22 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 22G. 



Early in June, reports of an outbreak of Pear Midge were received frou! 

 points in Plymouth and Barnstable counties. As far as could be learned, 

 this was not general, but was confined to local outbreaks in that region. 

 Where the pest was reported, however, it was found to be causing severe 

 damage. In some cases, over 50 per cent of the crop was estimated to 

 have been attacked. Clapp's Favorite and Beurre Bosc were the two 

 varieties specifically mentioned as being the most severely infested. 



During late September and early October, there was discovered some 

 injury to fruit caused by the so-called Dock False Worm. In one orchard, 

 at least, larvae of this Sawfly were found to have bored into the fruit in 

 considerable numbers. This was noted especially on Baldwins. Through 

 the summer this insect feeds mainly on species of dock, sorrel, etc., and 

 attacks fruit only in the fall when it seeks quarters for hibernation. The 

 larvae bore in' J the fruit, making small round holes which soon show a 

 slightly sunken, discolored ring on the surface of the apple. Inside the 

 fruit these burrows run well toward the core, usually enlarged slightlj 

 toward the inner end where the small, light green larvae may be found. 

 These entrance holes in the apples, while somewhat larger than those made 

 by the Codling Moth, are probably often mistaken for those of that insect. 

 As this insect is primarily a pest on different varieties of weeds, clean 

 culture is obviously the best protection against it. In all probability this 

 insect will seldom, if ever, become a serious pest in orchards. It is well 

 for the grower, however, to be aware of its presence. 



Taking the season as a whole, without any question the fruit growers' 

 main troubles were caused by mid-season and late Codling Moth injury, 

 the Plum Curculio and the Railroad Worm. Some of the pests commonly 

 found in abundance were this season practically absent. On the other 

 hand, one or two species, not usually found in numbers enough to warrant 

 any attention from the growers, were encountered in considerable local 

 Eihundance. 



A survey of insect conditions made in the main fruit growing section 

 of the state brought out very clearly the emphasis which should be given 

 to careful and properly timed spraying. In spite of the diversity of insect 

 attack which fruit growers encountered, it is significant that those who 

 gave closest attention to spray or dust applications reported their orchards 

 and fruit remarkably free from injury by insects. This was most notice- 

 ably trtie of those who gave particular attention to the post-calyx and mid- 

 season applications. 



PRUNING YOUNG APPLE TREES 



BY J. K. SHAW 



In the spring of 1916 an orchard of 600 one-year-old trees of Baldwin, 

 Northern Spy, Rhode Island Greening, Mcintosh and King were set ten 

 feet apart, for an experiment in pruning with especial reference to head 

 formation. Six different methods of pruning were arbitrarily chosen and 

 consistently followed for a period of nine years. It is the purpose of this 

 paper to present some of the conclusions reached from this experiment, that 

 may be of value to the fruit grower. A more detailed report of the 

 technical aspects of the experiment is in preparation. 



