RUIT 



OTES 



December 30, 1944 



Prepared by the Fruit Program Committee- 

 of the Extension aervice 



W. H. Thies, Extension Horticulturist 



Contents 



Correcting Magnesium Deficiency in Orchards 



Rating of Various Apple Varieties in the U.S. 



The Fertilizer Outlook 



Order Supplies Early for 1945 



Use of Cannon for Dusting 



A One-Man Sprayer Outfit 



Summary of V/FA Apple Buying Program 



DDT Not a Cure-all 



New Light on Vfinter Injury 



Fruit Notes Index for 1944 



OORRECTING MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY IN ORCHARDS 



In a Maine survey conducted last fall, magnesium deficiency symp- 

 toms were found in 47 out of 50 orchards examined, ?/hile the proportion 

 may not be as great in Massachusetts, many of our orchards are suffering 

 from, or are on the verge of, an actual deficiency. The natural supply of 

 magnesium in many of our soils is low, and since continuous removal 

 through harvested crops, leaching and erosion, ■tends to reduce the avail- 

 able magnesium below normal crpp requirementii, magnesium deficiency condi- 

 tions become apparent on apple trees ai characteristic leaf scorch. Scorch- 

 ing or dying of the leaf tissues usually affects irregular areas between 

 the veins and shows up during August. Magnesium deficiency reduces tree 

 growth and yield. Vfhere severe, apples not only fail to size up but drop 

 prematurely (regardless of harvest spray or dust treatment). 



Issued by tho Extension Service in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30, 

 1914, Vfillard A. Munson, Director, Massachusetts State College, United States 

 Department of Agriculture, and County Extension Services cooperating. 



