-7- 



The strawberry weevil is controlled with sprays or dusts applied as the 

 buds separate in the earliest clusters. In heavy infestations a second treat- 

 ment 7 to 10 days later or as earliest blossoms open would be desirable. DDT, 

 methoxychlor, chlordane and heptachlor are effective and will control spittle 

 bug and plant bugs also. Since DDT and methoxychlor may cause a build-up of 

 spotted mite, it is well to include a miticide such as Kelthane with these 

 materials. 



Fruit Tree Leaf roller : There are a number of caterpillars that attack 

 the opening buds and new foliage of apple trees. Some may feed on the young 

 fruit and cause considerable damage. Some roll the leaves, others do not, 

 but in all cases the terminal leaves appear ragged. 



The fruit tree leafroller (a species distinct from the red-banded leaf- 

 roller) is quite common this year in orchards where no insect control material 

 was applied before bloom. This insect overwinters in the egg stage, hatches in 

 Delayed Dormant and feeds all through pre-bloom, bloom and on into the 2nd 

 Cover period. The moths appear in July when the overwintering eggs are laid 

 on twigs . 



The fruit tree leafroller was difficult to control with lead arsenate 

 and heavy oil applications were made against the eggs. Now, with materials 

 such as DDT, BHC and the phosphates, the insect is readily stopped before 

 bloom. Its control is one of the fringe benefits gained from using BHC in 

 Pre-pink to control aphids. 



-— E. H. Wheeler 



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



COMMENTS ON THE IMMATURE McINTOSH PROBL EM 



Ten years ago fruit growers were faced with numerous production and marketing 

 problems. Concentration on production problems has solved maay of them. Now, more 

 and more effort is being concentrated on marketing problems. 



One particular marketing problem that has not been solved and is receiving 

 serious attention from Massachusetts to the State of Washington is that of the 

 sale of itranature apples. 



The reasons why the problem exists are much the same in the various apple 

 producing areas. In Michigan and Massachusetts the problem is particularly acute 

 with respect to the Mcintosh variety. 



The situation appears to be that certain distributors eager to advertise 

 "The Season's First Macs" and thus make a "fast buck" entice growers to sell Mcintosh 

 while still immature and inedible. As happened in Michigan, consumers bought once, 

 but because of poor flavor, didn't go back for a repeat purchase. Within ten days 

 the price fell and this in turn set a low price pattern for apples. 



Last fall one fruit grower rather sheepishly admitted to me that he was selling 

 Mcintosh apples which were much too immature but as he said, "What can I do? The stores 



