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The slender-spindle pruning techniques used in the Netherlands 

 warrants investigation. The slender-spindles in the Netherlands 

 are not a "pretty" tree, but they are productive! The slender- 

 spindle pruning technique has enabled the Dutch growers to increase 

 yields per acre and per man-hour and to keep their trees smaller. 

 However, the author is not willing to suggest the slender-spindle 

 pruning method other than on a trial basis. Extensive testing is 

 needed and spacings will vary according to variety and soil type. 

 Even though we may use slender-spindle techniques, our trees may 

 look more like the free-spindle trees found in the Netherlands with 

 a heavy frame of scaffolds in the lower third of the trees because 

 of wide spacings. The heavy frame may be necessary to reduce the 

 vigor of the trees on M,7 or MM 106, 



Weaker rootstocks. The writer is convinced the proper way to keep 

 trees srtiall Is by use of weak rootstocks, more dwarfing than M.7, 

 and not by chemicals. Chemicals can be useful in promoting flower- 

 ing of young trees and restricting growth but annual applications 

 to keep trees small do not seem practical. 



Hopefully, the M.26 rootstock will prove to be a suitably 

 weaker rootstock. There is much interest in M,26 in Massachusetts 

 and elsewhere. However, thorough evaluation of standard trees and 

 spur-types on M.26 at various spacings and training systems is 

 needed under our conditions. The Dutch, even though they have M.9, 

 are also interested in spurs on M.26. A question concerning M.26 

 is the need of supporting trees on this rootstock. English re- 

 searchers have found that budding 4 inches higher and then planting 

 4 inches deeper than in the nursery will stabilize trees of M.26. 

 This procedure warrants investigation under our conditions. 



It is difficult for the European Pomologists to understand why 

 we have large holdings of big trees, whereas equivalent yields and 

 profits might be derived from much less acreage with trees on M.9. 

 Furthermore, they are amazed that United States apple growers are 

 content to wait 5 or 6 years for their first "real" crop and to work 

 with such large trees. One European Pomologist stated that the 

 American Fruit Grower has everything going his way because, compared 

 to many European apple growing areas, he has better soils and cli- 

 mate. 



I was frequently asked in the Netherlands, "Why aren't you in- 

 terested in M.9's?" My answer was that our industry at present is 

 not mentally prepared or forced by economics to make such a drastic 

 change and that M.9 hasn't been adequately tested for our conditions. 

 It is best that changes come slowly, but frequently disasters force 

 rapid changes. World War II, the floods of 1953, and the price/cost 

 squeeze of the 1960's certainly were responsible in part for the 

 rapid changes in the Netherland apple industry. We now are faced 

 with a serious price/cost squeeze and we in the United States should 

 give serious thought to present orcharding techniques used in the 

 Netherlands and other countries. Technological advancements during 



