-3- 



is to obtain varietieB resistant to cane. canker. Cane canker has never been found 

 in New England. Dr. J.B. Demaree, formerly Plant Pathologist with the U.S.D.A., 

 once expressed the opinion that all conditions seemed favorable for the spread of 

 cane canker north, even into New England. If this should occur, we would certainly 

 benefit by the breeding work carried on in North Carolina. 



In Maine, the breeding program is aimed at obtaining varieties which are more 

 resistant to cold. Any improvement in the cold resistance of blueberry varieties 

 certainly will be immediately useful to Massachusetts growers. 



The most extensive breeding program is being carried on in the small fruit 

 section of the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S.D.A. This program is well 

 integrated with the breeding programs in the other areas and is being conducted 

 with the assistance of cooperators in several blueberry areas from coast to coast. 

 The objective is a series of varieties well adapted to each region and covering the 

 entire season. Such characteristics as yield, season, size of fruit, color of fruit, 

 firmness, flavor and scar (point v;here the berries separate from the stem) are given 

 special attention. In the North, special attention is paid to resistance to Iotj 

 winter temperatures and to late spring frosts. 



As a result of this blueberry breeding program, thousands of seedlings are now 

 under field tests and thousands more are being produced each year. From among these 

 will come the better varieties of the future. 



J.S. Bailey 



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



SOCIAL SECURITY FOR J-'ARI-l FAMILIES 



Social Security is not an old folks' program. While it is true that many people 

 covered under social security can receive benefits after they are 65 years old in 

 the case of men and age 62 in the case of women, family protection may start at 

 earlier ages. Younger farmers should not overlook the protection to their families 

 after death and protection to them and their families if they become too disabled 

 to farm. As an example, payments to a disabled worker and his family or to a 

 widow with two small children range from $53 to $254 per month. 



Social Security is not something to take or to leave alone as you choose. 

 Social Security is compulsory for farmers in any year they have a profit of as 

 much as $400. A farmer with a profit of $400 or more who fails to file a tax return 

 is denying himself and his family valuable financial protection. A tax return is 

 required for social security purposes even if a farmer does not make enough income 

 to owe any income tax. 



Some few farmers have the idea that when they are 65 or have become disabled 

 they can go back and file returns for a couple of years to qualify for benefits. 

 This is not true for farmers under 65 or who become disabled. Most will need 

 five to ten years to qualify and social security benefits cannot be included for 

 more than three back years on the basis of late tax returns. 



