Full text of "Fruit notes"

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UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
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FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Cooperative Extension Service

College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

EDITORS

W. J. LORD AND W. J. BRAMLAGE
JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1971

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Varieties of Apples for Massachusetts

Plum Varieties

Changes in Insecticide Recommendations for 1971

Glyodin Not Available to Fruit Growers for 1971 and
Phenyl Mercury Acetate is a Bit Shaky

Jold Injury to Peach Trees

Improve Young Orchards with Limb Spreaders

Pomological Paragraphs

Apple trees tolerant to terbacil
Pruning severity as related to scion/rootstock
combinations

Factors Influencing the Shape of Apples

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.

^°

VARIETIES OF APPLES FOR MASSACHUSETTS

Department

J.F. Anderson
of Plant and Soil Sciences

Variety

Recommended for

Harvesting Season

J ulyred

Q u i n t e

Puritan

Early Mcintosh

Tydeman's Early

Paul ared

Niagara

Mcintosh

Macoun

Spartan

Empi re

Cortl and

Delicious

Golden Delicious

Idared

Spencer

Mu tsu

Jerseyred

T = Trial

C = Commercial

Late July to early Aug.

Mid-August

Mid to late August

Late Aug. to early Sept

Early September

Mid-September

Late September

Early October

Early to mid-October

Mid-October

H = Home garden
Varieties so marked are not necessarily equally
adapted to all parts of the state.

&
T
T

T
C

&
T

&
T
T

Variety Notes
Julyred

This New Jersey introduction was harvested during the first
week of August at Horticultural Research Center. The fruits are
of medium size, medium red and have a bright, smooth finish. The
eating quality was very good for an apple of this season. The hand-
ling and keeping qualities are very good. Julyred appears to be
very promising.

Q u i n t e

This variety has yet to fruit in our orchard. The fruit of
this Canadian introduction ripens 7 to 10 days before Melba, has a
yellow skin overlaid with an attractive red blush and is equal to
Melba in quality. Under good growing conditions, an average of 80%
of the skin is red. Quinte will probably require thinning to get
good size and spot picking may be necessary.

Puritan

ATi" attractive, early red apple. Fruit of Mcintosh type, good
quality for its season, though somewhat tart. The tree is hardy,
and vigorous with a tendency toward biennial bearing, will pollinate
Mcintosh .

- 2

Early Mcintosh

Fruit fairly attractive, good quality, small if not thinned.
Tree of medium vigor, biennial and tends to have a poor structure,

Tydeman's Early (Tydeman's Red)

An English variety from a cross of Mcintosh and Worcester
Pearmain. This variety, ripening in late August, is similar to
Mcintosh in appearance, but is said to
The apples have a green undercolor and
red blush. The fruit has good quality
early fall trade. Tydeman's Early has
to Rome.

average larger in size,
are overlaid with a medium-
and looks promising for the
a habit of growth similar

Paul ared

A recent introduction ripening with Tydeman's. The fruits of
Paulared are of medium size, roundish-oblate shape and have a
bright smooth finish and good red color. Our limited experience
suggests that Paulared is worthy of trial.

Niagara

This introduction from New York ripens about 10 days before
Mcintosh. Niagara is similar to Mcintosh in shape and color, but
the fruit from our young trees have tended to be larger in size.
The finish has been less than satisfactory the past three seasons.
The fruit seems more susceptible to russeting and the dots or len-
ticels have tended to be larger and blurred. Reports on Niagara
from other sources have been more favorable and our poor response
may be due to local conditions. The quality of Niagara is very
good and it has been well received by those who have tried it here
at the University.

Mcintosh

Fruit is attractive and has excellent quality but bruises
easily. Tree is vigorous, hardy, annual and productive. Rogers
Mcintosh or an equally good red strain is preferred.

Macoun

Fruit is of excellent quality, attractive and a dark red color.
The tree has poor structure, is biennial and requires thinning to
maintain good fruit size.

Spartan

Fruit has good color and quality, but has a tendency to small
size. Tree is vigorous and of good structure, annual will pollinate
Mcintosh .

Empi re

A very promising introduction from the New York Agricultural
Experiment Station at Geneva. Empire, resulting from a Mcintosh
and Delicious cross, was introduced in 1966. The fruit ripens
about 2 weeks later than Mcintosh. This very attractive apple has
a solid red color, medium size and very good dessert quality. The
fruit hangs well on the tree. Empire is said to be annual, produc-
tive and a good keeper. We have had only two year's experience with
this variety but it appears to be most promising.

- 3

CortT and

Fruit is attractive, of good quality, and is excellent for
salads as the flesh does not discolor, very susceptible to storage
scald. Tree is hardy, productive and annual. An excellent pollin-
izer for Mcintosh.

Del i cious

Fruit of excellent quality, but susceptible to watercore and
internal breakdown. Tree is of medium vigor, often biennial and
may require thinning. A good pollinizer, Richared or an equally
good red strain is preferred. Spur-types are now available.

Golden Delicious

Fruit of excellent quality, yellow, attractive where well
grown. Fruit is subject to russeting. Tree is of medium vigor,
biennial and requires thinning to obtain satisfactory size, color
and quality. "Russet-free" and spur-type strains are now avail-
able for trial .

Idared

An attractive,
size. Suitable for
and annual .

bright red, winter apple of good quality and
both dessert and cooking. Tree is productive

Spencer

Fruit is attractive, bright red and has
Suitable for dessert and pie. Tree is hardy

very good qual i ty .
productive and annual

Mutsu

A Golden Delicious type that is less susceptible to fruit rus-
seting and storage shrivel. Tree is vigorous and productive. Mutsu
pollen is triploid and not viable. Fruit size may be too large and
susceptibility to Psuedomonas blight has been noted.

Jerseyred

A 1 ate Rome type apple from the New Jersey Agricultural Exper-
iment Station. Fruit is large, wel 1 -col ored, and of better qual-
ity than Rome. Jerseyred produces triploid pollen and is not suit-
able as a pol 1 i nator .

***************

PLUM VARIETIES

J . F . Anderson
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

An interest in plum varieties has been expressed by an increaS'
ing number of growers, especially those operating roadside stands.
The following comments are on some of the varieties that have frui-
ted at our Amherst and/or Bel chertown orchards. All of these var-

- 4 -

ieties ripen before the Mcintosh harvest begins. For a more com-
plete listing of the plum varieties recommended for Massachusetts,
you should refer to Special Circular 212-H, 1967.

Burmosa (Japanese)

The tree is small in size, medium in vigor and tends toward
biennial production. The fruit is yellow with a bright red blush,
becoming completely overlaid with red, attractive, medium to large
in size, freestone and good in flavor. Burmosa ripens in late July

Formosa (Japanese)

The tree is large, vigorous and moderately productive. The
fruit is large, attractive and the yellow color tends to become
completely overlaid with red as the fruit ripens. The flavor is
very good and the fruit holds very well in storage. Formosa is
picked inearlyAugust.

Shi ro (Japanese)

The tree is medium in size and vigor. Shiro tends to overset
and thinning may be necessary to maintain good fruit size and annu-
al production. The fruit has a very attractive, bright yellow
color, is of medium-small size and good flavor. Shiro ripens in
mi d-Augus t .

Santa Rosa (Japanese)

The tree is large and vigorous, but has been a poor producer
in the Amherst orchard. The trees at the Horticultural Research
Center have not yet fruited. The fruit is large, reddish-purple
and good in flavor. The fruit keeps and ships well. Santa Rosa
ripens in mid-August.

Yakima (European)

The tree is large, vigorous, upright and moderately produc-
tive. The fruits are large, prune-shaped, reddish-purple, free-
stone and of good quality. Yakima ripens in late August.

Howard Miracle (Japanese)

A large, attractive, high quality Japanese plum. The fruit
is golden yellow with a light red blush. The firm-fleshed, free-
stone was picked in late August. Production was very good this
year. The flavor of this variety is not typical of a plum and
might be objectionable to some.

Ozark Premier (Japanese)

A large, attractive plum with a medium-red overcolor and firm,
yellow flesh. The quality of the fruit is very good. The tree is
vigorous and appears to be productive. The fruit is ready in late
August.

Mohawk (European)

This variety, along with Oneida and Iroquois, was named by
the Geneva Experiment Station in 1966. Mohawk is an attractive
blue prune, ripening in late August. The size is medium to large
and the quality very good. Production has been moderate. Mohawk
is said to be self-unfruitful.

Iroquoi s (European)

An attractive blue prune that ripens in early September about
a week before Stanley. The fruit is of medium size, longer than
Stanley and of good quality. The tree is productive. There was
some splitting of the fruit when the trees first came into bearing
Iroquois is said to be self-fruitful.

Red Reine Claude (Reine Red) - European

A red bud sport of the Reine Claude
ing in early September. The fruits have
color, are of medium to small size. The
and of very high quality.

or Green Gage plum, ripen-
an attractive red over-
flesh is tender, juicy

New York 981 (European)

A 1 arge reddi sh-bl ue
ripens in early September
our Amherst orchard.

plum of yery high quality.
The tree has been a good

The fruit
producer in

***************

CHANGES IN INSECTICIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1971

Gary Jensen
Department of Entomology

Although Dieldrin and BHC (so-called "hard" pesticides) were
registered for usage on apples and pears in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts during 1970, they were purposely omitted from the
Massachusetts Spray Charts published by the University in coopera-
tion with the Cooperative Extension Service, County Extension Ser-
vices and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Lead arsenate, another persistent material, was also omitted
from the charts although its usage on apples and pears was perfectly
legitimate.

These steps were taken in an effort to curtail any possibili-
ties of contamination of the environment by persistent pesticides,
in advance of any regulations which may or may not restrict their
future usage on these commodities. Other less persistent chemicals
(and often less effective as well) have been inserted in place of
those just mentioned.

Growers are continuously encouraged to use proper methods of
application and disposal of pesticides to facilitate non-contamin-
ation of the environment with these materials.

An attempt to recommend narrow spectrum materials, and those
which are at least toxic to beneficial species, will be made in
future recommendations when feasible.

***************

- 6

GLYODIN NOT AVAILABLE TO FRUIT GROWERS FOR 1971

AND
PHENYL MERCURY ACETATE IS A BIT SHAKY

C.J. G i 1 g u t
Department of Plant Pathology

Glyodin is a good scab-control fungicide and it controls other
apple diseases too. The manufacturer has stopped making it because
there is not enough sold to make it pay. Our understanding is that
arrangements have been made with another manufacturer to produce
enough glyodin to make Glyodex - a combination of glyodin and do-
dine - for 1971

Although phenyl mercury acetate is still registered by the
USDA and the State Pesticide Board and is allowed for use on apples,
as this is being written, the situation may change because mercury
has had some bad publicity in the press during the past year or so.
For this reason, and because it is considered prudent not to pro-
vide instant ecologists and antipesticide crusaders ammunition with
which to continue attacks on pesticides, phenyl mercury acetate
for apple scab control will not be included in apple pest control
programs in Extension program in Massachusetts in 1971.

***************

COLD INJURY TO PEACH TREES

Wi 1 1 iam J . Braml age
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

(Editor's Note: This article was first published in the Janu-
ary-February, 1967 issue of Fruit Notes , based on a talk presented
in New Jersey by Dr. E.F. Savage . Recently, a paper was published
( Jour. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci . 95:286-292) presenting the data on
which Dr. Savage's talk was based. This research is quite intrigu-
ing and since no new data were presented, we are republishing this
article for your information.)

Growers in the Coastal Plain area of Georgia have always been
plagued by the very short life of their peach orchards the aver-
age life of trees there is only 8 years. Many years of investiga-
tions showed that nutrition, diseases, and nematodes all may play
a part in this problem, but the basic cause was not uncovered.
However, recent findings seem to have pin-pointed this basic cause:
it appears to be cold injury.

This injury usually occurs in early spring when the trees have
become physiologically active, not during the winter when the trees
are in their rest period. And it does not have to get very cold
to produce injury; in 1949, a low temperature of 26° F. killed
thousands of trees. The injury occurs primarily in the cambium
(dividing) and phloem (food-conducting) tissues, and appears as a
discoloration in the cambium extending from the ground level upward
to 2-3 inches above the crotch along the scaffold limbs. After a
few warm days, a characteristic "sour sap" odor resulting from the
fermentation of the injured tissues occurs.

Results of studies by Dr. Savage's group at Experiment,
Georgia, are rather startling. They have found that tree trunk
temperature is higher in winter than in summer. This happens because
the winter solar radiation penetrates directly into the bark, and
is absorbed by the dark-colored bark. Such large amounts of heat
are accumulated that trunk temperature may rise 40°F. or more above
ai r temperature . This situation does not occur in the summer be-
cause rn the trunk is shaded by leaves and (2) cool water is be-
ing drawn through the trunk, from the soil to the leaves.

1 n

Of course, these high trunk temperatures persist only during
daylight hours. At night, trunk temperatures fall to near air tem-
perature. Thus, if a bright, sunny day is followed by a cold night,
violent fluctuations of trunk temperature can occur. For example.
Savage described a sunny, 66°F. day followed by a 4°F. night in
1963--the tree trunks were exposed to about 100°F. temperature drop
in 10 hours. If the tissues are dormant, they may survive such a
shock, but if they are physiologically active, severe injury and
subsequent death of the tree can be expected.

An important factor in this situation is trunk size. The lar-
ger the trunk, the more heat will be absorbed and retained during
solar irradiation. Seldom does injury occur to 1 ess-than-4-year-
old trees, simply because they do not absorb as much heat and
therefore experience such violent temperature fluctuations. This also
is why most of the injury occurs in the trunk rather than in scaf-
f ol d branches .

Another important factor is wind. On a bright, sunny day, heat
will not accumulate in the trunk if a mild breeze is blowing, so
wind can be a protective influence. But at night, a wind will sig-
nificantly lower the temperature of the trunk on the windward side,
and therefore may be a damaging influence.

- 8

It should be clear, then , that cold injury is the result
of a combination of environmental and physiological factors. Work
is now under way in Georgia to find an economical way to protect
the trees from this injury. It has been found that wrapping trunks
with aluminum foil backed with fiberglass is effective protection
but it is not economical.

The type of injury that occurs in Georgia may be quite rare
or even unknown in New England. It certainly is not the problem
here that it is in Georgia. Nevertheless, the findings of Dr.
Savage's group should help us to understand why trees respond to
their environment in the way that they do.

Do these results obtained in Georgia have any application to
us in New England? They do indeed! Eggert reported from New Hamp-
shire some years ago ( Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci . 45:33-36) that
between December, 1943, and March, 1944, peach tree trunks reached
60°F. or higher on 18 different days, and reached 80° or higher on
5 different days. On most of these days, air temperature was at
or below 32°F. He found that trunks of apple trees, on the other
hand, underwent far less severe temperature fluctuations, and this
difference he attributed to differences in smoothness, thickness,
color, and texture of bark.

How much can be done practically to reduce cold injury to trees
is highly debatable. Nevertheless, the findings of Dr. Savage's
group should help us to understand why trees respond to their en-
vironment in the way that they do, and should help us to evaluate
problems that may develop.

***************

IMPROVE YOUNG ORCHARDS WITH LIMB SPREADERS

Duane W. Greene
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

The shape of an apple tree may be improved by favorably posi-
tioning limbs around the tree. At the 13th Annual Meeting of the
Dwarf Fruit Tree Association, Dr. Don Heintcke of the U.S.D.A,
Wenatchee, Washington, demonstrated a tree training system now used
extensively in the State of Washington. This system is based on
the use of a new commercially produced limb spreader. Briefly,
these spreaders are made of lengths of 1 x 1 inch wood ranging be-
tween 10 and 20 inches in length. A nail is inserted in each end
to securely keep the spreader in the tree.

Not only are crotch angles improved but branches can be posi-
tioned to distribute vigor and improve light penetration. The im-

- 9

portance of light penetration is stressed. Spur-type trees are
made to look like standards and spur development is hastened in
standard trees. It has been reported that spread trees have more
fruit buds, both initiated and set. This may be of particular
interest to growers who have a difficult time getting young 'Red
Delicious' trees to set fruit.

Limb spreading is not a particularly time-consuming process.
In a pruning demonstration in 2 and 3-year-old orchards. Dr.
Heinicke was able to both spread and prune a tree in 3 or 4 min-
utes. The potential benefits gained from limb spreading may make
a small investment of time well worth the effort.

***************

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPHS

Apple trees tolerant to terbacil : Tree fruits must have sufficient
tolerance to herbicides to withstand the chance of excessive appli-
cation. Furthermore, the soil types and conditions under which
herbicides are applied are extremely variable, making a degree of
tolerance essential. Recent work by A.R. Putnam and H.C. Price,
Michigan State University ( Jour. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci . , Volume 94,
No. 6, 1969) showed that 6-year-old apple trees of 3 varieties tol-
erated 3 aiccessive annual applications of terbacil at 4 times the
rate required for weed control. It would appear, therefore, that
the magnitude of tolerance is sufficient for safe use under a wide
variety of conditions in our Massachusetts apple orchards.

When using terbacil, however, it should be remembered that
this herbicide is labeled only for apple and peach orchards which
have been established 3 or more years.

Pruning severity as related to scion/rootstock combinations :
Richard Norton, Fruit Agent in Western New York State, recently
reported in the April, 1970, Supplement of the New York State Horti-
cultural Society Newsletter that he can prune apple trees of EM VII
more severely and keep them fruitful than those on MM 106. Further-
more, he found that Idared and Golden Delicious will continue to
bear when severely pruned, but 20 Ounce and Red Delicious may stop
f rui ti ng .

***************

- 10 -

/ JO

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SHAPE OF APPLES

Wil 1 iam J . Lord ,

Department of Plant and Soil Sciences "^

Shape of apples is an important contribution to attractive-
ness. It is known to be influenced by several factors, one of
which is distribution of seeds in the fruits. As most growers
know, apples with small numbers of seeds are frequently lop-sided
with the less fleshy side being the one lacking seeds. Climate
also can affect shape. In Massachusetts, J.K. Shaw in 1914 (A
study of variation in apples. Massachusetts Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui .
149 ). reported on 'rel ationship between shape of Ben Davis and
Baldwin apples and the temperature following bloom; the cooler
the temperature, the more elongated the apple. He concluded that
during the post-bloom period, temperature variations between the
6th and 16th day after full bloom fitted the observed variations
in shape more closely than during any other period.

In 1963, M.N. Westwood and L.T. Blaney in Oregon (Non-clim-
atic factors affecting the shape of apple fruits. Nature 200:802-
803 . )v reported effects of several non-climatic factors on shape
of apples. In a study with Red Delicious, rootstocks were found
to have a significant effect^with fruit on seedling roots, EM I,
or EM XVI being more elongated than those from trees on EM VI,
EM VII or EM IX. With Golden Delicious, both crop load and fruit
location in the cluster affected the shape of fruits. Those from
trees with a light crop (whether the result of heavy thinning or a
light bloom) were longer than fruits from trees with a heavy crop.
The "l^ing" fruits were longer than side-bloom fruits.

A possible genetic effect on fruit shape also was studied by
Westwood and Blaney using three strains of Red Delicious. They
found that fruit shape differed significantly with strain, common
Delicious fruits being flatter than Starking and Starkrimson fruits

Recently, M.l^. Williams and E.A. Stahly in Washington (Effect
of cytokinins and gibberellins on shape of 'Delicious' apple
fruitSy, Jour. Amer . Soc. Hort. Sci . 94 (No. 1):17-19), suggested .
o f ^■^ that the influence of temperature, crop size, and, location in the
blossom cluster on fruit shape are possibly related to their ef-
fects on growth regulators in the developing fruits. They showed
that an application after full bloom of two kinds of growth regu-
lators, cytokinins and gibberellins, alone and in combination in-
creased fruit length. Cy toki ni n-treated fruits were longer than
normal with prominent, wel 1 -devel oped calyx lobes, whereas those
treated with gibberellin were merely longer.*"'

********* i

***************

M^Mjt^>^ ti _ .:r r....hyj^

•2-7X.

Cooperative Extension Service
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts
A. A. Spielman
Director
Cooperative Agricultural Extension Work
Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914

Official Business

Postage and Fees Paid
United States Department of Agriculture

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Cooperative Extension Service

College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

EDITORS

W. J. LORD AND W. J. BRAMLAGE

MARCH- APRIL 1971

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Use Caution in Storing Nursery Stock

Pomological Paragraph

Names and Addresses Wanted

Mineral Nutrition of Apple Tree Influenced by Herbicide

East Mailing 26 Rootstock

Research from Other Areas

Green Apple Aphid - Its Life History and Control

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.

USE CAUTION IN STORING NURSERY STOCK

Wn 1 iam J , Braml age
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Fruit growers sometimes receive trees too early for planting
in the field. This is especially true if the trees have been or-
dered from southern nurseries. In order to prolong dormancy of
the trees, it is convenient (and sometimes recommended) to place
the trees in cold storage rooms where apples have been stored, or
perhaps still are being stored.

There is danger in this practice. One of the gases produced
by fruit during storage is ethylene, a very potent plant growth
regulator. One of the effects of ethylene is the breaking of dor-
mancy in many kinds of plant materials. It is possible that re-
sidual ethylene in the storage atmosphere might break dormancy of
the nursery stock and cause injury to the trees.

A recent article from England reminded us of the reality of
this danger. Howard and Banwell ( Commercial Grower , 14 Nov, 1969),
from the East Mailing Experiment Station, reported losses of apple
and pear trees that had been temporarily stored in empty or nearly
empty apple storages. When the trees were removed from storage
they showed growths of soft, white callus tissue around buds and
at the bases and tips of lateral shoots, as well as callus-filled
cracks in the stem especially near the tip. When the trees were
planted they either died or else parts of them failed to grow, de-
pending on the extent of injury. Pear trees were especially sen-
sitive to this injury. Subsequent tests proved that the injury
was indeed due to ethylene in the atmosphere.

Loss of nursery stock that was held temporarily in fruit stor-
ages has been observed before. In 1950, peach trees planted in
the college orchard in Amherst failed to grow after temporary stor-
age in a fruit room. Ethylene was suspected as the cause, and in
1952, a report from Geneva, New York supported this suspicion.

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roc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci

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i njury

el d in col d storage . The

lar to that just reported from Eng-

were filled with soft, white callus
ut the injured tissue shrunk and
that ethylene caused this injury,

twigs upon removal from storage,
ized the potential danger to trees
little as 1 ppm of ethylene caused
rage was an important factor in this

no breaks developed in the bark
F. and subsequent twig growth was
ks developed during the first week
ppm of ethylene in the atmosphere.

At 55° F., the rate of injury was much greater still. Other kinds
of nursery stock (apples, plums, and cherries) were compared with
pear trees for susceptibility to injury, and none was as suscept-
ible as pears. However, most showed some injury from the ethylene
storage.

We do not know how widespread is the practice of temporarily
placing trees in fruit storages, but we suspect that it is done
fairly commonly, especially in years when the soil warms slowly.
We also suspect that injury has occurred without storage being
recognized as the cause. Fruit growers should become aware of this
danger and use caution when storing trees.

Trees shoul
really necessary
tions should be

3
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Do not
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d not be put into fruit storages unless storage is

If it is necessary, then the following precau-
taken .

put the trees in a room still containing fruit,
using an empty storage room, allow it to air out

any accumulation of ethylene can be dissipated,
tie as 1 ppm can cause damage.)

n a low temperature (near 32°F.) in the storage to
e the danger of injury,
allow the trees to remain in the storage any longer

necessary .

the trees at the time they are removed from stor-
ook for white, feathery growth protruding around
t the base or tip of laterals, or around cuts; or
cks in the stem (especially near the tip) that may
ed with soft, pasty growth. If these symptoms are
d, injury has occurred and poor growth and tree
ty can be expected.

hold pear trees in a fruit storage unless it is
ely essential, for pear trees are extremely sensi-

ethylene injury.

***************

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Name and Addresses Wanted : County Extension Offices, the Massachu
setts Department of Agriculture and the Extension Pomologist at
the University of Massachusetts receive frequent inquiries from
the public concerning names and addresses of growers that special
ize in "Gift Packages" and/or "Pi ck-Your-Own" method
fruits. If you sell gift packages or let the public
fruit, send us a note so that a list can be prepared
future inquiries.

of harvesting
pick their own
to help answer

***************

MINERAL NUTRITION OF APPLE TREE INFLUENCED BY HERBICIDE

Mack Drake, John H. Baker, W.J. Lord and J.F. Anderson
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

A block of 20-year-old Delicious apple trees is being used in
a study of the effects of levels of nitrogen and potassium on fruit
yield, color, and storage quality. These trees are surrounded by
a vigorous sod cover consisting of orchardgrass, Kentucky bluegrass,

Ladino and White clover. In 1967, the leaf
20, and 2.27%, and in 1968, 2.23, 2.29, and
for low, medium, and high nitrogen treatments

timothy, witchgrass,
ni trogen was 2.16, 2
2.40%, respectively,
(Table 1).

During the winter of 1967-68, dichlobenil (Casoron) was broad-
cast under the trees and extending a little beyond the drip line at
the recommended rate (100-150 lbs/A 4% granular). During the sum-
mer, all grasses and clovers appeared to make their usual vigorous
growth. The dichlobenil application was repeated during the winter
1968-69. A growth of grasses and clovers in the treated areas was
retarded during the summer of 1969 and some plants were killed.
There were no visual signs of leaf injury on the trees. During the
winter 1969-70, the dichlobenil application was repeated (the third
annual appl i cation ) .

By mid-May 1970, both grasses and clovers were severely in-
jured or were killed except in the areas beyond the tree line where
dichlobenil had not been applied. Foliage was a deeper green and
growth was unusually vigorous even on the low nitrogen trees by mid-
July 1970. In late July, many of the leaves on terminal growth
showed marginal yellowing ("halo") which is the distinguishing symp-
tom of dichlobenil injury. Growth continued to be vigorous with
dense shoot growth ranging from 15 to 20 inches.

Discussion:

It appears that in this orchard the dichlobenil application
was ineffective in the first year and only partially effective in
the second. However, the third application in 1970 produced the
undesirable effect of apple leaf injury in addition to killing the
grass-clover sod. This injury to apple leaves and killing of the
sod may be the result of the accumulative effects of dichlobenil
applied 3 consecutive years

E
sod ar
the ap
duced
di sapp
1 n g of
greate
kill in
m" t r g
e s p e c i
2.40'X
2.42 t
shoots
the n i
b i 1 i ty

ffect
e i nd
plica
a spr
eared

gras
r tha
g not
en , b
ally
N. I
2.5

and
troge

i s u

s of d
i cated
t i n
e a d in

in 19
ses an
n vi su

only
ut dea
as ref
n 1970
7% N,
in sho
n meta
nder s

i c h 1 b e
by 1 ea
f diffe
1 eaf n
69. We
d dove
al appe
reduced
th of p
1 ected
, all t
and pro
ot 1 eng
b 1 ism
tudy ,

nil
f ni
rent
i tro

be!
rs i
aran

gra
1 ant
at t
rees
duce
th.
of t

stuntt
trogen

rates
gen th
ieve t
n the
c e i n d
ss-clo
s i n c r
he 1 ow

i ncre
d a 1 a

Wheth
hese t

ng or
val u
of f
at CO
he am
early
i cate
ver c
eased
es t n
ased
rge i
er or
rees

killi
es in
erti 1 i
nti nue
ount

summe
d. Th
ompeti

the a
i troge
1 eaf n
ncreas

no t d
is not

ng th
Table
zer n
din
f stu
r of
is 19
tion
V a i 1 a
n tre
i trog
e i n
i chl
know

e grass-

1 . By
i trogen
1968, bu
n t i n g an
1969 was
69 stunt
for aval
bl e ni tr
atment,
en from
both num
b e n i 1 in
n . This

clover
1967,
had pro-
t had
d kill-

much
i n g and
lable
ogen ,
2.23 to
about
bers of
f 1 uenced

p s s i -

TABLE 1

LEAF NITROGEN

1964

1965

1967

1968

1969

1970

Low Ni trogen 1 .88
Medium Nitrogen 2.05
High Nitrogen 2.04

1 .80

2.16

2.23

2.40

2.57

1 .80

2.20

2.29

2.44

2.59

2.19

2.27

2.40

2.42

2.55

Prior to application of treatments.
Conclusions :

1. Continued annual applications of dichlobenil or similar
herbicides may injure the tree.

2. Use of herbicides that stunt the grass-clover sod will
reduce grass-sod mineral nutrient competition with the apple tree
roots .

3. Use of herbicides that kill the grass-clover sod will
result in a release of mineral nutrients in the year sod is killed.

4. Unless the sod is re-established, loss of mineral nutrients
by leaching will require careful re-evaluation of the mineral fer-
tilizer program and will probably require an increase in fertilizer
appl ication .

***************

- 5

EAST MAILING 26 ROOTSTOCK

A rootstock in which fruit growers now are showing interest
is East Mailing 26. Since we have had no experience with this
stock at our Horticultural Research Center in Belchertown, Massa-
chusetts, the information from Michigan State presented below should
be of interest. The information was prepared by Dr. R.F. Carlson,
Michigan State University, and appeared in Compact Fruit Tree ,
Volume 3, No. 13, October, 1970.

EAST MALLING 26 -- PROGRESS AND PERFORMANCE

East Mailing 26 (EM 26) is a new rootstock as far as commer-
cial production in North America is concerned, \lery little yield
data are available on the performance in relation to other root-
stocks. The size control capabilities of this rootstock is well
known. However, the compatibility with various commercial varie-

ties and
tested .

strains of varieties has not been completely studied and

Progress made - A great number of trees have been propagated and
planted in both experimental and in commercial orchards using EM 26
Most of these trees are rather young and not many are in production
at this time. It will take several years before actual oroduc-
tion records will be available at research stations and in commer-
c a i 1 trials.

Performance - To date, no serious faults have shown up with this
rootstock and it is anticipated that it will be a rootstock which
will fill an important place in controlling tree size in commercial
This rootstock is an improvement over East Mailing IX
has somewhat better anchorage, it is slightly more vig-
it is precocious. EM 26 has an advantage in being more
with 'Red Delicious' and spur types of this variety

However, not all of the 'Red Delicious' strains and
have been tested in experimental or commercial plantings
that there will be a difference in response from

orchards .

in that it

orous, and

compati bl e

than EM IX

spur types

It is suspected

the different combinations of the 'Red Delicious' gamut.

Improvement - EM 26 is better than EM IX with 'Red Delicious', mainly
because it grows better and does not show the severe measle condi-
tion often found with 'Red Delicious' on EM IX. Due to its added
vigor, EM 26 will be an improvement over EM IX expecially for some
varieties which do not perform as well on other rootstocks. Both
EM IX and EM 26 will be useful in certain sci on/roots tock combina-
tions and in different tree spacing systems.

Characteri s ti cs - EM IX is not completely strong as far as root sys-
tem is concerned, because it has brittle wood structure. EM 26 has
similar characteristics of being brittle in wood structure and can
break more easily than some of the more vigorous rootstocks. Con-
sequently, some trees on EM 26 will need support in the form of
staking or trellising. In other words, many of the trees of certain

varieties on EM 26 will be free standing and will perhaps not need
any support during the life-time of the tree. However, under cer-
tain conditions, some trees will lean or even topple over, depend-
ing on the variety, the orchard site and the soil type. The root-
stock portion of EM 26 trees overgrow the scion similar to that of
EM IX.

Combi nations - As previously mentioned, all varieties have not been
tested on this rootstock. Under certain conditions, 'Golden Deli-
cious'/EM 26, for example, will make very small trees with this
rootstock but this could be an advantage especially in high density
plantings. In our test plantings, 'Red Delicious', 'Mcintosh' and
'Jonathan' are doing well. However, as with other rootstocks there
are certain varietal responses that show up in the rootstock and
vice versa.

Site, Soil - The orchard site and the soil, being variable, will
influence rootstock performance. To date, no detrimental effects
from soil responses have been observed with EM 26. A heavy soil
will cause more trees to lean. Recommendations are, of course, to
plant only on well drained soils.

Important place - EM 26 will fill an important vaccum in the apple
rootstock series, especially in high density plantings. Most trees
of most varieties on this rootstock can be spaced \/ery close to-
gether. An average of 450 trees per acre could be established with-
out any serious crowding of trees at maturity with such varieties
as 'Red Delicious', 'Golden Delicious' and 'Jonathan'. This would
mean a tree spacing in the vicinity of 6 x 16, or 8 x 12 feet de-
pending on many factors--management being prime.

Suggestion - Since all possibilities are not known about this root-
stock, it is suggested that plantings be limited and that other
rootstocks such as MM 106 or EM VII also be used. Tree size is
manipulated by rootstock from small to large trees as follows: EM
IX, EM 26, EM VII, MM 106 and MM 111. The first two require a good
uniform moisture retaining soil and the latter four are adaptable
to a wider variation of soil types. None will withstand a poorly
drained soil. As the vigor of the variety and the rootstock in-
creases, the spacing between trees should increase.

Selective - In selecting scion/root combinations, choose the com-

that will suit the particular situation of the anticipated
and production scheme. All trees should be budded on
above ground. This will provide better
orchard. Know the vigor potential of the
that you select for your particular spac-
plantings require more rootstock size

b i n a t i n

management

the stock 12 to 16 inches

anchorage of trees in the

variety and the rootstock

ing system. High density

control than do low density orchards

***************

7 -

RESEARCH FROM OTHER AREAS

Wi 1 1 iam J . Lord
Department of Plant and Soil

Sciences

Influence of Nutrition and Management on Peach Quality : The influ-
ence of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K) , magnesi urn
(Mg), lime, pruning, irrigation and tillage upon peach quality were
studied by John Reeves and George Cummings, North Carolina State
University, Raleigh, and reported in Volume 95 (No. 3), of the
Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science . The in-
formation obtained should be of interest to peach growers in Mass-
achusetts .

Fruit firmness : Several of the treatments resulted in significant
changes in flesh firmness. N at the rate of 0.66 lb. /tree in com-
parison to 0.33 lb. /tree decreased firmness of non-irrigated Red-
haven peaches . Fruits from trees receiving 0.66 or 1.32 lb. did
not differ appreciably, however, while irrigation virtually elim-
inated the influence of higher rates of N on firmness.

Medium and high rates of K (0.66 lb. or 1.32 lbs. /tree in com-
parison to 0.20 lb.) increased flesh fii-mness of Elberta peaches
whereas 0.24 lb. or 0.48 lb. Mg/tree in comparison to 0.03 lb. Mg
decreased firmness.

2
In the tillage experiment with the Loring variety the treat-
ments consisted of (a) soil plowed to normal depth; (b) soil plowed
to a depth of 23 inches; (c) normal plowing with 28-inch holes
bored to a depth of 4 feet at the planting site; (d) lime (0, 2000
or 4000 lb. of dol omi ti c/acre) ; and (e) P (0, 141, or 282 lbs. /acre)
With the exception of P, none of the treatments influenced firmness.
The high increment of P increased flesh firmness.

Shel f-1 i f e : The data indicated that those treatments that increased
f i rmness also increased shelf-life. N decreased the shelf-life of
non-irrigated Redhaven peaches, but had no effect on those from
irrigated trees. Shelf-life of Elberta peaches was increased by K
and decreased by Mg .

Fruit color : Severity of pruning (light, medium, or severe) ap-
peared to have greater effect on red color than did N with the
poorest color on the severely pruned trees. Irrigation also tended
to decrease fruit color. The authors postulated that high N, heavy
pruning or irrigation could increase the amount of foliage on the
trees, and that probably red color development was negatively as-
sociated with the amount of shading. Increased red color develop-
ment was associated with the medium or high rates of K while medium
or high Mg rates decreased red color.

The experiment was established in 1953. Data on quality obtained
,in 1966.
'The experiment was established in 1962. Data on quality obtained

in 1966.

- 8 -

The authors concluded
on firmness and shelf-life
of yields and fruit size,
indicated that the highest
from the medium K (0.66 lb
proper balance of K and Mg

high yields but also for good quality

that the unfavorable influence of Mg
must be considered against the increase
Yield data (presented in another paper)
ields over a number of years resulted
high Mg (0.24 lb.) treatment. A
apparently is essential not only for

yie'

***************

GREEN APPLE APHID - ITS LIFE HISTORY AND CONTROL

Gary L. Jensen
Department of Entomology

Green apple aphids are found more often than any other aphid
on apple foliage. Apple cultivars most seriously infested are
Baldwin, Red and Golden Delicious, Cortland, Gravenstein, and Green-
ing, but Mcintosh also often serves as an important host of migrat-
ing aphids. Additional hosts of the apple aphid include pear, haw-
thorn, crabapple, quince, and possibly other members of the rose
fami ly .

Green apple aphids may infest terminals and water sprouts of
fruit trees throughout the growing season. Since winged migratory
forms of this insect appear in every generation, rei nf estation and
buildup to damaging numbers can occur yery rapidly under favorable
conditions. Relatively cool weather with an abundance of rainfall,
such as occurred in the summer of 1970, favors succulent tree growth
and thus provides favorable conditions for heavy infestation of
green apple aphids.

Injuries to apple trees by these aphids may appear as follows.
(l)Terminal leaves are stunted and distorted, and terminal growth
may be crooked and shortened. (2)Fruit and leaves may become black
and smutted due to the growth of sooty mold on the honeydew secre-
ted by the aphids. (3)With severe infestations, aphids may feed on
the fruit causing gnarling and dimpling of the fruit.

Several natural enemies of aphids, including small parasitic
wasps, the larvae of syrphid flies and lace wing flies, and both
larvae and adults of lady beetles prey upon them and thus can gov-
ern buildup of aphids. However, most modern-day insecticides used
in apple orchards severely restrict these natural predators and
therefore make chemical control of measures necessary. These meas-
ures may be a part of the regular summer schedule, but regardless
of the spray program followed earlier in the season, growers need
to watch for aphid buildup in early- and mid-summer. An understand-
ing of the life-cycle and possible control measures should help in
combatting the green apple aphid.

- 9 -

Life History

Wingless, egg-laying females and wingless males are produced
during late September and October. After mating, overwintering
eggs are deposited by the females. The shiny, oval, black eggs are
indistinguishable from those of the rosy and grain aphids. They
are most abundant on water sprouts and the vigorous growth termin-
als of both old and young trees. Soon after the fruit buds start
to show green in the spring, the eggs begin to hatch, which is ear-
lier than for the rosy aphid but later than for the grain aphid.
Hatching is complete in 7-10 days and the young nymphs begin to
suck sap from the new growth of leaves, stems and flower parts.
The first generation nymphs develop into stem mothers in 2 to 3
weeks, about pink or slightly earlier. The stem mothers are a uni-
form pale green easily distinguished from the darker banded yellow-
ish-green grain aphids and the rosy aphids.

Shortly before bloom the stem mothers, without mating, begin
to produce living young. Walking about and eating simultaneously
while giving birth to their young, they are small prolific aphid
factories. Production of living young continues for a month or
longer at the rate of 1 to 3 (maximum 10) nymphs per day. The
majority of these second generation nymphs develop wings and mi-
grate to other parts of the tree or new trees and there again pro-
duce living young--the beginnings of new colonies.

About half of the next generation and some of the later gener-
ations may develop wings, and these forms give birth to living
young, all of which are females. The wingless forms
on the tree continue to produce living female nymphs
increase the number of aphids on the original colony
are produced only in the fall.

which remain
which greatly
si te . Males

In a single season, 10 to 17 generations may develop depending
on weather conditions. All generations may occur on apple trees,
whereas the apple grain aphid and rosy aphids spend much of their
time away from apples on alternate hosts.

Control

Spri ng

Insurance programs carried out in the early part of the grow-
ing season will prevent aphid buildup until late June or early July
The severity of rei nfes ta ti on will then depend upon the nearness
and abundance of untreated host plants in the vicinity, weather
conditions, varieties, the presence of succulent water sprouts,
natural enemies on nearby host plants and in the orchard, and the
spray program. Early spring control of all aphids is strongly rec-
ommended .

For best aphid control, use Guthion*or ethion with oil or a
formulated ethion-oil mixture at hgif.inch green, or Guthion* or
demeton up to pink.

Summer

The summer buildup of apple aphids may become evident in June
and may continue through July during favorable seasons.

Water sprouts which are difficult to spray well are suscept-
ible to early and continuous, heavy infestations. Terminal foliage
may be continously infested and reinfested inasmuch as the new fol-
iage may be unprotected by sprays much of the time, especially that
which has emerged since the latest application.

For control in the summer, include one of the following mater-
ials in a regular appl i cati on-- two or more treatments may be necess-
ary: ( 1 ) Endosul f an (Thiodan*); ( 2 ) Phosphamidon (which will also
control codling moth and give some suppression of mites); (3)Demeton
(before leaves harden); (4)Diazinon; ( 5) Dimethoate ; (6)Phosolone
(Zolone*) (which showed good promise last year on apple aphids and
also controls codling moth, curculio, apple maggots and suppresses
red mites when used in a seasonal program).

Summer control measures should be undertaken prior to exten-
sive curling of the leaves. Applications should be repeated soon
enough to prevent buildup after rei nf estation . Try to choose mater-
ials which give the advantage of added effectiveness against other
pests .

*Trade name

***************

All pesticides listed in this publication are registered and cleared
for suggested uses according to Federal registrations and State
laws and regulations in effect on the date of this publication.

When trade names are used for identification, no product endorsement
is implied, nor is discrimination intended against similar materials

NOTICE . THE USER OF THIS INFORMATION ASSUMES ALL RISKS FOR PERSONAL
INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

WARNING ! PESTICIDES ARE POISONOUS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS
AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON LABELS. HANDLE CAREFULLY AND STORE IN
ORIGINAL LABELED CONTAINERS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN, PETS AND LIVE-
STOCK. DISPOSE OF EMPTY CONTAINERS RIGHT AWAY, IN A SAFE MANNER AND
PLACE. DO NOT CONTAMINATE FORAGE, STREAMS AND PONDS.

Cooperative Extension Service

University of Massachusetts

Amherst, Massachusetts

A. A. Spielman

Director

Cooperative Agricultural Extension Work

Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914

Official Business

Postage and Fees Paid
United States Department of Agriculture

'22JS7/

MR. RADIE H. BUNN FN

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, RM . 211
STOCKBRIDGE HALL

01002

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Cooperative Extension Service

College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

EDITORS

W. J. LORD AND W. J. BRAMLAGE

MAY-JUNE, 1971

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Plant Young Apple Trees Right so They Will Live and Grow

Some Thoughts on Weed Control in Strawberries

Publication Available

1970 Experiences with Av-Alarm Bird-Scaring Device

Weed Control Experiment Initiated at Maine Agricultural
Experiment Station, Highmoor Farm, 1970

Herbicides and Winter Injury

PLANT YOUNG APPLE TREES RIGHT SO THEY WILL LIVE AND GROW

C.J
Professor of

Gilgut
Plant Pathology

There is more to planting young apple trees than just getting
the roots into the ground. They need understanding and tender
love and care at planting time and afterward. The following two
cases i 1 1 ustrate why .

Case No . 1 - One year whips on MM-
on sloping land near the top of a hill
and others were dying on June 8.

106 rootstock were planted
in April. Many were dead

When the plants were dug up, all the bark on the underground
part of the stem, beginning at the soil line, was dead, foul-smell-
ing, slimy and sloughed off to the touch. The wood beneath was
discolored, black and watersoaked. All the roots were black and
dead .

The trees were planted in straight-sided holes, made with a
tractor-driven post-hole auger in heavy, hard, compacted clay soil.
The soil out of the hole was used to fill in around the roots and
stem and was hard, lumpy, and wet. The trees were planted deep -
at least 8 inches of stem below the soil surface - in an effort to
compensate for the poorer root system of dwarf trees. There was a
deep depression around the base of the plant that caused water to
run into the straight-sided hole and the water stayed in the poorly
drained soil to create a waterlogged condition which kept out air
which the roots and stem need.

(1) if
soil i
chance

of
an
la

(2)
and
out
ter
and
trees
or 1 OS
the tr
son , b
1 ocati
around
feel s

he trees would have had a better chance of living and growing

the planting hole had been dug wider and the compacted heavy
n the bottom had been broken up so excess water would have a

to drain out and not be trapped around the roots and stem.

loamy field soil had been brought in to fill around the roots
em instead of the hard, lumpy waterlogging clay soil that came

the hole. The loamy field soil is more likely to drain bet-
d less likely to waterlog. Admittedly, it takes some time
bor to bring it in but no more than it does to dig out dead
and replant. Besides, one does not have the cost of new trees
s of a growing season. (3) a deep well around the base of
ee may be alright in a sandy, well-drained soil in a dry sea-
ut it is not alright in a poorly drained soil, or in a swampy
on, especially in a wet season. It is better to have the soil

the base of the tree level or even slightly mounded. If one
there should be a well, it should be reasonably shallow.

The roots and stem which is under the ground is as much
ing part of the tree as that which is above ground. And, as

a 1 i V -
all

- 2

living things, they require air. The roots are not able to stand
too much drying. They need a moist environment and also need some
available water in the soil to take up and transport to the upper
part of the plant. The stem has its own bark to keep it from dry-
ing out and does not need water next to it.

Case No. 2

in good well-
to accomodate
dead .

One year whips on MM-106 rootstock were planted
drained loamy soil about May 1st in holes large enough
the root system. By mid-July over 360 trees were

When the trees were dug up and examined, it was found that on
many, the bark on the stem below ground was dead from the soil line
down to the end of the stem. On many, even the roots were dead,
but on others the roots, except for the 1/2 to 1 in. next tn thp
stem, were alive and healthy . Still other trees had one or more
dead patches of bark below ground girdling the stem but the stem
and roots below the girdle were alive and healthy.

What happened was this. The grower, in an effort to "push"
the trees to get maximum growth the first season sent his hired
"help" out two weeks after planting, with instructions to apply
2 handfuls (about 1/2 lb.) of ammonium nitrate to each tree. The
help were instructed to scatter it around each tree. Some of the
"help" threw the fertilizer at the base of the trees and some of
the fertilizer landed against the stem or close enough to it so
that rains washed it into the soil against the stem. Two weeks
later, one more handful of ammonium nitrate was thrown around each
tree .

Two handfuls (1/2 lb.) of fertilizer applied within one foot
of the stem is 7260 lbs/A. One handful is 3640 lbs/A. The total
is 10,900 lbs., or over 5 tons per acre . No wonder the trees died!

The United States Department of Agriculture fertilizer recom-
mendation for newly planted trees is 1/4 to 1/2 lb. per tree but
scattered in an ama within 3 feet of the trunk. Over that much area
the application is 807 to 1613 lbs/A, which is quite different from
10,900 lbs/A.

Growers can avoid killing trees with fertilizer if they do not
use too much and apply it right. If the trees are to be fertilized
after planting, do not apply it closer than one foot to the stem -
the stem does not need it and cannot use it and may be damaged.
Scatter it over the area where the edge of the planting hole is.
As the new roots grow near the edge of the planting hole and into
the soil surrounding the planting hole, the fertilizer will wash
down to the roots over a period of time in amounts that will not
harm the roots .

***************

- 3 -

SOME THOUGHTS ON WEED CONTROL IN STRAWBERRIES

Dominic A. Marini
Regional Fruit & Vegetable Spec, Southeast Region

For 1971, the materials suggested for controlling weeds in
strawberry beds are Dacthal*, diphenamid, and Tenoran*. None of
these materials controls every weed and none is effective for more
than 5 to 6 weeks. These materials are most effective when applied
to moist soil followed by about one-half inch of moisture within
3 to 4 days. Dacthal* and diphenamid should be applied before emer-
gence of weeds, while Tenoran* may be applied either before or soon
after emergence, when weeds are less than one-inch tall.

Dacthal* may be applied immediately after setting plants. It
is effective for up to one month and there is no limit on the num-
ber of successive applications except that it may not be applied
between bloom and harvest of the fruiting year. It is most effec-
tive for control of crabgrass and other annual grasses, purslane,
chickweed and lamb's quarters. Galinsoga, smartweed and ragweed
are not effectively controlled by Dacthal*. A late summer or early
fall application of Dacthal* is helpful for controlling chickweed.

Diphenamid controls weeds for up to 6 weeks. In
it was as effective as any other material. It should
until plants have become established and have started
second application should not be made within 6 months
not be applied within 60 days of harvest,
ported that it may cause a temporary delay

1970 trials,
not be appl i ed
to grow. A
and it should
Some persons have re-
in rooting of runners,

but this should not affect yields. However, it should not be used
on Raritan since there are reports of severe injury to this culti-
var in New Jersey.

ti ve
pi i c
on e
seas
trea
i nch
tall
ing
cati
pi ic
sine
Jers

For

as
atio
stab
on a
tmen

or
. I
gal i
on a
atio
e th
ey.

seve
a pre
ns se
1 i s h e
nd no
t, Te
1 ess
t is
nsoga
ids i
ns in
ere a

ral y
-emer
emed
d pi a
t wi t
noran
tall
ef f ec
, whi
n con

the
re re

ears
gence
to do
nts w
hi n 6
* is
and a
ti ve
1 e it
trol 1
s p r i n
ports

1 n ou

trea

a be

i th n

day

most

nnual

for c

is 1

i ng c

g of

of s

r trial
tment ,
1 1 e r jo
ot more
s of ha
ef f ecti
grasse
ontrol 1
ess eff
hickwee
the bea
e V e r e i

s , Tenora
but in 19
b . Tenor
than two
rvest. A
ve when b
s are les
ing most
e c t i V e on
d and oth
ring year
njury and

n* ap
70, p
an* s

appl
sap
roadl
s tha
broad

gras
er wi

are

redu

peared
ost-eme
houl d b
i c a t i n
ost-eme
eaf wee
n one-h
1 eaf we
ses . A
nter an
not sug
c e d y i e

more effec-
rgence ap-
e used only
s in any
rgence
ds are one
a 1 f inch
eds i ncl ud-
f a 1 1 a p p 1 i ■
nual s . Ap-
gested ,
Ids in New

There are a number of different ways that growers can use
these herbicides in minimize the amount of cultivation and hoeing

*Trade name

- 4

needed to grow a strawberry bed. Bear in mind, however, that a
certain amount of cultivation is necessary to keep the soil loose
and open for rooting of runners.

1. Use Dacthal* at planting, then cultivate and treat again
as necessary through the season.

2. Use Dacthal* at planting, then cultivate and treat with
diphenamid or Tenoran*. Cultivate and treat again with
Dacthal* or Tenoran*.

3. Use Dacthal* at planting followed by Tenoran* soon after
weed emergence, then cultivate and apply Tenoran*.

4. Plant, cultivate, and then apply Dacthal*, diphenamid,
or Tenoran* .

5. Plant, apply Tenoran* soon after weed emergence, then
cultivate and use Dacthal* or diphenamid, then Tenoran*
for f al 1 weeds .

These are a few of the ways of using the herbicides presently
registered for use on strawberries. In using them, be sure to read
the label and follow directions as to recommended rates, number of
applications, interval between applications, and interval between
application and harvest.

***************

PUBLICATION AVAILABLE

Duane W. Greene
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

in the

by Dr.

perti ne

adaptab

for eac

General

sys terns

chards .

m a i n t a i

of c p i

(Revise

are av

bookl
propa
Rober
nt to
i 1 i ty
h of
comm
, tre
Thi
ning
es of
d Feb
ail ab
r. Ro
i c h i g

et descri
gation an
t F. Carl

the prob
, t r a i n i n
the comme
ents are
e size c o
s booklet
a prof i ta

this boo
ruary, 19
le free o
bert F. C
an State

bing
d cul
son .
1 ems
g, su
r c i a 1
provi
ntrol
i s r
bl e
klet
71),
f cha
arl so
Uni ve

recent
ture of

There
growers
pport r
ly impo
ded con

and te
ecommen
rchard
entitle
Fruit T

rge by
n. Room
rsi ty ,

exper
f rui
are m
face
equi r
rtant
c e r n i
c h n i q
ded a
of th
d Hor
rees
wrTTT
303,
East

i m e n t a
t tree
any to

today
ements

appl e
ng ore
ues to
s a gu
e f utu
t i c u 1 1
- Dwar
ng to ;

Depar
Lansi n

1 findings and trends
s has been published
pics discussed that are
The characteristics,
and varietal responses
rootstocks are described
hard planning, planting
be used for future or-
ide for establishing and
re. A limited number
ural Report Number 1
finq and Propagation

tment of Horti cul ture
g, Michigan 48823

***************

5 -

1970 EXPERIENCES WITH AV-ALARM BIRD-SCARING DEVICE

Dominic A . M a r i n i
Regional Fruit & Vegetable Spec., Southeast Region

Av-Alarm is an electronic device that emits sounds. Accord-
ing to the manufacturer, these sounds either frighten or confuse
or interfere with the audio communications of birds and other ani-
mals, such as deer and rabbits, thereby repelling them and prevent-
ing crop damage.

Av-Alarm is operated by either battery or electric current.
An electric eye turns it on at daybreak and shuts it off at dusk.
Various controls regulate the volume of sound, sound frequency,
and chirp rate. It can be set to operate continuously or intermit-
tently. At high volumes, the hearing of persons directly in line
with the speaker can be impaired.

To introduce Av-Alarm in Massachusetts, a unit was loaned to
us for field testing and demonstration. In cooperation with John
Lanier of the Fish and Wildlife Service, an experiment was designed
for testing in cultivated blueberries. The cooperation of two
PlYn^outh County blueberry growers was obtained, whose plantings are
less than 10 miles apart and have similar surroundings. One was
used as a check, the other for the test. Also assisting in con-
ducting the test were Dr. Glenn Kinney, a research psychologist
with the Mitre Corporation, Bedford, Massachusetts and Neil Morton,
an Extension Technical Assistant.

Beginning in early July, just as the first berries were turn-
ing blue, a count was made of all birds seen entering, leaving or
in each field for one half-hour every morning. Counting began at
6 A.M. in one field and at 7 A.M. in the other. After one week,
the Av-Alarm was installed and set according to the manufacturer's
instructions and counting continued another two weeks. About 50%
of the birds counted were robins, 40% were grackles and starlings,
and the rest were bluejays, catbirds, brown thrashers, orioles and
others .

ther

Following the conclusion of the test on blueberries. Dr. Kinney
installed the Av-Alarm in ripening sweet corn which was being dam-

aged by migrating blackbirds at the Waltham Field Station, Univer-
sity of Massachusetts. Various settings were used, but it was im-
possible to keep the birds out of the field.

During 1970, at least 4 other Av-Alarm units were in commer-
cial Massachusetts blueberry fields. In checking with these growers
3 reported that it was not effective in reducing bird damage, while
one felt that it helped.

As a further check on the effectiveness of Av-Alarm, two west-
ern New York Extension Agents were contacted. One reported that he
knew of 2 cherry growers who had had good results with it. The
other stated that robins are not a serious problem in western New
York and that the overall bird problem has not been serious the past
two years .

In contacts with the dealer and manufacturer, the reasons given
for failure of the Av-Alarm to prevent bird damage to blueberries
and sweet corn were as follows: the wrong setting was used, the
speaker was in the wrong location, the tests were started too late
in the season, the setting was changed too often, it is not very
effective against robins or migrating birds.

On the basis of experience in 1970, it appears that either the
manufacturer must provide more specific instructions for its opera-
tion, or improvements must be made in the device to increase its
effectiveness if it is to be of significant practical value.

***************

WEED CONTROL EXPERIMENT INITIATED AT
MAINE AGR. EXP. STATION, HI6HM00R FARM. 1970

Herbert E. Wave
Extension Fruit Specialist
University of Maine

It has been amply demonstrated that grass and broadleaf weed
control around apple trees increases the growth rate of the trees.
It would seem logical to assume that yield also increases in pro-
portion to this increased tree growth - but does it? To answer
this question, long-term plots have been established in a young
orchard planted in 1969, at Highmoor Farm. These plots will be
treated annually, with most of the commonly-used herbicides, and
growth and yield records taken. Growth and yield of herbicide-
treated plots will be compared to nonchemical weed control (mowing)
and no weed control (unmowed) plots.

In 1970, the herbicide plots were sprayed with a
mounted boom and single nozzle which applied a 3-foot
dosage rate of 40 gallons per acre,
chemical or combination of chemicals
for the paraquat treatment which was
i nterval s .

tractor-
band at a
A single application of each
was applied on May 15, except
applied at approximately 5-week

ceas

grow

mari

new

cant

and

cant

rate

trea

than

ti on

grow

reco

Growth
ed. Th
th and
zed in
growth

differ
check p
ly grea
, s i m a z
tments .

pi ots

treatm
th from
r d s w i 1

mea
ese
trun
Tabl
than
ence
1 ots
ter
i ne

Th
trea
ents

the
1 be

suremen

measure

k diame

el. A

either

s among

. The

in plot

al one o

e check

ted wit

or mow

i n i t i a

eval ua

ts were
ments i
ter. R
11 chem
mowed
the ch
average
s treat
r paraq

plots
h dal ap
ing. T
tion of
ted whe

take
ncl ud
esul t
i cal
or ch
emi ca

trun
ed wi
uat a
had s
on , S
hese

the
n tre

nine
ed the
soft
treatm
eck pi
1 trea
k diam
t h Sin
1 one ,
i g n i f i

i nb

ar"

resul t
herbi c
es bee

arly Dece

average
he 1970 t
ents had
ots . The
tments or
eter of t
bar* at th
than in a
cantly le
at 2 poun
s represe
idal trea
ome of be

mber
amoun
reatm
s i g n i
re we
betw
rees
e 3
ny of
ss tr
ds , t
nt on
tment
a r i n g

afte
t of
ents
f i ca
re n
een
was
r 4

the
unk
he c
e ye
s .

age

r growth

new

are sum-
ntly more
s i g n i f i ■
the mowed
s i g n i f i -
pound

other
growth
ombi na-
ar ' s
Yield

Table 1. The influence of herbicides on vegetative growth of newly
established apple trees - Orchard 69, Highmoor Farm - 1970

Treatment - (lbs. prod/a)

Growth of terminal

+ 3 longest -,
1 ateral s/tree (in.)

Trunk diameter
increase (in.)

Sinbar 4#*

Sinbar 3#*

Sinbar 2#*

Simazine 4#*

Sinbar 1#*+ Karmex 2#*

Simazine 2# + Paraquat 1

Paraquat 1 qt. (3 applic

Dalapon 10#

Mow 3X

Mow 2X

Check

qt
)

112

111

104

8a
4a
4a
Oa
2a
4a
2a
3a
7b
6b
7b

1
1

T8a
11a
99b
00b
14a
90b
09a
93b
87b
85b
71c

Means followed by the same letter are not
by Duncan's multiple range test at the 99%
*Trade name

significantly different
level of probability.

***************

HERBICIDES AND WINTER INJURY

Duane W. Greene
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Re orts from Washington State, ^'ichigan and Ontario, Canada,
suggest that there is a relationship between herbicidal weed con-

- 8

and subsequent winter injury. The winter injury problem has
restricted exclusively to light sandy soils where the cold in-
protection given by water is at a minimum. Trees grown in
loam and cultured on a grass or a controlled grass sod gener-
show no signs of injury. In Washington State, some rootstock
tree vigor influences on winter injury were noted. Red Deli-

trol
been
jury
clay
ally
and

cious trees on seedling roots were completely killed by low temper-
ature injury, while trees on EM VII were unaffected. Excessive in-
jury to low vigor Red Delicious trees on seedling roots was reported
whereas more vigorous trees were not injured.

Stu Carpenter, Extension Specialist from Southwest Michigan,
suggested that the winter injury problem on sandy soils may be con-
trol 1 ed by :

1. Partial weed
with such as

control through
Paraquat .

the use of contact herbicides

2. A program of herbicides plus mulch.

3. Make the band sprayed in the tree row smaller.

It may be added that in Massachusetts one spray application
made in early May generally allows sufficient regrowth of grass and
weeds by late fall to eliminate the possibility of winter injury to
the roots .

***************

RESEARCH FROM OTHER AREAS

Department

Wn 1 iam J . Lord
of Plant and Soil

Sci ences

Concentrate Sprays for Thinning Apples : Our circular on chemical
thinning of apples suggests that thinning materials be applied alone
and in dilute form (IX). We suspect, however, that some growers
concentrate their thinning sprays to some extent--2X to 4X--and
furthermore, interest in concentrate spraying has increased drasti-
cally during the last 2 years. Therefore, the question arises about
the feasibility of concentrating thinning sprays.

The principal reason why we have been hesitant to suggest con-
centrating thinning sprays is the increased potential for error due
to errors in mixing of sprays and in calibration of spray equipment.
Doublingthe concentration, doubles the size of any error in thin-
ning, the margin for error is often small. Nevertheless, there are
examples of successful application of hormone sprays in concentrated
applications. We know, for example, that preharvest drop-control
materials are concentrated when applied by airplane, and results

- 9 -

have been good. In applying hormone sprays, the important factor
is to apply a given number of grams of actual material per acre
whether applied as dilute or as a concentrate spray. Thus, success
with these materials is dependent on the accuracy of your applica-
tions.

Limited studies have been made on chemical thinning with con-
centrate sprays. In 1966, C.G. Forshey and M.B. Hoffman in New
York, stated that practical experience has shown that thinning re-
sults are more consistent if the concentration does not exceed 2X
( New York State Aqr. Exp. Sta. Res. Circ. No. 4 ). More recently,
BTF! Rogers and A.H. Thompson, in Maryland, i nves tigated the effec-
tiveness of concentrated thinning sprays--rangi ng from 3X to 33X--
and reported their findings in Volume 94 (No. 1) of the Journal of
the American Society for Horticultural Science . Their results are
summarized below.

A four year study with Rome Beauty apple trees (1964-1967)
showed that carbaryl (Sevin*) at concentrations of IX to 33X sig-
nificantly thinned this variety 3 out of 4 years. In 1966, the
year of failure, the fruit set on the check trees was low and no
significant thinning occurred when dilute spray was compared with
carbaryl sprays delivered at 33X volume. The use of carbaryl at
concentrations up to 33X generally produced fairly consistent re-
sults. In 1967, however, carbaryl at 33X thinned less than the IX
spray.

In 1-year experiments, carbaryl at, IX, 3X and 6X significantly
thinned Jonathan apple trees in 1964, and NAA at IX, 3X and 6X sig-
nificantly thinned Golden Delicious in 1967. The dilute spray of
NAA was more effective than the concentrated ones, however.

The studies in Maryland, therefore, indicate that apple trees
can be thinned at concentrations as high as 33X. However, much
more work is needed before broad recommendations can be made. Since
thinning results are somewhat unpredictable, it is questionable
whether growers should thin more than a small fraction of the more
valuable mid- and late-season varieties with highly concentrated
thinning sprays until experience has shown satisfactory results.

*Trade name

***************

All pesticides listed in this publication are registered and cleared
for suggested uses according to Federal registrations and State laws
and regulations in effect on the date of this publication.

When trade names are used for identification, no product endorsement
is implied, nor is discrimination intended against similar materials

- 10 -

NOTICE . THE USER OF THIS INFORMATION ASSUMES ALL RISKS FOR PERSONAL
INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Cooperative Extension Service

University of Massachusetts

Amherst, Massachusetts 01002

A. A. Spielman

Director

Cooperative Agricultural Extension Work

Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914

Official Business

^Ifrf

Postage and Fees Paid
United States Department of Agriculture

MR. RADIE H. BUNN FN

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, RM. -11
STOCKBRIDGE HALL

01002

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Cooperative Extension Service

College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

EDITORS

W. J. LORD AND W. J. BRAMLAGE

JULY-AUGUST 1971

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Blueberry Maggot

Scorching of Pear Tree Foliage

A New Book on Apples Now Available

Apple Storage Holdings in Massachusetts Since 1933

Late Summer Fertilization of Strawberries

Before Harvest is a Good Time to Evaluate One's
Cultural Practices

Pomological Paragraphs
Don't Waste Money
The Apple Maggot

BLUEBERRY MAGGOT

William E. Tomlinson, Jr.
Cranberry Experiment Station, East Wareham

Increasing problems with maggoty berries have been of much
concern to growers of cultivated blueberries recently. Blueberry
maggot is primarily a ripe-fruit pest that attacks the crop most
heavily at the peak of the picking season and after. Fruit in
netted plantings is particularly vulnerable because it is often
allowed to remain unpicked longer for full ripening and sizing
than berries in un-netted plantings.

Blueberry maggot is a true native insect that has fed on wild

blueberries for thousands of years,
of all kinds and possibly other wild
eating this host picture is the fact
tical to the blueberry maggot except
this size difference is not reliable
the larger-fruited blueberry hybrids
these maggots were the same species
adapted to different hosts.

It also attacks huckleberries
smal 1 -berried plants. Compli-
that the apple maggot is i den-
that is is smaller, and even
when the maggots develop in
It is more than likely that
originally but have become

i ts h
near
the m
in la
p a r i a
in th
or mo
eel 1 e
a pi a
wheth
about
betwe
i ng m
berry
it sp
and s

The bl
ost.
the so
aggot
te Jun
, feed
e ri pe
re in
nt cha
nti ng .
er the

3 wee
en 1 ay
aggot.

and d
ends t
hape

ueberry
The ins
i 1 surf
fed upo
e or ea
for ab
and r i
the fie
nee for

Eggs
berry
ks pi us
i ng of
When
rops to
he w i n t
f a ker

maggo
ect sp

un
At
Ju
10

ace
n .
rly
out
p e n i n g
Id and

survi
hatch
is in

or mi
the eg
the ma

the g
er . T
nel of

t i s
ends
der t
abou
ly, t
days
f rui
lay
val
in 2
the s
nus a
g and
ggot
round
his i
whea

admi r
the w
he bl
t the
he fl

to 2
t. I
200-3
fan
to 7
un or

few

the
has f

and
s tan
t.

ably ac
inter a
ueberry

time b
ies beg

weeks
n d i V i d u
00 eggs
1 nf esta
days de

shade .
days, s
finish
i n i s h e d
constru

in col

c 1 i m a
s a m

bush
e r r i e
i n to
and t
al fl

so t
tion
p e n d i
The
tha
of fe

feed
cts i
or an

ted t
aggot

whi c
s beg

emer
hen s
ies m
hat t
once
ng on

magg

tat

edi ng
ing, i
ts pu
d is

sur
i n a
h hel
i n to
ge fr
tart
ay 1 i
here
es tab
temp
ot St
4 w
by t
t lea
pari a
about

vi val

pupar

d the

turn

om the

to 1 ay

ve a m

i s an

1 i shed

eratur

age 1 a

eeks e

he res

ves th

i n wh

the s

on
i a

berry
red
se pu-

eggs
onth
ex-

i n
e and
sts
1 apse
ul t-
e

i ch
i ze

The insect is even adapted to crop failures due to frost or
whatever else might happen to kill a prospective crop. Up to 25%
of the hibernating larvae do not transform to flies until the
second to fourth summer after entering the soil, assuring a con-
tinuing infestation without a yearly crop. These are known as
carry-over flies.

Blueberry maggots are typical fly maggots: white and legless
like those of the house fly. Their injury is not spectacular until
well advanced. The newly hatched maggots feed largely in the cen-

- 2 -

ter of the berry and softening of the fruit is minor. However, as
the maggot grows it feeds throughout the entire berry under the
skin, turning the contents into juice and seeds. A little pressure
on the berry at this stage and the maggot will pop right out of
the skin along with a gob of purple juice.

What can you do about it? One of the old admonitions was to
pick on a regular schedule and to pick all ripe fruit when you
picked. But now with netting to protect from bird damage, you can
let them stay on for real ripening and sizing. Pickers may not be
too careful to pick clean even under supervision and "pick your-
own" pickers certainly will not pick the bushes clean. Clean reg-
ular picking then is next to impossible, and even if it were, re-
member that those hold-over flies will be here next year and the
year after even though you may have been especially careful this
year .

trol
ri es
the
vore
pi i e
ual
2 po
as c
trol
prob
will
turn

Timely
. To b

and mo
picking
d i n s e c
d on th
m a 1 a t h i
unds ac
ontrol s

than c
1 em , ca

give a

red an

a p p 1 i c a
e timely
re than

season .
t i c i d e s
e same d
on as a
tual car
. Malat
arbaryl .
rbaryl i
cceptabl
d repeat

t i n s
. you
one a

Mai
to us
ay be
spray
baryl
hi on

How

s bet

e con

ever

mus
ppli
athi
e as
rri e

as
i s p
ever
ter
trol
y 7-

sprays or
t start b
cation w i
on and ca

they are
s are pic
1 pound a
spray or
robably s
, where J
than malat

of maggo
10 days d

dust
ef ore
11 be
rbary

non-
ked.
ctual
dus t
omewh
apane

hi on
t. S
u r i n g

s have g

maggots

necessa

1 ( S e V i n

hazardou

Up to 3

m a 1 a t h i

per acre

at bette

se beetl

for cont

tart whe

the pic

1 ven
are

s an
/4 p
on a
are
r fo
es a
rol
n th
king

pro

i n
pr
re t
d ca
ound
s a

rec
r ma
re a
of i
e be

sea

ven con-
the ber-
otect for
he fa-
n be ap-
s of act-
dust or
ommended
ggot con-
1 so a
t and i t
rri es
son .

*Trade name

***************

SCORCHING OF PEAR TREE FOLIAGE
William J. Lord and Edward Vlach

Last year scorch of pear tree foliage was prevalent in many
Massachusetts orchards during the late summer. Frequently, the
disorder was present on spur and terminals of several or more
branches throughout the trees, the leaves being partially or com-
pletely brown or black. The cause of the problem was not deter-
mined and individuals differed in their diagnosis of the disorder
Generally, it was called heat scorch, mite damage, or magnesium
def i ciency .

We obtained leaf samples from some of these orchards for mag-
nesium analysis. Magnesium levels varied from 0.25-0.40%, which
is the same range of concentration found in "normal" apple leaves

3 -

in mid-summer. Since it has been shown that pear and apple trees
require similar levels of magnesium, it was concluded that magnes-
ium deficiency was not responsible for the damage to the pear
leaves in the orchards sampled.

Since the cause of the pear leaf scorch has not been resolved,
we would appreciate hearing from growers if the disorder is again
prevalent in 1971.

Senior Chemist, West Experiment Station, Univ. of Massachusetts

***************

A NEW BOOK ON APPLES NOW AVAILABLE

George M. Kessler, Editor
Fruit Varieties & Horticultural Digest
Department of Horticulture
Michigan State University

A new book entitled "North American Apples: Varieties, Root-
stocks, Outlook" which should be of interest to apple growers is
now available from the Michigan State University Press, Box 550,
East Lansing, Michigan 48823.

In this book, a number of outstanding pomologists and a free-
lance writer have succeeded, through their joint efforts, in bring-
ing together many interesting and pertinent facts about the leading
apple varieties of North America, their bud sports, certain of the
minor and discarded varieties, and the important rootstocks.

In a chapter entitled "Varieties of Yesteryear", A. P. French
gives a brief history and description of a number of old American
varieties which have fallen by the wayside or are no longer impor-
tant.

Emery Wilcox provides significant facts and figures, skill-
fully tracing apple variety trends in the United States and Canada
during the past 27 years.

The major portion of the book consists of a series of chapters
dealing with the seven leading North American apple varieties:
Delicious, Mcintosh, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Jonathan, Wine-
sap, and York Imperial; and the minor variety. Northern Spy. Each
chapter reflects the careful research of each author, namely,
Virginia Maas (the freelance writer), R.P. Larsen, W.H. Upshall,
J.B. Mowry, and E.S. Degman. Fascinating episodes connected with
the origin of each variety are revealed. Valuable lists of strains

4 -

and new varieties bred from the original varieties are presented
by most of the authors. It is unfortunate that such tables are
not prepared for Delicious and Golden Delicious, as well.

The chapter on rootstocks by R.F. Carlson is a \/ery important
part of the book, since the performance of a scion variety is
strongly affected by the rootstock to which it is grafted. What is
more, one can hardly deny that clonal rootstocks are themselves var-
ieties in every way. The mechanisms by which rootstocks control
size, and cause flowering and fruiting effects in the scion variety
are discussed. The important clonal rootstocks are described, and
their strengths and weaknesses pointed out.

"North American Apples" is concluded very appropriately and
effectively with a chapter entitled "Apple Orchards of Tomorrow",
by H.A. Rollins. He sees the commercial apple orchard of the future
as more deliberately planned for a specific harvesting technique;
as largely either on size-controlling rootstocks, or spur-types on
seedling rootstocks; more intensely trained trees; and more gener-
ally irrigated and protected from frost than they are now.

'k'kic'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k-k-k

APPLE STORAGE HOLDINGS IN MASSACHUSETTS SINCE 1933

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

The data in Table 1 for apple storage holdings on November
of the years 1933 to 1970 are of interest since they reveal pro-
duction fluctuations and storage trends in Massachusetts.

The first million bushel cold storage year on record was 1933
From 1933 to 1939, 2 light crops were stored, but according to
records of the late J.K. Shaw of the Pomology Department of the
University of Massachusetts, crop reduction was not due to frost.
Winter injury and cool weather during bloom reduced crop size in
1934, and in 1938 the blossoming period was prolonged and fruit
set on Mcintosh was poor in spite of several days of bee activity.

During the next decade, storage holdings varied from a low of
250,000 in 1945, to a high of 2,048,000 in 1949. In 1945, the
bloom period was the earliest and most prolonged of any in the
past 70 or more years and fully 3 weeks ahead of normal. Records
show that flower buds on Mcintosh trees in Amherst were in the
Pink stage on April 12. Then came cool weather on April 15, and
according to J.K. Shaw, trees that had not blossomed were delayed
by cool days and did not bloom much earlier than normal. As a re-
sult of these unusual conditions, storage holdings of Mcintosh in
1945 were only 97,000 boxes in comparison to a million boxes the
previous year.

Table 1. Apple-storage holdings (thousands of bushels) in Massa^
chusetts on November 1, of the years 1933 to 1970.

Year

1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940

Mcintosh

All Varieties

Regul ar
s torage

CA
storage

Pet. stored
crop in CA

Regul ar
storage

CA
storage

Pet. stored
crop in CA

588
391
663
556
657
440
979
681

1 ,090
705

1 ,054
878

1,111
747

1 ,309

1 ,137

1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950

729

1 ,009

879

1 ,031

559

874

691

1 ,463

1 ,494

1 ,044
1 ,437
1 ,268
1 ,556
250
943
1 ,558
1 ,139
2,048
2,222

1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960

1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970

1 ,429

402
1 ,258

584
1 ,430

730
1 ,362
1 ,012
1 ,023

646

208
929
661
602
670
412
638
515
454
555

118
181
397
437
473

585
610
655
667
699
552
623
617
570
510

13
11
28
29
42

32
39
49
52
51
57
49
54
55
47

,037
767
,754
,214
,166
,232
,951
,594
,630
,162

1 ,791
1 ,483
1 ,108
1 ,019

.128
771
974
843
804
944

118

194

442

21 ,

471

22,

486

29,

634

26,

698

32,

746

40,

788

43,

793

41 ,

679

46,

747

43,

772

47,

758

48,

687

42,

During the 1950's, we saw the advent of CA storage and reports
of apple holdings in this type of storage. There were 3 short
crops - 1952, 1954 and 1956, and 5 years with storage holdings in
excess of 2 million bushels. The excessively short crop in 1952
was primarily due to a lack of bloom and/or to unfavorable weather
at blossom time. Failure of many Mcintosh blocks to bloom in 1952
was apparently related to an excessive crop in 1951, coupled with
below average sunlight in June and July of that year which was un-
favorable for flower bud initiation. Poor weather for pollination
reduced crop size in 1954, and frost on May 25 reduced the crop in
1956.

Massachusetts had its largest stored Mcintosh and stored crop
of all varieties on record in 1961. During 1965, 1968 and 1969,
more than 50% of the Mcintosh crop was stored in CA. But, during
the 1960's, there were only 2 years that the stored apple crop ex-
ceeded 2 million bushels.

Storage holdings of apples grown in Massachusetts may never
again exceed 2 million bushels. If current trends continue, we
will probably experience a gradual decline in apple storage hold-
ings because orchard abandonment is not being offset by new plant-
ings.

***************

LATE SUMMER FERTILIZATION OF STRAWBERRIES

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

In Massachusetts, the June-bearing varieties of strawberries
initiate their flower buds in the fall. If conditions are favor-
able, many varieties produce several flower buds in each strawberry
crown and consequently produce several inflorescences per plant.
The extent of flower bud development seems to be influenced by the
supply of available nutrients, particularly nitrogen.

A number of experiments have indicated an advantage of build'
ing up the nitrogen supply in the fall from the standpoint of in-
crease in flower bud formation. However, such factors as earli-
ness of runner plant rooting, quality of plants, soil moisture,
pest and weed control may have more effect on plant productivity
than the fertilizer applications.

Many strawberry plantings would probably benefit from a mod-
erate application of a nitrogen-carrying fertilizer applied be-
tween the middle of August and the first of September. Approxi-
mately 30 pounds of actual nitrogen per acre should be adequate.

- 7

This amount would be supplied by 100 pounds of ammonium nitrate or
200 pounds of sodium nitrate.

A broadcast application of fertilizer at this time may damage
the foliage unless precautions are taken. Apply on a clear day of
low humidity and with a switch made from brush, shake off any fer-
tilizer adhering to the leaves or apply during a rain to avoid
burning of the foliage.

***************

BEFORE HARVEST
EVALUATE ONE'S

IS A GOOD TIME TO
CULTURAL PRACTICES

William J . Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Careful observations of the apple trees and fruits before har-
vest can tell the grower a great deal about his fertilizer and
pruning practices. In addition, the grower can determine what al-
terations, if any, should be made in these practices for the com-
i ng year .

The amount of terminal growth, and the fruit and foliage color
are visual guides by which the grower can make future adjustments
in his fertilizer program. Only vigorous trees can produce good
crops regularly. An apple tree of bearing age should make 8 to 18
inches of terminal growth per year, depending upon variety. Eight
to 15 inches is desired with the Mcintosh, while 12 to 18 inches
of terminal growth is preferred on Delicious trees. An annual ter-
minal growth of 20 to 30 inches should be made by young non-bearing
apple trees. When twig growth is meager on bearing trees (less
than 6 inches), try to determine the cause. Droughty soil, insuf-
ficient rainfall or pruning, low fertility, root injury, girdling
or other factors may be the cause of poor vigor.

Visible evidence of magnesium deficiency can be seen if the
deficiency exists. Necrotic brown blotches between the veins of
older leaves on shoots or spurs and gradual loss of these leaves
in late summer are common symptoms of magnesium deficiency.

Fruit color is an
Intosh apples has been
gen and potassium levels in the
trogen, low potassium trees are
than those from medium nitrogen
shorter storage life.

important consideration. The color of Mc-
found to be associated with both the nitrO'
foliage. The fruits from high ni'
apt to be poor in color, softer
high potassium trees and have

- 8

Our nutritional work with Mcintosh trees has shown that fruits
of high color are produced by trees with medium levels of nitrogen
and high levels of potassium.

Before fruit color is blamed on nutrition, the grower should
first determine if insufficient pruning and tree crowding are af-
fecting color. The size, color and quality of fruit are affected
considerably by pruning. The number and location of small, poorly
colored apples show v/hich branches or parts of branches need atten-
tion during the pruning season.

The time and effort spent trying to pick those apples on the
high branches of tall trees should be a forceful reminder that
something should be done.

***************

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPHS

Don ' t Was te Money : Laboratory tests show that about six ounces of
pesticide remain in a five gallon can after a good effort has been
made to empty the can. Up to one quart may remain in a fifty gal-
lon drum. Rinse the containers two or three times, emptying the
rinse water into the sprayer. If a chemical costs twenty dollars
per gallon, six ounces cost almost one dollar. - (From Delaware
"Pesticide Briefs" #3)

The Appi e Maggot : According to Dr. Merrill L, Cleveland, Assis-
tant Chief of USDA's Fruit Insects Branch at Beltsville, Maryland,
apple maggots have the potential to cause a 100 percent loss of
the apple crop; however, the utilization of insecticides holds the
loss to less than 1 per cent.

According to the USDA, apple maggots are a problem mostly in
the New England states. New York, and the Great Lakes states. They
also infest apples to a lesser extent as far south as Georgia and
westward to the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma.

Ideally, for satisfactory maggot control, all the hosts (neg-
lected or wild apple trees and native hawthorne bushes) should be
removed from the area. Apple maggot management problems decrease
with the enlargement of such sterile areas. Orchardists should
not only attempt to eradicate all alternate hosts and abandoned
apple trees but, at the same time, use proper control methods to
combat the maggots in their own orchards. - G.L. Jensen, Extension
Entomol ogy .

***************

- 9 -

All pesticides listed in this publication are registered and
cleared for suggested uses according to Federal registrations and
State laws and regulations in effect on the date of this publica-
tion .

When trade names are used for identification, no product endorse-
ment is implied, nor is discrimination intended against similar
material s .

NOTICE . THE USER OF THIS INFORMATION ASSUMES ALL RISKS FOR PERSONAL
INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

WARNING ! PESTICIDES ARE POISONOUS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS
AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON LABELS. HANDLE CAREFULLY AND STORE IN
ORIGINAL LABELED CONTAINERS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN, PETS AND LIVE-
STOCK. DISPOSE OF EMPTY CONTAINERS RIGHT AWAY, IN A SAFE MANNER
AND PLACE. DO NOT CONTAMINATE FORAGE, STREAMS AND PONDS.

Cooperative Extension Service

University of Massachusetts

Amherst, IVlassachusetts

A. A. Spielman

Director

Cooperative Agricultural Extension Work

Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914

Official Business

Postage and Fees Paid
United States Department of Agriculture

MR. HADIE H. BUNN
COLLKGS OF AGHICULT'JRE,
STOCKBFilDGE HALL

RM. 211

01002

FRUIT NOTES

Prepared by the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Cooperative Extension Service

College of Agriculture

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

EDITORS

W. J. LORD AND W. J. BRAMLAGE

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER. 1971

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Some Innovations in the Operation of CA Rooms

Cider Notes

Pomological Paragraph
Jonathan Spot on Idared Apples

Soil Treatments for Nematode Control on Strawberries

Harvesting and Storing Pears

Paint or Whitewash for Peach Tree Trunks

Rabbit Control in Blueberries

Pomological paragraph
The "Mini" Fashion in Skirts and Cars

Orchard Mouse Identification

Orchard Mouse Control

SOME INNOVATIONS IN THE OPERATION OF CA ROOMS

R,M. Smock
Cornell University

Dr. P. Marcellin, a French research worker, has developed
two yery ingenious units for maintaining the atmospheres in CA
storages. We have tested both of these units to see if they had
any application for American conditions.

appl e
dow"
the a
the "
ygen
1 ungs
uni t
pi es
pal 1 e
posed
space
add a
si tua
i s no

tache
cabi n
the
bags
goes
with
"auto
bags
tai n
en De
point
al so
In ou
as we
be as

The fi
s with
in it.
ppl e c
diffus
will d
e X c h a
showed
at 1 ea
ts is
to ta
must
pples .
t i n i
t such

The se
d to a
e t wit
xygen
that w
too hi
this u
mati c.
as req
a 2% c
1 i c i u
ed to
woul d
r t r i a
coul d
cheap

rst idea

heavy p

Field

rates ar

ion wind

if fuse t

nge oxyg

that on

St every

not prac

ke out s

be left

The sy

n the US

a probl

sea
II

1 nvo
olyet
heat
e

ow
hroug
en an
e rea

few
t i c a 1
ome
aroun
stem
A. I
em.

1 ved
hyl en
i s f i
led i
The
h thi
d car
lly s
days.
. If
f the
d the
just
n Fra

coven ng

e film w

rst remo

n this h

theory i

s membra

b n d i X

hould an

Such f

the oxy

appl es

pal lets

didn't s

nee , i t

an
ith
ved
eavy
s th
ne
i de .
alyz
requ
gen
from

for
eem
i s u

enti

a si

from
wei

at c

r wi
Ou

e th

ent

goes
the
mov

to b

sed

re pal

1 icone

the p

ght po

arbon

ndow m

r test

e pal 1

analys

too 1

pal 1 e

ement

e prac

in c a V

let lo
rubbe
allet
lyethy
d i x i d
uch 1 i
s wi th
et 1 oa
es of
ow , on
t load
to rem
t i c a 1
es whe

ad
r "w
and
1 ene
e an
ke a
thi
d of
so m
e i s
. E
ove
for
re s

i n-
then

wi th
d ox-
n i m a 1
s

ap-
any

sup-
xtra
or
our
pace

cond

comm
h pos
drops
ere p
gh, t
nit a
" On
ui red
arbon
s and
the f
mean
1 s we
wi th
as w

idea

erci

i ti V

too

revi

he s

e ne

. W

cer

act

that

cou

wat

ater

of D
al CA
e air

1 ow
ously
ame m
ur CO
eds t
e wer
xi de
tai n
that

we c
1 d no
er or

or d

r. Marc

room.

moveme
i n a CA

not in
ove i s
n c 1 u s i
analy
e not c
level a
other V
the uni
ould no
t get a

d ry 1 i
ry 1 ime

e 1 1 i n

Large

nt to

room ,

opera

made .

ns fol

ze dai

n V i n c

s i s r

a r i e t i

t work

t use

s exac

me scr

scrub

i nvol

"bag

and f

one
t i n .
We d
1 ow.
ly an
ed th
equi r
es .
ed be
it fo
t con
u b b i n
b i n g .

ved a
s" ar
rom t
opens

If
id a
The
d ope
at th
ed fo
Ci rcu
st at
r "ha
trol
g. T

unit
e sus
he CA

up
the c
numbe
syste
n or
e uni
r Del
mstan

37-3
rd ro
of th
he un

that
pended

room,
ne or
arbon
r of t
ms are
cl ose
t coul
i ci ous
tial e
8*F.
oms" a
e atmo
i t wou

i s at-

i n a
If
more
di oxi de
ests

not
the

d m a i n -
, Gold-
vidence
This
t

spheres
Id not

32°F

An innovation that comes from Holland is the "Oxy-drain" unit
This unit is a nitrogen generator that employs ammonia as the gas
instead of propane. The ammonia is "cracked" in the machine and
the hydrogen produced is burned. As a result one gets nitrogen
produced with yery low oxygen levels. This is similar to Tectrol
(no longer produced) or Arcat units except that no carbon dioxide
results from combustion. As a result no scrubber is needed to

- 2

care for the carbon dioxide produced by the unit. G.D. Blanpied,
at Cornell, has burnt hydrogen in an Arcat unit as a means of burn-
ing out the ethylene in CA rooms. It is not clear that there was
any advantage in this, however. The trials on this machine have
been made in Holland and we do not have comparative costs for it
and Arcat. The costs of removing the carbon dioxide produced by
the Arcat unit during the pull down period are not very high if
one uses dry lime.

***************

CIDER NOTES

Department of

K.M,
Food

Hayes
Science

and Technology

Qual i ty

Consumers are becoming more critical of everything they buy--
not only from a price aspect, but from a quality point of view.
With living costs continually rising, consumers want value for
their money. Quality in food refers to taste, appearance, color,
cost per serving, and keeping quality.

Cider is not a necessary food item in most budgets. Cider is

basically a beverage to be enjoyed, and if the qualitv is low or the
keeping quality poor, repeat purchases can easily be eliminated.

Have you examined your cider critically as a consumer would?
Take a half gallon and subject it to the conditions that the buyer
does. Taste a glassful--is it musty? chlorine off-flavor? taste
like dirty press cloths? insipid? Do this until the container is
empty. Did it start to ferment? Did the last glass look and taste
like the first? Or, go out and buy from several other stands, have
your wife pour samples including yours in unmarked glasses--now
taste and judge. If you pick your own as best, now try to main-
tain the year's run that way or even improve. If yours comes out
second or third best, what is wrong? Remember, quality is a si-
1 ent sal esman I

Sani tati on

The keeping quality of cider is directly related to the sani-
tation practices observed during the operating season. Unsanitary
practices foster the growth of microorganisms, which cause fermen-
tation or produce undesirable flavors in the final product.

- 3 -

After a day's run, observe the following procedures in clean-
ing the cider plant:

Dismantle the press for cleaning. Rinse it thoroughly with
a hose to remove surface dirt. Scrub all parts of the press thor-
oughly, using a sanitizing or detergent-sanitizing solution.
Where possible, use hot water, for both the rinsing and the scrub-
bing operations.

Sanitizing compounds may be of the chlorine or quaternary am-
monium 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.

Ref ri gerati on

Many cider mill operations including all certified operators
use refrigeration to preserve cider. Cider should be cooled immed-
iately after pressing and stored at a temperature 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 fac-
ilities for fresh fruit are available. If a refrigerated room is
not available, the operator can install an insulated tank and cool
the cider with a small refrigeration unit.

For display purposes at roadside, used upright display cabi-
nets with glass doors are excellent. These self-contained units
can be often purchased from companies supplying equipment to re-
tail stores. Household refrigerators can also be used. The im-
portant feature when making and selling cider is to keep it under
refrigeration at all times to maintain the quality.

***************

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

Jonathan spot on Idared apples : Last season, a storage disorder
that has been identified as Jonathan spot developed on Idared ap-
ples in Massachusetts. This comes as no great surprise, since Jon-
athan is one of the parents of Idared.

Jonathan spot appears as a discoloration of the skin, ranging
Trom bluish-black to brown on the blushed portion of the fruit,
and from greenish-brown to brown on the unblushed portion. Spot

sizes range from barely visible to half the size of a dime, often
on the same fruit. Initially, the spots appear as small, round
areas, then increase in diameter and eventually join to form large,
irregular, discolored patches. Upon aging, the spots become brown.

The cause of
by late harvest,
the storage period
storing the apples

Jonathan spot is unknown, but it is accentuated
Reasonable control can be obtained by limiting
air at 32 F to no more than 60 days, or by
°'^ CA storage at 3% O2 and 1% Z^^.

^ n
i n

***************

SOIL TREATMENTS FOR NEMATODE CONTROL ON STRAWBERRIES

Richard A. Rohde
Department of Plant Pathology

There are probably "^^T)/ few commercial strawberry growers in
the state, who are without some experience with soil fumigation.
This experience may range from personal use, to observation of a
neighbor's fields, to demonstrations by regional specialists or
chemical companies. Reactions vary from enthusiastic acceptance
to lukewarm skepticism and many feel that it is probably a good
idea and "maybe I'll try it next year." If next year is to be
that year, now is the time to plan fall soil fumigation in prepa-
ration for new beds to be set next spring

Should I fumigate? Each field has its own set of conditions,
and whether or not disease organisms build up to a point where
they cause trouble is largely a matter of crop sequence, tempera-
ture, moisture, organic matter, and a host of unknowns. Many of
these unknowns will also determine whether or not a chemical treat-
ment will work. Poor growth of plants will lead you to suspect a
problem, a soil test may confirm that a nematode problem is pres-
ent, and a trial application of chemical may lead to better growth

What can be used?

use

bef

of t

ence

wate

pera

prec

text

amou

i n p

in Ma
re pi
he so

thei
r fil
tures

than
isely
ure ,
nt of
roper

ssac

anti

i 1 m

r ef

Is a

any

ace

moi s

che

huse
ng.
ass .
feet
i r s
seas
oth
ordi
ture
mica
the

tts.
They
The
i vene
paces
e org
er gr
ng to
, and
1 is
enti r

Chemi cal : (Brands )

Listed below are fumigants registered for
All are liquids that are injected into soil
become gases that diffuse through all parts

re are a number of factors that can influ-

ss: organic matter absorbs th"ese fumes; soil
and prevents their spread; and at low tem-

anisms are very resistant to toxic fumes.

oup of pesticides, fumigants must be applied
directions. Unless the soil temperature,
organic matter are right, and the proper

deposited at the right depth and is sealed

e treatment may be useless.

Remarks

ethylene dibromide

(Dowfume W-85*)

Preplant fumigants used primar-
ily for nematode control.

dichloropropene - dichloropro-

pane mixture

(Shell D-D*, Vidden-D*)
dichloropropene

(Tel one*)

dichloropropene mixture plus
methyl i sothi ocyanate
(Vorlex*)

Lowest rates recommended by man-
ufacturer give primarily nematode
control. Increased dosages give
additional soil fungus and weed
control .

Companies which manufacture soil chemicals can supply detailed
information on application equipment. In addition, custom appli-
cators are available who will not only apply treatments, but can
give advice based on their rather wide experience.

The chemicals listed above are those generally in use. In
addition, your regional specialist can supply you with the names of
others that may be of use under special conditions. One of these
is DBCP (Nemagon*, Fumazone*), a fumigant which does not injure
strawberries at low rates and can be used on growing plants.

± ^

Trade name

A final word should be added about the importance of clean
plants. It does no good to fumigate soil if disease organisms are
immediately added back to the soil with the roots of new plants.
The use of healthy-appearing planting stock from a reliable souce
is the best insurance against this.

***************

HARVESTING AND STORING PEARS

W.J. Bramlage and J.F. Anderson
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Most pears grown in New England are marketed locally by the
grower, which means that high quality is necessary for repeat sales
at the roadside stand or retail store. Pears can be a
quality commodity, but producing this quality requires
The fruit must be harvested at the right stage, stored
and ripened properly to produce this premium quality.

very high
special care
correctly ,

In determining pear maturity, the Magness-Tayl or pressure
tester is used the same way as on apples, with one very important
exception: a 5/16" diameter head must be used instead of the 7/16"
head used for apples. Since the green pears are much harder than
apples, the smaller head is essential to get a meaningful reading.
Using the 5/16" head, the following pressure-test ranges have been
established as indices of optimum maturity for major varieties:
Bartlett, 20-17 pounds; Bosc, 15-12 pounds; Anjou, 15-13 pounds;
Comice, 13-11 pounds; Gorham and Flemish, 14-12 pounds.

It is important that pears be harvested at the proper stage
of maturity. Fruit picked too early tends to shrivel in storage
and to develop poor quality when ripened, while over-maturity re-
sults in shortened storage life and the development of breakdown
disorders. Susceptibility to certain physiological disorders, es-
pecially C0„ injury, is associated with advanced maturity.

All varieties of pears can
perature at which they will not

be stored safely at the lowest
freeze, which ranges from 27 to

tem-^
29°F

Therefore, in a
pears should be
at 30 rather

storage with
stored at
than 32-34° will

a
30°F

good temperature-control system,
for maximum storage life. Storage
lengthen storage life significantly

Since pears are quite prone to shriveling, especially at the
narrow stem-end of the fruit, humidity control is particularly im-
portant. Maintaining the storage at 90-95% R.H. is considered to
be optimum. However, packing the pears in perforated polyethylene
bags is an excellent way to control shriveling due to moisture

1 OSS

.J>^

The Anjou variety of pear is ^ery susceptible to scald. It
has been found that dipping the fruit in 2700 ppm ethoxyquin (Stop-
scald*) will provide adequate control of this disorder. A fungi-
cide is commonly applied with the Stopscald to reduce decay during
storage. Two new fungicides currently being tested show great
promise for controlling decay of pears. Benomyl at 300-500 ppm
and thiabendazole at 500-700 ppm, both applied as a postharvest dip,
have given excellent decay control on pears. However, neither ma-
terial has yet received EPA clearance and therefore, neither may
yet be used commercially.

Pears have been shown to respond well to CA , although the com-
mercial adoption of this storage method has been less for pears
than for apples. It has been found in the West that the best at-
mosphere for Bartlett and Anjou is dependent on the maturity of
the fruit. If picked at the recommended firmness, 1% 0^, and 5% CO^
produce a major benefit in preserving quality. However, if the
fruit are softer than this at harvest, they possess a sensitivity
to CO2 that results in the development of browncore. In California,
it is recommended that such fruit, if stored in CA, be held at 1% Op
and near 0% CO^- In New York, tests have produced a recommenda-
tion of 2.5% Op and less than 2.5% COp for maximum benefits on
Bartlett and Bosc, and these recommenaati ons may be considered as
best for Eastern-grown pears. This recommendation does not make a
distinction for maturity differences, because pears destined for
storage should be harvested at the recommended firmness.

The New York tests have shown that while pears and apples can
generally be stored together without harm, an interaction between
Bartlett pears and Delicious apples can occur that results in an
increased rate of breakdown of the pears. It would therefore ap-
pear wise to store apples and pears separately if possible.

Varieties differ in their storage life, and this inherent dif-
ference is accentuated by the harvest maturity and the storage con-
ditions to which they are subjected. In general, however, Bartletts
seldom keep well beyond December-January, Boscs beyond February, or
Anjous beyond March. Pears may lose their capacity to ripen prop-
erly with too-long storage, and this terminal point of storage is
usually shown by light yellowing of the skin of pears in the stor-
age room.

Trade Name.

- 8 -

Perh
ri peni ng
be ripene
i ty is to
yet only
is the cu
sumer wit
are ripen
consumer
the satis
been gene

aps the greatest deterrent to prime quality is improper
of pears. Most pears do not ripen in storage, thus must
d after storage. All that is needed to achieve peak qual-
hold them at 60-65°F until sufficiently soft and yellow,
too often they never attain this peak. Proper ripening
Imination of all the grower's efforts to provide the con-
h a high quality item. If the pears are not ripened or
ed at too high or too low a temperature, not only is the
being robbed of quality, the grower is being robbed of
faction, reputation, and repeat sales that could have
rated by that lost quality.

***************

PAINT OR WHITEWASH FOR PEACH TREE TRUNKS

William J. Lord
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

At a twilight meeting last May, the author mentioned seeing
peach trees in New Jersey painted with either latex paint or white-
wash to help reflect heat and keep trunks cooler during warm days
in mid-winter. On sunny, winter days, large amounts of heat are
accumulated by the tree trunk and trunk temperature may rise 4oof
or more above air temperature. At night, trunk temperatures fall
to near air temperature. If the tissues are not dormant, the ex-
treme temperature fluctuations can cause injury to the cambium
(dividing) and phloem (food conducting) tissues in the trunk and
upward into the lower scaffold limbs. Winter-injured trees are
more susceptible to peach cankers which cause extensive damage in
Massachusetts .

It was suggested at the twilight meeting that some information
concerning the recommendations in New Jersey for painting or white-

washing peach tree trunks be
tion below was obtained from
Horticultural News published
Society and prepared by E. G
Uni versi ty .

included in Fruit Notes . The informa-
an article in January, 1971, issue of
by the New Jersey State Horticultural
Christ, Extension Pomologist, Rutgers

"Peach trees that are 3 to 5 years of age are most susceptible
to cold damage and it has been shown that the southwest side of
the tree trunk can reach temperatures as much as 45° or 500 p. higher
than the air temperature on a sunny day in January and February.
A study in Hammonton during the winter of 1965-66, reported in
November, 1966 Horticultural News , showed on one day, February 8,
1966, air temperature was 390F. The whitewashed southwest side of
a peach tree reached a maximum of 520F., but the unpainted tree
trunk was at 84.50F. The air temperature dropped to 14.50F. at
1:00 a.m. on February 9, This was the greatest drop in temperature

- 9 -

(70 degrees) in the bark of the tree trunk in a 12-hour period.

Some growers have used latex paint and some use whitewash.
Whitewash is cheaper, of course, but does not last as long. Les
Miller, Agricultural Agent in Camden County, has tried many white-
wash mixtures and the best for applying with a spray gun is as
f ol 1 ows :

For 100 gallons of water, add 300 to 400 pounds of hydrated
lime plus 2 to 3 pounds of table salt plus commercial spreader-
sticker. This mixture sticks best if drying is slow and after a
rain when the trunk is wet or damp."

(Editor's Note: For more detailed information on "Cold Injury to
Peach Trees", refer to an article by William J. Bramlage in the
January-February, 1971, issue of Frui t Notes . )

RABBIT CONTROL IN BLUEBERRIES

By:

Edward R. Ladd, Wildlife Biologist

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

451 Russell Street

Hadley, Ma. 01035

Cottontail rabbits are important game animals, and they fur-
nish a great deal of hunting recreation. However, in small, local
areas rabbits may cause a great deal of damage to blueberry crops,
orchards, and nursery stock. It is in situations such as these
that control measures are necessary to prevent damage.

Rabbits, like most animals, have living area preferences. Any
area supporting dense vegetative cover, such as overgrown ditches,
brushy fence rows, or brush piles, may harbor these animals. One
method of controlling rabbits is to modify or remove the cover they
need for protection. A good mowing, brush cutting, or general clean-
up and removal of vegetation and brush may be all that is needed to
control them.

Us
damage .
desi rab
a repel
proximi
which m
A p p 1 i c a
d i t i n s
rial fr
offers .
most ef
shoul d

e of

Whe
1 e as
1 ent :
ty of
ay po
ti on
, sin
om tr
Rep
fecti
be fo

taste repellents is another method of reducing rabbit
n properly applied, repel 1 ents make treated plants less

food. Three factors determine the effectiveness of
thoroughness of application; weather conditions; and

existing rabbit food and cover. All areas of the plant
ssibly experience damage should be covered completely,
must be heavy enough to withstand adverse weather con-
ce frequent rains and snows erode and dilute the mate-
eated plants and reduce the amount of protection it
ellents containing thiram or Z-A.C.*have proven to be
ve. For best results, the manufacturer's recommendations
1 lowed.

*Trade designation

- 10 -

For winter protection, all bark, stems and twigs to a height
that rabbits might reach during the heaviest snow accumulation
must receive a complete and heavy application. Treatment should
be made in the fall, prior to snowfall.

After a series of heavy storms, or by midwinter, the blue-
berry bushes should be checked to determine if the repellent is
still giving adequate protection. If damage is occurring, retreat-
ment should be made on the first warm day.

Fencing is a third method that can be used to protect relativ-
ely small areas of blueberries. Any fence of 2-inch mesh that is
tightly staked to the ground and is high enough to be well above
the maximum snow depth, will give protection.

Live trapping also can be an effective means of removing
individual animals causing damage to blueberry bushes. Although
rabbits are active at any time of day or night, the peak of their
activity occurs just before sunrise and just after sunset; thus,
live traps should be set prior to these peak activity periods.
Rabbits usually do not have definite trails going from their cover
to their feeding grounds. There may be one or two fixed points
where rabbits regularly enter. Those areas showing constant rab-
bit activity, or damage, are the logical places for setting live
traps. (Note: Rabbits are game animals in most states; therefore.
State Game Laws or the Conservation Officer should be consulted
before trappi ng . )

In areas having a high rabbit population and a constant history
of injury, rabbit damage to crops may be reduced by hunting the
animals. During the legal hunting season, local hunters should be
encouraged to hunt in these areas.

**************

POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH

The "Mini" Fashion in Skirts and Cars

the apple o
density pla
search Stat
planted per
the first y
inhibiting
and fruitin
ing year by
The next ye
again contr
The cycle i
complete au
ilizer addi
grown more
and develop
staff at Lo
(no. 1 ) , Ja

rchard in the form of min
nting comes from Dr. J. P
ion in England. About 50

acre to produce 100 tons
ear of planting, the tree
chemical, which encourage
g. The apple trees are h

"mowing" the trees about
ar new shoot growth occur
oiled with chemicals when
s repeated biennially. T
tomation of the operation
tion, and climate control
efficiently as a row crop
ment of this mini-tree cu
ng Ashton.-- L. D. Tukey,
nuary, 1971.

i -trees
. Hudso
,000 mi

of app
s are s
s the p
arveste

2 inch
s , and

growth
his typ
: i r r i g
. It a

than a
Iture a

Penn .

seems
. Thi
n of t
n i - 1 r e
1 es ev
prayed
roduct
d mech
es abo
f 1 ower
is ab
e of c
a t i n ,
1 so en
s an
re bei
State

to ha
s i


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