aged by migrating blackbirds at the Waltham Field Station, Univer- 

 sity of Massachusetts. Various settings were used, but it was im- 

 possible to keep the birds out of the field. 



During 1970, at least 4 other Av-Alarm units were in commer- 

 cial Massachusetts blueberry fields. In checking with these growers 

 3 reported that it was not effective in reducing bird damage, while 

 one felt that it helped. 



As a further check on the effectiveness of Av-Alarm, two west- 

 ern New York Extension Agents were contacted. One reported that he 

 knew of 2 cherry growers who had had good results with it. The 

 other stated that robins are not a serious problem in western New 

 York and that the overall bird problem has not been serious the past 

 two years . 



In contacts with the dealer and manufacturer, the reasons given 

 for failure of the Av-Alarm to prevent bird damage to blueberries 

 and sweet corn were as follows: the wrong setting was used, the 

 speaker was in the wrong location, the tests were started too late 

 in the season, the setting was changed too often, it is not very 

 effective against robins or migrating birds. 



On the basis of experience in 1970, it appears that either the 

 manufacturer must provide more specific instructions for its opera- 

 tion, or improvements must be made in the device to increase its 

 effectiveness if it is to be of significant practical value. 



*************** 



WEED CONTROL EXPERIMENT INITIATED AT 

 MAINE AGR. EXP. STATION, HI6HM00R FARM. 1970 



Herbert E. Wave 

 Extension Fruit Specialist 

 University of Maine 



It has been amply demonstrated that grass and broadleaf weed 

 control around apple trees increases the growth rate of the trees. 

 It would seem logical to assume that yield also increases in pro- 

 portion to this increased tree growth - but does it? To answer 

 this question, long-term plots have been established in a young 

 orchard planted in 1969, at Highmoor Farm. These plots will be 

 treated annually, with most of the commonly-used herbicides, and 

 growth and yield records taken. Growth and yield of herbicide- 

 treated plots will be compared to nonchemical weed control (mowing) 

 and no weed control (unmowed) plots. 



