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natural change from juvenile to mature bark Is caused by disease. 



Another occurrence which occasionally causes concern, although it can't be 

 observed at this time of year, is the dropping of terminal buds from the ends of 

 shoots in mid-summer. In many other kinds of plants this would be a symptom of 

 boron deficiency. In the blueberry it apparently is not. It seems to be a 

 natural occurrence. 



You can't see the root systems of your blueberry bushes to study them, and 

 even if you could, you wouldn't notice that they are different from the root 

 systems of other plants. The difference is a marked and fundamental one. The 

 cells on the outside of the feeding roots of most plants have extensions called 

 root hairs. These root hairs provide a large absorbing surface for taking into 

 the plant from the soil the numerous elements which the plant needs. The feeding 

 roots of the blueberry have no root hairs. To compensate for this lack, nature 

 has provided a unique mechanism. There is a peculiar type of beneficial fungus 

 which grows on and in the feeding roots of the blueberry as well as many other 

 plants and trees. This fungus absorbs the soil elements and passes them on to 

 the blueberry bush. In return the blueberry manufactures plant food and supplies 

 the fungus with what it needs. This mutually beneficial arrangement is called a 

 mycorhizal relationship. Since cultivated blueberries are propagated from stem 

 cuttings, it is interesting to speculate on how the mycorhizal relationship is 

 established in new plants. Some researchers have maintained that the fungus 

 grows all through the plant. Others have claimed that this is not so. At any 

 rate this relationship must be quickly established in the new plant. 



John S. Bailey 



Associate Professor of Pomology 



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



CIDER NOTES 



Have you ever thought of cider as being liquid apples? Many times liquid 



apples can represent a liquid profit, also. Growers should consider all the 



angles when preparing to sell their crop, to determine which form will result in 

 the greatest profit. 



Let's consider for a moment the total return that can be gained from cider. 

 The average bushel of cider apples will produce 3-1/2 gallons of cider, although 

 this does vary. The average price at retail is 75 cents a gallon or a total of 

 $2.60 for a bushel of cider apples. From this return deduct the cost of growing 

 the apples, the cost of labor and materials to produce the cider. The net profit 

 compares favorably with that received from selling top grade apples. Take a 

 little time and figure your own costs and see if cider will add to your profit. 



If your sales are lagging, check the size container being used. A gallon 

 jug takes up a lot of space in the refrigerator. Would half -gal Ion or even quart 

 containers increase your sales? The last glass out of a large container may be 

 the deciding factor on whether the customer returns. An easily read sign showing 

 container size and price is a boom to business. 



