PEACH GROWING 15 



arsenate IM level tablespoonfuls, water to make 1 gallon. Under certain condi- 

 tions, especially high humidity, this spray will cause arsenical injury in the form 

 of excessive leaf drop, "burned" spots in the leaves, and wounds with gummosis 

 on the twigs. The dust formula (sulfur 70 parts, lead arsenate 10 parts, and 

 hydrated lime 20 parts) is much safer, but it may cause similar injury in some 

 seasons. Where curculio is not a serious pest, and on nonbearing trees, sulfur 

 alone either as spra>' or dust should be used. E\en where curculio is a pest, 

 arsenical injury from the Shuck spray or dust may be more destructive than the 

 curculio damage. Conditions under which this spray may be used safely are 

 high elevation, a cool season, and dry we?ther during and following the spraying 

 operation. Silfur alone cither as spray or dust has some repellent action against 

 curculio. 



When mixing a spray containing lead arsenate, the lead arsenate should always 

 be added last and preferably just before beginning to spray. 



By freshly hydrated lime is meant 300-mesh lime, less than one year old, con- 

 taining at least 70 percent calcium oxide. Never use lime of high magnesium 

 content for orchard pest control. 



First Cover — Apply 7 to. 10 days after the Shuck to control brown njt, scab, 

 and curculio. Use the same materials as for the Shuck. 



Second Cover — Apply two weeks after the First Cover to control brown rot. 

 Use the same materials as in the Pink. 



In years of excessive rainfall or if brown rot is present at the time of the 

 Second Cover, additional cover sprays or dusts will be needed at intervals of 

 10 to 14 days, using sulfur as in the Pink spray. Dusting may be continued right 

 up to harvest, but spraying should be discontinued two weeks earlier to avoid an 

 objectionable residue. If brown rot is present and the weather is wet, an applica- 

 tion of sulfur dust is advisable just before harvest to prevent brown rot decay 

 in the harvested fruit. 



If aphids become numerous at any time, add % pint of 40 percent nicotine 

 sulfate to 100 gallons of spray solution, or use a 2 percent nicotine dust. 



This spray program is available in brief form as the "Spray and Dust Chart 

 — Peaches," Extension Leaflet No. lOOB, which is revised annually. For the 

 latest information obtain this chart from your county agricultural agent or from 

 Massachusetts State College. 



HARVESTING AND MARKETING 



The successful harvesting and marketing of peaches depend to a considerable 

 extent on the care used in handling during the harvesting operations. A little 

 extra time spent in careful handling to prevent bruising pays good dividends. 



The stage of maturity at which the peaches should be picked depends on the 

 way in which they are to be marketed. To attain the best quality, they should 

 be left on the tree as long as possible. For the roadside stand they can usually 

 be left on the tree until one side begins to soften. For shipment to local markets 

 they should be picked before they begin to soften. For long-distance shipment 

 they should be picked when they are hard ripe; that is, when the flesh has lost 

 its hard character and has become springy to the touch. 



