Control Diseases and Insect Pests of Apples and Pears

Production of high quality fruit in home plantings depends on the control of several insect pests and diseases. The information in this circular is designed to assist the home grower produce good quality fruit. Carefully follow the spray schedule. Elimination of one or two sprays from the schedule or haphazard application of spray materials, usually results in low-quality diseased or insect- damaged fruit. Keep farm and home fruit plantings small, just large enough to supply fruit for the family. Many plantings are too large to be taken care of adequately. For home use, it is far better to have two or three properly maintained trees than a neglected large orchard. For spraying equipment, small power sprayers are best to use, although hand operated ones such as the trombone-type sprayers are much lower in cost. The latter type of sprayer will spray branches 25 to 30 feet from the ground but care has to be taken to see that all surfaces are completely covered by the spray. A sprayer with an adjustable nozzle is desirable