as a dust in the control of pov/dery mildew of grapes. In recent years, 

 France alone has used about 100,000 tons of sulfur annually in protecting 

 its vineyards against grape diseases. The importance of sulfur in the 

 growing of apples is too familiar to require emphasis. Our pest control 

 is actually built around the use of sulfur. V«e are indeed fortunate tliat 

 sulfur in its various forms, including the various brands of v^ettable sul- 

 fur, are still available in spite of the heayj^ demand for sulfur in indus- 

 try. Incidentally, one of the wettable sulfurs, flotation sulfur, comes 

 as a byproduct in the making of coke. The hydrogen sulfide v;hich must 

 be removed fr^m illuminating gas, goes through a number of interesting 

 chemical processes and finally emerges as flotation sulfur. There is 

 reason to believe that the supply of sulfur required for spraying and 

 dusting purposes v.dll be ample to meet the current season's n^sds at least. 



Is a Back yard O rchard Practic al? 



V/ith limited space"a vail able for a fruit planting, there is much 

 evidonce to show that the average individual in i,lassachusetts will obtain 

 more satisfaction and more fruit for home use if he C'^nfines his efforts 

 to small fruits such as strav/berries, raspberries and grapes than he vrill 

 from a planting of tree fruits. Apples in particular seem to be subject 

 to an unusual nuir.ber of troublesome pests v;hich require close attention 

 and a thorough, ivell timed spray program if usable fruit is to b e obtained. 

 Fully recognizing this fact, v;e are not only surprised but disturbed by 

 recommendations recently released by an authority in fruit growing in one 

 of the southern states. Speaking before the national Defense Gardening 

 Conference in vVashington, December 20, on the subject, "More Fruit for 

 Home Use on Our Fanns," the speaker made this statement: "Spraying prac- 

 tices may be needed, especially for apples and grapes. In many districts 

 and sections, however, these and other fruits m&Y be grown successfully 

 without spraying." The writer is reasonably sure that the above mentioned 

 sections do not include Massachusetts. The speaker also made this sta.te- 

 ment; "Tree fruits such as apples, pears, peaches, plums and cherries, 

 should occupy a prominent place in the home fruit garden. They should, 

 of course, be supplemented by bush fruits, grapes and strawberries." 

 Vvhile we cannot speak for the southern state in which this advice may be 

 in order, under our conditions bush fruits, grapes and strawberries should 

 come first in the backyard planting. Under no circumstances would we ad- 

 vise the planting of apple trees in the backyard unless the owner is not 

 only av/are of the pest situation, but is equipped to do something about it. 



Sound Mvice on Sprayi n g Equ ipment 



The follc^ing suggestions come from one of the manufacturers of 

 spraying equipment. Just at this season the advice is most timely, and 

 should be heeded by every fruit grower, 



"Defense calls for extra care of your sprayer equipment. So many 

 people still do not realize the seriousness of our national situation from 



an industrial viewpoint. There are still too many drifting along, business 

 as usual, hoping the war v/ill not affect them. The plain facts are that 

 v;ar production is going to require most of the available manufacturing of 

 this country, 'i.hat little manufacturing is left will be applied to actual 

 necessities. The old sprayers, now in service, must be kept running for 

 it v;ill be impossible to build enough new ones during the ivar. You must 



