84 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 347 



The Effects of Fertilizer Limitation on Fruit Plants. (J. K. Shaw.) This project 

 was continued as in previous years. A subsoil plow was drawn through between 

 the plots to minimize the danger of root trespass. Determinations of potash 

 content of the leaf petioles by the Thornton test were made. These agree gen- 

 erally with those made in previous years. The growth of the tree is negatively 

 correlated with the amount of leaf burn and notes of this were taken. Leaf burn 

 is not closely correlated with potash deficiency. 



The trees bore a scattering crop. The bearing trees showed little relationship 

 with fertilizer treatment. Because of the narrow plots and crowded condition of 

 the trees it will be necessarj' to remove these trees in the near future. 



Effect of Potash and Lime on Apple Trees. (J. K. Shaw.) No new tendencies 

 appeared in this orchard but the trees, especially on the plots without nitrogen, 

 are not performing well. The variety Wealthy requires better cultural conditions 

 and it is planned to introduce a system of partial cultivation in place of sod 

 culture. 



Study of Varieties of Fruits. (J. K. Shaw and staff.) 



Apples. There is little to add to the comment made in recent reports concern- 

 ing new varieties. There are about 75 under test. 



Haralson fruited for the first time and proved to be a large, attractive apple 

 except for rather dull red color. 



Kendall has not fruited here, but specimens from a southern Vermont orchard 

 proved disappointing in flavor. Further observations are necesssary before its 

 quality when grown in New England can be compared with its quality when 

 grown at its place of origin. 



The red sports continue to receive increasing attention and are found in greater 

 numbers in nurseries each year. It is apparent that not all red sports of a given 

 variety are alike. As they cannot be told apart by the nursery trees there is 

 likely to be confusion in buying trees. The Red Spy and Red Gravenstein com- 

 monly sold by nurseries seem to be of the strains sent out by the New York Fruit 

 Testing Association. There are various red strains of Delicious under propaga- 

 tion and it is important that the grower be sure just what strain he is getting. 



The "Yellow Delicious" offered by many nurseries cannot be distinguished in 

 the nursery from Golden Delicious. 



Pears. Cayuga seems promising as a larger pear of the Seckel type. 



Plums. Imperial Epineuse from Geneva produced the first real crop this year. 

 It is yellowish-green in color and not particularly attractive but is of excellent 

 quality. It promises to be a desirable variety for the home garden and local trade. 



Peaches. The peach variety orchard produced a good crop and observations 

 confirmed previous reports on the varieties grown. Twelve varieties of apricots 

 from South Dakota were put out for trial. 



Grapes. Erie, from its performance this past season, promises to be a desirable 

 early blue grape. It ripens about the third week in August, has large berries with 

 an attractive bunch, and is very good in qualit}'. 



Fredonia is a desirable substitute for Moore's Early in that it ripens at about 

 the same time and is superior in quality, type of bunch, and production. 



Raspberries. Marcy appears superior to Ta\lor in quality and production. 



Indian Summer again failed to mature the fall crop. Many numbered seedlings 

 have been discarded because they appeared to be worthless. Those which show- 

 any promise have been retained for further observation. 



i 



