-3- 



A TI^iELY TIP 



In Massachusetts red raspberry plants may be set in the fall. Probably the 

 best time to set these plants is dxuring the latter part of October, at which time 

 dormant plants should be available o A small amoxint of mulch should be thrown 

 over each plant before the ground freezes. Diis is done to help prevent heaving 

 that results from alternate freezing and thawing of soils in late winter and spring* 



However, don't just go out and set the plants without first preparing the 

 ground properly » A red i^aspberry planting involves a considerable investment. 

 Thorough preparation of the soil is necessary to get the plants off to a good starto 



Details on the culture and management of a red raspberry planting may be 

 obtained by writing your County Agent or the Extension Service, University of 

 Massachusetts, for Leaflet §h6 titled "Raspberry Growing", 



/ / / / / Wo J. Lord 



HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NORTHEAST FRUIT TREE ROOTSTOC K CONFEREN CE 



The Northeast Fruit Tree Rootstock Conference was held in U&iriQ during the 

 week of August 15, At this conference, research vforkers vjho have rootstock projects 

 met to observe the rootstock work in !!aine and to discuss mutual problems in root- 

 stock investigations. 



The performance of hardy interstocks was observed at the University of Maine 

 station and in several commercial orchards o It was of interest to note that Virginia 

 Crab which has been used q^oite extensively as a hardy interstock ig apparently 

 either infected with a virus or is subject to a severe case of uncongenialityo 

 Trees top worked on Virginia Crab are characterized by weak rubbery-like branches 

 and the Virginia wood has a roughened and pitted appearance which is called "stem 

 pitting," This condition does not generally appear until the trees come into pro- 

 duction and then it becomes progressively •vrorse with each crop until trees 

 become so weak that they are utterly worthless, TJhile the behavior of Virginia 

 Crab is very similar to a viru3 disease described in England as "rul/bery wood", 

 as yet it has not been determined that Virginia Crab is infected with a virus. 

 Whatever the trouble, it does mean that the Virginia Crab can no longer be used as 

 a hardy stock. 



In one commercial orchard a sizeable planting of Clark Dwarf trees was seen. 

 The Clark Dwarf tree has a portion of its trunk made up of Virginia Crab, Many of 

 of these trees showed the "stem pitting" of the Virginia Crab stock and the \7eak 

 rubbery branches, which would indicate that these Clcsk Dwarf trees are i:-''ected 

 with the same trouble as the Virginia Crab hardy stocks. It is doubtful if this 

 planting will ever live to maturity^ 



A sizeable young planting of semi-dwarf trees on Mailing VII and II was observed 

 in another grower's orchard. These trees v^ere making excellent growth and had pro- 

 spects for a good crope The grower was very much pleased with their performance 

 and plans to set moree 



