March, 1934] Agricultlral Research in N. H. 17 



this insect, to maintain traps for his own information. The first flies 

 were noted in Wilton on June 28; they emerged in South Lyndeboro 

 on July 14. 



For the first season since observations have been made, mature as- 

 cospores were abundant in New Hamphire orchards when the trees 

 were in the delayed dormant stage and prior to the pre-pink stage 

 at which New Hampshire fruit growers generally apply their first scab 

 spray. It was not until May 20 that sufficient rain occurred at high 

 enough temperature to develop scab infection. About June 12 some 

 scab infection was noted in the University orchard. Orchardists who 

 had applied the calyx spray promptly and thoroughly were well pro- 

 tected during this period and suffered no loss. {State Spray Service) 



Spraying Versus Picking Drops for Railroad-Worm Control 



Spraying was contrasted with picking drops as a control for rail- 

 road worm in two apple orchards last season by W. C. O'Kane and 

 J. G. Conklin. The work wall be continued in 1934, w^hen some con- 

 clusions may be drawn. 



Clean-up measures were also on trial in a commercial orchard in 

 Wilton and will be tried another year before judging their effective- 

 ness. 



The Wilton orchard was selected as a typical commercial orchard 

 which has suffered severe losses the last few years because of rail- 

 road wonn. A number of old, neglected apple trees were found near- 

 by and are being removed this winter. The orchard is isolated from 

 other fruit blocks. 



As the 1933 season progressed, infestation in many of the Baldwins 

 and Wealthies was found to be running between 85 and 95 per cent. 

 All dropped fruit was gathered from the entire orchard and dumped 

 1,500 yards away. It will be treated with crankcase oil next spring 

 to destroy the pupae of the fmit pest. Next season should show con- 

 siderable improvement in the quality of the fruit. 



University orchards, one of 200 and another of 50 trees, were used 

 in the experimental work on spraying versus picking drops. 



The 200-tree sprayed orchard showed in general a rather light in- 

 festation of railroad wonn this season, but certain trees were more 

 heavily infested. Wealthies were more heavily infested than Mcintosh. 

 One tree of unknown variety showed an infestation of practically 100 

 per cent, the majority of its apples harboring two or more worms 

 per fruit. 



Infestation in the 50-tree check orchard was not as heavy as ex- 

 pected, even though it had received no sprays of any kind. 



To determine the peak in numbers of railroad-wonii flies emerging 

 from the soil to lay eggs in the forming apples, cages were placed 

 under trees in the orchards. The first peak of emergence occurred 

 July 8, but this was followed by a much greater peak on July 20 

 and still greater ones July 24 and 26. 



Railroad-worm sprays were applied in the larger orchards on July 7 

 and 8, and again July 21. Rain before the latter dried, necessitated 



