was a very gracious host and devoted a day showing and discussing the apple in- 

 dustry in his area. From Dr. Gould's comments and observations made in orchards, 

 it was apparent that early, heavy production on young trees is a prime objective 

 of progressive West Virginia fruit growers. Filler trees are being used exten- 

 sively and "stub" pruning (dwarfing instead of removal of extra limbs that might 

 compete with the desirable scaffold) is practiced. The theory behind stub 

 pruning is that by leaving extra limbs in the tree, the leaf surface is increased, 

 resulting in more growth and earlier production. The extra limbs also help to 

 produce wide angles by forcing the scaffold limbs to grow outward instead of 

 growing in a more upright position. 



Thorough soil preparation prior to planting and increasing the organic 

 matter content is advocated by Dr. Gould. Dr. Gould considers that tamping the 

 soil around the roots of the young tree at planting is undesirable. Instead, he 

 suggested the use of water to improve the soil-root contact. The use of a 

 nutrient solution at planting is advocated also. The use of three urea sprays on 

 non-bearing trees is suggested at the rate of one pound per 100 gallons with the 

 regular sprays before July 1. 



The use of weights to spread desirable scaffold branches on young trees is 

 suggested by Dr. Gould. This might be more practical than the use of spreaders 

 or tying the limbs to the desired position. 



During orchard visits a block of bearing apple trees was noted in which 

 budding was used as a method of changing the variety. This system is apparently 

 used when the grower wants to change the variety or strain with a minimum loss of 

 production. The procedure was to bud well-placed water sprouts ("risers") at a 

 point approximately 2 or 3 inches from the point of origin of these sprouts on 

 the limb. Approximately 100 buds were placed in a tree. By selective pruning to 

 favor the growth from these buds, the tree is gradually worked over to the new 

 variety or strain. 



In one orchard, asphalt shingle strips of approximately 18 inches square 

 were observed under apple trees. Dr. Gould commented that the placement of 

 several of these strips per acre served as a check of mouse activity in the 

 orchard. These were placed over runs and monthly checks of mouse activity were 

 made. Apple and oat bait is placed under these shingles whenever mouse activity 

 increases as determined by the monthly checks. 



Apparently Endrin is not used yearly in many West Virginia orchards and 

 generally is used only when high mouse population exists. Other methods of mouse 

 control are practiced in many instances because of lower cost. 



The Apple Pie Ridge section of West Virginia fruit industry was visited. 

 The number of new plantings was particularly impressive and indicates considerable 

 increase in production in the near future. 



William J. Lord 



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



