-6- 



in late June along with enough of the green apples to brin§, about an average 

 spacing of 6 or 7 inches it is just possible that the problem v;ould largely 

 disappear, Grov»ers vHclo practice early and heavy thinning have reported 

 no difficulty. 



THE DYfARF APPLE TREE SITUATION 



English horticulturists have performed a real service in bringing 

 order out of chaos as regards dwarfing stocks. They assembled and made a 

 thorough study of such stocks from all over the world including French 

 Doucin, English Paradise and many others and then assigned the so-called 

 "Mailing" numbers ranging from I to XVI. Each of these numbers refers to 

 a stock which exerts a definite dwarfing tendency. Thus ivialling IX has come to 

 mean a tree of a certain size. It might taerefore be ass'umed that a grov/er 

 could order and obtain a tree budded on a particular Mailing ptock instead 

 of a mere "dv/arf tree", the common designation in years past. 



The public was quick to grasp the significance of the English 

 classification and, thanks to much favorable publicity, ordered more trees 

 than the nurseries were able to furnish. Prices mounted, and certain 

 nurseries redoubled their efforts to supply the demand. They established 

 stock beds involving several of the Mailing numbers. But unfortunately, 

 some of the nurserymen have mixed up their Mailing stocks, a2id v;hile minor 

 differences are apparent to a careful observer, separation and identifi- 

 cation are difficult reminding us of the work which the Exiglish horticul- 

 turists did so painstakingly, years ago. Thus a program which should simpli- 

 fy a complex situation is showing signs of confusion. Ultimately the 

 nurseryman may limit himself to one or tvio dvrarfing stocks. At present, 

 there is at least a possibility, as in telephoning of "getting the wrong 

 number". 



The Fabulous Benton Plarbor Market, Sales of products on this famous 

 Michigan market reached an all' time high in 1946, the total amounting to 

 19,361,540,29 according to the State Market News Service, Peaches v/ere 

 the biggest item, 1,445,339 bushels with a value of ^3,150,839, Apples 

 Vv'ere second with 791,307 bushels which averaged ^2,06 per bushel. Next 

 came strav;berries with 136,263 crates averaging !i|.7,14 per crate, and 

 grapes had a total value of ^'765, 103, 



Yii^anted, A good, bearing apple orchard of 15 to 20 acres not more than 

 25 years old; buildings of less importance than soil, site and varieties. 



The Red Apple Club , Although the v<friter is at present in Shenandoah, Iowa, 

 on a nursery inspection trip, plans are being made for a careful inspection 

 during September of each block submitted in connection vdth membership in 

 the Rod Apple Club, The total number of applications is not large in view 

 of the high standards as regards yield, grade and freedom from blemishes. 

 Each application will be carefully considered on the basis of an official 

 sample and the total yield. If no more than ten individuals qualify for 

 membership this first year, bearing in mind the many haze>rds of the current 

 growing season, the record v/ill be a gratifying one, 



miT/mag/8/26/47 



