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POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPHS 



Repair of Boxes 



One Massachusetts grower uses a stapling machine with 1-1/2 inch staples for 

 repair of field crates. The machine is powered by an air compressor. After 

 grading and packing, the empty field crates and filled master cartons are placed 

 on a conveyor and transported to one end of the packing shed. At this point, the 

 master cartons are sealed and any broken boxes are repaired by the use of the 

 stapling machine. The crates are then removed from the conveyor and stored. 

 This method appears to be an efficient way to keep boxes in good repair and may 

 warrant consideration on the part of other growers. The grower suggests the use 

 of nylon or rosin-coated staples for greater holding capacity. 



---William J. Lord 



Methods of Scald Control on the Apple is the title of a research report published 

 October 1961 with R. M. Smock the author. This report. Bulletin No. 970, is 

 available from Cornell University, Agricultural Experiment Station, Ithaca, New 

 York. 



• — William J. Lord 



Leaf Analyses 



The analyses of leaf samples taken from our Mcintosh orchards for the last 

 three years shov; that high nitrogen has been a consistent problem even in a light 

 crop year such as 1960. Trees which have received the same fertilizer program 

 for several years will have a nitrogen level which is .2 to .3 of a per cent 

 lower in a light crop year than it is in a heavy crop year. 



Leaf Analyses of Mcintosh Orchards 



No. of Per Cent of Samples With; 



Year Samples High Nitrogen Low Potass ivmi Low Magnesium 



1959 136 46.3 15.4 38.2 



1960 98 36.7 10.2 9.2 



1961 108 50.0 5^^6 8^3 



Although these samples are not from the same orchards, it appears that the 

 potassium and magnesium levels are improving. However, growers should not relax 

 in their efforts to provide these elements regularly. 



Growers contemplating the adjustment of nitrogen level in their orchards 

 must realize that it may take two years for reduced rates of nitrogen to be 

 effective. Also, leaf analyses should be requested from county agents in order to 

 follow the effect of the fertilizer program adjustments on the nutritional status 

 of the trees. 



It is the amount of actual nitrogen applied and not the source of nitrogen 

 that is Important in fertilization of apples. It may be logical to reduce the 

 rate of nitrogen fertilization but to maintain the potash level. This can be 

 easily done by growers using the combination of ammonium nitrate and muriate of 

 potash. 



William J. Lord 



