-3- 



of riev.- residue tolero.nce. (5; I-lacc of ciiistLng pro.ctices in. our 

 area. (6) Discussion of the benavior of .aajor pests, v;ith em- 

 phr-sis on weak points in our various programs. (7J Control of 

 app'le scab;, brovm rot of stone fruits. (o) Discussion of spray 

 injury. (9) Protecting outside rows (apples) from eurculio damage." 



Two other conferences of interest to .'.lassachusetts fruit 

 growers were held in Amherst November 6. In the forenoon, the 

 state fru.it com.nittee met to discuss the extension program as re- 

 lated to the fruit industry and in the afternoon, proposed changes 

 in the 1941 fruit spray schedules were taken up. 



Apple Survey Cummary Hears Completion 



ViThat changes have occurred in Massachusetts apple or- 

 chards since 1925? How imniy trees do v/e now have oi sac':: varie-ty 

 and of each age group in our ccmmercial orchards? These and other 

 questions will be answered by the apple survey suminary which •.■.■ill 

 be available for discussion in v.-inter meetings. Records froai about 

 170j orchards of 100 trees or more are included. In the writer's 

 opinion, the individual grower may profitably consider his ov;n 

 set-up in relation to the statewide situation, j-iverages and to- 

 tals are interesting although of little real value. Vrnat the in- 

 dividual grov^er does to reorganize .his enterpirise in the direction 

 ox greater efficiency is of maximum importance. 



Here' s an Idea 



Much as we dislike to luake drastic pr'uning cuts in a 

 young fruit tree, it is often the ersiest ^./ay of getting the de- 

 sired framework. For example, let's imagine a vigorous three-year- 

 old apple tree with a good framework except for one side li.nb vvhich 

 is growing faster than the leader. It sho'ws a terminal grov.'th of 

 I'D inches, vriiile the leader shows only twelve. Obviously, if that 

 rate of growth continues, the framework of the tree will be upset 

 and we are likely Ic have two competing leaders.. 



Experience has showii that a li.iib 01 this kind is diffi- 

 cult to dv;arf. Even if cut back 50f: it will generally assert it- 

 self enough to require further cutting a year later. But if v.'e 

 reuove this limb instead of heading it back, some oi' the nutrients 

 will be diverted into other brancnes and balsnce v.^ii be restored. 

 In pruning young trees, it is always advisable to observe the ter- 

 iiiinal growth made by the different branches and by the leader, in 

 order that a balanced framework of properly subordim.ted brancnes 

 may be maintained. 



So.ae Apple Oddities 



Have you discovered any i'reaks of nature in your orchard 

 this fall? I'" so, the details v>:ill be welcomed for publicction 

 in Eruit riotes. As examples of the way in which nature occasionally 

 outdoes herself, wo submit; recent observations as follo\,s; (l) 

 A northern Sjjy apple which appeared to have been stretched laterally 



