-4- 



the roots are likely to be injured when the first cold weather sets in if 

 deprived of the protective layer of soil. It is an excellent idea to remove 

 grass and weeds fron around apple trees as a means of keeping mice av;ay from 

 the tree. But if vegetation is removed in the fall the space should be 

 filled in with sand or gravel. 



That peach leaves seem to contain^ on the average, more potassium 

 than apple loaves? J. R. llagness of the Bureau of Plant Industry in a re- 

 cent talk at the Horticultural Seminar in /jnherst, stated that 1 1/2^ is 

 about the border line of deficiency of potassium in peach trees, Virhereas 

 apple trees may contain only 1%, Thus peach leaves with a potassium con- 

 tent of 1 l/^% would obviously be deficient, whereas apple leaves v;ith that 

 same amount might still contain enough for normal needs. 



That peaches have been groivn from peach pits in two years? That 

 is the record achieved by scientists at the University of California. The 

 process was speeded up by removing the kernels, soaking them in a nutrient 

 solution of agar, sugar, and vitamin B\ for three weeks. This treatment 

 results in rapid germination. By the time the young trees are S months old 

 they are ready for field planting and by their second birthday the young 

 trees have produced peaches . 



That gum may exude from a peach tree for any one of half a dozen 

 reasons? Th? most common cause is the peach tree borer. Other causes in- 

 clude riieclianical injury'-, winter injurj'-, bro^/m rot, and anything else which 

 tends to injure the inner bark. One tree \'^as observed this fall in which 

 a sr.-iall amoimt of gum had exuded from all of the tips attacked by Oriental 

 fruit moth. 



That one acre of corn requires about 4,300,000 povmds of irater? 

 This is equivalent to about 19 acre-inches . Although the exact water re- 

 quirements of an orchard are not laiown, a mature orchard may require as 

 much water per acre as corn. It is estimated that a mature apple tree may 

 require 4500 gallons of water during the grov/ing season. 



Tliat the roots of a plant grow later in the fall and earlier in 

 the spring than the above groimd portion of the plant? Careful studies 

 of the behavior of roots show that some root growth 2-iay take place in apple 

 trees even during the v/inter months. This emphasizes the need for setting 

 fruit plants early in the spring. If set during April while the air is 

 still cool, the roots have a chance to develop before the buds. If set 

 during /'ay the plant is under a handicap because top growth begins before 

 the plant has a satisfactory root system. 



That a growing squash has Vi'lthstood a measured pressure of 2 l/2 

 tons? Professor T.'. S. Clark performed this experiment many years a go in 

 Amlierst, using a unique metal "harness" with a lever arrangement for adding 

 weights as the squash grew. Ho also attempted to measure the root system 

 of the squash vine. He calculated a total root length amounting to 15 m.ilcs. 



That the P.egional Iiarket wholesale auction of fruits and produce 

 opened its 7th season October 27 at the Boston Regional Produce f.iarket in 

 Cambridge? C. F. Dutton, tho auctioneer, conducts sales each Monday and 

 Thursday. 



