FRUIT NOTES - October, 193^ 



W. K. Thies 

 Extension Horticulturint 



B iological Sur vey Reports P e alc_ Mouse P opula tion 



Unusually heavy infestations of meadov; nice have been re- 

 ported by orchardints from every section of the state, according 

 to W. W. Dykstra of the U. S. Biological Survey at Worcester. The 

 seriousnetis of this pect problem was recently demonstrated in an 

 orcha.rd near Berlin, Mass. where an area vras thoroughly trapped. 

 On the basis of figures obtained, it is estimated that the probable 

 population in this orchard approaches 50O per acre. The amount of 

 food eaten by a single mendow mouse during a year hf-vn been ev^time^ted 

 at 2k- to J)6 pounds. ROO meadow mice v.'il" consume 5 to 7 tor-.!^ of 

 vegetation per year. Fortunately, these he- avy populations are con- 

 fined to small areas and are not general. 



llicc are among our most prolific pninaln, an-^ it is posslblc- 

 for a singl'_^ wiii ':o have XxCarly a nillion descendants in five yearn. 

 Their pop-iiations are kncvm to rise and fa!".! in cycles of about four 

 years. Inf.--i-e,;..':ea. numbers during recent yerrs indicates a peak pop- 

 ulation thi:. f..ll, F:'.edator;j, disease, shortage of food and adverse 

 weather condit:. ons a.re natural control factors. These rodents con- 

 stitute an important paro of the food cnaf.n of ovr higher minimal s, 

 and an ever bai.aroe is ger';^r-'"'lly obta.ined Cultivated crops, re- 

 sulting in more food, a::d destruction of predators by man tend to 

 offset this D-ilance> Heavy grann cover favors more mice, since it 

 provides both feed and protect! 1 from natural enemies. Increase 

 in predators, such r.i, £o::iii:., skL.'.:a, and shrews, generally accom- 

 panies or follows hoa.vy mouse popula.tlons until a balance is again 

 established. Presence of numerous s'cunks this fall nay therefore 

 be partl-^ily the result of increased mouoe populations. 



Abundant grj.ss cover this s'lri-mer provided ar^ple food for 

 these rodents. With the coming of cold weauher, available foods 

 are gi'-eatly reduced, and mice fi-equently resort to the b;.i.rr. of trees 

 and shrubs as a source of food. Danger of injury from these pests 

 has also been increased as a result of tht; recent huri'icme. Tree 

 bases and roots, loosened during the storm, are Ideal homcsites 

 this winter. Oi'chardists are ther-.;foi'e warned to institute ade- 

 quate conti'ol measures as soon as possible. 



N otes fr om th e West C amo v .'.uge Au r t iori_ ?aar':et 



C. F. i)utton, auctioneer at the Farmers' Regional Produce 

 Market, ha.s this to coy about the friiit ....tuatlon: "The auction 

 has suffoTcd considerably from the hurrlcrno and other clinatic 

 conditions, 7/e are havir.g one sale a. week on Thursdays at k P.M., 

 and as there are not a gvea.t many apples, it seems 1: ely we shall 

 continue or th; t basic. Good Macs in crates sold on October 27 at 

 $l.g7i to ^1.90, with Fane:; Drop Macs at fil.25 to S^Jl.ifO. There 



Issued by the Extension Service, T/illai-d A. Munson, director, 

 in furtherance of Acts of May g and June 30, ipi^f. Massachusetts 

 State College, United States Department of Agriculture, arid County 

 Extension Services cooperating. 



