Title: Pennsylvania State Horticultural Association news, v. 6
Place of Publication: State College, Pa.
Copyright Date: 1929
Master Negative Storage Number: MNS# PSt SNPaAg095.6
^
.uu
Apr 7 S. W. Fletcher, Membership Dues 7U.UU
Apr". 19 Interest on $100.00 Liberty Bond J^-^f
Apr 19 Interest on $500.00 Liberty Bond - lO.bJ
Apr 19 Interest on two $100.00 University Avenue Apart-
ment Bonds ^-^^
May 14 Edwin W. Thomas, Delayed checks for posters,
price cards - ll'l^
June 25 S. W. Fletcher, Membership Dues - - b».»u
July 30 H. A. Hanemann, for A. M. Northrup, peach posters lO.OU
Sept. 14 Interest on $100.00 Liberty Bond 2.13
Sept. 14 $100.00 Liberty Bond paid off ^ nn
Sept. 14 A. L. Hacker, Annual Dues - --- ---- . 1-^^
Sept 14 H. A Hanemann, for D. W. Shenk, Advertising
Material /'^^
Sept 22 H. A. Hanemann, Advertising Material 60.20
Oct. 16 Interest on $500.00 Liberty Bond 10.63
Oct. 16 Interest on $200.00 Mortgage Bonds -.---.- 6.00
Oct. 23 William S. Weaver, Apple Posters and Price Cards 5.80
Oct. 29 H. A. Hanemann, Price Cards sold 2.40
Dec. 12 H. A. Hanemann ; for Sheldon W. Funk, Apple Pos-
ters and Imprints ^-^^
$1,117.01
DISBURSEMENTS
Jan. 31 Alvah Peterson, Moorestown, N. J $ 17.72
Jan. 31 C. A. McCue, Newark Delaware m^'nr
Feb. 23 Lester Lewis Walsh, Ramsey, N. J l/ii
Mar. 24 Dessa B. Keller, Office Expenses 34.75
Mar. 28 Charles S. Yeager, Printing vouchers 3.50
Mar. 22 Nittany Printing and Publishing Company 52.25
Mar. 22 * Dunmire Printing Company ^?o ah
Apr. 23 American Pomologieal Society, 40 membership dues 12.00
Apr. 19 Treasurer's Bond and services rendered for bond.... 3.00
June 5 American Pomologieal Society, Subscription dues.... 2.70
Aug. 1 Dessa B. Keller, Office expenses 29.50
Sept. 14 Ephrata National Bank, for certificate 100.00
Sept. 18 Telegraph Printing Co., for imprinting 150 posters.... 2.95
Sept. 18 Rush Printing Co., 200 stickers 2.25
Sept. 18 Nittany Printing & Publishing Co., 1500 news and
1500 envelopes 1^.50
Oct. 18 Telegraph Printing Co, ^-J^
Oct. 18 J. Horace McFarland Co., Posters 95.00
Dec. 19 St. Louis Button Co 27.05
Dec. 29 Telegraph Printing Co ^-^^
$ 921.07
Jan. 25, 1929— Cash in Bank 255.94
$1,117.01
—9—
ASSETS, JANUARY 23, 1929
Certificate in Ephrata National Bank $ 100.00
Two $100.00 University Bonds 200.00
Liberty Bond 500.00
Cash Balance, January 23, 1929 255.94
Total Assets, January 23, 1929 $1,055.94
C. B. SNYDER, Treasurer
AUDITOR'S REPORT
January 23, 1929
We the undersigned auditors, duly appointed, have examined the
accounts, bills and vouchers of C. B. Snyder, Treasurer of the Penna.
State Horticultural Association, and have found the same to be correct
and the receipts and balance to be correct.
Cash balance from 1927 $ 86.81
Receipts during year 1927, including one Liberty
Bond $100.00 matured $1,090.20 $1,177.01
Cash balance on hand Jan. 22, 1928 255.94
Expenditures during year 1928 including $100 Cer-
tificate in Bank 921.07 $1,177.01
•
ASSETS, JANUARY 23, 1929
Two $100 Mortgage Bonds $ 200.00
Liberty Bond 500.00
Certificate in Bank 100.00
Bank Balance 255.94
Total $1,055.94
Auditors H- ^' WINEBERGER
Auditors ^g ^ SMEDLEY, Jr.
On motion, the Reports of the Treasurer and of the Audit-
ing Committee were aeeepted.
NATIONAL LEGISLATION ON STANDARD CONTAINERS
FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
L. C. CAREY, U. S. Dept. Agriculture
There are on the statute books of the United States four
laws relating to containers for fruits and vegetables. First of
these is the law establishing the standard apple barrel which
was approved August 3, 1912 (Sulzer Bill). The second es-
tablishes the same barrel for fruits and vegetables, and other
dry commodities other than cranberries, and also establishes
a standard cranberry barrel. This act was approved March
4, 1915, and is the one commonly known as the U. S. Standard
barrel law. On August 31, 1916, there was approved what has
been commonly known as the U. S. Standard Container Act
which fixes the standards for Climax baskets, berry boxes, and
—10—
till baskets. The fourth and most recent of the container laws
is the Standard Container Act of 1928 which establishes stand-
ards for hampers, round stave baskets, and splint baskets, for
fruits and vegetables. The straight side or tub baskets now
so popular are also affected, some of them being classed as
hampers and others as round stave baskets. This Act was ap-
proved on May 21, 1928, and is now in effect except that the
penalty provisions do not become effective until November
1, 1929.
The standard barrel law provides for 4 sizes of barrels,
namely, 1 barrel, % bbl., 1/2 barrel, and % barrel, and four
sizes of cranberry barrels of the same designations. The di-
mention specfications of these standards are prescribed in the
law, which is enforced by the Bureau of Standards of the U.
S. Department of Commerce. It is interesting to note that the
standard fruit barrel bears no direct relation to our ordinary
measures of volume, but was patterned after and contains the
same cubical contents as the flour barrel. Consequently it
contains, not three bushels as may be commonly supposed, but
actually about 9 quarts in excess of that quantity. The cran-
berry barrel, on the other hand, was designed to hold 100
pounds of cranberries. The use of this container and its sub-
divisions is gradually giving way in favor of cranberry boxes
which are designed to hold the exact cubical contents of th(
several standard cranberry barrels.
The Two U. S. Standard Container Acts are enforced by
the Bureau of Agricultural Economics and provide standard
sizes for all known types of hampers and baskets used for
fruits and vegetables. The capacities of all of these contain-
ers are based on the old Winchester bushel of 2150.42 cubic
inches, which was adopted by the Treasury under a resolution
of Congress passed in 1836, and which has been in afficial use
in U. S. Customs Houses since that time. This same bushel
has been legalized by most of the several states, but it was
never legally established by the Federal government until the
passage of the Standard Container Act of 1928. The standard
quart of 67.2 cubic inches provided in the 1916 law is, however
a sub-division of the Winchester bushel.
Berry Boxes. 10 to 12 years ago there were in common
use, no fewer than 35-40 sizes of berry boxes and till baskets,
ranging from less than 1/2 pint up to 6 quarts. There are only
141/2 pint gradations between the smallest and the largest of
them. There were at the time also some 31 sizes of Climax
grape baskets ranging ?rom about 1 pint up to 14 quarts. Some
idea may be gained of the then existing confusion and chaos
when it is recalled that one basket manufacturer in New York
was making five different sizes of 5 pound grape baskets. The
—11—
condition became intolerable to growers and shippers and man-
ufacturers alike, with the consumer getting off at the usual
place. P'inally, the manufacturers, who were continually be-
set with demands for still different sizes and shapes, joined
in an effort to standardize containers of these types. This
effort resulted in the passage of the first Standard Container
Act— that of 1916— which fixed the 3 sizes of berry boxes at
1/9 pint, 1 pint and 1 quart dry measure ; the 3 sizes of Climax
baskets at 2, 4 and 12 quarts, and provided that other baskets
for small fruits and vegetables should have capacities in mul-
tiples of the dry one quart. This latter provision resulted in
the establishment of four standard sizes of till baskets, namely,
the 1, 2, 3, and 4 quart sizes.
Four very real benefits accrued from the simplification
effected by this first standard container law. Consumers
were assured of full measure; growers and shippers escaped
the unfair competition afforded by snide containers ; transpor-
tation agencies were enabled to devise scientific handling and
stowage methods, thereby reducing damage claims ; and manu-
facturers were relieved of the burden of making and carrying
in stock numerous odd sizes of packages which might be re-
placed with still others before being sold. A fifth benefit
was the general acceptance of the priciple of standardization
and its application to those larger containers which were not
specifically covered by the 1916 law, and whereby some of the
more odious and deceptive types were voluntarily eliminated
through the cooperation of the manufacturers.
However, it required almost 12 years of more or less con-
stant effort to bring the larger types of fruit and vegetable
containers to legal standards. Part of this delay was due to
the inability of the several shipping sections to agree on what
the standards should be, and the law as finally adopted was
somewhat in the nature of a compromise and includes the %
bushel hamper, one of the dominant packages of the Eastern
Shore, but excludes the % bushel hamper which has been used
extensively in the southern states, two containers concerning
which there was considerable controversy.
Hampers and Round Stave Baskets. The 1928 law pro-
vides nine sizes of hampers and round stave baskets, including
all straight side baskets, and six sizes of splint or market bas-
kets. The nine hamper and round stave sizes are: Vs* Vij V2>
%, %, 1, ll^, IV2 ^'ind 2 bushels; while the six splint sizes are
of 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 32 quart capacity. Thus there has been
eliminated a number of containers which have been in common
use in this and other sections. Among these are the 10 quart
**highhaf and the 12 and 14 quart peach baskets or hampers,
and the 2, 6 and 7 quart baskets or hampers. The 10 pound
tomato and lettuce baskets used chiefly in the middle western
—12—
states, the 14 quart splint baskets so popular in Western New
York, and the 28 quart hamper used in the south, must be dis-
carded or altered to meet the provisions of the Act. Others
of less importance are likewise affected. In order that there
might be a minimum of uncertainty as to what containers are
affected by the law the several types have been clearly defined
in the rules and regulations promulgated under the Act.
There is one essential difference between the new^ law and
the original Standard Container Act. The latter is an inter-
state commerce law and its provisions affected only containers,
filled or unfilled, which move in interstate commerce. The
new Act is a weights and measures law and hence is effective
in intra-State as well as interstate commerce. It must be said,
however, that there are few, if any, instances where advan-
tage is taken of the limited jurisdiction of the 1916 law, for
the reason that in this day of improved transportation no com-
munity exists unto itself alone and faces the necessity of be-
ing able to exchange commodities across state lines.
Specifications. The Standard Container Act of 1928 con-
tains one feature that does not appear in any other of the
laws. Instead of fixing dimension specifications as in the bar-
rel laws and as in the case of Climax baskets in the 1916 S.
C. A., and as was at one time contemplated in this legislation.
Section 4 of the 1928 Act requires, in effect, that manufactur-
ers of hampers, round stave baskets and splint baskets for
fruits and vegetables shall submit the dimension specifications
of such containers to the Secretary of Agriculture for his ap-
proval. In order to safeguard manufacturers against arbi-
trary decisions the Secretary is directed to approve such spec-
ifications if he finds that containers made in accordance there-
with comply with the capacity provisions of the Act and are
not deceptive in appearance. This provision will give the De-
partment a record of the specifications used by every manu-
facturer of these three types. This provision also gives us an
opportunity to do away with containers which, while not of
incorrect capacity, are so constructed as to make people think
them larger than they really are.
In view of this new and unusual provision it seemed only
fair that manufacturers should be given some evidence that
their specifications have been approved and should be allowed
to indicate this fact on the containers. Accordingly, the reg-
ulations provide that dimension specifications which are ap-
proved will be specifically certified by the Chief of Bureau and
that the certificate will bear an identification number which
may be used by the manufacturer in marking containers cov-
ered by the certificate. It must be understood that there is noth-
ing compulsory to such marking. However, we hope that
manufacturers will see fit to adopt the system of marking
—13—
proposed in order to bring about uniformity in this respect
and we hope that such states as have occasion to adopt mark-
ing requirements will give consideration to the adoption of
this uniform method.
The requirement that manufacturers submit specifications
for approval has resulted in a great deal of extra work and it
will probably be some time before the final certificates of ap-
proval are issued. There has been some delay in securing as
large a proportion of responses as we should have to our re-
quests for specifications. Some manufacturers seem to be lab-
oring under the impression that this requirement is unreason-
able and unneccessary and have been ignoring it. Unfor-
tunately for such manufacturers, the law is plain and manda-
tory on this point and if they fail to secure approval of their
specifications prior to November 1, 1929, we shall have no
other choice than to proceed against them under the law. Some
manufacturers not only have submitted specifications ^ but
these specifications have been tentatively approved. This is
true in those cases where the measurements of the baskets
conform with the specifications and a satisfactory capacity
test secured.
Bushel Weights. As has been previously stated, we have
had a standard bushel for something like 92 years by common
acceptance and usage. However, the definite establishment
of its cubical contents by the Standard Container Act of 1928
has one rather interesting effect. You are all more or less
familiar with the weight-per-bushel laws which are on the
statute books of three fourths of the States. Most of you who
have given any thought to these laws know that there is a
wide variation in the weights established by the different
States for the same commodities and that many weights so
established are entirely out of line with the actual weights of
the commodities in question. We have, for instance, such
variations as 28 pounds in one State and 56 pounds in another
for green beans. Then there is a weight for sweet potatoes
which varies from 50 to 56 pounds, whereas a bushel of kiln-
dried sweet potatoes will seldom run over 42 to 45 pounds.
Bushel weights of apples range from 44 to 50 pounds; onions
from 50 to 57 ; turnips from 42 to 60 pounds ; peaches from 40
to 54 pounds; pears from 36 to 58, and tomatoes from 45 to
60 pounds. The provision of the new law establishing the
capacity of the bushel reads as follows:
*'For the purpose of this Act a bushel, standard dry mea-
sure, has a capacity of 2150.42 cubic inches.'* This is
struck measure.
The Solicitor of the Department has expressed the opinion
that this provision makes inoperative State weight-per-bushel
—14—
laws so far as fruits and vegetables packed in containers
standardized by the Act are concerned. It does seem obvious
that if for the purpose of the Act a bushel has a certain capac-
ity then a weight requirement cannot also be imposed. This
whole subject of weight-per-bushel is one on which there has
been to much confusion and not enough clear thinking. There
has been a tendency on the part of many to confuse sale by
weight bushel with sale by weight. I cannot see that they
have anything in common.
Sale by weight is an exact and scientific method. Sale
by weight bushel is an attempt to make a farmer deliver as a
bushel a certain number of pounds which in most cases a
bushel of the given commodity could never weigh. One of
the first States to give serious consideration to this matter
was Massachusetts. After many years of using so-called
bushel boxes of all sorts of capacities on the Boston market
the State established a standard bushel box. Shipments in
these boxes into other New England states met with trouble
because the weight contained did not agree with the weight-
per-bushel laws of the other States. The State authorities
conceived the idea of ascertaining correct weights per bushel
and then endeavoring to secure the adoption of a uniform
schedule by all of the New England States. An unprejudiced
commission was appointed and many weighings of fruits and
vegetables were made. These weighings clearly demonstrated
to the commission that any attempt to assign a fixed weight
to a bushel of any commodity was unscientific and impracti-
cal. Accordingly, they recommended the adoption of, and the
State legislature did adopt, a law providing for the sale of
farm products by weight or numerical count except when in
the original standard container. This law further provides
that where a wholesale merchant has to repack the original
container then the sale must be by weight. In other words,
it permits the farmer to make his sales by containers, but re-
quires that when these containers are broken for resale such
transactions must be on the basis of weight or numerical
count. One or two other states have taken action similar to
that of Massachusetts and the matter is recommended for con-
sideration by the remaining States.
Before closing a discussion of the Standard Container Act
of 1928, I wish to mention two misconceptions under which
some seem to be laboring regarding the effect of the law.
First, there seems to be an idea on the part of some manufac-
turers that they may continue to make non-standard baskets
up until November 1, 1929, and that any baskets made prior
to that date may be disposed of after that time. This is em-
phatically not the case. Any manufacturer who on Novem-
—15—
ber 1 1929, finds himself in possession of non-standard con-
tainers has 'simply so much kindling wood on his hands.
Second there seems to be an idea that a grower or ship-
per or any' one else, who has bought non-standard containers
and has them on hand on November 1, 1929, can use them.
This also is not the case. Such baskets cannot be used for
selling or measuring fruits and vegetables. Purchasers should
so regulate their buying of non-standard baskets as to be as-
sured of disposing of all of them before November 1, 1929. T
want to emphasize again that this law does not refer merely
to containers used in shipping fruits and vegetables but to
containers used for fruits and vegetables, and that it is just
as illegal to sell or offer for sale fruits and vegetables in non-
standard containers as it is to ship in such containers.
Types of Containers. It was suggested that a discussion
of the comparative merits of the several types of containers
be undertaken at this time, but our jurisdiction does not ex-
tend into that domain. Our office is primarily interested in
capacities and has no occasion to observe the behavior of con-
tainers in actual use.
However, there are some general observations which may
be of interest and which, no doubt, most of you have made
for yourselves. Containers for fruits and vegetables are in
the process of evolution which had its origin in the demand
for smaller containers to which there have been many contri-
buting factors. Apartment houses provide no adequate facil-
ities for storing large quantities of perishable products, and
apartment house dwellers are living in the age of gas filling
stations and delicatessen shops and chain grocery stores that
dot the landscape like the dew. Improved means and methods
of transportation have eliminated the need of storage space m
the retail stores. Large containers are becoming more and
more unnecessary, as daily delivery of convenient sized pack-
ages can be made from central warehouses.
Straight Side Baskets. The use of the barrel for fruits
and vegetables has fallen off tremendously in recent years,
and appears to be due for further decline, largely on account
of the growing popularity and apparently unlimited adapta-
bility of the so-called tub or straight side basket. This type
of basket, as you know, originated in the mind of a Michigan
fruit grower, who, realizing that sales are made in the pur-
chasers eye, wanted a pac'kage that would ''open up well,''
look good, like the open head of a barrel, which, at that time
and still is, well faced. The jumble bushel pack is not at-
tractive and ring facing by hand is an expensive operation
that materially slows up orchard packing.
He devised a straight stave basket having a loose bottom
which is packed in the same manner as the barrel, i. e. through
—16—
the bottom, after having carefully arranged the face of the
package. He also had in mind a type of basket that would
stand up well in transit and in storage — a feature which the
straight staves provided — and which has proven to be the
most desirable and advantageous feature of his mind's child,
overcoming as it does the inherent weakness of the original
round stave baskets. At least within two or three years of
the introduction of his basket several adaptations of the
stave, flat bottom basket appeared on the market. One of
these was almost identical with the original tub but having a
permanent instead of a loose bottom. Another was a conver-
sion of the regular round bottom basket but provided a flat
bottom and straight sides by means of scored staves reinforced
with a third hoop at the bottom. Later this type was follow-
ed with a basket made according to the same general scheme
but with staves unscored, but simply bent or ''broken" to
form the flat bottom. These are usually referred to as "bent
bottom, straight side baskets. ' ' In addition to these there have
been introduced various other so-called tub hampers — some
with fabricated bottoms and others with solid bottoms. The
staves in these latter types are usually separated somewhat as
in the ordinary hampers.
All of these various types of straight side baskets or ham-
pers are now being used and appear to be making serious in-
roads on the use of old and long established packages. The
improvement of various packing devices has had considerable
to do with the amazing growth in the popularity of these
packages. These devices enable the ordinary orchard worker
to put out a "ring-face" pack that compares favorably with
the faces of barrels, and in addition, provide a satisfactory
bulge. I am not in a position to state which of the several
types is to be preferred as undoubtedly one may fit the pecu-
liar needs of one shipper better than another and one's exper-
ience must dictate the particular type he will use. We do
note, however, that at the present time the trend appears to
be toward the bent bottom straight side basket, judging from
the factories that are installing that kind of equipment as
compared with other kinds.
One of the latest innovations in the realm of fruit pack-
ages that tends to emphasize the waning influence of the bar-
rel is a one bushel tub barrel or barrel tub, made with typical
barrel staves and two heads that set in croze rings. The heads
are of different size and give the container somewhat the ap-
pearance of a hamper. This package, I believe, is designed to
meet certain needs of the export trade, but at the present time
is merely in the experimental stage. It would probably be too
expensive for domestic use, and it may not prove practical
for shipments abroad. However, it will have served a useful
—17—
purpose if it drives home the necessity of properly packing
and securely fastening the covers of well made packages that
are now being used to some extent for foreign trade.
There has been nothing new or startling in the realm of
hampers, aside from the elimination of a few odd sizes, and
the same may be said for splint baskets.
Mr. L. C. Carey: The original straight-side bushel basket
had a removable bottom, the idea being that packing this con-
tainer through the bottom, after arranging the face, the same
as in the barrel, it would open up better on the market. The
straight-stave idea was designed to lend rigidity and strength
and eliminate the inherent weakness of the round-stave bas-
ket. It did this; and it is supplanting the round-stave bushel.
There are several types of straight-side bushels. There
is the original, with the loose bottom, and then there is that
same basket with the bottom stapled in. The basket with the
straight stave that now appears to be most popular, judging
by the number of manufacturers who are making it, is what is
termed the bent-bottom basket. It is really a round-bottom
bushel with straight staves and a third hook at the bottom.
There are more manufacturers making that basket than any of
the other types of straight sides.
In addition to those three kinds, there are the various so-
called tub hampers, those having straight staves, separated
staves to allow ventilation, and solid-board bottoms.
As to the relative merits of the several types of straight
staves, the only thing that we have to base any conclusion on
is the number of manufacturers who are making them. The
bent-bottom basket seems to be in the lead.
Just a few days ago we had one come to our office that
we could hardly classify. It was made with barrel staves
with regular barrel heads. It held just a few cubic inches less
than a bushel. It is made by a barrel manufacturer and, I
believe, is designed for the export trade. It is only in the ex-
perimental stage, but I hope it may find favor. It would ac-
complish a good service to the horticultural interests if it
would drive home to the makers of baskets and the users of
baskets the need for stout, well-made baskets, in the first
place, and then of securely fastened covers.
President Funk: Will you explain the difference be-
tween the splint, the hamper, and the stave baskets?
Mr. Carey: The 1928 act and the rules and regulations
that have been promulgated under it are published, and are
available to anybody on application to the U. S. Dept. of Agri-
culture. I quote from Service and Regulartory Announcement
No. 116. Following are three definitions in question:
—18—
Hamper. A container, circular, elliptical, or polygonal at
top and/or bottom, the top diameter of which is usually some-
what greater than the bottom, having slatted sides and a fab-
ricated or solid bottom which may be loose, or stapled, or nailed
in place, or formed by the continuation of the sides.
Round Stave Basket. — A container, usually round at both
top and bottom, the sides and bottom of which are formed by
a web of continuous or noncontinuous staves.
Splint basket. — ;A container, usually approximately rec-
tangular, the sides and bottom of which are formed from a
mat, woven or braided, of continuous narrow staves or splints,
or of two or more veneer blanks crossed at right angles.
President Funk: Is a 16-quart peach basket a hamper?
Mr. Carey: It is a hamper. I referred to the so-called
**high hat.'^ That is made with two pieces of veneer that
come down in a veneer form at the bottom. Straight-side
baskets are either classified as a round-stave or as a hamper,
depending upon their construction.
Mr. P. S. Penstermacher : Does this new package act,
which has retained the five-eights Jersey basket, apply to fruit
as well as to vegetables?
Mr. Carey To either fruit or vegetables.
Mr. Penstermacher: That may give us trouble. Some of
these Jerseymen can't get away from the five-eighths basket.
It hurts us in this way: Small dealers will go down to Phil-
adelphia and they will buy fruit in five-eighths baskets. But
they won't sell it in that basket. They will repack it into a
16-quart basket and frequently make a basket and a half out
of a five-eighths basket. There is less cost and they can sell
for less than our 16-quart baskets. That is unfair competition.
Is it possible for the State of Pennsyylvania to make it illegal
to sell this Jersey fruit in Pennsylvania in five-eighths bas-
kets?
Mr. Carey: My opinion w^ould be that a state law to that
effect would be in contravention to the Federal law of 1928.
I don't believe you could make it stick.
Member: Would it be illegal to sell apples in crates after
the first of November, if they hold a full bushel?
Mr. Carey: There is no Federal legislation pertaining to
crates.
President Funk: But it will be illegal to use the 14-quart
peach basket?
Mr. Carey: Absolutely.
—19—
Member: Did I understand you to say that the measures
of all these hampers were struck measures?
Mr. Carey: Yes.
Member: When you take a round-stave or a tub bushel
basket, if the wire handles are pretty lono, you get a good deal
extra measure.
Mr. Carey: That is an interesting question. One of the
first things that struck me when I went to Washington on this
work was the care with which baskets are made to take ad-
vantage of all the cracks and little indentations and the con-
volutions and one thing and another. A basket that tests a
bushel won't hold any more than that. The bulge that is put
on a bushel basket of apples, the way it is commonly put on
now, is not excessive after your package has ridden over the
rails and over roads. In other words, I believe that the eco-
nomic advantage of the full appearance of your package when
it reaches the market will more than offset the little excess
that it amounts to in the actual capacity.
Mr. H. W. Miller: Have there been any standardizing of
liners for these baskets? We have used several liners that did
not fit the package at all. They were too small at the bottom
and would break in transportation. I have heard a number of
other people talk about that the past season. I wondered if
the Department wouldn't have a standard liner, made to fit
the tub.
Mr. Carey: There is at the present time no way that we
could have authority to do this of our own volition. If there
were to develop a demand for that sort of thing and it could
be hooked on to the capacity provisions of your container,
there is probably little question but what we could cooperate,
at least, with that kind of an effort.
President Funk: If our Secretary furnished you with a
list of the membei-s of this Association would you see that they
received a copy of these regulations?
Mr. Carey: Very glad to.
Mr. S. L. Smedley: It is a great comfort to know now
that when we pack a bushel basket and fasten it down and
send it by rail or by truck, that we are selling a bushel of
apples and we won't have to bother with weight requirements,
because, as we all know, the weight will vary a few pounds
more or less according to the size and variety of apple. Noav
we can send a bushel of apples and needn't worry whether it
is right up to w^eight or not.
In observing the Philadelphia market, I find that the tall
hamper is a thing of the past. Practically nothing but beans
—20—
are shipped in them now ; the tub bushel has taken its place.
We can pack our apples in round bottom bushels, or the
straight-side or the easy-pack type, and ship them to market,
but it is the apples in those baskets that bring us the returns
rather than the type of package.
One of the especially fancy baskets or containers, is the
corrugated box, with divisions. That, I think, should be ex-
clusively used for fancy fruit ; to put lower grades into those
special containers is a mistake.
LESSONS FROM A SURVEY OF ORCHARD SITES
IN PENNSYLVANIA
R. D. ANTHONY, State CoUege
In an attempt to aid the fruit industry of the Cumberland-
Shenandoah region, three years ago about 40 representatives
of the United States Department of Agriculture and of the
Agricultural Colleges of Virginia, West Virginia, Mary-
land and Pennsylvania met at Winchester to study the
research needs of this region. At this conference it
was decided that one of the chief needs was a survey to de-
termine the causes of success and failure during the previous
five years — a critical period in the Valley and one during
which but few orchards had been able to make large financial
returns.
In 1926 such a survey was made by three of the four Val-
ley States — Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Nearly
15,000 acres of apple orchards 15 years old or older were stud-
ied for the five year period, 1921-25. Approximately 500 dif-
ferent orchards were included. In Pennsylvania 100 orchards
comprising 2500 acres were studied in Adams, Cumberland, and
Franklin counties. In this region of the State the industry is
still almost entirely on a car-lot shipping basis. Considerable
care was taken to select orchards which would be representa-
tive of the region, consequently both good and poor orchards
were studied. In Pennsylvania the work was clone by mem-
bers of the Departments of Horticulture and Agricultural
Economics.
The final results of this survey have been published by the
United States Department of Agriculture as Technical Bulle-
tin 54, ''Factors Influencing the Yield of Apples in the Cum-
berland-Shenandoah Region of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and
West Virginia." Your secretary has suggested that certain
points developed by this survey are worthy of emphasis at this
meeting.
Low Yields per Acre: Out of the total of nearly 500
orchards studied that were at least 15 years old in 1926, the
average yield for the five years from 1921 through 1925 was
—21—
I!
I
'I
secured from 441 blocks. Nearly 40% ot these averaged only
one barrel or less per tree per year. Nearly one-third of this
40% yielded only a half barrel or less per tree per year. The
average of the entire 441 blocks was only 1.2 barrels.
Under the price conditions that prevailed in this region
during these five years it is doubtful if this yield was sufficient
to do more than meet the running expenses ^f/he orchard and
in some cases it probably fell short of this A little over 21%
of the 441 blocks had an annual tree yield of better than two
barrels and only about 6% yielded more than three barrels.
Conditions since 1925 have improved somewhat but not enough
to make any material change in these averages.
Early in the survey it became clear that these low yields
rather than low prices were the chief factors responsible for
failure in this region; consequently the causes ot low yields
were studied in considerable detail.
Loss from Freezes and Frosts: In every year of the five
included some damage was reported as due to freezes or frosts.
This ranged from almost complete loss of crop in 1921 in
some sections to minor losses in 1924 in about 15% of the
orchards. The severe freeze of 1921 is probably still fresh in
your minds. Nearly every orchard studied in Virginia and
West Virginia suffered heavy damage and about three-fourths
of those in the Pennsylvania survey were injured. This was
different from frost damage and orchards with good air drain-
age which seldom suffered loss had their ci'ops destroyed be-
cause they were exposed to the strong west wind which ac-
companied the freeze.
Temperature conditions in 1922 were again unfavorable.
Nearly half the orchards studied reported frost damage. In
1923 the loss from frost in Pennsylvania was almost negligible
but in the Shenandoah region the losses were heavier than in
1922.
In general as one goes noi-thward approximately 90 miles
at the same elevation, or as one goes 400 feet higher up the
mountain trees blossom four days latei-. Before the blossoms
open they are less tender than at full bloom or later. With
this the case it is not surprising that at times the damage from
frost should be somewhat greater in the Shenandoah than in
the Cumberhind end of this region.
In 1925 about one-fourth of the orchards studied in Penn-
sylvania reported frost damage and again the loss was some-
what heavier in Virginia and West Virginia. Even in 1926,
the year of this survey, when growth conditions were more
than usually favorable, one of the sections studied in Penn-
sylvania reported 12% of the orchards as suffering from frost
damage.
—22—
In other years besides 1921 the study of weather damage
was complicated by loss from freezing as well as from frost.
One large orchard surveyed illustrates the difference in these
two types of damage: A severe drop in temperature during
late winter accompanied by a high wind destroyed a consider-
able proportion of the blossom buds in the upper third of the
orchard where the elevation was about 300 feet above the
nearby valley. During the spring a heavy frost injured many
blossoms in the lower third of the orchard where the land was
only a few feet above the valley.
Air Drainage : The mere fact that an orchard is on a hill
side does not insure freedom from loss nor is an orchard in the
valley necessarily unduly liable to frost. There are occasional
air pockets on the hill sides and if there is from 50 to 100 feet
of slope to the valley floor within a mile of a valley orchard
there is usually enough air movement to prevent damage from
ordinary frosts.
During a still night when frost is imminent, the air 50
feet above level ground is usually nearly ten degrees warmer
than at the ground. This is due to radiation of heat from the
earth's surface. When there is opportunity for the heavy,
cold air to move lower along a slope this warm air takes its
place, but this does not usually extend to more than 500 or 600
feet above the valley floor.
Some of the most unprofitable orchards studied had the
best air drainage because of their high elevation. Here the
damage was winter freezing due both to elevation and to ex-
posure to strong winds. Since the prevailing wind in this
region is usually westerly, orchards with an eastern exposure
usually reported somewhat less loss during this five year period
than those with a western exposure.
It was rather surprising to find that orchards exposed to
the strong draft of cold air coming from a mountain gap were
among those suffering severe losses from freezing.
As has previously been stated, the condition of the blos-
soms during a frost is a very important factor in determining
the degree of damage. A study made by the United States
Weather Bureau in connection with this survey showed that if
the period between February 7 and March 21 was abnorma^y
warm the chances were large that the crop that year would Be
below normal. The warm weather having started the buds,
they were more susceptible to frost injury. If, during this
same period, the weather was colder than average the yield
was usually good.
This study of weather damage left no doubt in the minds
of those conducting the survey that proper elevation above the
surrounding territory was one of the essentials to a successful
orchard in this region. Because of poor air drainage or toe
—23—
)
great exposure, certain orchards will inevitably be unprofitable
where any considerable number of years are considered.
The Soil Factor: The soil is also a factor in the selection
of orchard sites and like frosts necessitates a careful study
of each site to determine its influence. Because orchard areas
are selected for good air drainage, they are frequently exposed
to excessive soil drainage. This may result in gullying or m
a serious loss of fertility either before the planting of the trees
or during their growth. Many of our best fruit soils are not
as strong as soils which give good results with field crops.
Consequently it is not so easy to maintain them in a high state
of fertility The absence of sufficient humus in the soil to
maintain its fertility was frequently noted during this survey.
Usually this condition traces back to the care of the land pre-
vious to its selection as an orchard site and should have been
considered and corrected or the site rejected at that time.
Many orchards reported damage from hail at some time
during the years covered by this survey and some suffered loss
more than once. Those orchards located near mountain gaps
seemed to suffer especially. There are probably other areas
equally liable to damage because of topographic conditions
but to determine these would I'oquire a more intensive study
than was possible at this time. Every fruit grower should
study the extent of each hail storm in his vicinity to determine
the probable danger of any site which he has in mind for fu-
ture planting.
Certain mistakes in orcharding may be remedied easily
when they are detected but unwise choice of site is fatal to
successful fruit growing and consequently the selection of site
is the factor which should receive the most careful study be-
fore starting an orchard.
Although losses from freezing and frost were the largest
unpreventable losses in this and probably in any other fruit
region of the State, this survey brought out the fact that pre-
ventable losses were even greater in many orchards and it has
served to emphasize the need of much more intelligent atten-
tion to problems of orchard fertility. Certainly if orcharding
in general is to be a success in this region the average tree
must be made to yield more than 1.2 barrels per year.
President Funk: What percentage of these orchards were
on really good locations"^
Mr. Anthony: We tried to «:et, as far as possible, repre-
sentative orchards. Some of the very best locations in the
entire area were studied and I should say off hand, that 60 to
70 per cent of those orchards were on what we consider good
locations, rather than 60 to 70 per cent on what we consider
poor locations.
—24—
Mr. Newcomer: Does this apply to peaches as well?
Mr. Anthony: This was a survey of the apple but wher-
ever possible we checked up our findings Avith the peach,
which is more sensitive to unfavorable sites than the apple.
The results apply to peaches even more than to apples, because
the peach is more easily started by warm weather; it is more
tender in bud both to spring frost and winter freezing. So
we have in the peach a crop much more responsive to climatic
conditions and consequently one that needs even greater care.
If you should study the shift of the peach industry in this
state, you would be dumfounded at the hundreds of thousands
of dollars that have been lost by unwise selection of peach
sites. Counties that at one time ranked second, third and
fourth in the number of peach trees, have gone out of business,
because they found that the locations were unwise. There has
been more money lost in the unwise selection of orchard sites
in Pennsylvania than anything else.
Mr. Fred Satterthwaite : What would be considered a
good location?
Mr. Anthony: It is a local problem. You need an area
from which the cold air drains off; that is not exposed to too
much wind or subject to hail. Some local conditions may up-
set what seems to be an ideal location, such as a mountain gap
nearby. It is a matter of studying your particular section
for several years.
President Funk: I have long felt that this is one of the
big subjects in fruit growing. If you will digest what Prof.
Anthony has told you in the last twenty minutes, it will be
worth a great deal more to you than the dues that you pay
into this Association for a number of years. It is one of the
subjects that we have too frequently considered after it was
too late.
SOME PROBLEMS OF NEW JERSEY PEACH GROWERS
A. J. FABLEY, Extension Pomologist
New Jersey State Agricultural College
The peach growers of New Jersey, like people in all other
walks of life, have their problems. The chief problem at the
present time at least in the southern part of the state where
the majority of the large commercial orchards are located is
that of selling the fruit at a price that will insure the producer
a reasonable margin of profit. The tremendous increase in the
quantity of peaches produced in the south during the past few
years has had a marked effect upon the peach industry in
southern New Jersey. Leading varieties next to Elberta, such
as Greensboro, Carman, Hiley and Belle of Georgia, which a
—25—
few years ago were among our most profitable varieties are no
longer being planted by eommercial growers in southern Jer-
sey, but on the other hand are bing pulled out in large num-
bers. Even Elberta is not very profitable in some sections of
the state during seasons of heavy peach production. This sit-
uation is really responsible for the most important and vital
problems of the South Jersey peach grower at the present time.
In the central and northern sections of the state this particular
situation does not present a serious problem since the produc-
tion is less; local consumption is greater and the season is late
enough to avoid some of the southern competition. Many
growers in southern New Jersey feel that they might stand the
competition with southern peaches, if they had the right kind
of varieties. At the present time, South Jersey Carman and
Hiley are forced to compete with southern Elbertas, thus plac-
ing the New Jersey grower under a handicap that is practically
impossible to overcome. However, like all real fruit growers
the South Jersey peach growers are optimistic, and have not
by any means lost confidence in the possibilities of the peach
industry in that section of the state. It is true that compara-
tively little planting is going on and many trees are being
pulled out, but I look for a marked increase in planting just
as soon as varieties are developed that can compete success-
fully with southern fruit. In this connection, we have every
reason to believe that trees of such varieties will be available
to New Jersey growers within the next few years. In the
meantime the orchards that are favorably located will continue
to be operated, some years at a loss and some years with
profit, while those that are unfavorably located will be pulle3
out or abandoned.
Orchard Sites: This brings us to another situation that
has been a particularly important factor in peach production,
in New Jersey during the last few years. I refer to the loca-
tion of the orchard with respect to elevation* exposure, and
air drainage. As a result of rather large profits made from
peach orchards, planted in favorable locations, many growers
yielded to the temptation of planting peach trees where condi-
tions were less favorable, -and as a result those particular
orchards have never been very profitable, and never will reach
that desirable condition. Most of these orchards produce large
crops of fruit during seasons when all climate conditions are
favorable, but have a very light crop or no crop at all during
an unfavorable season. As a result such orchards are seldom
profitable, since peaches are usually cheap when they have a
crop and when peaches are high in price the same orchards
have a shy crop.
The profitable peach orchard is the one that will bring
through at least a fair crop of fruit when a number of other
orchards in the same locality do not have a crop, because of
—26—
some climatic condition. We have a number of these co-called
marginal peach orchards in New Jersey, and the sooner they
are pulled out the better it will be not only for the owners, but
for the entire peach industry in the state.
Soil Management: Soil management, with special refer-
ence to cultivation, fertilization, and cover crops is another
problem in which our New Jersey peach growers are vitally
interested. Clean cultivation with or without cover crops is
almost the universal practice among New Jersey peach grow-
ers. One commercial grower in the central part of the state
has practiced an alfalfa sod mulch system in his peach orchard
for at least 7 or 8 years with very satisfactory results. This
particular orchard, however, is an exception to the general
rule. Nitrate of soda and sulfate of ammonia are the two
forms of commercial fertilizer used most extensively in New
Jersey peach orchards at the present time, although there is a
gradual tendency toward the increased use of complete fertil-
izers. Furthermore* the amount of nitrogen applied per tree,
or per acre, has been decreased in many orchards, due to the
fact that the trees were growing too rank, and the fruit lacked
the desired color and shipping quality. Some growers find
that failure to grow cover crops has resulted in a soil condi-
tion that is not favorable for maximum crop production. Soil
management is a real problem in many of our orchards, and
one that must be largely solved by each individual grower. In
any given variety brightness of color, firmness of flesh, time of
maturity, and to some extent size of fruit are detei-mined by the
environment of the tree. Fruit from over vegetative, succu-
lent trees has less color, and softer flesh, is more susceptible to
brown rot and inferior in quality to fruit of the same variety
grown on trees of moderate vigor. Stimulating late growth to
delay ripening is a dangerous practice.
Pruning: The pruning of peach trees does not seem to be
a very difficult problem for most peach growers. There is a
tendency on the part of some growers to cut back their trees
too severely, while others allow the tops of the trees to become
too thick. In general, however, our growers prune to develop
and maintain a bowl shaped, open-headed tree and thin out
and cut back the top moderately each year. One of the chief
problems in connection with pruning is to train men to make
each cut count and avoid making a large numbe?' of small cuts
that have no appreciable effect either upon the growth or
fruiting of the tree.
Thinning: Thinning of the fruit is a fairly common prac-
tice with varieties that have a habit of setting more fruit than
the tree can grow up to a profitable size. Early varieties
should be thinned immediately after or even during the so-
—27—
called June drop, while later varieties may be thinned with
satisfactory results any time within 6 weeks of harvesting.
Most growers aim to thin the young fruits to a distance of 5
to 8 inches if the set is uniformly heavy throughout the tree.
Diseases: The most important diseases of the peach in
New Jersey are brown rot, scab, leaf curl, bacterial spot, peach
yellows and little peach. Satisfactory control measures have
been developed for brown rot, scab and leaf curl, but the same
thing is not true of bacterial spot, yellows and little peach.
Brown rot was particularly severe during 1927 and 1928,
largely on account of the excessive amount of rainfall during
the growing season. However, we find that growers who
spray properly during the early part of the growing season
have very little trouble with brown rot. Most of the trouble
occurs in orchards where the disease is allowed to get a start
early in the season, thus establishing a constant source of in-
fection which may become very serious under favorable cli-
matic conditions, or in orchards where the trees are too sucu-
lent.
Bacterial spot was more serious in New Jersey during the
past season than ever before in the memory of peach growers,
and members of the Experiment Station staff. It was not any
more severe than it has been before in certain orchards, but it
was severe over a wider territory. No sure and practical con-
trol for this disease has yet been demonstrated in New Jersey,
although it appears to be related rather closely to certain soil
conditions involving fertility, organic matter and moisture.
Some growers have reported that many of the fruit buds on
trees severely defoliated by bacterial spot last summer are
already dead, although in most cases there are probably enough
left for a crop if weather conditions are favorable during the
balance of the winter and spring.
Insects: The serious insect enemies of the peach in New
Jersey are red mite, curculio, borers, oriental peach moth and
Japanese beetle.
Red mite pi'esents a rather difficult problem, since it re-
quires an oil spray in the .spring, while the trees are dormant
whereas leaf curl requires a fungicide. Bordeaux-oil combi-
nations as well as certain sulfur and oil mixtures are being
tried out, but the Experiment Station is not yet ready to rec-
ommend them for general use. In orchards where red mite
and leaf curl are both likely to cause trouble we recommend a
fall application of concentrated lime-sulfur, or Bordeaux mix-
ture for leaf curl and an early spring application of oil for the
red mite. This, of course, necessitates an extra spray, thereby
making it very desirable to develop a combination spray that
will take care of both leaf curl and red mite without injury
to the trees.
•—28—
Curculio is not particularly serious in New Jersey peach
orchards, although it appears to be on the increase. The chief
problem in connection with curculio on peaches is concerned
with the use of sufficient amounts of lead arsenate to control
the bug without injuring the tree. We recommend the use of
one pound of powdered lead arsenate to 50 gallons of spray
mixture, which is usually New Jersey Dry Mix or its equiva-
lent. Furthermore, we recommend the addition of sufficient
lime to the Dry Mix to bring the total amount up to 8 pounds
to 50 gallons of mixture, or just double the quantity in Dry
Mix made in accordance with the New Jersey formula. Peach
growers as a rule do not worry very much about curculio dur-
ing seasons when the set of fruit is heavy, figuring that a
little thinning by curculio is a good thing, but when the set
of fruit is light, curculio may materially reduce the crop.
Furthermore, curculio punctures make ideal places for brown
rot to enter the young plants, thus establishing an early source
of infection.
The peach borer is no longer a serious problem, paradich-
lorobenzene being the answer.
Oriental peach moth is still a very serious insect in New
Jersey, although natural enemies appear to be reducing the
injury to some extent. I notice that this troublesome insect
will be discussed and probably cussed at the meeting tomorrow^
afternoon and, therefore, I will not spend any more time on it
now.
Japanese beetle is constantly spreading to new localities,
and is a very serious problem in connection with very early
varieties of peaches. It can be controlled satisfactorily on late
varieties by arsenical sprays, but no satisfactory remedy has
been found to protect the fruit of such early varieties as Early
Wheeler, and Greensboro, which ripen when the beetles are on
the wing in greatest numbers.
Marketing: After the peach grower is assured of a crop,
and has successfully protected it against injury from insects
and diseases, he is then confronted with the many problems
concerned with harvesting, grading, packing and marketing.
As I have already indicated it is right here that many of our
New Jersey growers find their most difficult problems. Long
experience is required to enable one to recognize just the right
stage for picking different varieties for different markets. The
same shade of color may not always be indicative of the same
degree of firmness of flesh or maturity under varying rates of
tree growth, or different climatic and seasonal conditions. The
present methods of determining maturity and firmness of
peaches depend largely upon the judgment of the individual
who actually picks the fruit with the result that in many cases
the product is not as uniform as it might be. •» Mechanical
pressure testers to determine the firmness of the fruit have
been developed, but it remains to be demonstrated how they
can be utilized in a practical way by the fruit grower. It will
be necessary to work out definite standards for each variety,
and even after that is done, it is a question just how the me-
chanical pressure tester can be used to determine the proper
stage of maturity at which to pick the fruit. It would seem,
therefore, that individual judgment based upon close observa-
tion and practical experience would continue to be the method
of determining the proper time to pick peaches.
Prompt and careful handling of the fruit after it is picked
is just as important as production and harvesting, while mar-
keting is a long story by itself. I am not even going to men-
tion the many problems our New Jersey peach growers have
in connection with that phase of the peach industry, but will
do my best to answer any questions you may have in connec-
tion with the grading, packing, and marketing of peaches or
discuss further any production problems in which you may
be particularly interested.
Mr. Frederick Greist: Do you feel that the control of
eurculio has been satisfactory? My experience has been that
we haven't been successful in controlling eurculio, even with
an extra arsenical spray dropped in now and then.
Prof. Farley: I don't think it is entirely satisfactory but
very few of our growers consider it as serious a problem as the
oriental moth. It certainly is a serious problem in seasons of
light crops.
Question: Did you see any difference in the results of
using sulphate of ammonia as compared with nitrate?
Prof. Farley: Practically none in any comparative tests
that we made or in growers' orchards.
Mr. Newcomer: Does the use of sulphate of ammonia or
nitrate of soda reduce color?
Prof. Farley: If used in such amount that it will pro-
mote a rank, succulent growth of the tree, you will have less
color on the fruit.
Mr. Newcomer: IIow many pounds of nitrate are you
using or recommending for seven or eight year old trees?
Prof. Farley: We haven't any standard recommendation
because of the great variation in the condition of the soil. Last
year we ran some tests in one orchard, using 100 pounds of
nitrate of soda per acre. That would be about one pound per
tree. It was enough. In another orchard less than a mile
away, 250 pounds of nitrate of soda was not enough. There
was that difference in the condition of the soil between those
two orchards very close together.
—30—
Mr. Newcomer: Would you use the same amount of sul-
phate of ammonia as you did nitrate of soda per tree?
Prof. Farley: I would use slightly less. Our growers, a
few years ago, due to a combination of rather severe pruning
and very heavy fertilization with nitrate of soda or sulphate
of ammonia, were getting too rank a growth on their trees.
Men were putting 200 pounds of nitrate of soda per acre on
orchards that could have gotten along very well during that
season without any or, at most, with 100 jpounds. So that it
strikes me as being largely an individual problem and each
grower knows more about his trees and his soil, or should
know, than any one else. By making a careful study of the
results he gets from his fertilizer applications, he should be
able to work out better than any one else the proper applica-
tions for his orchard.
Mr. Greist: What seems to be the most favored cover
crop?
Prof. Farley: I presume at the present time rye is used
most, rye and vetch ; but no sown cover crop is used in the
majority of cases, the growers depending on crab grass or
whatever grows up in the orchard.
Mr. Greist: You don't have soil washing problems?
Prof. Farley: Not in the average orchard. There are
certain sections of young orchards where the blowing of the
soil in spring is just as serious as erosion.
S. W. Fletcher: Are any of the new varieties developed
by the New Jersey Experiment Station, to replace Carman and
Belle, past the experimental stage and are now recommended
for commercial planting? If so, what are they and where can
Pennsylvania growers get them?
Prof. Farley: The only variety that I consider has passed
the experimental stage is Cumberland, which is early, prac-
tically a freestone, white-fleshed, ripening almost a week before
Carman, very similar in appearance to Belle of Georgia, but
somewhat brighter in color. I believe trees of that variety
can be secured from any of the New Jersey nurseries and pos-
sibly from some others.
Golden Jubilee is, in my opinion, not yet out of the experi-
mental stage, although we have a great many experimenters in
New Jersey. It has been planted quite extensively in the state
entirely on the strength of what the original tree at New
Brunswick has done. That is the only tree which has fruited
yet and on the strength of what that one tree has done there
have been, I presume, (will be by this spring) at least 50,000
trees planted.
—31—
> ,
Mr. Newcomer: What don't you like about it?
Prof. Farley: I haven't any objection to the peach as far
as its behavior on the original tree is concerned. It it will do
as well in every section of the state as that tree has done, it
will be fine; but we don't know what it will do in other sec-
tions of the state. We hope to find out this year.
Mr. J. S. Rittenhouse: What is the character of the soil
where the tree of this variety is fruited?
Prof. Farley: It is a fairly heavy gravelly loam, a soil
that I would consider a little too heavy for an ideal peach soil
in New Jersey. The tree has a growth very similar to Elberta
and the fruit resembles Elberta in shape and somewhat in
color ; possibly it resembles the Early Elberta a little more than
it does the ordinary Elberta in color in that it has a bit less
of the red and more of that golden yellow color. It will prob-
ably run a trifle smaller in size than the ordinary Elberta.
Mr. Greist: How about the ripening time compared with
Elberta?
Prof. Farley : It has the same season as Cumberland, four
or five days before Carman. We are not recommending the
planting of Golden Jubilee on any large scale even though it
does prove to be as good in other sections of the state as it
has at New Brunswick, because it hits the Georgia Elberta sea-
son. But our growers feel that with a peach of that kind they
will be able to stand some of that competition; they will be
able to put Golden Jubilee on the market better than
the southern growers can Elberta, because being nearer the
market, they are able to leave them on the trees for at least
two days longer.
Question: What do you consider a satisfactory peach
sorter for ripe peaches?
Prof. Farley: I have yet to see one that I would consider
using for ripe peaches.
S. W. Fletcher: What has been the experience of Jersey
growers in holding peaches in cold storage? What are the
limits?
Prof. Farley: Our growers have had varied experience in
holding peaches in cold storage. Some had a very sad experi-
ence two years ago. They filled the storage in one day and
then the operator was not able to keep the temperature down,
and practically all the peaches were lost.
Under normal conditions our growers find that it pays to
put a certain proportion of their Elberta peaches in cold stor-
age at the height of the season, or when the price goes below
—32—
a certain point, and just keep on picking, then when the height
of the season is past, begin taking them out of storage. In
most cases they would not be kept in storage over a week or
ten days, possibly two weeks in some cases.
This thing seems to be true: A man is shipping or sup-
plying a certain market with peaches. Even though the price
does get down a little low, it is best for him to keep shipping
some and not to stop for any length of time and let somebody
else get in on his market, and then start again. It is in that
way that cold storage seems to help out. If you stop picking
today, start taking out of storage tomorrow. Keep a rather
steady supply of fruit on your market. But to stop picking a
day and then wait for the price to go up, may or may not be
successful, in my opinion generally not.
Mr. Newcomer: Are you recommending potash at all?
Prof. Farley: We have recommended it for use on some
of our very light sandy soils that have been found to be some-
what deficient in potash.
Mr. Newcomer: The peach growers of Georgia are put-
ting out a little phamplet from a certain fertilizer firm down
there entitled, ''Grow Quality Peaches with Quality Fertilizer
That Makes Color and Makes Profits for the Grower." I
wonder if we could get on to that combination.
Prof. Farley: Some work was carried on in Georgia. It
did show that the use of potash was quite beneficial, not so
much from the color standpoint as in the carrying qualities of
the fruit. It reached New York in better condition.
Mr. Newcomer: Do you think it helps to make the flesh
more solid?
Prof. Farley: I don't think so. I think that if you use
some potash in maintaining soil fertility, you may decrease
perhaps the amount of nitrogen that you use. You can make
f-fruit too soft by the use of excessive amounts of nitrogen.
Mr. Newcomer: If a man uses nitrate of soda or sulphate
of ammonia, 200 pounds to the acre, and puts in a good cover
crop of soy beans, vetch or alfalfa, what would be the result?
We want big peaches, yet we must have good color.
Prof. Farley : He is a financier, not a fruit grower. Why
use that much nitrogen on top of the cover crops? I recall one
orchard in New Jersey that was planted on a piece of ground
that had been trucked intensively for a number of years. The
grower had used plenty of fertilizer and grown cover crops.
That particular orchard never received a pound of fertilizer of
any kind until it was eight years old; it never needed any. He
— 33—
did grow cover crops, cow peas and soy beans and some vetch.
He had good color and good size.
Question: What about sweet clover?
Prof. Faxley: I don't know of any peach grower in New
Jersey who has tried it.
President Funk: We fruited Cumberland for the first
time this season and were very much pleased with it. It
seemed to be equal to or better in quality to Belle of Georgia
and the tree is very much the same ; it came in just a few days
ahead of Carman.
Prof. Farley: Could you sell it in competition with south-
ern Elbertas?
President Funk: They would sell in a local market in
competition with Georgia P^lberta without any trouble.
DISCUSSION ON PEACH GROWING
H. F. HERSHEY, Hamburg
Southern Jersey soils are lighter than most of our soils,
but outside of that their problems are just about the same as
ours. Professor Farley's description of the varieties that are
going out caused me to think back to about 1913, when I
started to grow peaches along the Susquehanna river on the
old Gabriel Hiester place. We grew Elbertas, of course, but
we had Mountain Rose and other early varieties that we don't
see any more. We had Iron Mountain. While this is still
grown, I believe it is going out.
When I went to Hambui'g, we had a succession of varie-
ties from the earliest to the latest. We started out with May-
flower, then Arbutus, Greensborough, Georgia Belle, Hiley
Belle, Elberta, Iron Mountain, Fox Seedling, Smock and Sal-
way, and four or five other varieties. We soon found that,
due to changing conditions, these varieties were no longer
profitable and we have been gradually weeding them out. In
our later plantings we have come down to not more than four
varieties, as commercial peaches, and they are changing, too.
Some six or seven years ago we planted a few Carmans
and some Hileys and some Georgia Belles, but made our larg-
est planting of Elbertas. Just now we feel that in some years
we have too many Elbertas. In our later plantings we are
extending our Yellow Seedling a bit more. We are trying
out a few Bracketts. I wish I could see into the future and
know what we ought to have for the next 15 or 20 years.
Prof. Farley raised the question of two sprays, an oil
spray for red mite and a lime sulphur spray for peach leaf
curl. I was wondering if any one has combined the two, oil
—34—
and lime sulphur, and what results they have had. It seems
like a lot of wasted effort to have to put on both of these
sprays.
Mr. Fred Greist: I had very good results last season on
red mite and leaf curl. We put a dormant strength oil spray
on about Thanksgiving time, when we happened to strike a
few warm days, adding to it a ''pink strength'' of lime sulphur
for curl. That seemed to work all right and we have done
the same thing this fall.
Mr. Hershey: What oil did you use?
Mr. Greist: Last year it was Sunoco. This year we used
the California Clean-up.
President Funk: I have used it two years. I wouldn't
want anything better. We sprayed the entire orchard this
year and last year with oil and lime sulphur, very much the
same strength that has been suggested here. Are you sure you
were using Sunoco oil and lime sulphur!
Mr. Greist: I will take that back. We used Emulso oil.
President Funk: I think you will find Sunoco oil will not
mix with lime sulphur. You must be careful to secure an oil
emulsion that will mix with either lime sulphur or Bordeaux
mixture. I must say that I like the combination very much
and expect to use it this year.
Mr. Hershey: Did you have any tree injury at all?
President Funk: Not any more than we would get from
straight oil or straight lime sulphur, and we used the applica-
tion at the same time and in the same way that we would use
either alone.
Prof. Farley: What kind of oil did you use?
President Funk: I have used several combinations; the
General Chemical Company's oil with commercial lime sulphur;
the California oil, known as Clean-up, with lime sulphur; and
I have also used Mechling's, which is a cheaper oil, with Ni-
agara soluble sulphur, a soda-sulphur compound. They have
all worked very well, although I would prefer the oil and the
commercial sulphur in preference to the oil and soluble sul-
phur.
Mr. Hershey: We have never yet put an oil spray on
peaches for the red mite, but we have to next year and if
we ask our friends at the College about the combination spray
they shake their heads.*
*See statement by H. W. Worthley, Page 80.
—35—
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I
I
Mr. J. A. Runk : I used oil and lime sulphur last year and
we ran into peach leaves open a quarter of an inch. We stuck
to it and burned some buds but we did control the curl per-
fectly and hit the red mite pretty thoroughly.
Prof. Farley: I know one or two growers in New Jersey
who have used a Bordeaux-oil combination in the spring, ap-
parently very successfully. That would be a cheaper propo-
sition than the lime sulphur and oil.
President Funk: That is a common practice in the Hud-
son Valley.
Mr. Fred Greist: To what extent is J. H. Hale displacing
Elberta ?
Mr. Hershey : I don 't know ; we have some Hale planted,
but we are not fruiting them yet.
Prof. Farley: I think the proportion of Hale in present
plantings is larger than it was at one time ; but, of course, the
total planting is less and the Elberta is still our dominant va-
riety.
Mr. Hershey: Has the Hale been pollinated successfully
by the Elberta? We have been led to believe that the Hale is
not self-fertile and requires a poUinizer.
Prof. Farley: Yes, it will. Dr. Connors has used the
pollen of a large number of varieties on Hale and they have
all been successful.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN FIELD MOUSE
CONTROL IN ORCHARDS
By JAMES SILVER, United State Biological Survey
One of the necessary requisites of a successful fruit
grower it seems to me is that he must be a glutton for punish-
ment. He is handed terrific wallops by the weather, by insects,
by diseases, by low prices, and by a multitude of other oppon-
ents always on the alert to take a pass at him. But without
doubt, the enemy that packs the most potent sleep producer
is the little old field mouse. This one often compels him to
take the long count. Of course, it is not every orchardist that
gets handed such hard jolts for many are fortunate enough to
be located on soil types that are not favorable for these little
burrowing animals. But it is safe to say that field mice are a
constant menace to more than three-fourths of the orchards
of the State.
During the fall and winter months we get a large volume
of correspondence from orchardists which gives us a pretty
clear picture of what the orchardist is up against. One large
orchardist from the Shenandoah Valley wrote us as follows:
—36—
''Injury from mice is just about the worst thing we have to
contend with on our 360-acre orchard. We have lost a whole
crop from hail, have had practically a worthless crop from
insects or disease, but there is a 'next year' to look forward to;
but when our manufacturing plant, the orchard, is destroyed
by mice or whatever, we are down and out.'' Many orchard-
ists throughout the Eastern United States have made the state-
ment that mice were their greatest problem because they had
not been able to control them satisfactorily.
The amount of mouse injury fluctuates from year to year.
In individual orchards the damage may be practically nothing
for several years followed by a year of excessive injury. This
is illustrated by the case of an orchard near Greencastle, Pa.,
where 500, '20-year old trees in an 1800-tree orchard were gird-
led last winter, whereas losses previously had been negligible.
Losses in other orchards may be more or less continuous, as in-
dicated by a report of a well-known orchardist who states the
number of trees girdled in his orchard has averaged just about
200 each winter. This is approximately 2 per cent of his total
number of trees.
Estimate of Loss: I believe that 2 per cent, or 1 out of
every 50 trees, is a conservative estimate of the number of
trees girdled each year by field mice in Pennsylvania. Penn-
sylvania has approximately 9,000,000 apple trees and 2 per cent
would mean 180,000 trees are girdled each year by mice. Of
this 180,000 trees girdled probably 80 per cent are saved by
grafting while 20 per cent, or 36,000 die. If this 36,000 trees
have an average value of $10 each, we have a loss amounting
to $360,000 each year. The other 80 per cent saved by bridge
grafting, however, have been set back somewhat and the pro-
cess of grafting is costly. If we figure a loss of $1 per tree due
to lessened production and including cost of grafting, we have
an additional loss of $144,000, or a total of over one half mil-
lion dollars.
Then, there is the cost of combating the mice. Not every
orchardist puts out poisoned bait each year, but a large per-
centage—say 30 per cent of the orchardists— do clear away the
grass from around the tree, and this also consumes much labor
time. Certainly the cost would average 5 cents per tree, which
would amount to $135,000 annually for the State. This gives
us a total annual loss to Pennsylvania orchardists, due to field
mice, of $639,000. This is an estimate of the loss during an
average year, but we must not forget that the possibility of a
much more serious outbreak is always present. The estimate
also does not take into consideration the large number of roots
that are constantly damaged unknown to the fruit grower,
but which more or less retard the maximum development of
the tree, besides exposing the tree to possible infection of the
root system. This estimate may be far from accurate, but I
—37—
I'
think most of you will agree that it is conservative and that it
serves to indicate the importance of field mouse control to the
apple industry of the State as a whole, and that it deserves the
serious consideration of this organization.
Habits of the Mice : As before stated, not all sections are
equally susceptible to field mouse depredations, but neverthe-
less, every orchardist must face the fact that if he is going to
have a sod orchard he probably is going to be up against the
problem of controlling field mice. Field mice abound almost
everywhere and their total extermination is out of the ques-
tion. They move about freely during the warm months and
no matter how thoroughly a favorable orchard is cleared of
them during the fall and winter they are almost sure to be
back there again the following year as numerous as before.
This means that the field mice must be given regular an-
nual and routine attention. The number of field mice present
will not always warrant control procedure, but this can not be
known unless the orchard is carefully examined, so at least in
every case the field mice must be considered.
The time to think about field mice is in the fall immedi-
ately after the apple crop is out of the way. One characteris-
tic of the field mouse is in our favor ; if they are present their
signs will be in evidence, although not easily seen without
careful searching. Their underground runways open fre-
quently to the surface and are often continued as trails on the
surface of the ground under cover of dense vegetation. As
long as these runs and holes are being used they have a used
appearance which is soon lost from disuse. The area covered
by an individual mouse, in the permanent winter system of
runways, usually entends to a distance that will take in from
3 to 4 trees or more. If the orchardist fails to find any signs
of mice around the majority of his trees, and has to look
closely to find indications, around the others, he can conclude
that he has a light infestation and the chances are that it will
not pay him to combat the mice, or possibly only in certain
parts of the orchard. If the mouse holes and runs are numer-
ous and plainly in evidence around most trees it will undoubt-
edly pay him to take action to protect the trees from possible
injury.
The first thing that should be done in a sod orchard is to
clear the sod away from the base of the tree, in a circle with
a radius at least the length of the hoe handle. This action in
itself will not insure against injury by the mice, but there is
no question but that this action greatly reduces the chances of
serious injury. Many orchardists now follow the practice of
putting cinders or crushed rock around each tree and where
such material is easily available the practice is of value, pro-
vided the rock or cinder beds are made deep enough to stop
the growth of vegetation.
—38—
I
Trapping: Clearing away from ai'ound the tree, however,
is not getting away from the mice and as long as they are
abundantly present, there is always danger of serious injury
should their natural food supply run low during a long hard
winter. The safest method is to kill off the mice and only
two means of dong this are now available, trapping and pois-
oning. Trapping is not a bad idea in a small orchard as the
mice are not hard to trap, and the traps are inexpensive. Two
gross of the common wooden-based snap mouse traps, which
cost about $3 per gross, will keep one man busy and cover
about 100 trees at one time. The traps should be kept at the
same tree for 3 days or longer, or until the mice seem to be all
caught. The traps should be set in the runways of the mice
in such a position that the mouse in following along the run-
way will run over the trigger, baited lightly with rolled oats,
and the location of each trap marked with a bit of cotton
twisted onto a weed or stick. The traps should be visited
morning and evening, reset and rebaited, or the location
changed if necessary.
Poisoning': Poisoning is the more practical method for
larger areas, however, and is recommended for first considera-
tion. When I say that the same old strychnine-wheat bait is
still the one we are recommending, there is going to be some
disappointment for there are some growers in the audience who
have been using this bait for some years without getting the
results. Nevertheless, we find that taken as a w^hole this bait
is getting better results than any other we know of. There is
a great deal of variation in different orchards in the results
attending the use of any poisoned bait. As an illustration, I
once treated two orchards in the Shenandoah Valley with
poisoned sweet potato bait and got close to 100 per cent of the
mice in one and practically no results in the other. The orch-
ards were only a few miles apart and were treated during
succeeding weeks. We found later that, in the orchard in
which we got no results, there was an abundance of Johnson
grass and other plants having fleshy roots, which the mice pre-
ferred to the sweet potato, while in the other such foods were
largely absent. We find variations also in the way mice take
the grain baits, but the difference is not nearly so pronounced.
A much larger percentage of orchardists are able to get
good control with grain baits than with any other, if properly
prepared and used. We are aware that better and more de-
pendable methods are highly desirable and would be the means
of saving many hundreds of thousands of dollars to the fruit
growers of the east; and we are also hopeful that such im-
proved niethods could be found if some qualified person or
organization could give the necessary time and money to the
making of a thorough investigation of the problem. We have
r-1
—39-
wanted to do this for some years, but have been prevented by
lack of funds and personnel.
In the meantime the wheat-stryehnine formula, contained
in our Farmers' Bulletin 1397 on mouse control in the orchard,
will provide the means of saving many trees from the ravages
of the mice. While many orchardists feel discouraged by find-
ing many mice and some damage after having conscientiously
applied this bait, they can get some degree of comfort from
the knowledge that the injury would have been much greater
had they done nothing to combat the mice.
Using the Bait: The poisoned wheat bait should be put
out as soon as possible after the apple crop is out^ of the
way A small teaspoonful should be placed on the used
runways and into the used holes. When the runways and
holes are plentiful, 2 or 3 bait spots per tree is all that is re-
quired In addition to this, when mice are abundant, a tea-
spoonful of bait should be put in a poison container of some
sort placed at the foot of each tree. The poison container or
station is intended to protect the bait from the weather and
from the dampness of the ground so that it will remain avail-
able to the mice, in good condition, throughout the winter.
Most Pennsylvania growers are familiar with this method and
we need not say more about it at this time. This past fall
some action was taken to mix this poisoned wheat bait at cen-
tral points which enabled the fruit growers to get the bait al-
ready mixed and ready to put out and to get it cheaper than
if they had mixed it themselves. I believe this system will
work out very satisfactorily and should be continued. The
cost of the bait is small, amounting to less than 1/2 cent per
tree and at this rate no orchardist can afford not to use it if
he finds mouse signs plentiful in his orchards.
Mr. S. L. Smedley: Do you recommend putting wheat on
the runways near the bottom of trees instead of on the ground?
Mr. Silver: Better i-esults will be obtained if it is put in
the runways, on the surface of the ground, under cover of the
grass, and also in the open runways. The mice will enter it
more freely if you can cover the bait with some substance that
will not hold moisture and cause the bait to mold. If you do
not, the grass that mats down will hold the moisture and cause
the' bait to mold and will defeat the purpose of the poison sta-
tion.
Clearing away the vegetation with a hoe is useful, but
there is not much benefit to be derived unless you cultivate the
whole orchard. In that way you remove the food supply of
the mice entirely and you will not have any mice.
Member: This is one of the biggest problems we have to
face. I know an orchard in which, fifteen or twenty years ago,
—40—
there were quite a lot of trees being killed by mice and it
looked as though the orchard would be destroyed. The orch-
ardist took a disc and made one trip around each row of
trees three or four times during the season, but still maintain-
ing a sod orchard. That orchard was kept free of mice until
this past winter. Last season w^as very wet and he thought it
wasn't necessary to do this discing, and he omitted it. He had
very serious mice injury in consequence.
We were practically eaten up with mice last year. We
had to adopt some more wholesale method than going around
and setting baits. So last January we had some favorable
weather and we took the disc harrow and went over part of
the orchard. We did rid the place of mice, in those rows, but
we drove them into the rows that were not disced. This year
we went over the whole orchard. We have driven the mice
out. We had dogs and the only place they can find mice to
any extent now is beyond where we have disced. Whenever
the weather is favorable, we take the horses and stir up the
ground in the orchard. If you can keep the mice disturbed,
they will go somewhere else.
Mr. Silver: I have knowai of quite a number of orchardists
who have used this method successfully, but I also have quite
a number of records where the orchard w^as ploughed, except
in furrows along tree rows, in the late fall, and still had a
great deal of injury, particularly in the latter part of the win-
ter when their natural food began to give out. This stirring
of the soil is useful only when you have field mice, not pine
mice. Pine mice, being burrowing animals, work under the
surface to a considerable extent, and reach the tree roots dow^n
below the area that you can reach w ith a disc.
Member: How long will the poison stay on the wheat?
In our orchard, I put the poison on about the 20th of Decem-
ber, largely in the runs; I went around yesterday and find it is
pretty nearly all gone, and we still have some indication of
mice. Is it possible that the rains wash it off or do you sup-
pose the mice ate it all and still survive?
Mr. Silver: The mice store a lot of that poison, more than
they eat. They pack it back into their runs.
Member: Will it affect birds?
Mr. Silver: We seldom get records of bii'ds being de-
stroyed. Partridges, pheasants, chickens, and all that class of
birds are not immune but are resistant to strychnine.
Member: We find an economical way to prevent mice in-
jury is to put a little building paper and one strand of very
fine wire around the tree. One or two men can cover a 1 Sous-
and trees in a day.
—41—
Mr. Silver: Ninety per cent of the injury in this state is
below the surface of the ground and is caused by pine mice.
Wrapping the trees with paper will not prevent this damage.
Member: After the grass is cleared away for two or
three feet, what is the effect of a mound of clear dirt, six inches
high around the tree? It seems to be working for us.
Mr. Silver: There is no doubt but that it is of some value
in the case of the meadow mouse, which does most of the dam-
age above the ground. In the case of the pine mouse, which
lives more largely under the surface, and approaches the tree
from underground, it would not do much good.
Member: Would it be an advantage, after removing the
vegetation, to grub up the ground six or eight inches deep with
a mattock to break up any runways that might be near the
tree, just before the ground freezes?
Mr. Silver: It might help somewhat, but I doubt if it
would pay. You will find a lot of the runways close to the
tree, right under some of the big roots, and you couldn^t very
well get at these.
Member: Do you think the natural enemies of the field
mouse such as the skunk, have a tendency to decrease? There
is such a demand for furs these days that almost every farai
home has a trap in it. There probably are not as many nat-
ural enemies as there were ten years ago.
Mr. Silver: There is no doubt that the natural enemies
of the mice help to keep them in check. The meadow mouse
forms the bulk of the food supply of a good many of the small,
carnivorous animals like the fox, weasel, some of the predatory
hawks and owls, and snakes. The more we protect these ani-
mals the less trouble we may expect from field mice.
Member: The fruit growers of Virginia are going to try
to have a law passed giving protection to these animals. It
would be a good hiw for Pennsylvania, too. The women can
easily wear something else besides fur.
Mr. Newcomer: I tried air slaked lime one fall on about
600 trees. In November I put a two-gallon bucket of air-
slacked lime around the base of each tree, on top of the ground.
I didn't clean any grass away. I had no field mice or rabbit
trouble as long as that lime was there.
Mr. Silver: This past winter we tried lime in one orchard
near Washington. It may have been a coincidence, but those
trees where we applied lime had more mice damage than the
others.
—42—
R. D. Anthony: In this state the marsh hawk is on the
black list, and liable to be shot at any time. What do you
consider the value of the marsh hawk for mouse destruction?
Mr. Silver: The marsh hawk is one of the best friends of
the fruit grower because it lives very largely, probably over
90 per cent, on field mice and other small rodents. The marsh
hawk could be given a black mark only in a few instances, as
at Martha's Vineyard, where they have been trying to protect
the heath hen.
Member: What do you think of the glass poison stations?
Mr. Silver: The glass poison station is good, but I think
a home-made station is just as effective, and cheaper.
H. W. Miller: We find that a regular tomato can or pea
can, mashed apart, answers the purpose and will hold grain
for a long time. It is a good thing to turn the mouth of the
can down so when it rains the water doesn't go back into the
can. Put the wheat into the cans as far as you can get it and
it will stay three or four months in good condition.
Dr. J. S. Rittenhouse : Some five or six years ago we had
a good deal of mouse trouble in our sod orchard. A Federal
man gave a mice control demonstration in our orchard. He
advised us to use the wooden station. We had some made,
put them in the orchard, baited them and the mice have be-
come less each year. Last year we also used some of the glass
stations. There is very little appearance of mouse runs of any
kind, either the pine or the meadow mouse. Whether that is
due to our use of the stations or whether it is due to some
contagious disease that has affected the mice, of course I am
not able to tell, but the results have apparently been very sat-
isfactory.
In many instances, human beings are very foolish. We
unwittingly destroy the balance in nature, because we are not
properly informed or because of our own love for killing
things. The children in our schools should be taught the dif-
ference between dangerous snakes and those that are really
beneficial. They should also know the benefit that the skunk
may be; it is more than merely an offensive animal. Most of
us are prejudiced against certain animals because we have not
been properly taught.
Adjournment.
WEDNESDAY MORNING
JANUARY 23, 1929
The Second Session convened at 9:30 A. M., Mr. Gilbert
Watts, President of the Vegetable Growers* Association, pre-
siding.
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■ i
I.
PROBLEMS IN STRAWBERRY CULTURE
A. S. COLBY, University of Illinois
Wlieii a man asks, ''Shall I grow strawberries f, we have
to ask him some questions. The first thing he needs to know
is the market situation. ''Do I have a local market? Do I
have a possible roadside stand location? Shall I grow berries
and ship them in carlots, or shall I truck them, or shall I grow
them and expect somebody to come to the farm and buy
them?'' He must know something about conditions, not only
in his own locality but also in competing strawberry-growing
sections.
Last year I was in Missouri at the strawberry shipping
season. In some sections they had about three weeks of
drought just at the time when the berry was increasing in
size. Their berries had dropped in price from $4.50 a crate to
$2.75. Then there was a period of three or four days of very
heavy rains; the berries increased considerably in size but di-
minished in quality. They were practically valueless. When
the Illinois berries came on they had to compete with the
prices of the inferior Missouri product. My point is that we will
sometimes be able to take advantage of the hard luck in other
sections, and sometimes the reverse will be true. The straw-
berry producer who makes money is the man who sticks it out
through several years and get the even breaks.
Selection of Varieties: The selection of the variety is one
of the most important dettrmining factors in the success or
failure in the strawberry game. The logical answer is, "What
do your neighbors grow successfully.'* Shall we grow ever-
bearing sorts? Within the last three or four years
there has been a constant increase in the number of
ever-bearing varieties, offered for sale. Many people
think they can grow a crop and pick it in June along with the
other June-bearing sorts and then get another crop in the mid-
dle of the summer, and another crop in the fall. I don't see
how that can be done unless you grow the variety under the
most intensive cultivation. The strawberry is very shallow-
rooted and you must have the soil full of humus in order that
the moisture that falls shall be retained. You must provide
plenty of moisture at certain critical times in the life of the
plant. The ever-bearing sorts seems to be very critical in that
respect at all periods of development, throughout the season.
If you grow ever-bearing sorts, pick off the blossoms until
the middle of the summer and then give the best of care to the
plant, especially as regards watering, expecting a crop in the
fall. If the natural enemies — crickets, wireworms, ground
beetles and grasshoppers — are not very common, you may be
able to get a fair crop. I have seen a good many strawberry
patches of ever-bearers ruined by those insects and by rodents
working in the fall, before the berries have ripened sufficiently
to pick them.
I would limit the number of varieties that I grew, so far
as possible. Of course, you have to find out on your own
ground whether this variety or that variety will do best. I
wouldn't plant more than two or three.
Site and Soil: The selection of the site is extremely im-
portant. Those of you who have seen the late spring frosts
injure the blossoms at low elevations while the plants up a
little higher were not hurt, have no need of another object
lesson. It doesn't necessarily mean that we need a steep slope.
We can plant strawberries on a fairly level piece of ground
provided there is lower land beyond, to take the cold air
away. Sometimes, however, some of the lower places, because
of the fog settling there, are protected but ordinarily we can't
always figure that fog will be there.
There are three factors that we need to keep in mind in
selecting soil. First, that it will hold the moisture; second,
that it will be fairly fertile, but not too rich; third, that it be
well drained. Good soil texture is one of the most important
needs in strawberry growing, as we have found it in our state.
Even though the site was good, even though we were close to
a good market, if we didn't have the right soil type we lost
out, especially in a season that was a little dry. The straw-
berry needs much moisture. If it doesn't have it, you get a
very much smaller berry and a berry that is poorer in quality.
It must be in the ground first before the strawberry plant can
get it. This means plenty of organic matter, or humus.
Fertilizing: We have found in Illinois that if the soil is
full of humus, especially where the humus is supplied from
ploughing under a leguminous cover crop, and we give good
cultivation, we do not need to use much fertilizer. In Miss-
ouri and in Kentucky they have been using a superphosphate,
200 pounds to 500 pounds to the acre. This is applied some-
times in conjunction with ammonium sulphate or sodium ni-
trate, the superphosphate being applied broadcast and culti-
vated in the spring just before the plants are set. The
ammonium sulphate or nitrate is applied after the plants have
started to grow, along beside the row, not over the plants, and
cultivated in. Perhaps it is applied in two parts, some just
after planting and some in July.
The use of commercial fertilizer is valuable chiefly for the
promotion of growth of the plant the year before it fruits.
The flower buds are formed the previous season beginning in
August sometimes and running through late fall depending on
the season. If the plants have plenty of moisture, and plenty
of plant food with the moisture, to dissolve it and carry it to
I'
m
11
1
the plant, we will have a good supply of plants and plenty
of flower buds for next year. That is our big problem, to get
those flower buds made the year before. Some have ques-
tioned whether it would pay to use ammonium sulphate as a
top-dressing the spring of the fruiting season. The only con-
dition under which I would use it then, would be that the
plants were small ; that they had not grown well the year be-
fore. If you use very much during the fruiting season you do
not increase the fruit buds, of course, because those are made
the year before, but you may increase the size of the individual
plant to some extent and increase the leaf surface. Then, if
there is very much rainfall, you will increase the size of your
fruit to a certain extent, but it will be very poor quality, it
will be soft.
A
So the question of commercial fertilizers comes back to
this point : have we, in the first place, gotten our soil in excel-
lent condition physically? Perhaps we need a little nitrate or
a little superphosphate, but we can't use that alone. In Illi-
nois we recommend a rotation somewhat like this: Grow
clover a couple of years; plough that under and grow corn or
potatoes or some other hoed crop to get rid of the weeds and
also to help control the white grub and the wireworm, those
insects which are a considerable bother in a piece of sod ground
that is ploughed up for strawberries. Then, if possible, we
sow a cover crop early in the season in the rows of corn; and
that is plowed in and strawberries planted the next spring. We
fruit the strawberry field for a couple of years. We plant
them this year; grow a crop of fruit the next year; then reno-
vate it and get a crop of fruit the next year; then it is plowed
down. We may add barnyard manure to this leguminous cover
crop; that gives us a soil that is full of humus and that is
what we are looking for.
Shall we use lime? The st7\awberry is acid-loving, but it is
also alkaline-tolerant ; that is, it will grow in a soil that has an
alkaline reaction. That means that we do not have to worry
very much about the strawberry soil, provided it has good
texture. If you need to lime your soil so as to be able to grow
a leguminous cover crop, it is all right to do so, but in Illinois
we prefer to plough under that cover crop and put in a hoed
crop. Then the year after that put in your strawberries, after
the effect of the lime has been more or less dissipated.
Planting: I have seen a great many strawberry plants
dug and shipped which were not the best type for planting.
You should secure, as far as possible, plants which are young,
which have white roots, not dark roots. The plant is in veg-
etative growth when it is shipped from the nursery. A friend
of mine put them in his storage cellar and kept them there for
a few days without opening the package. He lost about 60
46—
per cent of those plants, because they heated in the package.
You have got to open them at once, not only the shipping
package, but also each 25-plant bunch. If the soil comes in
contact with the roots of each plant they can stay heeled in
for several weeks.
I don't need to emphasize the necessity for proper plant-
ing, that is, getting the crown of the plant level with the
ground when we are through with the job ; and firming the
soil well about the roots. I have seen a number of patches
lost on that account. When I have some of my students set
plants, after they have done the work I go along and give each
leaf a little twirk, if the leaf comes off without disturbing the
roots, the plants were well set.
Mulching: There is no question in certain sections of the
country about the value of a winter mulch. In other sections,
there is some question. It depends on your locality. In
northern Illinois, we don't have any trouble getting the growers
to mulch. In southern Illinois, w^e do have some trouble,
partly because the supply of mulching material is so much
scarcer there. There are certain obvious benefits from mulch-
ing. I imagine that I have eaten my peck of dirt already,
from Arkansas strawberries. We keep the fruit a lot cleaner
if we mulch. We hold the moisture in the ground in the
sprmg of the fruiting season if we have a mulch. In sections
where the ground freezes and thaws alternately, during the
winter and early spring, we have protection.
Mulching does hold the plants back. With us that is a
distinct advantage, because we often get an early spring and
then we get several weeks of cold weather and frost and a
certain amount of injury. Sometimes we remove our mulch
from over the plants to the middles of the rows early in
March. Other times we don't have to do it until the middle of
April. The guide is whether the leaves beneath the mulch be-
gin to show a little yellow, showing that the ground has
warmed up under the mulch so that the protection should be
removed.
I have been in correspondence with the people in Wash-
ington about the paper mulch, recommended for vegetables.
They say that in Washington State and other sections of the
West that it is quite successful. I want to try it in Illinois
this year, but it seems to me that there are certain inherent
objections to it. If you use the mulch paper along the row
and leave a narrow strip of plants, as you would with vege-
tables, it is going to be difficult to control the weeds which
grow between the plants. Another thing, the paper will pre-
vent the growth of new plants from the parent plants. That
is a fundamental objection. Of course, you can get plants
down the row, but you can't make the wide, matted row which
we recommend and if you leave the paper far enough away
—47—
from the plants so that they can grow, you won't have any
mulch.
Some growers have had so much difficulty in securing
straw or marsh hay or some other material as a mulch that
they have tried to grow the mulch between the rows and allow
it to drop down — say plant oats in the fall between the rows
and allow the oats to drop with the cold weather. I have seen
that tried successfully once or twice and unsuccessfully many
times. If your growing season is not so long that the oats take
all the moisture which the straw^berry plants need, you are
safe. On the other hand, the strawberry plants needs moisture
in the fall just at the same time as the oats do. You are play-
ing with fire when you try to grow mulch between the rows.
In southern Illinois, they make the complaint? **We have
no material to use.'' They have plenty of land where they might
grow various kinds of millet which may be sown late enough
in the season so that the seed would not mature. When this is
cut and applied to the strawberries it gives good returns from
otherwise unused land.
Irrigation: There are a number of places in Missouri
where irrigation is being practiced, because they have found
from dear experience that the Aroma strawberry needs mois-
ture at a time when natural moisture is often lacking. They
are not all using the overhead method of irrigaton. A great
many small growers around Monett, Mo., have the strawberries
planted on a little slope and they allow water to pass down
through the rows on the surface from a well. That is a crude
method, but it does the work. It is surprising how much
larger crops they get from the use of that water. At the
Illinois Experiment Station we made a little overhead system
out of some spare pipe and a few nozzles. It didn't cost us
very much — $50.00 for an acre, not counting the labor. The
ordinary figure for installing overhead irrigation is $200 and
$300 per acre when the whole expense is taken into considera-
tion. We found that we could increase production 300 per
cent by overhead irrigation.
The important times for applying water are three: In
the growing season, especially in midsummer when the young
plants are running and making new crowns for next year ; the
next spring, when we need a film of moisture in the air some
nights as frost protection; and just as the crop of fruit is
ripening. Instead of getting nubbins we will get nice, big
fruit. So it isn't so expensive as we might think and it is
quite permanent. The standards can be placed high and far
enough apart so they don't interfere with cultivation. It
means, of course, that we are going to use that land for straw-
berries for a number of years, but we can rotate and use the
water on other crops to advantage.
—48—
Packing: After we have grown the fruit we need to
study improvements in marketing practices. We need to stan-
dardize our grading and our packages. W^e need to supervise
more carefully our picking and our packing. In Missouri and
Kentucky they grow the Aroma, which will stand handling.
They bring them to the packing shed and have girls who sort
the berries by running them over a little pan narrowed down
at one end into a second basket, picking out perhaps half a
dozen poor ones. Here is a berry that has a white tip. There
is a berry that has lost its calyx. There is a misshapen berry.
Here is a berry that has been eaten into by a cricket. Per-
haps half a dozen of those taken out of the basket will im-
prove its appearance wonderfully. It doesn't take much time
and they lose perhaps a half basket or two-thirds of a basket
from a 32-basket crate. It is one of the best and cheapest
ways of bringing up the quality and increasing the price per
crate. We do not use this method in Illinois because we are
growing different varieties which require very careful han-
dling. So it will depend on the variety, on the market and on
the type of help which you have as to how you would improve
your grade.
Another method which doesn't quite amount to pan grad-
ing, is selection in the field. If you have a good foreman, and
especially if you are the foreman yourself, you can have the
pickers place the poor berries in one basket and the good
berries in the other basket. Of course, you will have to pay
them for the poor berries that they pick just the same as the
good, otherwise it is going to be difficult to make them separate
them in the field. But any separation, any grading, any
standardizing of quality will pay well in the price you get. I
was interested to attend one of the fruit auctions which they
hold every night in the Missouri section during the shipping
season. The prices would vary from $2.75 to $4.00 per crate,
depending upon the reputation which these growers had for
putting out a quality pack.
Some of you may be familiar with the comparatively new
style of marketing the strawberries in flats. A 24-quart flat,
made so that it will fit one into another, is very commonly
used for trucking berries through New England. This makes
it possible to ship the berries short distances by truck, where
there is need of a strong, substantial package that won't
sway back and forth and injure the fruit. All of these 24
quarts are on display; that is another advantage of this pack-
age. Where the fruit is sold at not too great a distance, this
is one of the best methods.
In Illinois, where we ship the berries some distance, we
are packing in 24-quart crates and we are doing our best to
prevent injury to the berries by a modification in the size of
the crate. When the berries are picked, even though you do
■^
shake down the baskets, there will be some shaking down in
transit and the top of the basket won^t look as full as it did
when you picked it. If you round up the top of the basket,
the berries will come in contact with the veneer liner or di-
vider between the baskets. We have used a little wider strip
on those dividers so that the divider is raised about an eigth
of an inch That gives us a little better chance to fill our
basket at picking and the basket will come through m better
shape at the end of the trip ; the berries will not be squashed
at the top.
Renovation: Shall we renovate? I would say that de-
pends on local conditions. In northern Illinois, we plant the
plants this year, get a crop next year, renovate, get a crop
the year after and then plough up the patch. That means that
we must give the patch good care throughout its life ; that we
cannot have any great amount of weeds the season that we
pick the fruit; that the soil was well prepared for planting in
the first place; that we renovate early in the season, immedi-
ately after the fruit is picked ; that we burn the patch oyer
after the strawberry leaves are mowed down with a mowing
machine ; that we burn the patch over when there is a strong
wind, preferably after a rain, when the ground is a little moist.
In southern Illinois, sometimes we get into trouble in do-
ing that because, if a hot, dry spell comes on after renovation,
the plant crowns are so much injured that some of them never
come through again. Some growers, not knowing about the
necessary conditions, burn the patch over when there is no
wind and has been no rain for some time. This is likely to
kill the plants. You must wait for those conditions. I don't
know of any better method of controlling leaf spot and leaf
roller, lice and other insects than to burn. It is almost impos-
sible to control strawberry diseases by spraying and probably
it doesn't pay in the long run. When you renovate consis-
tently, and rotate often enough, you take care of these pretty
well. In burning, you have got to have men enough to do it
when there is a high wind so it won't get away from you and
it should be done after a rain. Then the next step in the ren-
ovating process, is to narrow down the rows with plow, culti-
vator or hoe. Then we should throw the dirt back sufficiently
so that when the job is over fresh soil is in contact with the
plants which are left.
Gilbert Watts: In the strict sense, a crop isn't produced
unless it is made available to the consumer; making it avail-
able to the consumer means we must have a good grade to
offer them. My experience in growing strawberries is that it
is a great help in getting a good grade to establish individual
responsibility with the pickers. The varieties we grow in
Pennsylvania for local markets will not stand re-handling, at
—so-
least in Seasons of plenteous rainfall. We undertook, several
years ago, to mark each basket with the picker's number. Each
picker is given a number. On several occasions in the last
two years we have had around 70 pickers in the field. Until
we used that system, we had occasional complaint from buyers
of a poor grade. Some pickers would try to put it over on us.
They would put up a dishonest pack, fill the bottom of the
basket with anything. Now we keep our empty baskets under
control; they are issued by the person who checks the count
and also inspects the berries as they come in. Each basket as
it is issued to the picker has his or her number on the rim.
Every picker knows that poor grading can be traced back to
her, no matter whether it is discovered at the packing house
or at the wayside market house or on the wholesale market.
The people we sell to have learned that every basket is num-
bered. Last year we had an epidemic of complaints one day
and every one was traced to a single picker. W^e checked
that up with the field foreman and found that this picker had
been warned several times, but still she put out a bad pack.
We let that picker go pretty quick. Since we adopted that
system, we have had no trouble in keeping a good grade in the
field.
Member: Should the runners be kept off the first year?
A. S. Colby: That depends on whether you are trying to
grow narrow, matted rows, or wide, matted rows, or hill plants.
I don't see how you can keep the runners off all the season. I
tried it once and gave it up. I don't think it is necessary.
You are trying to get as much of a crop as you can for the
least labor. We recommend a matted row. *We let the run-
ners grow for several weeks or several months, depending on
the season, and when the row is as wide as we think we can
handle and the soil is able to support, then we cut off the
others.
Gilbert Watts: Do you use transplanting machines to set
strawberries in Illinois? I became, interested in this matter
several years ago ; I inquired of a number of strawberry grow-
ers : they said, ' ' You can 't set strawberries with transplanting
machines. The level of the setting is too exact. It isn't like
a tomato plant that can be in the ground three inches or six
inches deep, or a cabbage plant which can be up and down a
couple of inches. You can't get away with it with strawber-
ries." I believe, however, that there are several men in the
room who have set strawberries with planting machines very
successfully. I bought a transplanting machine to set vege-
table plants, and I concluded if we couldn't set strawberry
plants with that machine, it would be our fault and not the
fault of the machine. In the first year we set five and a half
—51—
\v
acres the first two days and we had a 99 per cent stand. This
past year and the year before we set all our plants with the
transplanting machine and we have not reset a plant in all
that time.
THE OUTLOOK FOR RASPBERRY GROWING
A. S. COLBY, University of Illinois
Raspberry growing has had a very interesting experience.
A few years ago it was on the down grade. We were very
much worried about the situation. We couldn't expect to re-
tain the field more than a couple of years; it didn't pay. There
was something wrong. They had '^run out." There was a
rallying cry to the investigator, to see what could be done, and
I am very glad to say that something has been done. During
the last few years we have found out a number of things,
chief of which is that we can grow raspberries if we start with
clean plants.
Disease-Free Plants: Due to the research work and the
effective cooperation of the State Nursery Inspection Service
in several states, we now have, especially in the Middle West
and in Minnesota, where much of that work has been done witn
which I am especially familiar, raspberry plants which are al-
most clean of these diseases. I said ''almost,'' because I don't
know of any raspberry plants in very great numbers suffic-
ient for general distribution whixih are entirely free. The
Latham red raspberry, which originated in Minnesota at the
State Breeding Farm a few years ago and which is sweeping
like wild fire all over the Middle West as a very fine red sort,
is only slightly infected with mosaic. You know what mosaic
is ; the mottling of the leaf, a disease which we cannot control
by spraying, a disease which is spread very slowly down the
row by a plant louse. The Latham, as now grown and in-
spected and offered for sale by the best nurseries in the north,
has a little mild mosaic on it, but mosaic doesn't injure the
plant as far as production goes. The only danger that I can
see in setting those infected plants is that if you have black
raspberries nearby, the plant lice will carry that mild mosaic
from the reds over to the blacks and a virulent form of the
disease will develop on the blacks; it is something like the
scarletina-scarlet fever proposition. So don't plant blackcaps
near your reds under the conditions which I mention.
Member: How far should they be separated?
A. S. Colby: At least 500 feet. How have the disease
free plants been developed? Some of you know the elaborate
methods of roguing, or digging out the diseased plants, used
in the different nurseries. It was some time before we found
that this didn't help much because when the nurseryman would
—52—
dig out plants, he would carry them very carefully down to
the end of the row and the active plant lice would drop here
and there on the other plants in the field, and so spread the
disease. Some of the nursery inspectors now carry a blow
torch and kill the diseased plants with flame and the plant
lice are killed at the same time.
Another factor is the effect of temperature on the plants.
If the nursery is inspected only once or twice during the sea-
son, it may be that the inspector goes through that patch at a
time when the sun is very hot and the sun will mask the effect
of the mosaic on the plants; the mottling of the leaves doesn't
show up. .Sometimes they take an umbrella so that they can
shade each plant as they go down the row. We find that some
of the young leaves on plants which have just become infected
are the only parts to show the disease. It takes more than one
or two inspections to find all the diseased plants in the patch,
and if you don't find them all you haven't done a good, thor-
ough job. That has been one of the reasons why when you
have bought plants w^hich have been inspected the disease
developed; they weren't inspected often enough.
The Ohio Small Fruit Improvement Association is working
with anthracnose of the black raspberry, as well as mosaic
Their idea is to farm out a sma'l number of plants, true to
name and disease free, to a farmer who doesn't have any other
plants nearby. They are inspected a number of times and
rogued out very carefully. At the end of the season what are
left are clean and are available for sale by writing to the Ohio
Experiment Station at Wooster, 0., and asking for the names
of growers who have a surplus of plants for sale.
Breeding Better Varieties: There is a danger in buying
black raspberry plants from some distance; they do not ship
safely; they dry out and the little tip sometimes is injured.
We try to get them from as near home ns possible on that ac-
count. They must be very carefully packed and shipped so
that they will come through quickly; you must get them in
the ground without any loss of time.
Another factor which has helped improve the outlook in
raspberry growing is the introduction of the Latham variety,
which has been very well received and is natui-ally quite resist-
ant to the mosaic disease.
There are other new resistant varieties coming in of which
you should know, as the Viking, and some of the other vari-
eties from the Ontario and Vineland Stations, Canada, which
you should try out very carefully. At the Geneva, N. Y., Ex-
periment Station they have originated a number of very prom-
ising raspberry varieties, some of which will probably beat the
Latham.
—53—
I A^aiit to say a word about the purple raspberry. It
is a cross between the red and the black and has some of the
characters of both parents. The purple is supposed to propa-
gate from tips, but it is hard to secure them. You have got to
get those tips at the right stage of development, when the tip
looks snakelike, when the little leaves on them are just be-
ginning to develop, but haven ^t spread out, fairly early m the
season. It isn^t easy to propagate the purple raspberries and
for that reason they have been more expensive, except the Co-
lumbian. The Columbian is our most common purple, al-
though I like the Royal better. Although the Royal is an up-
right grower, it is harder to propagate than the Columbian.
At the Illinois Experiment Station we have been devel-
oping varieties of raspberries resistant to anthracnose. An-
thracnose is our most common disease. It probably is an
indirect cause of much of our winter injury. Winter injury
is brought on because the plant has been injured, usually, pre-
vious to the winter. It was weakened by the heat of the sum-
mer, by a lack of moisture, by freezing and thawing, by the
effect of crown gall on the roots, and the effect of anthracnose
on the canes and all of those perhaps combined with the fact
that we didn't prune it severely enough in the spring just as
it was ready to fruit. This put too great a strain on the plant
when it was already weakened, resulting in the loss of all but
the first picking of the crop.
We have found that our Quill en raspberry is very resistant
to anthracnose. Seedlings of Quillen are more resistant than
the parent. We arc crossing Quillen with the Latham and
trying to cross it with Lloyd George and Viking and some of
the other new red varieties to see if we can't get a purple
which is resistant to anthracnose also.
Training: These are local problems. In northern Illinois,
one type of training and pruning is used exclusively, and an-
other type in southern Illinois, and they both work out w^ell.
It depends on the soil, the man, and somewhat on the amount
of land. Is he long on land and short on help, or is the reverse
true? In western Illinois we allow the vines to sprawl in rows
eight feet apart. In northern Illinois the rows are five feet
apart but the plants are crowded, and are held by wires in
a norrow hedge row. In extreme southern Illinois they are
planting Latham in six-foot checks, placing a stake in the
center of each hill and leaving about six cans to the hill and
tying these up. These canes will grow six to ten feet high in
a long growing season. The canes are cut back the next spring
and tied with tarred twine. The grasshoppers will eat ordi-
nary binder twine. They get good crops from plants taken
care of that way. In three or four years the whole row will
be a mass of plants because of the suckering habit of the red.
—54—
In Rock Island County, northwestern Illinois, they are
planting in hedge rows at the beginning and using iron stakes
every 20 feet, w^ith a cross arm coming out about two feet
above the ground and running two wires right down the rows,
confining the canes in hedge rows at the very beginning of
their growth.
Mulching: In Illinois mulching with strawy manure in-
creased the production of red raspberries over 50 per cent.
If you have a supply of manure, or other mulching material, I
would recommend that you try that. We found that it saved
an enormous amount of hand labor getting out the weeds
around the plants, and if you don't get the weeds out you
loose part of your crop, because you can't grow weeds and
raspberries together. We found, also, that it was helpful in
preventing the growth of a large number of unnecessary
suckers. We want some suckers, of course, for next year's
crop, but many suckers are not necessary. We mulch any
time in the winter when we can get the manure. Put it on be-
fore spring opens so you get the benefit of the melting snow
and the spring rains.
Member: Do you think that would work in Pennsyl-
vania ?
A. S. Colby: I think it would. You will have to renew
the mulch in three or four years. You add a considerable
amount of decaying vegetable matter, which is what we want
most in our raspberry soil.
Member: How thick?
A. S. Colby: About three inches before it settles. Just
spread it on from the wagon.
Pruning: The pruning of the black raspberry is little
understood. How many buds can the plant support and still
grow canes for next year? Ordinarily we leave too many
buds on the plant for good production. We prune too long;
we should cut back a little more severely. Pruning is essen-
tially a thinning operation. In pruning the raspberry we thin
the crop of fruit which it will bear that year. If we prune as
some have done, leaving long laterals, there is usually too
much wood. We should begin pruning the black raspberry tlie
spring previous by tipping the plant when it reaches a little
above the knee; that will induce a growth of strong laterals
from the cane. The year of fruiting we clip those laterals
back some distance, depending on the vigor of the plant, the
amount of anthracnose that is present, the fertility of the soil,
the type of culture which we are giving it. We leave from six
to ten buds on each lateral. Sometimes we leave a smaller
number, if the canes are weak.
—55—
Member: When do you do that?
A. S. Colby: In March or April, as early in the spring as
it is convenient to work.
Anthracnose : We recommend for the control of anthrae-
nose delayed dormant spraying with lime sulphur. Anthrac-
nose is the most common disease of black raspberries. We can
control it by a spray of lime sulphur, dormant strength ap-
plied as the little leaves are coming out in spring, provided
we spray thoroughly. The next spray is applied about a week
before the blossoms open, when buds begin to separate m the
cluster. We use a summer strength lime sulphur. That some-
times comes in May and June, when the weather is hot. it
the sun is too hot, we may get a little injury to that foliage.
We use Bordeaux mixture under those conditions. But 1 have
never had any trouble in Illinois by spraying with lime sul-
phur at that time. By those two applications every year and
by cutting out the old wood after fruiting is over, and burning
it, you can control anthracnose quite well.
A preventive measure is to cut the old handle or cane of
the young raspberry tips when you get them from the nur-
sery, after you plant them. Remove it from the field, because
on it may be considerable numbers of lesions from which the
anthracnose spores will come and reinfect the new shoots.
Crown Gall: I wish I might be as optimistic about the
control of crown gall in the raspberry patch. That, as I see
it, is our worst trouble— the gall which forms usually at the
crown, right at the top of the ground, but sometimes higher
up. I have seen it four feet high on blackberry canes. This
disease is found on pretty nearly everything, from the daisy
to the oak tree, and it injures in proportion to the size of the
plant. I saw it in a grape vineyard. I have seen it on straw-
berries ; it is bad on fruit trees and other horticultural, crops.
It is present in most soils. How can we get rid of it? I don't
know. I am trying various disinfectants. I can kill it in
soils by the use of foraldehyde and sulphur and other ma-
terials, but I kill the raspberry plants also.
The best method of control now known is to get clean
plants, give them the best of culture and feed them well.
Force them for a few years, perhaps mulching with a strawy
manure. Then, when you see crown gall coming in sufficient
quantity to cause loss, dig up the patch and start in some
other place. DonH try to keep a patch that is badly infected
with crown gall. That is being done altogether too much over
the country and that is one of the reasons for low yields,
winter injury, ''running out,'' and other similar complaints.
In some sections of the Middle West it was found that
farmers were growing red raspberries at a loss of a dollar and
—56—
more per crate. The plants were not disease-clean when set,
so that injury and death to a great many followed. This meant
that the patch was not full; there were many vacant places.
In some cases the water table was too close to the surface.
I am optimistic as to the future of raspberry growing. It
is highly profitable provided we take precautions, beginning
with the selection of the site, and the planting of disease-free
plants.
Member: What distance can you plant red raspberries
from blackcaps and be safe?
Paul Thayer: Five hundred feet. I think the College is
not recommending the planting of blackcaps at all in the
northern part of the state.
Mr. Kirby: You are right, in general. In many places
there are so many diseased wild plants that it is almost impos-
sible to keep garden plants clean. You see plantation after
plantation near wild plants and almost invariably they become
heavily diseased.
Paul Thayer: You remember Dr. Colby spoke of the mild
mosiac which went from the reds to the blackcaps. The red
raspberry is the worst enemy the blackcaps have on that ac-
count. Prof. Kirby has seen so many plantings go down in
the northern part of the state that if you plant there it is at
your own risk. We have a patch of Cuthberts in the state that
is 42 years old and in perfect health, because it had no disease
when set and no disease had been brought in. This shows that
the Cuthbert has not run out.
Member: How about the blue stem?
Prof. Colby: Blue stem is most commonly found on the
blackcap with us. We are roguing that out in the nurseries,
just the same as we are roguing out the masaic. It is another
one of the virus diseases.
Member: Is crown gall characterized by a wart-like ap-
pearance ?
A. S. Colby: Yes, you can't mistake it. Sometimes on a
patch that is badly infected you will see it up on the canes
some distance, but usually it is right at the base at the cane,
at the level of the ground. In many cases where the infection
is young you won't see it anywhere until you dig up the plant.
You will find it as little warts on the roots. Where you find
it that way it shows that the soil is pretty heavily infected
with the disease. It is spread partly by soil water, all through
the ground, and partly by cultivating tools.
Paul Thayer: You don't want to replant in that land.
—57—
W:
U.:
I
t !■
Member: What fertilizer for raspberries?
A. S. Colby: We have been depending on manure or le-
guminous intercrops ploughed under. It probably would be
true, as it has been in Michigan, that where the soil is lighter,
superphosphate and nitrate of soda would be just as beneficial
on raspberries as they are on strawberries. With us, where
we have used a strawy manure mulch, we haven't found it
necessary to add any commercial fertilizer. I think in most
soils if there is plenty of humus in the ground you don't need
to worry very much about commercial fertilizers.
Member: How do you establish this mulch?
A. S. Colby: We have two or three rows, six feet apart,
and then the next two rows eight feet apart, so that we can
drive down through and throw from the wagon over to these
other rows. Another man walks along and spreads it with
his manure fork, about three inches in depth, before it settles
and about as wide as the hedge row itself. Then we cultivate
between the rows. That saves, of course, an enormous amount
of mulch which is rather expensive.
We got more fruit where we mulched, but it isn't always
possible to mulch. Clean, shallow cultivation is next best. It
is a mistake to cultivate too early in the spring, leaving clods
of soil not broken up sufficiently to make a dust mulch and
losing immense amounts of moisture. In our cultivated patches
we go through with a disc early in the spring and then fol-
low that with a roller, culti-packer, or drag, which will break
up these clods and make a fine dust mulch.
Member: Would the mulch system be entirely satisfac-
tory with the red raspberry?
A. S. Colby: If you covered all the ground. It cuts down
materially the number of suckers coming up. One of the rea-
sons you get so many suckers is because you break off a great
many roots. The less cultivation and root breakage, the less
suckers you will have.
(At this point Mr. Rittenhouse, the Vice President, took
the Chair.)
CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A SMALL
REFRIGERATION UNIT ON THE FARM
H. G. INGERSON, Chardon. O.
A new set of conditions have come about within the past
few years that is favoring the adaptation of mechanical refrig-
eration to the farm. These conditions may be briefly sum-
marized as follows : First, the increased amounts of food pro-
ducts that may be sold at or near the farm, which condition in
turn has been brought about by the extension of improved
roads to the farms and the consequent general use of the auto-
mobile; second, the extension of electric power lines to the
farms, making automatic control devices possible on refrigera-
tion equipment; and thirdly, a growing market preference for
food products which have been properly stored in refrigerated
storage as compared to common or air storage.
Advantages: We see the following as some of the advan-
tages of a refrigerated storage unit either by itself or in con-
nection with common or air storage. The rank of these advan-
tages in importance will vary with the individual farms so I
shall enumerate them in the order of their seasonal use. The
grower who produces the small fruits will find frequent use for
the cooler room in which to place his strawberries, raspberries,
and other equally perishable fruits from the field until they
leave the farm, only a few hours usually but under some con-
ditions perhaps a day or two. Peaches are placed in cold
storage for a few days or for several weeks in extreme cases.
This is probably one of the best uses for the storage unit — to
prolong the marketing season of fi-esh home-grown peaches.
The use of the cold room for precooling peaches for car-lot
shipment is also of great value as well as for temporary stor-
age for summer apples, pears, and in fact all fruit products
ripening during the warm season. These uses are all more or
less secondary compared to the main use in connection with
the storage of fall and winter varieties of apples.
With a refrigerated storage on the farm we have been able
to leave each variety on the tree until optimum storage con3i-
tion is obtained, gaining all the size and quality for the va-
riety, then pick it quickly, store within a few hours and in a
very short time have it at actual storage temperature. This
avoids the necessity for rushing fruit through a packing house
right at harvest time to prepare it for city cold storage in its
final market package. Many of you have seen the necessity
for opening packages put up in this haste of harvest season
and repacking or reconditioning them at time of sale. This is
avoided by packing from your own storage in the winter with
your regular farm help and thereby putting a fresh pack on
the market.
-58-
-59—
At the Horticulture Week held at Penn State in November
a survey of local and western fruit in the Pennsylvania mar-
kets by months showed a very small amount of local fruit sold
in the months of March, April and May. With the cold stor-
age unit right at the farm where the fruit can be watched from
week to week and by running the refrigerating machine when
necessary during the mild weather of early spring, the season
of sale of local fruit can be much extended. I look for this
to be one of the important uses of the farm cold storage unit.
Besides fruit and vegetables, cold storage is one of the
best methods of storing sweet cider. I look for th(» market
season of good fresh sweet cider to be considerably extended
with the advent of the farm cold storage. Our experience has
shown us that the cider must be cooled to 32^ within a few
hours and then held below 30 degrees if it is to remain per-
fectly sweet. While we have not had conditions that neces-
sitated such use, I can see where the cold storage unit can be
used as a pre-cooling room for fruit which can be moved into
common storage after being thoroughly cooled out artifically.
In a season when high temperatures prevail during harvest of
winter varieties this should be a very proper use for the cold
storage. If such use is contemplated it should be explained to
the refrigerating engineers figuring on the size of plant, that
they may add additional cooling coils to certain rooms to be
so used.
Location and Construction: Now to the location and con-
struction of the cold storage unit. The location should be con-
sidered in relation (1) to the packing house (2) the sales room,
present or future (3) the common or air storage, present or
future (4) highway or public carrier (5) water supply for use
in refrigeration (6) by-products room. Each of these factors
should have careful consideration in the planning of a complete
fruit handling outfit.
The construction of the building to house a cold storage
unit should follow the general plan of the best air storage
houses with special attention to the following factors.
Insulation will usually need to be better provided to keep
operating costs down and to assure the real benefits of a cold
storage. You will be guided in the choice of materials by in-
dividual preferences and local conditions. Ventilation should
be of the best and under most conditions mechanical ventila-
^ tion will pay, providing for frequent change of air very quick-
ly, to avoid having ventilators open for long periods and con-
sequent raising of temperature. Fans driven by electric mo-
tors or gasoline engines have been generally satisfactory. Mois-
ture control will not be as hard to handle in the refrigerated
room or house as in common storage where it is necessary to
pull vast quantities of air through the fruit to effect cooling.
—60—
This process is usually a drying one and moisture must be
added to avoid shriveling. This condition is much less serious
in the cold storage but provision should be made for maintain-
ing optimum moisture conditions by sprinkling or other meth-
ods when needed.
More attention should be given to the convenience
of handling fruit in and out of farm storages than
has been the practice in the past. This handling cost is an
ever present one and the difference of a fraction of a cent per
bushel totals large in the aggregate. The use of conveyors,
chutes and elevators should be carefully considered in the
planning of a storage unit. In general the use of a few large
aisles with goodly sized piles of fruit, carefully piled for ven-
tilation, will be preferable and more economical of space and
handling cost than a larger number of aisles and smaller piles
of fruit.
For most farm conditions the cold storage unit should con-
sist of two or more rooms, the number depending on the uses
to which it is to be put. Often it will be desirable to keep the
different rooms at different temperatures. Where only small
amounts are stored at a time it is difficult and expensive to
cool and hold a large room. As one room is emptied it can be
cut off the system until it is to be used again. Medium sized
rooms holding 1000 to 5000 bushels will be found more satis-
factory than small or large rooms. In large houses, each
room should have an outside opening at least large enough to
receive the storage package or a conveyor In many cases a
vestibule or receiving room which is refrigerated and provided
with doors leading to the various storage rooms will be a bet-
ter arrangement. The location of coils is important. In the
smaller rooms side-wall placing may be used and the drip
trough will be simple. In larger rooms, ceiling hangers will be
used and careful attention need be given to the drain pans
placed under the coils. The number and location of coils will
usually be indicated by the engineer laying out the installation
but he should know the location of main aisles and other
handling features.
An ample supply of cold water is an essential of econ-
omical refrigeration with an ammonia system and this should
be well considered in connection with the location of the refrig-
erating machinery itself, which need not be immediately ad-
jacent to the storage rooms. If possible the pump circulating
the water through the ammonia condenser should be operated
from the same power source as the compressor so that one set
of automatic controls will operate the entire plant. In general
one gallon per minute of water for each ton capacity of the ice
plant is necessary for efficient cooling and double the amount
will reduce the cooling cost.
—61—
Operation: The operation of the plant will be simple in-
deed if controlled by automatic controls. If electricity is* not
available and other power is used, a good farm mechanic can
^sily learn to operate the plant. He can also supervise or
actually do the storing work while running the plant. The
plant should be started well ahead of the time of filling to
thoroughly cool out the room or building itself before fruit or
other products are stored. The utmost care should be used to
prevent warm air entering the storage rooms and the products
stored should be as cool as possible before placed in the
rooms. Often the fruit can be gathered during the day, hauled
to a platform or shed adjoining the storage, allowed to cool
out over night and then stored early the next morning before
the temperature rises. A few degrees difference in the tem-
perature of the fruit when stored will make a difference of
hours or even days before it can be brought to the desired
temperature. During the period of main harvest and rapid
filling of the storage rooms, it is better to put part of each
day's harvest in each room, rather than to put large amounts
of warm fruit into any one room, thereby raising the tempera-
ture of the entire contents of the room. These are details but
we feel they are important.
Cost: I believe it is generally accepted that 2V2 cubic feet
of space is allowed for each bushel of apples. This allows for
aisles and working room. I think this a safe figure for bar-
relled fruit but for bushel baskets at least 3 cubic feet should
be allowed. On this basis each square foot of floor space will
store S% bushels or 1000 square feet of floor space will store
3300 bushels. This will vary somewhat with the size of rooms
for the same amount of working room is needed in a small
room as a large one. The following figures are approxima-
tions but give some basis for figuring for the grow<^r who is
interested. For a unit to store about 3000 bushels tiie cost of
the refrigeration unit itself, not including the room, about
50c per bushel ; for a unit to store around 6000 bushels, about
40c per bushel would be the cost; 15,000 bushels around 35c
per bushel and a 25,000 bushel unit would cost about 30c per
bushel.
The cost of overhead and operation will vary through a
wide range from as low as 7 or 8 cents per bushel where a
large storage is provided and used to capacity through a short
season, up to 15 or even 20 cents per bushel on the small unit
operated for a long season. In general the overhead cost, in-
terest, taxes and depreciation will amount to half of the above
costs so the grower having the greatest variety of uses for
refrigeration will operate it at the lowest cost per package
stored.
—62—
What of the future for the farm refrigeration unit? I
look for it to be much more common than the present day
common storage house because of its wider range of uses. I
look for the fruit grower who sells in local markets to grad-
ually equip himself with varying amounts of refrigerated stor-
age which he will use primarily for apple storage and perhaps
because of the storage extend into the other more perishable
fruits. He will perhaps rent space to local dairy organizations
for storing their surplus products in the summer, to the local
florist for certain special requirements, to the nurseryman in
late winter to keep some stock dormant for the late spring
buyer. These are but a few uses to which the fruit storage
will be put in off seasons and are additional reasons for the
multiple room cold storage.
We feel that with careful attention to the location of the
cold storage, with well insulated and ventilated rooms, with
careful operation of refrigerating machinery of ample ca-
pacity for the rooms used, that the farm refrigeration unit is
an important factor in putting quality fruit on local or distant
markets.
INSULATION OF THE COLD STORAGE
B. U. BIiASINGAME, State CoUege
The most important thing I could discuss with
you is the construction of the storage house itself,
with particular reference to insulation. Any one can go on
the market and secure from several reputable concerns an
efficient refrigerating unit. Most of the mistakes that I have
noticed are in the construction of the house itself, with refer-
ence to the insulation, so as to keep the warm air out and the
cold air in.
Cork is the best material. Many people think that dead
air space is a good method of insulation. I don't think there
has ever been a fallacy that has had such wide circulation as
this. There is no such things as a dead air space.
Your Secretary suggested that the size of cold storage
that would be most useful on fruit farms would be like the
common storage at State College, which is 70 feet long, 9 feet
high and 30 feet wide. I wrote to several of the manufac-
turers of refrigerating equipment. One of them said he did
not believe that it is a good idea to have a 9-foot ceiling and
suggested an 11-foot ceiling. They suggested that the ceiling
be insulated with ten or twelve inches of granulated cork. Get
up on the ceiling and make a false floor with joists and ceiling
and cover that with granulated cork and a floor on top of that.
On the floor, put down broken stone or cinders, or some ma-
terial that will break up the capillary action so you won't
get any moisture in your floor. Then put si^ inches of con-
—63—
Crete on top of that and flood that concrete floor with hot tar
or asphalt. While it is hot put down two inches of cork and
then flood the cork and another layer of cork and flood that.
On top of that put a three-inch concrete floor of wearing sur-
face. That concrete should be made very stiff and not sloppy
because a sloppy mixture will give you weak, porous concrete.
Just put enough water in that concrete so you can work it
and not float it off.
It seems that masonry walls are very good for applying
cork. For large rooms, such as you may have in mind for
storage of apples, the latest recommendations are to take that
wall, whether it is concrete, brick, or stone, and back-plaster
it. This means that the plaster is going to be on the back of
the cork. They spray it with hot tar or asphalt. Then put
on a half inch of mortar on your cork and stick it up against
that, with all the joints as tight as possible. Don't let joints
come together. Take a few skewers, such as the butcher uses,
and drive them through the cork into the other layer of cork
which is cemented to the wall.
What is the best practice in insulating a wooden wall?
Put up two by fours about 18 inches apart and on those nail
a layer of tongue and groove material, good material, not sec-
ond class and full of holes and cracks. Then two layers
of good insulating paper. Where the joints of paper come to-
gether put some hot tar and seal them up. Then another layer
of tongue and groove. It is well to paint both sides. Then
another layer of paper. Then apply the cork to it and use
nails; drive them into the cork. Don't let the nails be so long
they run through, because they will get cold and hot air and
moisture will accummulate on them and those nails will rust
off and you can pull the cork off. Another thing, if these nails
go through, cold and heat will travel through each way.
That is the first layer. Of course, the cork ought to be
dipped in hot asphalt and the joints broken up. Use beef
skewers to hold the second layer against the first layer and
then plaster inside. Use a half inch of plaster mortar; one
part of cement and two parts of sand. If you can get a
plasterer who can work plaster without lime in it, then that is
much better. Keep that lime content as low as possible. That
is the construction most commonly recommended on wood.
Here are two essentials about any refrigerator wall.
Insulate against the passage of air from outside through the
wall into the refrigerator, because if we have a low tempera-
ture in here and warm outside, the air cooled in here has a
tendency to shrink and you have a higher pressure in here
than outside. The outside pressure just shoots that air right
in if the wall is poorly made, and that air contains moisture ;
as it comes thrcrugh the wall and strikes the colder portion of
the wall, what will happen to the moisture in the air? It will
condense and you will get a wet wall. When you get insul-
ating material wet you might as well not have it in there. Wet
cork or wet insulating material of any kind will transfer heat
and cold right along because water is a fair conductor. That
is the reason for the back plaster.
You can't take a few boards and stick cork on them to
insulate a storage because the air will come through and warm
air coming against a cold surface will condense moisture and
you have a wet wall. You insulate first against penetration
of moisture from the outside.
The second thing is to cement the inside so that the cold
air inside won't go through to the outside. Given those two
conditions, you have a good insulated wall.
While I was describing this floor wall and ceiling, I failed
to bring out one point which is absolutely essential. You will
notice here that the cork steps down. In other words, when
you build your wall, start with the floor, put one layer of cork
and let it run completely out to the edge and then put your
vertical layer of cork down on that, step by step. Then an-
other layer of cork on the floor and then another layer upward.
The same way with the ceiling. Put a layer on the ceiling and
let it overlap the vertical. Then put on your second layer of
vertical, then your next layer of ceiling. To keep air out, use
that step joint.
We have some people here who know about refrigeration
and can answer any questions you may wish to ask.
Member: May I ask how the cork insulation is sold com-
mercially?
Geo. C. Ruby: You can purchase cork insulation from the
cork people. It comes in sheets one foot wide, three feet long.
You can attempt to put this material on yourself, but from my
experience there are a great many mistakes made in trying to
^PPly your own cork. It will pay to get some person on that
job who is thoroughly familiar with it.
If you see anybody putting cork on you may think it is
very simple, but there are a number of little tricks, because
you have got to get that thing sealed off perfectly.
Mr. R. U. Blasingame: I don't believe that the average
run of carpenters or handymen about the place can install
cprk that will be satisfactory. I have seen it put up with
nails right through. What would happen? A great big bead
of moisture or frost sticking there. Your refrigeration is go-
ing through that nail just like current is going through a
wire.
—65—
R. D. Anthony: One of the largest refrigerating com-
panies in this state is using 12 inches of granulated cork as
insulation in their cooling tanks. Would it not be feasible to
use ground cork instead of cork board as insulation in the or-
dinary farm construction cold storage?
Mr. Martin: To properly install those boards and use
insulating paper, etc., would make granulated cork cost more
than the sheet cork and it would take up so much more room
from your storage space.
R. D. Anthony: What do you consider the relative effic-
iency of granulated cork as compared with corkboard?
Mr. Martin: About six inches of granulated cork is equiv-
alent to one and a half inches of sheet cork.
R. D. Anthony: It was reported to us that granulated
cork has practically the same insulating value as sheet cork.
Mr. Martin: All the tests we get from the insulation peo-
ple and from the Government don't bear that out.
Mr. H. W. Miller: Could common storage be supplement-
ed by throwing some of the air out with one of these small
fans ?
Mr. Ingerson: I don't think you can expect very much
improvement in temperature from additional artificial ventila-
tion. You simply would be changing your air, improving your
air condition, not the temperature at the critical time.
Chairman Rittenhouse: We have with us a man who has
a refrigerating plant on his farm and has used it very suc-
cessfully. Dr. W. W. Livingood of Robesonia.
Dr. Livingood: Reference has been made to the Moore
system of ventilation. I don't think you will have to have
that system to carry a temperature of 31'^ for apples. It is of
value for vegetables and bananas that are kept in a tempera-
ture of 40 and above, but if apples are kept at 31, you won't
need that additional equipment and it a disadvantage. With
the Moore system you have to have your coils on the ceiling.
That means a drip pan and that is a nuisance. If you have a
cellar thirty or forty feet wide and run coils along the side,
you will have all the refrigeration you need and it will soon
become uniform. We have two refrigerated rooms, 30 by 50,
and we find the temperature is quite uniform.
In regard to the method of insulation discussed by Pro-
fessor Blasingame, it seems to me it is needlessly complicated.
I would suggest that any of you men considering insulation
get prices on sheet cork. I use sheet cork four inches thick on
—Q6^
the sides and ceiling and two inches on the floor. The prices
are coming down.
Be sure you have enough water for your generator. I
have a ten-ton plant and it requires 8 gallons of water a minute
at least. Mr. Ingerson was right when he said a gallon to a
ton. I expected to secure the water from our local water com-
pany and I found I didn't have enough water coming through
a three-quarter inch pipe ; so I had to erect a reservoir from a
stream. It requires at least 8 gallons a minute to keep it cool
or it will stop.
The cold storage plant is of great value on a fruit farm.
It enables you to prolong your selling season, especially if you
are selling from trucks and wagons and roadside markets. We
kept peaches from one to six weeks. The Elbertas kept for
six weeks are not as juicy but they compare favorably with
other late varieties of peaches. If you strike a rainy season
during the picking of your Elbertas, it is mighty nice to run
the fruit into your cold storage, if only for four or five days.
It gives you plenty of time to work it off. We keep our sum-
mer apples, such as the Transparent, in cold storage; it is a
good seller and people like it. Under ordinary storage we can
only keep them two weeks. We found that we could keep
them in our cold storage nicely two months. It gives us a long
selling season. You can carry your cold storage to the middle
of July with apples to sell all the year round.
You men who have common storage have had trouble in
getting your temperature down this fall. I have seen many
Staymans that are dead ripe now and must be moved by the
first of February,* while those in cold storage at the proper
temperature are in fine condition. I am quite enthusiastic
about the small cold storage plant on the fruit farm. We
found 35 degrees low enough for peaches. I have nipped them
at 32°. Apples we have had as low as 28° and I never frosted
an apple at 28°. However, I wouldn't run as low as that.
Don't let tomatoes get below 35°.
Member: How long did you keep tomatoes?
Dr. Livingood : A month.
Member: What condition were they in?
Dr. Livingood: Some were put in green and some were
put in ripe.
Member: How long will they stand up out of storage?
Dr. Livingood: I don't know about that. We have had
no complaint and I judge they hold out a reasonable length of
time.
—67—
Mr. Fred Greist: I would like to ask what these men
think of hollow tile as a material for the outside wall of
storages?
Mr. Ruby: An experienced architect in Chicago says,
''It is very fine construction to use hollow tile with vitrified
brick facing/^ He is speaking of large cold-storage room
construction. He says a considerable amount of air is trapped
in these hollow tile and that they protect. Another equally
experienced man, says, ''Under no consideration use hollow
tile, because the air in there, with the cool surface on one side
and the warm surface on the other, will condense a certain
amount of moisture and your moisture will hang in these hol-
low spaces.*' He recommends brick. Personally, my own
preference is hard brick.
Mr. Martin: I think you are right on that.
R. D. Anthony : What is an economical height in the cold
storage, and what is the type of insulation used in the Inger
son storage.
Mr. Ingerson: I believe that the general practice, where
these plants have been put in farm storages, has been not over
ten feet. You have a different condition on the farm than in
the large cold storages in the cities. Ground space is of little
importance. You have lots of room, whereas in the city the
rental is one of the big costs of cold storage service. I think
that you can maintain a more uniform temperature through
your piles of fruit with not too high a ceiling. Still you want
from 2 to 3 feet clearance above your top packages and the
ceiling, to take care of your ventilation.
As to the type of insulation that we use, I think there is
no doubt that, as far as the efficiency of insulating materials
goes, w^e all use cork as a basis of comparing other materials.
However, for our particular conditions we felt that cork insul-
ation in a large farm storage building would be almost pro-
hibitive in cost and we have used dry mill shavings with sev-
eral layers of waterproof building paper outside of the mill
shavings and inside to take care of the moisture factor that
Prof. Blasingame speaks of. The building is of frame con-
struction, with stucco as an exterior surface, simply as a weath-
ering agent. The storage has not been in use long enough to
pass final judgment as to its efficiency. However, we made
careful investigation before we went into this thing, as to the
insulating value and the life of shavings, and we visited stor-
ages in the central west that had used dry mill shavings for
insulating material. In one case the walls were opened after
35 years and those mill shavings were still perfectly dry and
the rooms were insulated properly.
—68—
I do not recommend this; it has simply seemed to be the
best for our particular condition. We have been able to re-
frigerate our storage satisfactorily with this material, perhaps
with a little higher operating cost, but that higher operating
cost will not compare with the overhead on the cork insulation.
There are other insulating materials on the market now that
are being used, as you all know, made from fibre, and those
need to be considered; but if you are putting in a permanent
installation, the insulating material is very important. You
need to figure from all angles. I think the point that Prof.
Blasingame has made about preventing the passage of mois-
ture is very important. I think that has been overlooked in a
good many cases.
Mr. Martin: You spoke of storing apples in bulk. How
high do you pile those apples'?
Mr. Ingerson: We store largely in bushels, both crates
and baskets. We don't pile them in bulk. We did that in a
small way two seasons ago. We do not like it. But with
packages, we store the bushels eight packages high.
Member: Mr. Chairman, could your insulation adviser
give us comparisons between Celotex, the sugar cane fibre
board, and other materials? Prof. Blasingame 's cork wall
looks to me as if it were going to cost 53 cents a square foot.
The price on Celotex would be half that. I am not talking
about a really high-class commercial storage, but a good air-
cooled storage insulation.
»
R. U. Blasingame: I don*t know anything wrong with
that, but I have been unable to find any research data which
says that it is all right. They haven't run sufficient tests.
That is the reason I didn't mention it.
R. D. Anthony: Our growers are familiar with the use
of ground cork as an insulating material. By the use of six
inches of ground cork they have been able to can-y the above
ground storage through outside temperatures of fifteen below,
with a 40-mile gale, and maintain an inside temperature of 33
and 34. Would you consider an insulating material that
would meet those conditions satisfactory for cold storage con-
struction?
Mr. Martin: I wouldn't if you are going to use mechan-
ical refrigeration inside.
Adjournment.
—69—
STATIONARY SPRAY PLANTS IN NEW JERSEY
A. J. TARLEY, Extension Pomologist
New Jersey State Agricultural College
The development of stationary spray plants in New Jersey
started on a commercial basis early in the spring of 1927 with
the installation of two plants in the Glassboro district ot Glou-
cester County ; one in a hundred acre apple orchard, and the
other in an adjoining apple orchard of 90 acres. Our records
show that there was only one small plant in the state previous
to 1927 installed in a 5-acre archard near Paterson. You can
readily see, therefore, that stationary spray plants m New
Jersey are in their infancy and that any information we may
have is not based on long experience. However, it is not my
purpose this afternoon to go into the many details of construc-
tion and management of stationary spray plants or even draw
definite conclusions relative to their value in connection with
the control of insects and diseases, but simply to point out
briefly some of the experiences with these plants in New
Jersey.
During the late winter and early spring of 1928, stationary
spray plants were installed in 7 orchards, involving about 300
acres of bearing apple orchards, while eight growers are mak-
ing definite plans for the installation of stationary plants be-
fore the spraying season opens this spring, thus bringing the
total number of plants in operation in New Jersey in 1929 up
to 17, covering between 1200 and 1500 acres.
Stationary spray plants may be classified in various ways,
depending upon the location and arrangement of the pipes. In
New Jersey we only have two systems as far as the location
of the pipes is concerned ; namely, what are commonly referred
to as the overhead and the underground systems. We also
have two systems on the basis of arrangement of pipes; one
known as the return, and the other as the dead end system.
Overhead Versus Under Ground Pipes: Among the 10
plants in operation during the past season, three had the pipes
overhead, and seven had them underground. It so happens
that the first two plants to be installed in 1927 have the pipes
underground, while those installed last year are about equally
divided between overhead and underground, and it is my un-
derstanding that the eight plants to be installed this year will
all have the pipes overhead. This indicates a strong tendency
toward the overhead system. However, I do not believe that
any one system is preferable to all others any more than any
one type of sprayer or automobile is superior to all other
makes. Those who have underground systems appear to be
very well satisfied with them and the same thing is true of
those who have the pipes overhead. The chief advantages
—70—
claimed for the overhead system are (1) that is easier to lo-
cate and repair leaks that may develop; (2) easier to drain
and (3) where the ground is rough and stony easier to install.
On the other hand, those who favor the underground system
say that less leaks will develop ; that it causes less interference
with cultivation, and other operations, and is more permanent.
I believe that there is a place for both systems in New Jersey,
and that time alone will tell which is the more satisfactory.
On the other hand, in orchards where the ground is rough and
stony, I do not see that there is any choice since it would
hardly be practical to put the pipes underground.
At first growers installing the underground system placed
the pipes below the frost line, but now they simply plow a fur-
row deep enough to allow the pipes to be placed, so that they
will not be touched by tilage implements. In the overhead sys-
tem the pipe lines follow certain tree rows, the pipes being sup-
ported by the trees, together with props between the trees if the
planting distance is over 25 to 30 feet or enough to cause a
sag in the pipe between trees. Some growers are now consid-
ering the possibility of eliminating the props between trees, and
support the pipe from a wire stretched from posts located at
or near the base of the trees.
Dead End Versus Return System: The first growers to
install stationary spray plants in New Jersey adopted the re-
turn system of piping; that is, the spray material left the
pump through a main from which laterals took it around a
loop and any surplus went back to the pumping plant through
a return pipe. It was thought that in using such materials as
New Jersey Dry Mix, a return system of some kind would be
necessary to prevent clogging of the pipes. However, experi-
ences so far, indicate that the dead system is just as satis-
factory as the return system, and since it is cheaper and easier
to install, it is the system that was used in practically all of
the plants installed last year, and those to be installed this
year.
Distribution of Pipes: The amount of pipe necessary to
install a stationary spraying system is considerably less than
the average person realizes, unless he has seen one or more
plants. As a matter of fact the cost of the pipe is a relatively
small item, ranging in the New Jersey plants from $10.00 to
$15.00 per acre. The reason for the small amount of pipe is
the fact that the laterals are generally placed from 200 to 300
feet apart, and lead off from a main that is fairly centrally
located. For example, one installation in a 55-acre orchard re-
quired about 7,500 feet of % inch pipe for the laterals and
2,000 feet of pipe ranging from 1" to 2" for the mains, the total
—71—
cost of the pipe, outlet valves and connections being about
$900 00 or $16.00 per acre. The outlets to which the spray
hose is attached are placed at intervals ranging from 80 to
275 feet apart, depending upon the length of spray hose used.
The tendency in New Jersey at the present time is to place
both the laterals, and .the outlets closer together than was the
practice when the first plants were installed; the chief object
being to make possible the use of shorter lengths of spray hose,
and reduce the number of men required to operate the plant.
The majority of the plants in operation in New Jersey during
the past year used 200' leads of spray hose, requiring two men
to each lead ; one to spray and the other to drag the hose In
one plant where 125 foot leads were used last year with one
man to a lead, the owner is planning to use 200' leads this year
with two men to a lead. I question the economy of short leads
of hose, and less men, although it may work out satisfactorily
in some cases.
Kind and Size of Pipe: Black iron pipe was used in the
underground systems in New Jersey, and galvanized iron pipe
in the overhead systems. Both have been entirely satisfactory*
up-to-date, although the length of time the plants have beei^
installed is far too short to test the relative value of the two
kinds of pipe. The growers who are planning to install sta-
tionary plants this year will probably use what is known as
copper bearing pipe which is not supposed to rust or scale
like either the ordinary black or galvanized iron pipe
The size of the pipes vary with the distance and the ca-
pacity that is desired. As a general rule 8/4 inch pipe is used
for the laterals although in some cases 1 inch pipe may be
needed. This would only be necessary, however, in the case
of a very long lateral where it might be desirable to attach
several leads of hose at the same time, in order to complete a
certain block as quickly as possible. The mains vary from 1
to 2 inches, depending on the distance and the amount of ma-
terial to be carried to certain points.
Pumps: Various makes of pumps are in use, including
the Friend, Bean and Myers. All have given excellent satis-
faction, but still leave plenty of room for improvement. It
seems that the present stationary spray pumps are practically
the same as those in use on the larger portable spray rigs, ex-
cept that they may have more capacity. This will soon change
if the number of stationary spray plants justify the manu-
facture of pumping units especially designed for that use
where capacity, power and wearing quality are of prime im-
portance, and weight a secondary consideration.
The power plant in the majority of the plants in operation
in New Jersey at the present time is a tractor, although sev-
eral growers have installed electric motors. The general teii-
—72—
dency on the part of all growers who have electric current
available, is to install electric motors to take the place of the
tractors.
Tanks: Two tanks, or one large tank with two compart-
ments are essential to the economical and convenient operation
of a stationary spray plant. This allows for the mixing of the
spray materials in one tank, while the other acts as a reser
voir for the pipes distributed through the orchard. Each tank
should be provided with a good agitator, particularly if ma-
terials such as New Jersey Dry Mix or lead arsenate are being
used. The tanks or compartments may be side by side, or one
above the other depending upon which seems to be the most
economical or the most convenient. Both arrangements are in
use in the New Jersey plants and both appear to give equal
satisfaction. Our growers are for the most part using wooden
tanks; only one plant I know of having a concrete tank made
by the owner himself. The size of the tanks varies, of course,
with the size of the plant, the range being from 300 to 500
gallons.
Some growers make a practice of flushing out the pipes
with water at the close of each day's spi-aying, while others do
not flush them until the end of a certain spray application. At
the close of the season the overhead systems are thoroughly
flushed out and drained. Those having the underground sys-
tems either simply drain the pipes at the end of the season,
blow them out with compressed air, or fill them with crude oil
or crank case oil. All of these methods appear to be satis-
factory so far, but again let me remind you that our experi-
ence in New Jersey is too limited to enable anyone to draw
definite conclusions.
Cost: We have not been able to secure accurate figures
on the cost of all the stationary spray plants in operation in
New Jersey, since in most cases no complete record of the labor
involved in installation is available. Furthei'niore, the cost
varies considerably with the size of the plant, kind of pumps,
power, size and kind of pipe, type of labor used and many
other factors that are involved in the purchase and installa-
tion of the plant.
From the figures we have been able to secure, it has cost
our growers about $35.00 per acre to buy the materials and
equipment and install plants covering from 50 to 100 acres of
orchard. This figure includes pumps, tanks, power unit, pipes
and outlet valves, spray hose, and a large part, if not all, of
the labor.
This question is often asked. How does the cost of a sta-
tionary spray plant compare with the cost of portable sprayers,
for the same orchard? Figuring on the basis of actual deliv-
—73—
ery of the spray material from the filling or mixing station
to the trees, I believe the stationary plant is the more econom-
ical, at least in orchards of 50 acres or more. A comparison
of this kind should be based upon the cost of the equipment,
and labor necessary to spray a given number of trees the de-
sired amount of material within a certain prescribed period of
time, and not simply upon the number of spray rigs that hap-
pen to be available for use in spraying those trees at the pres-
ent time. For example, we find that the amount of time that
is available for applying most spray applications in New Jersey
is about one week, or at the very most 10 days in order to
secure satisfactory control of insects and diseases. Now let
us see how this works out in actual practice. One of our
growers who operated a stationary spray plant during the past
year found it necessary to use about 43,000 gallons of spray
to cover one of his orchards at the 10 day after petal fall
spray. He was able to do this with his stationary outfit in a
little less than six days with eight men in the orchard, and
one man at the mixing and pumping plant. It would have
taken at least the same number, if not more men and at least
five good power sprayers to do the same thing. Previous to
the installation of the stationary spray plant, this same growei
was depending upon four sprayers to take care of not onlj
this block of trees, but another of equal size. In 1927, less
than 50% of the apples produced in this orchard were free
from insect and disease injuries, and in 1928 over 85% were in
that class. In another orchard 60,000 gallons of spray ma-
terial were applied in five days, with six guns or an average
of 2,000 gallons per day per gun. As a matter of fact, 2,000
gallons of spray per gun per day was a fair average for most
of the stationary spray plants operated in New Jersey lasl
year, and, therefore, might serve as a basis for comparison
with the capacity of portable spray rigs.
Many growers are beginning to ask if they should install
stationary spray plants. My answer is that if they are able
to secure satisfactory control of insects and diseases with their
present equipment, well and good; on the other hand, if their
present equipment is worn out, making replacements desirable,
or they are not able to secure satisfactory control of insects
and diseases with their present equipment, consider the sta-
tionary spray plant very seriously, before purchasing new por-
table equipment. Both systems have their advantages and
their disadvantages, neither are infallible or fool-proof. I must
say, however, that every New Jersey grower who has installed
and operated a stationary spray plant is very enthusiastic
over that method of spraying and would not at the present
time even consider going back to portable rigs. What the
feeling will be after the plants have been in operation for a
longer period only time can tell, but right now all indications
— 7d—
point toward a fairly rapid development of this method of
spraying in the larger commercial apple orchards in New
Jersey.
Mr. R. E. Atkinson: What is the relative cost of putting
in enough pipelines so that one man could carry only 100 to
120 feet of hose, instead of having pipelines twice as far
apart and having two men? It seemed to me that your pipe-
line is a permanent investment and it should cut your labor
in half to reduce the distance between the pipelines. Labor is
one of the greatest charges that we have in the cost of produc-
tion.
Prof. Farley: Quite a number of our fruit growers who
have portable rigs have been in the habit of doing all the
spraying from the rig; that is, driving through the orchard
with a man riding on the rig, either on top of the tank or in a
tower or on the platform on back, and spraying from the rig.
If a man has been used to doing that, it is quite a long jump
to put him out in the orchard with 125 feet of hose and tell
him to stay there from seven o'clock in the morning until six
o'clock in the evening with a half hour off for lunch and pull
that hose around the orchard all day long.
Some of our growers had in mind that they would work
this spring by easy stages. They would put a man out there
to spray all day long, but they would have him do nothing
but spray. He would have no responsibility at all for the
hose. There would be no weight on him; another fellow is
pulling the hose and following him around.
I think it will be, as you say, more economical in the long
run to increase the amount of pipe and have the man who is
doing the spraying the only man on that lead of hose, but it
is quite a long jump from riding on the top of a sprayer and
riding back and forth from the orchard to the filling shed
several times a day to putting a man out there to do nothing
but spray and pull hose all day long.
Mr. Atkinson: What is the practice of the growei's who
are using stationary outfits of carrying their hose?
Prof. Farley: Some carry it out perhaps half the way
and then pull it the rest. In practically all cases in New Jer-
sey during the past year there have been two men to a lead,
and 200-foot leads.
Member: How do you reach the tops of your trees f You
have to have power.
Prof. Farley: We haven't had any difficulty in New Jer-
sey. A man with a spray gun and a stationary spray plant
has nothing to worry about as far as pressure is concerned.
—75—
He has all the pressure he wants at all times and we have had
no difficulty in reaching the tops of the highest trees.
Member: Is there any danger of the spray material set-
tling in the pipes, say in the laterals that are not being used?
Will the pressure keep the solution in suspension?
Prof. Farley: Our growers have had no particular diffi-
culty. Generally they have a valve at the beginning of the
laterals so that no material goes into that lateral until a man
is putting on the spray.
Mr. Henckleman: I should think the pressure would hold
the solution in suspension anyway.
Prof. Farley: I would rather not take too much of a
chance with dry-mix in a dead-end system.
Member: What percentage of clean fruit is obtained by
this method of spraying, as compared with the portable
sprayer?
Prof. Farley: I don't think it is possible to make any
comparison unless both methods were used in the same orch-
ard. It is a question of getting the material on the tree in
sufficient quantity and at the proper time to control the par-
ticular insect or disease. He can do it with the portable spray
rig or with the stationary plant. It is more a question of
economies than of effective control.
President Funk: We are very fortunate in having with
us Mr. G. C. Carpenter, of Hancock, Maryland, who has had a
lot of practical experience with stationary spray plants.
Mr. G. C. Carpenter: The stationary spray plant is not a
new method of handling spray problems. In 1906 Mr. Hay-
ward Reed in California was confronted with the necessity of
spraying a pear orchard in flood time. He utilized long lengths
of hose so that his crop might be saved. In 1908 he planned
the first stationary spraying unit, using three-quarter inch
laterals and one inch mains. In Mr. Reed\s case, the sta-
tionary spray plant was installed by virtue of necessity. A
similar occurrence took place several years ago, when one of
our eastern growers found it necessary to install a piping
system because of his inability to keep his portable units with
tiie wheels on the ground. Mr. Miller, of West Virginia, is
here today and I would like to have him give you a summary
of his experience.
Mr. Miller: Necessity was the mother of invention
in my case. The orchard on which I first installed a stationary
spray plant was a grade of 35 per cent ; that is, 35 feet of rise
in a hundred. I was unable for a good many years to get
—76—
anything done with the portable outfit, due to the fact that the
tanks wouldn 't hold very much when they got to the spraying
point. I could start with a full tank but I didn't have very
much in the tank when I got out there, the grade was too
great. Necessity compelled me to devise some other method
of getting the spray on the trees.
I was afraid to try very much, especially as I was short
of money, and most growers are consistently short of money
for undertaking new things ; so I got a thousand feet of pipe
and put it down hill and hooked an ordinary Hardy triplex
pump to it. I had been using three of the largest spray rigs
that could be bought and three four-horse mule teams to pull
those tanks. So I had quite an outlay.
The first system is in an orchard of 235 acres; the next
one is in an orchard of 285 acres ; they were installed eight and
six years ago respectively. I am using the Domestic pump,
direct geared, with a clutch between it and the Hercules en-
gine. The capacity of the pump is 80 gallons per minute with
a working pressure guaranteed at 500 pounds per square inch.
These pumps are not fragile. When you look at the pump,
which has a bored crankshaft with force-feed lubrication, you
are immediately reminded of the word ''locomotive,'' and that
is something that could well be thought of when you put in a
stationary plant. The pump is, of course, the heart that does
the driving and it ought to be big enough.
Mr. Carpenter: Mr. Miller, you have had your pipe in
service, as I understand it, approximately eight years. I be-
lieve every one would be interested in knowing what condi-
tion that pipe is in at the present time and what kind of pipe
you used in your first installation.
Mr. Miller: I am sorry that I used three-eighth pipe for
laterals. It is too small. That pipe is still in use and without
being taken up. It has been down seven years.
Mr. Carpenter: What type of pipe, galvanized or black?
. Mr. Miller: Most of the pipe T bought was from the army
camps that were dismantled and it was cheap pipe, I suppose.
I paid four cents a foot.
Mr. Carpenter: What do you feel will be the further life
of the pipe ?
Mr. Miller: Black iron pipe exposed to weather is sup-
posed to be good for 21 years, but lime sulphur is hard on the
the inside.
—77—
Member: How do you overcome freezing in winter-time?
Mr. Miller : Fortunately we are on that 35 per cent grade
I told you about. That gives us a chance to drain everything
very nicely.
Mr. Carpenter: There has been a lot of discussion on pro-
per pipe sizes. Mr. Miller touched on that subject when
he said that he felt that his original installation was too small.
The Miller family were pioneers in the apple industry in this
section and they were also pioneers in the stationary spraying
installations. His brother, Mr. H. W. Miller has several instal-
lations and I am going to ask him to discuss this phase of sta-
tionary spraying systems.
Mr. H. W. Miller: I have been working two systems for
seven years. When we first laid our mains down they were all
one inch. We found that when we took out three or four three-
eighth inch laterals out of an inch main we couldn't get our
liquid out and we had to drive our juice with terrific pressure.
Frequently, if there was only a half inch hole for it to go
out, it would go by the hole. So we have found that the thing
to do is to have not less than an inch and a half main and
then take off from this with inch pipe. If you want to reduce
it, later, down to three-fourths or half inch, you can do it. It
depends on how far you want to go with your pipe as to
whether you need more than half inch pipe as laterals.
We have some in which the gunner is a mile and a
quarter from the pump. The main is three-quarters of a mile
long and a lateral is a half mile. That means a lot of friction
and lost pressure, but with a good pump and with the side
lines taking out at an inch, I get plenty of juice up against
the gun.
Aside from the size of the pipe, there is another thing
that is coming up. I think, Mr. Carpenter, you made some
tests on that and found that the pressure was much better on
a half-inch hose than on a three-eighth hose.
Mr. Carpenter: Considerably better, almost 50 pounds on
a 200-foot length of hose.
Mr. Miller: We find that half inch hose, taking off from
the lateral to the tree, is better than three-eighths. We used
the three-eighths at first because it was easy to handle on a
mountainside with a 30 degree rise and we didn't want to pull
any more than we had to.
Prof. Farley said they are using two men on a lead of
hose. We use either two men and a boy or three men. We
pay the gunner twenty-five or fifty cents a day extra and we
tell him never to stop. We feed him with hose, right up
—78—
against him all the time ; the back man is never more than
eight or ten feet from him and he is always free.
I know some of you will say, ^^That is a waste of men,''
but that man who is doing the gunning has no time to do any-
thing else but keep his gun going. We say to the gunner,
'^Open your gun as you go up, and close it as you come
down." We also say to him, ^Hlo under the trees on five dif-
ferent angles and shoot up clear through." You will find, if
you have good pressure, that mist will come out of the top of
a tree 25 feet high. Then we instruct our men to shoot over
the top of the tree four different ways. When you are finished
you have a lot of juice on the trees but you have done a good
job.
As to the cost, on one section of the orchard, about 250
acres of bearing trees from 12 to 18 years old, 12,000 or 13,000
trees, if I remember correctly the cost was $1,586. That is the
total labor cost. We gave four sprays for the season and
maybe five. Calculated in that is the laying down and taking
up of the lateral pipes. We have the main laid along the top of
the orchard. We take the laterals up when we get ready to
cultivate. We put our sidelines 12 rows apart, if the trees
are 35 or 36 feet apart; that is, 420 feet between each lateral.
If you don't want to take the pipe up, you don't have to.
Drainag^e of Pipe Line: Wherever there is a dip in the
pipe line we have a little tap. If it is likely to freeze we send
a man along the lines and take that tap out and lay it on a
rock by the side of the pipe and everythings runs out. You
can leave it that way all winter if you want to. If you have
any good valves, don't leave them in the pipe over winter if
you can help it. In spite of all you can do there will be just
enough condensation to make ice in the valves and the next
spring you will find your valves are sprung so you can't use
them any more. I have seen high-priced valves sprung over
winter when there was no water in them apparently, but
enough to freeze and do the trick.
We spray up the hill three trees, on one side, and down on
the other side until you get out six trees. That means eighteen
trees when you get out on the other end. Then you go on
from the lower side and spray back three trees; cross on the
other side of the pipeline and spray out six trees on the lower
side, spray back six trees and you are right where you started.
Unhook the hose, take it down to the next set and go to it. In
doing that you have sprayed two acres. If there are 36 trees
on an acre, you have sprayed 72 trees at each set.
We have had no trouble at all in controlling insects and
diseases if we did our work well. It is not the fault of the
spray system if you don't get results. There is something
wrong with the man who is running it. It is a wholesale way
-79—
of spraying. You must have plenty of water and have a man
to mix all the time, and it will keep him busy. Then see that
your machine is in good order and you will have good luck.
Mr. Carpenter: In concluding the discussion I will give a
brief outline of an overhead system that we have on one of
our orchards in Pennsylvania. We utilized the overhead sys-
tem in order to avoid difficulties encountered in cultivating.
The pipe is suspended in the trees by means of a special hanger
iron and in the event the trees are missing posts were utilized
for the support of the pipe. The system used is known as the
long system, and since all the previous discussion has been on
the square method, I want to bring out a reply in answer to a
question that was raised after Mr. Farley's talk. The question
was, how can we use more pipe in order to use smaller lengths
of hose? We feel that the answer to that is the use of the
long system of piping. Lengths of hose from 100 to 140 feet can
be used satisfactorily, thus making it necessary, with this type
of installation, to drag only half as much hose. Less pipe is
used, but more shut-offs. The result is a lessened cost per
acre of approximately five dollars.
With us, the installation complete with the pumps and all
fittings, hose, guns and other supplies, was $30.00 an acre. We
have no difficulty with any of our men in dragging those
lengths of hose. In fact, it has been our experience that the
men prefer dragging 140 feet of hose to a length of 50 to 60
feet on a portable unit.
RED MITE AND OTHER ORCHARD PESTS
H. N. WORTHLEY, State College
For three seasons I covered the western end of the State
as an assistant extension entomologist under the direction of
Professor H. E. Hodgkiss. A year ago I was transferred to
the Experiment Station Staff, to work at the College under
the direction of Dr. E. H. Dusham, head of the Department of
Zoology and Entomology, and director of the entomological
investigations at the Arendtsville and Bustleton Field Labora-
tories. My chief concern so far has been the European corn
borer, although I have given some time to the codling moth. I
propose to confine my remarks to a discussion of recent re-
sults of research on those orchard insect pests which are preva-
lent in Pennsylvania. Whoever looks for definite recommen-
dations will be disappointed. My work now deals with fact-
finding. The adaptation of these facts to Pennsylvania farms
and orchards in the form of control recommendations is the
function of the Extension Entomologist and his assistants, and
I would urge all fruit growers to keep in close touch with
these men. My remarks should be interesting to you, however,
—80—
for they indicate present trends in fruit control investigations
and point out the progress that has been made. •
The European Red Mite: I have been asked especially to
emphasize the European red mite, and have noted with some
surprise the statement in your program that there is *' wide-
spread complaint'' that oil sprays have failed to control this
pest. Professor Hodgkiss assures me that no complaints have
reached his ears. It may be that you do not take him enough
into your confidence. Possibly the complaint is really not so
widespread after all. So I am not exactly sure what aspect
of the European red mite situation has caused the present in-
terest in its discussion.
A great deal of research has been conducted in Pennsyl-
vania and elsewhere on this pest. Dr. Frost has a project on
European red mite at the Arendtsville field laboratory. A
portion of .his results have been reported in the Journal of
Economic Entomology. Dr. Frost has spoken twice on this
subject before this Association and his papers will be found in
the Proceedings for 1924 and 1925. At present the European
red mite project is inactive for lack of support.
It has been abundantly proved that serious infestations of
the European red mite can be controlled by miscible oils and
oil emulsions when these are applied properly in the dormant
or delayed dormant period and followed by lime sulphur in
the regularly recommended foliage applications. No claim has
been made in this State that dormant oil sprays alone will keep
the mite in check. Speaking before this Association in 1926
Professor Hodgkiss said, in connection w^ith 'European red
mite control ''The full number of summer sprays should be ar-
ranged to follow the oil spray application. ' '
With reference to European red mite control on peaches
the Extension entomologists have made limited trials of the
Bordeaux-oil combination for dormant spraying. The results
so far indicate a reduced kill of red mite eggs where Bor-
deaux mixture is added to the oil, as compared with the kill
obtained from oil alone. In consequence, mixtures of oils with
fungicides are not being recommended.
While it is true that heavy infestations have sometimes
required several seasons for their subjugation where wind or
careless spraying has resulted in poor distribution of the oil
spray, it is equally evident that the thorough-going applica-
tion of lime sulphur in delayed dormant and foliage applica-
tions, without recourse to oil sprays, has often served to keep
the mite under control.
The European red mite can be controlled by proper spray-
ing, with emphasis on the word ''proper.'' Where, then is the
problem? I suspect that the problem does exist for those
growers who have abandoned foliage sprays and turned to
—81—
dusts. Noting the reports of remarkably high percentages of
winter eggs killed by dormant oil sprays, these men have said
to themselves, ^^ Surely, if I can kill ninety-five per cent of the
eggs with an oil spray, this pest will have a hard time to re-
cover, even if a sulphur dust does not have the effect of lime
sulphur spray in the foliage applications/*
This idea was a delusion, for none appreciated the tre-
mendous power of this mite to reproduce itself under favorable
seasonal conditions. The question now is **How can I control
the European red mite and still continue to dust?'*
The situation has not changed much since Dr. Frost ad-
dressed you in 1924. In Pennsylvania and other states, dusting
has been a failure in European red mite control. The devel-
opment of dusts designed particularly to control this pest,
however, has not been attempted.
Recently, summer oil sprays have been tried .against the
European red mite in the hope that they would be as effec-
tive against the active mites and summer eggs as the dormant
oil sprays are against the winter eggs. In the Pacific north-
west sprays containing .5 to .67 per cent of oil have killed all
stages. Oils at one per cent strength have been used in New
Jersey. Applied in June, the trees became repopulated by
late summer. Applied in August, the number of winter eggs
laid on treated trees was greatly reduced. There were four
applications, and a subsequent slight shedding of foliage and
fruit was noted. It may prove that the grower who dusts, if
he uses an oil spray in the dormant or delayed dormant, and
a supplementary summer oil spray in August, can keep ahead
of the European red mite. I do not presume to recommend
this for trial, however. Certain factors must be taken into
consideration, such as the proper timing of the supplementary
oil spray and the effect of the oil on the fruit and the tree.
Recommendations should only follow three or four seasons of
experimental work under Pennsylvania conditions.
The Codling Moth: But perhaps I have given the Euro-
pean red mite all the time that it deserves. There are other
orchard insects pressing for consideration. The codling moth
we have always with us. At present it seems to be at a low
ebb in some of the southeastern counties. It has been of in-
creasing importance in Adams County in late years, and is an
apple pest of first rank in Erie County and certain other
counties in the western end of the .State. It is a prennial sub-
ject for investigation, and each year adds valuable facts to
our knowledge of its habits and control.
At State College in 1928 we began to study this insect,
placing emphasis on rearing methods for the observation of
moth emergence, to the end that spraying may be timed with
greater accuracy. I shall not bore you by a recital of this
—82—
work, which is planned to continue for several years. I would
like to mention some results with treated bands, which we
tested in comparison with the untreated bands used in the
collection of the mature larvae.
As most of you know the banding of apple trees to trap
the cocooning larvae has been tried as a supplementary control
practice in heavily infested districts. To avoid the necessity
of ''working'' the bands by hand they have been impregnated
with various chemicals in an effort to kill the larvae after
they have spun up. About a year ago the Bureau of Ento-
mology of the United State Department of Agriculture re-
ported good results from bands soaked with a solution of one
pound of beta-naphthol in one and one half pints of red engine
oil, and recommended that the mixture be tried out on a lim-
ited scale in the various apple-growing sections of the country.
Bands presumably prepared according to the recommended
formula were soon placed on the market, and some were sent
to State College for trial. Although we doubt the necessity
for their use in most Pennsylvania orchards, we were glad to
investigate their possibilities.
Briefly, our results were disappointing, as the following
table shows.
m
BETA NAPHTHOL TREATED BANDS FOR CODLING MOTH
CONTROL, PENNSYLVANIA STATE COLLEGE, 1928
Types of
No. of
trees
Bands
examined
Larvae Pupae
Pupal
skins
Per cent
bands
Dead
Alive Dead
Alive
mortality
Crepe paper.
5
Aug. 28
20
68
4
1
10
23.3
treated
3
Dec. 8
14
31
31.1
Corrugated
paper,
treated
6
Aug. 28
15
94
3
0
21
13.6
3
Dec. 8
11
61
15.2
Rexford
paper,
untreated
7
Aug. 28
173
69
6
2
7
69.6
3
Dec. 8
12
34
26.0
Rexford
paper.
7
Aug. 28
136
126
10
0
10
51.7
untreated
3
Dec. 8
9
10
47.3
It will be noted that mortality was higher in the un-
treated bands than in the treated bands. This was due to the
fact that the chemicals, while too weak to kill many larvae,
acted as a germicide and checked the spread of disease in
treated bands. Mr. E. H. Siegler of the U. S. Bureau of En-
—83—
tomology tells me that in his tests the manufactured bands
were weak in comparison with bands he himself prepared. He
stresses two points in the preparation of the bands ; first, the
band must go through the hot solution slowly enough to give
a sufficient coating; second, the formula must be maintained
in the heating tank. Other workers have reported encourag-
ing results from the use of bands, with no injury to the tree
except where burlap was used. The corrugated paper band
worked best. Monochloro-napthalene and Ortho-toluidine in
place of the beta-naphthol have given superior results in Illi-
nois, while in New Jersey a perfect kill of hibernating larvae
has been obtained by spraying the trunk and rough-barked
branches with a 50-50 mixture of pineol soluble and water.
This work should remain in the experimental stage for a time.
Stimulated largely by the troublesome question of arsen-
ical residue, investigations of substitutes for arsenate of lead
continued during 1928. While various investigators report
some progress, no one has come forward with a material as
safe and effective as this standard poison. In Illinois two ap-
plications of a summer oil at 2 per cent strength after July 1
gave better control than arsenate of lead, and the fruit had a
better finish. Other investigators have reported foliage injury
and russetting and loss of color in fruit following the use of
summer oils.
As an aid in increasing the effectiveness of early sprays of
arsenate of lead. Dr. Dozier of Delaware is enthusiastic over
the possibilities of fish oil, one quart to the two-hundred gal-
lon tank of spray. He reports that it cannot be used later
than June without leaving a residue that can be seen in Octo-
ber, and that it seems to give a ''stretching'' property to the
spray so that growing apples retain a uniform film coating.
In connection with the spray residue question, which does
not seem to be a serious matter in Pennsylvania, I should like
to pass along to you a statement made at a recent conference
of codling moth investigators at Washington by Dr. Robinson
of Oregon. In speaking of residue removal he advised strong-
ly against the purchase of brushing machines. The brushes
become filled with the residue, so that samples showing less
than the domestic tolerance of .02 grain of arsenic per pound
of fruit before brushing held more than the domestic tolerance
allows after coming from the machine.
Although there is need for further investigation of the
codling moth in Pennsylvania with particular reference to the
timing of sprays and their adjustment to suit the needs of
other insect pests and diseases, we may be thankful that the
codling moth is not such a serious menace as in some other
apple-growing regions.
—84—
Plum Ourculia: Just at present there is perhaps no insect
that is more destructive to apples in all sections of the State
than the plum curculio. It appears to be increasing in abund-
ance and destructiveness, even in orchards that are thought to
be well sprayed. In regions where this insect has become
firmly intrenched, it has proved to be a ''tough customer,''
particularly in sod orchards and orchards adjoining woodlands,
which offer ideal hibernating quarters. Frequent cultivation
during June and July, and in cases of severe infestation the
gathering and destruction of drop fruit are aids in its control.
Certain materials attractive to the adult beetles are being in-
vestigated in Georgia. Arsenate of lead is the standard rem-
edy, and in some sections the dosage has been raised to four
pounds to one hundred gallons of spray for this insect. It has
not been investigated in Pennsylvania, but the present situa-
tion indicates a pressing need for study.
Leai-RoUers and Fruit Worms: In Bulletin No. 169, Penn-
sylvania State College Agricultural Experiment Station, No-
vember, 1921, Dr. Frost gives a key for the identification of
more than thirty larvae attacking apples that come under the
head of leaf -rollers and fruit worms. One of these, the red
banded leaf-roller, is discussed in Extension Circular No. 96,
1922. Since that time he has given such attention to this
class of fruit insects as the support for his research program
would allow. Ju^t last year he reared two new forms from
larvae found feeding on apple fruits in the College orchard.
As shown by records in Professor Hodgkiss' office, the
leaf-rollers and fruit worms taken as a group, are doing more
injury to apples in sprayed orchards than any single insect,
with the possible exception of the plum curculio. Each of
these insects is a separate problem, for each has a distinct life
history different from the others and a different seasonal
period for the profitable application of control measures. It
is supposed that the present treatments recommended by spray-
ing service should control most of these insects, if the recom-
mendations regarding time, manner, and materials are ob-
served. However, in view of the prominence of these insects
in presumably well sprayed orchards there is need for a thor-
ough study of the life history and seasonal occurrence of the
various species, and the application of the knowledge thus
gained to the timing of spray applications.
Oriental Fruit Moth: Fruit growers have watched the
progress of the Oriental fruit moth with feelings bordering on
despair. They have been like the seasick soldier on his way
to France who was afraid at first that he w^ould die, and then
afraid that he wouldn't. They have feared first that the
peach crop would be ruined and then that it would remain just
—85—
I
healthy enough to trick them into continuing with peaches in
face of a fifty-fifty chance of loss from the operation.
It is a pleasure for me to be able to report some promis-
ing results from investigations on this insect conducted during
1928, and I shall relay to you the reports of progress made by
workers on this problem at a recent conference in Washington.
It has been shown that the paradichlorobenzene treatment
for peach borer control will kill worms of the Oriental fruit
moth that have spun up on the trunk within reach of this
treatment, and that early spring cultivation will destroy many
larvae on the ground. In fact, in a survey made by the Con-
necticut Agricultural Experiment Station the only two growers
reporting a reduction in the intensity of infestation were men
who practiced spring cultivation. The trouble with these
treatments is that they come early, and the surviving worms
have a chance to build up the population through two or three
generations, then attacking the fruit in numbers. During 1928
promising results have been obtained through the use of sprays
and dusts which act not as poisons but as mechanical barriers,
and which are best applied coincident with the abundance of
moths. The work has been done principally in Ohio, Illinois
and New Jersey.
In Ohio, Dr. Stearns made six applications of hydrated
lime, 25 pounds to 50 gallons of water at ten day intervals,
and produced a crop of Rummels that were 76% clean, in a
section where Elberta was 90% infested. The grower sold his
fruit at a premium of 25 to 50 cents a bushel. In Illinois the
same treatment gave hopeful results, the treated trees showing
better growth. In Dr. Stearns tests dusting with hydrated
lime excelled in laboratory tests, but the spray worked better
in the field. Heavy applications of hydrated lime affect the
Oriental fruit moth in several dift'erent ways. First, many
moths are repelled from sprayed trees. Twenty-five per cent
of the eggs fell from the trees with flakes of the lime coating.
The larvae became entangled by particles of lime, and incap-
able of effective movement, and the lime had a dessicating
effect on the young larvae. The treatment reduced stem-end
injury 65%.
In New Jersey talc of 200 mesh fineness applied as a dust
killed 95 to 100 per cent of the larvae in laboratory trials. In
a limited field trial a talc dusted tree showed 12 per cent twig
injury and an adjacent untreated tree 95 per cent.
However, a note of caution was injected into the discus-
sion of these results. In Ohio one grower who made heavy
applications of lime too late in the season had difficulty selling
the fruit. It was recalled that in New Jersey applications of
hydrated lime stronger than fifteen pounds to 50 gallons of
—86—
water had burned the foliage and produced evidence of injury
to the bark of twigs.
Continuing the investigation of bait pails as moth traps.
Dr. Frost at the Arendtsville labortory got heavier infestations
in two pailed blocks of two hundred trees each than in aa-
joining unpailed blocks. In New Jersey certain materials
hung in the trees and allowed to evaporate have had a repel-
lent effect on the egg laying moths.
According to Dr. Frost, parasites of the Oriental fruit
moth are not abundant in Adams County. The establishment
of parasites in western New York from parasitized larvae col-
lected in New Jersey was accomplished in 1928 by the New
York Agricultural Experiment Station. In New Jersey forty-
four per cent of the larvae cut from twigs were found to be
parasitized.
It is apparent that several promising leads have been
opened up, and that fairly extensive field investigations should
be conducted under Pennsylvania conditions.
I am sorry if my paper has seemed lengthy or if it has
failed to answer the insect control questions in your minds.
You will pardon me, I am sure, for a suggestion on the ar-
rangement of your program. You will derive the greatest
beneiit from your discussions of insect control if the Head of
the Department of Zoology and H^ntomology and the Extension
Entomologist are given permanent places on your program.
They can advice you better than any one else ; the former of
the results of investigation, the latter of field experience for
past year and recommendations for the season ahead.
Just one last word. Upon finishing the pi'eparation of
my talk I was impressed more than ever before with the wealth
of insect control problems facing us in Pennsylvania, and with
our present inability to, do more than scratch the surface of
most of them. We are like boatmen poling a heavily-loaded
craft up a swiftly flowing stream. We move inch by inch,
while our people further up the river Avait anxiously the ar-
rival of the load we carry. Shall we give up, edge toward
the bank and transfer our cargo to the swifter boats of others,
hoping that the goods will ultimately reach their destination,
or shall we procure a boat as powerful as the others, and
serve our people adequately and swiftly? Professor Hodgkiss
has stated publicly and within the hearing of many of you that
his department is facing many questions that it cannot answer
for lack of experimental work. A comprehensive and well
supported program of research in insect control has not been
made possible in Pennsylvania, and it was never more needed
than now.
—87—
t
i
SPRAYING EXPERIENCE
R. E. ATKINSON, Wrightstown
I have a feeling, substantiated by experience for the last
ten years, that a lot of our discussion and trouble with the
control of insects, including codling moth, is due to a sloppy
job of spraying. Maybe I am lucky, but with our methods we
have been able to control codling moth so that I think I would
be safe in saying we don't have one-tenth of one per cent
infestation of codling moth. The same things holds true with
red mite. In 1925 we had a lot of red mite. It was so serious
that it burned the leaves brown by the end of July and we had
a serious reduction in color of fruit. It was much worse on
Stayman Winesaps than on any other variety, although it was
bad on Rome Beauty ; not so bad on many other varieties. In
the spring of 1926, I bought an oil which was guaranteed. I
used it at about a 4 per cent strength. It didn't do any good.
It has gone off the market since that time. That cost several
hundred dollars because we had worse foliage than in 1925.
The fruit did not mature; it didn't get color; and in 1926
poor fruit would hardly sell at any price.
So in 1927 I bought several barrels of oil emulsion at
about 19 cents a gallon, diluted that to a 4 per cent actual oil,
did a good job of spraying and got entire control of the red
mite except in one little corner of the orchard that we sprayed
last when the wind got too heavy and we couldn't get the
east side of the branches in the tops of the trees.
It might be interesting to you to know that at picking
time we found that the damage on the foliage from red spider
was worse in the tops of those particular trees and on the east
side of the trees, which gave us very direct evidence that it
was due to insufficient. spraying.
I think the oil people have been making a big mistake in
trying to persuade us that we can kill everything with one
application, — red mite, aphis, and other pests all at once. In
other words, a blunderbuss job. My experience is that it can't
be done.
Most of us have not enough spraying equipment to do our
job right. If we figure that we are going to control red mite
with a delayed dormant application, we will encounter two or
three days of heavy wind, maybe a warm rain or two, which
will bring the buds out too far to spray safely with oil. Then
we are up against it; we don't have control.
It seems to me that the safe thing to do with red mite is to
start while the trees are absolutely dormant so that we can
finish before there is any danger, allowing three or four days
for wind. The oil emulsion will kill the red mite eggs all
—88—
right, but if it is used a little too late it will do some killing
to the buds also. It killed the blossom clusters in Grimes
Golden when they were only a quarter of an inch out. We
must use it a little earlier to avoid damage.
Mr. McLeod made some investigations that indicated that
the curculio does more damage in southern Pennsylvania than
all other insects combined. Whether or not the life history of
curculio is the same further up the state as in southern Penn-
sylvania, I don't know, but about three years ago I came to
the conclusion that the curculio was coming out and feeding
for some little time before the fruit was formed. Conse-
quently I put on a heavy application of arsenate of lead with
the pre-pink spray. Last year I increased that application to
four pounds to the hundred gallons and repeated it again in
the petal fall. For the first time I got control of curculio. In
1928 this treatment practically exterminated the bug.
Member: In that early application, would it be possible,
in large trees, to spray from the opposite side a day later?
Mr. Atkinson: When the wind gets so strong that we
can't do a thorough job, we quit and come back another day.
You lose too much time, material and efficiency by trying to
spray when the wind is high. If you have enough equipment
and start in time, you can lay off a day. If you can't lay off
a day, it is time to get more equipment. We spray the whole
tree with every spray. We never spray one side and come
back to the other. I have tried all methods of spraying and
the only way I could do a good job was to spray every tree all
over as we went along. We don't spray directly into the
wind. We spray at an angle, so that it doesn't come back on
us. Then we swing around and get a little on another dozen
angles.
Member: What is the effect of using oil in freezing
weather?
Mr. McLeod: If you have a highly refined white oil,
sulphonated, you won't get much injury on apples, but any oil
that freezes on peach trees will injure them. We do not get
severe injury if we have a highly-refined oil, as we do from the
lubricating type of oil.
President Punk: Is there anybody in the room that did
not get red mite control by doing a thorough job of spraying
with oil emulsion?
Member: We had the worst dose of red mite we ever
had, but I think it was due to dusting. The apple orchard is
interplanted with peaches; I doubt whether we can get control
unless we follow up with liquid lime sulphur in summer. I
~89—
i
believe we can get 95 per cent kill in the spring with the oil,
but there are enough left to populate the trees by mid-summer.
Mr. Moore: I didn't get control with oil. 1 had more red
mite than last year. I followed up with the lime sulphur
sprays. We looked at our trees after we sprayed to see if we
could find any dry places on them and couldn't find any. We
noticed when we picked our apples that we had more spider
than we liked, and we had plenty on the peaches. I wouldn't
feel justified in using oil again unless I got better results.
Mr. Worthley: One factor affecting the per cent of kill
is pressure. On greenhouse crops red spiders are often con-
trolled by spraying with cold water under high pressure. I
have an idea that spraying apple trees with cold water with
sufficient pressure would reduce the infestation a great deal.
Pressure in spraying is a very important factor in summer ap-
plications for red mite control.
Member: What about russeting your fruit with it?
•
Mr. Worthley: You do run a chance of that. The more
injury to the trees from red mite, the greater the possibility of
damage to the foliage and fruit by spraying. If there is a
serious infestation of red mite on the trees, there seems to be
a greater tendency for the spray to burn.
Member: Isn't it true that there are a lot of neglected
apple trees that help to infect orchards, and shouldn't there be
some legislation to compel the owners of those apple trees to
either spray them or remove them? There are farms sur-
rounding mine that have a lot of old apple trees that never
bear any fruit. I believe Mr. McLeod made the assertion that
the red mite blow for five miles.
Mr. Worthley: They are carried for some distance on the
wind, being blown off the leaves. They are supposed to be
carried on the feet of birds, and carried along in the cultiva-
tion of the orchard, and they will spread from one orchard to
another. The spread of insect pests into a well cared for
orchard from an adjacent one that is poorly cared for, is very
often seen. An Erie County grower is having a very hard
time with codling moth, due largely to the fact that he pur-
chased one-half of an old orchard and another fellow pur-
chased the other half. He takes care of his trees and the
other fellow doesn't; with eight or ten rows on the boundary
he has an awful job keeping the trees clean. Whether legis-
lation is called for, or missionary work in the community, I
don't know.
Member: Does this mite infest other trees beside fruit
trees?
—90—
Mr. Worthley: There are other mites of similar nature
that attack almost all types of crops, but the European red
mite is a pest primarily of apple, peach and plum. It is not
the red spider that we find in the greenhouse or on certain
outdoor plants.
Member: What is the characteristic of the injury to the
peach and the apple?
Mr. Worthley: I hardly expected to find men in Pennsyl-
vania who had not seen them. The young mites feed from the
under surface of the foliage and the older ones from the up-
per side of the foliage as well. The leaves at first appear
speckled; when very badly infested they have a dusty or
bronze appearance. If the injury becomes extreme, the leaves
fall, the fruit drops early, it will be undersize and in some
cases of poor color.
There is an effect on the crop of succeeding years through
loss of vitality to the tree. In injuring the leaf surface,
chlorophyll is destroyed, and so the plant does not store nour-
ishment to set fruit buds for another year. Blind buds may be
.due not so much to winter injury or spring frost, as to the fact
that those buds are weak because of red mite attack.
THE PRESENT STATUS OF DUSTING APPLES
H. W. THUESTON, Jr., State CoUege
Dusting, which is now about thirty years old, has been
recommended very reluctantly by experiment station workers
of the country. During the last fifteen of these thirty years,
or starting with the Cornell experiments in 1911, many experi-
ment stations have tried to find methods and materials which
would make dusting a successful and satisfactory means of
controlling various diseases and insect pests of the orchard.
The fact that the stations have not seen fit to recommend the
practice more generally to their growers must be significant.
If dust has failed, comparatively speaking, why has it failed?
It seems worthwhile to attempt to analyze the situation and
find out where we stand.
I can appreciate the reasons why many of you would like
to dust ; inadequate water supply, side hill orchards, the labor
question, etc. — it is unnecessary to rehearse the theoretical
pros and cons — that is not my object. My excuse, if such is
needed for discussing the question at all, is that it offers me
an opportunity to explain what I presume many of you have
been calling the extreme conservative attitude taken toward
dusting by so many experiment station workers.
Has dusting failed because of cost? To this question the
answer apparently is no. Without quoting detailed figures
suffice it to say that such figures as are at present available
—91—
go to show that there is but little difference in cost between
spraying and dusting. Dusting materials are at present more
expensive than spray materials, but the investment in dusting
machinery and the labor costs for applying dusts are con-
siderably lower than for sprays so that the balance appears
nearly even.
Apparently, too, dusting has not failed because of any
peculiar difficulty or danger in applying it to the trees. There
is no record of serious illness resulting from breathing any of
the great variety of dust materials which have been used ex-
perimentally. It is apparently just as easy for the average
workman to do a good job of dusting as for him to do a good
job of spraying. Thoroughness is equally necessary in either
case.
If neither cost nor difficulty of applications have been fac-
tors operating against dust, what is the evidence as to the rela-
tive efficiency of the two materials in controlling the diseases
and insects against which it is aimed?
In presenting to you the evidence on this point, I shall use
the comparative control of apple scab as my measuring stick,,
and I shall ask you to keep in mind the fact that I do not in
any sense present this evidence as being the last word on the
question of dusting vs. spraying, but merely as a statement of
the present situation. Data of this sort accummulates but
slowly and improvements and refinements in both materials
and machinery are constantly being made. No doubt many
of you have heard me say before substantially the same thing
that 1 am about to say now.
Experiments in Pennsylvajiia : First, what is the evidence
from our own state? For ten years the Pennsylvania Agricul-
ture Experiment Station has been working to find more effic-
ient methods of scab control. From time to time the results of
our efforts in this direction have been passed along to you.
You are familiar, for example, w^ith the emphasis which has in
recent years been placed on timeliness of application. As a
part of these investigations on apple scab, many comparisons
various dusts. In 1924 this Station published a bulletin cov-
ering six years' results of this sort of work.
Since 1924 the work has been continued although on a
somewhat restricted scale because of the temporary lapse of
the work at our field laboratory. During these years we had
over 250 separate plots in 30 different orchards. In attempt-
ing to get some simple expression of all of these experiments,
I have made an average of the best dusted plots and of the
best sprayed plots in each year's work. These averages indi-
cate that by following the best spraying practice we have con-
trolled over 90% of whatever scab was present, whereas at the
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same time by following the best dusting practices, we have
only been able to control about 75% of the scab.
There have been, of course, certain years and certain ex-
periments when dust and spray gave about equally good con-
trol, but the average of all our experiments is as I have indi-
cated. If we take the last four years of this work as com-
pared to the first six, we should naturally expect some improve-
ment, due to the use of better adapted material and machinery
and to the fact that in six years we have undoubtedly learned
a good deal about methods of application. A similar average
of experiments for the last four years shows a difference of
only 8-10% control in favor of spray. It should be pointed
out, however, that this average is based entirely on work in
the College orchard and since scab was not a factor in 1925,
and hail ruined the crop in 1926, it really is only a two year
average and since only one orchard in only one region is in-
volved, the ten year average figures are probably much more
accurate.
Experiments in Other States. During these years what
has been the experience of other states? Most of the apple-
producing states have made some comparisons of spraying and
dusting similar to those in Pennsylvania. The results are more
or less conflicting but no state with the exception of New York
has seen fit to recommend dusting as a substitute for spraying.
Three states. West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia with geo-
graphic and climatic conditions quite similar to our own have
made such comparisons. Without quoting figures, suffice it to
say that they have abandoned such comparisons for the pres-
ent, feeling satisfied that they must depend on spraying for
scab control.
To quote from a recent West Virginia bulletin, ''eight
years' results indicate that dust was not effective for the con-
trol of scab." Connecticut, after four years (1920-1923) found
that, ** spray had given somewhat better results than any of
the dust mixtures." Illinois, after nine years, feels that it
might be possible to get satisfactory scab control about half
the time, but 18 years of spraying has proved to them that
scab can be held to a negligible factor in any well sprayed
orchard any year. Indiana got results with dust that were
as good as with spray only one year in five. Michigan has
proved dusts to be, ''good substitutes in average seasons but
not satisfactory in seasons of severe injury."
Missouri says (1928), "at present no dust can be relied
upon to thoroughly control apple diseases — under present con-
ditions it would be exceedingly unwise to entirely replace
liquid sprays with dusts." In Maine, "there is more chance
for disappointment in dusting than in spraying — lime sulphur
has not yet been displaced as the material most generally pre-
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#
f erred. * ' In many other states, as for instance, Massachusetts,
Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Wisconsin similar state-
ments might be quoted. The significant fact seems to be that
in none of these states are the experimenters willing to make
definite recommendations for dust, so far as scab is concerned,
or to say that lime sulphur has been displaced as the standard
material.
There have been conspicous examples of successful control
with dust in isolated instances. These may be likened to the
successful trans-Atlantic flight of the Graf Zeppelin. But
Count Eckener himself at the conclusion of his flight did not
recommend his method to the general traveling public. He,
like the experiment station worker, considered his method as
still in the experimental stage.
It would appear, therefore, that spraying for apple scab is
the one safe recommendation that can be made at present.
To recommend dust in the face of the experimental data which
I have tried thus briefly to summarize would be like advising
a marksman to aim at the outer ring of his target instead of
the Bull's eye, on the off chance that he might be lucky enough
to make a direct hit.
President Funk: Prof. Thurston has convinced us pretty
thoroughly that we cannot depend upon dust to control apple
scab, but the question arises whether or not there is a place
for dust in the spray program. I would like to have Mr. In-
gerson of Ohio discuss this subject. Mr. Ingerson has had con-
siderable experience with dusting.
Mr. Ingerson: Your Chairman has passed the buck to an
out-of-state man to handle this discussion. If you have ques-
tions on spraying or dusting I will call on your own Pennsyl-
vania men to answer them and then I shall be glad to relate
our own experience in dusting and spraying.
Member: Would low trees or high trees be better for
dusting?
Mr. Thurston: I would much rather try it on low trees.
Mr. Ingerson: One of the things that is needed in dusting
is more power. There has been a serious lack along that line.
EXPERIENCE WITH DUSTING IN OHIO
HOWARD INGERSON, Chardon, Ohio
We are operating an orchard of 500 acres. The trees are
now 14 years old. In the early years of the orchard it was not
difficult to cover the entire acreage in a week's time with a
reasonable number of liquid sprays. Some five years ago we
realized that from that time on it was going to be increasingly
—04—
f
difficult to cover our orchard in a week's time with the num-
ber of sprayers, teams, and men that we could afford to carry
throughout the year. In other words, our spraying or dusting
program was going to largely determine the amount of over-
head, the number of men that we carried throughout the year
on our proposition.
We tried dusting experiementally for a period of years
with very varying success, with the same sort of report that
you have had this afternoon, the same same sort of reports that
have been given at all meetings, and I may say the same kind
of reports that will be given for the next few years. Dusting
is still experimental.
We have tried to work out the use of the duster, under
our conditions, to control primarily apple scab, codling moth,
curculio, and aphis. Starting with small areas, figuring that
we would spray all we could and dust the balance, back about
five years ago, we have gradually come to dust almost exclu-
sively. We learn from our Ohio spray service when, in the
spring, apple scab spores are mature and ready to shoot; and
we aim to keep all of new growth covered, ahead of each rain
— that is the crux of the whole matter. If you are not equip-
ped to do that, do not try to dust. If you cannot cover your
orchard ahead of those rains in that critical time of primary
scab infection, leave dusting out of the picture because you
will fail miserably. If you can do that and are willing to put
on applications as often as you need to; put one today and
the rain falls tonight and washes off most of your material,
and you are willing to go back tomorrow and put it on again,
you still have a chance of getting satisfactory control with
dust. If you have not that willingness and the equipment to
cover frequently, our experience and observation is that you
w^]] fail miserably in the control of apple scab.
Coverage in Dusting: That is our experience and that
has been the lesson that I have learned from my travels tie
past several weeks in Michigan, New York, Massachusetts and
Connecticut. The growers who are using dust at all exten-
sively, especially in the early part of the year, realize the need
of frequent light applications. An application of dust consists
in covering your tree. If your trees are small, perhaps up to
eight or nine years, you may be able to cover those trees sat-
isfactorily by driving on one side of the tree. If your trees
are larger, and have the foliage they should have, you will not
be able to cover them thoroughly without blowing dust in from
each side.
I think that part of the failure of some men in the use of
dusts has been their lack of knowledge of the importance of
covering every bit of the surface with dust. They have been
told of the great speed of dusting and they thought that driv-
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I
ing up and down the rows with a blower turned toward the
tree was dusting. It is not. A man who tries to dust that
way always will be disappointed.
The Ohio Experiment Station has been carrying on work
in our orchards for several years, first trying to determine
times of application for scab control and in the last two years
trying to develop better dusts, dusts that will stick better, and
be more effective against scab in the early part of the season,
with encouraging results. The work is still experimental, but
the fact that there are several experiment stations working on
it leads us to hope that in the next few years we will have
dusts that will stick better, that will cover better, that will be
effective over a longer period.
Dusting to Supplement Spraying : My conclusion is this :
the duster is still a supplement to the sprayer and will be
used chiefly by the larger growers who are limited by certain
factors and must have equipment that will cover a large area
quickly. I found in New England, two weeks ago, that the
apple growers are gradually supplementing their sprayers
with dusters to be used after the calyx application, and when
there is a danger of burning from lime sulphur and hot
weather. They feel that if they have controlled apple scab up
to and through calyx time that they can safely go in with a
duster for the summer applications and through the rest of
the season. That seems to be quite true in the northern lati-
tude.
The peach growers in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, New
York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut are very generally dust-
ing their peaches and feel that they are perfectly safe in that
practice.
Mr. Newcomer: You spoke a while ago about power jn
the dusting machine. What is the difference in dusting with a
big machine that has five or six thousand revolutions to the
minute and with a machine with two or three thousand revol-
utions to the minute?
Mr. Ingerson: Those of you who are familiar with spray-
ing will agree that given the same amount of spray material
through a given nozzle disc or gun disc the more pressure you
put back of that the more finely it will be broken. That is the
answer, very largely, to this matter of better control of red
mite with high pressure. As was pointed out this morning by
Prof. Farley in New Jersey, their ability to cover the tops of
25-foot trees from the ground was a matter of pressure and
volume.
The question is raised also about the comparison between
150 pound pressure and 500 pounds pressure in spraying. It
is a matter of moi'e finely broken spray and greater speed of
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spraying. There is plenty of evidence to show that the
codling moth and scab have been well controlled when using a
pressure of 150 pounds with a small pump, but it was very
slow, tedious work. It is a matter largely of speed and econ-
omy.
I compare the air blast or blow from a duster with the
pressure of a sprayer. There are several things to be gained.
You can not dust except under very quiet conditions. Very
often the time that you need most to dust is when you have
very little quiet. With plenty of blow to a duster you can
dust effectively with the wind and cover perhaps 75 per cent
or 80 per cent of your foliage, which is much better than none
under those severe conditions. You can also go on the lee-
ward side of the tree and blow at an angle into the wind and
the dust comes back through the tree and gives quite effective
covering.
The early dusters compared well with the early sprayers.
They simply puffed the dust out and you depended on its float-
ing into the tree.
Mr. Thurston: About dusting as a supplement for spray-
ing, if you control scab up until summer, you might as well
quit, as far as scab is concerned. Then it becomes a question
of insect control. Notice I said, **If you have controlled scab
up to that time.*' If you haven't, of course, you are going to
have secondary spreads of scab and your applications will be
of some value.
Mr. J. A. Runk: I would like to ask Prof. Thurston how
we can quit spraying for scab if we have got that carry over
on the leaves, in a season like last year.
Mr. Thurston: I put a very big ''if '' in front of it. From
the old leaves on the ground, spores are shot for a certain
period of time. After a while they are all gone.
Mr. Runk: I think that last year we had old leaves shoot-
ing spores the whole summer long.
Mr. Thurston: You may have had in your orchard, but I
doubt it. We did not have that situation at State College and
I have never seen it elsewhere. Ordinarily ten days after
blossom fall those spores are all through shooting. If you
controlled scab up to the time when those spores from the old
leaves on the ground are through shooting, then where are
you going to get any infection? Notice again my **if.''
Perhaps it is a theoretical point.
Mr. Ingerson: I think the point is well taken, but the
average fruit grower feels this way : If he has controlled scab
satisfactorily up until that time, he doesn't want to take any
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11
chances from then on. In other words, if he is going to put
on a dust to control codling moth and other insects, he is
surely going to put in sulphur to control any summer spores
that may come down through his trees from here and there,
an infection that has gotten by, and there nearly always will
be some. I have seen many cases of scab developing in late
summer and early fall, and even in storage on supposedly clean
orchards.
A question was raised as to the varieties that we con-
sider the worst scabbers. They are Stayman, Winesap, Mc
Intosh, all about equally bad.
Member: How about Red Delicious?
Mr. Ingerson: It scabs badly. I think Mcintosh in most
seasons will require one or two applications earlier than other
sorts. The Mcintosh may be out and the little sepals with
green showing, ready to receive those first scab spores that
shoot in the first early rains, when other varieties are still
tight in their buds and are not open to infection.
As to new dusts, or modified dusts, Dr. Younghead of the
Pathology Department of the Ohio Experiment Station satis-
fied himself some two or three years ago, that part of the
irregularity and uncertainty of dusts as a control method was
due to the varying sticking properties of the different dusts
under different conditions. He tried to find out what it is in
the dust that makes it stick. He found that anything added
to fine dusting sulphur injured its sticking qualities. So he
has been working along the line of trying to modify sulphur
dusts to attain better sticking qualities. The material that
looks most favorable, is very fine sulphur which is recovered
from sulphur smoke by the Koppers Company of Pittsburgh.
In their manufacture of gas they have learned to recover what
otherwise was going off in the atmosphere, a very fine dusting
sulphur. Where he added 25 per cent of this material to 75
per cent of ordinary. 300 mesh dusting sulphur he improved
the kill of scab by 10 per cent as compared with straight dust-
ing sulphur. He tried, in an experimental way, the addition of
small amounts, say ten and fifteen per cent of finely ground
dry lime sulphur, the same as you would buy for use in your
liquid spray. This is ground to 200 mesh fineness. It gave
very satisfactory results this past year. We think this is a
very hopeful development and we have hopes that it may help
out our red mite control. We have reason to think that there
was some control of the summer crawlers of red mite, newly-
hatched, that escaped from the winter oil application.
Member: May not the russeting of fruit be attributable
to the application of chemicals by high pressure machinery, as
much as to the cauterizing effect of the chemicals themselves?
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Prof. H. E. Hodgkiss: You must take into consideration
a number of things. One is the mechanical effect of high
pressures where the coarse spray is directed on the fruit. An-
other is weather conditions, especially heat during the spraying
period. The man who is operating the gun should not have
the nozzle wide open, and direct a straight stream on the fruit.
On hot days in summer or late spring, we have a little smoke
and a long luncheon during the noon hour when the heat
is most intense and do our spraying in the cool of the day.
Member: Is copper dust better than sulphur dust, with a
power of 7,000 revolutions to the minute?
Mr. Ingersan: Our experience in using copper dust has
been very limited. All of our Experiment Stations have re-
ported that the use of copper dust on apple foliage and fruit,
fruit particularly, is attended with a good deal of chance of
russeting of the fruit and also some burning of the foliage.
Copper fungicides are more active than sulphur. If we could
have a copper dust that would be safe to use on apple foliage,
we would welcome that material, but I think at the present
time the general experience is that it must be used with a
great deal of care. You may get fine scab control, but under
certain conditions you get a serious leaf drop and russeting of
the fruit.
Mr. Samuel Prazer: I am one of the heretics on this
proposition. We started to dust in 1911. Cornell sent a man
down to see what I was doing. I was using it on nursery
stock. Since 1918, we haven ^t sprayed. I have consistenly
used copper dust, especially for the early dustings. I have no
russeting from copper dust properly put on. We can russet
it if we put too much on. I have given ten dustings with the
same amount of dust per tree that our Geneva Station has put
on in one application to trees of the same size.
Member: What varieties?
Mr. Frazer: I am using Mcintosh, Spy, Greening, Wealthy
and Baldwin. We are using sulphur dust, of course, on
cherries and on peaches, but for Spy we prefer copper dusts.
For Mcintosh especially, when the temperature of the early
season is low, we always use copper. For dusting when the
blossom falls we have used sulphur in many cases, but for
Spy we prefer copper. For trees seventeen years old and
sixty or seventy to the acre, we will make a hundred pounds of
dust cover five acres at one time. We had a cost last year,
which was our highest cost year (I wasn't home) on fifty
acres of $12.50 an acre, for ten applications. We have cut our
costs down to $8.00 in a year like 1927. We are sold on dust-
ing.
Mr. Newcomer: What was the percentage of control with
this copper dust as compared with sulphur dust?
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Yi "
Mr. Prazer: We packed 99 per cent of the Mcintosh crop
in cartons and we sell them in the highest priced stores in
New York. We have 95% as an eight years' average.
Blr. Ingerson : I don 't think any of yon can get the same
results in your first or second years of dusting. Mr. Frazer
has been at it for ten years and he has gradually learned how
to use a duster and get results.
Member: Give us the price of that smoke sulphur dust.
Mr. Ingerson: It is considerably higher than the regular
dusting sulphur. It remains to be seen how few pounds we
can use in a hundred pounds of regular dusting sulphur and
get comparable results.
Mr. Newcomer. I would like to ask Mr. Frazer how much
pressure he uses with his dusting machine.
Mr, Frazer: We use a five horse power engine and
keep it running well. We always dust with one hand on the
regulator to regulate the supply and the other hand on the
spout. We put a long lever on so that it is easy to work. You
just lean on it to shut it off. If you are not careful, you are
blowing out a lot of stuff, just to have it fall off.
Mr. Runk: In what atmospheric conditions do you get
the best results?
Mr. Frazer: We dust when we have to; sometimes in the
morning and sometimes during the day. We dust whenever
we find that the foliage is uncovered. The only thing we want
to do is keep the insurance on all the time. If the leaves are
growing fast, we coat them again.
Member: What is the composition of your copper dust?
Mr. Frazer: I prefer about 15 per cent copper sulphate
monohydrate and 85 per cent lime. The important thing is
the amount of copper you put on the foliage.
Dusting or spraying, like the tariff, is a local issue. Your
farm is your problem, not mine. If you know how to run a
sprayer, and get results, don't change. Don't let any of
these men talk you into doing something else. When most
of us go tinkering, we do something foolish.
CLEARING HOUSE FOR YORK IMPERIALS
President Funk: We still have a few subjects that we
are going to take up in five-minute talks. The first one is,
** Would it be practicable to have a clearing house for routing
the cars of apples shipped each day from the Cumberland-
Shenandoah District, to secure better distribution?" Mr. J.
H. Karnes, a large apple grower and shipper from that dis-
trict, will discuss this problem.
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Mr. J. H. Karnes: For several weeks this fall we fre-
quently had on track at the Manhattan piers on Saturday sev-
eral thousand cars of York Imperials. Nobody knew there
was that much going there until the Saturday came. As a
result a good many times we had very low sales. I was won-
dering if there could not be some way to keep a check on the
York Imperial movement, as it practically all comes from
the Cumberland-Shenandoah Valley. If we could get some
information on the number of cars that were going for export
to New York City, it would be of considerable benefit to us.
We talk at length about how to grow these apples, but the
hardest work we have is to get rid of them at a fair price after
we get them grown.
Mr. Stewart: There are only a few clearing houses in
operation. It must be on a commodity that is well centralized
and in an area that can be well controlled.
There is a clearance house on citrus fruit in Florida and
they have tried it out on grapes and a few other commodities
in California. The potato growers tried it in the Delaware,
Maryland, and Virginia peninsula the last two or three years.
It is almost impossible to secure and disseminate information
that will be of sufficient value to shippers to pay the cost of
operation unless the area is small enough to control shipments
-into the markets. The information must be such and the
association must be so controlled that from^O to 85 per cent
of the growers belong to the association and the shipments are
so alloted to the different markets as to give a regular supply,
prevent gluts, and keep up the price.
Whether or not we could operate a clearance house in the
Cumberland-Shenandoah Valley depends on how many ship-
pers would abide by regulations to control the shipments out
of that territory, and whether or not they are in direct com-
petition with other states that would be shipping at the same
time.
From the information that we get in the Bureau of Mar-
kets, the apples that are coming out of this territory are in
direct competition with fruits from New York, Washington,
Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Idaho,
New Jersey, Michigan and California. These states are all
shipping apples at the same time that we would be shipping
out of this territory.
Could we control enough shippers over the wide area to
pay to operate an office and disseminate this information? I
hardly believe we can. It would require an office to which the
information would come each day from shippers, including
number of cars they expect to ship to different markets within
the next six or seven days. Knowing the amount of fruit that
is being consumed in those markets daily, then you could allo-
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cate the shippers to those markets so there would not be any
glut. To control shipments from such a wide territory as 1
have indicated is hardly possible. I don't know of any com-
modity that is now being produced in Pennsylvania that we
could actually, control by a clearance house, unless it might
be mushrooms. We might possibly have a clearing house on
grapes in the Erie territory, combining with the grape growers
in New York ; but in the case of apples or potatoes or cabbage
or other staple commodities, there is too much competition with
other states that come into our market to be able to control
the distribution or to give enough assistance to members to
pay the cost of operating such a clearing house.
Mr. Kams: I would include nothing but York Imperials.
I don't think you will concede that New York, Oregon, Wash-
ington, and all those other states grow York Imperials. Fifty
per cent of our Yorks are exported. On Manhattan piers, on
any Saturday, you will find five or six hundred cars of York
Imperials or Ben Davis coming from the Cumberland-Shenan-
doah Valley.
Mr. Stewart: If you picked out some one variety that
isn't being produced in a big territory, as the York, there is a
possibility that you might be able to have a clearing house
that would pay. They tried a clearing house at Sebastapol,
Calif., on Gravei^teins ; it worked very well for two or three
years, but has now fallen through. It might work here for a
short time and then break. If you were just giving this in-
formation to shippers and allowing them to ship where they
•vish and get their own prices, it might be a different matter,
•rhere are many ways of operating a clearing house. To oper-
ate one successfully, you must abide by the rules and regula-
tions, and some of them are very severe.
Mr. Karnes : My idea is that the shipper can use his own
pleasure as to whether he wants to continue shipping, but if
you continue to see 300 cars moving toward Manhattan piers
every day, you know there are going to be too many cars there
when Saturday comes.
Mr. Stewart: We began operating a market news service
in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and some of the other markets.
We thought if we could, each day, give the number of carload
receipts that arrived and the number of cars on track that it
would be very valuable information for the shippers, to help
them to decide whether they would ship the next day or not.
Before we got the radio and a few other quick methods of get-
ting this news spread about, it worked beautifully. Now when
the radio gives these market reports and it gets out to a certain
number of people, even before they get the newspaper, there
are so many feel, **Well, now, I am going to be the first man
—102—
to get a car in to that market tomorrow morning; there is a
shortage there." The first thing you know that market has a
glut the next day. So we have decided that we had better
discontinue this market news service, because it is causing
trouble rather than good. I wonder whether that same thing
probably wouldn't hold good in your proposition, unless the
news was given to the members of the Association alone?
There would have to be somebody to direct and allocate those
shipments or you would see all shippers trying to take advan-
tage of a market that had a shortage the day before.
Mr. Karnes: I remember the time when cash apple buy-
ers used to come into the Valley and buy 25 and 30 thousand
barrels of apples. They don't come any more. They come
down and look around a little and try to buy a car at half
price and then go away and you have your crop on your hands ;
you have got to dispose of it yourself. I am more particularly
referring to export business. If we could only know how
many cars of Yorks were shipped. Some weeks there are only
two or three hundred cars going over, and they could take
four hundred cars.
Mr. Frazer: I would like to ask Mr. Karnes a question.
Nova Scotia threw 74,000 barrels into the export market last
week. What control have you got of Nova Scotia?
Mr. Karnes : Even though Nova Scotia does, Pennsylvania
Yorks will outsell Nova Scotia apples.
Mr. Frazer: You have gotten away with your Yorks this
year. Buyers came up to western New York, knowing we had
a lot of Greenings. Our men were bullish and wouldn't part
with those Greenings. The buyers then got started on Yorks
and they kept on Yorks, to your advantage. Now our men
have those Greenings still on their hands and are wondering
where they will get rid of them. They make the market for
you. They held the bag this year. You may hold the bag for
us next year and see what we will do to you.
President Funk: The next question is, *^Are there any
new varieties that are likely to displace Spy, Baldwin and
Greening in northern Pennsylvania?"
Prof. Anthony: Growers in southern Pennsylvania arc
pretty well satisfied with their varieties, and growers in the
Shenandoah section seem to be reasonably satisfied; but when
you go up into the northeastern section of the state, the vari-
ety question is anything but settled. Baldwin, which has been
one of the standbys, they are beginning to like less and less.
Mr. Pollock: Our section is replanting with Baldwin.
Prof. Anthony: What percentage? Enough to maintain
the present Baldwin planting?
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Blr. Pollock: Some of them will plant 90 per cent. There
are several reasons. One of the most important is the Bald-
win is less subject to scab. They get good size, wonderful
color and keep well.
Prof. Anthony: The section north of Wilkes-Barre is one
of the best Baldwin sections in that part of the state. An-
other section to the west is probably good. What have we got
to put in if we don't like Baldwin and don't want a green
apple? Anybody growing Rome above the central section of
Pennsylvania?
Mr. Welshans: We are. They are annual bearers, good
size, good color, and quality.
Prof. Anthony: How about Stark?
Mr. Pollock: Lots of Stark, but they are not replanting.
It shrivels quite bad in storage.
Prof. Anthony : It may be your own fault, as time of pick-
ing and storage conditions are factors. How about Red
Stark?
Mr. Weinberger: They are good bearers and good keep-
ers but not as good as the old Stark. They will keep well up
until the first of April.
Prof. Anthony: There is an apple you need to watch. In
some sections of Northern Pennsylvania Stark is good and
when it is good, like all the red sorts, is well worth growing.
What about Mcintosh?
Mr. Weinberger: W^e have a few. We grafted some
more, but when they start to ripen we have to watch the trees
or we don't get any fruit. We picked the trees five times
last year. We can sell them when we pick them.
Mr. Pollock: People go crazy over them in Luzerne
County.
Prof. Anthony: They why are you planting 90 per cent
Baldwin if your market is crazy over Mcintosh?
Mr. Pollock: Some people are planting 90 per cent Bald-
win. Some are not planting Baldwin at all.
President Punk: Don't you think that although the Mc-
intosh market is very strong just now that the time is coming
when conditions are going to change ? All of New York State,
Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire are planting
Mcintosh.
Prof. Anthony: Recently a survey of the apple industry
of the New England States was made. Practically every one
—104—
outside of Maine reports this: '*The Mcintosh in sight are
more than we can market locally. We have got to look for
other markets." In several of those reports they said, **We
are looking to Philadelphia for a market." We in Pennsyl-
vania are going to meet very stiff competition on this variety
five or ten years from now. Remember that when you plant
it. New England is looking to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Wash-
ington, Harrisburg, Altoona, places like that, to market Mc-
intosh.
Mr. Atkinson: What do you know about Macoun as a
possibility in southeastern Pennsylvania?
Prof. Anthony: Macoun, Early Mcintosh, Lobo, Melba,
all Mcintosh seedlings, are practically untried in Pennsylvania.
New Jersey is favoring one or two of those that ripen before
Mcintosh. There are others that ripen after Mcintosh, and
that group is expanding considerably. If you are in Mac terri-
tory, I certainly would try on a very small scale the more
promising of these new sorts, of Mcintosh type. I think one
of the possibilities in Pennsylvania is to grow Mac and get
them on the market before the competition from the North be-
gins. This is being done in south central Pennsylvania right
now and that may be the future for Pennsylvania in the
Mcintosh trade.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CONTROL
PEACH BACTERIOSIS?
W. C. McOTJBBIN
This serious bacterial disease is absent from a great por-
tion of the state. I venture to say a great many peach growers
in this room have never seen the disease on their peach trees.
It occurs to the south and west of us very much more than it
does in this state.
During the last seven or eight years, I have seen it quite
severe in two seasons in the Erie County section. Outside of
that, during all the visits I have made in connection with
peach yellows' work, I have only seen it twice or three times
at the outside. One of these cases was in Luzerne County
and the other was in the southern portion of Adams County,
near the Maryland line.
The bacterial disease of peach is a leaf spot trouble pri-
marily. You can distinguish it in three different places. One
is a leaf spot, which is very like the shothole disease on plums
and cherries. On the fruit it occurs as small specks or spots,
usually with a blackish tinge and developing as the fruit gets
older a slightly almost detachable scab of dark color. It is
quite different from the ordinary scab disease of peach in
that the scab is closely applied, and connected with the skin
—105—
of the peach ; while the bacterial leaf spot develops as a spot
in the skin and then has a tendency to be cast off.
In addition to the leaf and fruit symptoms, one will find
bacteriosis on peach twigs themselves where it occurs as small
canker-like areas in the bark. It lives over from year to
year largely on twigs, something as the scab organism is sup-
posed to do, and then it is spread from those lesions in the
spring by rain and spattering of water. It causes spots on the
leaves, beginning in May or June and even as late as the first
of July. If the spots on the leaves are conspicuous and num-
erous, they will cause a leaf -fall. I have seen as many as 75
or 80 or more per cent of the leaves on a peach tree dropped
off in August by this bacterial disease.
What can be done to control it? The disease is compara-
tively new and it is very erratic in its appearance. It is like
other diseases, it is dependent on weather conditions, and if
the weather is very cool or dry, the insects which carry the
bacteria from the twigs to the leaves and fruit are likely to be
inactive. If there is not enough rain, it will not carry the
bacteria. You may go several years without having much of
this disease, and then one year when the weather is just right
you will have a serious development of the leaf and fruit spot.
A great many people have tried to control the bacterial
spot, in the states where it is prevalent, by the use of the
ordinary sprays, sulphur sprays being, of course, the impor-
tant ones. I am sorry to say that very unfavorable results
have been obtained from either the use of sulphur dusts or
sulphur sprays. During the last few years those states where
bacteriosis is a problem have attempted to develop other meth-
ods of spraying for this trouble, using such things as zinc sul-
phate, and a new type of spray, sodium fluosilicate, which is
used as an insecticide for certain insects. They have even
gone so far as to try out such things as nickel sulphate in the
hope of finding something that would be a specific remedy. I
saw, a couple of years ago, some of the plots in Ohio which had
been treated with sodium fluosilicate. I wasn't impressed with
the control that was attained. The most recent publication on
this subject indicates that the number of fruit infections was
not reduced by the method used and the only benefit that was
attained was that the number of spots on each fruit was
lessened.
IS BOX PACKING OF APPLES PRACTICABLE
IN PENNSYLVANIA?
C. B. SNYDEB, Ephrata .
Box packing of apples, in my estimation, is as yet an indi-
vidual affair, rather than a practical standard for the entire
State. Several factors are necessary to attain success in box
packing :
—106—
High Grade Pniit: Proper pruning, thinning and spray-
ing in order to grow fruit of higher quality. What we must
grow is that combination of western size and color, with east-
ern flavor, which the high class market demands.
Skillful Grading : To wrap and box pack requires a high-
er standard of grading than any other package on the market.
Publicity: Since home marketing is most profitable, it be>
comes necessary to let the public know what we produce. A
good advertising medium that we have in Lancaster County,
that helps to develop a home market, are the small community
shows that we have every fall all over the county. We try to
have a good display at these, of fruit that is representative of
what we produce. This creates a far reaching trade, and
mostly for boxed apples.
We always aim to fill the orders with fruit that will stand
comparison with what we show. Upholding this standard, it
becomes easy to hold the trade. This season, I shipped boxed
apples to New York, Philadelphia, Ohio, and as far West as
Denver, Colorado. I also had the honor of supplying boxed
apples to the Chief Executive of our Commonwealth.
Box packing is not practical for the grower who is care-
less. Put up a good product in an attractive package and
demand a fair price and hold to that price. Do not be like
the farmer who was asked his price for a certain red cow. He
studied awhile, and then asked, ''Are you an assessor, or was
she run over by the railroad? '^
President Punk: If Mr. Snyder goes any farther west
than Denver, the western growers will begin to investigate the
competition.
Is It Practicable to Transport to Different Peach Growing
Counties Colonies of the Natural Enemies of the Oriental
Fruit Moth That Have Been so Successful in Reduc-
ing Loss from This Pest in New Jersey?''
B. H. BELL, Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry-
There is as yet no satisfactory method of control of the
Oriental Fruit Moth. Certain treatments arc known to help,
but none of them provides a sufficient measure of control to
justify its adoption as a general practice.
Recently the subject of parasites has attracted increased
attention, partly, no doubt, because they are increasing in
numbers and becoming an important control factor. This is
particularly true in certain sections. New Jersey, for example,
reports as high as 60 per cent or 70 per cent of the worms
parasitized. Another reason for the interest in parasites at
this time is that certain species lend themselves to artificial
means of multiplication and this has suggested the idea of
building up colonies of these species and liberating large num-
—107—
bers of them in orchards known to be heavily infested with
the fruit moth. One or two similar tests have been made in
codling moth control work with rather encouraging results.
Some entomologists are very hopeful that this can be
done, others appear skeptical. Certain states, Pennsylvania
included, have already started work. We are unable to state
at this time if the plan can be put to practical use, but it is
our intention to push the work along just as fast as conditions
will permit.
Adjournment.
BANQUET SESSION
WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 23
This included a good dinner, good music, good fellowship,
and a good time generally. These, if translated into words,
would fill many pages of this Report. Perhaps, however, it is
better to let them live in memory.
THURSDAY MORNING
JANUARY 24, 1929
The Fourth Session convened at 9 :30 A. M., the President,
Mr. Sheldon Funk, presiding.
President Funk: We will first hear the report of the
Auditing Committee.
(Mr. Weinberger submitted the prepared report)
January 22, 1929
We, the undersigned auditors duly appointed, have ex-
amined the accounts, bills and vouchers of C. B. Snyder, Treas-
urer of the Pennsylvania State Horticultural Association and
have found the same to be correct, and the receipts and balance
to correspond:
Cash balance from 1927 $ 86.81
Receipts during 1928 1,090.20 $1,177.01
Expenditures 921.07
Balance on hand $ 255.94
Other Assets
Certificate in Bank $100.00
Two $100 Bonds 200.00
One Liberty Bond 500.00
Total $800.00
J. H. w:einberger
S. L. SMEDLEY
Upon motion duly seconded the report of the Auditing
Committee was accepted.
—108—
SEPORT OF EXHIBITION COMMITTEE
J. U. BXJEF
The show this year, although perhaps not as large as in
previous years, was characterized by fruit of very high quality.
It is questionable whether any show in past years has ever
contained fruit that was all of such high quality. In the
plate exhibits there were 388 entries, while in the box class 27
entries; bushel, 137; 16 apple exhibits, 116 entries; trays, 67
entries; barrels, 13 entries.
There were three county exhibits representing Chester-
Delaware, Luzerne and Bucks Counties. The placings were as
the following tabulation indicates:
Quantity
Display
Varieties
Condition
Pack
Total
Chester-
Delaware
Bucks
Luzerne
5
5
4
5
10
10
8
9
10
10
8
10
60
55
50
40
15
13
12
10
100
93
82
74
The awards for the special premiums were as follows :
County Horticultural Society Banner — Chester-Delaware
growers.
The State Horticultural Association Cup, for the best box
or bushel of apples shown in Classes 2, 3, 4, or 5 — was won by
C. P. Barnard, North Brook, Chester County, on a bushel of
Stayman.
The Gabriel Hiester Cup, presented to the exhibitor win-
ning the greatest total number of points in the show was won
by S. M. Smedley, Jr., of Newtown Square, Delaware County,
for the second consecutive year.
The class in which most interest has been displayed is the
county horticultural contests. It seems to me that we should
have a little more standardization there. One year a group
will put on a display very artistically decorated with greens
of all kinds and paper. The next year they come with nothing
decorative and the premium goes to another. Furthermore,
as it is now, a county is allowed to show from 15 to 21 bushels.
If one county comes in with 15 bushels and another one with
21, it is hard to make comparisons. I would have 20 bushels
from a county rather than to put on a lot of artistic work;
make it just as simple as we can. A good illustration of that
this year was the Luzerne County exhibit. If we could all
have our county exhibits shown the way the Luzerne County
exhibit was laid out this year, it would be more satisfactory
and easier for the judges.
—109—
The main thing we are interested in is the pack or the
quality of fruit in the basket; I think we could leave out the
plates in the county exhibits.
In the box class we had some apples in old boxes.
We ought to take pride ii;i our fruit and put it in clean pack-
ages. In one case, fruit was put in a box containing the label
of one of the bigger fruit organizations. So I think we ought
to specify new boxes.
Some trays are put up without any regard for standard
pack. It seems to me that the tray should be packed accord-
ing to standard specifications. It is going to be pretty hard to
get that. I hate to make these changes without the growers*
having anything to say about it, for it is the growers' show.
I suggest there be appointed a committee of eight or ten to
go right down the list and cut out this class or that class,
whenever we thought it wasn't doing what it should, and put
in others that would meet with the approval of the growers.
I was disappointed in the small number of entries in tne
commercial pack, class twelve. A lot of the growers through-
out the state say it doesn't pay them to show. So we con-
ceived the idea of a commercial class, very similar to the
one at the New Jersey show. We thought we would at least
have twenty-five or fifty barrels. When we came to list the
entries, we had two barrels. I would like to see that com-
mercial class pushed a little stronger.
S. W. Fletcher: I move that the Chairman of the Ex-
hibit Committee be empowered to appoint such a committee
as he has suggested to confer with him about the revision of
the premium list. (The motion was seconded and carried.)
K. D. Anthony: I would like to add my disappointment
to that of Chairman Ruef about that commercial exhibit. The
plan of that exhibit was that the Farm Products Show, usually
with the aid of the county agents, should go into the packing
house or cold storage .or common storage and without inter-
ference on the part of the growers pick out at random entries
for the commercial exhibit. In other words, to get, as far as
they could, a fair specimen of that man's commercial pack.
It was to be brought here and exhibited under number, not
name. The names would be given out later on if a man cared
to have his name given. That has been tried for two years
in New York State and has been an eye-opener to them. Some-
thing like 30 per cent of their commercial pack this year failed
to meet the grades stamped on the pack, when taken out and
graded by U. S. Inspectors. That has stirred up more interest
in the New York State meetings than anything else.
One of the things we have got to watch is to maintain the
standard of our pack and I think this is a splendid move to
—110—
keep us up on our toes. I am very much disappointed to see
only two exhibitors this year. I hope that getting to the bas-
ket packs for the next year we can have a good big one.
p. N. Pagan: Why can't the association go out on the
open market and buy some packs out of commercial cold stor-
ages and we will put numbers on them. We don't care who
the packer is; it is just for the educational value. Probably
the money we now spend on premiums in some other class
would buy enough fruit.
Mr. C. J. Tyson: It strikes me that would be more likely
to produce results than the present method. The disappoint-
ment that this committee has had, comes from inexperience
with the feelings of our growers more than with anything else.
As far back as 1907 we had a class of that kind. Some of the
growers said they would like to take part in the show but they
were not going to pick out their finest fruit and bring it up
here, because it didn't represent what they were doing. They
said they wanted to show just what they were selling. The
result was just about what it has been this time. So I don't
think it was really an occasion for disappointment, but just
a show of human nature.
Mr. Prazer: The work in New York started from an idea
I picked up in Iowa. We started it with butter. We didn't
keep any names. We started making surprise visits but told
them we would pull some butter four times a year, and that we
would print the score and then any member could get after
his own butter manager and make him come up to it.
We could not get some of the members of our Executive
Committee to agree to put the names on. Last year I went
before Commissioner Burke and said, *'Use the force of the
state to benefit the good packer instead of using it to chase
the poor one."
He said, **That is a new idea and it may have merit."
We proposed this: The inspectors are to go through the
storages and any man that will agree to live up to the require-
ments and submit to inspection shall be given the right to be
a ** certified packer" so long as his pack stays up; he loses his
right to put this on his package as soon as his pack falls
down. In order to show that he is qualified, the state will
have the right to pull one of his barrels at any time and show
it. We are going to put the screws into him and I think we
can use the state's power to lift it.
We have done pretty well this year in New York on this
proposition and I don't know that human nature is so differ-
ent this side of the imaginary line than on the other. Last
year 76 per cent of the packers (and these are not drawn from
—111—
the scrub packers; these are drawn from the good packers)
failed to qualify. This year 76 per cent passed. That is some
shift in one year.
President Punk : Do you want to take any definite action ?
P. N. Pagan: I move that if the Show Committee and the
Executive Committee of the Association can supply enough
money to purchase a representative commercial pack from
three or four different sections of the state, that they be pur-
chased and not entered in the show for competition but put on
for display purposes. The Executive Committee can decide
whether names are left on or off, but I think they should stay
on. If they are put in cold storage and offered for sale, ac-
cording to law the package has got to have the man's name,
variety and size anyhow. Let some representative of the As-
sociation buy them, as offered for sale.
S. W. Pletcher: I question the wisdom of showing the
names, the first year at least.
Mr. Pagan : I left that up to the Executive Committee.
Mr. Ruef ; Don't you think we ought to restrict this to
one or two varieties?
President Punk: I don't think it would be fair to try to
get Stayman Winesap all over the state. You would have to
take the standard varieties in. the section in which you are
buying.
Mr. Ruef: Possibly we can make arrangements with the
Show Committee to take some of the premium money and use
it for the purchase of these packages. It may not cost the
Horticultural Association anything. We could sell it after
the show.
Member: I think it would be more educational not to
publish the names the first year. As far as possible the per-
sonal element should be avoided.
Mr. Ruef: The way we planned to do this year was to
take the brush and paint the top of the barrel, and put a num-
ber on. There is no need of any one knowing whose apples
they are, other than the party doing the buying.
Mr. Prazer: Commissioner Burke of New York agreed,
for this year, that when the inspector finds a package not
meeting the requirements, he will notify the man and give him
a chance to repack, rather than fine him. In other words,
we have determined that we will use the force of the law for
an educational campaign rather than making a collection
agency of it. We think we are going to accomplish more by
that attitude in New York this coming year. So instead of
—112-^
fining a man twenty-five dollars, the inspector is going to no-
tify him, ** Those apples are out of grade ; before you ship them,
you should repack and submit to reinspection. " (The motion
of F. N. Fagan, duly seconded, was carried.)
Prof. A. J. Parley: It seems to me that the Society should
do everything in its power to secure a better setting for a fruit
exhibit than you have this year. There is very nice fruit on
exhibition, in appearance, condition, and quality, but to my
mind it doesn't show off the way it should, because of sur-
roundings.
I understand that the Horticultural Association is depend-
ent upon other agencies for exhibit space, but I hope it will be
possible for the Society to work toward that end. The fruit
exhibit has an artistic as well as a commercial value.
Hic^
REPORT OP MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
R. D. ANTHONY
Not only is the success of an organization indicated by a
healthy growth of its membership list, in our case at least the
success of the organization is limited by the amount of this
growth.
Excluding life members, the paid annual membership of
1928 has been from 50 to 75 larger than the two previous years.
This would seem like a comfortable increase but when we con-
sider that a very considerable proportion of our membership
is from counties where there is a horticultural society and in
such cases but one dollar comes to this society, it is easy to
understand that the income from dues is hardly enough to pay
the printers' bills.
It is only through the added income which your secretary
has secured from advertising space in the report and program
that he has been able to balance his expenses and have a little
cash in the treasury.
There are many ways in which this Association can in-
crease its usefulness but most of these involve more expense.
It does not seem wise to raise the extra money by increase in
the membership dues if it can be secured in other ways.
The experiences of the last years have shown us rather
clearly that there are many people in this state who are glad
to become members of this Association when it is properly
brought to their attention. This can be done only to a lim-
ited extent by your secretary or your membership committee.
The responsibility for this must rest upon each meniber. If
you wish the organization to advance you can insure its prog-
ress by securing new members.
Remember the goal is 1000 members for 1929,
—113—
Mr. Atkinson: I have a conviction that the county asso-
ciations can get along with a good deal less than a dollar.
I think a county association could get along with fifty cents
and the state association needs it a whole lot more than we do.
Mr. Livingood: We have meetings every month. It costs
us a dollar a year to get out the cards.
Member: I feel a good deal like Mr. Atkinson. We had
a surplus at our last meeting. We thought it was foolish to
have money lying idle so we sent in a subscription for every
member for Fruits and Gardens and still have a surplus. We
can get along with less money, but I would rather say seventy-
five cents for the county association.
%
Mr. Livingood: It depends upon the service the local as-
sociations render their members. I understand some of the
county organizations only have meetings a few times a year.
Mr. Atkinson: I think it is ridiculous to expect a county
association and a state association to split fifty-fifty. Here we
put out a publication that costs over half of that dollar, simply
for printing, and at the same time we give the county associa-
tion one-half of all that is collected. It is a very bad balance.
Mr. Livingood: I move that the action of the Executive
Committee in keeping the dues this year at $2.00 be ratified.
(The motion was seconded and carried.)
REPORT OF LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
C. J. TYSON
The Legislative Committee has not been especially active
during the last year, partly because we had no session of the
Legislature. There are a few matters which are coming to a
head at this time and ought to have the attention of the Asso-
ciation.
The Legislative Committee of this Association, as well as
the legislative committee and officers of practically all of the
agricultural associations meeting here at Harrisburg at this
time, have been centered in the Agricultural Council. Each
association has elected three of its members to become mem-
bers of this Agricultural Council and represent that Associa-
tion in the general body. The Executive Committee of the
Agricultural Council, and its Legislative Committee, have kept
in touch with all sorts of legislation, — taxes, game damage,
rural electrification matters and many other things.
One- of the important activities of the Agricultural Coun-
cil has been in pressing for better housing for the Farm Pro-
ducts Show. The announcement in the public press of the
inclusion of sufficient money for a building in the Governor's
—Ill-
budget is undoubtedly the direct outcome of the activity of the
Agricultural Council, which represents you and the other
agricultural bodies meeting here.
Your Committee on Game Damage, from whom you doubt-
less will hear later, met with the Game Committee of the
Agricultural Council a year ago. While they have not had a
joint meeting this winter, I can report that the feeling of the
Agricultural Council is that the activities in the present session
of the Legislature, to curtail the powers of the Game Com-
mission, should not be allowed to go forward.
The efforts we have made have resulted in having the
State Game Commission recogniz'e that the farmers have some
rights. While we haven't gotten as far as we had hoped we
feel that it would better serve the farmers' interests to have
the Game Commission left with its present discretionary pow-
ers of fixing open season for game, rather than having those
powers taken away from them, as some of the sportsmen's
associations seem to desire. It is the hope of the Legislative
Committee that a resolution wdll be passed to that effect.
Some of us have felt that the plans of the Farm Products
Show Commission for the building are not quite adequate in
that they do not provide for meeting places for these associa-
tions. In all probability, if the present plans are carried out, the
Show building will be rather far uptown, although probably as
nearly in the center of things as is practicable on account of
the large amount of ground required. It would be some dis-
tance from here, considerably farther than the present Show
buildings are. The tentative plans, while they provide for a
large exhibit room, and a large general meeting room, make no
provision for meetings of this kind. It seems to us that it
would be very desirable if it were possible to have a consid-
erable number of rooms that might hold from five hundred to
a thousand or twelve hundred people. If that is the feeling of
this meeting, a resolution directed to the Commission might be
in order.
REPORT OF THE ADVERTISING COMMITTEE
D. M. JAMES
Interest in the use of the advertising material prepared by
the Horticultural Association was very limited during the past
season. On August 30th, 1928, a circular letter was sent out
to 617 members of the Association. From this letter only nine
orders for material were received, totaling $87.90. The com-
mittee doubts the advisability of spending postage in the fu-
ture to circularize the membership unless the members of the
Association will give the advertising work more substantial
support than was given during the past year. If the material
which has been prepared is not good enough, tell the commit-
tee what improvements you suggest.
—115—
Also, if you have used any of the advertising material and
have found it helpful in increasing sales, we would like to
know that, too. The advertising committee is powerless to
put over a worth-while program unless a large portion of the
membership will assist. The members who use the apple and
peach posters, the recipe books and the price cards should
know if sales are increased through their use; or if the ma-
terial is inadequate, should let the committee have all the sug-
gestions, so that only material which can be used with success,
may be prepared.
A new three-color apple poster was printed during tHe
past season, of which we still have 1,850 on hand for use next
year. We also have a large supply of apple and peach price
cards and a limited supply of recipe books, peach posters and
the apple poster prepared in 1926. The value of all stock on
hand amounts to about $145.
REPORT OF THE GAME LAWS COMMITTEE
J. A. EUNK
The Game Laws Committee has worked with the Legisla-
tive Committee and the Agricultural Council. I spent three
hours with the new Secretary of the Game Commission in con-
ference yesterday. I have worked with Mr. Slaughterback for
several years and believe he is the best man that we have ever
had for Secretary of the Game Commission. He knows our
conditions. He was our District Supervisor in Central Penn-
sylvania before he was brought down to Harrisburg a few
years ago. He knows the farmers* problem and that is some-
thing that we can't say of some of the preceding secretaries.
You know the history of the legislation that created the
discretionary powers of the Game Commission. You know the
history of fencing. Those things were all fostered by your
Game Committee and were fought out in cooperation with the
two preceding secretaries. The open doe season that we had
last year, which created such a furor in some sections of Penn-
sylvania, was the direct outcome of the trip that we took with
the Game Commission into Franklin and Adams Counties a few
years ago. When the present Chairman of the Game Commis-
sion came into office he found the minutes of the Game Com-
mission that had been entered at the time of that conference ;
and he said to the Secretary, **We must keep the faith with
the farmers and the fruit growers; we are going to have an
unrestricted wide-open season,'' which your Committee has
advocated for years. We got that open season largely as the
result of the work that this Committee has done.
We do not feel it wise to attempt any legislation at this
session. We are going to act, as a committee, throughout this
Legislature period, in cooperation with the present Secretary.
—116—
The Game Commission, with one exception, stands shoulder to
shoulder in support of our side of the game problem. The
Commission could have weakened on the open doe season last
year if they had not chosen to support us. Mr. Slaughterback
has stated to me personally that as long as he is secretary he
will advocate an unrestricted open season or a restricted open
season wherever it is necessary ; and that he will hammer away
on this question until the deer are sufficiently reduced that
they will not be a menace to the orchards, the gardens and
the farms. That is as much as we can ask.
I wish I could take time to give you the history of the last
season, and those injunctions. The Secretary was simply fight-
ing for position. He had to close some of the counties to pre-
vent injunction. Unhappily a few men with a sympathetic
judge can secure action that is not supported by majority
sentiment.
REPORT OF TRUE-TO-NAME FRUIT TREE COMMITTEE
During the year 1928 the third nurserymen's fruit tree
identification school was held. On July 23rd to 25th fifteen
Pennsylvania fruit tree nurserymen attended the intensive
school conducted in the nurseries of Adams, Franklin, York,
and Lancaster Counties. The nurserymen attending the school
were the same men that have attended the previous schools
and expressed the desire for the continuation of this work each
year.
It is interesting to note that the fruit tree nurserymen of
the state appreciate what the State Horticultural Association
IS doing. Especially is it encouraging when the same nursery-
men come back to the school each year. There are many
Pennsylvania nurserymen competent to identify apple varieties
in their nursery row, and are culling out misnamed trees that
now and then become mixed within a nursery block.
At the close of the school in 1928, the nurserymen present
voted to hold a school in the summer of 1929 and asked that
the committee, if at all feasible, hold the meeting at some nur-
sery center in an adjacent state. They also expressed the de-
sire that your committee employ a peach and cherry expert for
the 1929 meeting.
Your committee looks with favor on a continuation of this
work which is accomplishing valuable results in Pennsylvania.
F. N. TRIMBLE
F. N. FAGAN, Ch.*
■117—
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FREIGHT RATE
REVISION
R. T. CRISWBLL
Mr W S Campfield, Secretary of the Virginia State Hor-
ticultural Society, and Mr. H. W. Miller, of Paw Paw, West
Virginia, appeared before the meeting of the Pennsylvania
State Horticultural Association on January 18th, 1928, and ex-
tended to our Association an invitation to join with Virginia,
West Virginia and Maryland in making an effort to secure re-
vision of the rates on apples from the Potomac-Shenandoah
region ; and further requested, if agreeable to us, that we send
a committee to a conference relating to this matter to be held
at Richmond, Va., on January 26th, 1928.
A resolution was passed by our Association directing the
appointment of a committee of one to attend this conference,
and I was appointed the committee.
At a meeting of our Association's Executive Committee*
subsequently, this matter was taken up. Your Executive
Committee <»oncluded that in as much as the counties of Adams,
Franklin and Cumberland were interested principally m this
matter, and any funds needed to pursue the project wouTd
have to come from sources other than the treasury of this
Association, probably from private subscription, the commit-
tee should attend the Richmond meeting, report the results
thereof to this Association and endeavor to carry on the
work through the county organizations of the three counties
named. Your committee was so instructed through your Pres-
ident, Mr. Runk.
The Conference at Richmond, Va., was attended by six
Virginians, two from West Virginia, no one from Maryland,
and myself from Pennsylvania. The West Virginians report-
ed that Maryland was interested and could be expected to join
in the project. The proposition to employ a rate specialist to
work up rate data and to file a complaint with the Interstate
Commerce Commission was thoroughly discussed. A rate spe-
cialist of Washington was present and gave considerable in-
formation as to what would be needed in preparing a case to
go to the Commission. I take it this Association is not inter-
ested in the details of the Richmond conference. I should re-
port that subsequently a complaint was filed with the Inter-
state Commerce Commission, the complaintants being the Vir-
ginia State Horticultural Society, the West Virginia Horticul-
tural Society and three orchard companies and three orchard-
ists of Maryland. I have no information that a date has been
• set for the hearing of the complaint.
In February last a meeting was held at Chambersburg,
Pa., under the auspices of the Franklin County Horticultural
Society, participated in by the fruit producers of Adams,
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Franklin and Cumberland counties, at which meeting your
committee reported the Richmond conference and the attitude
of the State Association in the matter. The result of this
meeting was that a committee of six orchardist, two from each
of the counties of Adams, Cumberland and Franklin, was ap-
pointed to represent these three counties in the matter of
inquiring into and getting adjusted the freight rates on apples
and peaches, joining with Virginia, West Virginia and Mary-
land on their proposition, if the committee concluded it was
wise to do so. ^ ^ CRIST/ELL
Mr. Criswell: I would say a word as to the present status
of the situation. Some time prior to 1924, the Interstate Com-
merce Commission, of its own initiative, started an inquiry .
into the general classification structure of the eastern terri-
tory. This inquiry was later joined by the carriers on one
side and by numerous large shippers' and receivers' organiza-
tions and private individuals on the other. During 1925 and
1926 a number of hearings were held, resulting in the Inter-
state Commerce Commission directing an examiner to make a
special investigation and report on the rate structure. This
report has been made. The examiner recommends abolishing
the present zoning system throughout this entire territory and
the substitution therefor of a block mileage basis, the blocks
running ten to twenty miles, and perhaps forty miles after the
mileage gets long. I saw a copy of this report yesterday and
expect to get it. I find that our rates, if the examiner's recom-
mendation goes through, will be substantially reduced.
The apple rate from Chambersburg to Washington would
be reduced two cents a hundred pounds; to Baltimore three
cents; Philadelphia, five and a half cents; New York, two
cents ; Chicago, four cents ; Pittsburgh would be increased one
cent.
That gives you some idea of the reductions that would be
made. From Winchester, the rate to Philadelphia would be
decreased four cents; to New York, two cents. Martinsburg
would be decreased four cents to Philadelphia and two cents
to New York.
The present status of the matter is that the Interstate
Commerce Commission is collecting statistics to ascertain
whether or not these reduction will still give the cariers the
fair return to which they arc entitled on the investment.
Considering the situation, we have not found occasion yet
to file an intervention proceeding with the State Commerce
Commission or to join with our southern friends. I feel that
when this adjustment I speak of comes, we are practically
taken care of in our section, except in so far as we might have
occasion to apply for some commodity rates to the Carolinas
and the southern Mississippi Valley.
— 119--
REPORT OF RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE
To His Excellency, Hon. John S. Fisher,
Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Whereas, the farmers of the Commonwealth of Penn-
sylvania during the past thirteen years have developed a Win-
ter Farm Products Show that is second to none in the United
States, and
Whereas, the facilities for housing this Show at the pres-
ent time are entirely inadequate,
Be it resolved:
(1) That the Pennsylvania State Horticultural Association
heartily commends the Governor for the liberal item in his
present budget for a building to house the Farm Products
Show.
(2) That the State Farm Products Show Commission
should be petitioned to sec that the new Show Building has
adequate small Meeting Rooms, as well as a large general
auditorium.
II. Whereas, the eastern part of the United States is in-
creasingly a land of sod orchards, a condition favoring the
propagation and destructiveness of field mice ; and
Whereas, all known methods of mouse control that have
been recommended to fruit growers have either proved ineffic-
ient or impracticable or have met with only partial success in
preventing heavy losses of fruit trees every year ; and
Whereas, losses caused by depredations of field mice upon
apple trees in Pennsylvania, plus the cost of combating them,
have been estimated by the United States Bureau of Biological
Survey to exceed $600,000 annually, and we believe this to
be a conservative estimate; and
Whereas, rats, woodchucks, house mice, moles, and other
small mammals are frequently seriously destructive of horti-
cultural crops; and
Whereas, it is evident that relief from these losses can
come only through thorough investigation of and experimenta-
tion with all possible means of control, and through coopera-
tive action under competent leadership:
Therefore, be it Resolved, that the Congress of the United
States be urged to consider favorably a program for coopera-
tive control of predatory animals, including rodents, as detailed
in a report of the Secretary of Agriculture to the National
Congress and printed as House Document No. 496, 70th Con-
gress, 2nd Session, ** Control of Predatory Animals,'' and
Be it further Resolved, that copies of this Resolution be
sent to each of Pennsylvania's representatives to the National
—120—
Congress, to the Secretary of the United States Department of
Agriculture, and to the Secretaries of State Horticultural
Associations of the principal apple growing states.
III. Whereas, the fruit and vegetable growers, as well as
the general farmers, of many of the best agricultural sections
of our state are being severely damaged by deer and other
game animals, and the Game Commission should be at all times
thoroughly conversant with our interests and our problems.
Therefore, be it Resolved:
(1) That the Pennsylvania State Horticultural Association
desires that at least two members of the Game Commission
shall be appointed from our active growers in the sections of
the State affected.
(2) That the State Game Commission should be left with
its present discretionary powers regarding open seasons for
game.
(3) That the Game Commission should maintain and sup-
port an open season for any game in any Section, when it can
be proven that serious damage to farm crops is being done by
this game.
(4) That the Game Commission should place all bene-
ficial Hawks and Owls on the protected list.
J. A. RUNK, Ch.
H. F. HERSHEY
H. W. ANDERSON
Mr. Runk: A number of persons handed in the sugges-
tion that we go on record favoring a tariff on bananas, but I
didn't find anybody that was conversant enough with the sit-
uation to draw up such a resolution.
Mr. Criswell: There are some big organizations in the
country that are handling this through their attorneys. I
think they taking care of it.
S. W. Fletcher: There has been organized this year the
National Horticultural Council, which aims to represent the
different state horticultural societies in matters of national
legislation. We have had, as yet, no exponent in national
affairs. The American Pomological Society follows its time-
honored policy of restricting its activities to educational mat-
tres ; it does not take up legislative matters. Tariff hearings
on schedules that affect fruit growers, are being held in Wash-
ington. We were asked as to whether we cared to be repre-
sented in this movement. This was laid before members of the
Executive Committee. They voted that the Association should
affiliate with the National Horticultural Council, subject to
such action as the Association may take at this time. I for-
warded to the officers of the Council certain suggestions that
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came from different members, including an action taken by
Erie County grape growers, requesting a tariff on bananas anfi
certain changes in the tariff on other fruits. It seems to me
we should have an opportunity to register our wishes in these
matters. To get it before the Association, I move that the
action of the Executive Committee recommending affiliation
with the National Horticultural Council, at twenty-five dollars
a year to be paid from the Association treasury, be ratified.
(The motion was seconded and carried.)
Mr. Monosmith: I raise the question as to whether Dela-
ware and Chester Counties should combine as one county so-
ciety and make an exhibit at the State Show. It is keeping
out of this show a number of counties that are afraid to ex-
hibit against these other two counties. The future of this
show, I believe, would be benefited if this combination was
broken up. Their argument to me was that their membership
was too small to maintain a strictly county organization. The
Proceedings this year shows that they have a combined mem-
bership of thirty-three.
President Funk: I think this organization comes within
our constitution, which provides for county or local societies.
This, apparently is a local society. Do you wish to take any
action? If not, we are ready for a report from the Nominating
Committee.
Mr. Livingood: Your Nominating Committee submits the
following ticket for your approval :
For President, Dr. J. S. Rittenhouse, of Lorane.
For Vice President, C. H. Hays, of Erie.
For Secretary, S. W. Fletcher, of State College.
For Treasurer, C. B. Snyder, Ephrata.
The three members of the Executive Committee to be
elected : R. D. Anthony, Sheldon Funk, and C. J. Tyson.
(It was voted, upon motion duly seconded, that the report
of the Committee be adopted and that the retiring President
cast a unanimous ballot for their election.) This being done,
President Rittenhouse took the chair.
OUR EXPERIENCE IN THE LOCAL MARKETING
OP FRUIT
FRANK FARNSWORTH, WaterviUe, Ohio
Products of today that enjoy large sales are those filling
a specific need in our civilized life. That need may be natural,
or created, but the product that best meets this need will, with
proper advertising, and distribution, find the widest outlet.
Superficial desires of humanity are encouraged by unnatural
modes of living. Upon this unnatural manner of living is
—122—
built what we might term spurious advertising, but civiliza-
tion's natural wants are the results of a normal life, and should
be increased by well selected advertising.
The products which we are to discuss this morning enjoy
the advantage of belonging to the class of man's natural needs,
hence we have a more solid foundation on which to build our
marketing program than though we catered to an imaginary
desire that we had to constantly create within our prospective
customer.
Diet: The human body demands a variety of diet as was
shown when armies were fed on rations having little if any
fruit or vegetables. The same truth is brought home in our
every day living, when fruit or vegetables are omitted from
the diet. Fruits supply juices and bulk in the human system,
for which there is no natural substitute. This is one reason
why the boys and girls back in the so-called good old days
enjoyed feasting on the crop of the apple trees in grandfather's
door yard. The same human desire prompts those same boys
and girls, now grown to men and women, to come to your
orchard and ask you if they can buy some of those good old
Rambos, those big Tolpehockens, that wonderful King apple,
that old fashioned Sheepnose, or they even describe their fa-
vorite apple as the *'Big Red Apple that we picked along in
the fall.'' In other words, that desire for these natural fruits
is inherant, both to fill the physical needs and to fill an aesthe-
tic need as well.
Having thus assured ourselves of the existence of this need
for our orchard's products, let us see what are the desires of
our prospective customers as to methods of servicing these
products.
What is Produced: First, ask ourselves the question,
''What have we produced; is it a poor variety, or a small size,
or a scabby, wormy, or gnarly crop of apples?" If so, the
marketing of this crop was largely determined at the time
when these unfavorable developments were permitted to take
place in the orchard. If we have produced a huckster grade,
then we are largely at the mercy of this class of buyers, and
since we have so much competition in our class, we can only
receive prices accordingly. But if we have raised the quality
of our product out of the huckster class by careful and suc-
cessful attention to location, soil, variety, pollination, fer-
tilization, pruning, cultivation, spraying, thinning, and har-
vesting, then we have eliminated a large per cent of our com-
petition, and are now ready to market our product on its own
merits so as to ''cash in" on our efforts at producing an ac-
ceptable article.
It was at this point in the game that our experience of
probable interest to you began. The production problems hav-
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ing been, in the main, satisfactorily met, we next observed the
buying habits of the public.
Containers : Were they buying their crackers and oat meal
out of the once familiar cracker barrel setting on the grocer's
floor, where it could be conveniently sampled? Was the milk-
man dipping his customer's supply from the large cans on the
floor of his wagon? No, the day of the retail package had
arrived, since, for various reasons, the customer demanded
assurance that his purchase be up to the standards for which
he was paying. The sealed and certiSed package furnished
this protection and assurance. For our products, the apple
barrel was essentially a bulk package, so the question of a
convenient size retail package arose.
The Western Bushel Box is an expensive package,
and involves precision in grading and packing, which is
expensive. Quite the contrary, the sack is a cheap package,
easily packed, but the result is not pleasing, as it forms no
display. A sack full of apples offers very little incentive for
your customer to buy, and it creates little pride in his selec-
tion, once he has purchased. Some advantages, however, have
justified the occasional use of paper sacks in half bushel and
bushel size. By occupying less floor space, they fit into a
crowded passenger car better than does the basket, and the
sacks are readily filled by one person from a bushel basket or
crate by using a specially constructed funnel for the purpose.
The carton has splendid shipping qualities to recommend
it, as we have experienced in shipping fancy Hale peaches as
personal gifts to all three of the Coasts. But the carton lends
an artificial look to the fruit which apparently reduces its re-
sale value, and here again the expense of packing and handling
is high for the volume thus moved.
•
One of the original products to be placed into the basket
package was fruit, and the public has always associated the
two together. The splint basket displays the fruit, not only
showing the top layers, but giving reassuring glimpses of the
contents clear to the bottom of the package, and once you have
the customer's confidence, he is ninety-five per cent sold. Con-
sidering these facts, and because ninety per cent of our fruit
is consumed within a radius of one hundred miles, we decided
on the splint basket of approximately one half bushel capacity.
It is a convenient package to handle and hauls readily on
slatted truck racks.
Packing: Occasionally the fruit is layered in these bas-
kets on the cheek, or laid fiat, but usually they are jumble
packed. The standard red fruit netting is always drawn
tightly over the top of the package thus built up, and this,
with your attractive label under the netting, presents an ap-
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pearance that exerts a pull on your prospective customer, be-
cause you have put up your carefully grown product in a
merchandisable manner. The exacting pains which you have
manifested in your product, it's packing and package, creates
confidence in your prospect, and he sees in your package every
indication of value received for his expenditure.
The basket just described was designed and adopted to
encourage the American family to eat more apples by taking
them from a basket rather than using them from a small paper
sack containing three to five pounds, which places apples in
the class of luxuries. The extent to which this plan is success-
ful is shown by sixty per cent of our baskets thus packed
going direct to the housewife through the grocer during the
holiday season, while the balance of the baskets thus packed
are broken up by the grocer into paper sack lots of three or
four pounds for a quarter. Retailing three pound lots has
done more to cut down decidious fruit consumption than any
other retailing practice.
The bushel package is, in many cases, still in demand, and
both jumble pack and ring face methods are used. A ring
face pack wdth green serrated border about the basket edge,
with the grower's attractive label on top the fruit, and this all
covered with a tightly drawn netting makes an attractive com-
modity that your most exacting dealer can show with pride in
his display window.
Truth in Packing: Needless to say, the constant practice
of 'Hruth in packing" is more essential to continuously suc-
cessful marketing than any other one requirement. Very few
fruit growers would stoop to the practice of short-changing
their dealers, or their customers and yet they do practically
that very thing when they put the fruit of inferior quality and
smaller size underneath the **Duco" finish. This one vital
short-coming of the producer has done more to hurt the sale
of fruit grown and packed outside of the Northwest, than any
other practice of the deciduous fruit grower. By present
methods, it is impossible, or at least impractical for us to pro-
duce one hundred per cent fancy, or even number one fruit,
but when Jones puts his label into the housewife's kitchen
along with the fruit whose last specimen is as represented on
his label, then her next order of fruit will be for '* Jones"
brand.
Wholesaling: Obviously, it has been impossible to retail
all our output either at the farm salesroom or direct to the
city and town customer. This has necessitated selling direct
to the grocer, fresh from our packing house, or distributing
the fruit through the jobber. The direct-to-grocer method is
greatly preferred by the grocer and consumer as well, but it
requires a driver who can also be a salesman, and it requires
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considerable more of his time per load delivered, as he must
secure the next order as he deliveres the present one. If the
grocer requires the driver to wait while customers are waited
upon, then the driver's time passes pretty rapidly with com-
paratively few sales and deliveriel for the day. These are
some of the reasons for our concluding that we can more pro-
fitably distribute through the jobber, and spend more of the
time of our help in the preparation rather than the marketing.
This pertains of course, to the original type of neighborhood
grocery.
Chain store selling naturally changes the situation some-
what. Buying in the quantities that they do, in all their lines,
gives them a purchasing power ^which they like to exercise at
all times, and the fruit grower is no exception. On the other
hand, if we do have to sell to them for fifteen cents a bushel
under the price to the individual grocer, we can afford to do
so, as the chain store load is delivered to one warehouse and the
driver returns home, rather than consuming the day to make
his deliveries. At the same time that the chain store buyer is
using our fruit, the home store is also using it, for we always
endeavor to keep the good will of all of the agencies of distri-
bution. In fact, we occasionally sell at a slight comparative
loss in order to hold a good wholesale customer. There may
be one, two or three seasons when we cannot do business with
a former wholesaler, but we keep his good will, for the follow-
ing year's conditions may warrant our selling him considerable
fruit.
We believe that variety of outlet is a very important fac-
tor in enabling the grower to realize more for his fruit. This
has been borne out by somewhat isolated growers who built
small farm storages which, they said, had paid for themselves
even if no apples had been stored there, as the buyers knew,
when bidding on their crop, that this grower could store his
crop if the buyer's offer was unsatisfactory, and the buyer
offered accordingly.
During the marketing of all fruits, daily contact is main-
tained by telephone and the marketing gauged accordingly.
A large per cent of low prices received by the growers is
caused by the grower's failure to know the conditions of the
market into which he is shipping. If it is already overloaded
he must choose the best spot, and depend on his quality fruit
and quality pack to sell his product in preference to his com-
petitor's fruit.
Packing: Thus far, in our discussion we have spoken
largely of wholesaling, and pertaining mainly to apples. No
doubt some growers here are interested in the marketing of
currants, cherries, plums, and peaches, all of which have their
places in the experience which I am relating. Currants are
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harvested with the stems on, largely by women and children at
two and one-half cents per quart in four-quart double splint
picking baskets and hauled directly to the central packing
shed where all our fruit is packed. Here these baskets are
ranked one on top the other (being actually six-quart capacity,
hence not filled) onto packing tables equipped with rubber
tires and ball-bearing castors. These are pushed up to the
motor truck to receive the load, then pushed to a convenient
spot with good daylight coming through skylights where they
are weighed into larger baskets to be shipped to the canning
factory some distance away. Here they are made into pre-
serves and jell, to be sold on the diners and in higher class
hotels.
Cherries were harvested in much the same way up to the
past season, except that they were poured from these same
four-quart baskets into quarts and packed into twenty-four
quart crates for the fresh fruit trade. This method built up
our season's trade on the summer fruits, making better the
sale of our fall and winter varieties; but the increased cost of
handling cherries in crates at higher prices received more than
offset the cheaper method of stripping them into baskets and
pouring them into flats which are hauled directly to the can-
nery, as we did the past season.
The same six-quart baskets are used for the plums and
they are repacked into pecks and halves and bushels according
to their condition of ripeness, the variety of plum, and the de-
mand of the market as learned that day in conversation with
our dealers in the various markets. Suiting the package to
the present market involves stocking more packages than to
use a standard package continuously, but on many days a
market will scarcely consider plums or any other fruit in
bushels, but will take them readily in pecks, or even in half
bushels. Plum trees are picked over twice to secure the ripest
fruit, and peach trees are picked over from two to four times.
This helps considerably to avoid marketing green fruit, which
has been another deterrant to selling decidious fruit. The sale
of different varieties of plums and apples is greatly helped by
a slip inserted under the netting which carries our firm's name
and address and the name of the variety contained in the pack-
age, together with its particular uses as eating, dessert, baking,
etc. This brief message, direct from the grower, has proven
a big help, especially on varieties whose color or other general
appearance handicaps their sale, as well as a variety not gen-
erally appreciated by the public.
Salesroom and Storage: Prior to 1926 we found the re-
tailing of fruit at the packing house to be an inconvenience,
being usually in small quantities which required as much of
the packer's time per sale as did a truck load or a car load.
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In 1926 seeing the trend of people to want to buy at the farm,
especially with the increasing use of the motor car, we erected
a hollow tile display and sales room, twenty-eight by fifty feet,
containing display shelves in front of the windows both inside
and outside the building. The hollow tile being of interlock-
ing construction with horizontal air-space, it is quite resistant
to outside air temperatures.
The ceiling is of two thicknesses of celotex, so that the
structure, with tight windows and doors makes a warm sales-
room in winter, as well as a roomy place, considerably below
outside temperature in which to store cherries, currants,
peaches, or plums overnight when the weather is hot. This
room, built onto the end of the packing house is of easy access
from the packing house, moving the fruit into it on the castor
packing tables previously mentioned. It also serves as a work-
room in severe winter weather.
Adjoining both the packing house and the salesroom is
the cool air storage one hundred by forty feet, twelve feet to
the eaves, accommodating about eighteen thousand bushels.
The walls are of interlocking tile, twelve inches thick with
four horizontal air spaces. The exterior is stuccoed, while on
the interior of the tile is cemented a two-inch layer of ground
cork, in the form of slabs, whose edges were sealed when con-
structing, by being dipped into hot asphalt before cementing
into place on the wall. The ceiling is lined with cork in the
same manner after the cork was similarly dipped, and the
slabs then nailed to the inch wood sheathing, which was nailed
to the joist. On top the joists is a layer of celotex. On the
rafters is inch wood sheathing supporting hair felt, on top of
which is the asbestos-cement roof.
The cement floor consists of three layers, the lower being
three inches cement, then four inches cork, on top of which
is three inches more cement. This insulates the room from
ground heat rising to counteract the coolness of the room. All
storage doors and inlets and outlets are lined with cork, so
that the entire surface around the apples is cork insulated.
Fourteen air inlets at the floor level and five outlets in the
ceiling, opening into revolving ventilators change the air con-
tents very rapidly. Drains in the floor, with removable pipe
plugs permit flooding the floor to increase humidity, as the
lower layer of crates set on two by two inch strips. When-
ever the hygrometer in the room drops below ninety, the hose
is turned right onto the stack of apples and they are given a
thorough soaking and the ventilators are opened onto the
fruit. This plan might not be advisable without thorough
ventilation.
The roof is of self-supporting truss construction permit-
ting the backing in of trucks at harvest time, right up to the
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pile to unload, having no supporting pillars to hamper the
work. Connecting this storage with the packing house and
salesroom is a covered drive in which skylights furnish an
ideal place to sort fruit and load trucks.
Apple Handling: The crates of apples are handled largely
by warehouse hand lift trucks which support the flats carrying
about twenty-four bushel crates of apples. Gravity roller con-
veyors move the fruit economically where it is moving over
the same space sufficiently long to warrant setting them up.
Some years the apples were graded at harvest time, then
stored, and this has the advantage of showing one just what
he has to market, and eliminate storing of cull fruit with con-
sequent spoiling of good fruit next to it. Fruit also stands
machine sizing at that season better than at marketing time.
However, sizing at harvesting time takes much extra help that
is rather expensive at that season, it complicates the harvest
somewhat, and slightly prolongs the period between the tree
and the storageroom. The past two years have shown greater
advantages to be in storing direct from the tree and grading
out of storage, when we knew how we wanted the grades to
run. The injury in sizing is negligible, and for local market-
ing scarcely enters in at all.
Apple Butter and Cider: The heavy frost damage to ap-
ples in 1925 made a considerable quantity unsalable as fresh
fruit, yet too good for cider stock. We hauled them eight
miles, and had glass containers shipped to the same point to
make them into apple butter at this point. This plant's equip-
ment was next moved into our own buildings on the farm and
to it was added a pasteurized cider-making equipment, and
these two products have been made at our plant for the past
three years. The sale of apple butter is good to a limited ex-
tent, to those who appreciate the quality of a home-made pro-
duct, and especially where this product can be retailed at the
salesroom. If it must go through jobbers and dealers hands
there is little if any profit to the producer.
Pasteurized cider has a potential market which must be
built up, kept built up, and supplied with a uniform article.
Into this uniform article enters, variety, condition of ripeness,
cleanliness, fineness of grinding, storage time and temperature
between grinding and pasteurization, also preheating temper-
ature, successful building up of filter cells, care in steriliza-
tion of jugs, care in capping and sealing same, and tempera-
ture time and uniformity in pasterization. When out of the
pasteurizing cabinet they must be slightly and carefully cooled
at first, then rapidly cooled to stop the heating process. The
production of apple by-products is more than a division of the
fruit growing game; it is another business, a manufacturing
business.
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As fruit growers, we are in an increasingly competitive
game. Experts on the question state that fruit prices are not
due for any rise in the very near future. However, quality
fruit is always in demand. If, to this quality is added a de-
pendably uniform supply of fruit throughout the season, our
customers will learn to consider us for their season's supply.
Fruit is consumed the year round, and the grower who is in
the market the greatest part of the year with well-grown and
equally well-packed fruit is in the best position to realize the
largest possible returns for his products.
Mr. Famsworth: One of the advantages of selling cher-
ries is that it builds up the local market. We plan to keep in
the market from the time that Early Richmond cherries start
until the last of our late winter apples are sold. Finding out
that we could harvest our cherries to better advantage and
sell them to the cannery, we changed to that method this last
year. You can get more for cherries, of course, by having
stems on them and selling them in quarts in 24-quart crates,
but you will cut down tremendously on your overhead and
your methods of handling when you strip them, put them in
flats and the canner's truck calls for them. The other way
you are taking a chance until you get to the dealer. This
way you take a chance only until they are in the flats.
Our packing tables are movable and carry about ten bushel
baskets. We use about 20 of them and have found them of
great value. Our truck backs in, we push the table into it,
load up the table and push the table wherever we want. If
you build a stationary packing table, it is always in one place.
Mr. P. G. Reiter: In Pennsylvania there is still a large
field for the roadside market. Being located just 20 miles
north of Pittsburg, we have a wonderful market right at our
doors. We find it is important to be located on an improved
road. If you are located back from an improved road, when
the weather is good and the roads are good, you can probably
draw trade back to you if you have a good product. If you
have rainy weather just when your crop is at its peak you
will probably have left on your hands a lot of produce.
The wholesaler wants fruit green enough to hold up for
several days until it goes through the hands of the retailer to
the customer. When you are selling direct to the consumer,
he wants fruit ready to eat. It means handling a more per-
ishable product and there is a good deal more risk in it; but
when you can handle it that way with a quality package
you have a trade you can build up that will last all through
the winter.
The buildings should be neat and attractive but need not
be expensive. If you are not handling great quantities of pro-
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duce and only open during mild weather, you may use an open-
type of building. If you are handling large quantities of pro-
duce at the sales room and selling late in the fall, you should
use a type of building which you can close easily each evening
and have protected during the cold autumn days.
It is especially important for roadside markets to supply
quality products. You come directly in touch with the con-
sumer. The consumer really believes that he can buy better
fruit from you than can be had in the city, or he would not
drive out to your market. Do not disappoint him. Sell at a
price in line with the current market. A few roadside markets
have really quality products and get their own price for pro-
ducts ; but as a rule you find almost as many grades and prices
as you find roadside markets. Nothing will ruin your market
so fast as to sell a poor stock of produce at a price above the
current market.
The quality of your products is your main salesman, but
much more can be done in the way of publicity. Talk enough,
but not too much. Be courteous at all times. Send your cus-
tomers away satisfied, which is the best advertisement you can
put out. Get and hold regular customers. Always strive to
secure new customers by having a nice display to attract the
attention of passers by. It costs nothing to say ''Thank You.*'
If you do not have what they desire, probably having just sold
out, and they do not make a purchase, invite them to come
back.
Mr. Ruef: The County Banner awarded by the State
Horticultural Association, is given to the county having the
largest number of members taking premiums. In totalling up
the winnings, we find Chester-Delaware and Franklin Coun-
ties are tied for first place. What are we to do?
C. J. Tyson: In case of a tie you might consider the rate
of winnings. In other words, if a larger number of first pre-
miums were taken, that might settle the tie.
Mr. Moore: I move that it be divided — that the banner
and fifty dollars be awarded to Franklin County, and that
Chester-Delaware be declared winner. (The motion was sec-
onded and carried, whereupon the session adjourned at 12:00
o'clock.)
Adjournment.
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\'4
THURSDAY AFTERNOON
JANUARY 24, 1929
ECONOMICS OF THE APPLE INDUSTRY
SAMUEL rRAZER, Rochester, N. Y.
I am going to say a few words, first, about the Interna-
tional Apple Shippers' Association, because I feel that the
apple growers do not appreciate the value of the work it does.
About 34 years ago 11 men decided they wanted to have more
information in regard to apple marketing and so they organ-
ized for the purpose of getting data on storage holdings. To-
day contact is made by the Association with practically all
storages in the United States and Canada, and also with Aus-
tralia, New Zealand and Tasmania. Contact is maintained
through a London office with all of Europe. A committee is
organized which is taking care of Scandinavia ; a committee is
in charge of Central Europe, made up of members resident in
Italy, Germany, Prance and other sections of Europe, even
Spain. So that this organization is today, through its 1100
members, truly an international organization. It is the clear-
ing house for all sorts of information in regard to this fruit.
International Apple Shippers Association: We get all
kinds of requests. One of the steamship lines operating from
the Pacific Coast wanted to know what fruits were moving out
of New Zealand, what fruits moved last year, what boats were
moving there. Turning to our files, we could wire them the
information. To them it was vital for they wished to divert a
boat for picking up tonnage.
We have contact with all the steamship lines on the Pa-
cific and the Atlantic Coasts in this country and Canada. They
give us weekly service so that we know where every boat is.
Every Monday we release from our office a statement of the
exports to all places, compared with the exports of last year.
We also give the number of vessels loaded in New York up to
the previous Saturday, the number loaded in Halifax, whether
they are moving through Portland, through Philadelphia or
Boston. The trade is kept in contact with the movement of
the commodity.
Every month we issue a report of storage holdings, show-
ing the apples in cold and common storage. We issue in June a
blossom report, indicating the prospects for the coming crop.
In August we issue a statement by states of the prospects for
the coming crop compared with the crop the last twelve years.
That statement has not been 2 per cent off. Our statement
this year was about 2 per cent under the actual movement of
apples.
Those who work with the apple shippers find they have,
through this organization, knowledge of the commodity. In
—U2—
the economics of the apple industry, nothing has played a more
important part than this organization. Practically all the co-
operative organizations of the Pacific Coast and some in the .
East, are* members. The requirement for membership are that
you shall be actively engaged in the production or movement
of apples in carlot quantities and be of a good business repu-
tation. We have expended a large amount of effort in the
study of freight rates. We maintain an eastern committee and
a western committee in connection with the export rates. We
have done a great deal to keep the export rates from going up.
This is a very important matter, more important perhaps to
New York and Virginia than to Pennsylvania, and yet import-
ant here because if the crop is not exported, it would be in
competition with yours; so that even the export trade is of
vital concern to the man who is engaged in supplying a Penn-
sylvania local market.
Apple Production Increasing: When you say that produc-
tion of apples is falling off we can turn back 18 years or 20
years and show you that you then had two million barrels in
storage, cold and common, and today you have 12 or more
million barrels. Then some one tells you that the production
of apples is declining!
You may well ask, however, if those big crops of 20 years
ago were ever eaten. General Rot and General Decay were
the two leading generals in the consumption of apples 20
years ago. In 20 years our cold storage capacity has increased
six fold. The manager of the Merchants Cold Storage Com-
pany in New York said that thirty years ago they used 100
tons of ice a week to cool 112,000 cubic feet of space in all
New York City. At that time we were transporting ice from
Maine and Norway to cool that storage. We had a very good
ice trade established between Massachusetts and the West
Indies. We took ice to India. We carried ice to the Orient.
Now we have mechanical refrigeration and all manner of
means for conserving food today. Whatever goes in to stor-
age today is generally sold for food ; thirty years ago much of
it decayed.
In Wenatchie, in 1902, they shipped two cars of apples.
By 1923 they shipped 18,103 cars and Yakima had gone to
16,000, with Idaho, Northern California and Colorado they
made up 40 million boxes which didn't exist in 1902. They
moved 60,000 cars which had not existed before. Then you
come to me and say that apple consumption is declining! This
strikes me as loose thinking, when you have at most only a 40
per cent increase in population.
If you are going to support a national organization like
the National Horticultural Council, which is not only going to
speak for apples but also for all fruits and vegetables, and you
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propose to finance it on a five-dollar a year basis, you will be
disappointed. I doubt whether the men who suggested five
dollars realize that just to cheek up your storage holdings of
apples last month, cost us $500 in telegrams alone. The Gov-
ernment is putting in $650,000 a year gathering statistics and a
great many feel it is very inefficiently done. Some people
feel they cannot rely on government figures.
The Retailer: The retailer is lambasted like the dickens.
You would think he is a first-class crook. I spent a month in
Boston and we had a man studying the movement in Boston
for six months. In Boston they have a store with nineteen
departments, doing about two million dollars worth of busi-
ness, and $175,000 of it is fruits and vegetables, of which
$110,000 was vegetables and $65,000 was fruit. In 1910 their
overhead was 20 per cent. By 1923 the overhead was 18 per
cent. His turnover was the best in Boston. His fruits and
vegetables he turned over twice a week, or 100 times a
year. He turned his capital over 100 times a year. He
turned hardware over only a few times a year. Other
commodities would turn over fifteen times a year. When
you start to compare business therefore, you want to
know how often that man is turning his capital. If
you are going to compare grocery business, you must know
what percentage of his groceries are fruits and vegetables and
what percentage of them meats, for meats may turn over 100
times a year. So you must study each business and be care-
ful that you are comparing likes.
Chain Stores: In a chain store in Boston, operating 450
stores, we found that whenever fruits and vegetables exceeded
six per cent of their total sales, they lost money. Why? That
is very important for those who expect to use chain stores as
their outlet. That store lost money because the function of a
retail grocer is to pull packages down and shove them across
the counter. When you sell a head of lettuce and wrap it up
or a dozen apples, you have lost so much time fussing over a
fifteen cents sale, you aren't making money enough.
A chain store man in New York brought together the ag-
gregate returns of a large number of these organizations and
showed that, apart from the shrinkage and loss from decay,
which in some months might be 10 per cent, there was a cost
of 3.27 per cent more for handling fruits and vegetables than
for handling groceries. In addition, there was a trucking cost
of half of one per cent, more than for groceries.^ In addition,
there was an indefinable, intangible loss from some source of
2 per cent. So they could not operate fruits and vegetables
on the same margin that they operated groceries.
What did they do? The strawberry season comes. They
said, **We can't handle strawberries yet; they are too dear "
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And so they only handled them when they were relatively easy
to sell. They handled apples on this policy: ''We will handle
apples only when they are safe. We will leave it to some
other individual or- organization to carry the load when it is
risky.'' When they handled potatoes, they said: ''We will
handle potatoes at a certain season of the year when they are
profitable. We will leave it to some one else when it is risky."
So society must maintain some fruit and vegetable marketing
units to carry the load when the other fellow won't.
Packages and Markets: Make your package suit your
market. The package for a local market and the package for
an export market are different. How many times is a pack-
age for export going to be handled? A package for export or
a package going to some of our wholesale markets has got to
stand forty handlings, especially if the car goes into storage
in transit. It is lugged into storage, pulled down, chucked in
the car, racked, pulled down, unloaded, dumped on the dock,
trucked out onto the wharf, chucked in a truck again, banged
around by men who have no tender feelings for the apple.
Their job is to get through. So packages are another factor
in the economics of the apple industry and your package should
be based on the requirements of the movement.
Nickel Purchases: I asked these retailers, "At what price
did you sell them?" We put a cash register in one store and
a turnsile. Twenty thousand people came into the store on
Saturday. They bought $13,000 worth of stuff and, in addi-
tion, a thousand dollars' worth was sold over the telephone.
So sixty-five cents was the average amount of a sale. The
average sale of fruits was thirty cents. The average sale of
vegetables was forty cents. The average sale of vegetables
included a nickel's worth of cabbage, a nickel's worth of tur-
nips, everything bought in nickel's worths. Some people
bought a package of potatoes, but they tried not to sell less
than a nickel's worth. When you are trying to cater to the
people in the cities, that is the basis on which they want their
supplies.
If we could get a lot of large Frigidaire units into houses
we might get city people to buy in packages. So I would ad-
vise you to work for bigger units of Frigidaire in every flat
in Brooklyn and Harlem and every other place.
One of these men opened a ^ve and ten cent store ; he has
ten stores running, handling fruits and vegetables alone on a
five and ten cent basis. That is the basis on which we will
have to sell. Cleveland, also, has gone into special stores for
handling fruits and vegetables. You who are working with
thp chain stores appreciate the fact that they would like to get
from under fruits and vegetables. They don't like them. They
are handling them just because they feel they have to. In Bos-
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ton, you can't sell vegetables unless you sell meat also. One
chain store decided they would try turnips. They bought a car
load and put them out at three pounds for a nickel when tur-
nips were selling at a nickel a pound. At the end of a week
nearly all were unsold and they put them on the wholesale
market. Folks wouldn't buy them. They buy by tradition.
They eat by inheritance. Dpn't fool away your time trying
to change them.
Cater to the Consumer's Wishes: I spent a long time in
New York with twenty-eight different groups of one hundred
or more, all getting their bills in their own language, all want-
ing their own things, all wanting them put up the way they
want them, all wanting them delivered by their own people in
just the right condition. How in the dickens are you going to
change them? It seems easier to let them have their own
way.
We are trying to go into the British markets. London is
even more polyglot than New York. Go through Whitechapel
in London; the only person who speaks English is the cop on
the street. The others don't understand; they are Russian
Jews and others who did not have enough to get to New York
and so they got stranded in London. You will find every na-
tion on earth and all sot in their ways. That will give you
some idea of the problems of the retailer.
Nine years ago two brothers in Boston were busted, trying
to sell groceries and fruits and vegetables. They decided they
would start over again on another basis — cash and carry and
a low margin. They started on a 20 per cent overhead. One
brother stayed on the market and they made it known all
over that if wholesale prices dropped during the day, retail
prices would also drop in proportion. That made folks talk.
You could buy a box of western apples for fifty cents more
than it cost wholesale. You could buy a box of oranges for 65
cents more than it cost wholesale. They allowed the State
Department to have complete access to their figures, and pub-
lish them. Good advertising. Every week they furnished a
complete index of their mark-ups to the State Department so
they could broadcast it. That is fixing the mark-up all along
the line.
These two brothers were very skillful. You buy your
things, you get your slip; you pay the cashier and only
when you get around to the door, as you are going out, you
get your packages. The customer gets nothing until he is
ready to go because, not being loaded he will buy more. When
he gets to the door there are big two cent paper bags or
nickel baskets, if your burden is bigger than you thought. ^
They furnished a nurse to look after the babies while the
mother went shopping. Last year one of the brothers wanted
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to pull out and the other decided he would buy him out. What
do you think he paid? Just a million dollars. The net on
that store has been two per cent, and they are operating the
lowest of any store T know in Boston, about 18 per cent. They
have a turn-over approaching 100 on fruits and vegetables.
A charge account store is different. It will mark up
thirty-three per cent, but it has to deliver. No delivery costs
less than twenty cents. It gives sixty days time to pay bills.
They have some shrinkage. By the time they get through they
have just a net of three per cent. So whether it was a credit
account or whether it was a cash and carry account, things
simmered down much the same. *
I still feel there is a good opening in the retail business
for the man who is on his toes, who is independent, who will
join up with some good purchasing organization so that he
doesn't have to waste too much of his time going to market.
The grower loses too much time peddling to the retailer, and
some of the retailers are losing too much time trying to buy
their supplies. That leads to the next development — men who
will stay on the market and buy supplies for a large number
of retailers.
The Service of the Middleman: You cannot get any facts
by comparing wholesale and retail prices. I could make you
out as the biggest pirates existing, when you have a big crop
of apples and a fair price, if I didn't balance that big crop
with the little crops you have other years, and low prices other
years. I would be doing you an injustice. The same condi-
tion exists with the middleman businesses. You have got to
see what the man goes through in a period of time.
Take New York and the docks. You load on the Pennsy
and the stuff is floated in on the Pennsy pier and unloaded.
There is a charge for unloading. It is sold on the pi^r but the
man buying it can't go on the pier. The Pennsy trucks it off
the pier and dumps it in the street, at fifteen cents a barrel.
Then, if it is going to Harlem, it costs $75 a car to move it
there. It may cost $120 a car to truck that carload of apples
around in New York, which is more than the freight from here
to New York. The only way the A & P and some other stores
get around that is by billing direct to their siding. One hun-
dred dollars is saved. The same thing is open to any bunch
of grocers who have a general purchasing agent.
Tariflf Problems : We have a duty on onions from Holland
of half a cent a pound. A good many have talked about in-
creasing the duty. How many onions does Holland send us?
Just a few, when we haven't enough of our own to bar them
out. We put 1,100,000 boxes of apples, so far this season, into
Rotterdam. Three days ago we hear from Rotterdam, *'You
put a duty on our onions ; you are only paying 8 per cent tariff
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^n
on apples now. We will get busy. ' ' So the apple growers are
going to have to pull the chestnuts out of the fire for the onion
growers.
Who grows bananas? A third of them come from terri-
tory controlled by Great Britain, the best customer we have
got for our apples. If we place a high tariff on bananas they
will put a high duty on our apples. Why tie the tin can on
the apples? How do you know that if you put a duty on
bananas our people are going to eat more apples?
Wheat consumption has declined one per cent a year per
capita for 21 years. We don't eat wheat like we did. Our
corn meal is gone ; we no longer eat corn meal. We have gone
up in the consumption of fruits and vegetables ; we have gone
up on milk ; we have gone up on ice cream ; we have gone up
on salad oil because we eat lettuce ; and we have nearly killed
the poor cabbage because our women won't make cabbage
salad as long as they can slice a lettuce in half and supper is
served. You can't prove that the banana has hurt the apple
industry one iota. If you can show a benefit, it is different.
Folks get an idea that they have to do something and usually
they do something foolish.
Our export market: The export trade is a very important
outlet for the apple. In the decade 1880 to 1890, we exported
on the average 450,000 barrels a year (no boxes.) We have
grow^n until in the year 1926-27, we exported 4,500,000 barrels
and nearly 8,000,000 boxes. That is some gain, — ten times the
barrels and eight million boxes in addition. And yet some say
that the apple consumption is declining! Our domestic con-
sumption has just about kept pace with the increase in ex-
ports. This year the box movement to date is almost up to the
total movement of '26 and '27. Eighteen per cent of our
commerciil crop goes abroad. Our gain is in Continental
Europe. We have had a remarkable gain because of the fin-
ancial recovery of Europe.
We cannot build a wall around ourselves and live to our-
selves alone, when we have a commodity which is developed on
an export basis. We are producing a commodity in the apple
in greater supply than our home requirements. You can re-
duce production if you want to, and restrict sales to our local
markets; or you can make it possible to maintain an increas-
ing growth of our export trade. The apple is one commodity
in which we have an advantage over our compei:itors. We
have climatic conditions, we have initiative, and we have trans-
portation, which is vital. The best illustration of the import-
ance of transportation growth is New York City. A few years
ago Boston exported half a million barrels of apples a year.
Today Boston doesn't move 10,000 barrels because the boats
don't go to Boston. The boats go to New York. New York
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has moved 2,000,000 barrels to date, almost the total movement
from the Atlantic Coast other than that from Canada. The
freight rate to New York is of more importance to Chambers-
burg, Pa., than the freight rate to a number of other points.
If when you are fighting for a reduced rate, you don't sec
Avhich points are most vital, you may get gyped.
Conditions in Competing Districts: What is the present
condition of the apple industry? New England has more ap-
ples than it can eat. Four years ago we would find 150,000
boxes of western apples stored in Boston. This year there
were less than 30,000. Western box men can't get into Bos-
ton now. They are fenced out by local supplies. The western
box man has 75 cents freight at a minimum. If he ices, he
has 90 cents. If he stores in transit or has heater charges
and tally charges and one thing and another, he has a dollar.
That is a tariff wall. So that New England has gone ahead
and is going to be looking for markets other than her own.
New Jersey has been strong on early apples; they are now
Avondering whether they should not increase their percentage
of late crops. They are making money. Delaware is going
ahead. Virginia and this whole Shenandoah-Cumberland Val-
ley has been moving ahead very rapidly ; its future depends on
the weather. If they have the weather conditions, they are go-
ing to shell the apples out. There is nothing to stop it; the
trees are there.
Indiana is coming along fast. It is fencing out western
boxed apples and eastern barreled apples; they can't get into
those towns. Western New York used to sell a hundred cars
of apples in St. Louis. We haven't put an apple into St.
Louis for years. They have their own supplies. So it is go-
ing all over the country. Cornelia, Ga., has 60,000 barrels of
local apples in storage. North Carolina is growing large sup-
plies of apples and keeping other people out. You people in
Pennsylvania, with your big exportable surpluses, what are
you going to do with them? There is only one thing for you
to do: sell them outside somew^here; you can't sell them here.
I am going to tell you for local consumption, that once your
people get to eating some of these softer apples, like Mcintosh,
they are going to do just what our folks did in New York,
they are going to buy Mcintosh and turn up their noses at
other sorts. Mcintosh get the highest price in New York, be-
cause the Jew wants them. He wants something that it isn't
too much work to eat, something that he can rub with his
teeth and suck down. Americans don't want to use their jaws
for chewing food ; they save them for conversation.
You fellows with hard varieties of apples like Staymans,
have got to look out. The Mcintosh growers are going to give
you a fight. You are going to sweat if you live long enough.
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The negro as well as the Jew has discovered that Mcintosh is
easy chewing ; the negro quarter is the next high-priced market
in New York after the Jewish quarter. Next will come the
Gentiles. You have got to cater to their whims to make the
money.
Unprofitable Price-f'ixing : The New Zealand government
decided it would guarantee the apple growers a fair price. So,
from the public treasury, they assured their growers eleven
shillings for all fancy and extra fancy apples, provided they
were passed by a board. That is about $2.65 a box. They
exported this year almost a million boxes. I just got the re-
turns. One firm sold half of them in London and Manchester.
They averaged $2.53. The cost of selling, including the
charges, was $1.37, so that these growers netted $1.16. The
Government guaranteed them two dollars sixty-five. Their
Government has to go into its pocket some $120,000. Of
course it would be very fortunate for us, as individuals, if we
could get our Government to guarantee us $2.00 a bushel net
on all we export. We would move- them over. It would never
give any farm relief, however, except that it would keep us
growing more apples. It would be a dandy thing for nursery-
men.
Argentina was a market for New Zealand, naturally, be-
cause it was nearby, but immediately after this guarantee went
into effect Argentina raised its tariff what it regarded as the
equivalent so that the movement of New Zealand apples to
Argentina was restricted instead of increased. They shipped
them to England because they were guaranteed a price to
England. Governmental price fixing, in defiance of the nat-
ural economic laws, always works out that way.
I will give you another illustration of ''farm relief.''
Australian fruit growers were not able to sell all they pro-
duced to the canners so the Government decided to advance
money to them to can their own surplus. The Government has
advanced to date about $5,000,000 to eleven groups of growers.
This threw almost all the private canners out of business ; they
could not meet the competition of the Government. Today,
seven of these eleven growers' organizations are in difficulty.
Two have gone bankrupt, one for $8,500, the other for $22,000.
The growers are involved for half the loss and the Government
IS assessing it back to them. It destroyed private initiative.
They are going to England and asking the British to put on
an extra duty of fifty cents a dozen cans on American canned
apples so that they can crowd us out.
The Gamble of Storage: 1 have here five years' records
of a man who stored part of his crop and sold part at harvest;
It IS rather illuminating. In 1920 he sold 19,000 barrels from
the orchard and 39,000 barrels he stored. His sales from the
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orchard averaged $6.11 ; the apples he put in storage averaged
$5.05.
In 1921 he sold 19,000 barrels at $3.67 average. He stored
42,000 and sold them at $3.74 average, or seven cents differ-
ence. In 1922 he sold 15,700 from the orchard at $4.23; he
stored 45,900 and sold them for $2.72. He got it in the neck.
In 1923 he sold 20,000 barrels from the orchard at $4.07; he
stored 27,700 and sold them at $4.81. He got his expenses. Stor-
age, you see, doesn't always make a lot of money, but we love
to gamble. If we weren't gamblers, we wouldn't be trying to
grow apples.
Recently I went through a lot of apples that were stored
in Rochester tree run. They could have been sold at harvest for
$2.50 or $2,500 for a thousand barrels tree run. Storage was
$650. He had 628 barrels after he packed them. At thirty-
five cents each, the barrel bill was $219.80. He had 628 caps,
$6.28. He had insurance and interest. He had a total cost of
$3,472.33, or $3.47 a barrel.
This is what he packed out : they were Baldwins. A 21/^
inch, 445 barrels ; A 21/4 inch, I28I/2 barrels ; B 214 inch, 44 bar-
rels; unclassified, 125 barrels; ciders, 178 barrels; wind, 691/2
barrels. In other words', when he got them packed out he had
372 empty barrels. He dropped $916.63 as compared with sell-
ing them at $2.50 a barrel tree run at harvest.
Storing apples tree run, as it is commonly practiced in
parts of western New York, means this: that if you pay
twenty-five cents a barrel for picking, the good orchards have
a fifteen per cent shrinkage when they pack out. That means
they are costing nearly thirty-five picked. The common run
of orchards have a 62 per cent pack. In other words, for
every packed barrel picked at twenty-five cents tree run,
your actual picking cost of the apples you grade out would be
forty-one cents. One way to reduce cost of production is to
increase the standard of excellence of the crop. When you
store a crop tree run, remember you may have 15 per cent
wind on which you pay storage, barrels, insurance, and all
the other costs. It doesn't pay.
Mr. E. A. Nicodemus: Just a few minutes ago a gentle-
man remarked to me that Mr. Frazer was right about 98 per
cent of the time. That is better than I can do. After listen-
ing to Mr. Frazer I find we have been wrong most of the time,
because we do store most of our apples. We don't make very
much effort to sell them in the fall. We never store tree run.
We always grade them for storage and the apples that are not
fit to put in barrels I, for one, don't favor putting into any-
thing. I think the canner should have everything but No. 1.
I would like to see a law passed that no B grade be packed. I
think the trouble with our business today is over-production.
—141—
It is the trouble with the farmer generally. They are all talk-
ing about farm relief. I have never been an advocate of the
Government giving the farmer anything. I think any business
that won't stand on its own feet can't exist very long. I am
wondering, Mr. Frazer, where the Australian Government gets
its money?
Mr. Frazer: From the taxpayer.
Mr. Nicodemus: Where does he get it?
Mr. Frazer: The Auditor General, in his report calls at-
tention to this vicious cycle and the necessity for curtailing it.
Mr. Nicodemus: I agree with the Auditor General. I
noticed a few days ago that the crop this year in Wenatchee
was estimated to be 2,000,000 boxes larger than last year and
they had $5,000,000 less money. The more you grow, the
poorer you are. Last year, with a normal crop, everybody, I
think, made some money, the grower as well as the dealer. If
we could produce no more than the country needs we could
do more for the apple industry than anything else. One way
to do it would be to keep B grade apples off the market. Get
some higher quality varieties and give ,the harder varieties,
like the York, to the canner.
Mr. Frazer speaks about Mcintosh; we can't grow them
here.
Mr. Frazer: We don't want you to.
Mr. Nicodemus: If we get as many Macs in this country
as we have Yorks or Staymans they will not sell any higher
It is an over-rated apple.
Mr. Runk: I would make a point of order on the motion
passed this morning. We divided the county premium in twc
parts and awarded the banner arbitrarily to Franklin County.
My point is that the vote was taken on the ayes but no vote
was taken on the nays. I move that the premium money be
divided equally between the two counties and the banner
awarded to the County having the most first winnings. (The
motion was seconded and carried.)
ORCHARD COST ACCOUNTING
FRANK FARNSW^ORTH, Waterville, Ohio
In the operation of any business, the matter of cost is one
of the main problems to solve. The insidious manner in which
these costs creep into the production and marketing products
caused us to start, in January, 1925, our present system of
orchard cost accounting to see, if possible and practical, where
we might decrease our operating expenses, thereby increasing
the profit.
Some of our production costs in the orchard business are
rather a fixed figure. Others are more within our control and
—142—
can be varied much more than we might at first consider pos-
sible.
Man Labor Costs: Man labor has for many years played
a big part in our production costs and is gradually rising as
our manufacturing industries raise their bids for labor. Many
growers furnish their men with homes in which to live, plus
other perquisites, as milk, fruit, garden, keeping of chickens,
possibly fuel, telephone and other items. These must all be
figured in to arrive at the cost per hour of our man. His
house would rent for cash if he were not occupying it; his
garden spot would be productive for the owner's benefit if the
man were not using it; the feed to produce milk given him
represents cash outlay or at least cash value, as is true of the
fuel, and perhaps the fruit given to him. When you add these
values to his cash wages, and divide that sum by the number
of hours which he actually works for you throughout the year,
after deducting the legal holidays, the extra days which you
allow him ii> case of sickness, or other days which he takes off,
the remaining number of hours in your actual service through
the year make a higher rate per hour than is apparent when
you first consider this rate.
Taking all these extras into consideration, we charged our
man-labor at forty cents per hour during 1925, 1926 and 1927,
raising it to forty-five cents in 1928 and now raising it to fifty
cents in 1929. This advance in labor prices, in the face of
little, if any, advance in fruit prices, and little prospect of
fruit price advance in the future, makes it imperative that the
fruit grower cut his other operating expenses wherever prac-
tical to do so.
Tractor Costs: In view of this fact, let us first note the
difference in operating expenses of two types of tractors with
which we have had experience. We will designate these two
makes of tractors as **A'' representing the first make used,
and **B'^ ^*C'^ and **D'', representing the three tractors of
the second make used:
H
Sh«lt.
Tax
•
2
Pi
O
Q
1°
•
•
2
Pi
8
Total
Cost
Hrs.
Wkd.
o
Pi
Av. Total
Cost per Hr.
Gas & Oil
Cost per Hr.
A
25
$25
$36
$200
$183.00
$34.00
$ 99.58
$578
612
$ .94
A
26
25
36
200
218.06
32.40
13.20
525
662
.79
•
A
27
25
36
200
168.22
56.40
121.42
607
601
1.01
$.91
$.30V1>
B
27
25
45
150
210.32
80.80
5.62
517
775
.67-(27)
i
B
0|
28
28
25
25
1
45
45
150
150
152.78
164.82
1
19.59
30.51
1
6.73
1
426 649
415 774
1
.60-(33)
plus 20
.52-211/^
BCD
1
D
28 ( 25
45 150" 186.631 8.72
4151817
i 1 1
.51-23
Diff. 54%
.59
.24-27%
Diff.
—143-
I i
I I
It will be noted that 79e is the cost per hour for operating
A in 1926 as compared with 94c per hour for operating A in
1925. This is partly because 1926 was begun with a new
tractor, resulting in slightly lower care cost and greatly lower
repair cost. In addition A worked fifty hours more
in 1926 than in 1925 so the overhead charge for the tractor was
less per hour the second year than the first.
$1.01 is the hourly cost of A in 1927 since it was then in
its second year, requiring more care and far heavier expense
for repairs. In addition to these two reasons, it worked fewer
hours in 1927 than r926 so the overhead was higher per hour
than in 1926.
$.67 represents the cost per hour for tractor B in 1927 as
compared with $1.01 for tractor A in the same year working
in the same orchard with the same tools. Though B cost more
for the season ^s gas and oil and more for care and interest than
A in the same year, yet B more than made up this disadvan-
tage by requiring scarcely any repairs, and lower»depreciation,
coupled with much greater number hours worked, so that the
overhead was much less per hour.
Tractor B rates are 7c lower for 1928 than for 1927, partly
because the gas and oil cost per hour was 4c lower and partly
because the **care'' cost was much lower in 1928. These gains
more than offset the disadvantages of having worked fewer
hours in 1928 with the consequent higher overhead charge.
C tractor's main gain over B in 1928 was in working so
many more hours than B. The **Care'* and ** Repair** items
for the two tractors were nearly equal for the two years.
Considering the fact that tractors A and tractors B, C, and
D were used in the same orchards on the same implements with
equal care and judgment, it is quite evident that one type is
better adapted to economical orchard work than the other. It
is also very evident that lower costs per hour accompany a
greater number of days* use per season, because the ** over-
head** or ^* fixed'* tractor costs are divided into so many more
working bourse. The **Care** costs on these tractors may seem
high when we figure 13% as much time was used in caring for
tractors A as they worked, and 10% as much time was used in
caring for tractors B, C and D as they worked. Breakdowns
required a large portion of the 13% used on the first machines,
while lubrication was the main cause for the 10% on the sec-
ond type machines.
Spraying Costs: Three tractor-drawn sprayers are now
used, each with three hundred gallon tanks and twenty, or
thirty-gallon pumps operating one spray-gun. In order to speed
up the application of spray material, and to save the cost of an
additional spray rig, a conveyor tank was mounted on a truck.
This tank, holding three hundred gallons, is filled by gravity
—144—
from the overhead storage tank at the well or village water
main. The water flows by gravity from this truck conveyor
tank into the spray tank in the orchard. Three-inch outlets
are used in the overhead tank and in the conveyor tank so
that the transfer takes from one to two minutes, spray chem-
icals being added meanwhile. This conveyor tank has doubled
the output of a sprayer operating one hundred rods distance
from the water source. Following Js the summary of four
years* spraying costs by the method just described:
Tear
•
S
1
Shelter &
Taxes
Gas, Oil
Upkeep
Total
Season
Cost
Number
Hrs. Wkd.
S
1925
1926
1927
1928
$100.00
130.00
80.00
170.00
$ 60.00
78.00
78.00
102.00
$25.00
25.00
25.00
38.00
$344.70
81.32
306.69
345.70
$529.70
314.32
489.69
655.70
473
384
760
748
$1.12 ^
.82 <»
.64 >
.87 <
Year
1925^
1926
1927
1928
Cost per Gallon
To haul
= y4C
at $15.00 a day
truck and driver
Depreciation varies, due to the purchase of a new rig at the
beginning of 1926 and the fact that the oldest rig was charged
off at the end of that season, which was its tenth season. In
1928 a new rig was added which raised the depreciation
amount. It will be noted that, as with tractors, the more
hours the machine works per season, the lower is the rate per
hour, other things being equal.
$ .85 is the cost per hour to operate spray rig alone — 4 yr. av.
.55 is the cost per hour to operate tractor — 1928 average.
1.00 is the cost per hour for sprayman and tractor driver.
$2.40 is the total cost per hour to operate spray rig, exclusive
of spray chemicals.
$2.40 divided by 340, the number gals. av. output per hour,
equals %c cost per gallon to apply spray after it is in the
tank. Our records show that it costs 14c to deliver it to tHe
sprayer, including cost of pumping the water, so the total cost
of spray material on the tree is Ic per gal. plus the cost per
dilute gal. of the spray chemicals themselves, which ranges
from 1/2^ to ll^c. This gives us the total cost on the tree, in-
cluding everything, of iy2-2y2e per gal. of solution applied.
Very satisfactory results have been secured by night
spraying during the past two years. The air is quieter, the
—145—
^1
i
contrast of spray with darkness is sharper than the spray
with daylight, consequently the coverage is more uniform. A
carbide gas tank from which an adjustable burner and re-
flector is operated, makes a convenient light that is readily
moved from one rig to another when so required. Under night
conditions, using one gun with 9/64" opening and 300 lb.
pressure, 7200 gals, were applied in ten working hours, or an
average of 12 gals, per minute for each minute in the orchard.
The average output per gun per minute for the past four
years has been 5% gals, per minute for each minute in the
orchard.
Thinning Costs: Fruit growers must be content to do
some of their operations by hand and oft times these costs are
the ones that vex us most. One of these usually is thinning.
Some interesting comparisons can be drawn on the cost of
thinning at so much per tree as compared with working by the
hour. In the instance of some plum thinning, the work was
costing us about forty-five cents per bushel on a few trees.
We then adopted the policy of estimating the necessary time
required to thin a tree and pinned a tag to the tree telling the
amount for the foreman to pay for thinning it. This resulted
in the good thinners earning more than they earned by the
hour, the poor ones were weeded out, and the job was done
for one-third of what it would have cost by the hour. Twenty
to twenty-five cents per tree is the usual rate for thinning plum
and peach, in which case the foreman moved the picker's
ladder, as he also does in piece work.
But the final test is, **Does thinning payT' The three-
year cost records on our farm showed the thinning operation
to add to our production costs the following amounts per
bushel of yield: Pears, 2c; apples, SYoG; peaches, 5c ; plums,
10c. Perhaps 25% should be added to these figures, since not
all bushels are actually thinned. But even so, who would not
willingly pay a nickel a bushel to raise his apples from a
$2.00 grade to a $2.25, or $2.50 grade? The same principle
applies to peaches, plums and pears. The excess fruit must
be picked at harvest time if not at thinning time, and what is
more, it must be hand sorted or run over the grader. When
put onto the market, small size very materially slows up
sales, in addition to having slowed up the harvest when Jack
Frost is often holding the stop watch on us.
Picking apples by the crate has lowered our picking costs
about a third, but its main advantage is in speeding up the
harvest, thereby cutting down the supervision time required to
harvest the crop, and assuring less danger of cold weather
catching part of the crop on the trees.
APPLE PBODUCTION COSTS (Not Including Overhead)
1926
9
10
18
14
19
20
24
27
•u2
35
Cost Yield C.P.B.
f 320.06
798.42 258 $3.09
309.22 219 1.41
280.94 275 1.02
209.81
559.40 1686 .33
249.78 666 .41
610.90 1250 .49
200.28 292 .68
1776.19 2867 .75
7018
1926
$
Cost
214.85
798.06
412.07
417.13
176.96
733.77
269.58
1101.43
230.88
2107.31
Yield
203
4308
2573
1909
126
3785
696
2756
917
10841
O.P.B.
$1.05
.18
.16
.22
1.40
.19
.38
.39
.25
.19
28114
1927
Cost
$ 360.08
1496.90
797.35
462.20
229.57
1068.75
272.17
548.29
640.75
2447.75
Yield
205
1526
1676
803
455
2457
967
2014
824
5819
C.P.B.
$1.75
.98
.47
.57
.50
.43
.28
.27
.77
.42
16746
1928
Cost
$ 354.10
1615.52
507.84
424.83
291.03-
776.76
240.55
763.35
139.38
2849.28
Yield
216
5142
1491
1100
320
1607
427
1580
89
5903
C.P.B.
$1.64
.31
.34
.38
.90
.48
.56
.48
1.56
.48
17875
1925 av. Cost per 1926 av. Cost per 1927 av. Cost per 1928 av. Cost per
bushel $1.02 bushel 44c bushel 65c bushel 71c
Four Year (1925-1928) Average Cost of Apple Production, equals 70c per
bushel, "C.P.B." (Cost per bushel.)
300% Increase in yield of 1926 compared with 1925.
212% Decrease in Cost per Bushel.
40% Decreased yield of 1927 compared with 1926.
47% Increased cost per bushel 1927 compared with 1926.
6.7% Increased yield of 1928 compared with 1927.
10.5% Increased cost per bushel of 1928 compared with 1927.
12.5% Increased c<)st of labor of 1928 compared with 1927.
The apples were graded before storing, in the years 1925
and 1926. In 1927 the truck load of apples, direct from the
orchard, was backed np to the pile and stacked in the storage.
1925
Yield Cost per Bushel Yield
7013 13 28114
1926
Cost per Bushel Yield
14c 16746
1927
Cost per Bushel
9'^c
—146—
Packing Costs: We note the saving of 3i/2-4V2(* P^r
bushel packing cost as a result of storing direct from the
orchard and consequently putting them into containers only
once after reaching the packing house.
As pointed out earlier in this discussion, there are many
costs over which the orchardist has no direct control, such as
taxes, insurance, interest, and to some extent depreciation and
even labor and cost of supplies. However, the manner in
which these costs are made to serve the processes of fruit pro-
duction, and the number of bushels into which these more or
less fixed costs are distributed will largely determine our pro-
duction costs.
If we cannot reasonably expect higher prices for our fruit
in the future, then the lowering of our production costs offers
the only method of increasing the growers' share from the
business of producing and selling fruit.
Mr. Atkinson: Wouldn't you make a very substantial
saving by running two guns on each outfit?
Mr, Famsworth: You will raise your labor cost and you
won't put on enough more gallonage to make that up. We
have tried it.
—147—
^TU
Member: What guns are you using?
Mr. Pamsworth: We are using Friend guns and a 9/24
opening. With 300 lbs. pressure this will give an output of
about 12 gallons per minute for every minute in the\ orchard,
including filling time. That required three men, one man to
deliver the water, one to drive the tractor and one to spray.
Part of the time we were using a Boyce double gun 5/32 open-
ing on each disc. There was possibly a five per cent increase
in favor of the Boyce. It is largely a matter of which the
operator prefers.
Member: Do you put the disc in at 9/64? What do you
take it out at?
Mr. Famsworth: We change them about every day. It
is good economy to put in a new disc every day. If we get a
little burr on it, it will scatter the spray and is one of the
causes of burning. We like night spraying very much and
use a Prestolite tank having a flexible arm and a reflector, so
that we can throw it from one side to the other. Simply clamp
it to the sprayer and in a couple of minutes we can change it
from one rig to another. The air is usually quieter at night than
in the daytime and the contrast between the sprayed and
unsprayed twigs is greater.
Member: How old are your trees?
Mr. Famsworth: From two years up to fifty. They would
average twenty to twenty-two years.
Member: Do your spray men work on the ground en-
tirely?
Mr. Famsworth: From the top of the spray tank except
for very young trees. We stand on the back platform. In the
case of oil sprays for red mite, we get under the trees.
Mr. Funk: What causes the large difference in gas and
oil between 1925 and 1926? Why was 1926 so much lower?
Mr. Famsworth: The upkeep entered there. In the pre-
vious year we had one of those machines overhauled and this
was figured in with gas and oil.
Mr. Oreist: There is also almost a hundred hours less
spraying.
Mr. Famsworth: That is the big thing, to make your
equipment work for you as many hours as you can, so as to
divide your fixed costs into as many units as possible.
In 1926 when we had a pretty good sized crop, we paid six
cents a bushel crato for picking the apples and added a cent
bonus for all the pickers who stayed through to the end of
—148—
the season. When it gets a little snappy some mornings some
of them like to drift out ; that bonus helps to hold them.
This year we did that on some but raised it to seven cents,
plus a cent bonus.
Member: Do you make one picking only?
Mr. Famsworth : On Rhode Island Greenings and Grimes
we make one picking only. On Jonathan, we make from one
to four. Johnathan is a very profitable apple with us so we
can afford to do that.
Member: How does your fruit grade up, what per cent?
Mr. Famsworth: Our extension pathologists, together
with our county agents, checked up on our Rome beauties, and
found one-half of one per cent of them scabby. A good many
of those would have passed through commercially. We are
not that free in everything, I will admit. We have some prob-
lems in codling moth control and in curculio. We have been
pruning quite extensively and that facilitates good spraying.
Member: When you record a yield, do you include drop-
ped apples?
Mr. Famsworth: Windfalls and everything. It is inter-
esting to note that the 1926 yield is 300 per cent of the 1925
yield and the decrease in cost of the 1926 yield is 221 per cent
compared with that of the cost of the 1925 production. In
other words, your decrease in cost per bushel runs fairly pro-
portionate to your increase in size of crop.
Member: How many acres are there in that orchard?
Mr. Famsworth: There are ten different blocks, about
125 acres altogether.
As to the cost of grading, in 1925 and 1926 we ran our
apples over the grader before storing, and usually looked them
over again before sale out of storage. In 1927, with the stor-
age tree run and grading just before sale, the cost was nine
and a half cents. That cost included handling the apples from
the time you deliver them to the packing house until they are
on the truck ready to go to market. There was a saving of
approximately four cents due to eliminating this one handling
of the fruit.
Mr. J. H. Weinberger: We raise apples for profit. We
must learn how to produce better apples at less cost. It
doesn't necessarily mean that you spend less money in raising
them, but that what you get for them will warrant whatever
expense you put on them. You can apply this same cost ac-
counting analysis of the business all the way through, to
methods of production, effectiveness of spray and fertilizer
—149—
material, equipment, and to varieties, even. The high-priced
apples don't always bring the most money. I will warrant
that Ben Davis are making more money for some people than
Stayman Winesap. Take the time to analyze these things for
yourself; don't take my figures or Mr. Farnsworth s figures.
There is where the benefit will lie.
Member: I would like to ask Mr. Farnsworth how he fills
his sprayer.
Mr Farnsworth: We have a two-ton truck which has the
old type 40x8 pneumatic tires. That, to begin with, raises us
quite high We skid the tank up so as to raise it about chm
height. The sprayer is about breast high. That gives you a
little leeway if your tank happens to be in a chunk hole. We
open the three-inch gate valve and let it flow in the spray
tank by gravity. It takes about two minutes to make the trans-
fer In the meantime the agitator is running and the chemicals
are added and you are all set to go ahead. It goes a long way
toward making play out of what might be work. We haul
the chemicals and water separately on the trucks and then
mix the chemicals into the stream of water as it is going into
the spray machine. We are not using Bordeaux or some of
the other things that might complicate that a little bit.
President Rittenhouse : It gives me a good deal of pleas-
ure to introduce Thomas B. Byrd, of Winchester, Va. who
will discuss the next subject, ** Should we have a Mandatory
Apple Grading Law in Pennsylvania.'' He is one of three
brothers who are known the world round.
A MANDATORY APPLE GRADING LAW
T. B. BYBD, Winchester, Va.
The title of my talk is a little bit misleading. I am not
going to discuss whether you should have a mandatory grading
law in Pennsylvania. In 1927 Virginia adopted a compulsory
branding law which is the most drastic thing that Virginia has
done in the horticultural line. I simply came here to explain
to you how that law is working in Virginia. I have no inten-
tions at all of urging it upon you.
In 1926 we had a disastrous apple year. The growers of
Virginia, by the end of that season, were ready to do some-
thing. This matter had been discussed for years and 1927
seemed to be the time to take it up definitely. It was first
passed upon by the State Horticultural Society. Then some
twenty meetings were held all over the State of Virginia and
the growers were asked what they wanted. They were asked
to sign a card stating whether they favored such a law or
whether they were opposed to it. The result of those meet-
ings indicated that there was an overwhelming sentiment for
—150—
the measure. The Virginia State Horticultural Society re-
quested the Legislature to enact such a law, which was done
at the session in 1927 and went into effect on the 1927 crop.
Provisions of the Virginia Law: The law empowers and
directs the Department of Agriculture of the State to establish
grades for apples packed in closed containers or packages, the
grades established by the Department of Agriculture, or the
''U. S. Standard Grades.'' The Department of Agriculture
also provides inspectors, called police inspectors, to see that
the law is obeyed. I, among others, thought that there was
going to be a great deal of difficulty, because apples are
grown in 70 of the 100 counties of Virginia in a commer-
cial way. It seemed impossible that all of those people would
fall in line in one season, and yet there was little if any fric-
tion and only one prosecution under the law, although the
inspectors required a great number of cars to be unloaded and
rebranded or repacked.
In 1928, which was a year of rather a large crop in Vir-
ginia, the force of inspectors was increased and the law was
even more rigidly enforced. The law worked much more
smoothly than it did in 1927. It is interesting to know that
out of the large number of inspections made in 1928, only 16
per cent of the apples inspected were found to be below grade.
Many of those were not ^sufficiently below grade to require
remarking. So the effect, so far as the grower is concerned,
has been satisfactory.
The law requires that the grower's name and address be
put on the package, the minimum size of the apples, and one of
the Federal grades. It requires the size of the container, which
I don't consider of any great importance under present condi-
tions. Those ^ve things have got to appear on every barrel or
basket packed in Virginia and offered for sale. They are con-
sidered to be offered for sale if they are packed and stored or
shipped.
Effect on the Trade: The interesting thing about the
operation of the law has been the effect on the apple trade.
We have felt that the trade, generally, is taking more interest
in Virginia apples. We have more buyers there now, by far,
than we had five years ago. We have more inquiries by letter
and wire than we had a few years ago. I don't attribute that
entirely to the operation of this law; but I do think the law
has greatly helped. It has helped us enormously in partially
regaining our Southern markets, which had been very largely
captured by boxed apples from the Northwest.
The State Department of Agriculture, by mail and inter-
view, made inquiries of dealers who had handled nearly a
million barrels of Virginia apples in 1927 and 1928 in an effort
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*;. i
to find out what the man who was distributing the apples
thought of our branding law. Those answers were nearly
unanimously in favor of the law. All agreed that the pack of
Virginia apples had improved. I think that is the great thing
we have accomplished. We haven't accomplished standardiza-
tion, although we have approached it, but we have made a
vast improvement of the pack. I believe that we have been
very highly repaid for the inconvenience of sometimes having
to put '* unclassified'* on a poor pack of apples.
Here are some representative comments from the dealers:
**Your Virgihia apple grading and marking law was a life-
saver for your product and has secured considerably better re-
turns for the grower.*'
Here is one from a man who handles 150,000 barrels of
Virginia apples: ''Our opinion is that the improvement in
packing brought about by the law has resulted in a greater
demand for Virginia apples due to the dependability of the
pack. We recommend continued rigid enforcement."
From another: '*We can offer our customers a better
pack and are sure what we are offering them is going to be as
represented. ' '
Another dealer says : * * We have had the best packed fruit
this season that we ever received from Virginia."
Here is a statement from one .of the largest New York
firms: **With respect to the Virginia Grading and Marking
Law, I wish to express our wholehearted approval. I feel the
law and its enforcement, in so far as you have been able to
do so, has accomplished a great deal for Virginia fruit and
that Virginia growers have been benefited thousands of times
through the benefits of such a la;W."
Here is one from the South. We have had a great deal
of trouble in the South. It used to be our largest market and
it is our natural market. We are the closest large producer
and yet we have largely lost that market. We are. making a
fight to regain this market now. Here is a letter from one of
the big Southern dealers :
''In answer to your first two questions, we handled close
to 6,000 barrels of Virginia apples last season. So far
this season we have sold about 2,000 barrels and have close to
4,000 more in cold storage. For the last three years we have
bought our supplies from three or four growers who came
very near to complying with the grading and marking regula-
tions. Until this law went into effect, we did not handle
nearly as many barreled apples on account of the irregularity,
both in sizing and grading. We could hardly get a barrel of
apples that would in any way compete with western boxed
apples. The western shippers were putting car after car on
our markets even when barreled fruit was very plentiful. Last
—152—
year, however, there was a change made in the grading and
pacHng of barreled apples from Virginia and we have been
able to almost discontinue handling western boxed fruit. There
is still room for improvement even though there has been
lots done so far. ' '
The apple industry of Virginia thought that you might be
interested in knowing what had been done in Virginia con-
cerning compulsory branding, because the Shenandoah-Cum-
berland region is really one district including Pennsylvania,
Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia.
President Rittenhouse: We are much interested in the
experience of Virginia in its packing law. We should not feel
that we are a competitor of Virginia, but should work to-
gether as much as possible.
Mr. E. A. Nicodemus: The Cumberland-Shenandoah Val-
ley is regarded as one section, especially since the last election.
In England they feel that we are all in one country. Two
years ago I sold some apples in England and received a letter
from a representative over there saying that they were very
good apples and quite a credit to the good people of Virginia.
Those apples were grown in Pennsylvania. Over there I don't
believe they know the difference. As far as the quality of the
apple goes, I doubt if there is very much difference.
I have always objected to some fellow coming around my
packing house and telling me how to put up my apples, but
perhaps I have been wrong. I know that this law has done a
lot for Virginia. We fruit growers have been very lax in the
sort of products that we offer the public. In a way we are
responsible for some of the low prices, especially on barreled
apples. I am one of the people who think that the barrel is
a very good package for a lot of apples. I think the black eye
it has received has been partly due to the fact that it is a big
package and a lot of us thought it was a good opportunity to
get a lot of culls in the middle. The boxed people have been
about ten years ahead of us in adopting these laws and I
think that is one of the reasons why they have made the box
popular in many sections.
I have told Mr. Byrd that I favored the law. I wasn't
so favorable when it was passed in Virginia. I thought it was
going to work a lot of hardship, but instead of that I think it
has been quite a help to the Virginia growers. A man in
New York who buys a car of U. S. No. 1 apples from Vir-
ginia knows now what he is getting and he doesn't hesitate to
buy. He is not going to be so keen about buying them from
me because he knows they haven't been inspected.
There is some feeling that this law would not be quite as
beneficial to this state, where most of the apples are sold lo-
—153—
cally, as to Virginia, where practically all the apples are ship-
ped out. I think it is just as important to give our home
people a good package as it is to give the English a good
package.
I would like to ask Mr. Byrd whether the law applies to
apples that are sold locally.
Mr. Byrd: It applies to all apples that are offered for
sale in closed packages. You can still sell them in bulk with-
out inspection. If you close a package, then the law applies.
Mr. Nicodemus: I suppose it would apply to some of the
roadside market sales, but I don't see that this is any particul-
lar objection.
Member: Who pays the bill for this inspection? Does
the Government actually inspect all the apples that are in
closed packages?
Mr. Byrd: The expense is borne by the State Department
of Agriculture, out of a state appropriation. There is no at-
tempt to inspect all the apples. They send inspectors all over
the state and pick up carlots here and there and inspect as
many as they can. Probably 20 per cent were looked at last
year. It is purely a police proposition.
Mr. C. J. Tyson: Mr. Chairman, it seems to me this is a
live question and one that ought to receive serious considera-
tion and possibly some action on the part of this organization.
The law under which we are now operating was the child of
this organization and unless this Association takes some action
the present law is not likely to be changed. Our present law
provides that any closed package of apples sold or offered for
sale must be marked with the name and address of the packer
and the minimum size, but leaves all grades and marks op-
tional. At the time that law was passed it seemed to be as
far as we could go and probably was as far as it was wise to
go at that time. However, as Mr. Byrd has said, conditions
have changed and apparently the working out of this com-
pulsory law in Virginia and some other places has been bene-
ficial. As a very considerable part of the commercial apple
growing in Pennsylvania is more or less in the same class, it
seemed as if we ought to be very seriously interested and if
it has merit, this organization is the one to sponsor such a law.
Mr. D. M. James: There are two sides to the branding
proposition in this state. The bulk of our apple crop is sold
locally. Enforcing the law might be rather difficult, more so
than in Virginia. In New York State they adopted a law
some years ago, very similar to the one in Virginia, and in the
main it has been satisfactory, although there is a sharp differ-
ence of opinion in New York State about the advisability of it.
—154—
I have a letter from New York from which I would like
to read a few paragraphs. This party is opposed to the law in
New York State. He says :
*'As to the operation of the law in New York State, we
have labored faithfully over a period of thirteen years with
mightly little to show in the way of results. It takes a verit-
able army of inspectors to enforce adequately such a law in
New York State where apples are raised in such widely scat-
tered areas and in such quantities.'*
In Pennsylvania, we raise apples commercially in every
county, although the carlot section is mostly in three counties
in the Cumberland Valley district. I think this law should be
discussed more fully; we have a different proposition than in
Virginia, where the bulk of the apples are shipped. We ought
to hear further from the members. I am connected with the
State Department of Agriculture which would have to enforce
it. The growers should decide whether they want it. It is
up to them, not to the Department, to sponsor it.
Mr. Tyson: I move that the secretary of this Association
try to ascertain by mail whether or not the members would
favor a compulsory branding law in Pennsylvania similar to
that in Virginia and New York, and that authority be given
to the Executive Committee and the Legislative Committee, in
case the vote is favorable, to have such a bill introduced in
the present session as quickly as possible. (The motion was
seconded.)
Mr. Frazer: I want to point out one difference between
Virginia and New York. The present New York law is a sell-
ing law. It requires that the apples shall be in the grade,
when sold. The Virginia law, as I understand it, is a pack-
ing law, just like the old New York law. You cannot have
the two. You will have to make a decision which one you are
going to try. In the New York law, condition of fruit, also is
involved; in the Federal law condition is left out. That is,
they may be packed up to grade in October, and even Tf they
have gone to pieces by May, they are still in grade. In New
York they must be U. S. No. 1 when sold, whenever that may
be, even when offered for sale by the wholesaler. If they go
down on the buyers' hands, he is liable. Naturally you will
have men who have bought stuff which was not fit to keep,
who will kick because they have to take a loss.
President Rittenhoiise: Would you care to tell us how
that law has worked out in the State of New York ?
Mr. Frazer: We had quite a fight over it this last week.
A large number of dealers asked for a consultation with the
Commissioner of Agriculture at the Rochester meeting. We
had quite a lot of discussion, on both sides. It is going to
—155—
stick; it has got to stick. We have put the power in the
hands of the Commissioner of Agriculture to modify and in-
terpret the law. We don't need to go to the Legislature any
more. We have taken that power away from the Legislature
and delegated it to the Commissioner of Agriculture who, by
conference with all concerned, will decide what shall be the
interpretation for the time. If the fruit is out of grade, they
are going to be told it is out of grade and we are going to see
what will happen by permitting them to pull it back, repack
or rebrand, rather than fine them. But you can't have both
Virginia and the New York plans. You must take one or the
other.
Mr. Snyder: All these laws don't mean anything unless
you are willing to go through a lot of litigation. I know some
men who went up in New York State and packed up fruit,
had it inspected, and got caught; they paid a small fine and
made more money than if they had their fruit rejected. How
are you going to enforce these laws? The honest man will
continue to put up an honest pack.
Mr. James: There is no inspection law in Virginia or in
New York. There is nothing in the law that says your apples
must be inspected. You can use inspection if you desire ; that
is entirely voluntary. But if you sell under standard grade,
your fruit must conform. The point is that you don't have
to have shipping point inspection.
Mr. Frazer: You don't have to have it, but your fruit is
subject to inspection once they are put in storage. They have
police power. If the apples are in storage and they are out of
grade, they can't be moved.
Mr. James: Some people figure there must be shipping
point inspection, but there is nothing in the law requiring it.
Mr. Prazer: In New York, we hope to develop shipping
point inspection throughout. We hope that this law will be
accepted as the minimum. We hope that our growers will
take the position that they made the law as the rules for play-
ing the game and when you play cards and a fellow renegs,
you let him know. You see that he doesn't reneg again. We
hope that our growers are going to see to it that when the
other fellow plays the game, he plays it according to agreed
rules. We look on this as the growers' own job. We don't
look on this as the police power of the state. If we cannot
get any further than that, we don't need the- law, because it is
going to be too difficult to enforce. But we hope to run all
the poor growers out; by the time they have run themselves
out in New York, we won't have any difficulty. We hope to
get rid of the poor ones and put it up to the growers them-
selves to maintain the law. That is our attitude.
—156—
Mr. Jam«s: The growers in Erie County are introducing
a compulsory marking law for their grapes similar to the one
which New York has on grapes.
President Rittenhouse : I will put Mr. Tyson's motion be-
fore the house. (The motion was carried.)
PRUNING APPLE TREES OF BEARING AGE
G. S. L. CASPENTEB, Hancock, Md.
Pruning apple trees of bearing age varies in accordance
with the type of tree under discussion. Bearing trees may be
vigorous growers or they may be very low in vigor. The
methods, which we employ, are based, therefore, on the growth
condition of the tree and are varied in accordance with the
individual needs of the tree.
** Vigorous growers," whether they be young trees just
coming into bearing, or older trees which have been planted
on good soil, we prune lightly.
If we assume that the vigorous growth of the older trees
has been as a result of proper cultural conditions, and that
ample supplies of water and nitrogen are available for the
use of the tree, the pruning practices employed for both types
of vigorous growers would be similar. Thinning out of limbs
is practiced rather than the heading of terminals. The type of
thinning varies with the age and growth of the tree. Our
efforts are directed toward the securing of maximum produc-
tion from the tree under the conditions of its growth.
Too heavy pruning of these trees would result in decreased
production. Too light or no pruning would result in the shad-
ing out of many fruit buds and the production of fruit of
poorer color.
*' Older bearing trees low in vigor," we prune more
heavily.
We employ both thinning out and heading back to accom-
plish results on this type of tree. The thinning out consists of
the removal of larger limbs, which are interfering with, and
shading out the main limbs of the tree, with the consequent
retardation of their development. Many small cuts are made
throughout the tree for the purpose of invigorating the limbs
on which the cuts are made and to admit sunlight.. Heading
back of tops is practiced when desirable. Heading back to
upward growing lateral branches is practiced, mainly on the
lower one-third portion of the tree, as this practice increases
light and induces fruiting. On this portion of the tree, we
also practice the removal of underneath limbs, which have be-
come unfruitful or produce small under-colored apples.
—157—
We regulate our pruning practices on the basis of the
water and nitrogen supply, which is indicated by the lateral
growth the tree has made.
The response of the bearing tree to pruning depends on
the condition of the tree and the degree of pruning.
Pruning may stimulate a desirable growth, it may encour-
age fruit setting, or it may destroy the fruiting area.
Method: We find that in pruning most types of trees, a
narrow crescent shaped saw with long teeth and a two-foot
pruner produce the most desirable work at the minimum of
cost.
This method results in better workmanship with a greater
elimination of poor cuts; and while some objection has been
met with, when this method is first introduced, its advantages
are soon realized. We have found in our experience that many
men are not adapted to pruning, and that unless men with a
special inclination for this work are utilized, very undesirable
results are obtained.
On certain types of trees, some growers prefer pruning
from the ground. Under special conditions, this may prove
practicable. As a consequence, other tools must be used. In
addition to those tools outlined, pole saws, pole pruners, and
hand shears each may have a value.
We have found, under our conditions, that the addition of
excess equipment tends to retard rather than speed up the
pruning operation. We sometimes have utilized pole saws and
pruners as gang equipment. By this, I r^ean one or more sets
of these tools to each gang. Likewise, we have found that the
benefits obtained from this practice would not compensate us
for the loss of time, which resulted from the laborers securing
the equipment from other members of the crew.
Cost. The cost of pruning seems to vary in relation to the
size of the tree on which the operation is performed — size,
meaning diameter and height. In support of this statement,
pruning cost records on several orchards show:
Year Trees Pruned Total Cost Cost per Tree
1927 3,082 209.32 .067
1928 3,331 261.65 .0785
1927 7,551 671.97 .088
1928 8,333 . 702.96 .0843
1927
1928
9,939
9,852
1,076.41
798.24
.108
.0812
1927 10,342 958.66 .092
1928 12,894 1,356.75 .1052
1927 7,282 788.25 .108
1928 7,031 666.36 .0947
The above trees range in age from 16 to 27 years.
— 158—
In 1927, the pruning consisted of the removal of the larger
limbs, which were preventing the proper development of the
main limbs of the tree.
In 1928, the pruning consisted of the removal of the
sucker growth and the light thinning of the main limbs of the
tree.
One might interpret these results as indicating, therefore,
that the area of the tree to be pruned regulated the cost of the
pruning. We did not believe that this would prove true, but
have been unable to adopt methods that would lower our
costs. Although in theory the type of pruning practiced in
1928 should be performed at a reduced cost.
Method of Brush Disposal: The most desirable methods
of brush disposal vary according to the topography of the
ground on which the orchard is situated. Under some condi-
tions, the picking up of the brush in small piles is perferable.
It can then be subsequently handled by:
Brush Drags: These may be of two types. The one,
which we use on the mountain orchards, has the front end of
the drag supported on the front carriage of a wagon. This is
desirable for this type of work, as it provides easier hauling
and much longer life. Brush drags without the front support
may be utilized to good advantage on level orchards.
Brush burners of the general design, shown by W. L. Zink
in Circular 269 of the University of California, are used by
many growers with complete satisfaction and are suitable un-
der a wide range of conditions.
On relatively level orchard sites, the brush may be thrown
in wind rows and handled by:
Brush Poles: Double poles must be utilized for this work,
and their satisfactory use is determined by the type of brush
to be handled.
Brush attachments for tractors have proved very econ-
omical in operation where they can be used satisfactorily,
cleaning up as much as three acres of brush per day.
The first group of brush equipment is generally used,
when the brush must be handled during the Winter season.
The latter group, when it is desirable to handle brush at the
end of the pruning season in the Spring. Therefore, the best
equipment is determined by the conditions under which it is
felt desirable to operate, with cost, of course, the determining
factor.
—150—
Cost of Brush DiBposal : The cost of brush disposal varies
to such an extent that it is difficult to determine a satisfactory-
basis for comparing costs. Our costs on two orchards are :
No. of Trees Total Cost Cost per Tree
9,819 • $ 268.34 .0273
26,670 1,440.18 .054
These figures indicate the range of our costs for disposal
of brush from apple trees of bearing age. They are relatively
one-third of our pruning cost.
We feel they are too high for most conditions but with us
are determined by the location and topography of our orchards.
Member: Does it pay to paint wounds three or four
inches in diameter?
Mr. Prazer: I wouldn't do it. There is no difference,
whether you paint or don't. If you want to paint and have
some money, why go ahead.
Mr. Schenk: I didn't get the age of your tree.
Mr. Carpenter: The ages ranged from sixteen to twenty-
seven years. In all those instances, the cost given was the
average cost of the orchard. Some orchards have a higher
percentage of larger trees than others.
Member: What wages are paid for pruners?
Mr. Carpenter: Twenty-five cents an hour.
Adjournment.
PASTEXJRIZED CIDER AS ONE OUTLET
FOR CULL APPLES*
H. G. INGiSRSON, Chardon, Ohio
It has been our experience at the Bingham orchard at
Chardon, Ohio, that even with the best orchard practices, we
have from 10 to 20 per cent of cull fruit, depending on sea-
sonal conditions. With our large acreage this runs into many
bushels and we, of necessity, must make good disposition of
these culls. After a careful study of the situation, we decided
that to convert them into pasteurized cider was one way of
marketing this fruit. We installed a complete pasteurizing
outfit in the fall of 1926, and have used it for three seasons.
The process includes seven separate operations, which I
will describe briefly.
♦Presented at the Sixth Annual Horticultural Week, Pennsylvania State College,
November, 1928.
—160—
%
After the cull apples are separated from market grades,
they are again carefully sorted to eliminate any wormy fruit
or any showing the least sign of decay. Varieties are blended
at this time to give the best cider possible. A little extra
tartness is desirable in juice to be pasteurized.
The fruit next goes into a mechanical washer where water
is sprayed on it under pressure. The apples are not carried
in a solution, but are receiving fresh water for the several
minutes that they are in the washing apparatus.
From the washer they go by conveyor to the grinder, and
theft to the press, as in the ordinary cider mill.
After pressing, the juice is pumped into storage tanks, and
held in this fresh condition for at least three weeks. In the
fall of the year it is necessary to have artificial refrigeration
with temperatures of 30 degrees or below. During the winter
months, with the apples at about 32 degrees when pressed, the
juice will remain sweet for a three week period if the room
temperatures are about 30 degrees. Storing the juice in bulk
seems to be effectual in retaining a clear condition for a reason-
able time, after pressing and bottling. Much trouble has been
experienced in this respect where these settling tanks have
not been used.
After the storage period, the juice is siphoned from these
storage tanks into a steam-jacketed mixing tank, where it is
quickly heated to 160 degrees Fahr. In this mixing tank, a
special filtering material, commercially known as Super-Cel,
which is a special clay, is mixed with the juice. The juice,
with the clay thoroughly mixed in it, is pumped into a large
filter press and the clay forms the ''filter cake'* through which
the juice passes. By means of a series of valves, the juice is
re-circulated through this filter press until it comes out crystal
clear.
While this process is going on, the bottles or jugs in which
the juice is to be placed are being washed and sterilized in the
steam cabinets. The juice is next pumped from the filter press
to a large glass-lined bottling tank. While still hot, it is run
into the hot sterile jugs, capped instantly, and then placed in
the steam pasteurizers. The temperature is brought up to 155
degrees and held for thirty minutes.
Careful manipulation of the mixing operation, filtering
and pasteurizing is necessary to give a uniform product with-
out a heated taste. The juice is now ready for storage or sale.
If carefully put through the above process, it may be stored
for long periods. We find a market for this pasteurized juice
extending throughout the year.
Our method of selling has been through the grocers and
delicatessen stores and roadside markets. We find that the
—161—
4i
wholesale fruit distributors can serve as a distributing mediun^.
to the stores.
We think that this is one outlet for at least a limited
amount of off-grade apples, and that the use of this pasteurized
juice will gradually increase.
In running considerable quantities through this process,
the labor cost was in the neighborhood of 4c to 5c per gallon,
including all of the above operations. The package cost was
about lie per gallon, and the sales prices vary from 50c to 65c
per gallon, wholesale. There is no big profit in this product,
but we feel that there is a reasonable allowance for our labor
and overhead, and whatever we get from this cull fruit is bet-
ter than dumping it.
PACKING HOUSE PROBLEMS^
G. S. L. CARPENTER, Hancock, Maryland
A commercial grower of fruit in the Cumberland-Potomac-
Shenandoah Valley section is usually an extensive grower of
apples or peaches, or both in combination. The large acre-
ages in this section change the packing house problems exper-
ienced in states where the majority of orchards have small
acreage. The designing of a packing house for custom work
with small acreages is reflected mainly in the size of the re-
ceiving platform. This is necessarily much larger, so that
proper segregation of the individual lots from growers may be
made. The type of building and the arrangement of the equip-
ment may be similar in all types of sheds. The location of
the building, its design and arrangement, and design of the
equipment determine its efficiency.
Location: Under most conditions, we feel it desirable to
locate the building at the railroad, where fruit may be loaded
on cars with the minimum of handling and expense. A loca-
tion whose slope is toward the railroad permits a desirable
type of design, permitting the use of the basement level for
loading cars. Where this is impossible on account of the con-
tour of the land, the type of building suitable for the location
must be chosen, arranging for the loading from platforms ex-
tending from the building.
Design: We believe it desirable to erect a building de-
signed primarily for packing. Efficiency and economy in
packing need not then be sacrificed to the requirements of
storage. The storage of packages can be best accomplished in
buildings of much cheaper construction, located adjacent to
the packing unit and railroad siding. One of the important
results of this arrangement is a greatly reduced fire hazard.
The storage of packed fruit can be provided for in the base-
♦Presented at the Sixth Annual Horticultural Week, Pennsylvania State College
November, 1928.
—162—
ment of a building of this type or in storage cellars entirely
separate from the building and, where possible, adjacent to the
railroad siding.
A clear span building of one story, monitor or skylight
roof design, with basement, will provide for:
An abundance of diffused light
The elimination of supported columns in the packing area
A desirable arrangement of the equipment, to better ad-
vantage than other types of buildings which we have studied.
The design of the building provides satisfactorily an
abundant supply of diffused light for day time work. There
should also be provision made for ample lights properly equip-
ped with reflectors, so that shadows may be avoided for work
in the evenings. This makes possible a uniform efficiency
throughout the working day.
The height of the floor levels is designed to require the
minimum of effort in the handling of the fruit and packages.
This is accomplished by having :
The Receiving Platform on a level with the beds of the
trucks used.
The Packing Floor so arranged as to provide the best ar-
rangement of equipment. This level is often largely deter-
mined by the sizer used.
^ The Loading Floor on a level with the floor of the cars into
which the fruit is directly loaded.
Equipment: The equipment desirable for the grading and
sizing of fruit depends entirely on the commodity, the varieties,
and the packages used.
The United States grade rules provide for use with :
Peaches, of the minimum transverse diameter,
Apples, of the maximum transverse diameter in establish-
ing the size of these fruits. It is, therefore, extremely diffi-
cult, if not impossible, to satisfactorily size these two com-
modities over the same sizing equipment.
The possibility of designing equipment that will permit of
satisfactory sizing of both commodities; i. e., apples and
peaches, presents one of the most difficult problems in pack-
ing. We have observed many instances in which apple equip-
ment had been used for peach sizing. Our observations in
each instance convinced us of failure to desirably size. Peach
sizing equipment is impossible to use with apples. The use of
special equipment suitable to each commodity requires much
additional floor space in the packing unit. The most promis-
ing means of overcoming this problem seems to lie in the de-
—163—
velopment of a peach unit that may be substituted for the
apple unit for sizing, utilizing the same distributing system
for both commodities.
Often it is desired to pack apples in boxes, bushels, and
barrels in the same house. We are solving this problem on
two of our properties but not to our entire satisfaction. The
packing of apples in not more than two packages, or peaches
under the same conditions, when packed in separate houses,
does not provide a problem difficult to surmount.
In choosing equipment, the factors of greatest importance
to be considered are capacity, cost, accuracy, and elimination
of bruises incidental to packing. The arrangement of the
equipment chosen should route the fruit in a straight line from
receiving platform to cars, and by having definitely defined
areas in which each portion of the work is to be performed,
confusion and waste of time and effort can be avoided.
The cost of a package loaded in the cars determines the
success in solving packing house problems. The daily pro-
duction of the shed determines its cost per package. To secure
production, confusion must be avoided. We endeavor to avoid
confusion by having a place for everyone to work and by
keeping everyone in their place. Conveyors for the trans-
porting of fruit and packages should be utilized whenever
economical, basing this determination upon the saving that
may be effected by its use.
Our cost of packing, taken from the records of one of our
orchards, shows a cost per bushel :
1924 $.064
1925 057
1926 „ 073
1927 - 057
The above costs represent the cost of the package loaded
in the car on the basis of packed bushels of fruit, all handling
of bulk fruit shown against this charge.
The cost of packing, which is the incentive in solving
packing house problems, can be so changed if fruit of poor
quality is being packed, that all of us must consider ^''The
Growing of Good Fruit ^' as the most important factor in sol-
ving the greatest of all packing house problems: *'Cost.''
—164—
THE PENNSYLVANIA FRUIT LIST
Tree Fruits Recommended for Planting in Pennsylvania by the
State Horticultural Association
(As Adopted in January, 1923)
Apples
Five leading varieties, named in order of importance, for
wholesale or car lot plantings in each region :
Southern Region. (Adams and adjoining counties) Stay-
man, York, Grimes, Jonathan, Rome.
Southeastern Region: (East of York City and south of
North Mountain) Stayman, Smokehouse, Grimes, Rome, De-
licious.
Northeastern Region. (East of Sunbury and Troy) Bald-
win, Northern Spy, Stayman, Rome, Mcintosh.
Western Region. (West of Greensburg, Kittanning, and
Corry) Baldwin, Northern Spy, Rome, Stayman, Stark.
Central Region. Stayman, York, Rome, Delicious, Jona-
than. (For northern half use varieties of Northeastern Re-
gion.)
Leading varieties for local market planting, arranged in
order of season of marketing. Chief sorts marked ***; secon-
dary varieties •* ; varieties of limited value *.
Region S. S.E. N.E. W. 0.
Yellow Transparent
Oldenburg (Duchess)
Williams
Summer Bambo
Maiden Blush
Wealthy
Mcintosh
Smokehouse
Grimes
Jonathan
Delicious
R. I. Greening
Wagoner
Baldwin
Stayman
Northern Spy
Rome *** •*»
Stark ♦ ♦♦
York • ♦
The following additional varieties, because of their qual-
ity, are worthy of a place in the home planting only. They
are arranged approximately according to seasons of ripening.
Early Harvest, Fanny, Gravenstein, Jeffries, Fall Pippin,
Mother, Twenty Ounce, Cortland, Cox Orange, Salome, Tomp-
kins King, King David, Esopus, Tolman Sweet, Red Canada,
Golden Bussett, Yellow Newtown.
—165—
•
*•
*«*
*««
««•
««
•*
«*
«
«•
**«
*««
••*
«««
*
*«
**«
***
*
«*«
«««
«««
**»
«
«
«*
««
«•
••*
««*
•*
**«
«
«
*«
«««
«*»
•
«*«
«««
««*
*
Peaches
Leading varieties for commercial planting arranged ac-
cording to season of ripening.
Begion
8.
S.E.
N.E.
W.-S.of W.Erie
Erie Sbore
C.
Admiral Dewey
Greensboro
«
***
«•
Carman
Hiley
Champion
«•
••
•
•
• **
•
BeHe of Georgia .
•**
«««
«
# '•
•
Bochester
••
Hale
«««
«
• •
•
Elberta
«**
**«
««•
««• ♦«♦
•«»
Crosby
*»
Fox
««
Salway
*
««
•*
•
••
Smock
•
•
Iron Mountain
*
«
«•
Pears
The three leading commercial varieties throughout the
state are: Bartlett, Seckel and Kieffer. Additional varieties
of high quality for home use arranged in season of ripening
are: Tyson, Clapp Favorite, Bosc, Sheldon, Clairgeau, Angou-
leme (Duchess), Winter Nelis.
Plums
Commercial plums which may be recommended are, in
order of ripening : Red June, Shiro, Burbank, Lombard, Brad-
shaw, Reine Claude, (Green Gage), Italian Prune, German
Prune, Shropshire Damson.
The following are of high quality and worthy of trial in
the home plantings of the state, arranged in order of ripening :
Abundance, Tragedy, Hand, Miller, Superb, Pacific, Pearl, Ten-
nant, Washington, Agen, Imperial Epineuse, Jefferson, Golden
Drop, Late Mirabelle.
Cherries
Only three sour cherries are of commercial importance:
Early Richmond and Montmorency, both with light juice, and
English Morello, with dark juice.
The following sweet cherries are recommended for com-
mercial planting: Yellow Spanish and Napoleon (Royal Ann),
for light cherries; Black Tartarian, Schmidt, Lambert, and
Windsor, for dark cherries.
In addition to these, the following sweets are worthy of
trial for the home plantation : Early Purple, Coe, Ida, Elton,
Bing, Centennial, Republic.
The following ''Duke' \ or hybrid, cherries should be tried
in the home plantings : Empress Eugenie, May Duke, Abbesse
d'Oignies, Nouvelle Royal, and Reine Hortense.
—166—
AFFILIATED COUNTY HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETIES
The following County Horticultural Societies are affilia-
ted with the State Horticultural Association, under Article II
of the Constitution.
BERKS COUNTY FRUIT GROWERS ASSOCIATION
Organized 1922
OrriCERS— 1929
President— JAMES GARFIEIiD EAGELMAN Geigers MiUs
Vice President — CLETUS DE LONG .Mertztown
Sec. Treas.— WIIiLIAM W. LIVINGOOD Robesonia
Member of Executive Committee — EABL SHEBLE Hamburg
MEMBERS
Adams, Charles S Bsterly
Angstadt, James B Mertztown
Balthaser, George WemersviUe
Cressman, C. K Boyertown
DeLong, Cletus Y Mertztown
Drumheller, J. R Boyertown, R. 1
Eagelman, J. Garfield Geigers Mills
Ebling, Aaron Reading R. 2
Fry, John L c-o C. K. Whitner Co., Reading
Fritz, William Barto
Funk, Sheldon Boyertown
Harnish, James Sinking Spring
Hershey, H. F Hamburg
Hoffman, Frank G Mt. Penn, Reading
Huyett, Irvin B Reading R. 2
Irey, Allen Boyertown
Kerchner, Harvey T Lenhartsville
Kerper, Milton Birdsboro R. 2
Kerr, George A Virginsville
Ketner, Jacob B Wernersville
Lefever, John Boyertown
Livingood, William W Robesonia
Luigard, George W Lenhartsville
Maderia, A. B Sinking Spring
Mayer, L. E Boyertown
McGowan, Howard Geigers Mills
Melcher, George W Bally
Rick, Charles M 431 Windsor St., Reading
Rick, John c-o C. K. Whitner Co., Reading
Rittenhouse, J. S Lorane
Rittenhouse, Samuel B Lorane
Rohrback, George C Fleetwood R. 3
Rohrer, George H Dryville
Shearer, Walter Vinemont
Sheble, Earl Hamburg
Schultz, Adam Bally
Shultz, Chester Barto
Snyder, Fry & Rick Reading R. 2
Strohecker, Herman A Gouglersville
Unger, D. H Boyertown
Wertz, Samuel H W. Reading
Wink, Edwin T » Lenhartsville
—167—
■M
BUCKS COUNTY FBUIT GROWERS ASSOCIATION
Organized 1924
OFFIOEES— 1929
President-B. E. ATKINSON - ^"^^^^^
Vice President— SAMUEL L. PAXON -..LumberviUe
Sec-Treas.— S. B. MONOSMITH Weisel
MEMBEBS
Amos, William J. & Son Warminster
Atkinson, R. E Wrightstown
Benner, H. G Coopersburg
Carrell, Frank B JSTeshammg
Crowell, Ralph T ~ Buckingham
Crouthamel, R. H Perkasie
Fretz, J. Franklin Ottsville R. 1
Haines, W. A Bristol
Jamann, John Reigelsville
Kirshon, Benjamin Holicong
Monosmith, S. B - Weisel
Moon, R. Barclay Morrisvillb
Moyer, L. S Chalfonte
Paxson, Samuel Lumberville R. D.
Pershing, Thed - Pineville
Purmell, D. M Farm School
Satterthwaite, Fred ~ ...Yardley
Shaffer, Charles N Hartsville
Transue, R. E — Lumberville
Weicksel, Amelia Perkasie R. D.
CHESTER-DELAWARE FRUIT GROWERS ASSOCIATION
Organized 1922
MEMBEBS— 1928
Baldwin, O. H West Chester
Barker, H. C West Chester
Barnard, C. P ~ Unionville
Bartram, G. M West Chester
Brinton, Robert F West Chester
Brinton, Wm. & Son Glenrose
Brosius, S. G — ~ West Grove
Crowell, Samuel B Edgemont
Davis, E. N. G ~ Newton Square
Dickey, Samuel Oxford
Dohn, JohnT Darling
Hilles, William T Malvern
Kemery, C. H West Chester
Linville, A. S ^ Mendenhall
McNeal, William - Parksburg
Martindale, Mrs. C. P West Chester
Nichols, Olive T J)owingtown
Pacchall, John Kennett Square
Passmore, N. S Glen Mills
Passmore, S. S ^...Mendenhall
Perrigo, A. H West Chester
Saul, Mrs. M. B Moylan
Smedley, S. L., Jr Newton Square
Stroud, R. C Upper Darby
Thomas, Carl B West Chester
White, Theo Darling
Witt, Harry Penhurst
Woodward, N. H Mendenhall
Worthington, H. R .-...West Chester
—168—
ERIE COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
OFPICEBS— 1929
Presidenlr-rBANK WOLF - N. Girard
Vice^ Presidenl^FBED MOHBINO N. G^axd
secretary-^. V. MEEDEB N. G^ard
Assistant Secretary— E. B. GBUBBS -N. Girard
MEMBEBS
Blair, F. W- Girard
Shreve, C. L Girard
Kach, Steve Girard
Crothers, J. D ~ Girard R. 3
Wolfe, Clayton H Girard
Lehman, S. S ^l^'ard
Meeder, J. V - ^i^ard
Landis, H. D <>irard
Foster, C. W ^^^ard
Grimshaw, H N. Girard
Lemmon, D. R ~ N. Girard
Mason, J. A N. Girard
Jones, G. T N. Girard
Beatty, J. E ~ N. Girard
McClenathan, J. J N. Girard
Rilling, Harvey N. Girard
Mohring, F. G N. Girard
Wolf, Frank L N. Girard
Wheeler, C. H Fairview
Grubbs, E. B — ^?^'::?^^
Eisaman, G. A E. Springfield
Vernon Beed & Sons McKean
Curtis, A. B North East
Loop, H. S ~ - N-orth East
Champlin, B.'F North East B. 6
Campbell, J. G North East R. 2
Spraeue, Theodore North East
Smith, G.C - - North East
Moorhead, D. M....^ ~ Moorheadville
Shattuck, Henry - Erie R. 6
Tate, S. C --^ Erie R. 6
Wynkoop, J. W - Erie R. 6
Brown, J. Wallace Erie R. 8
Forbes, B. M -...Erie R. 1
FRANKLIN COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Organized January 21, 1922
OFPICEBS— 1928
President-C. P. OMWAKE ^- "^^nrri"*^!
Vice President-S. A. HEISEY. Ore^castle B 4
Treasurer-F. A. ZIMMEBMAN S?^^f!w!
Secretary-^. H. KNODB Chambersburg
MEMBEBS
Baker, C. E - Chambersburg R. 6
Bare, J. C Greencastle
Bear, 8. H Scotland
Bickie, Philip M Chambersburg R. 11
Bingham, A. H S*. Thomas
Bingham, W. O St. Thomas
—169—
Bream, D. M Chambersburg
Brereton, O'Hara D - Edinville
Brown, Norman C - Waynesboro R. R.
Bruce, C. H - Chambersburg
Crawford, J. B :..Fayetteville
Crawford, Thos. H Fayetteville
Davidson, N. H Chambersburg
Diehl, Ed. B St. Thomas
Diffenderfer, C. R Chambersburg R. 6
Downey, H. E — Chambersburg R. 1
Gehr, Harvey J Waynesboro
Gillan, C. F St. Thomas
GiUan, G. G St. Thomas
Gillan, R. J St. Thomas
Goshorn, Taylor Quincy, Box 4
Hafer, Roy — Fayetteville
Hess, Ray Mont Alto R. R.
Hess, Willis .._ Winchester
Horn, W. H ^ Chambersburg R. 10
Karns, J. H Chambersburg
Landis, Daniel, Jr Chambersburg
Long, D. Edward Fayetteville
Meisler, J. G Chambersburg R. 11
Miller, C. C Marion
Miller, D. L Waynesboro
Miller, Frank Waynesboro
Nelson, Corbet D Norland Ave., Chambersburg
Nicodemus, Ed Waynesboro
Omwake Bros Greencastle
Pomeroy, R. S Chambersburg
Pratt, L. F Chambersburg
Reichard, Chas. W Waynesboro
Sharp, W. K...-„ Chambersburg
Shayzer, H. C .'.....St. Thomas
Shockey, L. P Chambersburg R. 8
Skinner, H. W Chambersburg
Stevenson, W. H Midvale
Stohe, H. W 11 E. 18th St., Chester, Pa.
Wertz, D. M Waynesboro
Wiland, Carl 253 Highland Ave., Newark, N. J.
INDIANA COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Organized February, 1924
OFFICERS— 1929
President-T. C. HOOD galtsbtirg E. D. 1
Vice President— CLARENCE McHENRY Indiana
Sec-Treas.-H. W. STONEBREAKER ZZZZZ Sdiana R 7
T. W. WILLIAMS....
WILLIAM NIBERT
ED. A. MURRAY
DIRECTORS
Indiana R. 4
Jndiana R. 3
-Punxsutawney R. p.
MEMBERS
Ackerson, S A Blairsville R. 4
^i^^^^^H^^ Jdamar
Brown, Bert i^^iana
iT""' ?\^ Indiana B. 5
'-lark, B. M Indiana
—170—
Conch, H. R Parkwood
Diven W. C ~ Livermore R. D.
Elbel/ George H Rossiter R. D.
Fyock, S. L. & Son - .....Clymer R. 1
George, Thomas K Homer City
Gibson, Ira Blairsville R. 1
Harris, Thomas New Florence R. 2
Henderson, John G Saltsburg R. 1
Hines, Zenas Clymer R. 2
Hood, T. C Saltsburg
Houck, Clyde Clymer R. 1
Hutchison, J. J - Armaugh
Hutchison, C. H Armaugh
Indiana County Home Indiana
Indiana Hospital Indiana
Irwin, S. B Punxsutawney
Lydic, J. M Blairsville R. 1
McFrea, F. C Blairsville R. D.
McHenry, Clarence Indiana
Murman, H. W Clymer R. 1
Murray, Ed. A Punxsutawney R. D.
Nibert, William ..Indiana R. 3
Nichol, Harry A Indiana R. 3
Overdorf, H. W Blairsville
Patterson, James - Apollo
Rice, Albert Marion Center R. 3
Rosensteel, L. C Edri
Rinn, D. F Indiana
Salsgiver, Andrew Indiana R. 7
Say, Austin Shelocta R. D.
Smith, Roland M ~ Marion Center
Simpson, J. A Indiana R. 5
Snyder, Fred Avonmore R. D.
Stewart, C. D Indiana R. 4
Stonebreaker, H. W ^..Jndiana R. 7
Strong, T. M Blairsville R. 1
Swartz, D. H Clymer R. 1
Wadsworth, J. W Sewad
Wagner, J. S Blacklick R. 1
Wakefield, E. B Homer City R. D.
Wetzel, William S Marion Center R. D.
Williams, F. W Indiana R. 4
Wood, L C Shelocta
LANCASTER COUNTY FRUIT GROWERS ASSOCIATION
OFriCERS— 1929
President^E. H. VOOEL. Lancaster R. 3
Ist Vice President— S. S. KRAYBILL. Mt. Joy
2nd Vice Presidient— HENRY F. OARBER Mt. Joy R. 3
3rd Vice President-nJOHN WITMER - --....Lampeter
4th Vice President— C. B. SNYDER Ephrata R. 1
Secretary— M. A. MOORE ^.JMix
Treasurer— S. E. FORRY Ephrata R. 1
MEMBERS
Aument, Andrew .- Safe Harbor R. 2
Barr, Frank S Narvon
Betz, W. E Stevens R. 2
Bitner, Shimp, Elsie L Oordonville R. 1
Bleacher, Jacob B.... Safe Harbor R. 2
—171—
Borry, E. E Stevens E. 2
Brenneman, John S Lancaster R. 7
Bricker, E. B Lititz
Brossman, Morse Ephrata R. 4
Brubaker, Daniel A Ephrata R. 2
Brubaker, J. C Lititz R. 1
Dochat, C. J ~ Lancaster R. 2
Eby, Levi F Manheim R. 3
Engle, John G ~ Marietta
Felty, Gt. B. O Millersville
Forry, S. E....~ Ephrata R. 1
Garber, Henry F Mount Joy R. 3
Garman, Albert S Manheim
Geist, Willis H Lancaster R. 5
Glick, Jacob R Lancaster R. 5
Good, Harvey Lancaster R. 8
Good, Martin R ^areville
Harnish, Enos West Willow
Haverstick, Paul E Lancaster
Herr, C. H ~ Lancaster R. 2
Herr, David S — Xancaster R. 7
Hershey, C. Maurice Gordonville R. 1
Hershey, H. S East Petersburg
Hess, Francis P Lancaster R. 7
Hostetter, J. E Gap R. 1
Huber, L. B Neffsville
Kaufman, A. L^ Ronks, R. 1
Kendig, J. D Manheim
Kraybill, S. S Mount Joy
Landis, D. M Lancaster R. 7
Lepole, Walter ^ Akron
Maule, Norman C Willow Street R. 1
Mayer, Guy S Willow Street
Mellinger, Jacob D Lancaster R. 8
Miller, Joe C ^..^ Safe Harbor R. 1
Miller, John Ephrata R. 2
Musser, A. G New Holland R. 3
Moore, M. A „ Lititz
Moyer, S Hershey R. 2
Myers, H. C Lancaster R. 7
Nolt, Harrison S ^ Columbia R. 1
Ober, Henry K Elizabethtown
Peris, Roy J^lorin
Reider, M. H ^ Elizabethtown
Reist, H. G 1166 Avon Road, Schenectady, N. Y.
Risser, H. N Marietta
Root, J. W ^ ^...Manheim R. 1
Royer, John Akron
Ruhl, H. F Manheim
Rutt, Amos S -. Lancaster R. 7
Rutter, Walter W Manheim R. 1
Rutter Bros Lancaster
Shank, H. A Lancaster
Shenk, D. W „ Lancaster R. 7
Shirker, J. B Akron
Sigman, Isaiah West Willow
Smith, George K Akron
Snavely, Elmer Lititz R. 5
Snavely, Ammon B ^ ^ Manheim
Snavely, C. B Lititz R. 5
Snavely, H. H Willow Street, Lancaster
—172—
Snavely, H. R Lititz R. 5
Snyder, C. B Ephrata R. 1
Snyder, E. R Elizabethtown
Stauffer, Tillman H Lititz R. 4
Staltzfus, Ezra Gordonville R. 1
Stoneroad, S. A New Providence
Vogel, Elias H Lancaster R. 3
Weaver, Isaac H Ephrata R. 4
Wenger, Benj. G Ephrata R. 3
Wenger, G. P Quarryville R. 1
Wenger, John E Denver
Wenger, M. P Denver
Wertsch, Edwin Lititz R. 5
Widders, J. B. Lancaster R. 3
Witmer, J. B Lampeter
Wolgemuth, Abner M Mount Joy R. 1
Wolgemuth, Jack E. Petersburg
Zerphy, J. H Elizabethtown R. 1
Zimmerman, H. S Lapark
Zook, Amos F Lancaster R. 5
LAWRENCE COUNTY FRUIT GROWERS ASSOCIATION
Organized 1914
OPPICEBS— 1929
President^^. A. BOABL New Castle R. 4
Vice President— C. F. HARBISON New Castle R. 1
Sec.-Treas.— RANKIN S. JOHNSTON New Wilmington
ACCMBEBS
Aiken, J. V - Portersville
Allen, L. R New Castle E. 3
Boak, J. A. & Son New Castle R. 4
Bavard & Baldwin New Castle
Cox, J. W. & Son New Castle R. 5
Cummings, J. W. & Son New Wilmington
Currie, W. E ~ New Castle R. 1
Edmiston, William 911 Rose Ave., New Castle
Dawson, R. D New Galilee R. 2
Friday, G. P. & Son New Castle R. 1
Fullerton, A. H. & Son Edenburg
Harbison, C. F. New Castle R. 1
Hartzell, C. M New Castle R. D.
Hayes, S. B - Enon Valley
Hileman, Carl New Castle R. 3
Hunt, N. M -— New Castle R. 4
Hutchison, T. G New Wilmington
Ingham, M. M New Castle R. 3
Johnston, . J. H. New Wilmington
Johnston, R. S - New Wilmington
Kelso, James New Galilee
Kildoo, S. L -New Castle R. 4
King, H. L - New Castle R.l
King, J. J. & Son New Castle R. 1
Leslie, J. Merle New Castle R. 8
McClure, Frank New Castle R. 5
McCormick, C. M New Castle R. 2
Newton, E. M New Wilmington
Noss, J. A New Castle R. 5
Pherson, J. L Volant
Young, Fred New Castle R. 1
—173—
LEHIGH COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Organized March 16, 1923
OFFICERS— 1929
President— J. H. WBINBEBGEE Zionsville E. 1
Vice President— H. F. SCHREIBER « ZionsviUe
Sec.-Treas.— A. L. HACKER Allentown
MEMBERS
April Farms Coopersburg R. 2
Bender, L. J Allentown R. 4
Billmeyer, H. W Quakertown
Brown, H. W Box 576, Allentown
Dennis, A. J ^ Zionsville R. 1
Dietrick, W. J 32 N. 12th St., Allentown
Dickenshied, F. S ^ Zionsville
Erhart, John Spinnerstown
Fenstermacher, P. S Allentown R. 5
Gackenbach, C. A Orefield
Greene, J. W „ ..Easton
Hacker, A. L Allentown
Holt, Herbert Coopersburg R. 2
Hausman, George B Coopersburg R. 2
Kidd, Virgil Aljentown R. 4
Kleppinger, B. M Coopersburg R. 2
Knappenberger, Thomas Cooperburg
Kuhns, Victor Allentown R. 3
Kyle, W. B ^ Zionsville
Lapp, H. E Allentown R. 3
Linde, J. E Orefield R. 1
Laudenslager, Martin B Orefield
Mattes, Paul Emaus R. 1
Merkel, C. D Coopersburg R. 2
^ill H. S 622 N. 6th St., Allentown
Mohr, Frank Fogelsville
Rinker, Harvey Allentown R. 4
Ritter, Astor Allentown R. 3
Sammons, H. B 319 S. 23rd St., Allentown
Schantz, H. A Lentz Bldg., Allentown
Schantz, L. M Orefield R. 1
Shantz, M. P Lentz Bldg., AUentown
Schlegel, Edwin ^ Orefield R. 1
a^^v^}!' ?f^^ ^-.FogelsviUe
Scholl W. J Zionsville
Schreiber, Harry ZionsviUe
Shoemaker C. C Catasauqua
o •!?' iv ^ - Bethlehem R. 4
Smith, Wm. Orefield R. 1
Stauffer, Wallace Quakertown R. 2
Wagner, D^ D Chestnut Hill
Weaver, W. S.. Macungie
Weinberger, J. H Zionsville
Wolfe, Joseph Fullerton
—174—
LUZERNE COUNTY HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION
OFFICERS— 1929
President— KELSON H. LEWIS Pittston R. D.
Vice-President— WM. SMITH Berwick R. D.
Sec. Treas.— HAROLD BRACE .DaUas R. D.
MEMBERS
Rozelle, H. E Pittston R. 1
Dagostin Bros Sugarloaf R. 1
Hosier, Ralph Berwick R. 1
Walp, Charles . Walnut St., Berwick
Smith, William Berwick R. 2
Wheeler, C. B Hunlocks Creek R. D.
Niering, Theo Wapwallopen
Richards, Frank Ransom
Lewis, Russell Pittston R. 1
Lloyd Fruit Farm Weston
McCanna, Francis J 34 Mill St., Pittston
Seybert, Paul Berwick R. 2
Frantz, Ira Dallas R. 3
Wolfe, Walter Dallas R. 2
Hildebrandt, John A Dallas R. 2
Birth, Elmer Fairmont Springs R. 2
Lewis, S. V Wyoming R. 3
Parks, William H Dallas R. 2
Lacoe, Ellsworth ~ Ransom
Lewis, Nelson H Pittston R. 1
Miller, Albert J DaUas R. 3
Hann, Jesse Hunlocks Creek R. 1
Gay, Arthur Dallas R. 3
Lewis, L. A Wyoming R. 3
Pollock, G. B Wyoming R. 3
Sheppard, Chas. W^ Pittston R. 3
YORK COUNTY FRUIT GROWERS ASSOCIATION
OFFICERS~1929
President— C. F. WEAVER York R. 9
Vice President— H. M. ANDERSON New Park
Vice President— S. A. SMITH - Yoe
Secretary— GEORGE A. GOODUNG Loganville
Treasurer— SAMUEL SWARTZ Spring Grove
MEMBERS
Auchey, Claude L .*. Hanover
Alban, Thomas A Loganville
Anderson, H. M New Park
Anderson, Ralph Fawn Grove
Allen, Howard New Park
Bear, Arthur York R. 10
Bear, Jacob York R. 10
Bear, John York R. 10
Bear, Paul A Mt. Wolf
Beaverson, E. S York R. 5
Boyd, Paul C Delta
Brown, J. Turner /. New Park
Bupp, Jere York R. 2
—175—
Ebaugh, W. H Stewartstown
Faber, Horace B. 358 W. Market St., York
Fahs, D. C ~ York R. 9
Flinchbaugh, H. H ~ Loganville
Flora, Wm. H Wrightsville
Forry, C. S ~ — Spring Grove
Forry, Roy Spring Grove
Frey, Harry E York
Free, W. A Elmwood Blvd. & Yale St., York
Gable, J. B Stewartstown
Gibson, W. F Yoe
Goodling, G. A Loganville
Gross, H. S York R. 10
Hartman, L. E Cly
Hauser, C. L ».-.York R. 7
Hoffmaster, J. G ~ Muddy Creek
Horn, David ...^ York R. 3
Hawkins, E. A. & E. B Delta
Howard, P. H Dover R. 1
Hykes, E. S York R. 8
Hykes, S. W 1300 N. George St., York
Kauffman, J. B York R. 7
Kibbler, G. P W. Market St., York
King, M. G Mt. Wolf
Latterman, R. A ~ York R. 5
Lau, L. B East Berlin
Lau, L. E East Berlin
Lau, R. E York
Lehman, George E ^...Wrightsville R. 2
Lehman, Sylvester York R. 9
Lightner, E. S York R. 10
Loose, H. H Menges Mills
Loucks, Walter B York
March, W. A - J)over R. 4
Markey, Elmer .♦ York R. 2
Martin, A. C Mundy Creek Forks
Marsh, H. V Seven Valleys R. 2
McPherson Bros Bridgeton
Miller, Amos E Hanover
Miller, Harvey Loganville
Miller, J. L York
Morris, B. F ^ J'awn Grove
Neiman, Otto Dover R. 3
Poff, Curvin ^ York R. 5
Raver, Ervin 226 Grantley St., York
Resh, Noah W Hanover R. 2
Richardson, W. F Whiteford, Md.
Shaffmer, Harvey E Dover R. 3
Shaw, R. C Stewartstown
Shermeyer, Harry A York, R. 5
Sidler, Anton York R. 9
Smeltzer, J. Harris „ Loganville
Smith, S. A Yoe
Stein, George E Wrightsville R. 1
Stoner, Benjamin ^ Hellam
Stoner, Bertha Hellam
Stover, Jacob E Springwood Farm, York
Swartz, Samuel Spring Grove
Tarbert, D. F Dallastown
Webb, M. E Fawn Grove
Thomas, John M _ York R. 8
—176—
Weaver & Lees York R. 9
Wernig, Charles York R. 2
Whitcomb, Paul York R. 4
Whisler, Robert E Etters
Winter, L. M Hellam R. 1
Yohe, George Spring Grove
Yohe, Thos Menges Mills
Ziegler, J. A. C York R. 11
STATE HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION OP
PENNSYLVANLA
MEMBERSHIP LIST 1928 AND 1929
Najue
Abbey, J. H.
Abraczinskas, Andrew
Ackerson, S. A.
Acme Veneer Package Co.
Adam, J. N.
Adams, S. Charles
Adams, W. S.
Adams Co., Fruit Packing &
Distributing Co.
Adler, A. & Son
Aiken, J. V.
Alban, Thomas A.
Allen, Howard G.
Allen, James D.
Allen, R. L.
Altman, L. A.
American Fruit Grower,
Incorporated
American Lime & Stone Co.
Amos, Wm. J. & Son
Anderson, H. M.
*Anderson, H. W.
Anderson, O. P.
Anderson, Ralph W.
Angstadt, James E.
Anthony, R. D.
*Anwyll, Harry L.
April Farms
Artley, O. R.
*Atkinson, D. W.
Atkinson, R. E.
Atwater, C. G.
Auchey, Claude
Aument, Andrew
Bache, Carter
Bailey, W. R.
Baker, C. E.
Baldesberger, W. P.
Baldwin, O. H.
Balthaser, G. W.
*Baushaf,
Barker, Herbert C.
Barnard, C. P.
*Life Members
—177—
Postoflfice
County
North Girard
Erie
Catawissa, R. D. 2
Columbia
Blairsville, R. 4
Indiana
Orchard Park, N. Y.
West Chester
Chester
Esterly
Berks
Aspers
Adams
Biglerville
Adams
Front & Richmond Sts.
Philadephia
Philadelphia
Portersville
Lawrence
Loganville
York
New Park
York
Stockton
Bucks
New Castle, R. 3
Lawrence
Blairsville, R. 4
Indiana
2100 Penn Ave.,
Pittsburgh
Allegheny
Bellefonte
Centre
Warminster
Bucks
New Park
York
Stewartstown
York
Phoenixville
Chester
Fawn Grove
York
Mertztown
Berks
State College
Centre
Harriaburg
Dauphin
Coopersburg
Lehigh
Linden, R. D. 1
Lycoming
Wrightatown
Bucks
Wrightatown
Bucks
40 Rector Street
New York City
Hanover, R. D. 3
York
Safe Harbor, R. D. 2
Lancaster
Nanticoke
Luzerne
Woodleaf, N. C.
Chambersburg, R. 6
Franklin
Bridgeville, R. D. 2
Allegheny
West Chester
Chester
Wernersville
Berks
Muncy
Lycoming
West Chester
Chester
Unionville
Chester
Name
Barnes, Norman H.
Barr, Frank S.
Barr, I. C.
Barton, W. E.
*Bartram, Frank M.
* Bart ram, G. Maurice
*Baugher, George L.
*Baugher, H. G.
Bavard & Baldwin
Bear, Arthur
Bear, Jacob R.
Bear, John W.
Bear, Paul A.
Bear, S. H.
Beard, Godwin
Beatty, J. E.
Beaver, James
Beaverson, E. S.
Beck, John A.
Becker, C. E.
Behrens, H. A.
*Bcll, R. H.
Bender, L. J.
Benner, H. G.
*Bennett, Eugene B.
Berth, Elmer B.
Betz, W. E.
Bievenour, W. S.
Bikle, F. C.
Bikle, Philip M.
Bingham, A. H.
Bingham, W. O.
Birth, Elmer
Birth, Milton
Bitner, L. S.
Black, H. M. .
Blackburn, W. D.
*Blaine, George W.
*BIair, Charles P.
Blair, F. W.
Bleacher, Jacob B.
*Blesaing, David H.
Boak, J. A. & Son
Boeshore, Harvey
*Boles, McClellan T.
*Boltz, Peter R.
Bonear, Chester
Bonear, Homer
Boone, Andrew W.
Borry, E. E.
Bountiful Ridge Nurseries
Bowman, Oscar R.
Boyd, Paul C.
*Boyer, John F.
Boyer, W. W. & Bro.
Brace, Harold
Bream, D. M.
*Broidenbaugh, H. L.
*Life Members
Postoflfice
Wallingford, Conn.
Narvon
Greencastle
Six Mile Run
Kennett Square
West Chester
Aspers
Aspers
New Castle
York, R. D. 10
York, R. D. 10
York, R. D. 10
Mount Wolf, R. D. 4
Scotland
Plymouth
North Girard
Mifflinburg
York, R. D. 5
White Deer, R. D. 1
Bloomsburg
Wilkes-Barre
Harrisburg
Allentown
Coopersburg
New Jersey
Fairmount Springs
Stevens, R. D. 2
York
Favetteville, R. 1
Chambersburg, R. 11
St. Thomas
St. Thomas
• Fairmount Springs
Shickahinny, R. D. 2
Gordonville, R. 1
Idamar, R. D.
Bedford
North East
Monaca, R. D. 1
Girard
Safe Harbor, R. 2
Harrisburg
New Castle, R. 4
Lebanon, R. 3
Hanlin Station
Lebanon
Honesdale
Honesdale
Fairview, R. D. 1
Stevens, R. D. 2
Princess Ann, Md.
Hanover
Delta
Middleburg
Biglcrville
Dallas, R. D. 3
Chambersburg
Bovertown
—178—
County
Lancaster
Franklin
Bedford
Chester
Chester
Adams
Adams
Lawrence
York
York
York
York
Franklin
Luzerne
Erie
Union
York
Union
Luzerne
Luzerne
Dauphin
Lehigh
Lehigh
Luzerne
Lancaster
York
Franklin
Franklin
Franklin
Franklin
Luzerne
Luzerne
Lancaster
Indiana
Bedford
Erie
Beaver
Erie
Lancaster
Dauphin
Lawrence
Lebanon
Washington
Lebanon
Wayne
Wayne
Erie
Lancaster
York
York
Snyder
Adams
Luzerne
Franklin
Berks
Name
Brenneman, John S.
Brereton, O'Hart^ D.
Bricker, E. B.
*Brinton, H. C.
Brinton, Robert F.
Brinton, William & Son
Brooke, R. G.
Broomell, J. Howard
Brosius, S. G.
Brossman, Morse
Brown, Bert C.
Brown, H. M.
Brown, H. W.
Brown, Norman C.
Brown, J. Turner
Brown, J. Wallace
Brown, M. M.
Brown, Robert
Brownell, J. Howard
Brubaker, Daniel A.
Brubaker, J. C.
Bruce, C. H.
Bullock, W. H.
Bupp, Jere
California Spray Chem. Co.
Campbell, J. G.
Campbell, Willard S.
Campfield, W. S.
Carpenter, G. S. L.
Carrell, Frank B.
Carter, L. A.
Cashtown Nursery
Cation, William R.
Central Chemical Co.
Champlin, B. F.
Chaplin, Irvin
Chase Brothers
*Chase, Charles T.
Chumard, Lewellyn
Clark, B. M.
Clemson, J. W.
Clark Stek-0 Corp.
Coates, W. B.
Conch, R. H.
Cook, R. H.
*Cooper, G. A.
Cope, F. R., Jr.
Cornwall Farms & Orchards
Cose, E. V.
Cox, J. W.
Craig, R. F.
Craighead, E. M.
Crawford, J. B.
Crawford, Thomas H.
Creasy, Luther P.
Cressman, B. F.
Cressman, Charles E.
*Life Members
Postoffice
County
Lancaster, R. 7
Lancaster
Edenville
Franklin
Lititz
Lancaster
Hanover
York
West Chester
Chester
Glenrose
Chester
Schwenksville, R. D. 2
Montgomery
Bridgeport
Montgomery
West Grove
Chester
Ephrata .
Lancaster
Indiana
Indiana
Indiana, R. 5
Indiana
Allentown
Lehigh
Waynesboro
Franklin
New Park
York
Erie, R. 8
Erie
Martinsburg, W. Va.
Homer City
Indiana
Bridgeport
Montgomery
Ephrata, R. 2
Lancaster
Lititz, R. D. 1
Lancaster
Chambersburg, R. 1
Franklin
Honesdale
Wayne
York, R. 2
York
New York City
North East
Erie
Kimberton
Chester
Staunton, Va.
Hancock, Md.
Neshaming
Bucks
Mars
Allegheny
Cashtown
Adams
Orrtanna
Hagerstown, Md.
Nort East
Erie
Schickshinny, R. 3
Luzerne
Rochester, New York
Bala
Montgomery
Ariel
Wayne
Indiana
Indiana
Halifax
Dauphin
Rochester, N. Y.
Parkesburg
Chester
Parkwood
Indiana
Hyndman, R. D. 1
Bedford
Coraopolis
Allegheny
Dimock
Susquehanna
Cornwall
Lebanon
Lawrenceville
Tioga
New Castle, R. D. 5
Lawrence
Chambersburg, R. 6
Franklin
Gettysburg
Adams
Fayetteville
Franklin
Fayetteville
Franklin
Catawissa, R. D. 1
Columbia
2100 Walnut St
Philadelphia,
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
—179—
Name
Cressman, C. K.
Criswell,
Cromley, P. S.
Grossman, P. S.
Crothers, J. D.
*Crouse, E. A.
Crouthamel, R. H.
Crowell, A. & T.
Crowell, Ralph T.
Crowell, Samuel B.
*Cummings, Joseph F.
Cummings, J. W. & Son
Currie, W. E.
Curtis,
Cutler Mfg. Co.
Dagoston Brothers
*Davenport, Eugene
Davis, E. N. G.
Davidson, N. H.
Dawson, R. D.
Dayton, R. S.
DeCou, Benj. S.
DeLong, Cletus Y.
Dennis, A. J.
Derick, F. P.
Dickenshied, F. S.
Dickey,
*Diekinson, B. M.
Diehl, D. W. W.
Diehl, Ed. B.
Dietrich, Wm. J.
Diffonderfer, C. R.
*Dill, Robert
Diven, W. C.
Dixon, M. E.
Dohan, John T.
Dochat, C. J.
Downey, H. E.
*Dunlap, James M.
*Dunlap, R. Bruce
Drumheller, J. B.
Dubbs, H. J.
Duncan, A. W.
Duncan, Miss Eleanor C.
Dushane, J. R.
Eagleman, J. G.
Ebaugh, W. H.
Ebling, Aron
Eby, Henry R.
Eby, Levi F.
Edgerton, J. Russell
Edmiston, William
Egyptian Nurseries &
Orchards Co.
Eisaman, G. A.
*T.ifo Members
Postoffice
Boyertown
County
Berks
Chambersburg
Franklin
Danville
Montour
Girard
Erie
Girard
Erie
Gettysburg
Adams
Perkasie
Bucks
Avondale
Chester
Buckingham
Bucks
Edgemont
Chester
Sunbury
Northumberland
New Wilmington
Lawrence
New Castle, R. D. 1
Lawrence
North East
Erie
353 E. 10th St.
Portland, Oregon
Sugarloaf, R. D. 1 »
Luzerne
Plymouth
Luzerne
Newton Square
Delaware
Chambersburg
Franklin
New Galilee, R. 2
Lawrence
Woodbourne Orchards
Dimock
Susquehanna
Norristown, R. D. 1
Montgomery
Mertztown, R. D. 2
Berks
Zionsville, R. 1
Lehigh
Ncwburg, R. 1
Cumberland
Zionsville
Lehigh
Oxford
Chester
5634 Stanton Ave.
Pittsburgh,
Allegheny
Bedford, R. D. 4
Bedford
St. Thomas
Franklin
Allentown
Lehigh
Chambersburg ,
Franklin
North East
Erie
Livermore
Indiana
Livermore, R. 2
Indiana
Darling
Delaware
Lancaster, R. D. 2
Lancaster
Chambersburg, R. 1
Franklin
Shippensburg
Cumberland
Harrisburg
Dauphin
Boyertown
Berks
Carlisle
Cumberland
Livermore
Indiana
Shippensburg
Cumberland
Winchester, Va.
Geigers Mills
Berks
Stewartstown
York
Reading
Berks
Pittsburgh, Jail Bldg.
Allegheny
Manheim, R. 3
Lancaster
Westtown
Chester
New Castle
Lawrence
Farina, Illinois
P^ast Springfield
Erie
'f^-
—180—
Name
Postoffice
County
Elbell, George H.
Rossiter, R. D. 1
Indiana
Elder, George K.
Lewistown, Maine
*Eldon, Robert M.
Aspers
Adams
Engle, John G.
Marietta
Lancaster
Engleman, E. Y.
Noxen
Luzerne
Erhart, John
Spinnertown
Lehigh
Eshelman, S. C.
McKnightsJ;own
Adams
♦Evans, W. H.
Plainsville
Luzerne
Evans Brothers
Glen Mills
Delaware
Everett; Samuel
Bristol, R. D.
Bucks
Everhart, G. W.
York
York
Eyett, Irvin
Plainsville
Luzerne
Faber, Horace B.
York
York
Fagan, F. N.
State College
Centre
Fahs, David C.
York
York
Farnsworth, W. W. & Co.
Waterville, Ohio
*Fassett, F. H.
Meshoppen
Wyoming
Feldman, Charles S.
Chambersburg, R. 0
Franklin
Felty, G. 0. B.
Millersville
Lancaster
Fenstermacher
Allentown, R. 5
Lehigh
Fetterman, J. Gordon
Media
Delaware
*Filbert, R. J.
Fox Chase
Philadelphia
Fisher, H. J.
Willow Grove
Montgomery
Flack, M. Raymond
West Chester, R. D. 5
Chester
♦Fletcher, S. W.
State College
Centre
Flinchbaugh,
Loganville
York
Flora, Wm. H.
Wrightsville
York
Forbes, R. M.
Erie
Erie
Forest Hill Farms
Glen Mills
Delaware
Forry, C. S.
Spring Grove
York
Forry, Roy
Spring Grove
York
Forry, S. E.
Ephrata, R. D. 1
Lancaster
Foster, C. W.
Girard
Erie
Foster, Frank B.
Haverford
Montgomery
♦Fox, Cyrus T.
Reading
Berks
Francis, C. D.
Allentown
Lehigh
Frantz, Ira
Dallas, R. D.
Luzerne
Frantz, S. P.
Trucksvillc
Luzerne
Free, W. A.
York
York
♦Freed, A. J.
Racine
Beaver
*Freed, W. A.
Racine
Beaver
Fretz, J. Franklin
Ottsville, R. D.
Bucks
Frey, Harry E.
York
York
Friday, G. P. & Son
New Castle, R. D. 1
Lawrence
Friend Mfg. Co.
Gasport, New York
Fritz, William
Barto
Berks
Fry, John L.
Reading
Berks
Fullerton & Son
Edinburg
Lawrence
Fyock, S. L. & Son
Clyraer, R. D. 1
Indiana
Funk, Sheldon
Boyertown
Berks
Gable, J. B., Jr.
Stewartstown
York
Gackenbach
Orefield, R. 1
Lehigh
Garber, Henry F.
Mt. Joy
Lancaster
Garman, Albert S.
Manheim
Lancaster
♦Garrahan, R. H.
Kingston
Luzerne
*Garrettson, Eli P.
Biglervillc
Adams
Gates, G. IT.
Shippensburg
Cumberland
Gay, Arthur
Dallas, R. D. 3
Luzerne
*Life Members
—181—
Name
Gefrorer, Henry
Gehr, Harvey J.
Geist, Willis H.
George, Thomas K.
Gibson, Ira E.
Gibson, Ralph
Gibson, W. F.
Gilbert, Walter
Gillan, C. F.
Gillan, R. J.
Gleeb
Glick, Jacob R.
Goldsborough
Good, Harvey
Good, Martin R.
Goodenow, Milo E.
Goodling, G. A.
Gordon, Ross S.
Goshorn, Taylor L.
Gray, E., Jr.
Graybill, N. Charles
Green, J. W.
Greening Nursery Co.
Gregor, E. N.
*Greist, C. A.
*Greist, Frederick E.
Grimshaw, Harry
Gross, H. S.
Group, Foster C.
*Grove, W. E.
Grubbs, E. B.
Grubbs, N. 9.
Guvton, ,T. L.
Gyger, Fcrman
Hass, William
Hassc, Alfred
Hassc, William
Hacker, A. L.
*Haddock, John C.
Hadley, C. H.
Hafcr, Roy
Hagerstown Spray
Material Co.
Haines, Robert B., 3rd
Haines, W. A.
*Hall, L. C.
Hammond, F. F.
Hann, Jesse
Harbison, C. F.
Hardt, C. W.
Harer, Roy
Harnish, Enos
Harnish, James B.
Harris, Thomas
Harshman, John
Hart Co., H. V.
*Hartman, D. L.
*Life Members
Postoffice
Gradyville
Waynesboro
Lancaster, R. 5
Homer City
Blairsville, R. 1
Williamsport
Yoe
W. Leesport
St. Thomas
St. Thomas
Delaware Water Gap
Lancaster, R. D. 5
Sheperdstown, W. Va.
Lancaster, R. 8
Bareville, Box 55
Fairview
Loganville
Greencastle, R. D.
Quincy, Box 47
Hancock, Md.
New Windsor, Md.
Easton
Monroe, Mich
Glenside
Guernsey
Flora Dale
N. Girard
York
Gardners
York Springs
Fairview
Mt. Holly, N. J.
Harrisburg
Kimberton
Narrowsburg, N. Y.
Overbrook Orchards
Coplay
Narrowsburg
Allentown
Wilkes-Barre
Camden, N. J., Box 361
Fayetteville
Hagerstown, Maryland
Germantown
Bristol
North Girard
Scotland
Hunlocks Creek
New Castle
Harrisburg
Salladasburg
West Willow
Sinking Springs
New Florence, R. 2
Smithsburg, Maryland
Hagerstown, Maryland
Little River, Fla.
County
Delaware
Franklin
Lancaster
Indiana
Indiana
Lycoming
York
Berks
Franklin
Franklin
Monroe
Lancaster
Lancaster
Lancaster
Erie
York
Franklin
Franklin
Northampton
Montgomery
Adams
Adams
Erie
York
Adams
Adams
Erie
Dauphin
Chester
Lehigh
Wayne
Lehigh
Luzerne
Franklin
Philadelphia
Bucks
Erie
Franklin
Luzerne
Lawrence
Dauphin
Lycoming
Lancaster
Berks
Indiana
Name
Hartman, L. E.
Hartman, M. T.
Hartzell, Chas. M.
Hauser, Clarence L.
Hausman, George B.
*Haverstick, Paul E.
Hawkins, Charles A.
Hawkins, E. B.
Hayes, S. B.
Hayman, Guy L.
Heacock, F. J.
Heilman, Albert
Heinz, Henry
Heisey, S. A.
Helwig, D. B.
Henderson, John G.
Henry, J. W.
Herhold, J. C.
Herr, C. H.
Herr, David S.
Hershey, C. Maurice
*Hershey, H. F.
Hershey, H. S.
Hess, Francis P.
Hess, Paul G.
Hess, Ray B.
Hess, Willis A.
Hildebrant, Jno. A.
Hile, Anthony
Hileman, W. Carl
*Hill, William D.
Hilles, William T.
Hilles, Elizabeth M.
Hindenack, B. L.
Hines, Zenas
Hoffman, Frank G.
Hoffman, H. L.
Hoffman, R. C.
Hoffmaster, J. G.
Hogobaum, A. E.
Holt, Herbert
Hood, T. C.
* Hoops, Wilmer W.
Horn, W. H.
Horn, David
*Horst, J. Morris
Hosier, Ralph "
Hostetler
Hostetter, H. Herman
Hostetter, Dr. J. E.
Houck, Clyde
Howard, P. H.
Howe, B. Homer
Hoy, J. A.
Huber, Edwin S.
Huber, Levi B.
*Huey, 8. R.
*Life Members.
Postoffice
Cly
Emporium
New Castle, R. D. 1
York, R. D. 7
Coopersburg, R. 2
Lancaster
Delta
Delta
Enon Valley
Northbrook
Bedford
Cleona
Narrowsburg
Greencastle
Catawissa, R. D. 1
Saltsburg, R. 1
Fayetteville, R. D. 1
North Girard
Lancaster, R. D. 2
Lancaster, R. D. 7
Paradise, R. D. 1
Hamburg
East Petersburg
Lancaster, R. D. 7
Mt. Alto, R. D. 1
Mt. Alto, R. D. 1
Winchester, Va.
Dallas, R. D. 2
Curwensville
New Castle, R. D. 3
North East
Malvern
Malvern
Easton, R. D. 6
Clymer, R. D. 2
Mt. Penn
Butler, Star Route
Arendtsville
Muddy Creek Forks
Girard
Coopersburg, R. 2
Saltsburg
West Chester
Chambcrsburg, R. 10
York
Lebanon, R. 3
Berwick, R. D. 1
Johnstown, R. D. 3
Lebanon, R. D.
Gap, R. D. 1
Clymor, R. 1
Dover, R. D. 1
Benton
Williamsport
Chambersburg
Neffsville
New Castle
County
York
Cameron
Lewrence
York
Lehigh
Lancaster
York
York
Lawrence
Chester
Bedford
Lebanon
Wayne
Franklin
Columbia
Indiana
Franklin
Erie
Lancaster
Lancaster
Lancaster
Berks
Lancaster
Lancaster
Franklin
Franklin
Luzerne
Clearfield
Lawrence
Erie
Chester
Chester
Northampton
Indiana
Berks
Butler
Adams
York
Erie
Lehigh
Indiana
Chester
Franklin
York
Lebanon
Luzerne
Cambria
Lebanon
Lancaster
Indiana
York
Columbia
Lycoming
Franklin
Lancaster
Lawrence
■182—
—183—
Name
Hunsberger, Howard K.
Hunt, N. M.
Hunt, V. C.
Hutchinson, T. G.
Hutchinson, J. J.
Hutchinson, C. H.
Huyette, Irvin B.
Hyde, A. A.
Hyde, Clarence M.
Hyde, E. A.
Hydraulic Press Mfg. Co.
Hykes, E. S.
Hykes, Samuel
Indiana Hospital
Indiana County Home
Ingham, M. M.
Irey, Allen
Irvin, S. B.
John Bean Mfg. Co.
Jamann, John
James, G. T.
Jayns, Allen
Jefferson, Thos. H.
Jennings, Paul B.
Johnson, Mrs. Evelyn B.
*Johnston, Mrs. F. C.
Johnston, J. H.
Johnston, M. E.
Johnston, R. S.
Johnston, S. M.
Jones, G. T.
*Jones, S. M.
Kach, Steve
Kaiser, Frank A.
Karns, J. H.
Kauffman, A. L.
Kauffman, J. B.
Keener, Simon S.
Keim, James, F.
Keiser, C. C.
Keller, Allen
♦Keller, Paul J.
Kclley Brothers Nurseries
Kelso, James
Kemery, C. H.
Kendig, Dr. J. D.
Kerchner, Harvey T.
Kerpcr, Milton
Kerr, George A.
*Kes8ler, George W.
Kctner, Jacob B.
Keyt, Charles I.
Kibbler, C. P.
Kibler, T. F.
Kidd, Virgil
Kildoo, Samuel & Son
King, J. J. & Son
King, H. L.
*Life Members
Postoffice
County
Perkasie
Bucks
New Castle, R. D. 4
Lawrence
Bedford, R. D. 4
Bedford
New Wilmington
Lawrence
Armaugh
Indiana
Armaugh, R. D.
Indiana
Reading, R. D. 2
Berks
Manns Choice
Bedford
Manns Choice, R. D. 1
Bedford
Manns Choice
Bedford
Mt. Gile^d, Ohio
York
York
York
York
Indiana
Indiana
Indiana
Indiana
New Castle
Lawrence
Boyertown
Berks
Punxsutawney
Jefferson
Lansing, Michigan
Reigelsville
Bucks
North Girard
Erie
West Auburn
Susquehanna
Wycomb
Bucks
Towanda
Bradford
New Hope
Bucks
Dallas
Luzerne
New Wilmington
Lawrence
Connoquessing
Butler
New Wilmington, R. D. 1
Lawrence
Indiana County Home
Indiana
N. Girard
Erie
West Grove
Chester
Girard
Erie
Scranton
Lackawanna
Chambersburg
Franklin
Ronks, R. D. 1
Lancaster
York, R. D. 7
York
Elizabeth town
Lancaster
State College
Center
Maytown, R. I.
Lancaster
Kleinsfeltersville
Lancaster
Gettysburg
Adams
Dansville, New York
New Galilee
Lawrence
West Chester
Chester
Maytown, R. 1
Lancaster
Lenhartsville
Berks
Birdsboro, R. 2
Berks
Virginsville
Berks
Tyrone
Blair
Wernersville
Berks
Stuarts Draft, Va.
York
York
North Girard
Erie
AUentown
Lehigh
New Castle, R. D. 4
Lawrence
New Castle, R. 1
TiRwrence
New Castle, R. 1
Lawrence
—184—
Namie
King, M. G.
Kinney, F. A.
Kirshon, Benj. H.
*Kister, U. G.
Kistler, H. C.
Kleppinger, B. M.
Koch, C. H.
Knappenberger, Thomas
Knoebel, E. M.
*Koehler, Paulus E.
Krauss, J. W.
Kraybill, S. S.
Kreamer, Lewis Co.
Kreider, George R.
Kuhns, Oscar H.
Kuhns, Victor
Kunkle, N. J.
Kyle, William B.
Lacoe, E.
Landis, D. L., Jr.
*Landis, D. M.
Landis, Elmer E.
Landis, H. D.
Lang Stamp Works, Inc.
Lapp, H. E.
Latshaw, J. E.
Latterman, R. A.
Lau, L. B.
Lau, L. E.
Lau, R. E.
Laude, William L.
Laudenslager, Martin
Lefever, John
Lehman, Arthur
Lehman, Earless
Lehman, Elias
Lehman, G. E.
Lehman, Sylvester
Lehman, S. S.
Lemmon, D. R.
Lengle, Paul H.
Lepole, Walter
Lesher, H. V.
Leslie, J. Merle
Lewis, L. A.
Lewis, L. N.
Lewis, Nelson
Lewis, Russell
Lewis, S. V.
Lienhard, Edward
Lightner, E. S.
Lightwood, M. H.
Lincoln, Geo. H.
Linde, J. Eric
Linville, Arthur S.
Livingood, W. W.
Lloyd Fruit Farm
*Life Members
Postoffice
Mt. Wolf, R. D. 1
North Girard
Holicong
Etters
Lenhartsville, R. F. D. 1
Coopersburg
McKeensburg
C/)opersburg
Sunbury, R. D. 1
Monaca
Barnesville
Mt. Joy
Stoney Creek Mill
Fairview
AUentown, R. D. 3
AUentown, R. 3
Orwigsburg
Zionsville
Ranson
Chambersburg, R. D. 1
Lancaster, R. D. 7
Dublin
Girard
Hudson and Green Streets
Albany, N. Y.
AUentown, R. D. 3
Marion
York, R. D. 5
East Berlin, R. D. 2
East Berlin, R. D. 2
York
Mountain Top
Orefield, R. D. 1
BoyertowA
York
York
York, R. F. D. 5
Wrightsville, R. 2
York, R. D. 9
Girard
North Girard
Pine Grove
Akron
Northumberland
New Castle, R. D. 8
Wyoming, R. D. 3
Laughlintown
Pittston
Pittston, R. D. 1
Wyoming
Lehighton
York, R. D. 10
Emmitsburg, Maryland
Clarks Summit
Orefield, R. 1
Mendenhall, R. 2
Robesonia
Weston
—185—
County
York
Erie
Bucks
• York
Berks
Lehigh
Schuylkill
Lehigh
Northumberland
Beaver
Schuylkill
Lancaster
Berks
Erie
Lehigh
Lawrence
Schuylkill
Lehigh
Luzerne
Franklin
Lancaster '
Bucks .
Erie
Lehigh
Franklin
York
York
York
York
Luzerne
Lehigh
Berks
York
York
York
York
York
Eric
Erie
Schuylkill
Lancaster
Northumberland
Lawrence
Luzerne
Westmoreland
Luzerne
Luzerne
Luzerne
Carbon
York
Lackawanna
Lehigh
Delaware
Berks
Luzerne
I
Name
Long, D. Edward
Long, W. W.
*Loop, A. L
Loop, H. S.
Loose, H. H.
*Lord, John
Loucks, Walter
Luigard, Geo. W.
Lundy, T. A.
Lutz, W. J.
Lydic, J. M.
McCall, C. H.
McCanna, Francis J.
McCartney, J. L.
^McClelland, J. B.
McClenathan, J. J.
McClure, Frank
McCormick, C. M.
*McCormick, James
MacDonald, James C.
McDonald, R. C.
McDonough, F. L.
*McFarland, J. Horace
McFrea, F. C.
*McGeorge, Mrs. K. L.
McGowan, Howard
McHenry, Clarence
*McKee, J. M.
McKee, T. C.
McLlvane, J. S.
McNeal, William H.
Mcpherson Brothers
MacVeagh
Maderia, A. B.
*Maffct, Miss M. A.
Magid, Louis B.
Malonoy Bros. Nursery Co.
Marble, L. M.
March, Wilbur
Markcley, N. S.
Markey, Elmer J.
Marsh, H. V.
Martin, A. C.
*Martin, J. O.
Martindale, Mrs. C. P.
Marvil Package Co.
Mason, J. A.
Mattes, Paul
Matthews, W. H.
Maule, Norman C.
Maurer, W. H.
Mayer, Guy S.
*Mayer, L. E.
Mechling, Edward A.
Meek, John W.
Meeder, J. V.
*Life Members
Postoffice
Fayetteville
Eighty Four
North East
North East
Menges Mills
Wyoming, R. 1
York
Lenhartsville
Muncy, R. D. 3
Berwick, R. D.
Blairsville, R. D. 1
Indiana
Pittston
8tate College
Canonsburg
North Girard
New Castle, R. D. 5
New Castle, R. D. 2
Harrisburg
Fairview, R. D. 1
Inwood, W. Va.
Middleport, N. Y.
Harrisburg
Blairsville, R. D.
Ori-tanna
Geigers Mills
Indiana
Harrisburg
East Springfield
406 Trust Bldg.
Chambersburg
Parksburg
Bridgeton
Muncy, R. D. 3
Sinking Springs
264 S. Franklin St.
Wilkes-Barre
Tallulah Park, Georgia
Dansville, New York
Canton
Dover, R. D. 4
Shanesville
York
Seven Valleys, R. D. 2
Muddy Creek Forks
Mercersburg
West Chester
North Girard
Laurel, Deleware
Emaus, R. 1
Salem, Ohio, Box 313
Willow St.
Hegins
Willow St.
Boyertown
Moorestown, N. J.
Jonestown
North Girard
—186—
County
Franklin
Washington
Erie
Erie
York
Luzerne
York
Berks
Lycoming
Columbia
Indiana
Indiana
Luzerne
Centre
Washington
Erie
Lawrence
Lawrence
Dauphin
Erie
Dauphin
Indiana
Adams
Berks
Indiana
Dauphin
Erie
Franklin
Chester
York
Lycoming
Berks
Luzerne
Bradford
York
Berks
York
York
York
Franklin
Chester
Erie
Lehigh
Lancaster
Schuylkill
Lancaster
Berks
Lehigh
Erie
Name
*Mcehan, S. Mendelson
Mellinger, Jacob D.
Meisler, J. G.
Melcher, George W.
Merkel, C. D.
Merkel, Floyd
Messmer Brass Co.
Mesta Brothers
Metzler, E. N.
Meyer, Allen
Meyer, Henry T.
Meyer, M. A.
Michael, Porter
Mickle, J. Warren
Mill, H. S.
*Miller, Amos
Miller, Amos E.
Miller, A. J.
Miller, C. Clayton
Miller, D. L.
Miller, Edward W.
Miller, Frank M.
Miller, Harvey
Miller, H. A.
Miller, H. W.
Miller, Joe C.
Miller, J. L.
Miller, John
Miller, L. P.
Miller, R. C.
Minnich, W. L.
Mish & Croft
Mitchell, W. T. & Son
Mitchell, E. B.
Mohr, Charles C.
Mohr, Frank J.
Mohring, F. G.
Monosmith, S. B.
Moon, R. Barclay
*Moon, Henry T.
Moore, M. A.
Moorehead, D. M.
Morgan, J. C.
Morgan, T. H.
Morris, B. F.
Mt. Breeze Orchard Co.
Moyer, Joseph
Mowery, N. E.
Moyer, Levi S.
Moyer, Samuel
*Muller, Adolph
Murray, Edward A,
Murrell, R. W. W.
Murman, H. W.
Musselman, I. Z.
*Life Members
Postoffice
Germantown
Lancaster
Chambersburg
Bally
Coopersburg, R. D. 2
Hamburg
St. Louis, Mo.
Finleyville, R. D. 1
Ephrata, R. D. 4
Annville
Lewisburg
Annville
Wyoming, R. D.
Bedford
Allentown
Hanover, R. 4
Hanover
Dallas
Marion
231 W. Main St.
Waynesboro
Paw Paw, W. Va.
Waynesboro
35 Ross St., Loganville
Williamsport
Paw Paw, W. Va.
Safe Harbor
York, R. D. 9
Ephrata, R. 2
Paw Paw, W. Va.
Fishertown
Waynesboro, Box 148
St. Thomas
Beverly, Ohio
Harrisburg, R. D. 3
Mt. Wolf
Fogelsville
North Girard
Weisel
Morrisville
Morrisvillc
Lititz
Mooreheadville
Girard
N. Park Ave.
Philadelphia,
Fawn Grove
Fayetteville, R. 2
Lebanon
Mechanicsburg
Chalfonte
Hershey
Norristown
Punxsutawney
The Office Supply Co.
Clymer, R. 1
Winchester, Va.
Ortanna
—187-
County
Philadelphia
Lancaster
Franklin
Berks
Lehigh
Berks
Washington
Lancaster
Lebanon
Union
Lebanon
Luzerne
Bedford
Lehigh
York
York
Luzerne
Franklin
Franklin
Franklin
Lycoming
Lycoming
Lancaster
York
Lancaster
Bedford
Franklin
Franklin
Dauphin
York
Lehigh
Erie
Bucks
Bucks
Bucks
Lancaster
Erie
Erie
Philadelphia
York
Franklin
Lebanon
Cumberland
Bucks
Dauphin
Montgomery
Indiana
Indiana
"Adams
Name
Musselman, John
Musser, A. G.
Musser, W. E.
Mutchler, Sherman
Mutchler Brothers
Muttart, Dr. C. J.
*Myers, Levi M.
Myers, H. C.
Myers, Paul M.
Nallie, William J.
Neiman, Otto
NelsoD, Carbet D.
Newcomer, Aaron
Newell, Henrietta B.
Newton, E. M.
Niagara Hprayer & Chem-
ical Co.
Nibert, William
Nicodemus, Ed.
Nichols, Olive T.
Nichol, Harry A.
Niering, Theo.
Nolt, Harrison S.
Northern Seed &
Tractor Co.
Northup, H. J.
Northrup, A. M.
Northrup, Jean Bowden
Noss, J. A.
Ober, Henry K.
*0'Conner, Haldeman
Giver, T. H.
Old Patterson Nurseries
Oniwake Brothers
Oniwake, C. P.
Oniwake, J. Ed.
Orton Brothers
Overdorff, H. W.
Oyler, H. J.
Pacchall, John
Paif, C. Calvin
*Page, C. M.
Panovec, Victor
Parkins, G.
Parks, William
Parrish, E. R.
Paschal, John
Passniore, S. S.
PasMmoro, Norman S.
Patterson, James W.
Paxon, Edw. M.
Paxon, Samuel L.
Pennell, Hannah S.
Pennock, Geo. S.
Pannebaker, William M.
Percy, M. A.
Life Members
Postoffice
Ortanna
New Holland, R. 3
New Bethlehen
Hepburnville
Hepburn ville
1813 Pine St.
Philadelphia,
Siddonsburg
Lancaster, R. D. 7
Lancaster, R. 8
Lebanon
Dover, R. D. 3
Chambersburg
Smithsburg, Maryland
Oxford Valley
New Wilmington
Middleport, N. Y.
Indiana, R. D.
Waynesboro
Downingtown
Indiana, R. 3
Wapwallopen, R. D.
Columbia, R. D. 1
15 Federal St., N. S.
Pittsburgh,
Dalton
Danville
Danville
New Castle, R. 5
Elizabethtown
Harrisburg
Beachlake
Stewartstown
Green Castle
Green Castle
Green Castle
North East
Blairsville, R. D. 4
Gettysburg
Kennet Square
Trunbauersville
Etters
teaston, R. D. 2
Pkg. Supply Co.
Martinsburg, W. Va.
Dallas, R. D. 2
Dallas, R. D. 1
Kennett Square
Mendenhall
Glen Mills
Apollo
Lumberville, R. D.
Lumberville
Wawa
Lansdown
Virgilinia, Va.
Montoursville
—188-
County
Adams
Lancaster
Clarion
Lycoming
Lycoming
Philadelphia
York
Lancaster
Lancaster
Lebanon
York
Franklin
Bucks
Lawrence
Indiana
Franklin
Chester
Indiana
Luzerne
Lancaater
Allegheny
Luzerne
Montour
Montour
Lawrence
Lancaster
Dauphin
Wayne
York
Franklin
Franklin
Franklin
Erie
Indiana
Adams
Chester
Bucks
York
Northampton
Luzerne
Luzerne
Chester
Chester
Delaware
Indiana
Bucks
Bucks
Delaware
Delaware
Lycoming
Name
Perrigo, A. H.
Peris, Ray
Perry, J. J.
Pershing, Edward H.
Pershing, Theodore
Peters, John B.
Pherson, J. L.
Poff, Curwin
Pollock, G. B.
Pomeroy, R. S.
Powers, R. A.
*Pratt, B. G.
Pratt, Lu F.
Purmell, D. M.
Bahauser Brothers
Rakestraw, William L.
*Rankin, Charles C.
Rankin, R. R.
Rarig, L. S.
Ray, Edgar S.
Raver, Ervin
Read,T. A., Inc.
Reading Bone Fertilizer Co.
Readier, C. E.
Rebennack, Jacob
Reed, Vernon
Richard, Chas. W.
Reider, M. H.
Reimer, Enoch
Reist, Allen E.
Reist, Henry G.
Reiter, F. G.
Reitz, R. E.
Resh, Noah W.
Rhodes, C. M.
Rhodes, Chesley
Rice, Albert
Rice, A. E.
Rice, Daniel
Rice, George B.
Rice, L. D.
Richards, A. C.
Richards, Frank
Richards, Neff F.
Richards, Mrs. N. F.
Richardson, W. F.
Rick, Charles M.
*Rick, John
Rife, Jacob L.
Riley, Raymond
Rilling, Harvey
*Rinehart, E. S.
Rinker, Harvey
Rinn, D. F.
Risser, H. N.
Ritchey, Marshall
Rittenhouse, Dr. J. S.
Rittenhouse, S. B.
*Life Members
Postoffice
West Chester
I'lorin
ipallas, R. D.
*New Hope, R. D.
Pineville
Gardners
Volant
York, R. 5
Wycoming, R. 3
Chambersburg
Glenshaw, R. D. 1
50 Church St., New York
Chambersburg
^arm School
Greencastle
Kennett Square
West Chester
Elizabeth, R. D. 1
Danville
West Chester
York
47 Jay St., New York
Reading
Nescopeck, R. D. 1
Dallas, R. D.
McKean
Waynesboro
Elizabethtown
Bangor
Palmyra, R. 2
Schenectady, N. Y.
Mars
Brookville
Hanover, R. 2
W. Leesport
Elysburg
Marion Center, R. D. 3
Biglerville
New Bloomfield
Dallas, R. D.
New Bloomfield
Johnstown, 1719 Pine St.
Ransom
Schellburg
Schellburg
Whiteford, Maryland
Reading, 431 Windsor St.
Reading
Lemoyne, 839 Market St.
North Girard
North Girard
Mercersburg
Allentown, R. D. 4
Indiana
Marietta
Everett, R. D. 2
Lorane
Lorane
-189-
County
Chester
Lancaster
Luzerne
Bucks
Bucks
Adams
Lawrence
York
Luzerne
Franklin
Allegheny
Franklin
Bucks
Franklin
Chester
Chester
Allegheny
Montour
Chester
York
Berks
Luzerne
Luzerne
Erie
Franklin
Lancaster
Northampton
Lebanon
Butler
Jefferson
York
Berks
Northumberland
Indiana
Adams
Perry
Luzerne
Perry
Cambria
Luzerne
Bedford
Bedford
Berks
Berks
Cumberland
Erie
Erie
Franklin
Lehigh
Indiana
Lancaster
Bedford
Berks
Berks
Name
Ritter, Astor
Bitter, Henry A.
Rochester Rex Co.
Rohde, W. C.
Roberts, A. J.
* Roberts, Horace
Roberts, J. Earle
Rohlfing, F. F.
*Kohde, William
Rohrbach, Geo. C.
Rohrer, Geo. H.
Roland, Otto
Romig Brothers
Rood, T. C.
Root, J. W.
Rosenberger, W. G.
Rosensteel, L. C.
Royer, John
Rozelle, H. E.
Ruef, J. U.
Ruhl, Dr. H. F.
Rumsey, William A.
*Runk, J. A.
*Rush, Perry M.
Russell, Mrs. Florence
Rutt, Amos S.
Rutter Brothers
Rutter, Walter W.
Rynearson, S. L.
Salsgiver, Andrew
Sanimons, H. B.
Sanders, G. E.
*Satterthwaite, Frederick G.
Satterthwaite, Lewis P.
Saul, Mrs. M. B.
Sawyer, J. F.
Say, Austin
Schantz. H. A.
Schantz, L. M.
Schantz, M. P.
Schieferstein, William
Schlegel, Edwin
Scholl, Paul
School, Winfield J.
Shoonover, W. E.
Schrantz, John W.
Schreiber, Harry F.
Schultz, Adam
Seaman, George
*Searle, Alonza T.
Sechler, Roy
Seitz, M. H.
Semenow, S. D.
»C!
Settlemeyer, C T.
Seybert, Paul
^Life Members
Postoffice
Allentown, R. D.
Coopersburg
Rochester, N. Y., 172 Monroe
Pikesville, Maryland
Moorestown, N. J.
Moorestown, N. J.
Philadelphia, 220 Dock St.
Hummelstown
Johnstown
Fleetwood, R. D. 3
Dryville
Narrowsburg, R. D. 4
Downingtown
Saltsburg
Manheim, R. D. 1
Schwenkville
Erdi
Akron
Pittston, R. D.
State College
Manheim
E. Springfield
Huntingdon
iSycamore, R. 1
1954 Columbia Road
Washington, D. C.
Lancaster, R. D. 7
Lancaster
Manheim, R. 1
Muncy, R. D
Indiana, R. 7
Allentown
527 Fifth Ave., New York
Yardley
Newtown
Moylan
8 Arlington St.
Reading, Mass
Shelocta, R. D.
Allentown
,Orefield, R. D. 1
Allentown
Leesport
Stetlersville
iPogelsville
feionsville
Dallas, R. D. 3
Hellertown
Zionsville
Bally
Honesdale
Honesdale
Muncy, R. D. 5
York, R. 6
4323 Dekota St.
•Pittsburgh
"Wilmore, B. D.
Berwick
—190—
Ave.
County
Lehigh
Lehigh
Philadelphia
Dauphin
Cambria
Berks
Berks
Wayne
Chester
Indiana
Lancaster
Montgomery
Indiana
Lancaster
Luzerne
Centre
Lancaster
Erie
Huntingdon
Greene
Lancaster
Lahcaster
Lancaster
Lycoming
Indiana
Lehigh
Bucks
Bucks
Delaware
Indiana
Lehigh
Lehigh
Lehigh
Berks
Lehigh
Lehigh
Lehigh
Luzerne
Bucks
Lehigh
Berks
Wayne
Wayne
Lycoming
York
Allegheny
Cambria
Luzerne
Name
Shaffer Brothers
onaffer, Onarles N.
onaffmer, Harvey E.
Shank, W. D.
Sharp, Walter K.
Shank, H. A.
Shattuck, J. W.
Shaw, B. C.
Shayzer, H. C.
Sheadle, Misses Adele &
Lydia
Shearer, Walter J.
Sheble, Earl
Shenk, D. W.
Shenot, C. P.
Sheppard, Chas. W.
Shermeyer, Harry A.
Shirker, J. B.
Shockey, L. P.
Shoemaker, Chas.
Shoemaker, C. C.
Shoener, John
Shreve, C. L.
Shultz, Chester K.
Sidler, Anton
Sigman, Isiah
Simmons, S. L.
Simons, R. B.
Simpson, J. A.
Skinner, H. W.
Small, Henry W.
^Smedley, S. L., Sr.
Smedley, S. L., Jr.
Smelt zer, J. Harris
Smith, James E.
Smith, C. M.
Smith, G. C.
Smith, Geo. K.
Smith, Leonard R.
Smith, Roland M.
Smith, S. A.
Smith, Wm. M.
Smith, W. S.
Smith, William
Snavely, Amon
Suavely, C. B.
Snavely, Elmer
Snavely, H. H.
»C!
Snavely, H. Meyer
Snavely, H. R.
Snavely, The Misses
Snyder, C. B.
Snyder, Elmer B.
Snyder, Fred
Snyder, R. S.
Snyder, Stover S.
Snyder, T. A.
^Life Members
Postoffice
County
Ariel
Wayne
Hartsville
Bucks
pover, R. D. 3
York
Lancaster, R. D. 7
Lancaster
Chambersburg
Franklin
Lancaster, R. 7
Lancaster
Erie, R. D. 6
Erie
Stewartstown
York
St. Thomas
Franklin
«
Jersey Shore, R. D. 4
Lycoming
Vinemont
Berks
Hamburg
Berks
Lancaster, R. D. 7
Lancaster
Wexford
Allegheny
Pittston, R. D. 1
Luzerne
York, R. D. 5
York
Akron
Lancaster
Chambersburg, R. 8
Franklin
Hancock, Maryland
Catasaqua
Lehigh
Orwigsburg
Schuykill
Girard
Erie
Barto
Berks
York, R. D. 9
York
West Willow
Lancaster
Mt. Oliver Station
Allegheny
Sterling
Wayne
Indiana, R. D. 5
Indiana
Chambersburg
Franklin
Marion
Franklin
•
Newtown Square
Delaware
Newtown Square
Delaware
Loganville
York
Bethlehem, R. D. 4
Lehigh
Lewistown
Mifflin
North East
Erie
Akron
Lancaster
Mt. Holly, N. J.
Marion Center, B. 2
Indiana
Yoe
York
Orefield, B. D. 1
Lehigh
Trucksville, B. D.
Luzerne
Berwick, B. D. 2
Luzerne
Manheim, B. D. 1
Lancaster
Lititz, B. D. 5
Lancaster
Lititz, B. D. 5
Lancaster
Willow Street
Lancaster
Lancaster
Lebanon, R. D. 8
Lebanon
Lititz, R. 5
Lancaster
Lebanon, R. D. 8
Lebanon
Ephrata, R. D. 1
Lancaster
Elizabethtown
Lancaster
Avonmore, R. D. 1
Westmoreland
Quakertown, R. D. 2
Bucks
Pleasant Valley
Bucks
Brodbecks
York
—191-
Name
Snyder, Frey & Rick
Spangenberg, R. F.
Sprague, Theodore
Squirrel Hill Nursery
Staltzfus, Ezra
Stark Bros. Nurseries &
Orchard Co.
Stauffer, T. H.
Stauffer, Wallace
*Stear, J. R.
Stein, George E.
Steininger, Chas. D.
Stephend, A. Woodward
Stewart, C. D.
Stevenson, W. H.
Stitzer, C. E.
Stode, H. W.
Stone, F. B.
Stone, L. R.
Stonebraker
Stoner, Benj.
Stoner, Bertha
Stoneroad, S. A.
Stover, Jacob E.
*Strasbaugh, E. F.
Strickler, Elmer
Strohecker, Herman A.
Strong, T. M.
Sudds, Richard
Stroud, R. C.
Sun Oil Co.
*Swank, Luke H.
Swartz, D. H.
Swart z, Samuel
Sweetwater Farms, Inc.
Synthetic Nitrogen
Products Co.
Tarbert, D. F.
Tassia, P.
Tate, S. C.
Taylor, Raymond
♦Taylor, Ralph S.
Thayer, Paul
Thomas, Carl B.
*Thomas, Chas. L.
♦■Thomas, Edwin W.
Thomas, John M.
Tingley, Harvey L.
Titus Nursery Co.
Tobacco Byproducts Co.
Transue, R. E.
*Trexler, Harry C.
Trexler, T. A.
Tree, William A.
Trump, Charles
*Life Members
Postoflfice
Reading, R. D. 2
Hamlin
North East
2945 Beechwood Blvd.
Pittsburgh
Gordonville, R. 1
Louisiana, Missouri
Lititz, R. D. 4
Quakertown, R. D. 2
Chambersburg
Wrightsville, R. D. 1
Coopersburg
Mooresburg
Indiana, R. D. 4
Midvale
Mifflinburg
Chester
New Wilmington
Schwenkville
Indiana, R. D. 7
Hellam
Hellam
New Providence ,
York, R. D. 9
Orrtanna
Mt. Joy
Gouglersville
Blairsville, R. D.
State College
Upper Darby
1428 S. Penn Sq.
Philadelphia,
Johnstown
Clymer, R. D. 1
Spring Grove
Glen Mills
285 Madison Ave.
New York City
Dallastown, R. D. 1
York, N. George St.
Erie, R. D. 6
Newtown
West Chester
Carlisle, R. D. 6
West Chester
King of Prussia
King of Prussia
York, R. D. 8
North Girard
Waynesboro, Va.
Louisville, Kentucky
Lumberville
Allentown
Sunbury, 125 Chestnut St.
York
Lebanon, R. D. 5
County
Berks
Wayne
Erie
Allegheny
Lancaster
Lancaster
Lehigh
Franklin
York
Lehigh
Montour
Indiana
Franklin
Union
Franklin
Lawrence
Montgomery
Indiana
York
York
Lancaster
York
Adams
Lancaster
Berks
Indiana
Centre
Delaware
Philadelphia
Cambria
Indiana
York
Delaware
York
York
Erie
Bucks
Chester
Cumberland
Chester
Montgomery
Montgomery
York
Erie
Bucks
Lehigh
Snyder
York
Lebanon
Name
Tuscano, A. H.
*Tyler, W. D.
Tyson, A. R.
*Tyson, Chester J.
*Tyson, Edwin C.
Tyson, Robert W.
*Tyson, William C.
Uibel, Geo. D.
Uncle Peter's Fruit Farm
Unger, D. H.
Unseld, F. J.
VanSant, W. H.
Vogel, E. H.
Wadsworth, J. W.
Wagner, Charles E.
Wagner, D. D.
Wagner, J. S.
Wakefield, E. D.
Walp, Charles F.
*Walton, Robert J.
Ward, M. R.
Warden, Howard
Way, D. H.
Wealand, Harry
* Weaver, Abram
Weaver & Leas
Weaver, Wm. S.
Webb, M. E.
Webster Basket Co.
Weicksel, Dr. Amelia
*Weigel, H. M.
*Weimer, E. A.
Weinberger, J. H.
Welshans, D. D.
Welshans, M. O.
Wenger, G. P.
Wenger, John E.
Wenger, M. P.
Wenger, Neff
Wernig, Charles M.
Wertsch, Edwin
*Wertz, D. M.
*Wertz, G. M.
Wertz, S. H.
*Westrick, F. A.
Wetzel, William
Wheeler, C. B.
Wheeler, C. H.
*Whisler, Edgar
Whislor, Robert E.
White omb, Paul
♦White, Arthur H.
White, F. Haye8
White, Theo.
White, .1. Reese
Wiant, David H.
Widders, J. B.
*Life Members
—192—
Postoffice
County
Milford
Pike
Dante, Virginia
Norristown, R. D. 1
Montgomery
Flora Dale
Adams
Flora Dale
Adams
Allentown
Lehigh
Flora Dale
Adams
Reading
Berks
Mt. Carmel
Northumberland
Boyertown
Berks
North Girard
Erie
Williamsport, P. 0. Bldg. Lycoming
Lancaster, R. D. 3
Lancaster
Sewad
Indiana
McClure
Snyder
Chestnut Hill
Lehigh
Blacklick, R. 1
Indiana
Homer City, R. D.
Indiana
Berwick
Luzerne
Hummelstown
Dauphin
East Springfield
Erie
Dallas, R. D. Box 121
Luzerne
Port Matilda
Centre
Elizabethtown, R. 1
Lancaster
Scalp Level
Somerset
York, R. 9
York
Macungie
Lehigh
Fawn Grove
York
Webster, N. Y.
Perkasie, R. D.
Bucks
Harrisburg
Dauphin
Lebanon
Lebanon
Zionsville, R. 1
Lehigh
Jersey Shore, R. 4
Lycoming
Jersey Shore, R. 4
Lycoming
Quarryville, R. 1
Lancaster
Denver
Lancaster
Denver
Lancaster
Kimberton
Chester-Delaware
York, R. 2
York
Lititz, R. 5
Lancaster
Waynesboro
Franklin
.lohnstown
Cambria
W. Reading
Berks
Patton, R. 2
Cambria
Marion Center, R. D.
Cambria
Hunlock Creek, R. 2
Luzerne
Fairview
Erie
Etters, R. 1
York
Etters
YorTc
York, R. 4
York
Pulaski
Lawrence
Liverpool, R. 1
Mifflin
Darling
Chester-Delaware
CO Houston-White Co.
Millsboro, Delaware
Huntingdon Mills
Luzerne
Lancaster, R. 3
Lancaster
—193—
Name
Wiland, Carl
Williams, C. B.
Williams, F. W.
Willier, J. A.
Wink, Edwin ,T.
Winter, J. Randall
Winter, L. M.
*Wister, John C.
*Witherow, R. T.
Witmer, John B.
Witt, Harry
*Wolfe, Charles A.
Wolfe, Clayton H.
Wolff, F. B.
Wolf, Franlc L.
Wolfe, Joseph
Wolf, Walter
Wolgemuth, Jack
Wolgemuth, Abner M.
Wood, I. C.
Woodward, N. H.
Worthington, H. R.
Wright, Alan T.
Wynkoop, J. W.
Wright, C. E.
Yahner, A. J.
Yaple, L. B.
Yates Lumber Co.
Yeger, Wilson
Yiengst, John
Yohe, George
Yohe, Thos.
Young, J. Fred
Young, Miles
*Youngs, L. G.
Zeigler, J. A. C.
Zellers, S. L.
Zellers, E. B.
Zerphy, Jacob H.
Ziesenheim, J. R.
Zimmerman, H. S.
Zook, Amos F.
Zook, I. F.
Postoffice
253 Highland Ave.,
Newark, N. J.
Canton
Indiana, R. 4
Gratz
Lenhartsville, R. 1
Muncy, R. 2
Hellam, R. 1
Germantown
Punxsutawney
Lampeter
Pennhurst
Aspers
Girard
Lima
North Girard
Fullerton
Dallas R. 2
E. Petersburg
Mt. Joy, R. 1
Shelocta
Mendenhall
West Chester
Spring City
Erie, R. 6
Spring Hope
Patton
Room 6, Foulke Block,
Chillicothe, Ohio
Penn Yan, New York
Wismer
Lebanon, R. 5
Spring Grove
Menges Mills '
New Castle, R. 1
Narrowsburg
North East
York, R. 11
Montgomery
Montgomery
Elizabethtown, R. 1
North Girard
Lapark
Lancaster, R. 5
Curryville
County
Bradford
Indiana
Dauphin
Berks
Lycoming
York
Philadelphia
Jefferson
Lancaster
Chester
Adams
Erie
Chester-Delaware
Erie
Lehigh
Luzerne
Lancaster
Lancaster
Indiana
Chester-Delaware
Chester-Delaware
Chester
Erie
Bedford
Cambria
Bucks
Lebanon
York
York
Lawrence
Wayne
Erie
York
Lycoming
Lycoming
Lancaster
Erie
Lancaster
Lancaster
Blair
^Life Members
To Pennsylvania Fruit Qrowers
Dear Friends : —
What a fine annual meeting* you have just held!
Many favorable comments on the excellence of the
addresses have come to me and your officers are cer-
tainly to be congratulated. I know from experience
how difficult it is to arrange a program in advance that
will meet with a general approval as this has done.
A fine place for the fruit, potato and commercial
exhibits was also provided, but I am afraid that it be-
ing held in several locations resulted in some confusion,
as I failed to note quite a good many familiar faces at
the Schaffer Garage, for which I am sorry as we had
arranged interesting and important demonstrations on
Friend Sprayers, Wayland Graders, Tiffany Pruners,
Latimer Dry Arsenate of Lead, Scalecide and Sulfocide,
with other important items on exhibition.
We continue to stand back of our old slogan
** EVERYTHING FOR THE ORCHARD^' and inquiries
for prices on anything you need will bring prompt
response and we believe it will add to your satisfaction
and profit to adopt a policy of getting in touch with us
before placing orders.
With very best wishes for a satisfactory season,
we are
Sincerely yours,
EDWIN C. TYSON
Tyson Orchard Service
FLOEA DALE, PA.
—194—
—195-
Adams County Nursery
and Fruit Farms
H. O. BAUOHEE, Proprietor
ASPERS, PENNSYLVANIA
^
FRUIT TREES
Be sure to see Exhibit in Shaffer Building,
50 South Cameron Street, when at
the State Farm Products Show
We will be pleased to receive your orders:
^
Telegraph, Shipping Address and Express Office
BENDERSVILLE STATION, PA.
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad
BeU and Cumberland VaUey Telephones
Biglervllle Exchange
Go
a
ft
Aphis, Red Mite, Scale,
Apple Red Bug
Get all four
at once
"^^ SUNOCO
^5;0ne(l)late Sprayii^Necessmy
THE trend everywhere it toward SUNOCO SPRAY.
Why? Because SUNOCO hat definitely proved effec-
tive for pests— and harmlesa to trees, clothioff, machinery—
even to hands and face. The reason ? Because SUNOCO
is ready to use, self-emulsifyinff and stays mixed indefi-
nitely. It is a product of distillation— not a concoction of
diverse chemicals with oil.
SUNOCO can be stored ansrwhere. It can't freeze at any
temperature. It mixes readily with hard water or ice water.
It lubricates spray machinery instead of cloffgina: it.
SUNOCO is economical, covering fully 209^ more tree
surface than lime-sulphur spray.
At the head of our Entomoloffical Department is Prof.
J. G. Sanders, previously State Entomologist of Wisconsin
snd of Pennsylvania and also expert in the United States
Department of Asriculture. His advice is free to users
rf SUNOCO and orchardists in generaL
Write today for free
Imltetins and valuable
information booklet
SUNOCO Spray Dept.
SUN OIL COMPANY
Finance Building Philadelphia, Pa.
2813 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, Pa.
SUNDCQ
Dealers
Everywhere
SELF
EMULSIFYING
SPRAf
—196—
—197-
Bartlett No. 1
COMPOUND LEVER
TREE TRIMMER
is the accepted tool for per-
fect pruning. It will not
wound the bark and cuts a
11/4" limb with ease. Made
in various styles and lengths
from 6 to 16 feet, with or
without rope pull. Also fur-
nished with jointed pole in
4 foot sections if desired.
BARTLETT
brings them dawn
ENJOY
PRUNING
WITH
BARTLETT
TOOLS
The No. 44 Pole
Saw illustrated
above wUl relieve
your worries.
No. 777 Lopping Shear is made of drop forged
crucible tool steel with handles riveted. Han-
dles are white ash, 20 or 26 inches long, rein-
forced with double steel ferrules.
WE MAKE A COMPLETE LINE OF
PRUNING TOOLS
WEITE FOR BOOkLET
Bartlett Mfg. Co.
414 E. Lafayette Avenue
DETROIT, MICH.
Not Jointed Pruner
—198—
Marvil
Package
Company
Laurel, Delaware
«
Peach Baskets, Round Bushel Baskets, Bent
Bottom Bushel Baskets, Marvil-Pack Tub
Bushel Baskets and various other fruit and
vegetable packages.
Modem Machinery
Modem Methods
Modem Management
Samples sent on request. We solicit your orders.
Marvil Package Company
LAUREL, DELAWARE
—199—
Compliments of
Standard Chemical Works
INCORPORATED
READING, PA.
MANUFACTXTRERS OP
High Standard Spray and Dusting Materials
High Standard Fertilizer
Snowflake Hydrated Lime
Doublewear Paints and Roof Coating
We are also Importers and Dealers in Nitrate of Soda,
Muriate of Potash, Sulphate of Ammonia, Bone Meal, Animal
Tankage and Ground Fish.
We thank you for the business you have given us in the
past and assure you our products will continue to be up to their
usual High Standard in Quality.
Standard Chemical Works
INCORPORATED
READING, PA.
FACTORIES:
Womelsdorf, Pa., AnnviUe, Pa., Baltimore, Md.
—200—
Maloney 's
Upland Grown Trees
Transplant Best
SOLD DIRECT AT GROWERS* PRICES
Thousands of apple trees, certified or inspected;
cherry, peach, pear, etc. All propagated under the
personal supervision of our Mr. A. E. Maloney. Guar-
anteed true to name, sturdy, healthy and vigorous.
Big assortment of shrubs, roses,
berries, etc., at reasonable prices.
'^
Growers for 45 Years
Maloney Bros. Nursery Co.,
INC.
DANSVILLE
NEW YOEK
-201-
YOUR SPRAY
SLIGHTING IT IMPERILS
YOUR WHOLE CROP ^XHAIN"
You have money tied up in your orchard and your
spray rig. And certainly labor represents a heavy ex-
pense item.
Don't imperil the whole investment by experimenting
with unknown and untried spray materials. For your
''mix" use GRASSELLI Insecticides and insure cer-
tainty.
This is of major importance because spraying is un-
questionably the most imj)ortant thing the grower does
to insure the maximum of first grade fruit.
There's a Grasselli dealer near you. If you don't
know his location, write us.
The Grasselli Chemical Co.
INCOEPOEATED
CLEVELAND, O.
New York Office— 347 Madison Ave.
Philadelphia Office — Public Ledger Bldg.
Pittsburgh Office— rarmers Bank Bldg.
— 202—
Patterson^s Nurseries
JAMES A. PATTERSON, Prop.
STEWARTSTOWN, PENNA.
Specialties
Peach and Apple
Trees
Classy Stuff^Reasonably Priced
IT WILL BE TO YOUR INTEREST TO SEE OR WRITE US
If Not Sure That
OUR TREES ARE BEST
Come to the Nursery and Be Convinced
^
We will have our usual large stock of Fruit Trees, all com-
mercial varieties for season 1929-30.
—203—
PRODVCT
^*Not one
wormy apple
in a
thousandr^
— ^F. W, Dixon, Kansas
HE used NuREXFORM, the
improved arsenate of lead. It
costs slightly more than ordinary
lead, but £nal results far exceed
first cost.
NuREXFORM produces wonder-
ful results because it spreads bet-
ter, covers better, remains in sus-
pension longer and mixes perfect-
ly with lime sulphur solutioru
Tliis scientific arsenate will pay
back the slight extra cost many
times over in labor saved, time
saved, worry eliminated and great-
er yield of sound, clean fruit. Write
us about it.
The Toledo Rex Spray Co.
Toledo, Ohio
'DRrARSfNATEOFLEAD*
*-*'X^>^A^^^9,tU.Am^t iliUlll
*»M» avMi^ «.«.«. «<4«»«m«iMmw •» «fl»
APOifONA
THE TOUDO lEfsPIUr CO.
I #«##••• MWMI «M#«
■ ■ ■ g
Other REX spray materials include a complete line of Agricultural Sprays
Rex Lime & Sulphur Solution Sulphur
Rex Dry Lime-Sulphur Copper Dutta
Rex Oil Emulsion Rex Calcium Arsenate
Rex Bordo Mixture 40% Nicotine Sulphate
IMPROVED % DRY ARSENATE OF LEAD
—205—
WHAT'S WORTH DOING AT ALL
IS WORTH DOING WELL
We are all very well agreed that there is only one way
to make fruit growing or vegetable growing pay the
best profits. That is to spray right.
Proper spraying can only be done with the very best
equipment obtainable from the standpoint of efficiency,
and low maintenance cost and extra years of life. A
few dollars invested in the interest of 100 per cent
efficiency will come back many times, later.
BEAN SPRAYERS AND DUSTERS
are the answer to the problem when you want to get
the utmost in profit and high grade crops. No matter
what you have to spray or dust, you can find a size
in the Bean line of Sprayers and Dusters that will do it
better, last more years, and cost you much less per year
to operate.
ASK FOR LATEST EFFICIENCY CATALOG
John Bean Mfg. Co.
LANSING, MICHIGAN
—206—
SEVEN APPLE GROWERS
average
NET GAIN per acre
$267^
HERE are reports from seven apple growers in seven states from
New York to Kansas. These growers all used Sulphate of Am*
monia on part of their orchards and checked the gain on the fertilized
trees. The results show a net gain of $267.69 — over and above the
cost of the fertilizer. Proof enough that fertilizing apple orchards
with Arcadian Sulphate of Ammonia pays.
YIELD PER ACRE IN BUSHELS
Grower
Variety
Without
Sulphate
of Atntnonia
With
Sulphate
of Ammonia
Net Gain
Due to
Increase Sulphate
O. C. OUen,
Geneva, N. Y.
Peter Sperow,
N. Mountain, W. Va.
Edgar Hurley,
Sabina. Ohio
John Humphries,
Monticello, Ind.
Ed. Strickfaden,
Pekin, 111.
O. C. Webster,
LaCrescent, Minn.
Walter J. Braun,
Atchison, Kan.
Baldwin 460
York 330
35 year old
Mixed 100
22 year old
Maiden Blush 120
18 year old
Grimes 500
20 year old
N. W. Greening 296
Jonathan 204
652
192
$56.40
550
220
124.00
160
60
114.00
240
120
294.00
805
305
750.84
472
176
285.20
346
142
249.36
Average 7 Growers
287
461
174 $267.69
Note: Tests Peter Sperow made by Joseph B. Prettyman, Vocational
Agricultural Teacher, as cooperator; Edgar Hurley by Levi Luken8»
Lee's Creek High School, as cooperator.
8AIIIPI.K and
BOOKL.KT
FRJBK
ARCADIAN
Rag US. Pat Df#.
Sulphate of Ammonia
The ^ggiSBt Company
AMMONIA -BENZOL DEPARTMENT
A^icultural "Rureau,
Atlanta. Ga. New York. N. Y. Cleveland. Ohio.
Memphis, Tenn. San Francisco. Ga
Norfolk, Va. Toronto, Ont.
The Barrett Company (address nearest office) N-4-29
Please send me free copy of ''SulthaU of Ammonia in the Apple Orchard" Also
send me free sample of Arcadian Sulphate of Ammonia.
Name
Address.
KINDLY PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS
-207—
MECHLINaS SCALE OIL
Will kill Aphis before eggs are hatched — or after
— because of high percentage of Cresylic Acid present.
Will also control Red Mite and Scale at the same spray-
ing.
MECHLING'S OIL EMULSION
Will combine with Bordeaux or Lime Sulphur —
made like Scale Oil but in emulsion form, 66% oil and
33% water and with less Cresylic Acid.
AIR-FLOATED MICROSCOPIC DUSTING SULPHUR
The last word in fineness in Dusting Sulphurs used
as base for Dry-Mix and Dusting Mixtures.
Thirty Other Products — All Equally Good
Mechling Bros.
Chemical Co.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Camden, N. J.
Boston, Mass.
—208—
Yates Lumber Company
PENN YAN, N. Y.
Quality Fruit Packages
I
.
—209-
American Lime
and
Stone Company
BELLEFONTE, PA
»•.••<
\
I :
MANUFACTUREBS OF
BELL MINE SPRAY LIME PRODUCTS
—210—
GENERAL INDEX
Addresses
Page
President Sheldon W. Funk c,
National Legislation on Standard Containers for Fruits
and Vegetables — L. C. Carey ^.' lo
Lessons from a Survey of Orchard Sites in Pennsylvania —
B. D. Anthony o {
Some Problems of New Jersey Peach Growers — A. J.
Farley i>5
Discussion on Peach Growing — H. F. Hershey 34
Latest Developments in Field Mouse Control in Orchar