-8- 



Concentrations of from 1 to 3 pints in lOa gallons applied once or 

 twice on Y/ealthy in another orchard gave varied results. The first spray 

 was applied on May 12 and the second (whan used) on May 15. Only the double 

 spray, 2 pints in 100 gallons, seems to have thinned the fruits effectively. 

 The weaker and the single sprays seen to have had some effect on the weaker 

 trees which v/ere somewhat lacking in nitrogen. Nearly all sprays were less 

 effective on the more vigorous trees which have been heavily mulched. 



These preliminary statements suggest that Mcintosh is easily thinned 

 while Wealthy requires severe treatment, especially v/hen the trees are vigor- 

 ous and high in nitrogen. Duchess takes an intermediate position. Perhaps 

 we should use strong or double sprays on trees known to have the habit of 

 setting heavily, and weaker sprays on trees known to set only moderately. 



Injury to the trees v/as less than expected. Measured by what we 

 would expect from pesticide sprays, it v;as rather severe, but the trees now 

 look all right and perhaps the spray injury weakened the trees less than 

 would the setting of an excessive crop. All these trees (except the Mcintosh) 

 have been distinctly biennial. Vflnether any of them will set a crop next year 

 remains to be seen. 



Sprays of 1 and 2 pints in 100 gallons applied to peach trees in 

 full bloom vfere only partially effective. All trees required further hand 

 thinning. These trees showed little injury. 



-- J. K. Shaw 



FIRST YEAR TRAINING OF GRAPE VINES 



A recent bulletin from Ontario describes a new method of training 

 a young grape vine which results in a straighter trunk and may hasten fruit- 

 ing. A twine is tied to a side stub on the nevfly set vine, the other end 

 of the twine being tied to the top wire of the trellis. Only one shoot is 

 allowed to grov; and no lateral shoots are allowed to develop on it. As this 

 shoot grows it is twisted loosely about the twine, two or three times during 

 the season. liVhen the cane reaches the top wire it is cut off and tied. If 

 the cane does not reach the top v/ire by the end of the first season it should 

 be cut off above the lov;er wire and tied to it. Nothing is to be gained in 

 pruning a vigorous vine back to two buds at the beginning of the second 

 season as was formerly practiced. 



A word of caution is necessary on tying the lower end of the twine 

 to the vine - be sure it is not attached to the main trunk below the shpot 

 lest girdling result, Jf the trellis is not to be erected the first year 

 a tall stake vali suffice in place of the twine, in which case the growing 

 shoot should be tied to the stake, 



— A. P. French 



UNSCRAIvIBLING PLUM VARIETIES . A new bulletin, (No. 413), "The Identification 

 of Plum Varieties From Non-Bearing Trees" by Lawrence Southwick and A. P. French 

 is just off the press. It is well illustrated and v;ill help to accomplish for 

 plum varieties what has already been accomplished through nursery certification 

 of apple varieties. 



