SOME EFFECTS OF JIULCHING 



Many Massachusetts fruit growershave mulched their orchards v/ith 

 good results. TTander and Gourley in Ohio have tried to find out the reason 

 for the favorable results of mulching. They compared the soil under mulch 

 and under cultivation and found that the available potash was much greater 

 under mulch even to a depth of 21 inches. The increase of magnesium and 

 calcium was less, although that of organic matter, phosphorus and boron, 

 while large in the surface 3 inches, was small or showed no increase at great- 

 er depths. The acidity of the soil was not affected. The potassium and 

 phosphorus content of both leaves and fruit was increased by mulching, 

 while the content of both magnesium and calcium was decreased in the leaves. 

 No comment is made on nitrogen, but it is always evident that i.iulched trees 

 have plenty of nitrogen. This confirms the belief of the v/riter that the 

 beneficial effects of mulching are largely due to increased available nutri- 

 ents. (Proc. Araer, Soc, for Hort, Sci . Vol. 43: p. 1) 



— J, K. Shaw 



SECTI ONAL l E nTIiJG O F A.S.II.S. 



Host fruit grov/ers knov/ of the Aj-.ierican Society for Horticultural 

 Science, v^/hich is the national organization of the "scientific" horticul- 

 turists. This Society omitted its annual meeting last year and vdll do so 

 this year. Instead, group meetings will be held in different sections, thus 

 avoiding the congestion resulting from war time travel. The New England 

 members will meet in Worcester on January 4, 1944. V^Tiile this meeting v;ill 

 be devoted to discussion of Horticultural Science, any fruit grov/ers who care 

 to attend will be welcome. 



-- J. K. Shaw 



The national apple crop in 1943 was Cl^o below that of 1942 and 

 2'6'/o below the 1954-41 average. California v/as the only major state 

 with a larger crop in 1943 than in 1942, In l/.'ashington unfavorable 

 spring weather in 1943 reduced the crop about I'J/o below that of 1942, 



In checking on a worthless crop of apples a few days ago the 

 writer was told that the orchard received three "pink" sprays. Fur- 

 ther inquiry brought this explanation;- "three applications of that 

 pink stuff, lead arsenate". 



A number of instructive and entertaining movies are available 

 at the State Colle^je for general distribition. Ai'.iong the recent ones 

 are: "Farn ■' ork is l/Tar l.'ork," "l.ar Time Nutrition," and "Out of the 

 Fryinj^ Pan into the Firin^ Line," 



VmT:VA 



