- 7 - 



penetrate and over-winter in the terminal buds and in the tissue of the 

 younger turigs , In the spring, these are the source of primary infection, 



"The chief loss frow the fungus results from its attack on the 

 foliage which, in severe cases, so devitalizes the tree that it fails to 

 produce fruit buds and causes a crop failure in the succeeding season," 



Although powdery mildew has been reported in New York and Connec- 

 ticut, at present it has not been found in Massachusetts, 



Pint or Quart Baskets for Blueberries? - "Blueberries packaged in 

 quart baskets veil sell better than those in pints. Baskets of blueberries 

 without cellopliane on them sell better than those that are covered," These 

 statements were made by a blueberry grower at a small f ruits twilight meet- 

 ing held on his farm. This grower thought the reason for the preference of 

 blueberries not covered with cellophane was because customers on many occa- 

 sions have been disappointed with farm products packaged in cellophane or 

 polyethylene. 



On the other hand, another grower uses pint berry boxes exclu- 

 sively. The blueberries are sized into three grades v/ith the best grade 

 sold in plastic boxes with a plastic cover. However, all three grades of 

 fruit are sold in baskets either covered with cellophane or a plastic top. 

 The grower commented that with plastic berry boxes, which are latticed, the 

 customer can see berries other than those ontopo With these boxes, the 

 customer can be sure of the fruit quality throughout the package, 



A third grovrer puts blueberries in quart baskets for roadside 

 stand sales while those going to stores are put in pints. He felt that in 

 stores the public is accustomed to buying pint boxes of blueberries. 



The facts stated above show that no one container for blueberries 

 can be considered best from the standpoint of size orlype. Just because a 

 certain type of package is preferred in one locality does not necessarily 

 mean it is to be preferred in others. The grovrer who operates a roadside 

 stand has an opportunity to determine what is best for his particular sit- 

 uation. In order to sell fruit not only must it be of high quality, but it 

 must be packaged to meet the desires of the purchasing public, 



—W.J, Lord 



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NOTES ON VARIETIES - BRAMBLES 



Among the bramble varieties that have been tested at the University, the follow- 

 ing deserve or provoke cominent at this time: 



Bailey blackberry. Again this year, we have been very favorably impressed 

 with the large size, sweet flavor and good production of this new variety. It is so 

 far ahead of Hedrick, another new one from New York, that there is no comparison. 



Ebony King blackberry. This new variety which was obtained from a Idchigan 

 small fruits nursery has turned out to be a mixture of two different things, A part 

 of the plants are very similar, if not identical with, Eldorado vhile the rest bear 

 a very small, imperfect fruit which is absolutely worthless. 



