ANNUAL REPORT, 1932 49 



winterkilling of the fruit buds. Evidently the killing point is usually close to 

 -15° F". Buds, especially of bud-hardy varieties, may withstand lower tempera- 

 tures, while those of the more tender varieties may be badly killed at higher 

 temperatures. The severity of bud killing depends on (1) the minimum temp- 

 erature, (2) the variety, (3) the condition of the tree, and (4) conditions prevailing 

 at the time of the temperature drop, such as wind, the rapidity of the drop, and 

 the duration of the low temperature. 



The apple crop was about 60 per cent larger than that of last year but was 

 exceeded by that of 1930 also by about 60 per cent. Damage from insects and 

 diseases in all well-sprayed orchards was unusually light. 



The Interrelation of Stock and Scion in Apples. (J. K. Shaw.) Due to 

 financial stress the Department has been obliged to allow the control of the main 

 orchard of this project to pass to a commercial grower. Limited observations 

 will still be made, but detailed experimental studies become impossible. Appli- 

 cations of muriate of potash to certain rows have not yet shown clearly that the 

 ''tip burn" referred to in the report of last year is due to potash deficiency. Ob- 

 servations on this will be continued. It is evident that water supply is a factor, 

 but it is possible that lack of potash may also be a factor. 



The young orchard of Mcintosh and Wealthy on East Mailing stocks set in 

 1928 continues to develop in a satisfactory way. It bore a scattering crop this 

 year. Mcintosh on Mailing Stock 1 gives indications of being superior in early 

 production, while Wealthy on the same stock does not produce so much on ac- 

 count of the very small trees. Stock 16 maintains its position as a standard stock 

 and has produced well. Stock 9 promises to be a good dwarfing stock. The 

 largest crop of W^ealthy was on trees on Stock 4, and only Mcintosh trees on Stock 

 1 exceeded those on Stock 4. This stock is not very highly regarded in England 

 and may develop some fatal weakness, but experience thus far seems to indicate 

 that here it is a good stock for producing large trees and for early production with 

 these two varieties. 



These stocks are being further multiplied, and more extensive tests of our desir- 

 able varieties on them are planned. It seems possible that some of them may be 

 desirable for producing semi-dwarf trees, free from the objections to dwarf trees, 

 which may have commercial value. 



Tree Characters of Fruit Varieties. (J. K. Shaw and A. P. French.) The 

 set of photographs and technical descriptions of more than 100 commercial 

 varieties of apples referred to last year has been practically completed. Work 

 along a similar line with commercial varieties of cherries has been started. Trees 

 or buds of nearly forty varieties have been assembled. Seedlings of Japanese 

 flowering cherries have been used as stocks. Certain types of this species produce 

 viable seeds abundantly and give vigorous seedlings resembling Mazzard stocks. 

 Further experience will show whether these are desirable for cherry stocks. 



The usual certification work of the Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Association 

 and the inspection of nursery trees for trueness to name have been continued al- 

 though in somewhat reduced volume as compared with earlier years, due to the 

 reduced demand for trees. The significance of this work is shown in the almost 

 complete absence, now, of misnamed trees in the nurseries examined; whereas in 

 the early years they were present, literally in thousands. The nurserymen report a 

 marked reduction in the complaints of misnamed trees received from customers 

 during the last few years. Such complaints must practically disappear in the 

 future. The nurserymen having these examinations represent a rather small 

 proportion of the total number; but the influence of this work extends beyond the 



