difficult to appreciate vihy ttiis method does not seem to work. The pollen hac to 

 contact areas the size of pin-points in order to be effective and for the pollen 

 to land on such small "targets" is highly improbable » 



P ollen bombs . This method has been tested experimentally, also, and reports 

 shOTr that no increase in fruit set has resulted. Germination tests on pollen 

 exploded from such bombs showed an almost complete lack of viability. 



Be e -Hiv e In s e r t s . This method consists of a pollen-bearing insert placed in 

 the hive~opening. ft is so constructed that bees entering the insert as they 

 leave the hive will contact the pollen. The results v^rith this method show that 

 its value is very questionable. Apparently an insert will reduce the normal 

 activity of the bees in the hive considerably. Also, some bees may collect 

 pollen from the insert and after flying a short distance immediately re-enter the 

 hive, A fimdamental difficulty xvith this method is that'during cool, cloudy 

 blooming seasons, when pollen dissemination is a problem- the temperature and 

 other conditions may be such that bee flight is limited. Bee flight is greatly 

 reduced at temperatures below 60°F, 



— F, W. Southwick 



SPRAYS FOR FRUIT TKINHI HG 



A rather detailed discussion of chemical thinning has been prepared covering 

 the use of both dinitro and hormone materials for apples and peaches. As far as 

 possible suggested dosages and timing have been given for individual varieties. 

 For those who are interested in thinning, copies may be obtained by contacting 

 your local county extension office or the Department of Pomology, University of 

 Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass, 



Tfliere the crop was light in 1948 many apple varieties can be expected to 

 produce a heavy bloom. In such cases there is always the possibility of an 

 excessive set, hand thinning costs, small apples at harvest, and biennial bearin';; 

 in following years c Chemical thinning may be of considerable help where an 

 excessive set is likely, 



— F, 17. Southwick and VJ, D, Yfeeks 



Boron Every 3_ Years . If you have experienced any Internal Cork in years 

 past and haven't applied Borax since 1946, you should malce '49 a "Doron 

 Year," Fifty pounds of Borax per acre every three years is apparently 

 enough to provide the small amount of Boron, an essential minor element, 

 needed for the development of normal fruit. 



