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THE F RTTIT SITUATION AS RELATED TO 1944 FOOD PRODUCTION GOALS 



At a Food Production Conference held in Amherst October 13 and 14, 

 attended by representatives of all interested farm agencies and organizations, 

 Massachusetts goals in each comr.'iodity were carefully considered. The Fruit 

 Cominittee submitted the following report: 



Apple Production in Massachusetts 



The apple crop in 1942 amounted to 3,400,000 bushels. In 1943, it 

 amounted to 2,552,000 bushels while the 1934-1941 average amounted to 

 2,484,000 bushels. In 1944 we nay reasonably expect a crop somewhat larger 

 than in 1943 although not as large as the record crop of 1942. The 1944 

 crop nay total approximately 2 3/4 million bushels. This estimated increase 

 over 1943 vj-ill be due in part to a larger prospective Mcjntosh crop and to 

 the fact that next year is the "on year" for the Baldwin variety in many 

 orchards . 



Unlike nost vegetables, and to a certain extent, eggs, apple production 

 caruiot be greatly increased over a period of a year or two, even under the best 

 orchard practices. The number of fruit buds vdiich may develop into apples in 

 1944 was determined several months ago, VJeather conditions at blossoming time 

 and also the amount of nitrogen available to the tree will be important factors 

 in the actual set of fruit. The apple grower can, of course, greatly influence 

 the percentage of apples which develop to maturity since he has at least par- 

 tial control over insects and diseases. He can also influence the number of 

 bushels to som.e extent as he increases the size of individual fruits through 

 fertilization and mulching. 



The goal of the Massachusetts apple grower in 1944 will be to produce 

 maximum yields on present plantings. To do this Vifill not require saving every 

 tree in the state regardless of age, height or degree of crowding. In many 

 orchards high production of m.arketable fruit will be greatly favored by re- 

 moving filler trees. In many cases this will involve cutting out every other 

 diagonal row. In older orchards where the trees are too tall to be sprayed 

 and harvested efficiently the tops should be lowered by pruning. Since labor 

 is such an important item in apple production our orchards should be put in 

 order. This is an ideal time to lay plans for more efficient spraying and 

 easier harvesting in 1944, 



Weeds of T'assachusett s Fruit Growers 



Equipment . Difficulties in controlling apple scab in 1945 err:phasize 

 the need for both spraying and dusting equipment. Every fruit grower nust of 

 necessity have a good sprayer. Any grower with 20 acres or more should also 

 have a good duster. Since dusting can be done with less time than spraying, 

 and since it provides needed protection at critical tines, dusting should be 

 considered as a necessary supplement to spraying, particularly in our larger 

 orchards. We will need 100 percent as many dusters as were delivered in 1940, 

 We will also need at least 80 percent as m.any sprayers as v/ero delivered in 

 1940. Sprayer and duster repair parts nust be made available. Growers report 

 that repair parts were very slow in being delivered last season. A good sup- 

 ply of all needed parts must bo made available for prompt delivery, including 



