- 6 - 



As far as drop control materials are concerned the rltuatlon has not changed 

 appreciably since last year. Those who wish recommendations concerning the use 

 of NAA and 2,4,5-TP (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyproptonic acid) may obtain our 1962 

 revision of Special Circular No. 254, Preharvest Drop Control of Apples, from the 

 Mailing Room, University of Massachusetts, Amherst or from your local Extension 

 office. The most significant change is the fact that NAA (which may be applied 

 twice at concentrations up to 20 ppm.) can be applied within 2 days of harvest 

 this fall . Last year the last spray could not be legally applied within 5 days 

 of harvest. 



In 1961 we found that NAA not only tends to inhibit the rate of fruit growth 

 of persisting apples when used as a chemical thinner but also has a slight similar 

 action even when applied after completion of the June drop. (see Table 2). 



Table 2. The effect of post June drop applications of NAA 

 on the growth rate of Mcintosh ipples. 1961. 



Franklin W. Southwlck 



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



"PICK-YOUR-OWN" METHOD OF HARVESTING APPIJS 



"Pick-your-own" method of harvesting has gained popularity with growers of 

 small fruit in Massachusetts. However, only a few apple growers have tried this 

 method of harvest, one of whom Is Hamilton Lincoln of North Brookfleld. He has 

 allowed the public to pick in his orchards for the last three years. At present, 

 approximately 3,000 bushels of Hamilton's crop are picked by the public. This 

 represents a small part of his total crop. The program has gained popularity 

 each year, however. Originally It was anticipated that a larger per cent of the 

 crop would be harvested by the public and that many customers would pick several 

 bushels to last for the season. In practice It has been found that many people 

 pick only one bushel, which is the minimum allowed, but come back once or twice 

 during the season. The season is approximately four weekends with about 85 per 

 cent of the apples harvested on Sundays. 



A Way to Advertise 



Hamilton considers inviting the public to pick their own apples is an excel- 

 lent means of advertising. "Once they have picked apples here, they have become 

 identified with the orchard and vjith the crop, and they seem to have a personal 

 interest in It. The people seem to consider it as their crop and trees. More 



