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BIENNIAL REPORT, 1927 AND 1928 343 



234 The Poisoning of Honey Bees by Orchard Sprays. Bourne, A. I. 

 12 p. March, 1927. 



The experiments indicate that, if the recommended combination of lead aisenate, 

 lime-sulfur and nicotine sulfate is used, spraying should have no appreciable effect 

 upon colonies of bees not subject to any restrictions of flight. This is true even 

 when some b'oom is present, unless improperly timed spraying is carried out on 

 E, large s-caU. 



235 Farm Taxes and Assessments in Massachusetts. Yount, Hubert W. 

 36 p. April, 1927. 



Farm real estate on 214 farms in 1923 was assessed at 53 per cent of the owners' 

 valuation. The average ratio of the assessed value of farm i-eal estate to the own- 

 ers' valuation varies as much as 20 per cent between towns ; and also varied 

 widely between farms in the same town. Livestock was assessed at 65 per cent of 

 itf value as reported by the owners. Reports from 133 boards of assessors show 

 wide differences between towns in the estimated assessed value of land of a sim- 

 ilar quality and use, and little uniformity in the assessment of livestock. Urban 

 and industrial real estate is assessed at a higher percentage of value than farm 

 real estate. In 1923 taxes on 207 farms took 9.76 per cent of the farm income 

 before paying taxes. When computed on a similar basis, taxes take a larger shaie 

 of the Massachusetts fai-mer's income than of the incomes received by certain other 

 industrial or professional c'.asses. 



236 The Milk Supply of Massachusetts. McFall, R. J. 13 p. May, 1927. 

 1. Local Production and Imports. Data are presented showing that out of a total 

 of slightly over 680 million quarts of milk used in Massachusetts, 59 per cent is 

 produced in the State, 43 per cent imported, and 2 per cent exported. Practically 

 all of the cream is imported. IL Consumption and Sources of Supply in Spring- 

 field and Vicinity. Figures show that this area produces 22 per cent of its supply 

 of fluid milk, brings in 44 per cent from other states, and obtains 34 per cent from 

 other parts of Massachusetts. III. Milk Production and Shipped-in Feed. For 

 New England as a whole, 23 per cent of the milk production is based upon outside 

 feed, and 77 per cent on home-grown supplies ; for Massachusetts the correspond- 

 ing figures are 30 per cent and 70 per cent respectively. New England's depend- 

 ence upon outside feedstuffs is not unduly high when compared with the situation 

 in some of the leading dairy nations of Europe. 



237 Liming Onions. Jones, J. P. 7 p. October, 1927. 



A report of observations made on the use of lime for onions in the Connecticut 

 Valley. Onions were found to yield best on the less acid soils. For any degree of 

 acidity the yield following tobacco averaged poorer than following onions. The 

 best yields were secured at soil reactions of pH 6.Q and above. In applying lime 

 for onions it was pointed out that other crops that might be grown on the land 

 subsetiuently should be kept in mind. For example, lime, applied in amounts most 

 beneficial to onions, has been proven harmful to tobacco. 



238 Head Formation in Apple Trees. Shaw, J. K. 30 p. October, 1927. 

 A report of the effects on young apple trees of six different types of pruning. 

 Results are given in terms of growth and early yield, and a series of tracings 

 from photographs shows the effects on the development of individual trees. Direc- 

 tions are given for pruning young apple trees from the time they are set until 

 the type of tree is established. 



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239 Cape Cod Cranberry Insects. Franklin, H. J. 67 p. February, 1928. 

 Worms and wormlike forms that attack the foliage, buds, flowers and fruit of the 

 cranberry vine in this State are described, and methods for control discussed. The 

 work is based on many years study and experience in the Cape Cod cranberry 

 section. An important feature of the bulletin is the colored plates and other illus- 

 trations showing the cranberry insects in their different stages as well as the 

 various ways in which they injure the plant. 



240 Factors Affecting Returns from Potatoes in Massachusetts. Mighell, 

 Ronald L. 27 p. January, 1928. 



A survey of 54 farms in four different areas in the State is the basis of this bulletin. 

 Potatoes occupied an average of 11 to 13% per cent of the total crop land. The 

 maximum, minimum and average hours of labor, by operations, the distribution of 

 labor throughout the season, the amount of materials used and the production per 

 acre for each of the four areas are given. A brief study of the effect of machinery 

 on labor requirements and costs is presented. 



