-3- 



VIRUS - FREK STR;-^l'.'BEK.l:Y PDu'TS FOR 1957 



k i-ecent release from the U, S, Department of Agriculture at Beltsville, 

 Maiylflnd, gives the latest information on the status of "virus-free" strawberry 

 plants and the follovfing is taken from tha t releasej_ 



At present there are 36 strawberry varieties essentially virus-free from 

 virhich plants are available from nurseries for planting by grov-rers. Of these, the 

 follo^ving may be of interest to Massachusetts grovrers: 



Armore 

 Aroma 

 Blakemore 

 Catskill 



Empire 



Fairfax 



Gen (Superfection) 



Howard 17 (U.S.D,A,) 



J'lidland 



Pocahontas 



Reds tar 



Robinson 



Sparkle (Paymaster) 



Vermilion 



■¥. J. Lord 



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TREE CROljDING 



Tliis virill be a good year to do something about the filler trees in crovmed 

 blocks. Tree crowding causes many production pi-oblems. It leads to tall trees 

 which are difficult to spray and prune, a hij^:her proportion of poorly colored fruit 

 particularly on lower limbs, unproductive lorwer limbs, difficulty in mowin', and 

 other orchard cultural practices and the interference with the development of the 

 permanent trees* The writer feels that insufficient planting distances and the 

 failure of timely removal of filler trees leads to more production difficulties 

 than any other single poorly conducted cultural practice. Tree cro^vding in peach 

 orchards is as prevalent as that in apple orchards . How many peach orchards in 

 Massachusetts cem't be properly sprayed or dusted for Brovm Rot control because of 

 insufficient room to drive betweon the trees? 



How can tree crowding be avoided? Naturally, the answer is siraply to use 

 sufficient planting distances and the timely removal of filler trees. 



Tree Spacing 



Proper planting dxstance for trees v;ill vary rath the variety, soil fertility 

 and v/ater holding capacity. Generally, however, the follo^'dng planting distances 

 are recommended : 



Apples - vigorous varieties 



less vigorous varieties 



Pears - 



Peaches - 



15' to 50' 



35' to hO' 



20' to 25' 



22' to 2?' 



25' to 30' on most favorable locations, 



