8 - 



culture is practiced, mummy berry is seldom a problem in clean, 

 veil kept plantings, while it is a frequent problem in weedy, poorly 

 kept ones. The reason for this is that frequent cultivation dis- 

 turbs the mummy berries; those that are buried or lose contact with 

 the soil fail to produce the spores that are the cause of primary 

 infection. In addition to cultivation. New Jersey growers use 

 ground applications of calcium cyanamid to destroy the "mummy cups" 

 that develop from the mummy berries and release the primary spores. 

 In Massachusetts, calcium cyanamid applications have not given sat- 

 isfactory control, possibly because of the protection afforded the 

 mummies by the sod cover. 



Protective fungicide sprays are suggested for mummy berry con- 

 trol in Massachusetts. Timing is critical. Spores are released and 

 infection takes place during wet periods from the time that the 

 buds begin to swell until the blossoms have set fruit. The plants 

 must be covered before wet periods during this time. Ferbam, at 

 the rate of 3 pounds per 100 gallons, is the recommended fungicide. 

 Make the first application when the buds have swollen and the earl- 

 iest ones have begun to open, and repeat in 7 days. Spray again 

 when the blossoms are in the close cluster stage and repeat 7 to 

 10 days later. 



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



USE OF ETHEPHON (ETHREL*) TO INITIATE FLOWER BUD DEVELOPMENT 



William J. Lord and Duane W. Greene 

 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences 



Growers are interested in ethephon's ability to promote spur 

 development and flower-bud formation on young apple trees. To in- 

 duce this response, the proposed label gives the following directions 



"To increase flower bud development in both spur and non-spur 

 type young non-bearing apple trees, apply a foliar spray of ETHREL* 

 1 to 2 weeks after peak bloom period (as determined by bearing trees 

 in the area). On young trees just beginning to initiate a few 

 flowers , treat 4 to 5 weeks after full bloom to minimize overthin- 

 ning and mis-shapen fruit (calyx end pinched). Reduced vegetative 

 growth and increased bud development during the season of applica- 

 tion should increase flowering the following spring. Trees should 

 be large enough to support a set of apples before they are treated 

 to initiate flower buds. 



1. Spur type trees: Mix 1-2/3 pints of ETHREL* in 100 gallons 

 of water (5 pints in 300 gallons). Spray trees thoroughly 

 and uniformly to the point of runoff. 



*Trade Name 



