-6- 



(3) Double, triple or multiple tops, particularly if accoinpanied 

 by a scanty crop of fruit, result in a taller than nonaal tree. Here we 

 find competition betT./een competing leaders similar to that between adjacent 

 trees in a crowded planting. Each leader tries to overtop the other. 



(4) V/e have all seen tall trees which the ovmer tried to lavier by 

 what we might call "high level topping." This may stimulate a tremendous 

 growth of sprouts v^hich make three or four feet of annual growth because 

 they are replacing very vigorous, advantageously located branches. By the 

 time these new limbs bear fruit the tree is not only taller than before 

 but the nev/ branches are too stiff to be bent dovmward appreciably. The 

 result is an extremely tall, dense tree, 



(5) A Northern Spy or an Early Mcintosh tree has an upright habit 

 of growth while a Rhode Island Greening or a Cortland is naturally more 

 spreading. Even so, a bearing tree of the former varieties, assuming a 

 good framework and ample spacing, will begin to droop and remain within 

 reach if it comes into early production. If »all of the above mentioned 

 factors • are as they should be, there will be no need to worry about a 

 source of 20-foot ladders , or of pickers sufficiently courageous to climb 

 them. 



SOME EARLY SPRING TIPS FOR FRUIT GROVreRS 



1. Lime. Anyone applying ground limestone in the orchard this year, should 

 insist on getting high magnesium or dolomitic limestone. Our soils are 

 inclined to be low iiT'magnesium. High magnesium lime is the cheapest 

 way of avoiding a magnesium deficiency. 



2. Apple Scab. There is an exceptionally heavy carry-over of apple scab 

 in many Mcintosh orchards this spring. If the month of May is as rainy 

 as in 1945, Mcintosh growers will have a real fight on their hands in 

 preventing scab infection. Scab spores are maturing early, A ground 

 spray of Elgetol will help to solve the problem. The Pre-Pink and Pink 

 sprays will be very important. It is easier to prevent a scab infection 

 than to check it after it becomes established. 



3. Bridge Grafting, Mice have damaged many fruit trees in Massachusetts 

 during the past winter. It will pay to look over every tree where the 

 grass is at all heavy. Trees surrounded by heavy grass are not only 

 more subject to mouse injury, but the damage is likely to remain unde- 

 tected. If bridge grafting is needed, well matured, flexible growths 

 of last year should be cut while fairly dormant and kept in a cold, 

 moist place. Bridging is most easily done about the time the leaves 

 appear. 



4. Tree Framewo rk. The critical period in the development of a framework in 

 a fruit tree are the second and third years. Fruit trees which were set 

 either last year or the year before should be looked over this spring, 

 V/eak crotches, competing leaders, whorls of branches, and other symptoms 

 of a poor framework should be corrected now instead of waiting until the 

 trees are older, when larger cuts will be necessary. 



