ANOTHER SATISFIED USER OF STA-RITE Milking Equipment Lewis H. Denlinger, Paradise, Pa., says his Sta-Rite milking equipment cuts his milking time almost in half. Also his wife likes not carrying the buckets and they both think the Sta-Rite milking equipment is “just great”. See these men for expert help in designing a milking system to fit your operation. WILMER MARTIN Home Phone (215) 445-5652 D HART G fcg' l ' SEE THESE MEN FOR EXPERT SERVICE AND INSTALLATION PHONE (717) 397-4761 24 hours a day. ; m P SUPPLY CENTER 1027 DILLERVILLE ROAD, LANCASTER, PA. PHONE 717—397-4761 MELVIN STOLTZFUS Home Phone (717) 392-0066 AVONDALE SALESMAN Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Oct. 12,1974 Gypsy Moth Defoliation Survey figures compiled from this year’s aerial surveillance flights by the Bureau of Forestry of the Department 'of En vironmental Resources, show that 479,590 acres were defoliated by the Gypsy moth in 1974. This represents a pleasant 44 percent reduction over the acreage defoliated in 1973, instead of an increase as anticipted. The major declines were principally in Monroe and Pike Counties where 406,400 acres were defoliated last year at which experienced only 11,210 acres defoliated this year, a 97 percent reduction. These reductions were expected in the Poconos, but the rate of spread into new areas was considerably less than in previous years. The decreases were primarily the result of biological forces, although various Government and privately conducted spraying projects prevented defoliation on an estimated 150,000 acres. A stress in duced virus disease, probably resulting from over-population, appeared to be the principal cause of the decline, followed by in creasing amounts of parasite activity. The following indicates the damage sustained by counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania: Acreage moderately defoliated (30 to 60 percent: Berks 40,310, Bucks 25,130, Montgomery 4,830. Acreage heavily defoliated (over 60 percent): Berks 9,150, Bucks 6,400, Mon tgomery 0. Total 1974 defoliation: Berks 49,460, Bucks 31,530, Montgomery 4,830. Total 1973 defoliation: Berks 69,120, Bucks 29,470, Montgomery 4,330. The four counties of Schuykill, Carbon, Luzerne, and Centre accounted for 68 percent of the total defoliation. There are at least five other counties where the populations are building to the point where problems may be expected in 1975. These are Chester, Columbia, Lancaster, Lycoming, and Nor thumberland. Population declines in the older-infested counties east of the Susquehanna River were not shared west of the river. The central Penn sylvania area showed an increase in defoliation in a 5 county area from 14,670 acres in 1973 to 95,460 acres in 1974. Consequently, the Gypsy moth problem is not disappearing, but is shifting to new areas. Kiwi Fruit Has Potential An odd-looking fruit that looks non-edible promises to provide American con sumers a nutritious new taste treat and American farmers a lucrative new crop. It’s kiwi, known to some as the Chinese gooseberry. Native to Asia, the fruit was first produced commerically in New Zealand where it was named “kiwi” after the country’s national bird. About the size of a hen egg, it has a brownish skin with a covering of short, stiff haris. When peeled and sliced, kiwi fruit has a green flesh that becomes a cream shade at the center. Its taste is described as a combination of strawberry, rhubarb, and pineapple. The fruit has a higher Vitamin C content than citrus, is rich in iron, and its enzymes reportedly aid in digestion. While most of the kiwi fruit now being sold in this country is imported, an estimated 300 growers planted about 2,000 acres of kiwi vines in California last year. Culture of kiwi plants is similar to that of grapes. 9