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A IQ-YEAR LOOK AHEAD 



At the Production Conference in Ajnlierst, Dec 10 and 11, The Fruit 

 Committee submitted the following report; Of necessity, the fruit grower 

 is a forward looking individual. He is interested in long range develop- 

 ments and is accustomed to planning for the years ahead. In 1920, the Massa- 

 chusetts Fruit Groviers ' Association set up a so-called Ten Year Program which 

 embodied the objectives of the industry as viewed by the leaders at that time. 

 In 1931, the Ten Year Program was revised, and now after a war-time delay of 

 several years, a committee is at work making a second revision. Since the full 

 committee of the M, P'. G, A« has not yet completed its recommendations, this 

 report is a preliminary one looking forv/ard to 1957. 



Future Plantings . Soils and sites must be carefully considered 

 in all new plantings and in the extension of present plantings. The past 

 tv;o years have emphasized the fundamental importance of a good orchard location. 



Varieties . The list of commercial apple varieties knovm as the 

 New England Seven, foitnulated in 1928, needs to be evaluated in accordance 

 with present day conditions. The i'.IcIntosh still heads the list although 

 future plantings will be made \vith more attention to suitable pollenizers 

 including Cortland, Delicious, and a few others. The Cortland is of more im- 

 portance today than it v/as a decade ago and now deserves a place in our 

 comjnercial list. Northern Spy and Baldxvin will be planted sparingly. V/ealthy, 

 Gravenstein, and Riiode Island Greening are in r.iuch the same class. Early 

 Mcintosh and Gallia have gained in favor and may como into somewhat greater 

 prominence. 



Diversification . More attention must be given among apple growers 

 to the production of other fruits, such as peaches, pears, small fruits, and 

 in some cases to vcf^etables. Livestock and poultry are apparently less well 

 adapted to the specialized fruit farm. V/here these enterprises are included 

 in the farm program the special requirements of each as regards land, seasonal 

 labor, and equipment must be borne in mind. 



Pest Control . The Committee recommends continued testing of new 

 and promising spray and dust materials. Experiir.cnt Station tests of DDT, 

 Fennate, etc., together v^ith the experiences of grov/ors will bring about more 

 effective fruit post control. The next ten years are likely to see radical 

 changes in spray materials, spraying and dusting equipment, and in methods of 

 application. 



Soil Management . In the past five years rapid strides have been 

 made in correcting a serious deficisncy of magnesium in Massachusetts orchards. 

 The use of high magnesium lime, magnesium sulfate, etc. marks a great advtmce 

 in the fruit industry. Our soils are, on the average, low in available mag- 

 nesium. The replenisliment of this element in the soil must be placed on the 

 same basis as nitrogen, v;hich most grov/ers apply annually. The so-called 

 complete fertilizers do not take into account this essential mineral clomont. 

 The use of magnesium and boron, and of mulching materials must receive continued 



