FRUIT NOTi!;S - January, 1939 



Vi/. H. Thies 

 iixtension Horticulturist 



Change in the 1939 Apple Spray Program 



Note II in the 1939 Apple Spray Chart reads as follov/s. "Due to 

 the prevalence of hurricane-v;eakened trees, the dosage of lime sulfur is 

 reduced this year in order to lessen the amount of spray injury. For the 

 samo reason, it is advisable to limit the use of lime sulfur to those 

 Vi.ridties most susceptible to scab, for example, Mcintosh, Delicious, and 

 Northern Spyj also that lime sulfur be used not more than once in the pre- 

 cover sprays (Pre-Pink , Pink, and Calyx), using a wettable sulphur in 

 the others. Lime sulfur need be used in the Calyx spray only if new scab 

 spots are numerous or if a prolonged rain precodos it within 60 hours. 

 V/ettable sulfurs should be used at the dosagc^s recommended by the manufac- 

 turer. To be effective they must bo applied thoroughly and wither ahead 

 of rain or within 24 hours after the rain starts. In orchards with trees 

 in normal condition, the lime sulfur program as indicatod may be needed, 

 particularly if the season is favorable for scab dovelopraent ." 



The recommended amount of lime sulfur is now 1^ gallons (liquid) 

 or 6 lbs. (dry) in 100 gallons of water. (This note is being included in 

 the present issue of Fruit Notes to urge against overstocking with lime sul- 

 fur and to spread the suggestion of a modified schedule in advance of the; 

 printed spray chart which v;ill be available soon. 



Preventing Spray In.jury in Salvaged Trees 



Apple trees partially uprooted by the hurricane will be in a less 

 vigorous condition this year than formerly. It is well known that trees 

 in a Vi/aakened, low-vigor condition are decidedly more subject to spray in- 

 jury on both foliage tind fruit than healthy trees. As was brought out in 

 the discussions at the recent M. F. G. A. meetings in Worcester, it is 

 felt that growers vi/ill need to observe special precautions this year in or- 

 der to -void excessive spray injury. Since greater spray injury is likely 

 to result from the lime- sulfur-lead arsenate combination than from other 

 spray mi-xtures commonly used, and particularly from early season appli- 

 cations, the question arises as to the replacement of lime-sulfur by a 

 Wettable sulfur, and the possible danger of damage from scab and other pests. 



In the present emergency, it is believed that growers with in- 

 jured trees can generally afford to sacrifice some degree of scab control 

 in ordor to insure a vigorous growth of high-functioning leaves and thus 

 encourage, as much as possible, the recovery of salvaged trees f It is 

 therefore suggested th.^t they plan to use a wettable sulfur program through- 

 out the season, particularly on the less scab-susceptible varieties. At 

 any rate, it will be well to avoid the combined lime . sulfur-lead arsenate 

 spray on any injured trees. Growers who find little or no need for an ar- 

 senical in the pre-pink spray, because of the al^sence of tent caterpillars. 



Issued by the iCxtension Service, Willard A.Munson, director, in 

 furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Massachusetts State 

 College, United States Department of Agriculture, and County ilxtension 

 Services cueperating. 



