2ii samples, k were nematode free, 7 had so few that the infestation ivas considered 

 light, 10 had a moderate infestation and 3 were heavily infested. Since these 

 samples were obtained from as far west as Iferkshire County to as far east as Essex 

 and Barnstable Counties, and only k were free of meadow nematodes, it is obvious 

 that the mead ovr nematode is very widely distributed in Massachusetts strawberry 

 fields. Thus, the meadow nematode becomes more suspect, but a definite tie-up be- 

 tween it and black root has yet to be established. At the Plant Industry Research 

 Station considerable experimental work is in progress to determine the relationship. 



If it is proved that the meadow nematode is either directly or indirectly 

 the cause of black root, what can be done about it? The soil can be practically 

 freed from nematodes by good fumigation. Several good soil fumigants, as well as 

 the machines for injecting them into the soil, are already available. In fact, 

 field soil fumigation has been practiced by tobacco growers and vegetable grov/ers 

 on certain crops for a number of years, 



Vifhat about the plants to be set in a fumigated field? Can they be obtained 

 free of nematodes? For the present, the answer is no. However, it will not be 

 long before nematode-free plants will be available. Dr. Darrow and his associates 

 have produced a small supply of virus-free nematode-free plants of 25 varieties. 

 These will be distributed to cooperat ing nurseries in the spring of 19Sh and sub- 

 stantially virus-free nematode-free plants should be available to growers in two or 

 three years, 



- - -J.S.Bailey 



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Plastic Film Box Liners Lengthen Storage Life of Pears and Apples , The marketing 

 season for certain varieties of pears and Golden Delicious apples is being lengthen- 

 ed by packaging in boxes lined with plastic film, saytwo plant scientists of the U, 

 S, Department of Agriculture, In a paper given at the annual meeting of the Produce 

 Prepackaging Association in St, Louis, Mo., October 8, the two scientists, Fisk 

 Gerhardt and H, A. Schomer, described studies in packaging and storing fruit in 

 plastic film at the U, S. Horticultural Field Laboratory, Wenatchee, iVash, 



The studies show many if ilras are satisfactory for use with Bartlett, Anjou, 

 Cornice, and Bosc pears, but the tougher films provide greater resistance to rough 

 handling when the lids are placed on the packing boxes. The scientists recommend 

 packaging in plastic film only for sound fruit washed in an effective fungicide and 

 for the part of the crop intended for late storage. Pears kept sealed in film at 

 31°F, could be held in storage one or two months longer than non-film packed fruit, 

 and still ripen vdth excellent quality. Packing in sealed films added several days 

 to the shelf life of the ripened fruit. 



The scientists found Go]den Delicious apples, which lose moisture easily 

 and shrivel, benefited most from box liners of polyethylene, pliofilm, and other 

 films impervious to moisture, s^Tien stored for six months, these apples had a better 

 appearance and dessert quality than tliose of standard packs. Certain of the films 

 allowed a margin of several days at which the apples could be held without injury 

 at room temperature. But generally, sealed box liners should be perforated or sLit 

 when apples are removed from cold storage to prevent possible development of off- 

 flavors at higher temperatures, 



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Publication Approved by George J, Cronin, State Purchasing 



Agent #19 



