10. 



The winter season Is a good time for reconditioning, repainting and adjusting field mach- 

 inery. Plow shares, cultivator shovels, mower knives can be sharpened and/or replaced. The 

 machines should be checked over for worn parts and these parts repaired or replaced. If the 

 machinery is showing signs of rusting It should be cleaned and repainted. Winter is also a 

 good time to recondition worn engines and tune-up other engines to keep them in good con- 

 dition. This is also a good time to make preliminary operational adjustments on the machines 



A little care and maintenance during the Fall and Winter months will go a long way. Not 

 only does it prolong machinery life but it simplifies major maintenance work by spreading 

 it over a period of several months. Perhaps the biggest single advantage to be gained is 

 the fact that the machinery is ready to go to work in the Spring and no time is lost on 

 unexpected repairs. There is also less likelihood of frustrating and time-consuming break- 

 downs during field operations. 



Remember - always carry out specific maintenance procedures in accordance with the in- 

 structions in the operator's manual for the machine. Thus you will not only have an out- 

 line of the correct procedures but you also have all specifications, lubrication recommenda- 

 tions, and adjustment information available. 



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



CIDER NOTES 



Cider Preservative i- uj • i 



A recen"t~S?ticle in the "Eastern Fruit Grower" discussed tha use of sorbic acid 



(potassium sorbate) as a cider preservative. Some of the more important findings in this 

 article were: 



1. 0.05 per cent by weight is effective for preserving cider, and increasing the 

 concentration up to the legal limit of 0.1 per cent does not increase its effectiveness. 



2. Compared with sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate imparts no flavor to the cider. 



3. After comparing varieties preserved with potassium sorbate and held in storage at 

 35-40°F for up to 6 months, the tested varieties were classified into three groups ior 

 preserving with potassium sorbate. 



Best - Stayman, Winesap, Ruby, Franklin, Melrose 

 Fair - Golden Delicious, Northern Spy, Red JJelicious 

 Poor - Turlcy, Rome Beauty, Baldwin, Mcintosh 



A final comment is that while potassium sorbate is an excellent preservative, cider 

 made from clean, sound apples pressed in a sanitary mill and held under refrigeration 

 (32°-35°F) will meet with acceptance anywhere. 



RANDOM THOUGHTS 



Don't display cider in the warm fall sun - "working" cider does not increase sales! 



Give sar-ples of your cider to the kids. You'll find they'll talk their folks into 

 buying. 



