-4- 



Results with lioniione Sprays 



V. e are interested in hearing, from more growers regarding their 1941 

 "hormone" spray program and results. The more reports we have, the better 

 can V'le evaluate this nev; method of drop control. Please send your report (as 

 brief as you li':e) to me at Massachusetts State College. L. Southwick 



Boysenberr5' Too Tender for Massachusetts 



Frequent inquiries arc made concerning the possibilities of the 

 Eoyscnberry in Massachusetts. Except for limited trial or for a novelty, 

 this dewberry is not adapted to our climatic environment, largely due to a 

 lack of v.dnter hardiness. Even in New Jersey, according to the State Horti- 

 culrural Society Nevs, it requires adequate v;inter protection to make it a 

 satisfactory hoiae garden fruit, and is considered too tender for commercial 

 planting. L. Southwick 



A i-Iote on Meadov; ilice 



It is a cause for speculation as to just why field mice do not attack 

 the cultivated blueberry. Evidently, there is no case of girdling on record. 

 It so happens, however, ti;at apple bark is one of the more favored foods of 

 mice and it is hoped that suitable control measures have been undertalfen in 

 orchards, especially young orchards, where mouse runs have been in evidence 

 this fall. The proper use of the rodenticide distributed through the Fish & 

 V.'ildlife Service has proven 100>j effoctive in our orchards at the College. 



L. Southwick 



Preventing Rabbit Damage 



Rabbits seem to be quite numerous this fall in certain localities. 

 If such a locality happens tc be near a youiig apple orchard, considerable 

 bark injury may be the result. In a small experimental planting at Li. S. C, 

 rabbits have already caused some damage. If no control measures were taken, 

 it is very likely that injuries v/ould become increasingly extensive follov.ring 

 snowfall and colder weather. 'Vith the limiting of their food supplies, rab- 

 bits often turn to chewing bark and cutting off tv.'igs from the lower branches 

 of apple trees. Some protection can be had v:ith small trees by usin^, high 

 wire guards. But the most effective control consists of eliminating the rab- 

 bits. The American Fruit Grower states that Michigan State College has de- 

 veloped a repellent v.-hich will keep rabbits from gnawing the bark. Seven 

 pounds of pulverized rosin is mixed with a gallon of alcohol and &llov«ed to 

 stand 24 hours in a warm room. One gallon of repellent is supposedly enough 

 for 150 to 200 2-year old trees. L. Southv;ick 



Do You K now 



That the first strawberries of the season in Florida brought a fab- 

 ulous price? A recent news item from Plant City, Florida, says, "The first 

 strawberries have come into the market here, and brought 45 ^l pint. Cool 

 weather has revived the plants and the rains vrhile heav^'-, have caused no ma- 

 terial damage to the berry fields. Movement of berries, provided weather con- 

 ditions remain favorable, should get under v;ay early next month in a light 

 way by refrigerated express." 



That a detailed survey of production practices v/as made last summer 

 in 19 strav^berry plantings in Bristol County? This survey, conducted by H. F. 



