?ut cull apples will never be popular. Standards are high among con- 

 sumers and apples must be well grown. From both patriotic and business stand- 

 points the situation demands the best spraying and thinning and the most care- 

 ful handling that can be given the crop. If this does prove to be that big 

 year you have been looking for, will you be ready for it? 



R. A. Van Meter 



Apple Drying Program 



An extensive apple dehydration program will be sponsored next fall by 

 the government, according to the National Apple Institute. This will replace 

 canning to provide for long keeping at a great saving of containers, shipping 

 space and weight. The product is intended for our own armed forces, for Lend- 

 Lease shipments, and for the food stockpile being built up by this nation. 

 Last year the government took all the dried apples it could get and wanted 

 more. 



The dehydrated product must be of the highest quality to be accept- 

 able. Contracts will be let to existing apple dryers, to apple canneries 

 which can put in drying equipment, and to vegetable dryers which may be able 

 to fit apples into the seasonal schedule. 



The army has already contracted to purchase one million pounds of 

 apple "nuggets," which are popcorn-like particles of dehydrated apples made 

 at Selah, Washington. This one contract covers some 150,000 bushels. 



Probably few apples will be dried in New England but the program will 

 remove a substantial amount of apples from the fresh fruit market. It all 

 helps. ^ —R. A. Van Meter 



Weed Killers for Chokecherries 



Peach growers who wish to protect their orchards against X-disease 

 (yellow- red virosis) should obtain a supply of weed kilte r to kill choke- 

 cherries. A chokecherry free belt 200 feet wide around the orchard is consider- 

 ed good protection, but a 300-foot belt is better. 



There are two types of weed killers available suitable for use on 

 chokecherries. One is sodium chlorate. This material is very inflammable 

 when in contact with dry organic matter and should not be used without the 

 addition of a deflagration agent to reduce the fire hazard. The other is am- 

 monium sulfamate. There is no fire hazard connected with the use of this ma- 

 terial. Used at a strength of 3/4 pound per gallon of water, both materials 

 are effective on chokecherries. Ammonium sulfamate is much more effective on 

 the black or rum cherry. Although the black cherry has not been shown to act 

 as a host for the X-disease, experiments on its elimination are being carried 

 on so that we shall know how to get rid of it should the need arise. 



Although chlorates have recently been given a priority rating a lim- 

 ited amount is being released for the control of noxious weeds. Anyone wish- 

 ing this type of material should get supplies at once. Information about 

 obtaining these materials will be sent on request. 



