in commercial orchards, it was concluded that M.9 was for the home 

 gardener and M,2, M.7, and M.13 had commercial value along with 

 seedling trees. 



Permanent trees on seedling roots were spaced 40 feet by 40 

 feet (27 trees/A) and the trees were mowed and sprayed from both 

 directions. When filler trees were used in the rows and between 

 rows, tree number increased to 106 trees per acre. However, fre- 

 quently the loss in productiveness on the trees exceeded the value 

 of the fillers because the filler trees were not removed before 

 crowding occurred. 



The introduction of air blast sprayers eliminated the need of 

 applying sprays from both directions and herbicide usage eliminated 

 the need of cross-mowing. Therefore, it became possible to retain 

 the 20 feet by 40 feet (54 trees per acre) plantings on seedling 

 roots or plant seedling trees at a 32-foot by 40-foot spacing (34 

 trees/A) . The increased tree number and reduced orchard travel in^ 

 creased efficiency (higher yields and less cost) , 



In 1956, we recommended M.7 with no reservations, except for 

 Red Delicious, and planting distances of 20 feet by 30 feet (72 trees 

 per acre). M.13 was suggested for wetter soils. Since the loss of 

 the late Dr. Walter D, Weeks in 1968, size-control rootstocks and 

 orchard intensification has received little or no research emphasis 

 in Massachusetts since it is not possible to investigate every re- 

 searchable area in fruit growing! Therefore, we had to look to 

 other fruit growing areas for information on size-control rootstocks 

 and orchard intensification and Massachusetts growers did consider- 

 able "pioneering" on their own. 



The apple industry was subjected to rising production costs 

 and harvest labor difficulties in the 1960 's and as a result inter- 

 est in smaller trees and closer spacing to increase production per 

 acre and per man hour heightened. Since the author was not actively 

 involved in testing rootstocks and planting systems, all he could 

 do was caution and observe. Growers, in the meantime, planted trees 

 on M.7 and MM 106 at spacings as close as 10 feet by 18 feet (242 

 trees/A) and tree training, in general, involved limb spreading and 

 standard pruning techniques. 



The present . Growers have found that dense plantings on M.7 and^Mloe 

 are not a guarantee for success. However, we are indebted to these 

 pioneers for we have gained much valuable information from their 

 experiences. Currently, some blocks of young bearing trees are 

 crowded and growers are forced to remove trees to reduce crowding. 

 If the "temporary" trees have paid for themselves and the remaining 

 trees are not adversely affected, the closer spacings were worth- 

 while. 



