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INSECT CONTROL REC0M1'IEI€)ATI0NS FOR 1955 



I am happy to report but few changes in our fruit insect control reccmmenda- 

 tions for 1955 • All of you are aware of the extremely rapid introduction of new 

 materials that took place in the years follovjing the end of World War lie This 

 made rather drastic changes in recommendations necessary and oftentimes led to 

 much confusion. 



Through the sorting process carried out by you growers in your orchards,, 

 as Tsell as by those testing the many materials in their experimental set-ups, much 

 of the chaff has now been separated from the wheatj I feel that we are on much 

 firmer ground when making most of our recommendations* 



It should not be overlooked that at least part of the confusion and the 

 necessity for rather extreme changes in our recommendations during the past sever- 

 al years resulted from the appearance of pests not considered important previous 

 to the use of some of our newer materials. You know what I mean when I name red- 

 banded leaf roller, yellow mite and 2-spotted mite« This is a strong argument in 

 support of the lead arsenate program for the growers who do not have serious cur- 

 culio or codling moth problems. 



The development of air-blast sprayers and the use of concentrates.iiave.' in- 

 fluenced greatly some recommendations with respect to the uses of certain materials. 

 As fungicides and methods of combatting diseases are changed, it is often necessary 

 to re-evaluate the insect control program, Vifith the development of each new mat- 

 erial there must come a consideration of its compatibility with all the materials 

 with which it may be used or irahich it may pre cede . or followo 



The changes in recommendations are not arrived at lightlyj they are intro- 

 duced only when it is believed growers will be benefitted, 



A great majority of the apple growers in Massachusetts were very suc- 

 cessful in controlling insects and mites during the 19$h season, YiTe were helped 

 to some extent by the weather, but I believe that use of the right materials for 

 your particular situation, and their thorough application at the proper time were 

 very important contributing factors in your success. If you are one of those 

 growers who did control insects and mites successfully in your orchards in 195U, I 

 would urge you to use the same materials, timing and application techniques in 1955 o 



A new program should be used only where it can be shown there is a dis- 

 tinct advantage to you or where some insect or mite has not been well controlled. 

 Try experimental programs on tank-sized or smaller blocks worked out in such a way 

 that you have direct comparisons between the new program and a more standard one, 



Nov/ let's consider some of the individual pests and materials, keeping in 

 mind that the ideas expressed here are to give you additional help if the program 

 you have followed has not given satisfactory results. 



Rosy Aphid ; This aphid caused a groat deal of damage on susceptible 

 varieties in 195 U; we have no way of knovdng whether there will be a repeat per- 

 formance in 1955* Outstanding control can be obtained with a DN material in the 

 Dormant if the application is thorough. Fortunately, vire now have alternative 

 measures such as BHC added to oil or to an early scab spray in Delayed Dormant, 

 Good to excellent control is attainable vdth a phosphate material such as malathion 

 or TEPP used in 1 or 2 Pre-bloom fungicide spr^s. Check your 1955 Spray Chart 

 for compatibilities and details. 



