Scaffolds 01 index

(Art Agnello, ama4@nysaes.cornell.edu, Entomology, Geneva)

Notwithstanding the generous covering of snow we received over the weekend, spring actually does arrive tomorrow, and with it the psychological start of this year's growing season. When I worked as a scout in Illinois, cabin fever was severe enough that the growers would jump on their tractors at the first opportunity afforded by a late-winter thaw, and then brag in the coffee shops about how much of the corn they had managed to get planted before St. Patrick's Day. Never mind that some portion of it would need re-planting after being wiped out by early spring snow or floods, it was all acceptable once the commitment had been made to start the show. Tree fruit growers fortunately don't have to worry much that vagaries of the weather will interfere with the early season growth of their crops; on the other hand, there's always the sobering fear that at any time from now on, a few days of sun and warmth could trigger an incendiary outbreak of expanding leaves, exploding ascospores, and buzzing wings. Beats boredom, doesn't it?

As usual, we are always happy to consider contributions (particularly from N.Y. sources) in the form of articles on topics in any of the fruit crop protection or crop production areas, as well as N.Y. field observations, trap data, etc. We generally do not send the mailed (USPS) version of this newsletter to growers, homeowners, or other private individuals not having some fruit extension, commercial, university or governmental affiliation, as the extension superstructure that pays our bills would rather that audience obtain this information from their local Cornell Cooperative Extension programs. There are a few exceptions, mostly for people who were "grandfathered in" before this policy became more firm, and we prefer to keep this number low. Unless things get too out of hand, the e-mail version will be sent to anyone who requests it.

Proceed to Chemical News 3/19/01