Fruit Testing Bssoziation Meeting - September 15, 1960 1

FRUIT TESTING BSSOZIATION MEETING - SEPTEMBER 15, 1960 1

APPLES.--L. G. Klein. Prolcnged cool wet weather during the blooming period of 1960 resulted in a rather light set in many varisties - particularly those varieties which are rated a8 "mid-season" in aate of blo-?ming. In this area, McIntosh, Deliciocs, and Nonroe have set only fair crops. Early blooming and late blooming varieties have set norm1 crope.

Color development has been generally good.

Notes on Newer Varieties and Selections

Early Varietdes (Listed in order of maturity. Parentages and descriptions are in 1960-61 catalog.)

N.Y. 49-21 (Red Van Buren x Yellow Transparent). Ae you can eee from the specimens on dispiey, this is a very pretty varfety. On seedltng rootstocks, it has been a relatively shy cropper to date; hence, despite its other desirable attributes, it may have to be discarded. Meabers who are fruiting this selection are urged to report on its performance.

Stark's Earliest, particclarly the blush sport of it, again looked good. The -T 441, whilk being of higher quality than in 1959, does not attain sufficiently large size to be of much comaercial interest! The -0 292, which until 1959 was reported ae being a shy cropper, came thru again in 1960 with a good crop and is worthy of an extended trial. Beverly Hills, which was favorably reported on in 1959, failed to come thru with a crop in 1960, It8 apparent biennial bearing habit will probably preclude its commercial acceptance. Featon still appears to be identical to Beacon and as Beacon is in season with Wellington, commercial preference is for the latter. We have had wonderful grower reports on Wellington and feel that it is heading for a bright commercial future. The --N,Y, 16884 has been favorably reported on by many growers and it could well be that this selection soon may be named, It is a good early sauce variety. N.Y. E 18, this "giant" seedling of GravenaCein, appears to be annually productive and to ripen its fru!.t more evenly than Gravenstein which It resembles closely in other respeots.

Later varieties and Selections The Red Spy x Golden Delicious selection6 - N.Y. E 6 and N.Y. 43021-2 - are both described in the catalog. These continue to look promising and are both worthy of an extensive trial planting, as is N.Y. 44416-6 (Red Spy x Macoun).

A New Japanese Vsrietg

Mutsu (Golden Delicious x Indo). This appears to be by far the best of several new varieties of Japanese origin under test at the Station. It is a large fruited Golden Delicious type which resembles Golden Delicious in color, shape, and flavor, and is almust as good in qual!.ty, Urilike Golden Delicious, however, MU~GUdo38 not appear to be subject to spray russeting and does not shrivel in storage. Treee will be available from the Association next fall. Color Sports Delicious Color Sports It is still too early to properly evaluate the many new color sports of Delicious we have under test. We can say, however, that the Vance Delicious continues to look very impressive and we have no hesitation in recommending it for commercial planting. McIntoeh Color Sports The Geneva, Cornell, and Imperial All Red sports of McIntosh are all performing well and produce equally fine colored fruit. Any of these is superior to other McIntosh color sport8 under test here. SWEET CHERRIES.--R. D* Way.

A, Varieties most widely planted in New York. Schmidt - July 10, black, firm, often low yields, very good quality. Napoleon - July 13, white, firm, maraschino, cracks. Windsor - July 20, liver-colored, firm, most important New York variety. B. Excellent commercial varieties. Early Rivers - June 26, black, medium firm, good quality, birds damage. Venus - July 6, large, black, shiny, high quality, very productive, new. Emperor Francis - July 10, red, firm, better than Napoleon. -Van - July 13, black, short stem, very productive, hardy. Hedelfingen - July 15, black, £inn, productive, recommended. -Noble - July 15, black, firm, very vigorous tree. -Vie - July 20, larger, darker than Windsor, good quality, heavy bearer, new. C. Geneva varieties. N.Y. 1507 - July 10, black, firm, best quality. Gi1 Peck - July 11, nearly black, firm, productive, cracks in rainy seasons. N.Y. 1599 - July 12, black, large, productfve, good quality. N.Y, 591 - July 25, black, very firm, very late, tree very vigorous. D. New Washington varieties, named in 1960, 1w.1. LDYY - JULY LL, DLUCK, Large, proaucrqve, gooa quarlry. N.Y. 591 - July 25, black, very firm, very late, tree very vigorous. D. New Washington varieties, named in 1960, Chinook - July 10, black, firm, very large, cracks too severely in N. Y. Rainier - July 12, white, excellent performance at Geneva. PEACHES AND NECTARINES. --Re C. Lamb. A. Selections from the N. Y. State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, peach breeding program.

N.Y. 2602 (Valiant x Veteran). Very productive, vigorous tree. Ripens 10-12 days ahead of Redhaven, Fruit is yellow-fleshed, medium firm, fairly attractive, dark red blush, sweet rich flavor, semi-freestone.

M.Y. 2603 (N.Y. 303 0.P.). Nectarine, Productive, vigorous tree. Ripens 3-5 days ahead of Redhaven. Fruit is large, yell~w-fleshed,medium firm, attractive, sweet antrineant rich Flavor - aaad atla li tv nemi- f reentone, NoYe 2604 (Valiant x Veteran). Productive, vigorous tree. Ripens 3-5 days ahead of Redhaven. Fruit is yellow-fleshed, medium firm, attractive red blush, sweet rich flavor, good quzlity, freestoneo N.Y, 1466 (Champion x Rarftan Rose). Very productive, vigorous tree. Ripens 3-5 days ahead of Halehaven. Fruit is white-fleshed, medium firm, attractive, sweet rich flavor, good quality, freestone.

N,Y. 1952 (Colora O.P.). Very productive, vigorous tree. Ripens 3-5 days ahead of Halehaven* Fruit is yellow-fleshed, firm, attractive, sweet rich flavor, good quality, freestone.

B. Recently named varieties of interest that have not fruited or have only fruited once at Geneva. Collins (New Jersey Station). A yellow-fleshed semi-clingstone ripening about 3 weeks ahead of Redhaven, It is highly colored but not as bright as some. It is medium in eize and quite firm. It does not have split pita as does Sunrise. Early Red (UoSoDoA., Beltsville). A yellow-fleshed semi-clingstone ripening about 2% weeks ahead of Redhaven or just after Collins. It is bright, highly colored, and attractive. The flesh is firm, medium textured, and good quality. Royalvee (Ont. Hort. Sta., Vineland). A yellow-fleshed semi-clingstone ripening about 2 weeks before Redhaven. It is medium in eize and a bright all-over red in color. The flesh is bright yellow, medium firm, and of good f lav0ra Sunhaven (Michigan Station). A yellow-fleshed semi-clingstone ripening about 10 days ahead of Redhaven. It is medium large in size, highly colored, and attractive. The flesh is fairly firm, medium textured, and of good flavor. Richhaven (Michigan Station). A yellow-fleshed freestone that ripens with Halehaven. It is firmer and brighter than Halehaven and appears promising as a replacement for that variety.

WashXngton (Virginia Station). A yellow-fleshed freestone which ripens 3 weeks before Elberta or about with Richhaven. It is attractive and medium sized. The flesh is very firm, fine textured, and slightly more acid than Sunhigh in flavor. The most important characteristic of Washington is its resistance to A-J*.x~.~tv-.~~ritbib-b'occ=L-bJ ---- ~--rrrrr-r-.rr. ----.r-r-r------r'-' - """' before Elberta or about with Richhaven. It is attractive and medium sized. The flesh is very firm, fine textured, and slightly more acid than Sunhigh in flavor. The most important characteristic of Washington is its resistance to injury by frost at time of bloom. Jefferson (Virginia Station). A large, yellow-fleshed freestone ripening 2 to 3 days later than Elbertao The fruit is large, attractive, yellow, about half covered with a red blush. The flesh is comparable to J. H. Hale in firmness, texture, and flavor. This variety has shown outstanding hardiness to late spring frosts.

APRICOTS,--R. Co Lamb, The two numbered selections, N,Y. 345 and N.Y. 346, which the Association has been sending out continue to look good. They both set well this spring when conditions were not too good. NoY. 345 continued to be somewhat superior as to firmness of the fruit and hanging on the tree until ripe. Aleo, there was a little cracking found on N.Y, 346, Growers vho want to try apricots wZll not go far wrong with either of theee varieties, but we have still not been able to decide definitely which is the better, They have both produced 10 crops in 12 years. PEARS.--R. C. Lamb. A large number of pear selections are beginning to fruit in second test and many of them are on display here today. Testing has not proceeded far enough to recommend their propagation by the Association - with the exception of N.Y. 4885 and N.Y. 7620. If there are any questions on any of these selections, please feel free to ask them, NEW AND/OR PROMISING VARIETIES AND SELECTIONS OF PLUMS.--John Watson.

N,Y. 929 (Tragedy x Early Laxt~n)~This is a productive early freestone domeetica type plum ripenfng with or slightly before Early Laxton. It is larger and better quality than Early Laxton and should be of value for roadside stand and local market use. The trees are vigorous and annually productive. Ripe 8/1/60.

N,Y. 930 (Tragedy x Early Laxton). Similar to N.Y. 929, but about 2 weeks later in maturity; larger, but not as productive as 929.

N.Y. 795 (Italian Prune x Hall). Large, attractive, early-ripening blue prune. Good quality freestone ripening 10 days to 2 weeks ahead of Stanley. Ripe 9/1/60. Nay. 797 (Italian Prune x Hall). Large blue prune with prolific annual crops, Self-fruitful freestone ripening a few days before Stanley, N.Y. 981 (Italian Prune x Prinlew), Large, attractive, purplish-blue freestone plum of very good quality - ripe 9/6/60. N.Y. 960 (Agen x Grand Duke). Large, attractive, purplish-blue freestone plum of good quality - ripe 9/1/60. N.Y, 826 (Albion x Italian Prune). A productive, very late prune of fair quality. Probably will mature well only with season as long or longer than that at Geneva. N.Y. 858 (Unknown). A small freestone Mirabelle type of good quality. A productive plum that is easy to prepare for processing - ripe 9/3/60. Grand Prize Prune. Large blue prune, fair quality, nearly free, waxy excrescence about the pit some seasons - ripe 9/10/60.

Richards Early Italian. Ripens about 10 days ahead of Italian Prune, but c4-4 1 a* tn 4 t In crthnr .psanaeta, ~n)~~~mrrrln~otnlu~r)rnA~~mtj~ratn-rlnta- fin excrescence about the pit same seasons - ripe 9/10/60.

Richards Early Italian. Ripens about 10 days ahead of Italian Prune, but similar to it in other respects. Only moderately productive to date on grafted trees. Starking Deliciocso Moderately productive, medium-size, red-fleshed Japanese plum similar to Duarte in appearance and season - ripe 9/3/60. Nubiana. A new Japanese variety from California, medium-size, red-fleshed, good quality, juicy cling - ripe 8/29/60. Reine Red (Red Gage). A sport of Reine Claude that ie an attractive red color, but retains the Gage quality - ripe 8/30/60. Trailblazer. An ornamental purple-leaved plum. Fruit is medium vice, red, pink-fleshed, poor quality, tart, clingstone, SMALL FRUITS.--G. LO Slate. Strawberry Varketies Redglow, Introduced by W,SoDpA, 1956, Vlgarous, moderately productive. Berriee large, attractiva, medittm tough akin, firm flesh, fair quality. Red stele-resistant. Earlier than Midland an6 attracting attention on Long Island. O~allala. Introduced by U.S,D,Ae 1958, Great Plains origin and said to be very winter hardy, Plants vigczous and more numerous than most everbearers, productive, Berries medium size, medium red, attractive, tender skin, soft flesh, fair quality; early and everbearing. Probably the best named everbearer. Earlimore. Introd~ced1959 by Minn, Fruit Breeding Farm. Vigorous, very productive, Medium size, slightly dark, very tender skin, very soft flesh, very acid, poor quality, very early. N,Y. 386. May be named in a year or two as a high quality variety for home use. It is, however, productive enough and firm enough for local markets. It has been a consistently good performer.

N,Y. 547. This will be named when there are enough plants, probably in 1961. It still looks very good for an everbearer. The plants are productive; the berries are large and of fine flavor. Strawberry Breeding Most of the crosses made this year were to produce everbearere. The seedlings will be fruiting in 1962. Susceptibility to Disease (Prepared by A. J. Braun, 9/9/60) Strawberry varieties differ markedly in their ausceptlbility to diseases. Dixieland, Earlidawn, Red Star, Jerseybelle, and Midland are extremely susceptible to Verticillium wilt and should not be planted in soils where this disease is likely to occur. Catskill, Surecrop, and Vermilion are resistant. Tests now in progress indicate that Dixieland, Earlidawn, Fletcher, Midland, and Red Star are extremely susceptible to Sqnnner wilt (a killing disease, which appears to be caused by a virus). On the basie of .limfted observations, Catskill, Empire, Fulton, and Vermilion appear to be resfstant to Summer wilt. Varieties having resistance to one or more races of the red stele fungus are Surecrop, Stelemaster, Sparkle, Fairland, Redcrop, Redglow, Temple, and Vermilion. Surecrop and Stelemaster are resistant to the race of the red stele fungus which causes severe damage to Sparkle in some locations. Blackberries Darrow, Heavy snow broke down the canes of most varieties and selections, but canes of Darrow escaped to produce a light crop. The canes are taller and sturdier than those of other varieties. Darrow is doing well in Maryland and eastern Washington. Red and Black Raspberries Old plantings have been faken out and the new plantinge are not yet in full bearing, so there is little new to report. However, there are a number of new selections and a large number of new first-test seedlings to gruit next year.

-Johns - Very tall plants, early ripening, large clusters and berries. Adams No. 1 - Mid-season, berries somewhat larger than Adams No. 2. Adame No, 2 - Mid-season, aomewhat more productive than Adams No. 1. FRUIT TESTING ASSOCIATION NEETIE - SEPTEMBER 21, 1961 APPLES.--La GI Klein. Despite a cool wet blooming period, most varieties set good crops in 1961. Ths harvert date for most varieties to date is about 10 days later than in 1950 and the weather during most of September to date has been unusually hot and Gome varieties did not or are not coloring as well as they would in cooler weather. Early Varieties-- (Listed in order of maturity, Parentager and descriptions in 1961-62 catalog)

N.Y. 49-21 (Red Van Buren x Yellow Traneparent) continuer to be a light cropper and has been discarded. Stark'r Earliest - the solid blurb type previously reported on continued to look good and should be of intereat to home gardeners,

0 292 bore its third consecutive heavy crop and it would now appear that this -selection ie one of the beet very early varieties. It does, however, ripen unevenly which may be considered aa a deterrent to commercial acceptance.

0 277, a fine colored solid red, relatively firm-fleshed variety that ir well -worthy of an extended trial, Wellinnton as usual came through with a good commercial crop and it still appear6 to be the best commercial prospect among varieties ripening after Lodi and before Early McIntosh, N.Y, 16884 also continues to bear heavy annual crops and it would reem that this selection is worthy of naming*

Puritan ie etill impressive and may eventually replace Early bIatosh although its desrert quality is not as good ae Early McIntosh* It has good size, color and finish and to date has borne annually. Tydeman' r Red (Worceater Pear~iax McIntosh) , Introduced in Englrnd in 1945 as Tydeman'r Early Worceeter. It is a McIntosh type maturing about three weeka before McIntosb. It ir large, nearly solid dark red streak in color. Its quality would rate as quite good far its seam. Its dark color aad relatively dull finish may be deterrents to commercial acceptability but it would seem to have merit for the hama garden,

N.Y. 50-2, the Mclntosh type ripening two week8 before McIntosh looks very promising and will probably be named in 1962. Later Selections The selections from the Red Spy and Golden Delicious cross are still impressive and N.Y. E 6 ie echeduled for naming in 1962 if it continue8 to perform satie factorily through the 196 2 rea80nr N.Y. 43021-2 and 44411-1 both from the reme crorr also look good.

N.Y. 44420-1, a fine solid scarlet selection from N.W. Greening x Red Spy looks very premising as a dual purpose Spy type. It ie a100 scheduled for naming in 1962 if it continues to perform well, Preliminary pmeeaing teem indicate that 44420-1 is at least the equrrl of Worthera Spy as 8 processing variety, orbile itr Spy-like frerh qwlity, fine appearanca and precaciousners are attribute6 thut will enhance its ccamercfsl acceptance.

Muteu - Treer are iraw available of this pramfeing Golden Delicious type from -Japan. It continues to perform -11 and our oldest trees have borne four large crop8 in ruccerrion, Its advantage8 over Golden Deliciour are its naturally larger site, its resimtance to rurretiag and atorage rhrivelllng. Wtsu is worthy of an extended trial particularly in are- that have difficulty in growing good Golden Delicious, Mwer (McIntorh x Golden Daliciour) - a late, attractive derrert type that may have promlee 80 a late frerh mrrkat varioty. It hrr been umally productive at Ceneva and appears to be ur exce~lentkeeper, Color Sport8 of Delfciour Meny of the new early coloring eports of Deliciour are naw fruiting at Geneva but at thir early date thorough comparative evaluation har not been posrible. We can rtate, however, that "Topred" the only early coloring sport of Shotwell lklicioue appearr to colot earlier than the others we are fruiting and that the color ia a solid blush without any suggestion of etriping. We suspect, howewer, thot like -1 Red it may acquire too dark a color at auturity. Vance Delicious still looks good and while it dwelopn a mlid color it never attains the nearly black red color of Royal Red. Rqd King ir very definitely striped and ir not too attractive until fully mature. Barlired, Red Wenatchee mdHi Red are all solid striped typer but of lighter color and finer rtripes than Red King. Starkrimson and Redspur, both epur types and both color early, are precociour and are remewhat dark in color although both vwld rate high in wer all color development. Imperial Deliciour ir bearing its firrt crop thir year and its final color evaluation has not ae yet been possible. McIntosh Color Sports The Geneva, Cataell and Imperial All Red WIntosh all attain a solid blush color that is not re dark au Rogers, Our picking date on Geneva McIntoeh appears to be a full week earlier than other eporte of Mclntoeh. If thiu ial a real difference in maturity date rather than a. location factor it would soem that thir would be a valuable attribute that would permit a longer harvest Bearon for McIatoeh. SWEET CHERRIES.--Re Do Way

A. Moet widely planted in New Pork. Schmidt - July 10, black, finn, often low yields, +ary good quality, - trees not tolerant of virur infection. Na~oleon- july 13, white, firm, maraechino, cracks. Windeor - July 20, linen-colored, firm, moat important New York variety, too dark for good brLning. B. Excellent cammercial and home garden varieties. Venus - July 6, large, black, ehiny, high quality, productive. Boperor Francis - July 10, red, fim, better than Napoleon. Gi1 Peck - July 11, nearly black, very large, firm, productive, cracks in rainy seasons, Rainier - July 12, light-colored flesh, red skin, productive, large, firm, cross pollinated with Emperor Francis and Napoleon. N.Y. 1599 - July 12, black, large, productive, good quality. -Van - July 13, black, short stem, very heavy cropper, winter hardy, trees not highly tolerant of virus infection, Hedelfinaen - July 15, black, firm, productive, recommended, -Noble - July 15, very large, black, firm, trees very vigoraus. -Vie - July 20, larger and darker then Windsor, good quality, heavy bearer, C. Varieties newly propagated by Fruit Testing Aesociation in 1961, Early Rivers - June 26, black, semi- firm, very productive, good quality, birds dumage. N.Y. 1-533 - June 27, white, large, good quality, productive, bird damage slight, Royal Duke - July 3, dark red, soft, upright tree, cross between 80ur and sweet, N.Y. 1725 - July 11, black, large, firm, productive,good quality. New, Vineland 350427 - July 12, black, large, semi-firm, consistent cropper, good quality, tree bears early. New, Dm European varieties introduced in 1961 by UeSoDmA, Early Burlat - Early, black, firm, good shipper, not yet fruiting at Geneva. -Moreau - June 27, black, firm, good shipper. E. Brining variety combinations for coarmercial orchards. Emperor Francis and Rainier or Napoleon and Rainier.

NOTES ON NEWER PEACH VARIETIES.-- Re C. Lamb These notee are taken from records of the variety test planting of the N. Y. State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva and from obeenratione and reports of performance at other stations, Where sufficient information is available, they are listed as promising or for limited trial. Where 8uch information is not available, no recammendations are made and they ehould be tried on a limited basis only. Yellow-fleshed varieties Marcus- the earliest yellow fleshed peach ripening 23 days earlier than Mayflower. It ie a clingstone and ie 60-707. red over yellow. This variety is an introduction from the North Carolina Sandhills Peach Research Station and has not fruited at Geneva. Colliaa - 8% weeks ahead of Elberta, is a semi freestone, highly colored peach. It was introduced as a replacement for Sunrise as it does not produce split pits. This variety is an introduction from the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and has not fruited at Geneva. Earlired, 8 weeks ahead of Elberta, is another highly colored, semi-cling of fair quality. It is fairly firm for such an early peach and the flesh is rnther coarse. It is an inrsodoction of the U.SoD.A. Beltsville Station. It is recmanded for limited trial.

N.Y. 2602, 6% weeks ahead of Elberta, is a highly colored aemi-cling. It has Besn very productive and tends to overload if not thinned sufficiently, The flesh is quite firm for a peach in this seaeon, rather coarse in texture and of good flavor. N,Y. 2602 is 8 selection from the breeding program of this Station. Thie has been the beet peach in this season for the last three years. Garnet Beeua, 65 weeks before Elberta, is reported to be an early maturing spore of Redhaven. It reeemblee that variety, but is 10 days earlier. It has not fruited at Geneva.

Wyalvee, 6 weeks ahead of Elberta, is another highly colored semi-freerton. peach which bar been cry productive. It fruited for the first time this year. It is an introduction of the Ontario Horticultural Experiment Station, Vine land, Sunhaven, 6 weeks before Blberta, is otill another highly colored semi-cling to freestone variety. It may be a little mare difficult to pick at the right time than ewe varieties, It ie an introduction of the Michigan Experiment Station. Envoy, 4 weeks before Elberta, is an attractive, good quality freestone. Thie variety ir not very new and may not be sufficiently highly colored for the demands of the fresh fruit trade, but it has been very productive. It is an attractive bright yellow, 80% blurhed, and would have a place where tree ripe peaches can be sold, It was introduced by the New Jerrey Station at the +eweat of Canadian growers in Ontario. It has performed very well at Geneva. Redglobe, a waekr ahead of Elberta, is a highly colored freestone. It bar done very well on the west coast, but we have had difficulty getting it established at Geneva and the tree may be aomewhat weak. It is an introduction of the UeSoD.A. It is recamended for limited trial only, Richbrvea, 3 waeke before Elberta, is a brighter, highly colored peach than Halehaven and we introduced am a replacement for that variety. It apparently softens very r8pidZ.y and ir ruggested for limited t,rial only, It is an introduction of the Miahigan Station, Waehington, 3 weekr ahead of Elberta, resemble8 Sunhigh but has ehovn marked resirtance to frorts at time of bloom. It im m introduction of the Virginia Station at Blackitburg and h.e not fruited at Geneva. Soncrest, weeke before Elberta, has performed wall in Califoraia &era it was introduced by the UoS.D.A. Station at Freeno, It fruited for the firrt time this year. wring, 2 weekr before Elberta, is an attractive freertoae that fallow8 Halehavm. It bloamr very early and for tht reason may be more rurceptible to d-a by late froets than later blaoaping sorts, It ie an introduction of the Mountain Grwe Missouri Station. Merrill 49'er, 2 weeks before Elberta, is a high quality attractive freestone. It ie an introduction of Giant Merrill of Red Bluff, California and has been promising in its performance at Geneva. Redekin, ripens with Elberta, and is competing very well in the fresh fruit trade with that variety. It is a more highly colored and attractive peach then Elberta. It may run emall unleea adequately thinned, It is rated as promising. Jefferson, ripens just after Blberta, and resembles J.H. Ule. It producee fertile pollen and is resistant to froats at time of bloom. It is an introduction of the Virginia Station at Blacksburg and has not fruited at Geneva. White-fleshed varietiee

#.Yo 1466, ripens abaut 3)C weeks before Elberta. It ie an attractive peach of good quality and has been uniformly very productive. It is medium firm and a freestone variety. lJOTES ON NEWER NECTARINE VARIETIES.-OR. C* Lsmb

Lexinnton, about 2 weeks ahead of Elberta, is a hfghly colored, attractive, yellow-fleshed nectarine. It is noted for its hardiness and is the beet yellow-fleshed nectarine in ita season. APRICOTS.--R. C. Lemb. N.Y. 345 has proved to be the better of the two apricot eelactions from this Station which the Association is propagating. It is free of cracking, firmer and hangs to the tree better.

NoY, 477 is the apricot which was brought to our attention by W, L. Pal-r of Williamson. It is probably a named variety because two other treee were found growing in the Sodus area. However, to make it available to member8 of the Association it is being released under the temporary designation of N.Y. 477 until it can be identified.

PEARS.--R.C. Lamb. Two new nwnbered selection8 of peara will be offered to members of the Association for the first time next year, 1962, These are: N,Y. 2480. This pear is suggested for planting by home gardenerr as it ripens very well on the tree and wer a long searon, from about Augurt 20 to September 20. It is rmooth, pyriform in rhape and greeni8h yellow in color with an occarional blush. The flesh texture is juicy and smooth and the flavor very good.

N.Y. 8760 is an attractive mmoth pyriform pear which is a clear bright pellaw in color when ripe. It is ripe about September 20, The flesh is juicy, smooth and melting and the flavor sweet and mild. It has been regularly ptoductive and has promise as a commercial variety,

PLUMS.-- John Watson. Pramieing Selections.- N.Y. 795 (Italian Prune x Hall). A large, attractive, early-ripening blue prune. This contlnuee to look promising for an early prune to precede Stanley and Italian. Productive, early bearing and of good quality. Ripe first reek of September. N,Y. 797 (Italian Prune x Hall) - A productive early bearing, blue pnmcr that ripens before Stanley, but after N.Y, 795. This relectioa has been con- sietently productive each year. Self-fruitful freeatone,

N.Y. 981 (Italian Rune x Prinlew).- This is a high quality, large attractive purplish blue freeatone plum, ripemiag about the second week of September, Especially notewurthy for its attractive rice and good quality,

NOTES ON NEWER PLUM VARIETIES ,--John Watron Grand Priee Prune, A luge blue prune ripening Sept, 15, 1961. The pit is free, flesh coarse, quality only fair, generally a waxy excrescence around the pit, MePrmoth Cerdiaal appears to be identical to Formora, Ripe 8/1/61. Starking Delicioue. Moderately productive, medium sired, red-flerhed Japanese plum very similar to brte in appearance and season. Ripe 9/9/61. Reine Ibd, A red color aport of Green Gage. Thia retains Green Gage quality while being much more attractive in appearauce, Ripe 9/6/61. Trailblater, An ornamental purple-leuved pltmr. The fruit is small, tart clingstone, so that the value is strictly ornamental, Early Sports of Italian Prune

Several early ripening eporta of Italian Rune appear to have some promise and are under test at Geneva. Richarde Early Italian appears to be the moat promising to date, ripening 9/6/61, or two weeka ahead of Italian Prune this season and retaining the quality and sire of the original variety. More extenuive testing is under way to determine more fully the value of thee mutations.

WUL FRUITS.--G. L. Slate. Strawberry Varieties and Breeding

Fortwe (N.Y. 386). The dercription in the catalog ehould be corrected so that the second sentence mads "It ir po~as finu as the fimmrt shipping varieties, It

Midway (Dixieland x Temple). U.S.D.A. introduction fall 1959, Plants vigorous, numerous, productive. Berries media siee, glossy medium red, tough skin, firm flesh, tart low quality. Lacka site, but is fairly productive.

N.3. 257 (Utah Shipper x Jeteeybelle) not yet introduced but lkw Jersey Station is working up stocks for possible introduction, Plants very vigorous and productive. Berries very large, very late, dark red, alfghtly mattled, glosry, rough, medium tough skin, medium firm fair quality. Cap hard to remove. Rough unattractive agpearauce is it8 chief fault. Cavalier and Grenadier frcm Ottawa are not promiring. Redcoat ie best of --the three new Ott~wavarietlee and may be worth a limited trial. Plants vigorous, productive. Berries medium to large, tough skin, firm flesh, fair quality. Strawberry crosses made in 1960 yielded wer 12,000 eeedlinga, many of warbearing parentage which have been planted out to fruit in 1962. Croesee made in 1961 were umtly for Verticillium wilt reaietance. Two crosses which previouuly produced a number of desirable seedlings were repeated to raise larger populations. Haspberry Varietiee and Breeding

Latb. No virus-free plants are known. Thie variety should not be planted near other raspberries ae they may become virus-infected and not do well. Virus infected plants of Latham are not worth planting.

Virus-free red raspberrier: An indexing program is under way at the Plant Industry Station, Belteville, Md. and in the Department of Plant Pathology at this Station. As virus-free plants become available they will be propagated by the Association. Crumbly raspberries: It has been noted for many years and innumerable complaints have been received at this Station and other stations that red raspberry plants sometimes produce crumbly berries. The trouble spreade until all plants in a planting are affected with this crumbly berry coaditioa, Plants do not recover.

The emme of crumbly berries is not known. One attempt at indexing in British Columbia failed to trsnemit tbis condition. Since crunbly berry plants do not recover they should be discarded. For the time being until the came is known it seems advisable to treat this condition as a virus and remove all cmmbly plants or if there are too many, then mark the plants producing normal berries and move them to a new site away fran the crumbly plants. N.Y. 17861. Many plants of this selection are now producing cnrmbly berries; hence it ie being withdrawn. Autumn-fruiting raspberries: Several selectione of considerable promise are under test and one, N.Y. 359, is being increased. The fall crop begins ripening st least 10 days before the fall crop of September. The summer crop is also earlier than Septeatber. Another selection is about 10 days earlier than 359. Both of theee selections ar well as others, branch much more than September, thus greatly increasing the fruiting wood and the total fall crop,

GRAPES.--John Einset. Tvo murcat flavored grapes were named in 1961, New Pork Muscat (12997) and Canada Mecat (17806). Descriptions may be found in the catalog. McCampbell, reportedly a large clurtered bud sport of Fredoaia in offered for the first time. A number of American type seedless grapes, hardier than those previously named are fruiting am selections and will be offered when rufficient stock is available. FRUIT TESTING ASSOCIATION MEETING - SEPTEMBER 20, 1962 STRAWBERRY VARIETIES AND BREEDING.--G. L. Slate.

Senna Sennana. This German variety is by far the beet European strawberry that has been tried at Geneva. It is the most important variety in Germany and some other European countries. The berries are large, glossy and attractive, slightly darker than medium red, of fair quality and ripen late. The skin bruises somewhat, but the flesh is firm and red. The berries cap easily. The crop was very heavy; even the plante in the center of the row fruited heavily. The Station has no plants for distribution, but this variety will be increased and made available later. Senga Sengana originated at the Max Planck-Institut fur Kulturpflanzen- Zuchtung in Hamburg, Germany,

Earlimore. Minnesota origin. Introduced 1959. Plants vigorous and productive. Berries very soft, acid, poor quality.

Midway. Dixieland x Temple. U.S,D.A. introduction fall 1959. Plants vigorous, productive, Berries medium size, glossy, tough skin, firm flesh, very tart, fair quality. my be useful where red stele is serious,

N, J. 157. (New Jersey Station origin. May be named.) Plants vigorous and productive, very susceptible to leaf scorch. Berries very large, dark red, slightly mottled, only moderately attractive, medium tough skin, medium firm flesh, fair quality, ripening very late. Caps with difficulty,

Redcoat. Ortginated at Ottawa, Plants vigorous and very productive. Berries large, attractive, medium red, tough skin, firm flesh, fair quality. Raised cap. Worthy of trial for corrmercial planting.

Cavalier and Grenadier from Ottawa are not promising.

Cyclone. Iowa origin. Large, attractive, bruises very easily, very soft.

RASPBERRY VARIETIES ANI) BREEDING.--G, L. Slate.

Virus-free red raspberries. An indexing program is under way at the Plant Industry Station at Beltsville, Md. and in the Department of Plant Pathology at this Station, As virus-free plante become available they will be propagated by the Association.

Crumbly raspberries. It has recently been reported in Scotland that one type of crumbling is caused by gene mutation and another type by a chromosome mutation. Obviously there is no remedy except to discard the crumbly plants and propagate from plante bearing normal fruits. The trouble is wide-spread and although a virus has been suspected, attempts in British Columbia to transmit it have failed.

Autumn-fruiting red raspberries.

N.Y. 359. Much earlier than September for sumner and fall crops. Stocks are being increased for introduction later. No plants available at this time.

Blackberry.--Darrow, A southern Pennsylvania grower considers it very promising. Black raspberry - N.Y. 29878 is being discontinued as N.Y. 27189 is superi~r.

SWEET CHERRIES.-- R. D. Way.

A. Sweet cherry varietiee moat widely planted in New York. Schmidt - July 10, black, firm, often low yields, very good quality, trees not tolerant of virus infection. Napoleon - July 13, white, firm, brining, cracks. Windeor - July 20, liver-colored, firm, most important N.Y. variety, too dark for good brining.

B. Varieties giving good performance at Geneva. Early Rivers - June 26, black, semi-firm, very productive, good quality, birds damage. N.Y. 1533 - June 27, white, large, good quality, productive, bird damage alight. Royal Duke - July 3, dark red, soft, upright tree, crose between eour and sweet. -Venus - July 6, large, black, shiny, high quality, productive. Emperor Francis - July 10, red, firm, productive, outstanding brining and market type, better than Napoleon. Gil Peck - July 11, nearly black, very large, firm, productive, cracks in rainy seasons. N.Y. 1725 - July 11, black, large, firm, productive, good quality. N- 1599- July 12 , black; large, productive, kood qualgty;

Rainier - July 12, light colored flesh, red skin, productive, large, firm, cross-pollinate8 Emperor Francis and Napoleon. Vineland 350427 - July 12, black, large, semi-firm, consistent cropper, good qualtty, tree bears early. Hedelfinrren - July 15, black, firm, productive, reconrmended. -Van - July 15, black, ehort etem, very heavy cropper, winter hardy, trees not highly tolerant of virus infection. -Noble - July 16, very large, black firm, trees very vigorous. -Vie - July 20, larger and darker than Windeor, good quality, heavy bearer. C. European varieties introduced in 1961 by U. S. D. A. Earlv Burlat - June 22, very early, black, firm, good shipper, bird damage. -Moreau - June 27, black, firm, good ehipper. NEWER PEACH VARIETIES.--John Watson and R. C. Lamb. These notes are taken from records of the variety test planting of the N. Y. State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva and from obeervatione and reports of performance at other stations. Where euf- ficient information is available, they are listed as promising or for limited trial. Where such information is not available, no recommendatione are made and they should be tried on a limited baeie only. Yellow-fleshed varieties Marcus - the earliest yellow fleshed peach ripening 23 days earlier than Mayflower. It is a clingstone and is 60970% red over yellow. This variety is an introduction from the North Carolina Sandhille Peach Research Station and hae not fruited at Geneva. Collins - 8.?1 weeks ahead of Elberta, is a semi freestone, highly colored peach. It was introduced as a replacement for Sunriee as it does not produce split pite. This variety is an introduction from the New Jersty Agricultural Experiment Station. Fruited for the firet time at Geneva in 1962, and was large, rather coarse and of fair quality but quite attractive, with a light crop. Earlired - 8 weeks ahead of Elberta, is another highly colored, semi-cling of fair quality. It ie fairly firm for such an early peach and the fleeh is rather coarse. It is an introduction of the U.S.D.A. Belteville Station. It ie reconmended for limlted trial. Merrill 49'er - 2 weeks before Elberta, ie a high quality attractive freestone. It is an intwduction of =ant Merrill of Red Bluff, California and has been promising in ite performance at Geneva. Redakin - ripens with Elberta, and is competing very well in the fresh fruit trade with that variety. It is a more highly colored and attractive peach than Elberta. It may run small unless adequately thinned. It is rated as promieing. Jefferson - ripens just after Elberta, and resembles J. H. Hale. It produces fertile pollen and is resistant to frosts at time of bloom. It ie an introduction of the Virginia Station at Blacksburg and has not fruited at Geneva. N.Y. 2602 - 6% weeks ahead of Elberta, is a highly colored semi-cling. It has been very productive and tends to overload if not thinned sufficiently. The flesh is quite fim for a peach in this season, rather coarse in texture and of .good flavor, N.Y. 2602 is a selection from the breeding program of this Station. This ha8 been the best peach in this season for the last three years but had a very light crop in 1962 due to the cold winter. Garnet Beauty - 63 weeks before Elberta, is reported to be an early maturing sport of Redhaven. It resembles that variety, but is 10 days earlier. It has not fruited at Geneva. Rovalvee - 6 weeks ahead of Elberta, is another highly colored semi-freeetone peach which has been very productive. It fruited for the first time this year. It is an introduction of the Ontario Horticultural Experiment Station, Vineland. Sunhaven - 6 weeks before Elberta, is still another highly colored semi-cling to freestone variety. It may be a little more difficult to pick at the right time than some varieties. It is an introduction of the Michigan Experiment Station. Envoy - 4 weeke before Elberta, is an attractive, good quality freestone. This variety is not very new and may not be sufficiently highly colored for the demands of the fresh fruit trade, but it has been very productive. It is an attractive bright yellow, 80% blushed, and would have a place where tree ripe peaches can be sold. It was introduced by the New Jersey Station at the request of Canadian growere in Ontario. It has performed very well at Geneva, and was one of the hardiest varieties in 1962. Redglobe - 34 weeks ahead of Elberta, is a highly colored freestone. It has done very well on the west coast, but we have had difficulty getting it established at Geneva and the tree may be somewhat weak. It is an introduction of the U.S.D.A. It is recommended for limited trial only. Richhaven - 3% weeks before Elberta, is a brighter, highly colored peach than Halehaven and was introduced as a replacement for that variety. It apparently softens very rapidly and is suggested for limited trial only. It is an introduction of the Michigan Station. Washington - 3 weeks ahead of Elberta, resembles Sunhigh but has shown marked resistance to frosts at time of bloom. It is an introduction of the Virginia Station at Blacksburg and has not fruited at Geneva. Suncrest - 2% weeks before Elberta, has performed well in California where it was introduced by the U.S.D.A. Station at Fresno, It fruited for the first time in 1961 and had a light crop in '62. Good quality, attractive, large and freestone. Lori* - 2 weeks before Elberta, ie an attractive freestone that follows Halehaven. It blooms very early and for that reason may be more susceptibl,e to damage by late frosts than later blooming sorts. It is an introduction of the Mountain Grove Missouri Station. White-fleshed varieties N.Y. 1466 - ripens about 3% weeks before Elberta. It is an attractive peach of good quality and has been uniformly very productive. It is medium firm and a freestone variety. -5- NECTARINES, Lexinnton - about 2 weeks ahead of Elberta, is a highly colored attractive, yellow-fleshed nectarine. It is noted for its hardiness and produced a full crop in 1962 and is the best yellow-fleehed nectarine in its 8eason. Peach Wld Survival - 1962

On February 11, 1962 the Station peach variety block was subjected to a temperature of -150F which resulted in extensive killing of the fruit buds. The fact that this minimum temperature followed a short warm spell and also that the peaches were completely through their rest period contributed to the injury. This followed similar injury in February 1961 when the minimum was -16 on February 2. These results were thought to be of interest to the members of the Association.

Listed below are the bud survival percentages for some of the more hardy varieties and other varieties of intereet. Very tender varieties, such as Elberta and Southland, had almost no bud survival and produced no crop at all. Cool weather during blossoming may have reduced pol- lination and fruit set so that the production is even less than the bud survival would indicate in some cases. Trees of Redhaven, Sunhigh, Triogem, and Halehaven in a nearby orchard with better air drainage survived 012~~with little injury and produced a full crop. Percentage of Peach Buds that Survived - 1961, 1962. Variety -1962 1962 crop North Caucasus 3 PC Lexington Bled.+ V. 46093 Wd.+ Collins Med . Envoy Med.+ Jerseyland V. Lt .(sm. trees) Veefreeze Lt. V. 46042 V.Lt. Maybelle V*Lt. N.Y. 2610 Med.+ Early Triogem Med.+ N.Y. 2603 Lt. V. 46092 Lt.+ Golden Jubilee V.Lt* N.Y. 2627 Med . Redhaven Lt.+ V.Pl. 40N Full Tr iogem Lt. (sm. trees) Babygold 8 (N.J.C.64) Lt.+ Richhaven Lt. N.Y. 2604 V.Lt. N.Y. 1466 Lt.+ N.Y. 1952 V.Lt . Suncr e st Lt.+ N.Y. 2622 V.Lt.

Two new numbered selections of pears will be offered to members of the Association for the first ti- this year, 1962. These are: N.Y. 2480 - This pear is suggested for planting by home gardeners as it ripens very well on the tree and over a long season, from about August 20 to September 20. It is smooth, pyriform in shape and greenish yellow in color with an occasional blush. The flesh texture is juicy and smooth and the flavor very good. N.Y, 8760 - is an attractive smooth pyriform pear which is a clear bright yellow in color when ripe. It is ripe about September 20, The flesh is juicy, smooth and meltin8 and the flavor eweet and mild. It has been regularly productive and has promise as a commercial variety. PLUMS.--John Watson.

N.Y. 795 (Italian Prune x Hall), A large, attractive, early-ripeniq blue prune. This continues to look promising for an early prune to precede Stanley and Italian. Productive, early bearing and of good quality. Ripe 8/21/62, N,Y. 797 (Italian Prune x Hall) - A productive early bearing, blue prune that ripens before Stanley, but after N.Y. 795. This selection has been consistently ~roductiveeach year. Self-fruitful freeetone. It also appears promising for Baby Food and canned whole or in pieces. Ripe 9/1/62, N.Y. 981 (Italian Prune x Prinlew) - This is a high quality, large attractive purplish blue freestone plum, ripening about 8/23/62, Especially noteworthy for its attractive siee and good quality.

Grand Rize Rune. A large blue prune ripening Sept. 5,1962. The pit is free, f lesh coarse, quality only fair, generally a waxy excrescence around the pit,

Reine Red. A red color eport of Green Gage. This retains Green Gage quality while being much more attractive in appearance. Richards Early Italian appears to be the most promising of the early sports of Italian Prune, ripening two weeks ahead of Italian Prune this season and retaining the quality and siee of the original variety. More extensive testing is under way to determine ranre fully the value of these eporte . VIRUSES IN CHERRIES, APPLES AND PEARS.--R. M. Gilmer.

The writer ha8 just returned from an extensive survey in fruit growing areas of the West Coast. Certification programs to produce virus-free nursery stocks of cherry and peach are being actively pushed, and many growers are very mch impressed with the advantages reeulting from setting new planting8 with virus-free trees, Theee certification programs resemble quite closely the certification program being supported by many New York nurseries. New selections of maeeard and mahaleb seed eource trees for the production of eeedling cherry rootetocka have been made, with the primary aim of elimination of eeed transmitted viruees such as yellows and ringspot, but with considerable attention also being paid to horticultural characters. Much of the virus-free mahaleb eeed introduced into comnerce will be provided from trees derived from mahalebe originally located in the mountains and uplands of the Turkish Caucasus. Seedlings from this source are large-leaved and very vigorous, and there is some preliminary evidence (incomplete, as yet) that sweet cherries worked on such seedlings tend to be more vigorous. Much of the virus-free mazzard seed is derived from Geneva mazzard T-54, originally selected by Professor Brase. Seedling rootstocks of T-54 derivation are already known to be hardy and well-adapted to New York orchard conditions.

There is some interest in frameworking sweet cherries on mazzard F 1211, a vegetatively propagated clonal line originating at East Malling Research Station in England. Maz~ardF 12/1 has long been noted for its high resistance to bacterial canker of cherry, and also appears to have some resistance to little cherry induced by Western X-disease virus.

Apple virus problems on the West Coast are numerous and diverse, one of the principal ones being ring-russet virus of Golden Delicious and Yellow Newtown, which is a serious problem in some orchards in Washington and British Columbia. Most of the infections observed resulted from top-working old trees of several varieties to Golden Delicious. The virus causes serious fruit russet and reduced fruit size in Goldens. One of the principal aims of apple virologists is to initiate a nursery certification program for virus-freedom in apples, but - as in New York - such a program appears to be 5-6 years in the future.

Pear decline is still a serious problem on the West Coast, but the worst of its effects appeared to have passed in Washington and it is probably on the downgrade in Oregon. It is still serious in California and is invading new pear-growing areas in that State. Although a very serious problem in local areas and to individual growers, pear decline has wiped out the West Coast pear production and shows no promise of doing so. New planting8 are being made. The causes of the disease are still unknown, and the single fact that is firmly established is that trees on oriental rootstocks are more subject to the trouble and more severely affected.

THE MALLING-MERTON SERIES OF APPLE RROOTSTOCKS,--K. D. Brase.

Two types of rootetocks, seedlings and clonal stocks, are used in propagating our established and newly introduced apple varieties. The seedling stocks are produced by planting apple seed and therefore may vary, while the clonal stocks are vegetative propagations from a single selected seedling plant. It is possible to establish clonal rootstock lines of distinct vigor groups and also to select clonal rootstocks that induce early fruiting in the propagated variety.

Four rootstock clones of recent introduction are of interest to us; namely, the Malling-Bierton or M.M. clones, numbered 104, 106, 109, and 111.

Tests with these stocks indicate that an apple variety budded to M.M. 106 will produce a smaller and earlier bearing tree than the same variety growing under similar growing conditions on a seedling rootstock.

When the Gardner strain of Red Delicious was used as the test variety, trees planted as one-year old whips produced approximately one bushel of fruit in the fourth growing season with MM 106 as the rootstock. In comparison, trees on seedling rootstocks of this age are not yet bearing. Similar results were obtained vith other varieties such as Boller McIntosh and Monroe. Actually trees of Monroe, and McIntosh of the same age produced slightly higher yields on MM 106 than did Red Delicious.

The four MM stocks affect tree size as follows: approximately a half size tree results on MPI 106, a one-half to three-quarter siee tree on MM 111 and trees similar to those on seedling rootstocks result when either MM 104 or MM 109 is used.

APPLES.--R. D. Way.

At Geneva, N. Y. the weather was especially dry during 1962. Many apple trees are showing severe symptoms of water stress and a portion of the crop on late-ripening varieties will fail to reach marketable size. Most varieties are ripening 2 weeks earlier than they did in 1961. Nights have been cool, resulting in rather good fruit color. Yields in the Station's orchards are generally lower than they were in 1961.

A. New Apple Varieties, named Sept. 20, 1962: Niagara, Wayne, and Spigold, (See special descriptions).

B. Outstanding Early Ripening Varieties. Red Sterk Earliest - Earlier than Red Astrachan, blush coloring, home garden and roadside stand. Ottawa 292 - bore its . 4th consecutive heavy crop; one of the best very early selections; ripens somewhat unevenly. Ottawa 277 - Solid red color; relatively firm-fleshed; worthy of extended trial. Wellington - Annual cropper; fruite all ripen about the same time; beet commercial prospect ripening after Lndi and before Early McIntosh, Puritan - Beare annually; ripens with Early McIntosh; good red color; siee larger than Early Mcfntosh. T~deman'sRed - Introduced in England in 1945; McIntosh type; about 3 weeks before McIntosh; large; nearly solid dark red stripe; somewhat dull; fair to good quality. N.Y. 49-19 - Cortland type but lighter in color than Cortland; ripens 2 weeks before McIntosh; quality very good.

C. Outstanding Mid-season and Late-ripening Varieties: Geneva Mcfntosh 2, Wayne, Vance Delicious, Mutsu, Spencer.

D. Apples newly propagated by Fruit Testing Assn. 1962:

Red Stark Earliest (see above) N.Y. 45500-3 - Three weeks before Wealthy, brilliant red finish, conic, dessert quality fair. N.Y. 44410-1 (Red Spy x Golden Delicious) - Just after WIntosh; attractive crimson; firm; Spy flavor; excellent type. N,Y. 45500-5 (McIntosh x Delicious) - Five days after McIntosh; uniform, medium siee for dessert market; excellent keeper; excellent fresh quality. N.Y. 43013-1 - Heavy annual bearer; late, ripe 10 days after Delicious; attractive blush; very good quality; stores until June without controlled atmosphere. E. Varieties discontinued by Fruit Testing'hsociation in 1962: Ottawa T441, Red Melba, Redhook, Franklin, Ruby, Clifton Rome. F. Delicious color sports fruiting at Geneva 1962: Type and extent of color. Reported Manner De 1ic ious of color sport Amount of color* Stripin6 fruiting Blackish red,prob.too dark Blueh,late maturing Spur,someoJhat dwarfed. Red King Unattractive splashed stripe6 Standard Redepur Solid blush Spur Harrold Stripes Standard Topred It 11 Royal Red Dark red Solid blush Red Wenatbhee Attractive dark red I I II Vance Attractive light red Blush,possibly early maturing Hi Red Stripes II Starking 11 tt Imperial Very desirable color Blush I1 Excells Attractive light red Stripes 11 Hardeman 1I It 1I #I Richared Solid blush 11 Okanoma Blush, s tripes Spur Ear lired Stripes Standard La1law Greenish ground color t 1 11 II It Gardner Solid blush 11 Delicious Stripee 11 * Varieties listed in order of amount of red pigment at Geneva on Sept. 12,1962, about 2 weeks before ripe. ** Highly productive at Geneva. NOTE: Because color sports of Delicious develop good color before they ripen, they are often harvested before the flesh develops satisfactory eating quality. FRUIT TESTING ASSOCIATION MEEl'IlOlZ -- SEPTEMBER 19, 1963 APPLES - R. D. Uap A. Apples newly listed in 1963 by Fruit Teeting Aeeociation. Ottawa T441 - Aug. 4. Attractive red color. Good quality. Very promising early type, reconmended for commercial planting. ! Julvr4 - Etot yet fruited at Geneva; @aid to be euperior to all other varieties of its season. Ottwa 277 - dug. 8. Similar to 0. T441, branches aomarotrat leaky in growth habit, tree productive. -Blaze - Sept. 10. New variety from Ill. Expt. Sta. Entirely red, large lenticels, not highly attractiva appeatence, productive, fair quality. N.Y. 44410-1 - Diploid sister of Spigold, productive, large, record of several years of repeated outatanding performance, good quality. N.Y. 45500-5 - Poly bag market type, medium eize, uniform eiee, very g6od color, vee good quality, a late ripening &Intoah type. N.Y. E-36 - Triploid eister of Spigold, possibly more productive, better color, processiw qualities equal to Spigold, fewer skin blemishee than Spigold. W.Y. E-35 - Red but somePohat dull, late ripening, pr&eesing type, triploid. B. (hitstanding early varieties. Stark Earliest - July 27, one of the earliest ripening varieties, medium size, red, large dots, home garden adroadside stand. Puritan - Aug. 24, brilliant red, planted on commercial scale in New England, undoubtedly one of the most outstanding varietiee ripening in late August. Y.Y. 16884 - Aug. 26, large, striped, attractive, conic, good quality, reports of good perfom~+ein Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Alabama, We8 tern New York. Tydwnnn1s Red - Sept. 4, about 3 weeke before Bkfntoeh, McITntoah type, completely red, qood quality , tree branches somewhat lanky, good shipper, real comaercial potential. A.Y. 49-19 - Sept. 10, large, Cortlend type, striped, very productive. Niagara - Named in 1962, excellent perforaumce in 1963, productive, IkIntosh type ripening 2 weeke before WcIatosh, eating quality somewhat below McIntoah, more red color than McIntosh.

C. Outatanding mid-season varieties. Boller McIntosh - Well colored aport. Wayne - Uamed in 1962, very good performance in 1963, rated higher than Northern Spy for meking sauce, very attractive fruit color, tree productivity not fully evaluated. Spartan - Late ripening McIntosh type, dark color, only medium size, excellent eating quality, being planted on commercial scale, poly bag type of marketing.

D. Outstanding late varieties. N.Y. 43021-2 - Diploid sister of Spigold, brilliant color, smaller than average tree size, productive, fruits large but not oversized as some varieties, good quality . Spicrold - Named in 1962, continues to perform well in 1963, outstanding eating quality, excellent rating for frozen slices. Idared - Late processing and dessert variety, commanding highest prices, being -planted on conrmercial scale.

E. Varieties discontinued by Fruit Testing Association in 1963.

Beverly Hills, Greendale, N.Y. 50-9, Nead Gravenstein, Webster, Cornell McIntosh, Patricia, Lalla Delicious, Melrose, #. 3. 10, Jerseyred. SWEET CHERRIXS - R. D. Way Bird damage to eweet cherry fruits apparently has increased during the last 10 years; starlings and young robins are the chief offenders. Unless the trees are covered with netting, birds will destroy nearly all unripe fruits from backyard plantinge having a few sweet cherry trees. Early, dark- colored varieties are most susceptible to bird depredation. Large comnercial plantings are less affected than emall plantings.

A. Sweet cherry varieties most extensively planted in New York. Schmidt - Ripe July 10, black, firm, often low yields, very good quality, trees not tolerant of virus infection. Napoleon - July 13, white, firm, medium size, cracks, used for brining. Windsor - July 20, liver-colored, firm, most important New York variety, trees hardy and productive, too dark for best brining.

B. Other varieties performing well at Geneva. Early Rivers - June 26, black, semi-firm, very productive, good quality, destroyed by birds unless covered by netting. -Venus - July 6, large black, shiny, high quality, productive, recommended for seaeon 10 days after Black Tartarian. Royal Duke - July 9, dark red, soft, medium size, upright tree, cross between sour and sweet. Emperor Francis - July 10, flesh light yellow, 80% of skin red, firm, productive, widely accepted by briners, better than Napoleon, often brings 3~ lb. more than black varieties. Rainier - July 11, large, firm, light colored flesh, skin mostly red, crosr- pollinates Emperor Francis and Napoleon, makes possible solid plantinge of good brining types. R.Y. 1725 - July 11, black, large, firm, productive, good quality. Vineland 350427 - July 11, black, large, semi-firm, good quality, consistent cropper. P.Y. 1599 - July 12, black, large, productive, good quality. N.Y. 1519 - July 14, Schmidt type but much better tree than Schmidt, productive, large, black, firm, resistent to cracking, one of best N. Y. selections, reports of outstanding performance from Pennsylvania, Western New York and France. GLl Peck - July 15, nearly black, very large, fim, productive, cracks in rainy seasons. Hedelfingen - July 15, black, firm, productive, recammended. -Van - July 15, black, short stem, very heavy cropper, winter hardy, one of best black varieties. -Noble - July 16, very large, black, firm, trees very vigorous. -Vie - July 20, late in Windsor season, larger and darker then Windeor, good quality heavy bearer. N.Y. 591 - July 25, very dark red, very firm, latest ripening type, useful for extending roadside market season, branches somewhat lanky in growth habit.

C. Outstanding new selections from the California Station. UCD 30-9a (La Cima x Chapman) - July 7, early, black, very large fruits, vigorous tree.

UCD 26-15 (Lambert x Long Stem Bing) - July 10, black, large, somewhat pointed, possible replacement for Bing in California, good performance at Geneva. VIRUSES IN CHERRIES, APPLES AND PEARS -- R. M. Gilmer

The writer has && an extenai-ve survey in fruit growing areas of the West Coast. Certification programs to produce virus-free nursery stocks of cherry and peach are being actively puehed, and many growers are very much impressed with the advantages resulting from setting new plantinge with virus-free trees. Theee certification programs resemble quite cloaelg the certification program being supported by many New York nurseries. New selections of mazzard and mahaleb seed eource trees for the production of seedling cherry rootstocks have been made, with the primary aim of elimination of seed transmitted viruses such ae yellowe and ringspot,but with considerable attention also being paid to horticultural characters. Much of the virus-free mahaleb seed introduced into comaerce will be provided from trees derived frommahalebs originally located in the mountains and uplands of the Turkish Caucasus. Seedlings from this source are large-leaved and very vigorous, and there is some preliminary evidence (incomplete, as yet) that sweet cherries worked on such seedlings tend to be more vigorous. Much of the virus-free mazzard seed is derived from Geneva mzzard T-54, originally selected by Professor Braee. Seedling rootstocks of T-54 derivation are already known to be hardy and well-adapted to New York orchard conditions.

There is some interest in frameworking sweet cherries on maeeard F 12/1, a vegetatively propagated clonal line originating at East Malling Research Station in England. Mazzard F 12/1 has long been noted for its high resistance to bacterial canker of cherry, and also appears to have some resistance to little cherry induced by Western X-disease virus.

Apple virus problems on the West Coast are numerous and diverse, one of the principal ones being ring-russet virus of Golden Delicious and Yellow Newtown, which is a serious problem in some orchards in Washington and British Columbia. Mast of the infections observed resulted from top-working old trees of several varieties to Golden Delicious, The virus causes serious fruit russet and reduced fruit size in Goldens. One of the principal aims of apple virologists is to initiate a nursery certification program for virus-freedom in apples, but - as in New York - such a program appears to be 5-6 years in the future.

Pear decline is still a serious problem on the West Coast, but the worst of its effects appeared to have passed in Washington and it is probably on the downgrade in Oregon. It is still serious in California and ie invading new pear-grating areas in that State. Although a very serious problem in local areas and to individual growers, pear decline has swiped out the West Coast pear production and shows no promise of doing so. New plantinge are being made. The causes of the disease are still unknown, and the single fact that is firmly established is that trees on oriental rootstocks are more subject to the trouble and more severely affected.

THE WING-MERTON SERIES OF APPLE ROOTSTOCKS.--K. D. Brase.

Two types of rootstocks, seedlings and clonal stocks, are used in propagating our established and newly introduced apple varieties. The seedling stocks are produced by planting apple seed and therefore may vary, while the clonal stocks are vegetative propagations from a single selected seedliag plant. It is possible to establish clonal rootstock lines of distinct vigor groups and also to select clonal rootstocks that induce early fruiting in the propagated variety.

Four rootstock clones of recent introduction are of interest to us; namely, the Malling-Merton or M.M. clones, numbered 104, 106, 109, and 111.

When the Gardner strain of Red Delicious was used as the test variety, trees planted as one-year old whips produced approximately one buehel of fruit in the fourth growing season with MM 106 as the rootstock. In comparison, trees on seedling rootstocks of this age are not yet bearing. Similar results were obtained with other varieties such as Boller McIntosh and Monroe. Actually trees of Monroe, and McIntosh of the same age produced slightly higher yields on MM 106 than did Red Delicious.

The four MM stocks affect tree size as follows: approximately a half size tree results on MM 106, a one-half to three-quarter size tree on MM 111 and trees similar to those on seedling rootstocks result when either MM 104 or MM 109 is used. -PLUMS -- John Watson N.Y. 795 (Italian Prune x Hall) - A large, attractive, early-ripening blue prune. This continues to look promising for an early prune to precede Stanley and Italian. Productive, early bearing and of good quality. 9/1/63. N.Y. 797 (Italian Prune x Hall) - A productive early bearing, blue prune that ripens before Stanley, but after N.Y. 795. This selection has been consistently productive each year. Self-fruitful freestone. It also appears promising for Baby Food and canned whole or in pieces. 9/10/63. N.Y. 981 (Italian Prune x Prinlew) - This is a high quality, large attractive purplish blue freestone plum, ripening about 9/8/63. Especially noteworthy for its attractive size and good quality.

Grand Prize Prune. A large blue prune ripening Sept. 10, 1963. The pit is free, flesh coarse, quality only fair, generally a waxy excrescence around the pit.

Reine Red. A red color sport of Green Gage. This retains Green Gage quality while being much more attractive in appearance.

Richards Early Italian appears to be the most promising of the early sports of Italian Prune, ripening two weeks ahead of Italian Prune this season and retaining the quality and size of the original variety. More extensive testing is under way to determine more fully the value of these sports. Edwards - large, attractive blue prune. Rather coarse, slightly tart clingstone, ripening first week of September. Jeffers - large, oval blue nearly freeatone, good quality, ripening second week of Sept. May be of value if consistently productive. STRAWBERRY VARIETIES AND BREEDING - G. L. Slate Senga Sengana - This German variety contiwed to perform well at Geneva. It is the most important variety in Germany and same other European countries. The berries are large, glossy, attractive, slightly darker than medium red, of fair quality and ripen late. The skin is tender and bruises easily; the flesh is rather soft. The plants are very productive and have been reported by the East Malling Research Station as resistant to Verticillium wilt, but it is not known whether the plants are resistant to American races of the fungus. The berries cap easily. Origin Max Planclc- Institut fur Kulturpflanzenzuchlung, Hamburg, Germany. The Association will have a few unindexed plants for distribution this year. Vesper (N.J. 157) - The plants are vigorous and very productive. Leaf scorch which was bad in 1962 was not serious in 1963. The berries are very large, dark red, glossy, with medium tough skin and medium firm flesh, fair quality and ripening very late. The cap is sunken and comes out with difficulty. Worthy of trial. Origin New Jersey Experiment Station. Redcoat - Vigorous, productive. Berries medium size, attractive, medium red, tough skin, firm flesh, fair quality. Raised cap, worthy of trial for market. Origin Ottawa, Canada. N.Y. 418 - This early selection was better in 1963 than previously. The crop was heavy and the berries large, moderately firm and of good quality. It is worthy of trial for an early variety. N. J. 857 and N. J. 1357 - promising selections from New Jersey. Both are very productive, very large berries.

Fkesno, Wiltguard, Torrep (California origin) and Mollala (Oregon origin). No value here.

Chief Bemidii and Honey Lump, both from Minnesota are of no value.

Everbearina selections. Seventy-five are fruiting this year, but it will take several seasons to determine whether any are worth introducing. A substantial increase in firmness is needed and it may take more breeding.

1963 crosses. The emphasis in crossing was on firmness. N. Y. 844, Senga Sengana, N. 2. 1357 were used as parents. Several inbreds were crossed with each other and inbreeding was continued for another generation.

RASPBERRY VARIETIES AND BREEDING - G. L. Slate Virus-free red raspberries. An indexing program is under way at the Plant Industry Station at Beltsville, Md. and in the Department of Plant Pathology at this Station. As virus-free plants become available they will be propagated and distributed by the Association.

Crumbly red raspberries. This is the mast serious problem in red raspberry growia. There are large numbers of red raspberry plants in cultivation that produce crumbly fruits. The plants do not recover from this condition. The only remedy is to discard the plants and look for some thst produce non-crumbly berries. The trouble appears to spread from plant to plant but its nature is not known. The genetic crumbliness referred to in this miaaeo last year is not this trouble. The plant pathologists here and at Beltsville are working on this trouble. For the time being the Association will lrwve plants to fruit in its propagation plats eo that this crumbly berry condition can be detected if it appears. Autumn-fruiting red raspberries. N.Y. 359 - Aweek earlier than September for the sumPer crop and 2 or 3 weeks earlier for the fall crop. Stocks are being increased for introduction. Allen black raepberry - This is N.Y. 30,001 and it is described in the catalog. APRICOTS - R. C. Lamb Many apricot selections fruited in the Station orchards this year and a number look quite promising. Selections from Ontario, Michigan, Prosser, Washington and Summerland, British Columbia are on test and some may be well adapted to New York State conditions. However, on the basis of the regular bearing characteristics of N.Y. 345 and N.Y. 346 the Association is only offering these apricots. PEACHES - R. C. Lamb These notes are taken from the records of the variety test planting of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva and from observations and reports of performance at other Stations.

Yellow Fleshed Varieties

Marcus reported to be the earliest yellow fleshed peach ripening 2-3 days earlier than Mayflower. It is a clingstone and is 60-70% red over a yellow grmd cover. Thie variety is an introduction of the North Carolina Sandhills Peach Research Station.

Collins ripens about 7 weeks ahead of Elberta and is a highly colored semi freestone. It was introduced by the New Jersey Station as a replacement for Sunrise s8 it does not produce many split pits.

Earlired is a large highly colored semi clingstone ripening about with Collina. In the two years we have compared it with Collins it would appear to be larger and somarhat better quality but more tender in bud.

N.Y. 2622 (Sunhigh x Redhaven) is a promising early selection from our breeding progrem here. It ripens about 6 weeks ahead of Elberta. It is a highly colored smooth semi clingstone. It is fairly firm and quite good quality for a peach in this season.

Royalvee from the Vineland Station in Ontario is another semi clingatone in this 6 weeks season. While it has been perfectly hardy at Vineland it has suffered considerable bud killing in the winter here. Otherwise it appears promising.

Sunhaven is another peach in this season. It is receiving favorable reports in other areas but our trees went out with canker so we have been unable to compare it directly with other varieties in this season.

Envoy continues to look good. While perhaps slightly less firm than Triogem with which it ripens its prodnctiveness and high quality make it look good for home garden and local market purposes.

Redglobe ripens about 3%weeke ahead of Elberta. It is a highly colored, firm fleshed freestone. We have had trouble getting trees established so it may be a rather weak grower.

Washington is another attractive freestone ripening in this season. It fruited for the first time this year - a few fruits on young trees. It is reported to be resistant to injury from spring frosts but it is not very hardy to low winter temperatures.

Suncrest is a brightly colored firm peach ripening about 2% weeks before Elberta. It is an introduction from the U. S. D. A. Station at Fresno, California. While it looks quite promising fn most characteristics it has been slightly clingy in some years here. -PEARS - R. C. Lamb Another selection from the pear breeding project at the Station is being made available to members this year. This is N.Y. 10274. This pear from the cross Bartlett x Cornice is one of the highest quality dessert pears grown on the Station. It is a large, lightly russeted pyriform pear that is picked the first week in October here. The flesh fs smooth, melting and juicy and the flavor is delicious. It ie very productive; PEACH VARIETY SUMMARY

YELLOW, MELTING FLESHBD VARIETIES Days Variety + or - Free- Qual- Produc- Hardi- General Halehaven Size Appearance etane* ity tivity ness* Rating Cardinal - 28 2-318 100% red, SC 2.5 3 VT 9.5 fairly attractive

Collins -33 2-112 100% red, C 2 3 H 13 attractive Coronet -13 2-314 100% red, SC 3 1 VT 8 attractive

Dixired -22 2-112 100% red, SC 3 3 T 11 attractive

Drips tone +20 2-314 50% red, F 3 2 M 12 attractive Earl ired -33 2-314 100% red, SC 3 2 VT 10 bright

Early Triogem -12 2-318 90% red, SC 3 3 M 12.5 attractive Elberta +19 2-518 409. red, F 3 2.5 T 10 5 rather dull

Envoy -6 2-112 80% red, F 3 3.5 VH 15-5 bright

Fairhaven -5 2-112 4m red, F 3 4 H 13.5 attractive Fowler +19 2-314 40% red, F 3 3 H 13 bright Golden Jubilee -10 2-5/8 30% red, F 3 3.5 H 13.5 fairly attractive

Hale haven 0 2-518 902, red, F 3.5 4 B 14 dull Hale Harrison +14 2-718 30% red, F 3 3 VT 10 Brilliant bright

Jereeyland -15 2-518 100% red, F-SC 3 3.5 H 14 attractive

Kal haven +12 2-314 60% red, F 3,5 3.5 M 14 attractive Days Variety + or - Free- Qual- Produc- Hardi- General Halehaven Size Appearance stone ity tivity nese Rating

Lor ing +7 2-314 80% red, F 3 3.5 VT 11.5 at tractive

Merrill 49 'er +14 2-314 60% red, F 3.5 3 T 12 attractive

Prairie Dawn -17 2-518 60% red, SC 2.5 4 VH 13.5 fairly attractive Ranger -11 2-314 80% red, F 2.5 2.5 T 10 attractive

Red Hale +12 2-314 50% red, F 2.5 2.5 M 10.5 rather dull Red Haven - 10 2-518 95% red, F 3.5 4 H 15.5 attractive

Ric hhaven 0 3 90% red, F 3 3.5 T 12.5 very attractive Southland - 1 2-314 90%red, F 3.5 2.5 VT 11 very attractive Suncree t +1 2-3/4 80% red, F 3.5 2.5 T 12 very attractive Sunhigh - 2 2-3/4 80% red, F-SC 3.5 3 M 13.5 very attractive

Triogem -5 2-518 90% red, F 3.5 3.5 H 15 very attractive

Veteran +7 2-518 80% red, F-SC 3.5 3.5 H 15 very attractive

N.Y. 2602 -21 2-112 100% red, SC 3 3 VT 9.5 attractive N.Y. 2604 -16 2-112 100% red, F-SC 3.5 3 T 12.5 very attractive N.Y. 2622 -21 2-314 100% red, C 3 3 VT 10 very attractive WHITE, MELTING FLESHED VARIETIES

Days Variety + or - Free- Qual- Produc- Hardi- General Halehaven Size Appearance stone ity tivity ness Rating Erly-Red-Fre -21 2-314 Red blush F 3.5 3 MH' 14 attractive

Champion +8 2-518 20% red F-SC 3.5 3 H 13 medium attractive

Maybelle -34 2-112 100% red C 1.5 3 VH dull Raritan Rose - 9 2-518 90% red F 3 4 H attractive Red Rose +2 2-314 80% red F 6 4 H attractive Robin - 28 2-112 100% red SC 2 2.5 T fairly attractive

Summer Rose +2 2-314 70% red F 3.5 3.5 M attractive

N.Y. 1466 -4 2-518 80% red F 3.5 4 MH attractive

NECTARINES

Cavalier +6 2 90% red F 2.5 4 (yellow fleshed) slightly dull

Garden State +10 2-118 90% red F 3 3 (yellow fleshed) attractive

Lexington 4-5 2-118 80% red F 3 3 (yellow fleshed) attractive

Nectacres t +9 2-114 80% red F 3.5 3 (white fleshed) attractive

Panamin t 4- 7 2-318 90% red F 3 3 (white fleshed) attractive Red Chief +6 2-118 90% red F 2.5 4 (white fleshed) attractive Silver Lode - 12 2 blushed F 2 3 (white fleshed) attractive Days Variety + or - Free- Qual- Produc- Hardi- General Halehaven Size Appearance stone* ity tivity nes6w Rating

N.Y. 884 -18 2-114 100% red C 3 4 VH 15 (white fleshed) attractive

N.Y. 1017 -10 2-112 90% red F 3 3 H 13 (white fleshed) attractive

N.Y. 2603 -11 2-114 80% red SC 2.5 2.5 VH 13 (yellow fleshed) attractive

NON MELTING FLESHED CLINGSTONES

Babygold 5 +5 2-112 50% red C 3 3 VT 7 Babygold 6 +7 2-718 60% red C 3.5 2 VT 6.5

Babygold 7 +12 2-314 40% red C 3.5 2 VT 6.5

Babygold 8 +22 2-112 30% red C 3.5 2 H 9.5 Coronado - 6 2-112 40% red C 4 3 T 9 Vivian +5 2-114 40% red C 3 4 M 10

* F freestone; SC semi cling; C clingstone. ** VT very tender; T tender; M medium tender; H hardy; VH very hardy.

ROBERT C.LP,bJ1 lYEW YORK STATE ACkliirLIUHAL EXPERIMENT SlATlOM GENEVA, N. Y.. 14 NOV.19i3 L. G. Klein, R. D. 'hy, and John Zinset De*>artncnt of Penology, Geneva

The develo,~i~entof sui3erior apljle varieties has for rlany years been one of the hportant ai:x of the fruit breedin: Srocraa at Geneva.

In recent years, ;>articular attention has been directed toward the evaluation on selections that see:.ied to have the attributes necessary to strengthen veak areas in tlle current variety structure. One glaring weakness I~asbeen t5e lack of a good I.5cIntosh ty;,e that natures between Early I,kIntosh and irlcIntosh, Bia::ara, mturing two weeks before IbIntosh mill provide a IcIntosh tne' for that season and it should help e1i;hate the unclesirable practice of picking and narketing soue IdcIntosh too early. This practice of uarketing irmature NcIntosh is not likely to stinulate repeat sales and could conceivably reduce the total fresh narket conswq~tionof this nell-known variety. It is also our opinion that the :::ark@ tine of F.~.lature, thouch well-c olored Xendalls as It Kt

N~Intosh~~is a practice that has not helzed the industry in either total sales or in con~u;~.lergood will. It is hoped. that eventually

Niacara v~illbe .iroduced in sufficient quantity to sup2ly the uarket needs for a hi;;h quality TicIntosh ty;)e before ?dcIntosh has attained accei~tablenarket naturity.

The other two introductions, :Jape and Qizold, are both S;>y types that are being introduced ;?rilarily to help su.pply ix-ocessors with varieties that will procluce a processed l~roductstiilar to Northern

Spy. Northern Spy is recognized as a to? quality 2rocessFn~variety, but unfortunately, its rlany horticultural faults have ;~reclucledits inclusion in newer idantings, and the present sui~plyof Northern Spy falls short of the increasing de.md for it. It is ho9ed thatlrfayne and Slicold will adequately fill the void being created by the gradually dininishing supply of Northern Spy. -?'iayne has received a trenendous mount of preintroductory interest by prowers and processors alike. It is a 1951 selection fron the cross

Northv~esternGreening x Red Spy and was for.erly offered for trial under

N. Y. kb420-1. It is a Spy tme dual 7wir)ose variety that itlatures right after hIc Intosh.

:7ayne has proved to be outstanding for canned and frozen slices and sauce, according to tests run by both the Departxent of Food Science and Technolocy and oonnerc ial ~?rocessors. It has the Spy-like ;r)rocessing qualitses that the industry has been looking for and in direct cozi- -.. sarison tests, it rated higher than Northern Spy. Unlike Spy, :iayne is precocious, ;,roducinl cox.lercia1 cro:)s within 5-6 years. It rlso is not subject to bitter pit, a physiological disorder to which Northern

Spy is particularly suscq3tible.

l'iayne is a very ;)retty ap~le,being soliclly blushed and washed light scarlet with no stri2ing. Ihturing as it does right after McIntosh is a desirable feature fron the processors 7oint of view as it will povide pocessors with an outstanding variety 2-3 weeks before mode

-. Islend Greenin2 has attained accq3table yocessing zaturity, .;'bile its fresh eating quality falls slightly below that of a good Northern

S?y, its outstan2ing appearance should enhance its fresh aarket value. '.'iayne is a di7loid and bloons late, which indicates that it should be a good pollinator for late bloonin~varieties.

Niagara liJiJas selected in 1950 frozi the cross Carlton x McIntosh and was for;:lerly tested under N. Y. 50-2. It is a McIntosh typo that natures two weeks before XcIntosh. There seex to be a real co~nercial neec! for a variety of this typ an2 season. Its growth habit, p?ocluc- tiveness, appearance, and flavor are also siidlar to McIntosh. It has a slight tendency to dro? as it triproaches xaturity qnd, while this fault is not as serious as with IdcIntosh, a sto?-drop spay viould probably prove beneficial in aost years. There seens to be consi6erablc grower interest in IJiagara, and it is worthy of an extended trial planting. It is a diploid and reaches full bloon about the saxe the as

Last of the new introductions is Spigold, a 1953 selection fron the cross Red Spy I: Golden Delicious. This variety was formerly distributed for test under N. Y. E 6. Again, like "iayne, S2i~oldis a selection that has energed fron the search for 2 Nortnern Spy replacenent. It is a largo-fruited applc with exce2tionally high fresh fruit quality.

Spigold was rated si;lilar to Northern S2y in flavor and flesh color in 2rocessin~tests con2uctod by the Depart::lent of Food Science and

Teclmolo2y. It also hc?s adequate texture as cmed or frozen slices.

The tests, ho~vcver, show that its juiciness causes a slight reduction in drained l~reightin slice ;~rocessinzand dso a reduced yield in sauce production. On the other hand, its high solids content con- I7 sidered to be an advantage for the dehydrofrozen process. Processing tcsts in coi:r~crcinl plants have rated Spi:old as being co!lpnrablc to

Northern Spy. It reaches picking naturity a week before Northern S2y and, as yet, therc has boen no cvidence of bitter ?it.

1 More specific inforaation on the processing attributes of '.-;ape and S2igold can be obtained froa Professor R. L. LaBelle, Do'&rtment of Foocl Science ancl Technolom, N. Y. State ,:@ricultural Ex;~crir.lentStation, Geneva. @i.gold has a slight tcnc':onc y tonarc! biennial bearin~. Consequently, it is advisable to wc a chc.lical thinnin; s2ray chin: heavy b1ooz-1 yems to ?revent over-scttin;. If thcrc is ovcr-setting, it sill usually pro- ccdo a licht crq2 year.

Cqigold, being a tri,~loid, is of no value as a ;)ollinator. There- fore, vhcn used in a planting, at loast two adc?itional varicties are needed to i>olllnatc each ot3er as well as the tri;~lofclvariety. It is also Lporknt to re:.ier.ibar that no variety, unless it is knmn to bc self-fruitful, should be planted noro than 100 feet fron a pollinator. Because of its vigorous nature, S2igold nicht best be ;?ropagatcd on a size-controlling rootstock. Furthernore, since it has outstanding hich dessert quality an2 is likely to bcco;:c a 11a.i~;=den favorite, a 8-ialler tree ni~!ltbe ;]referred.

'hile it is hopd that all tbrco of thsso new vmictics will eventually becoae co~x~lcrci~?llyir.l;>ortant, grm!ei7s noulcl do nell tc, re;ie:.lber that the ;Aanting of any nev variety involves an o1c;:lcnt of risk. Until nore orcl~arclsviZenco is available, only lk.iited c o:mercial trial pl~nti~sare reconxended. Trees of all throe varieties are available frox the Nav York State Fruit Testinc Association, Geneva,

New York. FRUIT TESTING ASSOCIATION MEETING -- SEPTEMBER 17, 1964 APPLES - R. D. Way A. Outstanding apple varieties of recent origin. Julyred - Aug. 6, very gocd performance at Geneva; superior in size, red color, and fruit quality to all other varieties of its season; one of the best of very early varieties. Puritan - Aug. 20, good size, somewhat tart, good for home cooking of sauce. Commercial planting8 are perfarlning well. Brilliant red, attractive, appearance somewhat resembling McIncosh but redder; tende to be biennial. N.Y. 16884 - Aug. 26, large fruits, splashed stripes, attractive, conic shape, good quality, reports of good performance in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Alabama, and Western New York,

Tydeman Early - Aug. 28, 3 weeke before McIntosh, McIntosh type, completely red, good quality, firm, good shipper, many commercial attribufee. N.Y. 49-19 - Sept. 5, large, early Cortland type, splashed stripes. Blaze - Sept. 7, new from Illinois Expt. Station, very dark red, annually -productive, good quality. Niagara - McIntosh type ripening 2 weeks before McIntosh; redder and somewhat less symmetrical shape than UcIntosh; named by N.Y. Agr. Exp, Station in 1962, B. Outstanding mid season varieties. Boller McIntosh - Well colored sport. Cornell McIntosh - Well colored sport, possibly less striping and more solidly blushed color than other McLntosh sports. Wayne - Dual purpose, useful for both processing and fresh markets; commercial sauce better than Northern Spy; attractive red color; named by N.Y. Agr. Exp. Station in 1962. Vance Delicious Royal Red Delicious Imperial Delicious Red Spur Delicious N.Y. 45500-5 - A late mid-season McIntoeh type, medium and uniform size, very good color, very good quality, annual heavy cropper, sturdy excellent tree shape. C. Outstanding late varieties. Spigold - Excellent for frozen slices, best eating quality; like its parent Red Spy, it ie less precocious than many varieties; named by N.Y. Agr. Exp. Station in 1962. Idared - Late processing and dessert variety, commanding highest prices, being planted on commercial scale. D. Three new early varieties named at Ottawa. All are crosses between Melba and Crimson Beauty. Ranger (Ottawa 342) - Aug. 1, medium size, soft, fair quality, tree tends to partially defoliate in late summer. Quinte (Ottawa T441) - Aug, 4, attractive red color, good quality, medium size, annually productive. Caravel (Ottawa 277) - Aug. 8, medium to large, good quality. E. 1964-65 Changes in apple varieties listed by Fruit Teating Association. 1. New listings: N,Y. 16884 - See above. Gardner Delicious - Red Sport of Delicious, attractive, lively light bright shade of red.

2. Apples discontinued by Fruit Testing Association in 1964: Geneva McIntosh, Imperial All Red McIntosh, Rogers McIntosh, Ottawa 292, Caravel, ~idd's Orange Red, and N,Y. 44421-1. SmET CHERRIES - R. D. Way A. Two new sweet cherry introductions, named Sept. 17, 1964. Ulster (N.Y. 1519) - July 14, Schmidt type but much better tree than Schmidt, productive, large, black, firm, considerable resistance to cracking, reports of outstanding performance from Pennsylvania, France, Hudson Valley, and Western New York. Hudson (N.Y. 591) - July 25, very dark red, very firm, latest ripening type, useful for extending harvest season, branches somewhat lanky in growth habit.

B. Sweet cherry varieties most extensively planted in New York. Schmidt - July 10, black, firm, often low yields, very good quality, trees not tolerant to virus infection. Napoleon - July 13, white, firm, medium size, cracks, used for brining, Windsor - July 20, liver-colored, firm, most important New York variety, trees hardy and productive, too dark for best brining. C. Other varieties perfoming well at Geneva. Venus - July 6, one week after Black Tarrarian, large black, shiny, high -quality, productive. Emperor Francis - July 10, flesh light yellow, 80% of skin red, firm, productive, widely accepted by briners, better than Napoleon, white cherries bring a premium price for brining. Rainier - July 11, large, firm, light colored flesh, skin mostly red, cross- pollinatee with Emperor Francis or Napoleon making possible solid planting6 of good brining types. N.Y. 1725 - July 11, black, large, firm, productive, good quality. Vineland 350427 - July 11, black, large, semi-firm, eood quality, consistent cropper. N.Y. 1599 - July 12, black, large, productive, good quality. Hedelfingen - July 15, black, firm, productive, one of best commercial varieties. -Van - July 15, black, short stems, very heavy cropper, winter hardy, one of best black varieties. N.Y. 1193 (Emperor Francis x Giant) - July 16, white, high rating in brining tests, outstandingly large fruit size and heavy crops. Noble - July 16, very large, black, firm, trees very vigorous. D. Five new sweet cherry varietiee from the University of California. Mona - July 7, early, black, very large fruits, vigorous tree, 7 years of -good performance at Geneva, replacement for Black Tartarian. Jubilee - July 10, black, large, somewhat pointed, possible replacement for Bing, 6 years of good performance at Geneva. -Bada, Larian, and Berryessa - Not yet fruited at Geneva. ELDERBERRIES - R. D. Way -York (N.Y. 12) - New elderberry introduction, named Sapt. 17, 1964. Large berries. Productive. Better performance than any other elderberry variety. Good reports from Pennsylvania, Washington State, and Western New York. PLUG - John Watson The 1964 prune harvest ha8 been marked by the shrivelling and premature dropping of many prunes, especially of the Stanley variety. This seems to have been a physiological disorder caused by the drought, plus the rains of late August which apparently triggered the disruption of normal ripening. The problem seemed most severe where anything increased water competition, such as close planting or heavy crops. Italian Prune was not hurt as much as Stanley, and N.Y. 795 and 797 were only slightly affected. The normal ripening sequence of some varieties was also changed by the weather conditions, and the season somewhat shortened. Notes on Varieties & Selections, N.Y. 960 (Agen x Grand Duke) - Ripe 8/20. A fairly good quality, early ripening purple freestone. Firm flesh, nangs well on tree. Foliage may be injured by spray materials (Parathion ?) under some weather conditions. N.Y. 981 (Italian Prune x Prinlew) - Ripe 8/25. Promising good quality purple plum that has consistently been producing good crops. Attractive freestone of good size especially for fresh fruit use. N.Y. 795 (Italian Prune x Hall) - Ripe 9/1. Large, attractive, early ripening blue prune. Productive, early bearing and of good quality, this selection continues to appear promising. N.Y. 797 (Italian Prune x Hall) - Ripe 9/9. A productive, early bearing blue prune ripening before Stanley, consistently productive each year, a self- fruitful freestone, which is desirable for processing. Produces a small compact tree, but large crops. Richard Early Italian Prune - Ripe 914. Early ripening sport of Italian that retains characteristics of parent variety. Medium productive, good quality, annual crops. Jeffers - Ripe 8/28. Medium size, attractive, oval, blue prune of good quality. Ripened earlier than normal in relation to other varieties this year. May be of promise if consistently productive. Edwards - Ripe-946. A large, nearly round dark blue clingstone prune. The flesh is rather coarse and discolors rapidly. Does not appear to be of promise in this area. N.Y. 826 (Albion x Italian Prune) - Ripe about Oct, 1. A late ripening, self- fruitful prune of fairly good quality. A decided improvement over Albion for the same season. Produces consistent good crops and would be of value where a late ripening prune is desired, or where the season is longer than at Geneva.

Japanese Varieties (P. salicina)

Among the more recently named Japanese type plums under test at Geneva, the following may be of some interest for New York, Ozark Premier - Ripe 8/19; Modezately prdmli~iag,productive, large, good quality, yellow flesh, semi-cling. Burmasa - Ripe 8/1. Large, Formosa type, but one week earlier at! Geneva. Fair quality, small pit, yellow flesh, cling. Laroda - Ripe 8/28. Large, round, dark red, firm, red fleshed, fair quality , clingstone. Red Heart - Ripe 8/20. Attractive, red fleshed, firm, cling, Good pollinator for Elephant Heart. Productive and good quality. Nubiana - Ripe.about 9/1.. Large, dark red, firm, red fleshed, oblate plum of fair quality.

Red ROY - Ripe 9/7. Medium size, red flesh, firm, cling of only fair quality. APRICOTS - R. C. Lamb N.Y. 345 and N.Y. 346 continue to look very promising. In a year such as this when many tender varieties fruited these varieties suffer somewhat in comparing size and firmness. However, we should remember that a year such as thie occurs only once every 8-10 years. N.Y. 345 and N.Y. 346 are hardy and regularly productive. They produce heavy crops, they have a very good flavor, they are useful for fresh fruit or the processor, and they are the best we can recommend at this time.

There are a number of promising selections from our own program and the Vineland, Ontario program that are being propagated this year so that they can be given a wider trial. These new varieties have better size and firmer flesh but we do not know as yet how they will compare with N.Y. 345 and N.Y. 346 in hardiness. PEACHES - R. C. Lamb Marcus is the earliest yellow fleshed peach we have tested at the Station. While it is small and soft and the skin tender, if there is a demand for a peach this early (ahead of Mayflower about 5 daye or July 16) this peach would have a place. It is fairly attractive, has good flavor and is nearly freestone.

Earlired is a large highly colored semi clingstone, ripening nearly 2 weeks after Marcus. The quality is quite good and it is fairly firm. It is not very hardy, however, and has many eplit pits.

Collins ripens about 2 days after Earlired, is not as large but otherwise would serve pretty much the same purpose as Earlired. Its advantages are that it is quite hardy and it does not produce split pits.

Sunhaven ripened August 6 or almost a week after Earlired. Our original trees went out with canker so we do not have as much information on this variety as we should. However, it is receiving good reports from growers who have it and from other areas.

N.Y. 2622 (Sunhigh x Redhaven) is a promising early selection from our breeding program here. It ripens about 6 weeks ahead of Elberta. It is a highly colored smooth semi clingstone. It is fairly firm and quite good quality for a peach in this season.

Royalvee from the Vineland Station in Ontario is another semi clingstone in this 6 weeks season. While it has been perfectly herdy at Vineland it has suffered considerable bud killing in the winter here. Otherwise it appears promising . Envoy continues to look good. While perhaps slightly less firm than Triogem with which it ripens its productiveness and high quality make it look good for home garden and local market purposes. Redglobe ripens about 3% weeks ahead of Elberta. It is a highly colored, firm fleshed freestone. We have had trouble getting trees established so it may be a rather weak grower. However, once established it seems quite promising.

Richhaven is a bright highly colored freestone, which was introduced as a replacement for Halehaven with which it ripens. It apparently should be picked when quite firm as it breaks down quite quickly if left on the tree too long. We have not experienced the suture-breakdown trouble reported from Vine land. Washington is another attractive freestone ripening in this season. Appear- ance and quality are good. It is reported to be resistant to injury from spring frosts but it is not very hardy to low winter temperatures.

Madison is an attractive highly colored and high quality peach ripening between Halehaven and Elberta. On the basis of one year's test it appears to be slightly less hardy than Redhaven but is teported to have high resistance to late spring frosts. PEARS - R. C. Lamb N.Y. 7620 has been named Aurora. This name was chosen to continue the tradition of naming Experiment Station introductions after New York State counties and towns. Aurora brings to mind a colorful display and seemed fitting as a name for this attractive pear with its yellow ground color, light russeting and slight blush.

This is a smooth pyriform pear, of very good quality. The flesh is melting, juicy and smooth in texture and the flavor is sweet and very good. It is picked and ripens just after Bartlett. The fruit has a longer shelf life when ripe than Bartlett and also it will geep in storage longer than Bartlett.

No canning tests have been made with this pear as it is felt that it is primarily a dessert pear. The russet skin would probably make it uneuitable for puree for baby food as it is now processed. Its value is thought to be primarily as a high quality dessert variety for the comercia1 grower who markets his fruit as fresh fruit and the home gardener.

The tree is vigorous, spreading, and quite productive. Preliminary tests indicate that it is no more blight resistant than Bartlett. It has been perfectly winter hardy here. STRAWBERRY VARIETIES AND BREEDING - G. L. Slate Senga Sen~ana- This German variety continued to perform well in 1964. The Association has distributed a few plants for trial. The plants are very productive and are very resistant to Verticillium wilt according to the East Malling Research Station. The berries are too soft for commercial purposes, but cap easily and are otherwise satisfactory. N.Y. 418 (Midland x Suwannee) - Thia selection will probably be named in 1965. It ripens early and is a large, moderately firm, good quality berry. The plants are productive. N.Y. 430 (Midland x Suwannee) - This selection will probably be named in 1965. The plants are vigorous and very productive. The berries are large, moderately firm, of good quality and ripen late.

Everbearing selections. Several selections are more productive than Geneva, especially the second fruiting year, but none are equal to Geneva in quality, and none are as firm as is desirable. The best selections were crossed with each other this year. RASPBERRY VARIETIES AND BREEDING - G. L. Slate Virus-free raspberries: The Association is increasing virus-free stocks of several red, black and purple varieties from the indexing programs at Beltsville and the Department of Plant Pathology at Geneva. New selections of considerable promise are being indexed in anticipation of introduction. In a few years all of the Association's plants will be produced from virus-free foundation stocks. Crumbly raspberries: This problem is unsolved, but a virus is suspected. The plant pathologists at Geneva and Beltsville are working on it. Plants producing crumbly berries should be discarded and replaced with plants which produce normal berries. Autumn-fruiting red raspberries: The first test seedlings fruiting this year include some that appear to be superior to any of the older selections now on hand. The berries of the fall crop of the best ripen as early as the first week in August and are larger than N.Y. 359. The canes branch freely thus increasing the fruiting surface. Canes are sturdier and much more erect than those of September. One of the good black raspberry selections was discovered to be autumn- fruiting. N.Y. 359 - The summer crop begins ripening about June 22 or a week earlier than September. The fall crop begins about Aug. 20 or 2to 3 weeks earlier than September. The berries are small, but of good quality. The canes branch well so that a good fall crop is produced. This selection will be useful to lengthen the raspberry season and it can be grown where frosts come too early for the September variety. It is being increased for introduction. NEW VARIETIES OF GRAPES.-- J. Einset

The commercial grape varietal picture in the Northeast has seen some minor change in the past decade and may see more ahead.

Our neighbors in Ontario, Canada have planted for their wineries rather extensive acreages of a red French hybrid, Seibel 10878. Others, including Seibel 9549, Foch, Seibel 10868 and Seibel 9110, have also been added to the old American varieties which were formerly grown exclusively.

Our own New York State wine industry is also moving into these and other hybrids to supplement our Delawares, Catawbas, Concords and other old standards.

In the unfermented juice industry no new varieties have yet been tested that are fully acceptable as Concord substitutes. Recent selections that have been made give us hope that an early maturing llConcordt'can be found, with the high characteristic flavor components of Concord. Several seedlings, .by chemical test have twice or more tile methyl anthranilate content of Concord. This is an important part of the Concord flavor and further testing of these selections will be watched with interest.

Dessert type grapes, seeded or seedless, are today grown in New York mainly by the home grower. It is not likely that a commercial industry can be revived with varieties like Concord, Delaware and Catawba at the prices now paid for these grapes for juice and wine, and in the face of California competition.

There has, however, been progress made in the production of firm, meaty, highly flavored, shipping type grapes that are hardy enough to grow in New York.

H. C. Barrett at Illinois has made a number of selections, as has O.A. Bradt at Vineland. We may be very close to commercial dessert types.

In the seedless varieties we feel confident that eventual complete success can be gained by making the proper crosses and growing enough seedlings.

THE MALLING-MERTON SERIES OF APPLE ROOTSTOCKS. -- K.D. Brase Two types of rootstocks, seedlings and clonal stocks, are used in propagating our established and newly introduced apple varieties. The seedling stocks are produced by planting apple seed and therefore may vary, while the clonal stocks are vegetative propagations from a single select& seedling plant. It is possible to establish clonal rootstock lines of distinct vigor groups and also to select clonal rootstocks that induce early fruiting in the propagated variety . Four rootstock clones of recent introduction are of interest to us; namely, the Malling-Merton or M.M. clones, numbered 104, 106, 109, and 111.

When the Gardner strain of Red Delicious was used as the test variety, trees planted as one-year old whips produced approximately one bushel of fruit in the fourth growing season with MM 106 as the rootstock. In comparison, trees on seedling rootstocks of this age are not yet bearing. Similar results were obtained with other varieties such as Boller McIntosh and Monroe. Actually trees of Monroe, and McIntosh of the same age produced slightly higher yields on MM 106 than did Red Delicious.

The four MM stocks affect tree size as follows: approximately a half size tree results where MM 106 serves as the rootstock. Depending on the variety, a tree of one-half to three-quarter size is obtained where MM 111 serves as the root system. Trees similar to those on seedling rootstocks result when either MM 104 or MM 109 is used.

VIRUS-FREE RASPBERRY STOCKS. -- A. J. Braun Raspberry plants which appear to be healthy may be carrying one or more viruses which do not produce symptoms in commercial varieties. Consequently, the absence of visible symptoms can no longer be depended upon as evidence of freedom from virus in raspberry planting stocks. Virus-free stocks of a number of the more important raspberry varieties have been obtained by selection and indexing.

A program for increasing and distributing virus-free raspberry stocks has been developed by the Department of Plant Pathology in cooperation with the New York State Fruit Testing Association. At the present time 26 virus-free clones are being maintained under screenhouse conditions.

The Nuclear Stock produced from indexed plants will be increased by the Association in screenhouses. The increase from Nuclear Stock, to be known as Screenhouse Stock, will be grown in fields isolated from outside sources of infection and will be sprayed periodically to control the vectors of the virus. The plants harvested from these planting8 will be called Foundation Stocks. These plants will be sold to nurserymen who agree to provide the isolation and vector control practices likely to prevent the plants from becoming infected. The first increase from Foundation Stock will be issued a special certificate for sale as Registered Stock, providing the plants pass the other requirements for certification.

Limited quantities of Foundation Stock are expected to be available in the spring of 1967 and substantial quantities by the spring of 1968. The first substantial quantities of Registered Stocks should then be available to fruit growers for planting in 1970.

Experience has indicated that virus-free raspberry plants have a greater propagation potential and a greater yielding capacity than plants of the same varieties presently being grown. Because of this superiority it is expected that as soon as unlimited quantities of virus-free stocks are available, there will be no demand for plants not produced under this or similar programs. VARIETY NOTES

FRUIT TESTING ASSOCIATION MEETING - SEPTEMBER 16, 1965

APPLES - R. D. Way

A. Early apples. Ripening Ripening Variety -Date Variety -Date Stark Earliest July 27 Early McIntosh* August 23 Lodi* ~u~bst2 ~eacon ~ugust26 Quinte* August 4 Milton September 3 Ju lyred* August 6 Tydeman Early* September 4 Car ave 1 August 8 N.Y. 49-19* September 5 Puritan August 15 N.Y. E145* September 8 N.Y. 45513-2 August 13 Niagar a September 10 Red Melba*. August 15 Blaze September 12 N.Y. 45500-3* August 16 Wealthy September 15 wellington* August 19

*These varieties have been outstanding in performance at Geneva.

B. Main-season fresh-market apples. Some recent introductions showing notable performance at Geneva.

Cornell McIntosh Imperial Delicious Boller McIntosh Red Spur Delicious Wayne N.Y. 45500-5 Vance De licious Spartan Royal Red Delicious

C. Main-season, dual-purpose and processing apples.

Wayne Spigold Idared Mutsu

D. Changes in 1965-66 Fruit Testing Association catalog:

New listings: Caravel N.Y. 45513-2 Cornell McIntosh Regent

Discontinued: Stark Earliest Blaze N.Y. 44416-6

APRICOTS - R. C. Lamb

N.Y. 345 and N.Y. 346 are being named and introduced today as Alfred and Farmingdale. They are described in the catalog, will be the subject of an article in Farm Research and will be further discussed during the morning program, so there is no need to say anything further about them here. Some other new varieties of apricots are also available from the Association and are worthy of mention.

Viceroy is an attractive large early apricot named last year by the Ontario Horticultural Experiment Station at Vineland. It is a high quality apricot primarily for fresh fruit use as it is probably too soft to handle well.

Veecot which was also just named last year from the same institution is a productive large apricot which ripens in mid-season. It is primarily for processing use as it is too dry to have best quality eaten fresh whereas its deep orange color and firm flesh make it an outstanding apricot for processing.

N.Y. 476 has promise of being a very good variety to lengthen the season of good hardy apricots ripening as it does a week later than Alfred and Farmingdale. It is slightly larger than Alfred and firmer.

N.Y. 480 is a sister seedling of N.Y. 476 which is quite similar to it but is somewhat larger and perhaps slightly less hardy.

NECTARINES - R. C. Lamb This fruit is rapidly becoming better known and more popular. While nectarines are essentially a fuzzless peach the old varieties had a characteristic delightful flavor. Nectarines as a class are very susceptible to injury by curculio and brown rot but modern spray materials have improved the situation so that with little more care than is required for peaches this fruit can be grown.

At this meeting N.Y. 884 is being introduced and named Morton as a high quality nectarine, that is well adapted to this area.

PEACHES - R. C. Lamb Many new varieties of peaches have been introduced in the past ten years, Rather than try to describe them this space will be devoted to a few words about our testing program and a suggestion as to how to select the peach varieties you want to plant.

We try to test as many of the new varieties that are introduced as we can. On these varieties data are obtained on size, color and quality, but even more important on the qualities of hardiness, regularity of production, and good tree characteristics. Geneva is not the best peach producing area in the State as far as climate and soil characteri6tics are concerned, but the problems of peach production here are to a greater or less degree the problem of the whole State. Many years observations are necessary to properly evaluate these varieties and new varieties are coming along faster than we can properly evaluate the present ones. What we do is eliminate the obviously poor ones and try to determine the good and bad features of the rest. Therefore, when you plan to plant peaches read all you can concerning varieties in the horticultural literature, talk the varieties over with experiment station people, county agents, and growers. If possible set out a trial planting of the few that seem best adapted to your needs. This would seem to be a great deal of work but the right variety can make quite a difference in the success of the planting.

PEARS - R. C. Lamb

Aurora continues to look promising as a high quality dessert pear. It is not considered to be a replacement for Bartlett but is thought to have a place where a dessert pear of outstanding appearance and quality is required.

N.Y. 10274 is a very productive high quality winter pear. This variety should be tried where fruit for fresh use in the winter is wanted.

The U.S.D.A. introductions Magness, Moonglow and Dawn have attracted some interest but on the whole have been somewhat of a disappointment. Magness which is the only one which has fruited has some 'disadvantages. While it has a good level of blight resistance and good quality, the fruit has been rather small and the tree slow in coming into bearing and somewhat thorny and it is pollen sterile. Dawn and Moonglow, especially Dawn, have been very slow in coming into fruiting. PLUMS - John Watson The 1965 season, in spite of drought conditions, has been a fairly good one for plums. Some varieties have not reached normal size due to the dry weather and the amount of double fruit is unusually high, especially on the variety Stanley. The premature dropping of fruit experienced in 1964 has been much less severe on most varieties in 1965, at least at Geneva. N.Y. 795 and 797 still appear especially promising, and will probably be named in the near future. N.Y. 981 and N.Y. 826 are also very promising but only for more specialized markets or for home use.

Notes on Varieties &'Selections. N.Y. 960 (Agen x Grand Duke) - Ripe 8/20. A fairly good quality, early ripening purple freestone. Firm flesh, hangs well on tree. Foliage may be injured by spray materials (Parathion ?) under some weather conditions.

N.Y. 981 (Italian Prune x Prinlew) - Ripe 8/25. Promising good quality purple plum that has consistently been producing good crops. Attrac- tive freestone of good size especially for fresh fruit use.

N.Y. 795 (Italian Rune x Hall) - Ripe 9/1. Large, attractive; early ripening blue prune. Productive, early bearing and of good quality, this select ion cont inues to appear promising. N.Y. 797 (Italian Prune x Hall) - Ripe 9/9. A productive, early bearing blue prune ripening before Stanley, consistently productive each year, N.Y. 797 (Continued) - a self-fruitful freestone, which is desirable for processing. Produces a small compact tree, but large crops.

Richard Early Italian Prune (Milton Early Italian) - Ripe 914. Early ripening sport of Italian that retains characteristics of parent variety. Medium productive, good quality, annual crops. Richards and Milton Early Italian appear to be one single variety, the mixup occurring because of virus effects on the clone. Jeffers - Ripe 8/28. Medium size, attractive, oval, blue prune of good quality. May be of promise if consistently productive, but does not process well. Edwards - Ripe 916. A large, nearly round dark blue clingstone prune. The flesh is rather coarse and discolors rapidly. Does not appear to be of promise in this area.

N.Y. 826 (Albion x Italian Prune) - Ripe about Oct. 1. A late ripening, self- fruitful prune of fairly good quality. A decided improvement over Albion for the same season. Produces consistent good crops and would be of value where a late ripening prune is desired, or where the season is longer than at Geneva.

Japanese Varieties (P. salicina)

Among the more recently named Japanese type plums under test at Geneva, the following may be of some interest for New York. Ozark Premier - Ripe 8/19. Moderately promising, productive, large, good quality, yellow flesh, semi-cling.

Burmosa - Ripe 811. Large, Formosa type, but one week earlier at Geneva. Fair quality, small pit, yellow flesh, cling.

Laroda - Ripe 8128. Large, round, dark red, firm, red fleshed, fair quality, clingstone.

Red Heart - Ripe 8/20. Attractive, red fleshed, firm, 'cling. Good pollinator for Elephant Heart. Productive and good quality. ~ubiana- Ripe about 911. Large, dark red, firm, red fleshed, oblate plum of fair quality.

Red Roy - Ripe 917. Medium size, red flesh, firm, cling of only fair qua 1ity . RASPBERRY VARIETIES AND BRJ3EDING - G. L. Slate and Donald Ourecky The new red raspberry varieties recently named by Dr. Haut from the raspberry breeding project at the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station are promising enough for trial in New York. These varieties, Scepter, Sentinel and Reveille are reliably winter hardy in Maryland where winter killing which follows~mildweather in the winter ie mch more serious than in New York. The Association now has virus-free foundation stock in screen houses to be increased for introduction later. A promfsing new blbck raspberry is also being increased. Sumner, a recent new red variety from Washington, has performed well in recent years.

Crumbly red raspberries: This trouble has been around a long time and is an important reason for the fqilure of red raspberry plantings. The cause is not known but a virus is suspected, Plant pathologists at Beltsville and Geneva are now working on this problem. Until the cause of the trouble is determined one should assume that a virus is responsible and act accordiagly.

Autup~n-fruitingred raspberries: !ho selections, N.Y. 359 and N.Y. 696 are being increased by the Association for introduction. Several other selections made in 1964 are being grown for evaluation. Several hundred seedlings are fruiting this year. The principal objectives are increasing the fall crop and producing types that will begin ripening the fall crop in early August.

STRAWBERRY VARIETIES - G. L. Slate and Donald Ourecky Senga Sengana - This German variety performed well in 1965 in spite of the severe drought and no irrigation, The plant8 are multi- crowned and very large. The plants are very productive, and according to the East Malling Research Station in England, resistant to Verticillium wilt. The berries are medium size, dark, glossy, as soft as Catskill, cap easily and are fairly good-in quality. They ripen about with Sparkle. Senga Sengana is now a leading variety in Europe. Some promising selections were made in 1965 from Senga Stngana seedlings. E-lish varieties - Red Gauntlet and Talisman, fruiting here for the first time produced heavy crops of soft, attractive, fair quality berries. BLACKBERRIES - G. L. Slate and Donald Ourecky Complaints of non-fruiting blackberries still come in as they have been coming for many years. This sterile type is still being sold. The plqnts will not fruit and should be destroyed and replaced with Darrow from the Association.

Two new selections, N.Y. 51 and N.Y. 67 are promising and are being increased for more extensive trials.

U.S.D.A. Thornless Blackberries. .. - -. Several selections are on trial here. U.S.D;A. 1493 ani3"TJ.S.b.A. 1503 are the best cf those tested. The plant8 are vigorous, semi-erect, requiring support and bear heavy crops which ripen in late August and September. The plants are not winter-hardy at Geneva, but when covered with straw they wintered satisfactorily the parrt winter. The berries ate large, medium firm, very tart and of fair quality. These selections may possibly be named. CURRANT BREEDfNG - G. L. Slate and Donald Ourecky Several hundred seedlings fruited and about 60 relections were made.

PRESENT STATUS OF TRE PROGRAM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF REGISTERED RASPBERRY STOCKS - A. J. Braun

The program for the certification of essentially virus-free raspberry stocks as Registered Stocks is progressing fairly well on schedule. Founda- tion stocks of Latham, Milton, Newburgh, Taylor, Hilton and N.Y. 359 will be available for planting in 1967 by nurserymen interested in the production of Registered Stocks.

At present 18 red, 8 black and 4 purple varieties are being maintained as Nuclear and Screenhouse Stocke. Most of these will be available as Foundation Stocks for planting in 1968. Additional varieties will be added to the program as virus-free selections likely to be of interest to cotmner- cia1 growers or home gardeners are found.