-3- 



VifAXING APPLES. One of the weaknesses of the Golden Delicious apple is its 

 tendency to shrivel in storage. Ihis can be largely avoided by vraxing the 

 apples, [[he Cornell Station describes a home-made waxing machine v/hich 

 could be built at a prewar cost of about $300. On this basis, apples could 

 be waxed at a cost of about 3 cents per bushel. V/eight loss vias reduced 

 about one-half. \Yaxing must be properly done or the apples may develop an 

 alcoholic flavor, (proc A.S.H.S., Vol. 44, page 183). 



A NETiY HEASON FOR GROYJING MORE PEACHES IN MSSACHUSEITS . We sometimes wonder 

 why some of the peaches shipped into Massachusetts should not be replaced by 

 home-grown fruit. Peaches shipped long distances must be picked earlier 

 than those for the local market. Peaches, like other fruits, grow as long 

 as they are on the tree. Experiments in the State of Vfeshington showed that 

 increases in^i.z1%r&m the time of picking Elberta peaches for shipping to 

 the time of picking for canning were as follows: Average circumference 12^, 

 weight 35%, soluble solids '60%. Peaches are picked for canning at about 

 the same stage as for a local market, peaches allowed to remain on the 

 tree until the flesh begins to soften are more attractive in appearance, 

 of better quality and you get more bushels. (Washington Expt. Sta., Mimeo. 

 Giro. 8, 1943) . 



MOiffi ABOUT J.IULCHITIG ORCHARDS . Massachusetts fruit growers are interested 

 in mulching orchards. The New Hampshire Station has started an experiment 

 in a young Mcintosh orchard comparing the common sod system of culture, 

 sawdust, hay and seaweed mulches. After two years little difference has 

 been observed between sod and savj-dust or between hay and seaweed. Hay and 

 seaweed have resulted in more and larger fruits of slightly less red color., 

 and deeper green anci more dense foliage than sod and sawdust. Witch grass 

 grew up through the sa;vduEt but only slightly through hay and not at all 

 through seaweed. These results are similar to those of the Massachusetts 

 Station and indicate the value of a hay mulch or seav;eed if you can get it. 

 It also suggests that sav/dust is of doubtful value. (Proc . A.S.R.S., Vol. 

 44, page 49) 



MORE PEACHES IN MASSACHUSETTS . Walter piper says that there are practically 

 no good peaches in the Boston market because natives are being sold at the 

 farm. Supplies come mostly from the Virginia section. Y/hy shouldn't we 

 supply Boston from more Massachusetts orchards? BUT plant the trees on 

 high sites, exterminate chokecherries , select the right varieties, control 

 borers, brovm rot, curculio, and oriental peach moth. Perhaps DDT will help 

 in the future . 



J. K. Shaw 



MAG^TESIUl-1 DEFICIENCY, A limited number of reprints 

 of a journal article entitled "Some Results in Correct- 

 ing Magnesium Deficiency in Apple Orchards" are avail- 

 able to interested growers. The authors, Lawrence 

 Southv;ick and J. K. Shaw, report in this article the 

 effects of spray and soil applications of magnesium on 

 magnesium deficient apple trees at Mass. State College. 

 Requests for this reprint may be sent to Lawrence South- 

 wick, M.S.C., Amherst. 



