TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO ORCHARDISTS FROM THE SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE 



Orchardists of I.iassachusetts are increasingly making use of the technical ser- 

 vice available from the Soil Conservation Service* The SCS is the technical agency 

 for soil and v/ater conservation of the U» S, Department of Agriculture, It assists 

 farmers in problems of conservation, land use, and land improvement by lYorking through 

 soil conservation districts* 



Soil conservation districts are established under the state districts enabling 

 act and are governed by locally elected representatives knovm as soil conservation 

 district supervisors. For practical purposes Massachusetts may be said to be comj- 

 pletely covered by soil conservation districts, since there is at least one district 

 in each county except Suffolke Because of its unusually large area^ Worcester County 

 vras divided into three districts » 



Technical assistance is available through districts for more than thirty prac- 

 tices, HoTrever, our experience dnows that orchardists are particiolarly interested 

 in about a half dozen practices or services. These are: 



I4 Land Use Map, commonly known as a land use c^ ability mapo This map 

 shov;s the land classification lilth respect to soil type, slope, drainage, and erosion. 

 It is particularly valuable in connection with selection of orchard sites, 



2, Plan or Layout of New Orchards for soil and Trater conservation. In- 

 cludes contour planting and terracing, 



3o Diversion Terraces for diverting excess water away from orchards, 



U, Land Drainage for both nev; plantings and old orchards. Includes open 

 ditches and covered drains, 



5, Ponds to supply water for spraying, irrigation, fire prevention; fisa 

 culture, and recreation. Includes site selection and technical assistance in cons- 

 truction, 



Orchardists desiring such technical assistance should apply to district super- 

 visors, soil conservation technicians, or county agents, 



— A , B , Be aimont 

 Soil Conservation Service 



* * * -s- ■?;- -;;- •?:- ■?;- * rr -;;- <■ -;i- 



CIDER NOTES 



MFGA Inspection Program - The program is now functioning and the mills that applied 

 have been inspected and have received certification. The program has received favor- 

 able widespread notice throughout the country. In addition, tvfo members of the 

 Eastern Regional Laboratory of the USDA paid a visit recently to nr^ office to learn 

 more of the program. Remember, it is a voluntary program designed to promote and in- 

 crease cider consiimption. 



Nylon Press Cloths - This year the Department of Food Technology purchased nylon 

 cloths for its 22" press. The comments have been favorable: "can use higher pressure", 

 "easier to shake off pomace", "clearer cider", "speeds up overall operation". 



