-3- 



Another observation worth naJcing at hairvest tine has to do v/ith 

 the location of insect and disease blemished apples. If the topnost llTibs 

 shoT/ noro scab than other limbs and if the outside rov/ of trees sho".:s more 

 curculio than trees in the center of the orchard such observations point 

 the -.."ay tovrard orchard improvement along these lines - (l) lowering the 

 tops of trees \7hich cannot be reached v;ith spray naterial, (2) eliminating 

 barriers along the edge of the orchard to permit sprajring each tree from all 

 sides, and (3) paying special attention during the spraying season to those 

 parts of trees which at the present time shov; more blemished apples. 



But our observations ought not to end i;ith a comparison of color 

 and pest blemishes. Is the average size of the fruits of all varieties as 

 largo as it should be? Are many two-inch apples in evidence on heavily loaded, 

 biennial bearing trees? If so, when thinning time comes around next June 

 (after the? June drop is over) it may be a good investment to thin heavily, 

 and thin early. 



How about the color of leaves? Are the leaves on some trees dark 

 green Avhile other are yellowish? If so, maybe v/e can case up on the amount 

 of nitrogen on certain trees and give more to others. The nitrogen supply 

 is reflected in leaf color as vrell as size and color of fruit. The practice 

 of giving so many pounds of nitrate of soda to each tree needs to be modi- 

 fied in accordance with the present vigor of the tree. Some trees can use a 

 double amount to a good advantage vdiile others may need little or none at 

 all. 



One other observation seems to be in order, Kany orchards show 

 characteristic symptoms of magnesiuiTi deficiency. Others show marginal burning 

 while still others shov/ v.'hat appears to be a combino.tion of spray injury 

 and malnutrition, A tree with an ample supply of all needed mineral elements 

 is apparently more resistant to spray injury than a tree v;hich lacks one or 

 more of these essential elements. The writer has in mind one young orchard 

 which was planted immediately after the removal of old trees. The soil was 

 apparently depleted of certain elements needed for tree grovrbh and as a 

 result these young trees show rather heavy defoliation, A thorough going 

 soil improvement program, including a liberal application of high magnesium 

 lime ojid of a complete fertilizer or of manure, will be necessary if those 

 young trees arc to get off to a proper start. It is false econoirry to allov/ 

 young trees to loaf along on a starvation diet. There are too many 10-year 

 old apple trees in JIassachusetts today v;hich are no larger than well grorm 

 5-year-old trees, A critical look at individual trees before the leaves- 

 fall, rdll provide the basis for better soil management and a better spray 

 program in 1948, 



No Scptoribcr FRUIT NOTES — Partly because of extended field trips in con- 

 nection vj-ith the Red Applo Club, no issue of Fruit Notes v/as prepared during 

 September. (Maybe no one noticed the omission). 



