POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH 



Plastic Mulch 



The July, 1960 Issue of Horticultural News published by the New Jersey State 

 Horticultural Society stated that polyethylene mulch is being tried In several 

 New Jersey orchards this year. The article stated that one grower is conducting 

 extensive tests with the material used mainly on newly planted apple trees. 



"He has left some trees as checks and we have measured these and also some 

 one and two-year old peach trees on the same farm and two-year apple trees in 

 another orchard. The trees are grooving well as expected and it appears to be 

 an excellent labor saving practice. The question of moisture has been asked and 

 we can report only that in the original research, there was no moisture problem 

 and the plastic contained no holes. The question of fertilization is another 

 matter and this does present a problem if a heavy plastic is used to last several 

 years. The 1.5 mil plastic is supposed to disintegrate in one season." 



—William J. Lord 



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



SOCIAL SECURITY LAW AMENDMENTS 1960 



Congress made a number of changes in the Social Security laws which affect 

 fanners. Some of the principal ones are described in the following paragraphs. 



Benefits Can be Paid to Disabled Workers At Any Age 



Before the amendment a disabled worker could apply to have his social security 

 record fror.en and then had to wait until he was age 50 before he and his family 

 were paid benefits. 



Now, if you are disabled and under age 50 and have had your record frozen , 

 you will get a letter telling you what to do. 



If you are disabled and under age 50 and have not had your record frozen , 

 find out from social security right away whether you are eligible for monthly 

 benefits. 



If you have worked under social security for at least 5 out of the last 10 

 years (as a self-employed farmer you would be covered for 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958 

 and 1959 if your earnings were large enough) you should apply for benefits if 

 disabled. 



Chanp.e In Earnings After Retirement 



Beginning with 1961, if you are employed and are receiving benefits under Social 

 Security, you get all your social security checks if you earn less than $1200 per year. 



