-5- 



Little has been said here about pear, plum, and cherry production 

 because these crops have not undergone the technological evolution that has 

 occurred during the last decade for apple production. However, mention 

 should be made about the decline of the stone fruit crops illustrated in 

 the statistics quoted earlier. 



Decline has occurred for several reasons. One is EEC competition, which 

 places fruit from Southern Europe on the market early at competitive 

 prices. Plums have also been devastated by loss of demand for processed 

 products. (Purchases of fresh fruit and vegetables have increased greatly 

 in the U.K. during the past 20 years). Another problem is severe infesta- 

 tions from plum pox -- a virus disease -- and bacterial canker, which have 

 been difficult to contain. Finally, bird damage has caused severe losses; 

 at present, the most common control measure is use of mechanical scare 

 devices, which lose effectiveness quickly. 



The British cherry and plum industries remain in jeopardy. 

 Nevertheless, there is hope that effective size-controlling rootstocks will 

 be found -- some promising cherry rootstocks are presently being planted -- 

 and that growth regulators, especially PP333, will suppress tree vigor so 

 that intensive production methods can be employed to reduce unit costs. 



The U.K. fruit industry still has its problems but there is a deter- 

 mination to tackle them and meet the challenge of competition from abroad. 

 Despite economic constraints there is increasing collaboration within the 

 industry, particularly in regard to research, development, and marketing. 

 This cooperation is helping to streamline the U.K. fruit industry, which is 

 essential for its longterm wellbeing. 



POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH 



Wil 1 iam J. Lord 

 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences 



Performance of Interstem Trees . It is becoming increasingly apparent that 

 unless well -grown trees are obtained from the nursery and/or unless they 

 receive a high level of management in the grower orchard, the growth and 

 early productivity of interstem trees are apt to be disappointing. Also, 

 we are finding it difficult to maintain a strong central leader on 

 interstem trees without staking. Under the management that is provided in 

 most of our orchards, we need trees on rootstocks that will produce satis- 

 factory growth and yields in the absence of optimum growing conditions and 

 care. Thus, interstem trees are not recommended for most orchards. 



