-4- 



of the week and many local people who had not handled apples previously, in- 

 cluding vfives of business men, did their share in picking and packing the 

 "bumper crop. In the same way, ITev; England apple growers must utilize to the 

 fullest extent all nearby labor resources instead of hoping for an influx 

 of migratory labor. 



That as many as 450 European red mite have been counted on a single 

 leaf? In one orchard the average on 100 leaves was 225 per leaf. The nev; 

 DN material was tried in New England last summer by six investigators in six 

 different localities. In a series of 22 tests the average reduction in num- 

 ber of mites amounted to 97^0. 



That the root of a tree is more spongy in texture and lighter in 

 weight than a branch largely because it has relatively more vessels and 

 fewer fibers? The root functions mainly as a conductor of materials in 

 solution. The branch must also be strong enough to withstand high winds 

 and support a heavy crop of fruit. 



That February is an ideal time to (1) overhaul farm machinery, (2) 

 make further progress in pruning and removal of unv;anted trees, and (3) order 

 fertilizers, seeds, and other supplies? 



That the large average size of apples in Massachusetts last fall vms 

 not entirely due to abnormally heavy rainfall during the growing season? A 

 study of daily weather records up to harvest time indicates a fairly good dis- 

 tribution but not an exce.ssive amount of rainfall. At the same time vreather 

 conditions preceding Mcintosh harvest v;ere apparently highly favorable for 

 fruit sv;elling. Higher than normal humidity and more hours of sunshine pre- 

 vious to harvest time may have influenced the size of fruit. About 70^3 of 

 the Mcintosh crop in storage is reported to be 3 inches in diameter or larger. 



That apples and field mice are common items of food for foxes? In a 

 study of the food habits of 289 red and gray foxes taken during the winter 

 season in New England, it was found that 128 (M.2%) had eaten ap-ples, while 

 83 (28.6^) had eaten field mice. These two items of food v;ere exceeded in 

 popularity only by cottontail rabbits. It was found that 173 (59.8^o) had 

 eaten rabbits. 



That the use of fresh, native grown fruits and vegetables in Massa- 

 chusetts this year has released more than 35,000 refrigerator cars which 

 othenvise v/ould have been required to haul this class of food products into 

 this area? 



I That raw apple is sometimes beneficial in the diet of an infant? In 

 the Mich. State Hort. Soc. Rept. (1939) v/e find this statement, "Investiga- 

 tions have found the rav/ apple diet successful v;ith infants less than 6 months 

 of age." 



That it requires more than 3 times as many peaches of 1 3/4 to 2 inch 

 diameterto weigh 50 lbs., than of 2 3/4 to 3 inch diamoter? Of the smaller 

 size, 340 peaches are required, and of the larger size only 110. 



(Note: Any large orchard owner interested in an unusually 

 v/ell qualified manager, novir available, should comiriunicate 

 with H. A. Rollins, Extension Horticulturist, University 

 of Connecticut, Storrs, Conn.) 



