FRUIT NOTES 

 December 19^3 



Picture number 1 

 Picture number 2 

 Picture number 3 

 Picture number h 



Before Pruning - 1952 

 After Pruning - 1952 

 Before Pruning - 1953 

 After Pruning - 1953 



Pictures showing Before an 

 according to the "Allen Method", 

 1953 the same tree was fruned in 

 corner (number 1) we see the tree 

 Number 2 shows the tree after the 

 one year's growth (note the stron 

 In number Ii. we see the results of 

 of this metiod of pruning appears 



d After lowering the top of a large apple tree, 

 in a V/orcester County orchard. In both 1952 and 

 the month of Decera^r, In the upper left hand 

 as it appeared before any limbs were removed, 

 top was removed. Number 3 is the same tree aff^er 

 g growth of sprouta below the level of pruning), 

 a second pruning in December, 1953, An appraisal 

 elsewhere in the current issue of FRUIT NOTES. 



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Back Issues of FRUIT NOTES . Vfe are on the verge of discarding a size- 

 able pile of FRUIT NOTES, including as many as 25 copies of a few issues, some «f 

 them dating back several years. Any reader wishing a miscellaneous collection may 

 have it for the asking. But please don't request a copy of a particular issue, for 

 example, one in 'I9I4.8, Maybe none was prepared that month, A postcard to the editor 

 will bring as complete an assortment as is available. First come, first served. 



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Twenty Years Ago, - Brr-r-r . Remenber the winter of 1933-3U when Baldwin 

 trees with a heavy crop the previous fall aliaost passed out? Y/^hat have we 

 learned in the meantime? (l) That heavy pruning just before very cold weather 

 means more winter injury, (2) That a tree with a mere shell of live sapwood 

 recovers slowly, is very subject to decay and breakage and may never be pro- 

 fitable again, (3) That winter hardiness in a variety is important. Two 

 cold winters (1917 and 193U) plus a hurricare (1938) have done much to reduce 

 the quantity of Baldwins on our markets. Over a l5-year period (3525-19UO) 

 the percentage of the total Massachusetts crop dropped from UO to 25^» It 

 is even lower today. 



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Soil Moisture is Replenished , Rainfall in Amherst for the first 10 

 months of 1953 was i42,Ul inches compared to the normal for that period 

 of 36,91 inches. In view of the dry summer this is welcome news. Trees 

 will now go into the winter season with their roots in a thoroughly 

 moistened soil and with less run-off than if the soil had frozen in 

 November, The October rainfall an ounted to 5«15 inches. The normal is 

 only 3 .29 inches. 



