-18- 



never in very large numbers at any one site. Possibly the apple maggot will have 

 difficulty building into high populations in more southern regions such as California. 

 At present, its southernmost distribution lies only a hundred miles or so north of one 

 of the major California apple producing areas. 



For several biologically-based reasons, our panel concluded that it was virtually 

 impossible to eradicate the apple maggot from California, given its already widespread 

 distribution in that state and neighboring Oregon and given the fact that a major part 

 of the present area of infestation lies in the heart of the California marijuana growing 

 region. Marijuana is the largest "agricultural" crop of California, even exceeding cotton, 

 and is worth more than 1.3 billion dollars per year. It is very dangerous for state 

 employees to explore terrain within this region (often laden with land mines to deter 

 unwanted visitors) to seek out maggot flies and host trees to eradicate. Hence we 

 recommended adoption of buffer zone procedures similar to those used in Washington 

 and Oregon. Whether this recommendation will in fact be adopted remains to be seen. 



Thus, 1983 was a big year for the apple maggot in Michigan, Washington, Oregon, 

 and California. We are fortunate that 1983 was not a problem year for apple maggot 

 in Massachusetts. 



Gala - An Apple Variety Worthy of Trial 



James F. Anderson 

 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences 



Gala, a variety from New Zealand has been receiving much favorable attention. 

 This variety resulted from a cross between Kidd's Orange and Golden Delicious and 

 was introduced in 1960. We have fruited Gala for 4 seasons. The fruit has been medium 

 to large in size on these trees planted in 1978. The fruits are generally round-conic 

 in shape. The skin is smooth and the color golden-yellow overlaid with about 80% red. 

 The flesh is yellow crisp and has a very good flavor. The fruit in our Belchertown orchard 

 has been harvested during the second and third week of September, the fruit hangs well 

 on the tree. The fruit stores well for a fall apple. Gala appears to be a productive 

 variety and merits trial by those growers operating farm markets. 



