist in high
density hedge row plantings. These plantings would also have the
potential for other increases in production efficiency such as early
production, higher yields per acre, more efficient use of pesticide
chemicals, and more uniform fruit quality.

It is true that high density hedge row plantings are a great diver-
gence from what we currently consider as conventional fruit production
practices. However, the general approach is not new. Various sections
of Europe have been forced into such systems, largely due to limitations
in available land, a number of years ago. Up until recently there has
been no need. In this country, to move in this direction; however the
economics of fruit production has changed the picture and made such
approaches more practical. "

********

POMOLOGICAL PAEAGRAPH

Timing the Apple Picker - A time and motion study of apple picking was
conducted by H. P. Gaston and J. H. Levin and reported in the quar-
terly Bulletin of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, Volume
36, August, 1953. Their studies showed that approximately 40 per cent
of the fruit was picked from the ground and 60 per cent fr'om ladders.
On the average, 73 per cent of the pickers' time was devoted to picking
apples. Nineteen per cent of the pickers' time was spent moving fruit
from tree to crate and returning to picking position. Three per cent
of the pickers' time was devoted to moving ladders and 5 per cent rest-
ing, eating apples, smoking, etc.

- - William J. Lord

* * * A •* * * *

DIRECT FROM TREE TO YOU

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

"Dir-ect from tree to you" Is a new method of harvesting and mar-
keting apples currently being investigated by Anthony C. Cunningham,
Department of Agricultural Economics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New
York, and reported in the September - November, 1963 issue of Farm
Research. Apples are picked directly into quarter-bushel cartons and
the filled containers stacked on pallets or platforms so that they can
be handled mechanically from the orchard to the supermarket. The pal-
lets also serve as display racks in the stores.

A shoulder harness has been devised to hold 2 cartons into which
the picker places the Mcintosh apples. Since the fruit are sold as
orchard i^un apples, no grading is attempted other than instructing
pickers to avoid undersized, misshapen, or damaged apples.

Two years of testing in 16 supermarkets indicated that sales
increased and that in-store labor requirements were reduced. Average
weekly apple sales, during the 3-month test period, increased 45 per
cent. The test period was of insufficient duration to determine the
extent of repeat sales of apples in the quarter-bushel cartons, however.

EDITOR'S NOTE - Pallet handling of fruit from the orchard to the store
is the basic feature of this apple mai'keting method. Also, the quarter-
bushel cartons are attractive and easy to palletize. Tliis approach
is somewhat comparable to harvest time store delivery by some Massachu-
setts growers of orchard-run Mcintosh in peach baskets. Under the
Massachusetts Apple Grading Law, orchard-run fruit must be marked as
"Unclassified". The term "Unclassified" is not a grade in itself, but
is used to indicate that no grade has been used.

********

POMOLOGICAL PAMGRAPH

Hand Packing From Bulk Boxes - The convenience of bulk boxes in the
harvest and storage operation is well established. The investment in
a water dumper, grading machine, and in many instances a new packing
shed, has discouraged growers considering bulk boxes. A few growers
are hand packing from bulk boxes and are satisfied with the operation
as a means of taking advantage of the convenience of bulk boxes with-
out involving a considerable financial investment in packing equipment.
The writer is of the opinion more growers should consider hand packing
from bulk boxes.

- - William J. Lord

********

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Stoff, Deportment of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Mossochusetts, Amherst

OCTOBER 10, 1964

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Roadside Marketing

Orchard Mouse Identification and Control Techniques

The Disappearance of Water Core and the Occurrence
of Internal Breakdown in Water-cored Richared
Delicious During Storage

Pomological Paragraph

Cider Notes

//■'.

'^^,

'^^a

Isaued by th» Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, In furtherance of the Acta of May 8 and June 30, 1914-
University of Massachusetts, United Stales Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperatinR.
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Pis-chasing Agent, No. 44.

ROADSIDE MARKETING

William J. Lord
Deparment of Plant and Soil Sciences

The following excerpts were taken from an article in the Hoosier
Horticulture Newsletter prepared by Jerome Hull, Jr. , Extension Pomol-
ogist, Purdue University, It discussed some of the proceedings of the
4th annual Ohio Roadside Marketing Conference of November 22, 1963. I
believe many readers will find the information about the Oak Glen mar-
keting program, pick-your-own method of selling, the case study of the
Lynd roadside market and the information on cider interesting and useful.

"The keynote speaker at the Roadside Marketing Conference was Mr.
Wilson Parker from Yucaipa, California. He has developed an outstanding
market at his orchard located about 30 miles east of Los Angeles. Mr„
Parker's ranch is the largest of 14 ranches growing fruit in the Yucaipa-
Oak Glen area. These orchardists retail nearly all their production
(amounting to approximately $1,000,000 annually) directly to the consumer.

Mr. Parker reported the Oak Glen apple area is approximately 6 to 8
miles in length and elevated, rugged territory. It is an extremely scenic
area and thus many potential customers combine a tour of this scenic
area with a visit to the roadside fruit markets. Parker revealed they
started in their marketing enterprise by exhibiting their fruit at fairs
one year, winning $8,000 to $9,000 in one year which was then used to
start the Oak Glen marketing program. Their promotion now attracts approx-
imately 500,000 customers into this scenic area each year. Parker's mar-
ket now attracts so many customers that he carries one half million dol-
lars liability insurance and must fence much of his ranch to prevent
customers from stealing fruit from the orchard. He also hires a detec-
tive to prevent shoplifting in the market.

The Oak Glen Association consists of 12 apple growers who hire a
publicity man to write press releases about their scenic area and its
local apple markets and distribute these to newspaper editors. Parker
indicated their biggest break in advertising came from tie-in advertis-
ing with automobiles I Automobile editors, anxious for a fresh and dif-
ferent approach to introduce new car models, agreed to use apple harvest
scenes for background and were very successful. This has also helped
promote their area's scenery. Ford showed a 1/2 hour colored TV travel-
ogue of the Oak Glen area. (You cannot buy this kind of promotion.) As
a result of all this promotion. Oak Glen, considered a relatively wild
area 15 years ago, is considered one of the most promising areas in the
country today.

The scenic aspect of the area and the promotion by the fruit grow-
ei's has tremendous appeal. Parker reports newspapers now write and re-
quest to be placed on the Association's mailing list to receive their
press releases.

The Oak Glen Association finances itself through a 1^'^ per box assess-
I ment obtaining $3000 from the growers and $500 from three local restau-
rants also benefiting profitably by the many hungry people visiting the
area. The Association spends its $3500 budget as follows:

- 2 -

$1,000 Salary of Publicity Director
500 Publicity Director's expenses
1,000 Fall picnic for food editors, travel
editors, etc.
500 Buy apples for distribution to editors,

etc.
500 Brochures and similar material

Parker revealed that the press party is held in the area about Sep-
tember 15. They invite all food editors of newspapers in southern Cali-
fornia, travel editors, etc., and the extension personnel from the Univer-
sity of California involved in home economics. In other words, any person
or editor involved in promoting food and travel.

Parker stated they really have no organization. It is kind of a loose
association. In the past 17 years the fruit growers in the Oak Glen area
have agreed on only four things: (1) a need for advertising for their
area; (2) no signs to be erected in the area except on each individual's
property (They do not desire to mar the scenic beauty of the area with
many roadside signs.); (3) an agreement to pay l^^^ per box assessment per
year for Association fees; and (M-) to bring in no outside apples for local
marketing. He indicated that growers have never been able to agree upon
prices and quality to be offered at their local markets.

Grower Experience with "Pick-Your-Own"

"An interesting feature of the conference was a discussion of pick-
your-own direct selling. Robert MacQueen of Holland, Ohio, markets both
apples and peaches by this method. He harvests 20 acres of peaches uti-
lizing three men (one foreman and two men) and pick-your-own customers.
Variety selection is very important for successful pick-your-own peach mar-
keting. For example, he raises Early Red Fre , an early poor quality peach
not adapted to pick-your-own marketing. It is not a canning variety and
doesn't hold up very well. Consequently he begins his pick-your-own mar-
keting with Redhaven. It takes two to three days for his customers to
pick 2 50 Redhaven trees. He closes his orchard after each variety is picked
and waits for the next variety to get ripe. He wants each variety to be
fully ripe before opening the orchard to pick-your-own customers for that
variety.

MacQueen has been charging the same price for his peaches each year
since he started pick-your-own marketing ($2.75 per bushel). All he pro-
vides the customer is a ladder. If they desire, they can purchase baskets.
He does not permit pick-your-own customers in the orchard for less than
one bushel of fruit. If they desire less than one bushel, they can purchase
it at his local sales shed. He advised having only one way into the orchard
and only one way out.

MacQueen stressed pruning out trees and proper fruit thinning. He
desires large perfect peaches and has had very favorable customer reaction.
Customers use this opportunity for family events such as picnics, etc.
plus the opportunity to obtain tree-ripe peaches. He gives his customers
a sheet of instructions covering his pick-your-own policy, etc. Likewise
he carries $200,000 liability insurance.

- 3

MacQueen opens his apple orchard to pick-your-own customers about
October 10, after harvesting his Jonathan and Red Delicious. He has
25 acres of apples and charges $2.25 per bushel, the main varieties con-
sisting of Rome, Baldwin, Wagner, and Winesap.

W. W. Magill, retired Kentucky Extension Horticulturist, related
his experiences and success with pick-your-own peach marketing. He
pointed out that customers will not break any more trees and branches
than most hired pickers. He finds that most customers pay the same price
for peaches either off the tree or the ground.

Ralph Folsom, Belief ontaine, Ohio grower, markets five acres of
small fruits and 30 acres of orchard on a pick-your-own basis. He ob-
tains 25<: per quart for his strawberries and in his outstanding straw-
berry patches gets 3 5<!: per quart on a pick-your-own basis."

Case Study of a Roadside Market

Two Ohio State University students, Mitchell Lynd and Thomas Bennett,
presented findings of their case study of the Lynd roadside market located
on Route 40 east of Columbus. (The Lynd market handles 400 to 450 dif-
ferent items - spending about 1.6% of gross sales for advertising.) They
jotted down license plate numbers of all customers stopping at the market
between July 27 and September 1 and obtained the adresses of these indiv-
iduals from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and mailed a questionnaire to
them.

Questionnaire replies revealed that 74% of the customers stopping at
the market learned about it through roadside signs. During the period
of the survey, customers from 31 states, the District of Columbia, and
Ontario, Canada visited the market. The majority of the consumers came
from the eastern part of Ohio. The majority of out-of-state customers
came from Pennsylvania, New York and California - in that order.

The survey revealed that people living closer to the market stopped
more often. Likewise the average purchase for city people (those indiv-
iduals living in a city of 10,000 or more) was 27% higher than for rural
people. The questionnaire requested the customers to rate the market
on freshness of product, cleanliness, quality of product, flavor of prod-
uct, appearance of product, selection of product, friendliness of sales-
men, prices and interest to market. It was interesting to learn that
everything rated higher during the week days than on the weekends. This
is probably partially related to the increased activity from heavy week-
end sales when customers received less personal attention.

A portion of the questionnaire obtained information from the cus-
tomers about their attitude towards farm markets in general. Reasons
listed why people go to farm markets were fresher produce, good selection,
cheaper prices, better quality, homelier atmosphere, better attention by
salesmen. The people also replied they would stop at farm markets more
often if (1) they were closer (this would indicate a demand for more farm
markets), (2) they had more money, (3) there was more selection besides
fruit and vegetables, (4) signs appeared earlier, and (5) prices were
well displayed. Some criticisms listed for farm markets in general were
(1) many not clean and unattractive, (2) many sales people know nothing

about handling people or produce, (3) not enough parking space, (4) dirty
trashy, unorganized, (5) dirty attendants. Some criticisms listed for
the market where the survey was made included not enough shade, prices
too high, traffic problem getting out of the market, trash cans overflow-
ing, too many items, and too many gnats and flies. (Customers indicated
gnats and flies could be controlled at fair grounds and consequently why
couldn't they be controlled at roadside markets.)"

Preserving Cider

"Eldon Banta, Ohio State University Extension Horticulturist, distrib-
uted the following information at the Roadside Marketing Conference. Meth-
ods of preserving cider have been greatly improved and the following rec-
ommendations have been widely adopted by Ohio cider makers. Potassium
sorbate (sodium sorbate may be substituted) is added to freshly pressed
cider to produce a concentration of .05 to .075 percent. Adding seven
ounces of potassium sorbate to each 100 gallons of cider produces a .05%
concentration and 10% ounces per 100 gallons makes a .075% concentration.
The .05% concentration seems to keep cider as well as the higher concentra-
tion. Potassium sorbate is a completely safe preservative and imparts no
off flavor to cider as did sodium benzoate when it was being used. Drug
companies are the primary sources of the sorbate.

Fresh cider preserved with the potassium sorbate has been success-
fully kept for nine months at 35°F, 106 days at M-O F, but for only five
days at 70 to 75 F. Treated cider must be refrigerated for long keeping
and good flavor.

Proceedings Available Upon Request

The complete Proceedings of the Roadside Marketing Conference have
been published and are available upon request by writing Prof. Edwin J.
Royer , Extension Specialist, Fruit and Vegetable Marketing, Ohio Cooper-
ative Extension Service, 2120 Fyffe Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210.

A*******

ORCHARD MOUSE IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL TECHNIQUES

John W. Peterson, District Agent
U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Meadow and Pine Mouse damage may be serious in orchards. The presence
of meadow mice is easily detected by their active surface trails, grass
clippings, chewed apples, and girdled tree trunks and crown roots. Pine
Mice, hov\?ever, are often difficult to detect because of their subterranean
habits. Pine Mouse damage to root systems causes irreparable injury to
trees before they appear unhealthy. Surface signs indicating their pres-
ence are small mounds of loose soil, breather holes leading into deep tun-
nels and apples eaten from underneath. Meadow Mice are usually widely
distributed in an orchard, whereas Pine Mice may occur in isolated colonies.

There are two distinct physical characters which separate Pine and
Meadow Mice. The Meadow Mouse has conspicuous eyes and a tail that is
twice as long as the hind foot while the Pine Mouse has inconspicuous
eyes and a tail the same length as the hind foot.

Broadcasting of Zinc phosphide treated oats or apple gives adequate
control of Meadow Mice but should not be relied upon to control Pine Mice.
Where Pine Mice are widely distributed the placement of Zinc phosphide
treated apple and oats at five foot intervals in artificial trail systems
made by the trail building machine is preferable as it eliminates the
search for mouse tunnels. The construction of a good trail is the key
to success with the trail builder. This requires a good sod, reasonably
moist soil, and a carefully adjusted cutting disc so that the sod is not
turned over but merely lifted and dropped back into place. Baiting
should be conducted in fair weather and only fresh baits should be used.

Where Pine Mice occur in isolated colonies, hand placement of Zinc
phosphide treated oats or apples in the mouse tunnels will give excellent
results.

The success of any mouse control method can be checked by comparing
the mouse population before and several days after the control operation.
This can be done by the use of snap traps baited with apple and set at
right angles to the trail system. Equal numbers of traps should be set
for the same length of time under similar weather conditions.

Zinc Phosphide Rodenticide and Zinc Phosphide treated steam-crushed
oats are available from the following sources:

AGWAY INC. (formerly Eastern Farmers' Exchange and GLF)

Farm Bureau Association

Essex County Cooperative Farming Assn.

If it is not convenient to obtain these materials from the above,
orders may be placed directly with: RODENT CONTROL FUND, University of
Massachusetts, Old Conservation Bldg. Annex, Amherst, Mass 01003. All
shipments are made via REA Express with shipping charges - COLLECT.
These materials are classified as poisons and cannot be mailed.

NOTICE TO MASSACHUSETTS FRUITGROWERS

It has been called to our attention by the Massachusetts Division of
Fisheries and Game that under Chapter 131, Section 87, as amended by
Chapter 3'+5, Acts of 1963, that a permit will be required to place poison
in orchards for the control of mice. Requests for permits must be in
writing and must state the specific area involved, bait to be used, and
period of time during which such work will be conducted. Approval will
only be granted for Zinc Phosphide-treated baits. Applications should be
sent to the Director, James M. Shepard, Massachusetts Division of Fish-
eries and Game, 73 Tremont Street, Boston, Masslachusetts .

********

- 6 -

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF WATER CORE AND THE OCCURRENCE OF INTERNAL
BREAKDOWN IN WATER-CORED RICHARED DELICIOUS DURING STORAGE

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Delicious and its strains are susceptible to water core, a disorder
chiefly associated with mature and over mature fruit. Mild cases of
water core may disappear during storage, but severely affected fruit often
develop internal breakdown. Since it is not always possible for growers
to harvest their Delicious before they become severely affected with this,
disorder, it is essential to determine when internal breakdown appears
during storage and if its occurrence can be predicted with any reliability.

Materials and Methods

To determine the disappearance of water core and the occurrence of
internal breakdown in Red Delicious, fruit seriously affected with this
disorder were harvested on October 10 and 15, 1953. Fruit harvested on
each date were obtained from trees in separate blocks in the University
orchards at Amherst.

The fruit were composited and one sample examined for the presence
of water core within several hours of harvest and another after remaining
at room temperature for 7 days. The percentage of water-cored fruit was
recorded and its severity classified as slight (less than 30 percent) ,
medium (30 to 50 percent) , and severe (more than 50 percent of the cross -
sectional area of the fruit affected) . The remaining fruit were placed
in regular cold storage at 32 -3 6 F in air within several hours after
harvest. At approximately monthly intervals, two samples of fruit from
each harvest date were removed from storage to determine the presence
and severity of water core and internal breakdown. One sample was exam-
ined on the day of removal and the other after remaining at room temper-
ature for 7 or 8 days .

Results

The percentage of fruit affected with water core decreased except
during the last month of storage (Figure 1) . Most of the water core of
medium and severe classification disappeared from both lots of Delicious
by mid- January, however (Figure 2). On the other _hand, the data in
figure 3 show that approximately 12 percent of the apples harvested on
October 15, 1963, stored until November 12, and examined on November 19,
had internal breakdown. Although not shown, approximately 6 percent of
the Delicious harvested on October 10, 1963, stored until December 13,
and examined on December 20, had internal breakdown.

The severity of internal breakdown increased during storage (Figure 1)
and increased during the 7 day holding period at room temperature after
each removal date (Figure 3) .

- 7

Woter core In fruits harvested 10/10/63

Water cofe in fruits harvested 10/15/63

ereoKdown in truits horvested 10/15/63

ereohdown in fruits horvested 10/10/63

'^^-•-— "

N \
\ \
\ \
\ \

.//""

?- 1 1 \ —

FruiU horvested 10/10/63
Fruits horvesled 10/15/63

10/10/63 11/12/63 12/13/63 1/13/64 2/13/64 3/11/64 4/13/64

IO/?5/63 DATES FRUITS EXAMINED

Fig. 1. The disappearance of water

core and the occurrence of internal

breakdown in Richared Delicious.

Fruits examined at harvest and when

removed from storage at monthly
intervals.

12/13/63 1/13/64 2/10/64

DATES FRUITS EXAMINED

Fig. 2. The disappearance of water core
of the medium and severe classification
from Richared Delicious during storage.
Fruits examined at harvest and when re-
moved from storage at monthly intervals.

40-

Q
<

o
cr

UJ
Q.

30--

20-

lO-

ilL

10/15 10/22

11/12 11/19
1963 —

12/13 12/20

2/13 2/20 3/11
1964

3/18

4/13 4/21

DATES FRUITS EXAMINED

Fig. 3. The occurrence of internal breakdown in water-cored Richared Delicious
during storage and following storage plus 7 days at room temperature. Fruit
examined at harvest and when removed at monthly intervals and at monthly inter-
vals plus 7 days at room temperature. Fruit harvested 10/15/63.

Summary

A study was conducted to determine the disappearance of water core
from seriously affected Richared Delicious and the occurrence of internal
breakdown.

Although water core gradually disappeared during the storage period,
particularly that of the medium and severe classification (30 percent or
more of the cross-sectional area affected) , internal breakdown was serious
withi)i a month or two, depending upon the lot after storage. The sever-
ity of internal breakdown increased during a 7 day holding period at room
temperature.

The data indicate that lots of Delicious seriously affected with
water core should be sold as soon after harvest as possible.

********

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Emptying Containers at Roadside Stands - At many roadside stands, sales
personnel transfer apples that are displayed in baskets to bags which are
used as the "carry-home" package by the customer. At one of these stands
the following sign was noted: "Allow Us to Empty Your Basket. We Are As
Proud of the Bottom As the Top. In Exchange For The Basket We Gladly
Give You A Dividend Of A Few Extra Apples."

This is good promotioni Also, it gives sales personnel an opportun-
ity to make a final check on apple quality.

- - William J. Lord

********

CIDER NOTES

K. M. Hayes
Department of Food Science & Technology

Refrigeration

Many cider mill operators including all Certified operators use
refrigeration to preserve cider. Cider should be cooled immediately
after pressing and stored at a tenperature between 32 and 36 F. At
these temperatures, cider retains its original flavor for one" to two
weeks without danger of fermentation. Settling can take place under
refrigeration.

Refrigeration is especially adaptable where cold storage facilities
for fresh fruit are available. If a refrigerated room is not available,
the operator can install an insulated metal or wooden tank and cool the
cider with a small refrigeration unit.

- 9

For display purposes at roadside, used upright display cabinets
with glass doors are excellent. These self-contained refrigerated units
can be often purchased from companies supplying equipment to retail stores.
Household refrigerators can also be used. The important feature when
making and selling cider is to keep it under refrigeration at all times
to maintain the quality.

Looking Back and Forward

With the beginning of a new cider season, perhaps a look at past
years ' activities is in order. If you can answer yes to the following
questions and will do the same this year, customers will return to buy
more .

1. Was my price competitive and fair?

2. Is my mill clean enough for customer inspection at any time?

3. Do I use only clean sound apples?

4. Do I blend two or more varieties?

5. Will my cider hold up at least 5 days without fermenting in a
home refrigerator?

6. Are my press cloths clean and sweet smelling?

7. Do I use hot water and a sanitizing agent to clean my press and
room?

8. Do I store my cider under refrigeration?

9. Do I use approved methods of fly control?

Sanitation

The keeping quality of cider is directly related to the sanitation
practices observed during the operating season. Unsanitary practices
foster the growth of micro-organisms, which cause fermentation or produce
undesirable flavors in the final product.

After a day^s run, observe the following procedures in cleaning the
cider plant:

Dismantle the press for cleaning. Rinse it thoroughly with a hose
to remove surface dirt. Scrub all parts of the press thoroughly, using
a sanitizing or detergent-sanitizing solution. Where possible, use hot
water for both the rinsing and the scrubbing operations.

Sanitizing compounds may be of the chlorine or quaternary ammonium
types. Dairy-cleaning compounds are usually of these types, and they are
easily obtained. Directions given by the manufacturer of the solution
for cleaning dairy equipment will be satisfactory for cider plants.

********

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Staff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

DECEMBER 10, 1964

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Your Farm Truck and Interstate Commerce

Publication Available

Higliway Motor Vehicles Use Tax

Outlook On Pear Psylla

Building Farm Stand Sales

Carbon Dioxide Requirements of Apples in CA

Pomological Paragraph

Winter Fruit Meetings

'^',

' .'.'iy/./i

..KM*...

rt.^z~j\

^/^

^ v.- v.*.

'^i

fM-

:^^

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, in f«-therance of the Acts of May 8 end lune 30 1914
University of Massachusetts, United States Bepartment of Agriculture and County Extension Services cSoMraUng '

Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No. 44.

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE FRUIT PROGRAM

BARNSTABLE

BERKSHIRE,
FRANKLIN,
HAMPDEN and
HA^1PSHIRE

Oscar S. Johnson, County Extension Agent in Agi'iculture ,
Cape Cod Extension Service, Barnstable (Tel. FOrest 2-3255)

G. Everett Wilder, Pioneer Valley Extension Agent in Agri-
culture, Hampdon County Improvement Lea,gue, 1499 Memorial
Avenue, West Springfield (Tel. Springfield REpublic 6-7204)

BRISTOL

DUKES

Peter W. Stanley, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Bristol County Agricultural School, Center Street, Segi^e-
ganset (Tel. Dighton NOrmandy 9-3611 or 9-2361).

Ezra I, Shaw, County Extension Agent in Agriculture, Dukes
County Extension Service, Vineyard Haven (Tel. Vineyard
Haven 694) .

ESSEX. Max G. Fultz, Regional Agricultural Specialist, Middlesex
MIDDLESEX and County Extension Service, 19 Everett Street, Concord (Tel.
WORCESTER Concord EMerson 9-4845).

NORFOLK

PLYMOUTH

Howard Wilson, County Extension Agent in Agriculture, Nor-
folk County Agricultural School, 460 Main Street, Walpole
(Tel. Walpole MOntrose 8-0268 or 8-0269).

Dominic A. Marini, County Extension Agent in Agriculture,
Plymouth County Extension Service, Court House, Brockton
(Tel. Brockton JUniper 6-4993).

All pesticide chemicals mentioned in this publication are registered
and cleared for the suggested uses in accordance with federal laws and
regulations. Chapter 727, Acts of 1960, Commonwealth of Massacliusetts
requires that all pesticides sold in Massachusetts be registered with the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Trade names, where used for
clearness, do not indicate endorsement nor imply that similar products
are not satisfactory.

warning: MOST PESTICIDES ARE POISONOUS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIREC-
TIONS AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON LABELS. HANDLE CAREFULLY AND STORE OUT

OF REACH OF CHILDREN, PETS AND LIVESTOCK.

YOUR FARM TRUCK aNI) INTERSTATE COMMERCE

Lawrence D. Rhoades
Department of Agriculture
and Food Economics

If yovi use your farm truck to transport property across state
lines even if you own the property and drive the truck yourself , you
may be subject to some provisions of tlie Interstate Commerce Act„

The important requirements:

(a) minimum age for drivers is 21 years

(b) a physicians certificate of physical examination for each dri-
ver (including owner drivers) must be oljtained and kept on
file.

Register must be maintained at principal place of business
listing all accidents v\/]iich result in death or injury of any person or
in damage to property to an extent of $250 or more (Massachusetts law
passed by last legislative session and effective now, requires report
of accidents causing $200 of property damage) „

Drivers must have at least (8) hours rest after each (10) hours
of driving, and they may not drive after any combination of driving and
on-duty time equalling fifteen (15) hours, nor may they be required nor
permitted to remain on duty for more than sixty (60) hours during any
period of seven (7) consecutive days„ DRIVERS MUST MAINTAIN daily
"drivers log" on the prescribed form which will show their entire activ-
ities during each twenty-four hour period. However, any driver used
v\;holly in driving a motor vehicle having not more than two axles and
whose gross weight does not exceed 10,000 pounds is exempt from the
daily limitations on driving hours and need not maintain driver's logs,
though lie must observe the 60 hour on duty limitation^

Records of inspection, maintenance, repairs, lubrication and driver's
trip report must be maintained „

Farm Trucks

Motor vehicles controlled and operated by any farmei' when used in
the transportation of his agricultural commodities and products thereof
or in the transportation of supplies to his farm, are subject to the
regulations above, which apply to private carriers with these modifica-
tions.

(a) If the vehicle does not exceed a gross weight, including the
load of 10,000 pounds, the minimum age of the driver is 18 years not 21.

(b) Physical examinations and physician certificates are not re-
quired for drivers of farm trucks „

((■) Tarni I rui'k clr.i.vcrs inns t observe tlic daily uiid wpok.ly liniJta-
tions as t(j clrivln,i^ and on-duty time. However, any driver^ used wholly
in driving a moto)^ vehicle havin,u; not more than two axles and whose
gross weight is less than 10,000 pounds is exempt from the limitation
on driving hours, unless used to transport passengers, explosives, or
other dangerous articles. Drivers of such vehicles are not exempt from
the on chity limitations.

Most tarmers transport by private carriage and if tliey wish ?7iay
operate as private carriers wlien transporting their own commodities and
supplies to and from their farms. NOTE the limitations above for farm-
ers, if a farmer engages in private carriage and transports other prod-
uc}ts than liis own products and supplies then he is a private carrier
and the regulations of minimum age, physical exams, drivers log, etc.
appJy„ A farmer must be one or tlie other , he can' t be both .

Suggestions: Just in case, get £ physicians certificate for your -
self and anyone wlio drives for you (its a good idea anyway) . Keep a_
drivers log , and Keep a^ record of truck maintenance , repairs , lubrica-
tion and so on .

Wlietlier you are a farmer or a private c:arrier, you ilo not have to
have ICC plates, but depending on the size of tlie veliicle and its use,
you are subject to some regulations.

Wivite to Josejjh H. Lacouv

District Supervisor
Interstate Commerce Commission
338 Post Office Building
Springfield , Mnssacliusetts

for a copy of Motor Carrier Information Bulletin No„ i and appendix,
and to Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Wash-
ington, D. C. for 3 cents you can get printed "Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations".

* * •.'.- * * •.>; * *

PUBLICATION AVAILABLE

A. E. Dcijartmental Series 363 entitled "A Review oi' Roadside Mar-
keting" literature is available by writing the Department of Agricul-
tural Economics and Rural Sociology, Ohio Agricultural Experiment Sta-
tion, Wooster, Ohio.

J. E. Jeffries and M. E. Cravens, the authors, liavc presented the
major findings of farm or "roadside" marketing studies on: (a) metliods
of retail selling; (b) location ol stands; (c) pliysical facilities of
roadside stands; (d) operating practices and policies; (e) advertising
and promotion; (f) proch.icts sold; (g) maintaining product quality;
Qi) record keeping and, (i) characteristics of the custoniers.

- 3

HIGHWAY MOTOR VEHICLES USE TAX

Lawrence D. Rhoades
Department of Agr-iculture
and Food Economics

The Interstate Highway System that is being built in the U. S. is
financed in part by the Federal Gasoline Tax. The federal tax on tires
and the Highway Motor Vehicle Use Tax.

Any highway motor vehicle with sizes larger than the limits below
must pay a highway Use tax to the Internal Revenue Service.

Single Units

Two axled trucks for use as a single unit with actual unloaded
weight in excess of 13,000 pounds „

For use in combinations

Two axled truck- tractor with actual unloaded weight of 5,500 pounds.
Who pays the tax ?

The return and payment is made by the person to whom the truck is
registered,,

Tax year

July 1 to June 30

When is tax due ?

Tax is due by the end of tlie month following the month when the
vehicle is placed in use .

Penalties are provided for failing to file a return , for late fil -
ing and for filing a false or fraudulent re turn „

form used. No. 2290, which is obtained from District Director,
Internal Revenue Service, 174 Ipswich Street, Boston, Mass. 02215,
Also ask for publication No. 349 I.R.S.

* A * A A A * A

L^ -

OUTLOOK ON PEAR PSYLIA

H, E. Wave
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

The pear psylla. Introduced into Connecticut about 1832, is a major

insect pest of pears throughout the United States. Its role in pear

culture is being reexamined by entomologists of the New York Agricultur-
al Experiment Station.

In an article appearing in the March-May 195i| issue of Farm Research,
a quarterly bulletin published by the New York State Agricultural Exper-
iment Station, entomologists, A. L. Jones and E. H. Smith state that the
renewed interest in pear growing, especially the practice of increasing
vigor of the trees to obtain better yields, is expected to favor the
increase of such insects as the pear psylla.

The pear psylla is reported to have developed resistance to insec-
ticides in the Pacific Northwest and there is a real likelihood that
this could occur in the East„ Studies by the New York State Agricul-
tural Experiment Station have shown that under some conditions psylla
may increase fire blight infections.

In order to obtain more effective and lasting controls, they are
re-evaluating some earlier research on this pest, including the insects
biology.

The psylla overwinter as adults under loose bark of pear trees.
They begin their activity earlier in the spring than most other pear
insects. During warm days in March and April they begin depositing
their eggs in crevices on fruit spurs and on the new leaf growth as it
emerges.

Late season build up of psylla has been observed to occur in pear
plantings which results in a large overwintering population. This would
suggest the possible need for either a late season or a spring-dormant
spray treatment to assure low population levels early in the season.

Dormant applications of 60-second petroleum oils have proven highly
effective against all stages of the psylla except eggs. Besides killing
adults and nymphs, petroleum oils also prevent egg laying by adults
until after green tissue appears „ Adults appear to be killed only when
spray deposits hit them directly whereas nymphs may be killed by the
oil deposits as they crawl over it to the emerging leaf tissue. While
oils are not effective ovicides against this pest, they do provide sat-
isfactory control by preventing oviposition of adults and by killing
newly emerged nymphs .

********

BUILDING FARM STAND SALES

G. W. Wilder
Regional Agricultural Agent

Attitude

1. Be friendly - One reflects his attitude upon others.

2. Take a personal interest in your customers - Inquire about
them, their children, pets, or car if it is new.

3. Learn to call them by name - Everyone like to be recognized.

U. Be concerned about their wants and needs - SeJl the customer
the variety or varieties most suitable for his needs. The
saying, "The customer is always right," commands respect, how-
ever.

5. Sell each customer something - If possible to do so without
offense, be agressive.

6. Invite each customer to come back - This tells him that you ap-
preciate his patronage.

Appearance

1. Salesroom, farm and sales personnel should be neat and clean -
Most people prefer to buy where conditions are tops.

Gimmicks to Attract Customers

1. Large sign at farm entrance - Attractive signs draw the atten-
tion of potential customers.

2. List of apples grown on farm - Post this in your salesroom.

It is an introduction to the kinds of fruit that are available,

3. Provide samples - with sign "Try one" or other appropriate
wording. This is especially helpful in introducing new var-
ieties.

4. Use your imagination - Draw on entire family for suggestions.
Visit other roadside stands and salesrooms to get ideas.

Complimentary Products

1. Sweet cider - without a doubt the biggest drawing card other
than apples.

2o Jam and jellies - make attractive displays.

- 6 -

3. Maple syrup - A good item on many stands.

4. Gift cartons - Appropriate before Thanksgiving and Christmas,
Advertising

1. Signs on busy highways - Used to advertise your farm and di-
rect customers to it„

2. Make good use of the newspapers - One of the most productive
forms of advertising. People will travel a long way to buy
if they like you and your product.

3. A satisfied customer is your best form of advertising.

* * * * •.'.- * A A

CARBON DIOXIDE REQUIREMENTS OF APPLES IN CA

William J. Lord
Department of Plant S- Soil Sciences

The placement of lime in CA rooms to supplement caustic or water
scrubbing is being practiced by many storage operators. Since tlie pos-
sibility of maintaining extremely low COn levels (less than 2%) exists,
growers have asked whether these levels would be detrimental to the
keepability of apples. Recently, we came across a report by S. W.
Popritt in the Summary Report of Research 1952, Summerland, B. C, and
published in September, 1964, which thi^ows some light on the subject.

Porritt reports that near 0% COp with 3% Op results in more rapid
softening, greater rate of acid loss and considerably more physiologi-
cal disorders than atmospheres with 2% or more CO2. "Flesh browning of
Newtown, Mcintosh, and Spartan apples, skin bronzing, probably allied
with scald, browning of vascular bundles in Spartan, and a general in-
crease of mold growth have been consistently associated with near 0% CO2
atmospheres . "

Data of this type indicate that growers should strive to maintain
the CO2 level in Mcintosh rooms at 2 -3% for the first M- - 6 weeks and
M-.O - 5.S% thereafter. The Indiscriminate use of lime withing CA rooms
should be avoided if one is to be sure of CO2 levels above 2% through-
out the storage period.

* * A * A * A A

7 -

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Printing on Polyethylene Ba^s - Several years ago it was suggested
that printing on polyethylene bags be placed the long way of the bag
since most bags are displayed on their sides in stores. Some growers
have adopted this suggestion. In the writer's opinion, the variety name
sliould be featured on the bag with the amount of printing kept to a

minimum.

William J. Lord

A * A * A A A

WINTER FRUIT MEETINGS

The 71st Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Associ-
ation, Inc., in cooperation with the University of Massachusetts Exten-
sion Service will be held in the Leominster Armory , Gardner, Massachu-
setts, on January 5 and 7, 1965. The Leominster Armory is located only
a short distance off of Route 2, when turning north on Route 13, head-
ing towards North Leominster.

The complete program is not available at this time. However, the
program at present includes the following:

Dr. W. J. Lord, University of Massachusetts

What We Have Learned From Irrigation Studies

Dr. Go N. Agrios, University of Massachusetts
Apple Cankers and Dieback

Dr„ L. F„ Hough, Horticulture and Forestry Department, Rutgers
University

Peach and Nectarine Varieties

Dro Dean Asquith, Pennsylvania State University
Research Findings on Mite Control

Mr. Paul Bohne, area supervisor. Research and Development
Department, United States Rubber Company, Naugatuck Chemical
Division

The Amazing Possibilities of a Plant Growth Regulator in

the Future of Fruit Production

Dr. F. W. Southwick and Dr. W. J. Lord, University of Massachusetts
Preliminary Research Findings with B-9

Dr. D, H. Palmiter, Hudson Valley Laboratory, Highland, New York
Recent Developments on Apple Disease Control in the Hudson
Valley

- 8 -

Dr. H. E. Wave, University of Massachusetts

Changes in Insect Control Recommendations for 1965

Dr. Charles Maxwell, Canada Dept. Agr. Res. Sta. , Fredericton,
New Brunswick

Research Findings on Apple Maggot Control

Dr. L. Fo Michelson, University of Massachusetts

Moisture Extraction and Rooting Habit of Apple Trees

Dr. C. J. Gilgut, University of Massachusetts

Changes in Disease Control Recommendations for 1965

Mr. Delmer Robinson, Jr., President of the National Apple Insti-
tute

Mr. Fred Corey, Executive Vice President, National Apple Institute
Trends of the Apple Industry - National and Internationally

********

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Staff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

JANUARY 10, 1965

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Progress at the Horticultural Research Center
Pomological Paragraph
^New Peach introductions
Random Thoughts on Blueberries
Observations of Dry Lime Scrubbing
Newer Varieties Worthy of Trio!

C-^

'M/i

'')!i!Bi

fe%?'

■^4

Ilsued by the Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Splelman, Dean and Director. In f>»therance of (he Actn of May 8 and June 30. 1914
University of Maesachusetts, United Slates Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland. State Purchasing Agent. No. 4^.

PROGRESS AT THE HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER

As you may recall, in the fall of 1961 it became apparent that the
old University of Massachusetts orchard area in Amherst, which had been
available for fruit research and teaching purposes for over 50 years,
was needed for dormitories to accomodate an additional 1,300 students
at the University. When this information was made known to the Direc-
tors ol the Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Association, Mr. Jonathan Davis,
Derwood Frost, Elmer Fitzgerald, G. Stacy Gay and Jesse Rice were author-
ized to see what could be done to establish a new site for fruit and
other liorticultural research and teaching at the University.

This group found the Robert Hanifin Farm at Belchertown available
and immediately initiated a fund raising campaign for its purchase so
that it might eventually be presented to the University for continued
horticultural research and teaching. By the spring of 1962 over $40,000
was pledged by approximately 200 individuals, associations and industries
which have an interest in commercial horticulture in Massachusetts and
New England. On June 26, 1962, at a banquet sponsored by the University
administration, with Dr. John W. Lederle, President; Dr. Frank L. Boyden,,
Chairman, Board of Trustees; Dr. A„ A. Spielman, Dean of the College of
Agriculture and the Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Association Directors
as invited guests, this Horticultural Research Center was presented to
the Trustees of the University of MassachusetTis as a Trust. We are cer-
tain that gifts of this sort to universities are rare. Also, the con-
tributors have been so interested in this project that 100 per cent of
the money pledged has been received.

The Horticultural Research Center consists of about 215 acres of
land, what was once a dairy barn complex, a common storage and a farm
house. About 7 5 acres of cleared land appear to be very suitable for
fruit. The remainder is either in woodland or pasture. This center is
15 miles from Amherst and is situated above much of the surrounding
countryside, with ,an excellent view of the distant Holyoke Range.

In order to put the land and buildings in shape for experimental
purposes following its acquisition by the University, much effort, time
and additional money has been expended. The following is a list of the
major accomplishments at this Research Center during the past two years.

1. Prior to planting trees approximately one mile of tile
drains were laid to improve soil drainage in two large areas.

2. The barn complex has been extensively repaired and repainted.
Concrete floors, asphalt driveways, overhead doors, toilet facil-
ities, rewiring and heating systems have been installed so that we
now have good facilities for storage and servicing of equipment and
supplies plus comfortable working quarters for the orchard foreman
and his labor force.

3. Approximately three miles of deer fence (eight feet high)
has been erected around the areas which are to contain the horti-
cultural plan tin[-:^s . The presence of deer in large numbers made it
virtually impossible to grow trees otherwise.

4. About 1,000 fruit trees plus several species of small
fruits and ornamental crops have been planted. From these and
future plantings we expect to obtain new information relating to
rootstocks, viruses, insect and disease control, nutritional re-
quirements for fruit trees, new strains of our important varieties,
influences of chemicals to tree performance, etc.

5. The house where the orchard foreman is to reside after
November 1, 1964, has or will have, a completely new heating sys-
tem, new concrete cellar floor, rewiring, modern plumbing, consid-
erable remodeling, reroofing, plus exterior paintings

6„ Within about two years from now a new cold storage and
packing facility is expected to be constructed at this Research
Center. This building which is now in the planning stage should
contain a variety of CA storage rooms up to small commercial size,
a large packing area, and research and teaching laboratories.

Trustees of the Horticultural Research Fund

**************

Pomological Paragraph

Fruit Varieties Recommended for Massachusetts - The following Special
Circulars which list varieties recommended for Massachusetts are avail-
able through your county extension service or by writing to the Mailing
Room, University of Massachusetts.

Circular Title

Varieties of Apples for Massachusetts

Peaches for Massachusetts ........ ,

Pears & Quinces for Massachusetts,
Strawberries for Massachusetts. .. ,

Circular No.

,212-A
,212-B
,212-C
,212-D

Blueberries for Massachusetts 212-E

Blackberries & Raspberries for Massachusetts. ... .212-F

Grapes for Massachusetts ,. .............. . . 212-G

Plums for Massachusetts.......... ............. 212-H

William J. Lord

**************

NEW PEACH INTRODUCTIONS

W. D. Weeks
Department of Plant & Soil Sciences

Several new peach varieties have been recently introduced which
appear to be worthy of trial. However, we do not have these introduc-
tions established at the Horticultvu^al Research Center in Belchertown
at present, so the variety descriptions are based primarily on the
originator's descriptions. Some oi' the introductions are so recent that
trees may not be available for planting this season^ The varieties will
be listed in approximate order of ripening.

Reliance is a new introduction from the New Hampshire Agricultural Ex-
periment Station which is extremely bud hardy. It has survived minimum
temperatures of -2S°F. The fruit is nearly round, moderately fuzzy and
has a dull red color. The bright yellov'j flesh is juicy, medium firm,
slightly stringy, of good flavor and ripens with Golden Jubilee or about
24 days before Elberta.

Washington is the first of a new series of introductions from Virginia.
Its f ] ovcors are reported to be extremely tolerant of spring frosts. The
fi'uits are round ovate in shape. The skin is about three fourths cov-
ered with bright red color. The flesh is orange yellow with bright red
at the pit. The flesh is fine textured; its flavor resembles Sunhlgh
but is slightly more acid. Washington ripens about 3 days after Triogem
or 21 days before Elberta.

Glohaven is one of Stanley Johnston's latest introductions from Michigan.
Its fruit buds and blossoms are above average in hardiness. The fruits
are large and nearly round in shape. The skin is highly colored and has
very light pubescence or fuzz. Fruit flesh is clear yellow and firm
textured. There is very little red color around the pit cavity. The
fruit ripens just after Halehaven or about 14 days before Elberta.

Redgueen was selected by the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
because of its bud hardiness. The fruit is large, well colored and of
good quality. It has as much firmness and shelf life as Elberta. It
is of the same season as Glohaven or about 14 days before Elberta.

Cresthaven is another introduction from Michigan which is above average
in vv'ood and bud hardiness. Fruits are medium-large and nearly round in
shape. Fruit skin has an abundance of bright red color with no notice-
able pubescence. The flesh is clear yellow and firm textured. There is
considerable red color around the pit cavity. Cresthaven ripens between
Summercrest and Blake or about 7 days before Elberta.

Madison is one of the frost resistant introductions from Virginia. The
fruit has medium size and is highly colored. Pubescence is short and
fruit is above average in attractiveness. The flesh is bright orange
yellow, firm and fine textured. It has a mild, rich flavor. It ripens
7 days before Elberta.

- n

Jcrseyquc'cn is a New Jersey peach which was introduced to replace Elberta,
Fruits are well colored bein<^ bright red, large, round and firm. Flesh
is yellow with very good mild flavor. The fruits of Jerseyqueen hold up
very well in shipping and handling. It ripens with Elberta.

Jefferson is another of Virginia's introductions which has blossoms that
are resistant to spring frosts. The fruits are large and well coloredo
Tlie flesh is yellow and comparable to that of J. H. Hale in firmness and
iJavor. Jefferson ripens two to three days after Elberta.

vtAvtvtijttfc^AA'.V^A'jt^t

RANDOM THOUGHTS ON BLUEBERRIES

William J. Lord
Department of Plant & Soil Sciences

Blueberry variety recommendations for Massachusetts remain the same
as for the last several years. Earliblue, Blueray, Bluecrop, Berkeley,
Jersey and Coville appear to be the principal varieties being planted.

Although interest in cultivated blueberries appears to increase
yearly, the writer is of the opinion that the acreage increase has been
less startling. Most of the planting has been done by home gardeners
and persons that desire to supplement their incomes by growing culti-
vated blueberries.

Prevention of bird depredation continues to be the principal prob-
lem for growers of cultivated blueberries. Several companies are now
selling netting for bird control. Although the cost of netting is high,
without it growers with small acreages would soon be out of the blue-
berry business. As it was pointed out by Prof. J. S. Bailey in a prev-
ious issue of Fruit Notes, the berries saved and the increased fruit
size possible by delayed harvest will go a long way toward paying for
covering the bushes with netting. For those who are interested, a list
of companies selling netting can be obtained by writing your County Agent,

The use of a starling trap proved beneficial to a grower using this
device for the first time last year. Experience with these traps is
limited in cultivated blueberries, but their value in lowbush blueberry
fields is not questioned.

Last summer a letter was received asking if by chance some culti-
vated blueberries purchased had been harvested green by the grower and
then ripened by some process. Although they appeared attractive when
purchased, the person stated that they were the most tart and acid blue-
berries ever produced. Unfortunately, this is the reputation gained by
cultivated blueberries with many customers.

- 5

Growers know better than the writer how to regulate harvest to in-
sure better flavored berries. Picking once a week is usually often
enough. Even then, pickers should be cautioned against harvesting ber-
I'ies with reddish tinge around the stem.

»j^ t^ ^* •{« fi* *t* ^i* ^- *^ ^A frt^ ^^ ^^ *j^

OBSERVATIONS OF DRY LIME SCRUBBING

William J„ Lord
Department of Plant & Soil Sciences

Information obtained by the Extension Pomologist indicates that
13 CA rooms are being dry-lime scrubbed in Massachusetts during the
196M--1965 storage season. In addition numerous growers placed lime in
rooms to supplement the caustic, water or dry lime scrubbers.

As of December 10, the dry lime scrubbers are maintaining the de-
sired carbon dioxide level with the exception of 2 rooms at one storage.
The difficulty at the storage was corrected by changing the lime.

Lime in amounts as high as 0.53 pound per bushel of apples was
stacked in rooms to supplement the scrubbers. The effectiveness of lime
for maintaining carbon dioxide at the desired level varied considerably
and was not directly related to the amount used. For example, one room
with OcM-7 pound of lime per bushel of apples was caustic scrubbed the
11th day after closing. At another storage, 0.29 pound of lime per bush-
el of apples held the carbon dioxide below 5oO per cent for 54 days.

The savings in caustic with the use of lime in the rooms was con-
siderable. It appears difficult, however, to predict the effectiveness
of a given amount of lime.

Research indicates that atmospheres of less than 2 per cent carbon
dioxide for Mcintosh may be deleterious to the fruit. The time period
that carbon dioxide was below 2 per cent varied from 1 to 20 days after
closing in the storages using lime as a supplement to scrubbing. Whether
or not a 20 day period below 2 per cent carbon dioxide would be deleter-
ious to the fruit is not known. Growers that use lime as a supplement to
scrubbers might devise some way to restrict air movement around the lime
bags. The suspension of a polyethylene sheet over the lime which can be
raised or lowered is a possibility.

It is anticipated that other growers will convert to dry lime scrub-
bing next year. The placement of a fan in the lime box is recommended.
Some may wish to keep the caustic scrubber connected as an emergency
method of scrubbing.

A word of caution, the limo box should be well constructed and re-
iiilni^ced to pi'ovent deflection, v\/hich could result in a leak, when the
lime is placed in the box.

^ :^ ^ '.V '.V v^ '.V ^; *.V ^ ^ *.V ^ *.V

NEWER VARIETIES WORTHY OF TRIAL

James F, Anderson
Department of Plant & Soil Sciences

The following report briefly describes the newer fruit varieties
under test in the University plantings that are worthy of trial by com-
mercial growers and home gardenei^s.

STRi\WBERRIES

Among the recently introduced varieties that one might consider
for planting in Massachusetts are Fulton, Frontenac, Fletcher, Midway
and Vesper.

Since the performance of a strawberry variety is greatly influenced
by climatic soil and cultural conditions, it is suggested that growers
test any new variety on a small scale before planting it on a commercial
basis .

Fulton - A mid-season variety which has performed very well in Amherst.
Tlie plant is vigorous, a good runner producer, very productive and free
from leaf diseases. The fruit is medium in size, attractive, very firm
and of very good flavor, Fulton is not resistant to red stele.

Fletcher - The plant is vigorous and a good runner producer „ The yield
is good. The fruit ripens in the late mid-season, is large, firm, attrac-
tive, very good in flavor and is said to be an excellent freezer.
Fletcher has no resistance to red stele.

Frontenac - The fruit is large, medium to dark red in color, attractive,
good in flavor and moderately firm. Frontenac is said to be excellent
for freezing. The plants are large and form sufficient runners for a
good bed. Frontenac is susceptible to drought, which could account for
its failure to reach its full yield potential in our trials last summer.

Midway - A mid-season variety ripening with or slightly before Catskill.
The plants are vigorous, good plant makers and very productive. Midway
is resistant to the common races of red stele, but may show some mildew.
The fruit is medium to large, deep red, glossy, attractive and very good
in flavor. Variable size and a tendency for green tips has been noted
in past trials. Midway is well worth trial in commercial quantities,
especially in soil where r^ed stele has been a problem. Midway performs
best on soils of good moisture holding capacity.

Vesper - The plant is lar^e , vigorous and a good runner producer. The
fruit ripens very late, two to three days after Jerseybelle. Yields
have been considerably higher than Jerseybelle in our Amherst trials.
Vesper is a little darker red than Jerseybelle, is very large in size,
has prominent yellow seeds and a glossy skin, all of which make it very
attractive c The fruit is moderately firm and good in flavor. Limited
observations by growers indicate that berries should be harvested while
light red in color. Dark berries may be soft and non-marketable. This
variety merits trial because of its lateness, productivity, large size
and attractiveness. It should not be planted where red stele is a prob-
lem c

Data as to season, berry size and yield for some of the more impor-
tant varieties that were included in 1964 trials will be found in the
following table.

STRAWBERRY VARIETY EVALUATION - 1964
University of Massachusetts
Horticultural Research Center
Belchertown, Massachusetts

Varietv

Season
% Early

(1)

Late

Berry Size *- -'
1st 3rd 5th

Number of Calculated Yield
Pickings Quarts per Acre

Ear lid awn
Midway
Fu I ton
Sparkle
Catskill
Fie tcher
Frontenac
Vesper

56
13
9
9
7
5
3

9
10
19
21
27
40
70

272
383
329
285
372
356
267
466

227
337
256
227
360
301
277
389

185
254
185
192
291
230
310
303

11,384

13,242

12,974

7,732

14,941

9,917

7,144

13,649

OJSeason June 10 to July 6 (11 pickings)

% Early - percentage of total crop of each variety picked in first

3 pickings
% Late - percentage of total crop of each variety picked in last
3 pickings
(^^) Berry size - average weight in grams of 25 berries

PLUMS

Those Massachusetts growers contemplating planting plums are re-
ferred to Special Circular 212-H Plum Varieties for Massachusetts. Var-
ieties suggested for commercial planting in that circular include For-
mosa, Santa Rosa, Yakima, and Stanley.

Formosa - A Japanese type plum ripening during the first week of August.
The fruit is large, attractive, red blushed and of very good quality.
The trees are moderately productive and the fruit holds up well in stor-

a;j;c'. Sai'ta Rosa, another Japanese type plum ripens about a week later

than I'ui'iiusa. The 1 ruits are large, attractive, reddish purple and of

good qiinlity. Santa Rosa handles and keeps well. The trees are moder-
ately productive.

Yakima - A European type plum that ripens in the third week of August.
The fruits are large, prune shaped, reddish purple, freestone and of
good quality. The tree is moderately productive.

Stanley - An attractive prune type plum which is suitable for both can-
ning and fresh use. The fruits are blue in color, medium to large in
size. The flesh is greenish yellow, juicy, firm and of good quality.
StanJey is a freestone variety that ripens in early September. Stanley
is both productive and annual.

Among the newer plum varieties tested at Amherst, the following
show merit and might be worthy of trial.

Burmosa - A Japanese type plum Introduced by the California Experiment
Station. The tree is small in size and of medium vigor. Production was
heavy in 1964. Indications are that Burmosa may tend to be biennial.
Tlie fruit is yellow with a reddish blush, good in quality and a freestone.
Burmosa ripens in late July.

Great Yellow - A Japanese type plum ripening in early August. The fruit
is of good size, good quality and a freestone. The tree is productive
and the fruit hangs well on the tree^ Great Yellow ripens with Shiro
and is superior to Shiro in size and quality. Shiro may have an advan-
tage in color and firmness.

Howard Miracle - A large, attractive, high quality Japanese plum. The
fruit is a golden yellow with a light red blush. The firm fleshed fruit
was picked during the third week of August. Production was light, due
to poor fruit set this past season.

Pacific - An attractive prune type of plum of high quality. The fruit is
quite firm and keeping quality appears to be excellent. The fruit ripens
in mid-September. Ripening has been uneven. Pacific has been a good
producer in Amherst.

PEARS

Chap in - A seedling of Seckel that is harvested in early August. The fruit
is small to medium in size, green with a red blush. Chapin resembles
Seckel except for a more prominent neck. The flesh is fine textured, juicy,
free of grit cells and of good quality.

Devoe - The fruit is a clear yellow often with a blush-red cheek, oblong
pyriform in shape and of good quality. Devoe has been a heavy producer
with a tendency to ripen unevenly. The fruit was harvested in the second
week of September and held in storage until December. Devoe is worthy
of trial.

- 9 -

r.irkhunrs Triumph - Tlie fruit is large in si/.c, greenisli yellow in color,
tree ivm blemishes and although the surface is somewhat rough it is an
attractive pear. The flesh is v\;hite, fine melting, free of grit cells
and of very good quality. The fruit is harvested in late September and
hnlds up well into early January. As tlie fruit was harvested from a
1 iip-woi'kcd tree, an evaluation of tree characteristics cannot be given.

Alexander Lucas - A late ripening pear of medium size, smooth surface,
iihovate, obtuse-pyrif orm shape and greenish yellow color. The fruit is
of good quality. Alexander Lucas was harvested in the third week of
September and keeps well into December. Production appeal's to be satis-
lactory.

Dum.ont - A late ripening pear of medium size, obtuse pyriform shape and
yellow color. The flesh is firm, juicy and the quality very good. The
fruit is harvested in late September and has kept well into early Janu-
ai'y in tlie past years. Tlio variety has been productive under our condi-
tions and is worthv of trial.

**************

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Staff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Mo s sac hu setts, Amherst

FEBRUARY 15, 1965

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Insurance

Pomological Paragroph

Research From Other Areas

Marketing New England AppUt

When Should Peach Trees Be Pruned?

Pomological Paragraph

Decomposition of Herbicides In Soils

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, in f trttierance of the Acta of May 8 and June 30 1914-
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No. 44.

INSURANCE

Lawrence D. Rhoades
Extension Specialist in Farm Management

Rarely does the morning edition of the newspaper or the early morn-
ing radio news report come out without a report of a fire loss. Fre-
quently, the report reads something like this:

"Fire Chief estimates the damage at $30,000 PARTIALLY COV-
ERED BY INSURANCE" (capitals are ours) .

If you haven't changed the amount of insurance coverage on your
property, your barn, poultry house or fruit storage, in the past 5 years,
the likelihood is that your insurance coverage is less than it should be.
Why? First , building costs have continued to increase; second , additions
may have been made; third, buildings may have been remodeled or extensively
repaired without increasing the insurance coverage.

It's too late to read your policies after the fire occurs.

Here are some questions to ask your insurance agent.

How much insurance do I have and what risks are insured?

Do any of my policies have a co-insurance clause?

A co-insurance clause usually results in a lower premium, but it
works this way.

Assume you have equipment valued at $10,000. Your policy, if it
has the common 80% co-insurance provision, should be for $8000. But in-
surance costs money, so you insure for only $6000. If the property is
completely destroyed, your company will pay you $6000. But, what if you
have a partial loss, say half the the property is destroyed? Do you
get $5000 compensation, half the value, since the loss is less than the
coverage? The answer is NO. Your compensation would be figured:

Actual Insurance amount divided by the amount of insurance
that should be carried times the amount of the loss or
6000

8000

X 5000 = $37 50 = the amount paid on your loss,

Why? You didn't keep your part of the bargain and carried only 3/M-
of the coverage you said you would when you accepted the policy terms by
paying the premium.

Ask your agent how a loss would be settled on your farm buildings.

If you bought property and an insurance policy was assigned to you,
the insurance company must assent (agree) to the assignment.

If the property is mortgaged, a "loss payable clause" should be
part of the policy to protect the lender, and indirectly, you .

Ask your agent the insurable value of your property. Mistakes do
occur, particularly if several agents or companies are involved, and in-
surance may be written for more than the insurable value of the property.
However, no insurance company will pay for more than its share of the ac-
tual cash value of the property at the time of a loss, even if you've
paid for the extra coverage.

Ask your agent to tell you what circumstances will suspend or void
your policy.

Don't overlook insurance on feed and stored crops.

Remember that livestock are often smothered rather than actually
burned; be sure that death losses from this cause are covered.

Provide more than one means of entrance and exit to buildings for
both animals and humans, and be sure that these are not blocked and that
doors open out, not in.

Fire extinguishers are actually worth their weight in gold if they
are of proper type and size and are properly located.

Buildings deserve lightning rod protection in many locations. Prop-
er installation with an "underwriter's label" will reduce your insurance
premium rate. In some locations, trees near a building should have light-
ning rods.

Farm fires usually cause heavy losses, often because the fire has a
good start before it is discovered.

Several companies manufacture fire alarm systems which are simple
to install and which can be placed in areas where fires are likely to
start, such as near electric motors that are likely to overheat. Systems
can be self-contained alarm units, or a series of temperature sensing
units set to go off and trip an alarm, wired in a low voltage circuit to
an alarm bell. Knowing when and where a fire is starting, or likely to
start, may make it possible to reduce fire losses, since fires have small
beginnings .

Three rules for insurance buyers.

A. Buy comprehensive ("wide" or "many risk" coverage) insurance
when available.

B. Buy deductible insurance when you can. (You assume the first
$50 or $100 of a loss.)

C. Buy insurance against the calamity.

Because many buildings were wired for electricity some years ago,
and in many cases additional electric equipment, fans, electric motors,
heaters, coolers, and electric lights have been added, original wiring

- 3

may be overloaded and may be a potential hazard. Electric wiring and
circuits should be checked by a competent electrician if new equipment
has been added. Fires caused by faulty wiring are on the increase I

***************

Pomological Paragraph

15,000 Shopping Centers by 1975 have been predicted by the International
Council of Shopping Centers. Just 17 years ago there were only about 50
shopping centers in the U.S. The current growth rate sees one center
opening every 10 hours each day of the year. By 1970, a mere 2,000 re-
tailers may be doing close to i+0% of all retailing. This would leave
about 1,200,000 stores to handle the balance of the business. Further,
the shopper is changing; the woman shopper today accounts for about 50%
of retail expenditures vs^. 85% a few years ago. In about 5 years the
American consumer is expected to spend more money on services than on
non-durable goods. Self-service will be even more commonplace than today.
These retail trends are worthy of note and serious consideration.

L. D. Tukey - Pennsylvania State Horticultural Reviews

***************

RESEARCH FROM OTHER AREAS

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

The Effect of Type and Season of Pruning on Growth and Yield of Dixigem
Peach Trees .

E. F. Savage, ejt. aJ . , Georgia Experiment Station, Athens, Georgia,
report that yields, fruit size, and tree growth were essentially the
same on Dixigem peach trees pruned vase-shaped as compared to the modi-
fied leader system. (Vase-shape trees are opened center trees with 3
or L+ scaffolds rising from the trunk at about the same height. Modified
leader pruned trees, which are recommended for Massachusetts, have 3 to
5 main scaffold limbs equally distributed around the tree and are at
least 6 inches apart vertically.)

The labor requirement to maintain vase-shaped trees was consider-
ably higher since the prunings removed from these trees averaged 33.9
per cent heavier than those from modified leader trees.

4 -

Modified leader trees were found to be less subject to damage from
low temperatures because they had fewer horizontal limbs.

Summer pruning (early August) , in comparison to pruning during the
dormant season, resulted in dwarfing and a gradual decline in yield.
Summer-pruned trees were more susceptible to cold injury, also.

***************

MARKETING NEW ENGIAND APPLES

Rockwood Berry

310 State Street

Springfield, Massachusetts

The apple production in New England, New York and New Jersey repre-
sents about 25% of the National crop or more than 33,000,000 bushels.
We know that apples from this area are marketed in at least 15 of the
major United States terminal markets. Why isn't this production sold
entirely within the growing area?

According to the 1960 census the population of New England, New
York and New Jersey was over 35,000,000. The 3 northern states of New
England accounted for about 2 million; Massachusetts, Connecticut and
Rhode Island had over 8 1/2 million. New York 16.8 million; New Jersey
a little over 8 million people. This concentration of 18% of the total
United States population is considered to be the greatest market geo-
graphically of any similar area in the United States. If everyone in
this 8 state area consumed approximately 1 bushel per person, all of the
apples produced here would be marketed in the Northeast. However, we
know that average per capita consumption of apples in all forms is about
30 pounds. At least, this is the available supply per person. We also
know that many apples from other areas are marketed in the Northeast.

To balance our supply of apples against the potential home market,
let us assume :

1. That the average per capita is 30 lbs. per year

2. That outside apples do not come into our markets

3. That the average production from 19M-8 to 1962 is a fair
average of our supply.

Then we would find that Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont with a
total population of under 2 million produce M-, 278, 000 bushels of apples.
The people in this 3 state area apparently consume 1,473,000 bushels,
leaving 2,805,000 bushels to be marketed elsewhere.

On the other hand, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island with
a population of 8 1/2 million produce 4,228,000 bushels or over 2,000,000

short of consumer needs. Balancing out the figures for New England, we
find about 600,000 bushels more than the area can consume at the 30 lbs.
rate .

New York, with a population of 16.8 million and an average produc-
tion of 21,000,000 bushels, has 8 1/2 million more bushels than can be
consumed in the State. On the other hand. New Jersey needs 2 1/2 million
bushels more to meet the supply required at 30 lbs. per capita. There-
fore, the 8 state area produces about 6 1/2 million more bushels than
will be consumed by the population in this area. This quantity represents
about 20% of the average crop and we must remember that it is based on
the assumption that no other supplies come in from the outside.

How big a market do we need for 6 1/2 million boxes of apples? This
represents about 8,200 car loads (800 bu. per), which would supply a mar-
ket the size of Boston for 8 months. Perhaps this partly explains why
we are in markets such as Miami, Tampa, Washington, D. C, Philadelphia,
Cleveland and other points west.

Creating Demands for Apples

Assuming that more apples can be consumed in New England and New
York, where would we expect it to occur? Before finding an answer, I
believe we have to re-state our over-simplified statistical finding "that
30 lbs. is the average per capita consumption for apples". This is not
a measure of demand for apples. It is simply a statistic; therefore, we
may assume that:

Some people eat more than 30 lbs. per year

Some people do not eat apples

Some people use only apple products

Some people know all about apples

Some people seldom see them.

Perhaps we can assume that farm people do consume more than city
people. It may be that there are far more people who know less about
apples today than ever before. Basing this on the facts of the popula-
tion explosion and the decrease in farm population, this assumption has
some validity.

To increase demand for apples, it appears to me that we need to
reach consumers in the large urban and metropolitan areas. None of these
areas are in the 3 northern New England States. For instance, metropol-
itan Boston has more people than all of Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire
combined.

Two cities, Hartford and New Britain. Conn., have more people than
the State of New Hampshire.

The metropolitan area of Springfield, Chicopee and Holyoke has
100,000 more people than all of Vermont.

- 5

More than 60% of the New York State population lives in metropoli-
tan New York City (10.7 million).

Creating apple demand in these concentrated areas of population
requires planned programs with sufficient support to carry through to
the consumers. There are several approaches, none of which can be en-
tirely successful without strong industry support. Education is one
approach. It is needed to tell school children about apples. The effec-
tiveness is long-range, but much needed because more and more children
are growing up today without ever standing in the shade of an apple tree.

Promotion and publicity -- another form of education -- is needed
to alert the consumers about apples and the availability of apples.
Through advertising by way of newspapers, radio and television, we reach
consumers at specified times. Advertising as a "salesman's helper" can
be geared to promoting a specific variety at a particular period in selec-
ted markets. For instance, 3 radio stations in Springfield, Mass. would
reach far more people in one week than all radio stations in Vermont and
at far less cost per listener.

To reach the ultimate consumer of your product, we must start with
an idea. Consumers must be sold an idea. It might be that "apples are
great for snacks" or more specifically "Mcintosh are great for snacks".
If the consumer accepts this idea and buys Mcintosh apples, somebody has
made a sale.

***************

WHEN SHOULD PEACH TREES BE PRUNED?

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

It is generally stated that peach trees should be pruned in the
latter part of February or in March, after the danger of extremely low
winter temperatures has ceased. Quite often, however, growers prune
their peach trees during bloom. This may be done because weather con-
ditions or other work delay pruning till past the dormant season. Also,
some growers delay pruning in order to observe the extent of winter in-
jury to buds before pruning. The question arises as to how late in the
spring, pruning may be done without reducing the amount and quality of
the fruit, or the growth of the trees.

The experiment conducted by the late Dr. A. Leon Havis , Plant Indus-
try Station, Beltsville , Maryland, entitled "Pruning Peach Trees at Dif-
ferent Periods in the Spring" gives some interesting information concern-
ing the comparative effect of pruning in the dormant season, at different
periods in the spring, and of no pruning at all.

- 7 -

The trees used for the pruning tests were 12-year-old. Elberta trees
which had been pruned uniformly previous to the experiment. Fifty trees ;
of uniform size, vigor, potential yield, and previous crop and growth
records, were selected. Ten trees were used for each of the periods of
pruning: dormant, full bloom, shuck fall, 3 weeks after shuck fall and
no pruning. The tests were conducted over a 5 year period.

The results obtained by Dr. Havis show several advantages of pruning
during the dormant season. The yield of dormant-pruned trees was higher
than that on those pruned at full bloom, shuck fall, or 3 weeks after
shuck fall. Yields of dormant -pruned trees in comparison to those not
pruned were about the same , but the fruit was larger on the dormant-pruned
trees. Fruits from the unpruned trees were significantly smaller than
those from the trees receiving the pruning treatments. The largest fruits
were produced by the trees pruned latest in the season, since relatively
few fruits per tree remained as a result of the heavy drop of flowers and
fruits under this treatment.

Fruits produced on trees pruned at full bloom or at shuck fall or
left unpruned, matured earlier than the ones produced on the dormant-
pruned trees and those pruned 3 weeks after shuck fall.

The longest shoot growth was produced by the dormant-pruned trees.
But no significant difference in shoot length occurred among the trees
pruned at full bloom, at shuck fall, or three weeks after shuck fall,
although the trend was toward shorter growth as pruning was delayed.
Shoot growth on the unpruned trees was considerably less than with any
other treatment.

The largest number of flower buds per foot of shoot length was pro-
duced by the dormant-pruned trees. The next largest number was produced
on trees pruned at full bloom. No significant difference in the number
of flower buds per foot of shoot-length, occurred among the trees pruned
at shuck fall, or three weeks after shuck fall, or those that received
no pruning.

The data obtained by Havis indicate that from the standpoint of
shoot growth and fruit size, it is advisable to prune even as late as
3 weeks after shuck fall, rather than not to prune at all.

The experiment cited above shows that in most instances growers
should try to prune their peach trees during the dormant season. When
winter injury has occurred to the buds , the degree of pruning should be
decided upon after examining the flower buds or after forcing some branches,
By following this procedure, the grower can determine the extent of win-
ter injury to flower buds and prune accordingly, without having to wait
until full bloom. If winter injury to the wood is evident, pruning should
be delayed until the extent of the damage is known.

***************

- 8 -

Pomological Paragraph

CA Storage Capacity

CA storage construction has been drastically reduced since 1961,
with only 3 new rooms constructed and operated for the first time dur-
ing the 1964-1965 storage season. Records kept by the Extension Pomol-
ogist indicate CA storage capacity for approximately 808,000 bushels in
Massachusetts .

William J. Lord
***************

DECOMPOSITION OF HERBICIDES IN SOILS

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Fruit growers, like all individuals that use herbicides, are inter-
ested in the fate of these materials in soils. Considerable research
has been conducted on the relation of decomposition to soil types, envi-
ronment and chemical structure of some herbicides. These research find-
ings have been reviewed by T. J. Sheets and his co-workers (T. J. Sheets
--"Persistence of Herbicides in Soils"--Proc . W.W.C.C. 19: 37-4-2, 1962,
and T. J. Sheets, C. I. Harris, D. D. Kaufman, and P. C. Kearney--"Fate
of Herbicides in Soils"--Proc. N.E.W.C.C. 18: 21-31, 1964). Most of the
information was taken from these articles.

"The amount of soil water, the water solubility of herbicides,
and the degree and tenacity of soil adsorption may have con-
siderable influence on the persistence of herbicides. Most
organic herbicides are leached more readily in sands and sandy
loams than in clay loams, clays, and soils high in organic
matter. "

Because of this, the recommended dosage of herbicides is usually
less for a sandy soil than for a clay soil.

Degradation by soil micro-organisms is one of the major pathways
by which organic herbicides are detoxified. Most organic herbicides are
inactivated most rapidly in soil under the conditions optimum for growth
of micro-organisms.

"Temperature, rainfall, wind, and sunlight affect the persist-
ence of herbicides directly and indirectly through their ef-
fects on soil processes. Temperature affects vaporization,
adsorption, chemical reactions, adsorption and metabolism by
micro-organisms and higher plants, solubility, and leaching.
In addition to directly causing movement and dilution in the

soil, rainfall and irrigation supply water to the soil; and
water is essential for the occurrence of many of the processes
which promote the dissipation of herbicides from soils. Air
movements influence vaporization and, therefore, loss of her-
bicides from soils."

Dr. Sheets, et. al. arbitrarily classified herbicides into four
groups based on the time usually required for inactivation in soils:

(a) to 3 weeks (c) 3 to 12 months

(b) 3 to 12 weeks (d) More than 12 months

These are arbitrary classifications, since many factors influence
the decomposition of herbicides and therefore a herbicide may fit more
than one group .

Herbicides that are usually inactivated within 3 weeks, which are
of interest to fruit growers, are amitrole and dalapon. Both of these
materials are labeled for use in apple orchards.

Simazine and diuron, which are in frequent use in our orchards,
generally are inactivated between 3 and 12 months. Under some environ-
mental conditions, diuron and simazine have persisted more than a year,
however.

"When organic herbicides applied at recommended rates for selec-
tive weed control in crops have persisted for 1 year, the con-
centration in the soil has been very low at the end of the
year."

***************

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Staff, Deportment of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

MARCH T5, 1965

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foliar Calcium Sprays Reduce Apple Bitter Pit

Pomological Paragraph

Results of Leaf Analyses

Virus-Free Red Raspberry Plants

Some Insect Pest of Cultivated Blueberries

Macs Must Be Kept Cold

Spray Materials are Dangerous in Fires!

//''

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[IM/l

m/^

^7^

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914;
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating.
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No, 44.

FOLIAR CALCIUM SPRAYS REDUCE APPLE BITTER PIT
Mack Drake, W. D. Weeks, J. H. Baker, D. L. Field and G. W. Olanyk''-

Bitter Pit disorder of apples was recorded in Germany in 1829 and
1862, and was officially recognized in Australia in 1892. Bitter pit
(also called stippen, Baldwin spot, or fruit spot) occurs where apples
are grown throughout the world - Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South
Africa, Japan, Northeastern U.S.A. and Canada, etc. Some of the more
susceptible varieties are Baldwin, Northern Spy, and Cortland in North-
eastern U.S.A. and Canada; Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Starking,
Jonathan, Winter Pearman in South Africa; Sturmer, Cox's Orange Pippin
and Cleopatra in Australia and New Zealand.

Physical Characteristics of Bitter Pit

South African scientists divide bitter pit into "tree pit" and
"storage or store pit", which is reduced by calcium foliar sprays, and
"confluent pit" found in fruit at harvest - this latter was not reduced
by calcium sprays. It is thought that pitting is induced in the orchard,
but in some cases it may not develop until the fruit is in storage.
Maximum storage pit developed in Australia and South Africa when fruit
from susceptible trees was picked 2 to 3 weeks early - before the dis-
order had fully developed on the fruit. Often it is a hidden disease
because fruit free of pit at harvest may develop pits during storage.
Bitter pit, not to be confused with internal corky abnormalities, such
as boron deficiency - is characterized by brown depressed spots approx-
imately 0.2 inches in diameter in the fruit flesh immediately under the
skin. In the most susceptible varieties, a greater number of spots ap-
pear near the calyx end.

Smock, in New York, stated that in early stage of development,
groups of cell walls beneath the inner skin (hypodermal) of the fruit
collapse. Initially, neither the inner (hypodermis) nor the outer skin
(epidermis) are affected, but in advanced development, the walls collapse
and become torn. With the collapse of large areas of fleshy tissue just
beneath the surface, both inner and outer skin tissues become distorted,
are depressed and turn brown or black (Figure 1), spoiling the apple's
appearance. The pitted areas are not removed by automatic peelers in
processing, and apples with the bitter pit disorder are not acceptable
in the better grades of fruit.

Value of Balanced Mineral Nutrition . A high level of nitrogen, low
calcium, small crop set, large fruit size, heavy pruning and moisture
stress, are reported to increase the fruit's susceptibility to bitter
pit. Research during the past decade shows that bitter pit development
is related to low calcium content of leaf or fruit. Martin, from Aus-
tralia, reports nearly twice as much calcium per cell for sound as for
pitted fruit. Kidson and coworkers, in New Zealand, show that the cal-

Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor and Technical Assist-
ants, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Massachusetts,
Amherst.

clum content of the skin fi^om normal apples is double that of pitted
fruit and in several cases the magnesium is higher in the skin of pit-
ted than in normal fruit. Recent evidence Indicates it is not simply
the level of calcium, but the relative balance of calcium to nitrogen,
to magnesium, to potassium and to boron which must be considered. For
example: Yamazaki and Mori, from Japan, show that bitter pit in Jona-
than apples occurred when calcium was absent from the nutrient solution
and that it was increased by added nitrogen at each of 3 levels of cal-
cium nutrition. Rose et al, of the U.S.D.A., reports that adding mag-
nesium (Epsom salts) to irrigation water produces symptoms similar to
Baldwin spot, indicating the importance of the calcium-magnesium ratio
in apple nutrition. Garman and Mathis , at the New Haven Experiment
Station in Connecticut, reduced bitter pit by injecting a calcium salt
solution through the calyx-end while the apple was growing on the tree,
and induced bitter pit by injecting a magnesium solution. They report
that the magnesium to calcium ratio was 4 to 1 in pitted and 1 to 1 in
normal fruit. Baxter, in Australia, reported that this disorder can be
artificially induced by a calcium deficiency brought about by spraying
the leaves with a magnesium salt solution or by injecting calcium che-
lating agents .

Cation Balance . The
sum of the nutrient cations
(calcium + potassium + mag-

ml:

BlTTEFi Pir

Fig. 1. Bitter pit on Baldwin apples.
The top row of apples show only a slight
indication of the disorder; whereas, the
remainder of the fruit are severely pitted.

nesiumj in tissue of a given
plant species tends to be a
constant. Leaf potassium is
higher and calcium and mag-
nesium are lower with a light
as compared to heavy crop.
Thus, if leaf potassium is in-
creased by fertilizer appli-
cation or by crop size, cal-
cium and magnesium will be
depressed. If leaf potas-
sium is low, calcium and mag-
nesium will be relatively
high. Likewise, increasing
the level of magnesium in
the leaf, reduces calcium and
potassium, while in contrast
increasing leaf calcium reduces
magnesium and potassium. Al-

though, leaf calcium usually
is low for those trees with pitted fruit, Massachusetts research shows
that for a given calcium level in the leaf, a greater incidence of bit-
ter pit is associated with a relatively high leaf magnesium or potassium
level. This illustrates the importance of maintaining a desirable bal-
ance of the nutrient cations, calcium, potassium and magnesium, in the
leaf tissue. Because calcium moves slowly into the soil and through the
conducting tissue of the tree, foliar fertilization by spraying with cal-
cium salt solutions, is required to raise the level of calcium quickly
in the apple leaf and conducting tissue. Garman and Mathis compared

apple leaf and fruit analysis of 9 trees on August 17 and on October 1,
and found over a 50% reduction in fruit calcium, and a 30% gain in leaf
calcium by October 1. They reasoned that leaf calcium was increasing
at the expense of fruit calcium and proposed late summer foliar calcium
applications. Competition by the leaf with the apple fruit for calcium
has been suggested as one reason for greater incidence of bitter pit
with a small crop, since in these light crop years, there is relatively
greater shoot and leaf development.

Reduction of Bitter Fit

Incidence of bitter pit has been reduced greatly by the foliar ap-
plication of calcium solutions on trees with a history of producing pit-
ted fruit. Garman and Mathis , in Connecticut, U.S.A., Ginsburg and Bey-
ers, in South Africa, Jackson, and Kidson and coworkers in New Zealand,
Martin, et al in Australia, Yamazaki et al in Japan, and Smock and others
have made major research contributions in this area. In South Africa,
Ginsburg and Beyers reported that 3 spray applications of 1 per cent
solution of calcium nitrate (8 pounds/100 gal. water) , beginning about
2 weeks after bloom and repeated at 2 week intervals , reduced bitter
pit from 20 to 2 per cent.

Solutions of either calcium nitrate or calcium chloride have been
effective in reducing bitter pit. The Japanese have demonstrated that
incidence of bitter pit was increased by nitrogen. Thus, in theory,
calcium nitrate, by supplying foliar nitrogen, would be somewhat less
effective than calcium chloride in reducing bitter pit. However, obser-
vations by Dillon in Australia, at the Massachusetts Experiment Station
and elsewhere, indicate that the use of calcium chloride is more likely
to result in injury to the leaf margin or leaf scorch. When foliar ap-
plications of calcium nitrate are used, corresponding reductions in fer-
tilizer nitrogen applications should be scheduled.

Growers who are interested in applying calcium foliar sprays may
obtain recommendations from Dr. W. J. Lord, Extension Pomologist, Uni-
versity of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass.

***************

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Sources of Nitrogen - In the 93rd Annual Report of the State Horticul-
tural Society of Michigan, A. L. Kenworthy stated that recent research
has shown that there are no obvious differences in the effect of vari-
ous nitrogen sources on fruit trees. This gives support to our state-
ment that it is the amount of actual nitrogen applied that is important
and not the source, therefore, the selection should be based on cost.

***************

- 4 -

RESULTS OF LEAF ANALYSES

William J. Lord and Bertram Gersten, Control Service

Maintaining the desired nutritional level of fruit trees is a dif-
ficult task because of crop size, pruning, weather and tree-to-tree var-
iation. However, through leaf analyses, careful observations, some dif-
ferential fertilization and use of a foliar application of urea on weaker
trees, you can at least partially solve the problem.

Leaf analyses have shown that low potassium levels have been preva-
lent for the last 2 years. We know that leaf potassium is generally
lower in dry growing seasons than in years with adequate soil moisture.
However, not all trees sampled were low in potassium and some of these
trees with adequate potassium were located on lighter soils. It would
appear, therefore, that low potassium levels weren't entirely due to the
dry growing season, and the rate of application should be increased in
some orchards.

For the last several years, a number of growers have omitted or re-
duced nitrogen applications in order to increase fruit firmness and color.
Analyses of leaves obtained from commercial orchards during the past 2
summers, indicate that the rate of nitrogen application should be increased
in some orchards. At the time of sampling, we observed that many of the
Mcintosh trees were low in vigor. Terminal growth was less than 6 inches
on some trees.

***************

VIRUS -FREE RED RASPBERRY PLANTS

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

The USDA has released for multiplication by nurseries, virus-free
stocks of Amber, Canby, Cuthbert, Fairview, Latham, Marcy, New Hampshire,
Newburgh, Puyallup, September, Sunrise, Taylor, Viking, and Washington,
varieties of red raspberries.

Correspondence with nurseries having these mosaic virus-free stock,
indicates that only a very limited supply of these is available for sale
in 1965. It will be a year or 2 before anything but a limited number
of virus-free plants will be available.

The January 1965, issue of Agricultural Research reports that virus-
free raspberry plants receiving regular insect control programs, remained
relatively free from reinfection in the field for 2 years or more. This
is a considerably longer period than had been anticipated.

Growers desiring to make inquiries about purchasing virus-free red
raspberry plants, may write the Editor of Fruit Notes for the names of
nurseries to contact.

- 5 -

SOME INSECT PESTS OF CULTIVATED BLUEBERRIES

William E. Tomlinson, Jr.
Cranberry Station, East Wareham

The different insects that are kno^^m to infest cultivated blueber-
ries are quite numerous, but fortunately only a few are of enough impor-
tance to require the use of pesticides. The important ones in Massachu-
setts have been cranberry weevil, cranberry fruitworm, cherry fruitworm,
blueberry maggot, and Japanese beetle. Several others are occasionally
troublesome.

Much future trouble from a few insects can be avoided by proper
pruning. Stem galls should be removed and disposed of in such a manner
that the gall -producing wasps they contain cannot emerge from the galls
and infest new twig growth in the spring. The galls preferably should
be burned, or at least buried under several inches of soil. Canes in-
fested with stem borers should be removed whenever noticed, regardless
of the time of year, but during the pruning operation is an excellent
time to be on the watch for signs of their activity. Orange -colored
frass pellets under an infested cane indicate an active borer. Be sure
to remove the cane below where it is tunnelled and probe for any tunnels
in the crown with a twig or wire if they have worked that far down in
the bush. Though not an entirely reliable scale insect control, regular
removal of older, less productive canes low in the crown, is helpful in
retarding the development of serious scale insect infestations. When
scales do become abundant, a thorough spraying with superior oil in the
dormant season is a dependable control.

On quiet, warm, sunny days in the spring, after the fruit buds swell
but before bloom has opened, is the time to be on the alert for cranberry
weevil, especially on bushes around the edges of the field. An occasion-
al one can be ignored, but if they occur several to the bush, the field
should be treated. The weevils lay eggs in the unopened blossoms and
the developing larvae feed on the flower parts, one larva per blossom.
Because of their small size and earliness in the season, they may go un-
detected for several seasons, with the result that they build up to out-
break numbers, and the small crops that result may be attributed to some
other cause, such as frost or lack of pollination.

After the blossoms have set, the small green fruit is siibject to the
attack of several different species of insect larvae. Two are of very
little importance, though they account for a few less fruit almost every
season. The grub of the plum curculio'is the first of these, its pres-
ence being indicated by a crescent-shaped scar on the berry. A few are
noted almost every year in Massachusetts , but in North Carolina this is
a major blueberry pest.

Another minor pest is the maggot of a small fly that develops in the
green fruit. At picking time these appear as ripe berries, except for a
small green circular area on one side of a berry that hasn't ripened nor-
mally due to the feeding and secretions of the maggot of this midge. A

few are seen almost every year, but never in my experience have they
been seen in numbers that warrant control measures, even if we had any.

Another "worm" is the grub of a small weevil known as the currant
fruit weevil. This is usually a minor pest, but has been the cause of
serious crop loss in at least one Massachusetts field. The beetle lays
her egg in the berry stem or in the berry close to the stem, and the grub
works into the green berry and feeds therein. Infested berries color
prematurely and are small and shrivelled. They may get into the first
picking, but generally they have been knocked off or have dropped off
by the time of later pickings. In the usual light infestation, malathi-
on or carbaryl as recommended for the next two pest should keep it from
building up to serious proportions.

The two most important green fruit pests throughout the range of the
cultivated blueberry are the cranberry fruitworm and the cherry fruitworm.
These are the culprits that like to wander around in the package under
the cellophane and make you wish you were in some other business at times.

Cranberry fruitworm is the more obvious of the two because of the
frassy web it makes as it feeds in a cluster of berries. Each worm may
destroy half a dozen or more berries before it finishes feeding. The
caterpillar is green until nearly mature when it takes on a reddish brown
tinge on the back and sides. It is about 1/2 inch long when mature.
When through feeding it drops to the ground and spins a hiburnaculum of
web and sand, where it remains until the following spring when it trans-
forms to an adult and starts another infestation.

The cherry fruitworm feeds in a manner similar to the cranberry
fruitworm, but it does not make a web. Often the first indication of
its presence is the appearance of prematurely-coloring fruit. The num-
ber of berries each larva feeds in is not known, but is probably some-
what less than is the case of cranberry fruitworm. Don't let that mis-
lead you, as they can make up in numbers for their smaller size and ap-
petite. As many as 75 have emerged from a pint, and 2 to 3 dozen per
pint is not uncommon in a moderate to heavy infestation. The worm or
caterpillar is a bright orange -red color and is about 1/3 of an inch long
when full grown. It has the habit, when finished feeding, of boring into
old pruning stubs or scars on the bush where it spends its life until the
following season, when it transform to a moth to start the trouble all
over again.

Control of these 2 pests is obtained with timely applications of
carbaryl or malathion. If both are present in damaging numbers, 3 appli-
cations may be needed, but usually 2 are all that are required. The
first application should go on toward the close of bloom (75% set) of
early varieties, and a second application 10 days later. A third appli-
cation a week after the second may be worthwhile in a heavy cherry fruit-
worm infestation.

The last, but by no means least important, of the blueberry "worms"
is blueberry maggot. This past summer saw it more abundant than usual

7 -

throughout the area, with fly counts on my sticky traps running 2-4 times
higher than for several years .

This is a pest of ripe fruit, though some seasons if flies emerge
early, eggs are deposited in green fruit. However, they don't mature
until after this fruit is ripe. Because of a long fly emergence period,
as well as fly migration, they can and do cause trouble throughout the
picking season.

To control, apply carbaryl or malathion at 7 to 10-day intervals,
starting when the first few normal berries turn blue. Picking bushes
clean and regularly helps keep this pest from having a chance to develop
into a serious infestation.

In those areas where Japanese beetles are numerous, it is a very
serious pest of cultivated blueberries because of its fondness for ripen-
ing berries and tender foliage. On warm, sunny days, they congregate in
large numbers on the top berry clusters and seriously damage the crop by
their scoring of berries. Carbaryl gives outstanding control of this
pest, therefore, in those areas where Japanese beetles as well as maggot
are a problem, carbaryl is the first recommendation for control of these
two pests.

In addition to these, fall webworms and Datana worms, which feed in
groups and sometimes defoliate individual bushes, cause some concern at
times. Also, several sucking insects, such as heath spittlebug, plant
bugs and leafhoppers are minor drains on the bushes, and the sharp -nosed
leafhopper has the added distinction of spreading the stunt disease virus
of blueberry. All of these lesser pests are controlled by the controls
aimed at the more serious pests, such as fruitworm and maggot.

***************

MACS MUST BE KEPT COLD

William J. Bramlage
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

As a part of a larger experiment conducted in our storages in Am-
herst, we compared the storage life of Mcintosh apples held in 2 different
regular air storages. Both of these storages were set to maintain a tem-
perature of about 32 F. However, one room had an excellent temperature
control system and averaged 32.4 F. over a 3-month period, while the other
room had a poor temperature control system and averaged 34.5°F. in the
morning during the 3-month period. Furthermore, the temperature in the
poorly controlled room rose to 38-40° 3 times a week during an afternoon
defrosting cycle. The behavior of the apples in these 2 rooms illustrated
strikingly the necessity of a good temperature control system.

In Table 1 are shown the flesh firmness readings on the fruit when
removed from the 2 rooms. The apples from the poorly -controlled room

- 8 -

were as soft, after only 63 days of storage, as were those from the well-
controlled room after 113 days of storage. Thus, only a couple degrees
increase of the storage temperature shortened the storage life of the
apples by S0_ days .

Table 1. Firmness (lbs. pressure) of ^fcIntosh apples when removed from
storage . ______^_

Storage
temperature (°F.)

Days in £

storage
84

103

113

15.5 12.5
15.5 10.5

11.5
9.6

11.4
9.7

10.5
8.9

10.6
9.0

32.4
34.5

When the apples were held at room temperature for 7 and 14 days af-
ter removal from storage, the rate of softening continued to show the
50-day differential between the 2 rooms (Table 2) . The apples from the
warmer room were as soft after 63 days as were those from the colder
room after 113 days, after both 7 and 14 days at 70-75 . The quality
of the fruits from the 2 rooms was very noticeably different. At every
examination, the fruits from the poorly-regulated room were distinctly
softer in texture. Also, after storage for 84-113 days, the apples from
the poorly-regulated room were yellower than the others.

Table 2. Firmness (lbs. pressure) of Mcintosh apples held at 70-75°F.
after removal from storage.

Days at
70-75°F.

Storage
temperature

f°F,

Days
84

in storage
91 103

113

32.4
34.5

9.4
8.8

9.7
8.5

9.3
8.1

9.2
8.3

8.3
7.6

32.4
34.5

8.7
7.9

8.6
7.6

8.4
7.4

8.6
7.1

8.2
7.2

These results show the absolute necessity of maintaining the storage
temperature very near to 32° for Mcintosh apples, if you are to market
good fruits out of regular air storage. If your storage is operating
only a couple of degrees above 32°, you may be reducing drastically the
storage life of Mcintosh apples.

***************

9 -

SPRAY MATERIALS ARE DANGEROUS IN FIRES I

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Science

Firemen were hospitalized due to inhalation of phosphate fumes and
smoke while fighting recent fires on two fruit farms.

Hospital attendants failed to recognize phosphate poisoning and the
firemen were treated for smoke inhalation.

Fortunately , the fire commissioner brought to the hospital, a copy
of an Extension Service Letter, which described phosphate poisoning and
proper atropine treatment.

Otherwise , some firemen hiay have died.

The above happened in Monroe County, New York ("Dangers to Firemen
When Spray Materials Burn" by Richard Norton, Monroe County Fruit Agent -
January issue of New York State Horticultural Society News Letter) .

It Could Have Happened in Massachusetts I

Here are some recommended steps for preventing it from happening:

1. Inform your fire department officials of the chemical storage
and its contents before the emergency.

2. Store the chemicals in one place, preferably in a structure sep-
arated from other buildings.

3. Keep all chemical-containing buildings locked and inaccessible
to children and irresponsible persons.

M^. Label all buildings containing chemicals as to their contents,

5. The list of Poison Information Centers should be posted in a
conspicuous place, and make its presence known to the members
of your family and all employees .

PESTICIDE SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

***************

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Stoff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

APRIL 15, 1965

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Effect on Massachusetts Farmers of Changes
in the Migrant Labor Situation

Pomological Paragraph

Poison Ivy Control in Bearing Apple Orchards

Pomological Paragraph

How Pesticides are Named

Mouse Activity Under Plastic and
Hay Mulches

Pomological Paragraph

Profits on New York Cost-Account Farms

Chemical Weed Control Circulars are now
Available

Chemical Thinning of Apples

Z<:»A

^^^

'iJ:i\

«r--

1- ^i-i^

>^-v:

-jK:

Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Spielmen, Dean artd Director, in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914;
University of Massachusetts, United States Department of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperating.
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No. 44.

THE EFFECT ON MASSACHUSETTS FARMERS OF CHANGES
IN THE MIGRANT LABOR SITUATION

Earl I, Fuller and Lawrence D. Rhoades
Department of Agriculture and Food Economics

Federal regulation now requires the payment of $1.30 an hour mini-
mum to all farm workers on Massachusetts fai-ms hiring foreign nationals.
British West Indians and Jamaicans as well as the Mexican Bracero are
foreign nationals. Puerto Ricans are not. The same wage rate will pre-
vail in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Connecti-
cut farmers must pay $1.4-0 per hour.

These pay scales are only one indication of some nationwide trends:

1. The Mexican Bracero workers are apparently going to be unavail-
able in competing vegetable and fruit areas.

2. A national minimum wage law is likely within the next 5 years.
Many states already have them.

3 . Labor unions are still active in attempting to organize farm
workers .

These are factors that managers in the fruit and vegetable business
will have to consider in years ahead.

SHORT RUN EFFECTS

Several things are likely to happen in the immediate future:

1. Reductions in crops such as celery, melons, and strawberries
are likely to occur on the West Coast or wherever these high-
er labor-requiring type crops are grown and where the producer
now relies heavily on foreign labor.

2'- Producers in the same situation are likely to shift to low

labor-requiring crops such as onions and potatoes. These are
crops that are now highly mechanized.

3. The pressure to develop mechanical harvesting techniques will
increase. Remember that there is no crop that cannot be har-
vested mechanically if enough research and time is spent on
the problem.

4. Mexico and Canada will continue to grow in vegetable and fruit
production.

5. There should be higher prices for higher labor-requiring crops,
but lower prices for low labor-requiring crops.

6. The small growers supplying most of their own labor from the
family could benefit in the short run.

LONG RUN EFFECTS

It takes time for a change like this to work itself out in the
economy. As it does some ti-ends should be evident:

.1 . The relative advantage of the production of crops for process-
ing as compared to the fresh market shift in favor of process-
ing. The reasoning behind this is as follows: Quality require-
ments ai^e lower for processing. Mechanization can proceed more
rapidly. Continued hand labor retjuired for fresh market pro-
duction will increase cost and then market price. Consumers
will tend to shift some of their preference towards the proc-
essed, and lower cost, form of the product.

2. The usual effect of increased mechanization in a business is
increased overhead. For mechanization to be economical will
require an increase in the size of the business.

3. Small growers will have to:

a. Accept lower net returns;

b. Quit the business;

c. Grow in size;

d. Intensify efforts to develop a speciality (higher priced)
market and consequently take on more of the marketing
functions .

4. Areas of the country that have terrain suitable for mechaniza-
tion will have an advantage.

MANAGERS CREATE CHANGE AS WELL AS ADJUST TO IT

But which soils, climates, and market situations will enjoy long
run advantages is never clear. Where and by whom new varieties and
machines are invented will have a great deal to do with the production
side. Marketing patterns don't just happen, either. Market relation-
ships involve managers making decisions and sound sales efforts have
their effect. It will take group action on the part of Massachusetts
growers to gain advantages here.

On an individual farm basis, growers can take advantage of these
trends by moving with them or ahead of them in many instances. Shifts
in crops, or shifts in labor supply may be in order. But don't forget
the market. Because of it, there may be times when you can move coun-
ter to the trend.

Fruit and vegetable production in Massachusetts has remained re-
markably stable over many, many years. Managers have made these kinds
of adjustments many, many times.

***************

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Spencer Apple - The few growers who have fruited Spencer report
good acceptance of this variety at roadside stands. The high quality
of Spencer apparently will bring repeat customers for the variety.

***************

POISON IVY CONTROL IN BEARING APPLE ORCHARDS

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Amizine and amitrole-T (commercial product Amitrol-T) are labeled
for use in bearing apple orchards but they may be used only prior to
fruit set or after harvest. With this timing, however, only partial
control of poison ivy can be obtained, because the herbicide must be
applied to leaves.

At full bloom of apple trees, many poison ivy stems have not pro-
duced foliage; therefore, treatments applied at this time fail to give
satisfactory results. For example, in 1962 and 1963 only Hl% and 26%,
respectively, of the poison ivy was killed by sprays applied at full
bloom. Since the amount of foliage present on poison ivy stems at full
bloom of apple trees varies from orchard to orchard and from tree to tree,
the effectiveness of sprays for poison ivy control may be quite variable.

However, applications of amizine or amitrole-T repeated yearly show
promise for the gradual elimination of poison ivy. Retreatment in 196^1
of the plots sprayed in 1963, increased the control of poison ivy from
26% to 86%.

The timing problem may now be lessened slightly because "Prior to
Fruit Set" is now defined as meaning an application must be applied be-
fore 90% of the apple petals have fallen. This means that spray appli-
cations of amizine or amitrole-T may be made after the full bloom period
and that leaf development on poison ivy will be more advanced.

Post-Harvest Treatments Under Bearing Trees

The usefulness of amizine or amitrole-T as post-harvest sprays
appears dependent upon the presence of a full complement of leaves on
the poison ivy stems. Treatments applied on September 27, 1961, while
the foliage was still green, gave 99% control. Sprays applied on October
11, 1961, when foliage showed fall coloration, gave 90% poison ivy con-
trol. Treatments applied on October 11, 1962,. when the poison ivy stems
were partly defoliated, gave an average control of only 10%.

Amizine or amitrole-T sprays applied soon after harvest of varieties
maturing prior to Mcintosh, would generally precede frosts and should

,n;.iv(' satisfactory poison ivy control. The effectiveness of these herb-
icides for poison ivy control under trees of Melntosli liarvest season
and later would be dependent on the earJ iness and severity of frost and
its effect on the poison ivy foliage.

***************

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Double Headinja; - Double heading of apple trees the year of planting
appears to be gaining grower acceptance. One method of double heading
is to prune the one-year-old whips 4-5 inches higher than desired at
time of planting. Wlien the top-most shoots are 1 to 6 inches long (gen-
erally in early June), the leader is cut back an additional 4 or 5 inches.
This will eliminate limbs with sharp crotch angles in the upper part of
the tree and force out more wide-angled side branches.

Some growers prefer to head the one-year-old whip to the desired
height at planting. Then after the top-most shoots on the leader are
I+-6 inches long, all are removed except for the one most suitable for
the leader.

***************

HOW PESTICIDES ARE NAMED

E. H. Wheeler, Professor of Entomology
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

Carbaryl is the common or generic name now being widely used for
Sevin insecticide. Carbaryl will be used to designate this particular
active ingredient on labels. Many growers who are seeing the new term,
carbaryl, listed in state recommendations for insecticide treatments
may wonder what this name means. By knowing this, mistakes may be avoided.

The common' name for Sevin has been accepted by the International
Organization for Standardization, the American Standards Association
and the British Standards Institution.

Common names are adopted to clarify and standardize the nomencla-
ture of a product throughout the world. Governmental and scientific -
groups can more readily use a generic or common name of a material in
recommendations and corrununications without sponsoring or favoring a par-
ticular trade-marked brand name.

Why carbaryl? Sevin insecticide can be described chemically as a
carbamate compound or an aryl urethane. Dr. Maurie Semel, of the New
York Vegetable Research Station, Long Island, suggested combining the
terms carbamate and aryl into "carbaryl" as a descriptive common name.

Ttie trade marl< , Sevln, was selected by Union Carbide Corporation
because more llian 7,000 compounds were screened before the product was
discovered. Sevin actually was compound No. 7,7'|Lk Company scientists
began calling it "Seven". Tlie word was deliberately misspelled as
"Sevin" in order to register it as a trade name. Its chemical name is
1-naphthyl N-methylcat^bamate .

A*;.***********;.-

MOUSE ACTIVITY UNDER PLASTIC AND MY MULCHES

John W. Peterson, District Agent
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Amherst, Massachusetts

Since the advent of plastic, there has been a question as to its
value as a mulch under young fruit trees. Of particular concern is its
attraction or repellency to mice. Therefore, studies were conducted in
1963 and 196^1 in cooperation with Extension Pomologist William J. Lord
and Regional Agricultural Agent G. Everett Wilder to evaluate mouse ac-
tivity under hay- and plastic -mulched trees and under those having the
vegetation controlled by herbicides. Tests were conducted in Abner Peck
and Sons' orchard in Shelburne, Massachusetts. The data collected dur-
ing the 1963 test was considered invalid because there was a low mouse
population in the area selected, making it difficult to measure differ-
ences in mouse activity. Hence, it was decided that another test would
be carried out in 1964

The 1964 tests showed no significant difference in mouse activity
under trees mulched with hay or black plastic. The presence or absence
of simazine around tree bases showed no attraction or repellency to
mice. From the standpoint of orchard mouse control, it is better to
have no cover around the tree bases, as indicated by the fact that where
the vegetation was controlled with simazine, no mouse activity was ap-
parent.

***************

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Hardware Cloth Guards - A grower reports that his carton stapler
is useful for stapling together hardware cloth wire guards used for
mouse protection. Generally, M staples are used on each 24 inch high
guard. The guards, which are prepared on a rainy day, are ready for
placement around the newly planted apple whips. Naturally, it would
usually be impossible to slip the guards down the stems of older trees,

***************

6 -

PROFITS ON NEW YORK COST-ACCOUNT FARMS

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Data presented by Del Kearl, Agricultural Economics Department,
Cornell University, in the November, 1964^, issue of the New York State
Horticultural Society News-Letter, show that in general, fruit enter-
prises have been more profitable than the crops and livestock enter-
prises .

With the exception of a few years such as 1959, apple growing has
been profitable and returned well over a dollar, for each dollar invested
(Table 1).

Table 1.

RETURN PER DOLLAR OF COST FOR TREE FRUIT
Cost-Account Farms in New York

Period

Apples Peaches Pears

Sweet

Cherries

Sour

1919-23

$1.15*

192M-28

1.41

1929-33

1.15

$1.14

1934-38

1.14

1.34

1939-43

1.27

1.44

1944-48

1.33

1.53

1949-53

1.24

0.99

1954-58

1.16

0.73

1959

0.92

1.04

1950

1.37

0.95

1961

1.09

0.78

1962

1.23

0.84

$0.96

1.05
1.65
1.11

1.45
2.07

1.88
1.93
2.59
3.04

$1.77

1.34
1.85
1.79
1.69

$1.68**

1.79
1.60
2.10

1.35

$1.03

1.04
1.10
1.28
0.96

*1920-23 ^1930-33

**Before 1954 the cherries enterprise costs and returns were not kept
separate .

It can be noted in the data presented by Del Kearl, that peaches,
profitable in the thirties and forties, have returned less than cost
since 1950. Pears, the other tree fruit of particular interest to Mass
achusetts growers have been very profitable in New York State in most
years .

***************

CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL CIRCULARS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

The 196S Revision of Special Circular ^15 entitled "Controllinfj;
Weeds in Small Fruit Plantings With Chemicals" and Special Circular 283
entitled "Cliemical Weed Control Recommendations for Tree Fruits" are
now available. Copies may be obtained through your County Extension
Service or by writing to the Mailing Room, University of Massachusetts,
Amherst, Massachusetts.

***************

CHEMICAL THINNING OF APPLES

F. W. Southwick
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Chemical thinning has been discussed for a good many years in this
publication and elsewhere, so I presume most fruit growers are aware
that we have such satisfactory thinning materials as NAD (Amid-Thin) ,
NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid) or its sodium salt, sold under a variety
of labels and Carbaryl (Sevin) . The details related to the use of these
compounds for thinning most of our varieties are contained in Special
Circular 189 which is available from the University of Massachusetts or
from your Regional Fruit Specialist.

It is the intention here to show some recent data comparing sever-
al types of chemical thinning treatments, plus scoring, on "return"
bloom of some very biennial varieties. Experimenters and growers have
been generally successful in obtaining annual flowering of such varie-
ties as Mcintosh, Golden Delicious and Wealthy following the use of
chemical thinners. However, it is much more difficult to obtain con-
sistent annual flowering, even following heavy chemical thinning, on
such varieties as Baldwin, Early Mcintosh and Puritan. Consequently,
we have emphasized in our recent work the relative effectiveness of dif-
ferent chemical thinners for stimulation of flowering. We have been in-
terested, also, in what thinning treatments, if any, should be used once
a moderate-to-heavy "return" bloom is obtained.

In Table 1 are some data obtained over a 2 -year period on some
Early Mcintosh where scoring, in addition to the chemical thinning, was
tried in 1953.

The data in Table 1 show quite clearly that "return" bloom in 1964-
is primarily related to the degree of thinning in 1963. Sevin, which
thinned slightly but significantly, improved fruit size somewhat, but
the reduction in fruit set was so slight that those trees receiving two
applications of Sevin (at petal fall and again 10 days later) in 1963
were barren, like the checks in 1964. Our attempts to improve the
"return" bloom on these rather lightly thinned Sevin-treated trees by
scoring (severingthe bark completely in 3 places - each ring of severed
bark about 1/2 inch apart) about 4 weeks after full bloom also failed.
Scoring increased "return" bloom in only one instance (Treatment 3) .

Obviously, scoring is not as effective a treatment as substantial chem-
ical thinning for inducing annual flowering of mature Early Mcintosh
trees. However, it may occasionally improve the ajnount of "return"
bloom obtained if used as a supplement to chemical thinning.

Table 1. The influence of chemical thinning and scoring on fruit set,
size and return bloom of Early Mcintosh apples. 1963-614.

196L|^

1963
Treatments

Fruits/cm.

of limb

circumference

Avg. fruit
diajneterp
(inches)

Blossom clusters per
cm. of limb circ.o
Unscored Scored

1. Check

2. Sevin-3#(50%

NAD -50 ppm.

.P,

■)

4
19.9a

9.5c

2 . 11a
2.32c

0.2a
12.7c

0.2a
13.7c

3. Sevin-3#(50% W.P.) 6 . 9d 2.t+ld 7.7b 15.1c

NAA-20 ppm.

4. Sevin-3#(50% W.P.) 15.9b 2.22b 0.1a 0.2a

Sevin-3#(50% W.P.)

5. NAD-50 ppm. 7.2cd 2.46cd 12.6c 13.1c

NAA-20 ppm.

Applied at petal-fall and 10 days after petal-fall, respectively. Six
trees per treatment.

Fruit size measurements made August 6, 1963 (60 fruits at random per

tree) about 2 weeks before harvest commenced.

3
All but one major limb per tree scored 3 times on June 13, 1963.

li
Means followed by different letters are significantly different at the

5% level.

The question of whether or not a moderate or heavy "return" bloom
should be chemically thinned is frequently asked. Until now, we've had
very limited data on the subject, but it was our general observation
that good "return" blooms on heavy-setting varieties like Early Mclntojsh
usually require a continued chemical thinning treatment, otherwise over-
setting and biennial bearing recur. Also, it has been observed that
chemical thinners may be less effective in reducing fruit set on "return'
blooming trees than they are on biennial trees in their "on" year.
Table 2 provides some information on this subject.

- f)

Table 2. Tlie influence i of chemical thinning on fruit set and size of
"Return" and "On" blooming Early Mcintosh trees. 1964

19611
Treatments

Applied'

"Return" Bloom Trees

1. Check

2. Sevin-1#(50% W.P.) PF

■ NAD -50 ppm. PF+13

3. NAD-50 ppm. - PF

M. Sevin-1#(50% W.P.) PF

NAA-20 ppm. PF+13

5. NAA-20 ppm. PF+13

6. NAD-50 ppm. PF+13
"On" Bloom Trees

7. Sevin-1#(50% W.P.) PF
NAA-20 ppm. ' PF+13

Fruits per cm.

of limb
circumference

19.2a+

S.Ocd
13.9b

8.8c

9.5c

14.2b

Avg. fruit
diajneter
(inches)

2.01a

2.15cd
2.ipbc

2.2Ue
2.17d
2.07ab

5.7d

2.34f

Five trees per treatment.

^PF=Petal-fall; PF+13=13 days after petal-fall.

3
Fruit size measurements made August 7, 196I+, (35 fruits at random per

tree) about 2 weeks before harvest commenced.

Means followed by different letters are significantly different at the
5% level.

From these data, it is evident that, when a relatively heavy "return"
bloom is obtained on a heavy setting variety such as Early Mcintosh,
chemical thinning needs to be continued at essentially the same rate as
for "on" trees. In fact, these data indicate that the "on" trees are
easier to thin than the "return" blooming trees. Failure of fruit to
size as well on the "return" blooming trees, even when well thinned,
may be related to the two dry summers of 1963 and 1964, or to this fac-
tor plus the influence of two successive heavy crops on a normally bien-
nial variety. The exhaustive effects of annual cropping may tend to re-
duce tree (including root) growth; consequently, the rate of fruit growth
is less than that which occurs on trees bearing similar crops in alter-

]()

11,-1 to years only. In addition, it should be remembered tli/it scoring may
have some deleterious effects if done annually, and it tends to increase
the severity of Bitter Pit on susceptible varieties like Baldwin.

****** A**A*AA-.VA

All pesticide chemicals mentioned in this publication are regis-
tered and cleared for the suggested uses in accordance with federal laws
and regulations. Chapter 727, Acts of 1960, Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts requires that all pesticides sold in Massachusetts be registered
with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Trade names, where
used for clearness, do not indicate endorsement nor imply that similar
products are not satisfactory.

warning: most pesticides are poisonous, read and follow all di-
rections AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON LABELS. HANDLE CAREFULLY AND STORE
OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN, PETS AND LIVESTOCK.

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Stoff, Deportment of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Mossochusetts, Amherst

MAY 15, 1965

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Gamma Irradiation of Fresh Fruit

Duration of Receptivity of Highbush Blueberry
Flowers to Pollination

Publication Available

Grower Comments on Ripening of Blueberries

Vesper Strawberry

Pomologicai Paragraph

Handling Strawberries for Fresh Market

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Issued by the Cooperative Extension Service, A. A. Spielman, Dean and Director, in furttierance of the Acta of May 8 and June 30, 1914;
University of Massachusetts, United States t)epartment of Aericulture and County Extension Services cooperating.
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent, No. 44.

GAMMA IRRADIATION OF FRESH FRUIT

William J. Brajnlage
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

When man learned to release the tremendous forces of atomic energy,
his first use of that power was to build a bomb - the Atomic Bomb. But
before the first bomb was exploded, he was already dreaming of harness-
ing these same atomic forces for peaceful uses.

Among the forces produced from radioactive materials are gamma rays.
These are highly penetrating rays with the capacity to kill living cells
of both plants and animals. Scientists soon learned to apply controlled
doses of these gamma rays to kill unwanted or dangerous cells, and this
is the basis for using radioactive materials to treat cancer patients.
Similarly, attempts have been made to kill, through irradiation, the fungi
and bacteria that cause decay of food. It is with this aspect of irrad-
iation that we, as agriculturists, are personally concerned.

Much work has been done on food irradiation, and we frequently find
articles in the newspapers and magazines giving glowing accounts of the
use of these "magic rays" to preserve food indefinitely - without refrig-
eration. Indeed, there have been some notable successes: irradiated
bacon, requiring no refrigeration, may soon be on the market; irradiated
potatoes, that won't sprout, are now being sold in Canada; and research
continues to look promising for retarding spoilage of fresh strawberries
through irradiation. However, most of the press reports have been unduly
optimistic, for food irradiation is beset with severe problems.

To sterilize a food product, that is, to kill all the bacteria and
fungi on and in it, requires a massive dose of radiation. Such doses
very often not only kill the microbes, but also cause severe changes in
the foods, for example, changes in the color, taste, odor, or texture
of the food. Dreams of replacing canning and refrigeration with irrad-
iation have been largely abandoned because of the failure to prevent
these changes. A notable exception to this problem, however, is bacon,
which tolerates a sterilizing dose of radiation without undergoing change.

When we consider irradiation of fresh fruits, we run into another
immense problem. UnJ.ike processed foods, fresh fruits are living organ-
isms, and so, they as well as bacteria and fungi can be killed by gamma
rays. All living cells are not equally susceptible to these rays-, so
our only hope is that we can seriously injure or kill disease-causing
organisms without seriously injuring the fruits. Fortunately, some of
the most serious disease-causing fungi are among the most radiation-
sensitive organisms. These are the Penicillium species, which cause
blue mold of apples and blue and green molds of citrus; Botrytis cinerea. ,
which causes much of the decay of strawberries; and Monilinia fructicola ,
which causes Brown Rot of peaches and plums. These fungi can be injured,
though not completely killed, by relatively light doses of radiation.

2 -

But unfortunately, even such light doses prove to be quite injur-
ious to most fruits. Although the fruits are not killed by such doses,
they are changed. Most fruits are softened by the treatment, and some-
times, as with grapes and pears, very greatly softened. Color is some-
times affected: peaches are made redder, while plums are sometimes
prevented from turning blue, and pearls develop a mottled green-and-
yellow instead of a yellow color. But most serious of all, irradiated
fruits often fail to develop their normal flavor during subsequent rip-
ening. Since fresh fruits are prized for their characteristic flavors,
a. loss of these flavors is a prohibitive effect of a treatment.

Another form of injury to fruits is a reduction of their normal
resistance to disease-causing fungi. Since light doses of radiation do
only injure, not kill the fungi, this is a very serious problem. If ir-
radiated fruits are stored for an extended period after treatment, they
very often develop more decay than non- irradiated fruits, for in time,
the fungi recover from the treatment while the fruits do not. Also,
if the fruits become re-contaminated with fungi, their resistance to
these organisms is less than that of unirradiated fruits. This means
that radiation could not be used prior to a long storage period; its use
would be restricted to a short time before the fruits would be used,
such as for a reduction of decay during immediate marketing.

Another problem is expense. An irradiation facility is a very ex-
pensive piece of equipment, and one that requires great skill and elab-
orate precautions for operation. Although it has been found that sprout-
ing of potatoes can be prevented by a very light dose of radiation and
without other injury to the tubers, only in certain situations would ir-
radiation of potatoes be economical, at least at the present stage of
technology. Such a situation now seems to exist in Canada.

So, it can be seen that there are many problems confronting fruit
irradiation. But conspicuously missing from this list of problems is
the one that immediately comes to mind in a discussion of irradiation.
Irradiation does not make the fruits radioactive. The gamma rays are
the product of a radioactive source. They are not themselves radioac-
tive, nor do they make the objects they strike radioactive. Irradiated
foods are not radioactive '.

Numerous experiments have been made on many different kinds of
fruits under many types of conditions. In these experiments, only one
fruit has consistently responded well to irradiation, and that is the
strawberry. The market life of strawberries is usually extended 2-3
days by irradiation, without injury to the fruit. For a fruit as per-
ishable as strawberries, this extension of market life is quite signif-
icant. Research is continuing on this crop, and it is quite possible
that in the near future irradiated berries will be arriving on our mar-
kets from California. California offers a. unique potential for this
operation, for its largest production area has a harvest period of at
least 3-4 months, with a fairly uniform volume of production during this
period. This produces an economic situation that cannot be matched in
the East.

- 3

It is likely that the encouraging results from irradiation of straw-
berries and potatoes will continue to stimulate research on ways to
treat other fresh fruits and vegetables. However, the great sensitivity
of most fresh produce to gamma rays will impose severe restrictions on
radiation usage. In addition, the great expense of a radiation facility
will impose additional economic restrictions unless future technological
break-throughs can greatly reduce its cost. We can expect to continue
reading in the popular press, glowing accounts of the use of "magic rays"
to preserve foods, for this is fertile ground for journalists, but such
reports should be met with a healthy skepticism. Irradiation is certainly
no cure-all for post-harvest diseases of fruits.

***************

DURATION OF RECEPTIVITY OF HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY FLOWERS TO POLLINATION

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Studies conducted by J. N. Moore at Beltsville, Maryland, and re-
ported in the Proceedings of the American Society for Horticultural
Science , (Vol. 85) indicate that, under field conditions, some fruit
set of cultivated highbush blueberries occurred even when pollination
was prevented for 8 days after opening of blossoms. The per cent fruit
set was significantly reduced, however, when pollination was delayed 6
days or longer on Coville and 8 days on Blueray.

Delaying pollination also resulted in a decrease in average weight
per berry. A decrease occurred on Blueray when the pollination delay
was only 2 days, whereas a 6-day delay was necessary for a significant
reduction to occur on Coville. Nevertheless, an 8-day pollination de-
lay resulted in a more marked reduction in berry weight on Coville than
on Blueray.

As Moore pointed out, varietal differences in length of pistil re-
ceptivity to pollination may be important when unfavorable conditions
for bee activity occur or when the bee population is limited.

***************

PUBLICATION AVAILABLE

Technical Information Series Publication No. 2 , entitled "A Mech-
anical Harvesting and Handling System for Processing Apples" is avail-
able from the Mailing Room, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This

publication summarizes the results of an experimental harvesting and
handling system tested in a commercial orchard in Massachusetts with
the Baldwin variety of apples in 1962.

***************

GROWER COMMENTS ON RIPENING OF BLUEBERRIES

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

The comments below were written by Mr. 0. W. Stewart, Elm Street,
R.F.D. 2, Kingston, Massachusetts, in response to an article that ap-
peared in the January, 1965, issue of Fruit Notes entitled "Random
Thoughts on Blueberries". I'm sure that readers will find his comments
of interest and value. Mr. Stewart is co-chairman of the Research Com-
mittee of the Massachusetts Cultivated Blueberry Association.

"These further random thoughts on cultivated blueberries are promp-
ted by your interesting comments in the January 10th issue of Fruit
Notes .

"I am restricting these thoughts to the ripening of the fruit, bas-
ing them on my past dozen years of experience of growing 1 1/2 acres of
blueberries completely enclosed under netting.

"Speaking broadly, I have found that any blueberries, grown under
good cultural conditions, will be sweet if permitted to ripen fully on
the bush.

"The fact that blueberries have turned blue does not in itself mean
that they are ripe. Varieties differ considerably in the time, after
becoming fully blue, until the fruit is completely ripe and sweet.

"Berries of some varieties become sweet almost as soon as they turn
blue. Among these are Earliblue, Wolcott, G.N. - 87 and Berkeley.

"On the other end of the ripening scale are Blueray, Bluecrop, Her-
bert and Coville. Such varieties will be deliciously sweet and flavor-
some only after they have been on the bush - blue - for a period up to
a week and sometimes longer.

"Then there are intermediate varieties which become sweet after a
blue period of two to four days. I think the Collins variety may be in
this group, with Dixi and others. My variety listings here are far from
complete and there will be overlapping in times and in different years.
For instance, a prolonged hot spell in early August can cause midseason
and late varieties to start ripening together.

"After blueberries are picked, some further ripening can occur,
but from my observations, only if they have already ripened near to the
point of sweetness. When picked soon after turning blue, fruit of the
varieties requiring nearly a week or so of blue color to be sweet, will
almost surely remain unripe and sour.

"Birds are responsible for part of the poor reputation of culti-
vated blueberries with many people. That is, combined with growers who
pick unripe berries to get ahead of the birds.

"There are as yet no reliable ways of repelling birds. The only
remedy for the bird problem is to exclude them from crops susceptible
to bird loss .

"Many blueberries are still grown in the open without covering or
enclosure of any type. As a result, growers are faced with the dilemma
of either losing much of the crop to birds, or picking blue but unripe
berries and placing them on sale or shipping them to market.

"The public should be made aware of the fact that many progressive
growers are assuming additional costs in protecting their plantings with
netting in order to exclude birds and delay harvest, thus providing
riper and sweeter berries."

Editor's Note : In the July 10, 1964, issue of Fruit Notes , Professor
J. S. Bailey presented data from Rhode Island that showed the increase
in fruit volume after development of blue coloration of highbush blue-
berries. This increase in volume will result in a. sizeable yield in-
crease per acre. In one year, the added income derived by prevention
of bird depredation and leaving the berries to "size-up" will go quite
a way toward paying the cost of netting.

***************

VESPER STRAWBERRY

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

The performance of Vesper in grower plantings indicates that it has
better quality than Jerseybelle, and is more productive. The fruit rip-
ens late, is very large in size, attractive, moderate in firmness and
good in flavor .

Vesper berries appear to soften quickly after they become ripe on
the plant. Therefore, it is the opinion of some that Vesper should be
harvested daily, or picked every other day while the color is still on
the "pink side".

6 -

Because of the lateness of bloom, one of our local strawberry nur-
serymen reports that he Is recommending Vesper to growers who have fre-
quent frost da;nage to strawberries. Also, he reports good acceptance
of Vesper by roadside stand operators.

***************

POMOLOGICAL PAIIAGRAPH

Pruning rake : Raking prunings from under fruit trees, in the writ-
er's opinion, is less laborious than gathering and windrowing them by
hand. The pruning rake utilizes tongs of hay dump-rakes which are at-
tached to a metal bar. The bar is attached to the 3 -point hitch of the
tractor and is offset to facilitate raking under trees. The prunings
are raked and then dumped in a windrow by stopping the tractor and
lifting the rake .

One grower has the third leg of the 3 -point hitch longer than the
other two, and this is attached underneath the hay rake bar. Thus,
when the rake is raised, it automatically dumps the prunings. With a
14 foot offset rake, he can collect and windrow prunings in 2 5 acres of
orchard a day.

***************

HANDLING STRAWBERRIES FOR FRESH MARKET

William J. Bramlage
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Some timely suggestions on the handling of strawberries are con-
tained in a recent publication, "Handling Strawberries for Fresh Mar-
ket", Calif orni a Agricultural Experiment Station Extension Circular 527,
by F. G. Mitchell, E. C. Maxie, and A. S. Greathead, of the University
of California, Davis.— This publication is summarized below.

In discussing handling of strawberries, first of all we must appre-
ciate the nature of the strawberry, one of the most perishable of all
fruits. Strawberries are essentially full-ripe at harvest, and being
very rapidly respiring living material, they will destroy themselves in
a relatively short time, even without the presence of decay organisms.
The berries have a very thin, tender skin that is easily broken, and in
addition, the flesh is so tender that any time the fruit is squeezed, it
becomes bruised and will discolor.

—This publication may be obtained from the California Agricultural
Experiment Station Extension Service, Davis, California

As any grower knows, strawberries are very susceptible to attack
by decay organisms. The most common strawberry fruit rot is gray mold,
and the fungus that causes this mold _is present in every strawberry
field at all times . Although the fungus can penetrate the unbroken skin,
any injury inflicted during harvesting and handling favors the develop-
ment of gray mold. In addition to careful handling, practices that will
reduce rot are the application of fungicides in the field-/, careful
picking so as to exclude all decayed berries from the packages, and prop-
er cooling of the berries.

Let's consider picking a little more closely. For maximum quality,
fruits should be picked when they are full-ripe yet firm, but market
requirements may dictate earlier picking. The berries should always be
picked with the caps on, and any berry with any sign of rot on it should
always be thrown away . The picking operation should be closely super-
vised, for keep in mind that picker damage can nullify all other attempts
to maintain fruit quality.

The most important way to slow down spoilage of strawberries is to
remove field heat and maintain the fruit at a low temperature. Field
heat will build up rapidly in berries exposed to the sun. Harvested
berries should always be placed in the shade, but should also be taken
from the field as quickly as possible. A slight breeze will greatly in-
crease the warming of berries even in the shade. An air velocity of
just 5 miles an hour (a very mild wind) warms the fruit nearly to air
temperature in 20 to 30 minutes. Get the berries under refrigeration
soon after harvest .

How important is temperature? When the temperature of strawberries
is reduced from 50°F. to 32°, their life expectancy is increased two-to
four-fold. If the temperature of the berries reaches 85-90°F. , as can
happen when picked berries are left in the open field, the market life
of the fruit is reduced to only a few hours . For maximum life, straw-
berries should be kept as close to 32°F. as is practical. And the fas-
ter you can get the temperature down, the longer the berries will keep.
Forcing cold air over the berries, once they are under refrigeration,
will greatly reduce their cooling time.

The problems of handling strawberries during marketing are similar
to those during harvesting. Tlie berries must be handled gently for as
they get older they are injured even more easily than at harvest. And
they must be kept cool. If you expect to hold the berries longer than
one day, keep them at a temperature below 40°F., preferably at 32°. And
if displayed berries cannot be kept refrigerated, display only a couple
hours' supply at a time.

Following are some specific suggestions for getting your strawber-
ries to the consumer with the minimum loss of quality:

1. Pick the berries when they are well-colored, but firm.

—See "Pest Control Chart for Strawberries", available from Mailing Room,
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, or your County
Agent

2. Pick them carefully, with caps on, and throw away any berry
showing any rot.

3. Handle the berries gently at all times.

4. Keep picked berries shaded, and get them out of the field as
quickly as possible.

5. Don't delay cooling. The ideal holding temperature is 32°F. ,
and the closer the berries are to this temperature, the longer
they will keep. The effect of temperature is dramatic; it
means the difference between a life of several hours and a life
of several days.

6. Keep the berries refrigerated at all times, if possible.

***************

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by Pomology Stoff, Department of Horticulture

Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

JUNE 15, 1965

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Save This Date

Red Delicious Sports

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Usued ''y«he Cooperative Eitension Service, A A. Spielman, Dean and Director. In f»-therance of the Act. of May 8 and June 30, 1914-
University of Massachusetts, United States bepartment of Agriculture and County Extension Services cooperatinE
Publication Approved by Alfred C. Holland, State Purchasing Agent No 44

SAVE THIS DATE

ANNUAL SUMMER MEETING
of the
MASSACHUSETTS FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION
in cooperation with the
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
will be held at the
FARM OF CHARLES A. DOWSE, JR., MAIN STREET
SHERBORN,* WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1965

The program is not available at this time. As customary,
the meeting will start at 10:00 A.M., with a tour of the farm,
roadside stand and packing facilities- Lunch will be served
at noon and the speaking part of the program will start at
1:30 P.M.

*Directions: For those coming from western Massachusetts,
leave the Mass. Pike at Exit 13 in Framinghajn. Then proceed
East on Route 30 about 1 mile to Route 27. Go south on Route
27 (across Route 9) through Natick. The farm is located about
2 miles beyond Natick on Route 27.

For those coming from Essex County and southeastern New
Hampshire, take Route 128 and then Route 16 through Wellesley
and South Natick to Route 27. Turn right on Route 27 and pro-
ceed for approximately 1/2 mile.

RED DELICIOUS SPORTS

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

The Extension Pomologist had the privilege of participating in a
panel discussion on Red Delicious sports at the Annual Meeting of the
State Horticulture Association of Pennsylvania in February, 1965. The
following are the comments of the other participants on the performance
of Red Delicious sports in Pennsylvania and West Virginia as taken from
the February, 1965, issue of Pennsylvania Fruit News .

C. M. Ritter
Department of Horticulture
The Penna. State University

"For the past five years studies of some 25-30 Delicious color
sports of the Delicious apple variety have been under study at Univer-
sity Park.

The vast array of these sports - over 60 named so far - are very
confusing to most growers. The question of which one (s) to plant is al-
most impossible to answer because of the varying responses of the sever-
al sports to diverse soil and environmental conditions. For this reason
we have assembled at University Park a continually increasing number of
these sports, both standard and spur types, in order that their fruit
characteristics may be observed under a single set of cultural and envi-
ronmental conditions.

"The following is a thumbnail sketch of the appearance and skin
color of 15 Delcious sports as grown in the College Orchards at Univer-
sity Park.

"In the following summaries the 'standard' for color comparison is
regular Delicious except where otherwise noted.

"BRIDGHAM RED:

A color sport of regular Delicious with a light red color of about
the same intensity of the parent type. It usually is solid red over
more than 80% of the fruit although this varies widely. The type is
poor and the sport is little or no better than the parent type.

"GARDNER:

The fruit color is good to excellent. It is solid red washed and
of a brighter red intensity than the parent. However, it lacks
typiness and carries a definitely greenish ground color.

"KIRBY:

The size and color are fair to very good, however, the color tends
to fade or become dull as the fruit nears harvest. It has very
prominent lenticels which may detract from its appearance. Better
than the standard type.

'SHOTWELL:

The fruit run slightly smaller than the parent type. The fruit has
a very good bright red wash over the whole apple, but it lacks the
typiness of the western-grown Delicious.

"VANCE ;

The color is excellent - one of the four or five best in this resoect
at University Park. The size is usually slightly smaller than the
parent type. The crowns are very prominent, but in cross section the
fruit is round, rather than ribbed.

"RICHARED :

Excellent bright cherry-red color, has desirable Delicious type.
This is one of the best of the sports now fruiting at Penn State,

'ROYAL RED:

A sport of Richared, the fruit possess excellent color and Delicious
type. The solid red color may become too dark for some, but this
does not appear as a. deterrant to its planting in the state. An
excellent strain both in tree and fruit characteristics.

'STARRING:

Possesses both solid red wash and rather pronounced darker red
stripes. Some growers find the stripes objectionable, but opinion
is divided. Shape and type are only fair to good.

'EARLIRED :

Of the sports now fruiting at University Park, this is the only
one which exhibits any marked degree of difference with the average
Delicious. It averages approximately 3A" larger size than any of
the strains now fruiting. Whether or not this is a juvenile char-
acteristic remains to bo seen. Shape is poor and the fruit tend to
internal breakdown more than the other sports. The color is very
good and this sport may hold promise where a specialty market de-
mands large size.

"HI EARLY RED;

This is one of the M-5 "best sports as grown at University Park -
at least equal in color, and color pattern, and shape to Royal Red,
Many specimens do, however, exhibit rather pronounced stripes.

3 -

'HI F^ED:

As grown at University Park the color is a rather "muddy" red, var-
iable and is little, if any, better than the standard Delicious.

'IMPERIAI,

An excellent sport, at least equal to Royal Red and Hi Early Red
in color and intensity and shape. It does not have pronounced
stripes.

"RED KING:

A fairly typey sport, with excellent dark red color, it does show
pronounced dark red stripes.

"RED QUEEN:

Excellent color, with some striping, it is a rather good Delicious
type.

"TURNER:

Color and type are quite variable. The ground color remains green.
This sport shows little promise for Pennsylvania orchards.

"Of the 15 sports listed above, the VANCE, RICHARED, ROYAL RED, HI
EARLY RED, and IMPERIAL appear to have the most promise at this time.
As the other sports, now growing at University Park, come into bearing
this statement may well have to be changed."

William B. Lower
Boyers Nurseries and Orchards
Biglerville, Pennsylvania

"We prefer Royal Red, on standard rootstock, among all of the Deli-
cious strains, excluding the spur types. However, the economy of the
smaller tree on standard rootstock has influenced us to plant more of
the spur-type Delicious. Our experience with the Redspur Delicious is
rather limited as we have fruited them for only five years. However,
we now believe that they definitely have a place in our planting plans.

"In evaluating the spur-types, we must weigh them against the per-
formance of the standard tree-size strains. Some growers say that they
cannot live with the slow growth habit of the spur-types, nor can they
build a good tree because of the upright limb angles. Another problem
is the possibility of damage to the fruit from limb - or spur - rubs
during some years. Possibly, this will affect the Golden Delicious spur-
type trees more than the Red Delicious types.

"Because the spur type is less vigorous than the regular Delicious
sports it should be planted on the heavier (clay loams) soil types and
serious consideration should be given to irrigating them. These trees

need to be planted close, but there is a danger from crowding with too
many trees. Further mildew may be a problem during wet years where
poor air drainage exists in the thickly planted orchard. In orchards
where the spur-types are planted 100 to 200 trees per acre and the stan-
dard sized trees are set 50-75 trees per acre, the grower may need two
sets of equipment to do a good spray job. Despite all of these negative
aspects we believe that the use of the spur-type trees is economically
sound.

"This past season the limb-rub damage on apples from our spur-type
trees was very small. In grading we felt that they were commercially
quite profitable. Tlie yield and size were good, and there was less loss
due to lack of red color than in any of the other Delicious strains that
vv/e have in our orchards . The fruit from our Royal Red and Shotwell trees
were larger and brighter in color than those from the spur-type trees,
but the loss due to pooi^ coloring inside the tree was greater.

"The most widely planted and the oldest Delicious spurs that we have
is the Bisbee strain of Starking. We have some 20 strains of Red Deli-
cious fruiting and of these the Bisbee produces the typiest apple -
longer and narrower than any other. The authorities will tell you that
the lightness of the soil, height of elevation, and continous moisture
produces the longer fruit - I don't question this but I do know that we
get the best type fruit from the spur Delicious. The solid color of
this spur-type fruit is more of a dark purple than a cherry-red, the
skin is thicker and the fruit matures later than Starking. The spur-
type apples store well - coming out late in the season with good eating
quality.

"Topred, a sport of Shotwell, looks good to us. Its color is bright-
er than the Starking sports, although the tree characteristics are sim-
ilar.

"The Wellspur and Redspur sports of Starking have a slow growth
habit and the problem of upright limbs. In our experience they both
have a lower red color factor than either the Bisbee or Millerspur strains,

"Miller Sturdyspur is so new with us that we hesitate to make an
evaluation. Our small trees have wider crotches and are less vigorous
than the standard sports. The fruit color is a good cherry-red without
dullness. We are told that the fruit matures earlier than Bisbee and
is of good size. The only trees of this strain that I have observed are
in their third growing season.

"In summary; with the spur-type Delicious, we obtain a reduction
in tree size, early bearing is induced, good anchorage is obtained with
the standard rootstock and the stiff upright growth of the main limbs
practically eliminates propping. The quality and color of the fruit is
acceptable, if not quite all that might be desired."

- 5

Edwin Gould
West Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station
Kearneysvllle, W, Viginia

"Current trends in the apple industry emphasize the importance of
varieties. They are one of the basic essentials for success. The deci-
sion as to which varieties to plant is a very difficult one to make. It
is not so difficult, however, to know which varieties are most profitable
at any given time. The problem of special concern is in predicting fu-
ture demands. There has been a significant trend towards fewer and fewer
varieties in most commercial orchards throughout this country. This has
resulted primarily from the pressure of distributor demand. In West Vir-
ginia most new developments now consider only about three m.iin varieties;
Red and Golden Delicious and Yorks. Of these three varietii's only the
Red Delicious is consistently dependable for the fresh market.

"The Red Delicious is rapidly becoming the most popular variety of
apples grown in West Virginia. There has been a significant increase
in plantings of Delicious in all new developments considered for the
fresh market. There are a number of factors responsible for this sig-
nificant trend. It is by far the most popular variety grown in this
country today. It is a premium variety in most markets. The recent
discovery of many very promising new budsport strains of Delicious has
been another important factor. There is much concern that it may already
be overplanted. This may well be true but the continued heavy plantings
in all areas where it can be grown emphasizes the general belief that
there will never be an overproduction of good, well-colored Red Delicious
until there is an overproduction of apples for the fresh market. An
overproduction of Red Delicious, however, would tend to adjust itself
rather quickly because there is little demand for it by the processing
industry.

"The recent discovery and the development of a large series of very
impressive new budsport strains of Red Delicious indicates an even more
promising future for this already popular variety. The first important
series of budsport mutations of Red Delicious was discovered more than a
half -century ago. Several of these became established and have been an
important factor in developing the Delicious variety to its present pop-
ularity. The first of a new series of budsport strains was discovered
about twelve years ago. Since then a large number of very promising
strains have been discovered and brought under commercial development.
In the first series of mutations the main factor of concern was the time
and intensity of fruit color formation. In the latest series, however,
there are two dominant factors of consideration. In addition to the
fruit color formation there is a very interesting and highly important
semi-dwarf spur-type tree growth characteristic factor in many of the
new mutations. The combination of the two factors emphasizes the im-
portance of these new strains.

"We now have more than seventy of these new budsport strains of
Red Delicious under evaluation. Some of these have been under develop-
ment for several yeaz^s while still others are just being introduced.
Approximately one-third of the new selections are semi-dwarf spur-type

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strains. There are many reasons for the intensive effort to evaluate
the relative merits of these various new strains. Perhaps the most sig-
nificant factor is the increasing demand for more intensive fruit color.
For many years most of the fruit in this country was packed under a U. S.
No. 1 grade with a maximum color requirement of twenty-five per cent for
most varieties. The demand today is for one hundred per cent color.
Thus full color has become an important factor in market demand. The
second factor has been the recent trend towards dense plantings in com-
bination with tree size control. Thus, the reason for the special in-
terest in the new strains with both fruit color and dwarfing character-
istics. It is very significant that we should be favored with so many
promising new strains in our most popular variety. It is also interest-
ing that the mutations affect the two most important factors: fruit
color formation and tree growth characteristics.

"Extensive information is now available on many of the new budsport
strains of Red Delicious. It will be many years, however, before ade-
quate evaluations are available for general commercial use. In the mean-
time these new strains are being planted exclusively in all areas where
adequate good fruit color is a factor. Progressive management will rec-
ognize the importance of obtaining the latest available information be-
fore making additional new plantings. It is expected that current rat-
ings will change with additional information and as new selections are
evaluated and introduced.

"Current evaluations indicate that some of the more promising new
standard strains of Red Delicious include such selections as Topred,
Houser, Chelan Red, Red Prince and Ryan Red. From the standpoint of
earliness, intensity and quality of fruit color formation, these selec-
tions have been very impressive. In some areas the Harrold strain has
been very good. Under conditions where adequate good color Is not too
difficult to obtain selections such as Royal Red and Imperial have proven
to be very satisfactory. It should be emphasized, however, that from
the standpoint of earliness and intensity of fruit color formation, prac-
tically all of the new mutations are far superior to existing strains
such as Starking and Rlchared. There is concern that some of these new
strains may carry too intense a color factor and become too dark by time
of picking maturity. This may well be true in some areas. In many of
these new strains there undoubtedly will be some sacrifice in quality
for quantity of color. Current trends, however, would indicate prefer-
ance for a dark, fully colored apple over a green one. Seldom does too
much color result in reduced profits.

"The semi-dwarf spur-type strains are of special interest in new
developments. Most of the strains now under commercial development
have been evaluated quite extensively. Available information Indicates
very little difference between the various selections. Those which
have been well evaluated include Starkrimson, Sturdyspur, Redspur and
Wellspur. There may be a slight preference for these strains in the
order listed but under field conditions it is quite difficult to dif-
ferentiate between them. In general, the spur -types have not been quite
as impressive under Eastern conditions as have some of the standard
strains. Under adverse conditions they tend to color late with a dull

7 -

muddy under-color and may finish off somewhat darker. Under similar
conditions they tend to develop green flesh which may well persist to
time of overmaturity. As a result of excessive fruit spur development,
they tend to overset and become biennial. The upright growth character-
istic also favors excessive limb or spur rub during the first few crop
years. These comments are intended to emphasize some of the less favor-
able characteristics of the spur-type strains. They are not intended
to discourage planting them. They should certainly have a prominent
place in any sizeable planting of Red Delicious. The ideal would be a
strain with fruit characteristics of strains such as Topred or Houser
combined with the tree growth characteristics of the spur-type.

"Special consideration is being given to the relative maturity and
keeping qualities of the various new budsport strains of Red Delicious.
Information on this factor, however, leaves much to be desired. Most
of our experimental developments are just now reaching the stage where
significant specific data can be obtained. Limited data together with
extensive observations indicate rater definite trends. These indica-
tions, however, may v\?ell change with more significant data. Informa-
tion now available indicates that there is not very much difference in
time of relative maturity between the different strains. At this time
there would not seem to be more than four or five days difference in
time of maturity between strains. This degree of difference is no great-
er than that observed for the same strain grown under different condi-
tions and on different age trees. In general, all of the spur- type
strains appear to be about the same in time of maturity. They all ap-
pear to be late in maturing. There are indications that there is a
correlation between fruit color pattern and time of maturity. Strains
with a solid color pattern such as Houser, Chelan Red and Royal Red
appear to mature somewhat later than the striped color pattern strains
such as Topred, Red Prince, Red Queen and Red King. This would indicate
the desirability of selecting several strains for any sizeable planting
of Red Delicious."

(Editor's Notes: Although our experience with Red Delicious sports is
limited, most are too dark in color when grown in New Englan