-10- 



h. Right Material 



Don't guess or take everyone's word for itj work out a program of 

 prevention using materials recommended to handle your problems; 

 emergency materials are costly and often of uncertain value; give 

 new, promising materials a well planned trial for comparison with 

 standard practices. 



5. Right Man 



(If you've taken no Left turns so far there is hope you'll get 

 around this one) Study , learn , keep your eyes , ears , and mind 

 open , pest control warnings in county letters and on radio are 

 for you — not always for the other fellow; information in Spray 

 and Pest Charts represent the thinking of numerous individuals; 

 their conclusions are based upon research and field observations 

 carried out throughout the northeast and adapted to local problems 

 and conditions. 



Knew yo\ir orchard; check conditions in it frequently; check 

 the penetration and coverage given by your machine while doing 

 the job; make immediate adjustments in method, machine and 

 operator, 



— E. H. 'fheeler 



PRUNING BEARING ORCHARDS 



Bie pruning season has arrived and it is apparent that the winter of 1952-53 

 is a good time to do whatever pruning is needed. The prospects of a heavy bloom 

 and crop in 1^53 make it more important than usual that the job be done. In large 

 crop years small green Mcintosh are not apt to be worth their cost of production. 

 Now is the time to get rid of a lot of them with pruning tools. 



Pruning of apple trees is necessary to prevent the trees from becoming so 

 thick that it is difficult to obtain good insect and disease control, to eliminate 

 much of the small, poorly colored fruit which on unpruned trees is borne on weak, 

 shaded limbs in the inner part of the tree, and to keep the trees lov'/ enough so 

 that the trees can be picked easily. Trees should be low enough so that all parts 

 of the tree can be reached with, at most, a 20 foot ladder. 



Pruning generally is going to reduce total yield. Generally, the greater the 

 amount of pruning done the greater the reduction in total volume of fruit produced. 

 Hovrever, pruning will often increase the proportion of high-grade fruit. In other 

 words, pruning out thick trees will eliminate many of the potential culls and there- 

 by increase the proportion of marketable fruit. In addition, through better spray 

 coverage, a higher proportion of blemish-free fruit can be expected. 



In mature bearing orchards the amount and manner of pruning will depend upon 

 the variety, insect and disease problems, spray eqioipment, soil, planting distance, 

 and vigor of the trees, 



Y^ith mature bearing trees the training period is over. Position of the main 

 scaffold limbs has been previously detennined and, except when such limbs are 



