-7- 



Since making these and other similar observations, I was greatly interested 

 in reading an article entitled, "The Effect of Soil Management on Yield of 

 Cultivated Blueberries" by Vladimir Shutak, E. P. Christopher and Leona McElroy of 

 Rhode Island State College. These people reported on the use of various mulch 

 materials and their observations included the differences in yield secured with 

 different kinds of mulch, differences in soil moisture and also differences in soil 

 temperature. A lack of space will not permit me to comment on this paper in 

 detail. Suffice it to say that the experiment did prove v/ithout question, that one 

 of the great values of mulch material was the fact that it helped to maintain a 

 more uniform soil temperature in addition to the conservation of soil moisture. 



It seems to me that this maintaining of a uniform soil temperature is another 

 big reason v/hy farmers and gardeners should give more attention to mulch in the 

 growing of fruits and vegetables. 



SOI.I: G3SERVATIGNS IN MARKETING PROCEDURES 



As a feature of the course in fruit marketing by the Pomology Department, it 

 is customary to take the students on a two-day trip to Boston. The first day is 

 spent visiting storages and packing houses in order that these young men may 

 observe how apples are stored and prepared for market. A stop is also made at the 

 New England Vinegar Works so that they can see how culls are disposed of. The 

 second day is spent in Boston visiting the several markets so that the class may 

 obtain first hand information on methods of sale. 



A few general impressions gained from the trip this year are as f ollov/s : 



1. The large volume of high grade Iviclntosh apples that are now in storage. 

 One grower whom we had hoped to visit advised that we had better not come this 

 year because his storage house is so full that we couldn't get into it. 



2. ihe care which was evident in the packing houses visited to prevent 

 bruising by careful handling of the fruit. 



3. The relatively high grade culls which vrere going into cider and vinegar. 

 The elimination of rotten apples in the fruit used is a credit to any cider 

 manufacturer. Certainly, the more discriminating purchasers of cider will highly 

 commend this practice. 



U. The extent to which labor-saving equipment is being employed to increase 

 efficiency in the handling of apples in the storages and packing houses. 



5. The flagrant disregard for the Massachusetts Apple Grading Law, particularly 

 with respect to the absence of required markings on closed packages. 



6. The traffic congestion and confusion around Faneuil Hall Market v/hich for 

 many years has added enormously to the cost of doing business. Relief from this 

 condition ca.nnot come too soon. 



