-n- 



Fanns producing apples in Massachusetts vary greatly. In the present sttidy 

 the variation in farms was considered, in their selection. Groups were formed where 

 similar farm conditions appeared to exist and farms were selected to represent these 

 groups. This makes it possible to consider more specifically the conditions which 

 exist on the farms m thin each group and relate these variables more directly to 

 apple production. Like information for case farms is being gathered on the labor, 

 machinery and other materials used in relation to production secured. 



These case studies will provide information for figuring farm adjustments, 

 Using these case studies as a basis, the effect on the overall organization and in- 

 come of changes in technology and prices can be projected. 



For example, one specialized apple farm of 1155 trees on 1+2 acres which has 

 been visited is employijng one full time man in addition to the full-time ovmer- 

 operator, A nine year old two man hydraulic sprayer is being used. If a new one-mar, 

 air-blast sprayer was purchased for this farm, the hired man vrould not be needed for 

 spraying. 



Questions involved in this adjustment will concern v/hether enough can be saved 

 on the labor bill to justify the investment in the new sprayer, and the necessity of 

 having extra labor for the other operations in the overall organization such as prun- 

 ing, thinning, and fertilizing. Another question is the possible value of better and 

 more rapid coverage. The benefits of additional machinery for tliese other operations 

 such as power pruner for pruning should also be considered. 



The additional costs and returns of particular adjustments in operations vrill 

 be presented. In addition complete operating statements of alternatives in organiza- 

 tion will be established from the iiif ormation obtained on these selected Massachusetts 

 apple farms. Such financial statements should be of real assistance to the farmer in 

 making the management decisions v/hich daily confront him, 



— R, 0, Aines 



SPRAYS ON STRAWBERRY PESTS - 1953 



Several tests have been run on strawberries this spring with methoxychlor, DDT, 

 aldrin, and dieldrin for weevil control. Both methoxychlor $0% I'Vettable Powder at 

 3 pounds per 100 gallons and dieldrin ^0% W, P. at 1 pound per 100 gallons controlled 

 weevil injury for at least a week, DDT '^0% W, P, at 2 pounds per 100 and aldrin 25^^ 

 i, P, at 2 pounds per 100 were less effective. None of the sprays injured the straw- 

 berry plants. 



Since weevil is active until the larger berries are nearly mature and more 

 than one spray may be necessary to control the insect, methoxychlor appears to be an 

 ideal insecticide for weevil control because of its low toxicity to warm blooded 

 animals , 



Both Aramite 15^ W, P. andOvotran 50^ Vu P. at 1 l/2 to 2 pounds per 100 

 gallons have been tested on strawberries without injury to the plants, Aramite was 

 widely used with good mite control resulting, 



Malathon 2S% W, P. and ^0% Emulsion Concentrate v^rere applied to strawberries 

 for aphid and mite control. The wettable powder at 2 pounds per 100 and the emulsion 

 concentrate at 1 pint per 100 gave 100 percent kill of aphids and an acceptable kill 

 of active two-spotted mites, 



— V/illiara E, Tomlir.son, Jr, 



->iKHHHHHHh>-;KHH^-;HKHHHi--)HKfiHHHH«HKHHHHHBWKH^^K<SKH;-;H;- 



