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FIBRE APP LE BOXES . The Indiana Station studied fibre apple boxes 

 last year and the results were favorable enough to warrant further tests 

 in 1943-44. Boxes made of so-called "Victory Board," Grade A, gave the best 

 results; Grades B and C vrere less satisfactory. The Grade A boxes were of 

 ■•.023 caliper; weatherproof aheet on either side of a ,009 inch vreatherproof 

 member manufactured with weatherproof adhesives. Such packed boxes stacked 

 8 high stood up well from October 1 to January 3. Y/hen stacked 10 boxes 

 high, the weight proved to be too great. The boxes v;ere subjected to high 

 humidity even to water poured on the floor. Massachusetts growers usually 

 require a longer storage period eoid perhaps even these Grade A boxes might 

 not stand up. (lloosier Horticulture Vol. XXVI, page 131, October, 1944) 



— J. K. Shaw 



MOVEI'iENT OF POTASH IN THE TREE . It has been thought that potash 

 moves through""the tree rather readily in contrast to some other nutrients 

 that move rath^-r slowly. At the New Jersey Station small peach trees v/ere 

 planted so that the upper roots of each tree were confined to one pot and 

 the lower roots were in another pot beneath. There could be no passage of 

 water or nutrients from one pot to another except through the root that 

 passed through the top pot into the bottom one. Potash could be applied 

 to either the top pot containing the upper part of the root system or to 

 the bottom pot containing the lov/er part of the root system. 



It was found that potash deficient parts of the plant were adequate- 

 ly supplied viithin a very few weeks by potash supplied to either pot. It 

 should be added that the pots v/ere filled with sand thus avoiding potash 

 fixation v/hich commonly occurs in field soils. This suggests that when potash 

 is applied in the orchard, it is not necessary that it penetrate deeply but 

 it must reach the upper roots in available form. 



Probably few of our orchards suffer from potash deficiency. In 

 attempting to correct an existing deficiency, one must beviare of bringing 

 out magnesium deficiency. If the tree has absorbing roots near the sur- 

 face, it may be easier than we thought to correct potash deficiency. 

 (Soil Science, Vol. 58, page 51, July, 1944). 



-- J. K. Shaw 



YifAXI N G APPLES AGA IN. Certain varieties of apples have so little 

 waxy covering that they shrivel in storage. Golden Delicious or Yellow 

 Delicious is about the only such variety nov/ grovm in Massachusetts in suf- 

 ficient quantity to warrant waxing. If Golden Delicious apples are waxed 

 at the right time, with the right wax and in the right amount, shriveling 

 may be effectively controlled. If waxing is improperly done, it may fail 

 or the apples may be ruined. VJe would be glad to hear from growers who may 

 be interested in v/axing, and if there is enough demand, to get some first- 

 hand experience and to offer suggestions. 



— J. K. Shaw 



