-11- 



The peach crop is estimated to be the largest since 1947. The Massa- 

 chusetts crop is estimated at 120,000 bushels compared with 8,000 bushels 

 in 1957 and 79,000 bushels the 1947-1956 ten year average. The southern 

 states estimate a crop 53% above average. The pear crop is estimated nation- 

 ally 5% below average with good crops however, in Michigan and New York. 

 Michigan 79% above average and New York 17% above average. 



Short Shorts 

 Social Security ; 



Don't forget that as an employer you must keep a record of the name, 

 address and social security number and days worked for each of your employees 

 and whether paid on a time or piece work basis. On a piece work basis 

 (pay by the bushel, etc.) you deduct social security tax at the rate of 2%% 

 of wages of $150 or more during the year. On a time basis after he or she 

 has worked on 20 different days regardless of amount paid you deduct social 

 security tax of 2%%,. 



After any month or series of months when your tax liability reaches $100 

 (2^ from employees and 2-^ your share) you must make a deposit using a Federal 

 Depository Receipt (Form 450) in the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston or an 

 authorized bank, probably your own bank. 



Insurance: 



You can provide insurance protection against suit for injury by your 

 employees by Workmen's Compensation Insurance or by an employees endorsement 

 on your Comprehensive Liability Insurance policy. These are not the same 

 sort of protection. Your insurance agent will be glad to explain the differ- 

 ence and to suggest which policy might fit your risks better. Don't forget 

 fire insurance on your crop after harvest while in storage. 



-—Lawrence D. Rhoades 



I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 



BEWARE OF WATER CORE IN DELICIOUS 



During the last two years Delicious apples and strains of the variety have 

 had considerable water core and in some instances this condition has been followed 

 by internal breakdown during storage. This year with many Delicious trees carry- 

 ing a light crop, growers should make every effort to minimize losses due to water 

 core, 



Delicious as well as other varieties may develop water core especially if 

 allowed to become overripe on the tree. Large apples are more likely to have 

 water core than small ones, although small fruits will often have some. Water 

 core is apt to be more prevalent on trees carrying a light crop. 



The question is what can be done about water core and how should the fruit 

 be handled having this disorder. Growers should pick the fruit before it becomes 

 too mature. Although, water core may develop in Delicious even when the fruit is 

 not sufficiently ripe for harvest there is little doubt that the riper the fruit 

 becomes the more water core it may have. 



