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REFLECTIONS AFTER THE SABBATICAL IN THE NETHERLANDS 



William J. Lord 

 Department o£ Plant and Soil Sciences 



The apple industry in the United States suffered 3 consecutive 

 marketing seasons, starting with the 1969-70 season, of over-supply 

 and low prices. It became clear that in order to survive, the in- 

 dustry must strive for production increases per acre and per man 

 hour without sacrificing fruit quality. Fortunately, production 

 decreased somewhat the last 3 years and returns to growers have been 

 more favorable. However, it is likely that apple surplus years will 

 again occur, and production and marketing costs have increased rapid- 

 ly since the fall of 1973. Since many of the concepts and techniques 

 used in intensive orchards to increase yields per acre and per man 

 hour were originated or refined in the Netherlands, this seemed a 

 logical place to spend a sabbatical. Now that my sabbatical leave 

 has terminated, it is time to reflect on what I observed, how it 

 might apply to Massachusetts, and ask, "Where do we go from here?" 



The Apple Industry in the Netherlands 



Research. The Netherlands, which covers an area little larger than 

 the combined areas of Connecticut and Massachusetts, has a National 

 Fruit Research Station at Wilhelminadorp and 7 Experimental Gardens 

 for fruit. Since field research at Wilhelminadorp is frequently 

 duplicated at one or more Experimental Gardens, the time interval 

 between experiments and commercial adoption of useful practices is 

 shortened. 



An impressive feature of the research work at Wilhelminadorp 

 is the close liaison and cooperation with growers. Most research 

 is designed to answer questions by growers. A "Wild-Idea Club," 

 composed of researchers and progressive growers, organized by the 

 National Fruit Advisory Service, meets periodically to discuss and 

 implement research on "futuristic" ideas. 



Researchers at Wilhelminadorp are presently studying varieties, 

 pruning methods, virus-free varieties and rootstocks, chemical thin- 

 ning, pollination and fruit set, nutrition, trickle-irrigation, multi- 

 row and full field plantings, growth regulators, integrated pest con- 

 trol, etc. 



Modern orchards . The orchard is generally family-owned with no 

 hired labor except for harvest. An orchard of 15 to 20 acres is 

 considered an economical unit for one family when tree fruit are the 

 only source of income. 



Dutch apple growing will be discussed in detail at the N.E. Fruit 

 Meetings. 



