-5- 



That sawdust is proving to be a desirable mulching material for blue- 

 berries? In a study of mulching materials in Georgia, where temperatures are 

 high and there is frequently a deficiency of soil moisture, sawdust because 

 of its ability to reduce evaporation and runoff, v;as by far the best mulch 

 material tested. Being cheap and easily available, it is recomiaended for 

 mulching blueberries in the Southeast. Looser materials, such as straw and 

 oak leaves, were better than clean cultivation but not so effective as sav;- 

 dust . 



That strawberries sometimes yield better under a spaced runner system 

 than in a matted rovj? In YiTest Virginia, five varieties, Blakemore, Catskill, 

 Culver, Fairfax, and Howard 17, were spaced 8 inches apart. In each case the 

 spaced plants outyielded the same varieties in matted ro\/s . Under Massachu- 

 setts conditions, we sometimes get a better yield v;ith certain strong grov/ing 

 varieties like Catskill, although the Howard 17 may do almost as well in a 

 matted row. 



That there are at least four reasons why some grov/ers have failed to 

 get satisfactory results with sprays applied for controlling ilclntosh drop? 

 Among these reasons are: (l) Faulty coverage. It takes much more material 

 and a better distribution to wet the stem of each apple than is applied in 

 the average spray during the spraying season. (2) Temperature too low. The 

 spray is much less effective if applied v;hen the temperature is 60 degrees 

 than at 75 degrees. (3) Faulty timing. Since the spray is effective on 

 Mcintosh for only 9 or 10 days at best, the effect in some cases wears off 

 before the apples are due to drop. In otlier cases, the apples may begin 

 to drop before the material tecomes effective. This latter interval is about 

 two days. (4) The Mcintosh variety is less easily influenced than certain 

 other varieties. VJ'illiams, Duc?ie5S, Delicious, and certain other varieties 

 are apparently held on the tree more easily than Mcintosh. 



That more than 7,000 varieties of apples have been named and intro- 

 duced? As late as 1900, 340 varieties were recommended, and nurseries v^ere 

 selling at least 1400 kinds. The variety list has rather steadily narrov/ed 

 down until today only about 30 varieties are of commercial importance. Con- 

 sidering the 1942 and 1943 production, Delicious led all other varieties in 

 importance, followed in order by Vfinesap and Mcintosh, 



— L. Southwick 



CHAIIGES IN 1944 AP PLE SPRAY CHART 



V/e have been informed by the printer that the 1944 Apple Spray Charts 

 have been shipped. They will be distributed to county agents and growers 

 immediately upon their arrival. The chart this year has been printed on two 

 sheets so that the notes can be referred to more conveniently. In general, 

 changes in the Spray Chart this year are of a minor nature. It vdll be noted 

 that v;-ettable sulfur may be used in Emergency Spray A instead of lime sulfur 

 provided that this spray is applied merely as a protective cover. Line sul- 

 fur must be used if scab spots are to be burned out. 



A revised Spray and Dust Chart for Peaches is expected to be available 

 for distribution presently, __^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^ 



