26 N. H. Agri. Experiment Station [Bui. 296 



In an orchard planted under sod mulch in 1926, where all of the trees 

 are primed to a modified leader type, two degrees of severity of pruning 

 have been under test for five years. The difference between the heavy 

 piamed and the light pruned plots is not great. Differences as great or 

 greater exist between different commercial orchards pruned according 

 to the ideas of their individual owners. In walking through the orchards, 

 the difference between the heavily pruned and the lightly pruned rows 

 is not at once obvious, but a careful observer can distinguish the two. 

 The average annual weight of wood removed per tree for the five year 

 period ending in 1936 is for Mcintosh 4.8 pounds on heavily pruned 

 trees and 2.7 on the lightly pruned; for Baldwin 4.4 on the heavy 

 pruned, 3.1 on the light pruned; for Starking 5.9 on the heavy pruned, 

 and 3.7 on the light. 



While these differences are not large, they are definitely reflected in 

 the yeilds per tree. The average yield per tree for the years 1934, 1935, 

 and 1936 is for Mcintosh heavily pmned 109 pounds, lightly pruned 

 150; for Baldwin heavily pruned 25 pounds, lightly pruned 32; Starking 

 heavily pi-uned 79 pounds, lightly pruned 91. These averages are all 

 low because frost partially destroyed the crop of 1936. The size of the 

 apples is slightly but consistently larger on the heavily pruned plot, and 

 in the case of the Mcintosh the color is significantly lower. In July, 

 1936, leaf area per bearing spur was determined on a random sample of 

 trees from each plot, but showed no significant differences. {Hatch 

 Fund) 



Variety Tests of Fruit 



Grapes. In a vineyard planted in 1927 it has been found by L. P. 

 Latimer that up to the present time, Worden, Niagara, and Caco are 

 the most satisfactory black, white, and pink varieties respectively. 

 They are certain to mature the fruit before frost, have good quality, 

 and high annual yield. The Ontario, ripening two or three weeks ahead 

 of these varieties, has proved a satisfactory ^yhite grape. Winchell, a 

 small white grape of high quality, is satisfactory for home use, although 

 the vines are somewhat weak in growth because of susceptibility to dis- 

 eases and possibly to winter injury. Many varieties have been unsat- 

 isfactory because of lateness of maturity of the fruit, low productivity, 

 or low quality. Herbert and Campbell's Early are not to be recom- 

 mended. Concord has ripened its fruit only in half of the years. 



Of the hardier kinds of grapes. Beta has been outstanding because 

 of its superior quality, high yield of good sized clusters of fruit, and 

 great resistance to diseases. It is highly recommended for the colder 

 sections of the state where grapes of the Labrusea type do not thrive. 

 Although not truly a table grape, excellent jelly, grape juice, and wine 

 can be made from this variety. Portland has been discarded. The 

 vines were too weak and all have died. 



Raspberries. Viking has been discarded because of its susceptibility 

 to mosaic and winter injury. Chief has yielded large annual crops, but 

 the softness of the fruit makes it undesirable, commercially when in 

 competition with Latham. For home use, local markets, and roadside 

 stands it is promising. No variety seems more resistant to winter in- 



