-3- 



The time emergence ceases varies greatljy and may be well into September. It is 

 interesting to note that female flies tend to appear in greatest numbers before the 

 peak is reached* However, don't let this point cause you to disregard those late 

 females. They too are dangerous. 



You can easily see from the above that during the entire period of fly emergence 

 we have female flies waiting around during their pre-egglaying period of development. 

 At no time are we entirely free of these flies, but of course there are times when 

 more of them are present. To prevent egg laying these flies must be killed during 

 this pre-egglaying waiting period, 



CHECKING FLY ACTIVITY 



In addition to noting reports of fly emergence as indicated by emergence caf;es, 

 individual growers may wish to employ bait traps, Catches in bait traps lag behind 

 emergence cage records, but they are useful in measuring fly activity and the pre- 

 sence of flies particularly late in the season, 



Apple maggot flies are attracted by the odor of ammonia, but only for a dis- 

 tance of a few feet. Therefore traps should be placed near fruit and about U to 5 

 feet from the ground. 



Quart fruit jars filled l/2 to 3A full make satisfactory containers. 



Two teaspoons of ordinary household ammonia with l/U teaspoon of soap pov/der 

 mixed in one quart of water makes a suitable bait. It must be changed completely 

 every week. 



Another mixture which needs to be changed only when diluted by rain or when it 

 becomes dirty consists of 10 grams of ammonium acetate plus 2 to 3 grams of some de- 

 tergent powder in 1 quart of water. Add more water as needed to replace that lost 

 through evaporation, 



CONTROL 



Present recommendations call for tlie maintenance of a suitable insecticidal 

 cover on foliage and fruit — including surrounding hedgerows and borders of woods 

 — throughout the period of fly emergence and activity. The details of timing and 

 materials given in tlie 19^3 Apple Pest Control Chart under the U,5>6, and 7 Cover 

 Sprays need not be repeated here. Note that the residual activity of various insect- 

 icides differs and that some materials cannot be used safely as we approach harvest, 



— Ellsvrorth H, Yfheeler 



ECONOIiIC STUDY OF FRUIT FARIJ ORGANIZATION TTNDERWAY 



Twenty to twenty-five carefully selected Massachusetts fruit farms arg being 

 visited currently. These operations have been selected as basically representative 

 of eight different sized fruit farm organizations. The eight different size groups 

 range from the small part-time or diversified farm of less than tv/o h\indred apple 

 trees, to the large specialized apple farm of over 6,000 trees. The Massachusetts 

 Fruit Growers* Association survey of 19^0 together vdth the 193^0 Census was tised as 

 a basis for determining these size groups. Visits are being made by farm management 

 research workers from the University. Information is being obtained on the complete 

 organization of the farms and practices followed. 



