New Yorx AqricutturaL Experiment STArTIon. 17 
The treatment of diseases and insects is of perennial interest to 
fruit growers. A bulletin has been prepared on this subject by 
the collaboration of the Horticulturist, the Botanist and the En- 
tomologist for the purpose of presenting up-to-date directions 
for fighting these enemies of the fruit grower and showing the 
particular instances in which various diseases and insects may be 
combated with one general treatment. The preparation of spray 
mixtures and the apparatus for applying them are treated in 
Bulletin 121, prepared by Mr. Paddock. This has been supple- 
mented by publishing an appendix which treats of recently im- 
proved apparatus and gives formulae for the preparation of 
various spraying mixtures. ) 
Thinning apples.— Experiments have been in progress for four 
years for the purpose of gaining definite information concerning 
the effect which thinning the fruit of apple trees may have on 
the remaining crop and whether the practice if followed system- 
atically year after year tends to secure greater regularity in 
bearing or increased yield in succeeding seasons. 
The results show that with certain varieties the size and color 
of the fruit are generally improved where thorough and timely 
thinning is done and the percentage of the higher grades of fruit. 
is increased, although the total yield of marketable fruit is often 
lessened. It appears that under.certain circumstances, and es- 
pecially with certain varieties, the thinning of apples in commer- 
cial orchards would be profitable. 
With mature trees. which have come into full bearing and 
which are properly fertilized, pruned, sprayed and generally well 
cared for, it is doubtful whether thinning the fruit in any one 
season will materially increase the yield in succeeding seasons. 
It should be borne in mind that young trees which have not 
come into full bearing may be seriously impaired in vigor and 
in subsequent fruit production by being allowed to mature too 
heavy crops. 
It appears that, with the exception noted, the principal source 
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