-15- 



The following is the cost-benefit analysis of the every vs 

 alternate middle treatments: 



Dollar costs/acre 



Insecticide, miticide, 

 and fungicide spray 

 materials 



Labor (3.50/hr.) 



Fuel, etc. 



Value of fruit loss 

 owing to insect and 

 disease injury 67.29 82.39 +15.10 



Cost reduction due to 



alternate middle 



spraying -89.55 



This analysis shows that the decreased amount of pesticide applied, 

 combined with consequent lower cost of fuel and labor for application 

 of pesticides, even with a slightly greater total percentage of injured 

 fruits at harvest (3.38% in the alternate middle vs. 2.67% in the 

 every middle plots) resulted in an overall net benefit (savings) of 

 $89.55 per acre in the alternate middle compared with every middle 

 plots . 



In summary, our findings to date show that the alternate middle 

 spray program can result in greatly reduced pesticide usage, effect- 

 ive pest control, and a greater net profit to the grower. For those 

 growers interested in trying out the program, we would suggest start- 

 ing with a one or two-acre block to see how the program works with 

 your particular type of sprayer and trees, and under your particular 

 local insect, mite, and disease conditions. We would advise against 

 submitting large acreage to this program until you (and we) learn 

 more about the program's long-term effectiveness and possible short- 

 comings. Present knowledge suggests that the program works best where 

 the trees are well pruned (open centers) and spaced at recommended 



intervals (not wider) . 



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



All pesticides listed in this publication are registered and 

 cleared for suggested uses according to Federal registrations and 

 State Laws and regulations in effect on the date of this publication. 



When trade names are used for identification, no product endorse- 

 ment is implied, nor is discrimination intended against similar 

 materials . 



