"The actual rate of nitrogen fertilization was not as important as the 

 maintenance of proper level of nitrogen within the plant. The best indication 

 of the nitrogen status of the planting was foliar nitrogen level. For best 

 growth and yield the foliar nitrogen content in non-bearing shoots in midsunmer 

 appeared to be within the range of 2.9 - 3.2 per cent on a dry weight basis. 



"Leaf color in the red raspberry was directly related to the foliar nitro- 

 gen content. As the nitrogen content increased the green color became more 

 intense. Unless some type of color standards are made available, leaf color 

 cannot serve as an entirely satisfactory guide to nitrogen fertilizer practices." 



William J. Lord 



Editor's comments - Other materials such as sawdust, hay, or leaves would make a 

 satisfactory mulching material for raspberries. Mulch may be applied at any 

 time of year when the need is indicated. 



Hay may cause a weed seed problem. When a woody material such as sawdust 

 or shavings is used, it may cause a temporary tie-up of nitrogen in the soil. 

 This may be partially prevented by doubling the amount of nitrogen fertilizer 

 applied for a year or two until materials start to break down. 



What effect does apple promotion have on sales is frequently a question 

 asked by growers. Henderson, Brown and Hind, Agricultural Economists, Market 

 Development Research Division, Agricultural Marketing Service have reported in 

 Marketing Research Report 446 the results of their study "Special Promotional 

 Programs for Apples - Their Effects on Sales of Apples and Other Fruits". The 

 summary of their findings is given below. The apple promotion included tele- 

 vision programs on Wednesday and Friday of each week, the use of point-of-sale 

 material related to the advertising themes, and special displays in the stores. 

 Also, cooperating retailers supported the promotion program by featuring apples 

 as part of their regular advertisements in local newspapers serving their usual 

 market area. 



"Controlled experiments in 7 2 food supermarkets in 6 midwestern cities in- 

 dicated that advertising and promotion sponsored by the VJashington State Apple 

 Commission, using two specific themes, were associated with substantial in- 

 creases in sales of all apples handled by the stores, as well as of Washington 

 apples. 



"Compared with periods of no promotion, sales of Washington-grown apples 

 per store in a 4-week period were 32 percent higher for the "apple use" promo- 

 tional theme (emphasizing use of the fruit in salads, pies, and other dishes), 

 and 21 percent greater for the "health" promotional theme. 



"Sales of all apples (from Washington and other areas) were 20 percent 

 greater when the apple-use theme was used than when there was no promotion, and 

 9 per cent greater for the health theme. 



"Advertising based on either theme for a 4-week test period did not affect 

 sales of apples in the succeeding 4-week period. 



