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ALBERT R. MANN
LIBRARY

NEw YorK STATE COLLEGES
OF
AGRICULTURE AND Home EcoNomIcs

AT

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

Ornell University Library

Renovation of old apple orchards.

Cornell University

Library

The original of this book is in
the Cornell University Library.

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the United States on the use of the text.

http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003383654

RENOVATION OF OLD APPLE ORCHARDS.

Thesis submitted to the Department of Pomology
of
Cornell University
a3 aminor for the degre of

Doctor of Philogophy

by

eo , jo"
James Franklin Illingworth. |

N

Ithaca, N. Y.
May 29th, 1912.

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327830

CONTENT S,

INTRODUCTION, Page
1. General survey of apple industry in New York. ,. .1.
2. Will apples pay if well grown ? . .« « « » » «@ we o le

Western orchards.
Best eastern orchards.
3, Varleties considered. . 2 1 6 » © © s © wo we we ew Be
4. Causes preventing the development of fruit buds. 53.
Poor soil conditions.
Overcrowded branches,
5. Causes preventing the setting of fruit. . .« 2 2 « de
Insecta - bud moth, leaf rollers, etc.
Frog t.
6. Loads of poor fruit a hopeful align... .+ s+ 4
%. Improve the quality and quantity.
FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN ORCHARD RENOVATION.
1. Removing surplus trees. « « « « © + «© «© © © © © © De
2. Soil treatment . 6 6 2 a ee ew we ww ww ow ow ow ew Ge
cg POEL NG a. esa as RE ae So, a ea @ a ee
To lower and open head.
To stimulate fruiting.
4, BOG BUF RArys 4 «6 6) eRe we eH ee ee ws aw oe ER
Treatment of cuts.
Treatment of cavities.

Removing all decay and prevent further decay.

Prepare cavity to hold filling.
Exclude all foreign substances.
Bracing weak crotches.
Se SOPaping « « + 6 es 6 we ew ee ee we ee es oe Ae
6. Sprayine «4 6 6 6% Oe KE De Ww Se wwe we Es

First treatment - cleaning up - for scale
bud moth, etc.

S8eoond treatment - for scab, caterpillars, etc.
Third treatment - first ondling moth spray.
Fourth treatment - second codling moth spray.

Fifth treatment - for second brood codling
moth, bitter rot, ete.

7. Cultivation . . 2 6 6 «© «© © © © © © ot ow 8 ww Ole
Plowing.
Dynamiting.
Harrowing.
Ss THANAINE 6) 4-4 ew we oe we ee ee eR we www ee we TB
9. Cover Cropm, « « e's » 6 © © © 0 8 8 ew ow ow wo LM
Nitrogenous.
Non-nitrogenous,
RESULTS OF RENOVATION . « « © ©» © © © © © © oo ow ow B06
BIBLIOGRAPHY . + 6 © © © © wo © © © © © © 8 ow wo te ew

RENOVATION OF OLD APPLE ORCHARDS.

INTRODUCTION,

The last available census - 1900 - places New York
at the head of the list of states in the production of
apples, and even when all orchard fruits were taken into
consideration, California alone eurpasssed the Empire
State.

The 15,000,000 apple trees in New York produced in
1899, - which was considered an average year, - 24,111,257
bushels. Though we found no definite figures, giving
an idea of what this crop returned in cash, we must con-
clude that the price per bushel was very low, since the
total return for all orchard fruits for the State was
$10,842,272.

We can easily understand the reason for this low
valuation of apples, if we visit the markete in various
parts of the State, It is a common sight to see fruit
exhibited for sale, which ig so blemished by fungi and
insects, that its removal from the orchard should be pro-
hibited by law, In several of the best fruit sections of
the West, the crower of perfect fruit finda such protec-
tion from infestation of neglected orchards.

Will apples not pay if well grown ? This question

naturally arises when we see the market filled with in-

Be

ferior fruit. The answer is apparent when we find in
the same markets, western apples selling from the box at
five cents apiece, - juet about double the price of
oranges. Sections that will produce citrus fruits are
very limited in thig country and sharply defined by frost
limits; while apple producing sections are country wide.
Western crowers have demonetrated that there is
money in apples, and even after they have paid out more
for transportation than is received for much of the
Eastern fruit, there is still enough margin left to pay
a good interest on a valuation of one thoucand dollars
or over per acre. An orchard survey of one of the
average fruit producing sections of Oregon, was published
in Bulletin 101 by the Experiment Station, Computing all
the orchards of Jackson County - good and poor - the av-
erage gross return was $244.30 per acre, expense for cul-
tivation, epraying, marketing etc., $60.72, leaving an
average net return of $183.58 per acre for the whole county
Vany of the better orchards of the county produced from
$500 to $600 per acre, and one 20 acre orchard of New-
town's produced $1341.60 per acre, - these went to Eng-
land. Bqually large returns have been produced in some
of the best eastern orchards - particularly those that
receive scientific treatment, in the Ontario Lake region.
A casual survey of the older apple orchards in many

parts of New York State, shows a very large list of varie-

Se

ties, many of which are of low commercial value. If we
are growing apples on a commercial basis, it becomes neces~
sary to have a few select varieties, and it is best to
have these in blocks in eo far as pollination will per-
mite No attempt will be made to indicate here what
varieties are best to select, for thie matter has been
worked out carefully for the several sectione of the State
by Hedriok and othere (1906) in Geneva Bulletin 275.
Renovation by top-working old trees is a slow process and
hardly practical where most of the trees are of poor varie-
ties. Of scourge, here and there an inferior tree may
be worked over with profit, because of the difficulty of
starting a new one in ite place.
Many of the -ld ne lected trees appear to have lost
the bearing habit, as a result of a starved condition,
In many cases the ei] has been packed down hard about
the roots for years, and the tops are a thicket of
branches, excluding air and light. Even in cases where
plossoms develop, the fruit may fail to set on these trees,
Thero are several causes which may “nip the fruit in
the bud", but chief among these are insects and frost.
The bud moth is common in every neglected orchard. The
tiny larvae winter over on the bark, the caterpillars
eating their way into the buds, just when they are opening.
The flowers may expand in profusion, giving promise of a

full crop, but the larvae eating at the heart of the bud

4s

Clusters, cause the fruit to drop soon after the petals
fail. There are a number of other insect reats that at-
tack the opening flower-buds, causing a failure of the
crop, During tac past seagon, the orchards about Batavia,
ve Yeo, Were attacked by a leaf-roller, The newly hatched
oaterplliars tied the opening leaves of the flower clus-
ters and ate off the flower stems, so that there was
practicaliy a failure of the ernp in some orchards.

Frost ia worse in low lying regions where there is
no body of water near to temper the climate. A good in-
dication az to whether frost is a limiting factor may be
determined by the getting of the fruit.

Bven worthless fruit is encouraging if produced in
abundance from year to year on the neglected orchard.
It indicates that there ig little trouble Yrrom frost,
which if it is the chief limiting factor, can only be met
by expensive orchard heating,

If the orchard is so situated that there is a free-
dom from late frosts, the problem ig greutly simplified.
The trees may be rejuvenated and the quality and quantity

of the fruit much increased by careful orchard management.

FACTORS TO BR CONSINERED IN ORCHARD RENOVATION.
Orchard renovation naturally presupposes that the
orchard is run down and hence, is no longer profitatle.

In some cases, of course, neglect has gone so far, that

Apple trees ruined by crowding.

Figs Ls

A bad crotch - Large lower limbs have

also been removed.

Fige 2

5.

it would appear useless to spend money or time in an at-
tampt to bring the orchard up again. Where. the trees

are of poor varieties and lees than 60 per cent stand,

it would certainly be better to remove them altogether and
etart a young orchard.

We would only discuss, then, the profitable renova-
tion of orchards which are fairly sound at the heart, of
standard varieties and located in sections where orchard
heating is not required, The important factors of this

treatment are siven in the headings which follow.

REMOVING SURPT.US TREES,

It was oommon in the older orcharde to crowd the
trees, and where they were not thinned out in time, most
of the pruning was done by removing the lower branches.
(Pig. 1 and 2) This practice has developed a type of
tall, slender trees, which are difficult to ever reduce
to the ideal form again. In any case, however, if we
are gcing to bring the orchard back to profitable bearing,
the surplus trees met be removed, eo that the ends of
the branches of those remaining do not touch, In this
thinning procees, it is beet to first make a chart of the
orchard upon which can be carefully indiceted the coondi-
tion of each tree. In this way, by removing the diagonal
rows that contain the moet poor trees and skips, the maxi-

mum number of good trees is left. Though it is with

Ge

reluctance that one removes sound trees when they come in
the rows that are taken out, and espscially where they
stand next to blanks in the remaining rowe, the final re-
sults will be more satisfactory if the above plan is
strictly adhered to, Treas in resular rows are more

pPleazing to the eye and facilitate orchard management.

SOIL TREATMENT,

Wany orchards of the State are suffering from a aur-
plua of 9911 moisture. Sometimes only a corner of the
orchard is so affected, and most of the trees are dead
there, In any oase, if the soil remaing saturated into
the summer, it is unfit for the growth of apples.

This fruit quickly sucoumbs to the so-called "wet feet".
Drainage is of first importance in such orchards. A row
of tile, laid about three feet deep, in every other space
will soon produce a marked change in the health of the
trees,

Wet soils are usually sour and require a heavy ap-
plication of lime before they are attractive to moet
Diants. While lime can not be considered as a fartilizer,
it often gives a stimulus te plant growth that is remark-
able. It not only sweetens and improves the physical
condition of heavy soils, but alan dissolves the mineral
fertilizers which have been lying dormant in the earth,

rendering them usuable by the plants, Hence, application

7.

of lime alone, though it sives remarkable stimulus to
viant srowth, will snon deplete the anil of its natural
fertility and should be combined with real fertilizers.

Basic slag arpears t»% be one of the cheapest and
bert fertilizers for eastern orchards. It is being used
with suceess by many orchardists, - (Drew, 191], and
Fraser, 1912), This slag is a by-product from the man-
ufacturea of steel and contains in each ton, about 900
iime and 360 pounds of phosphoric acid. An annual appli-
cation of 509 to ino Mae given excellent results in
erowth, color and finish of fruit. If the orchard is
heavily pruned it may be beast tn delay the avplication of
other fertilisers until the second year, Barnyard manure
is valuable for the humus and nitrogen that it contains.
The potash muat be supplied from some other ssurce, - the
sulphate or muriate of potash being the form commonly
used, with an application of about 200 pounds per acre
annually.

All fertilizers should be applied out under the ends
of hansing branches, since here is the place that we find
the feeding roots. It is a poor investment tno scatter
the fertilisers about the trunks of old trees, for the
roots in this part of the enil are covered with a heavy
park and do no absorbing.

Other 9911 treatment will be taken up under the head

of cultivation,

Fig. 3. Crowding forces the branches upward.

Fig. 4. The sane trees with the tops brought
down.

Pig. 5. Trees worth saving.

Fig. 6. Steriliging and waterproofing the wounds,
after removing the gurplva wood.

Fig. 7. A good type for Fig. 8. After pruning.
renovation. ;

Fig. 9. The next summer,

8.

PRUNING,

The two principal pninte to be kent in mind in the
pruning of a nesvlected orchard are:

(1) To keep the trees low en that they may be handled
economically.

(2) To open up the head ep that air and light can get
into the center of the tree, to give greater bearing sur-
Pace.

Crowding has developed the trees wpward and some of
the branches are 9° tall that the’ oan never be properly
eprayed, and the fruit can only be secured by shaking it
eft. Sunh large treee should have the upright branches
removed, making a slanting out very near a side branch,
(Figa, 3 and 4.) In veorv old trere the tope mav be
lowered ten or fifteen feet in this way with advantage.

Tn opening up the head, care must be taken not to overdo
the work, There is danger from sun-ecald, where large
lateral limbs are left entirely exposed, In removing
lateral branches, prune out only those that interfere

or are badly diseased. Never cut a large, healthy limb

from the lower part of the tree, unless there is an over

crowding. Where the trees have been headed very high,
lower branches mav be developed bv saving some of the water
sprouts which form on the trunk, These will be forced
ints rapid crowth by the removal of the top of the tree.

In a few years a new head may be built out in this way,

9.

£9 replace the branches that ars vanting,

Removing 39 uch wood from the tres hae a tendency
t9 stimulate the growth of the remaining wood, and hence,
hastens the healing prosess. Yhere trees are too vigorous,
}owever, a rank growth of watersproutsa mar be thrown aut.
These mast be trimmed back during the summer, savine only
tinas that are nesded to improve tye shape of the tres.

It has been generally acaepted among horticulturists
‘hat summer pruning stimilates ?rutt production, and that
winter pruning forces a crowth of wood, H-eavi topping of
Ohio orchards during the dormant season, caused euch a
develonment of fruit, that the results would geen to con-
flict with the above views. In the orchards treated,
the lateral branches were 39 overlnadad with fruit follow-
{ne pruning, that in some cases the were broken dom.
The increased develorment of wood vag alan remarkable.

Tt would appear that the removal of the strong, upright
branches, which normally bore the crop on the hichest
tips, threw the gap into the fruit buds of the laterals,
causinz them al) tt» set fruit.

Mr, Cole (1912) has noted similar reeulte in Virgin-
ia, where he hag hastened the fruiting of young trece by
removines the uprisht branches from the Senter of the tree,

aurine the dormant season.

,» but well headed.

Badly neglected

Fig. 10.

The same with
top cut back.

Pigs 12s

Tree ruined by crowd-
ing and high pruning.

ies Abs

Pig. 13. Improper cuts and lack of protection.
Line at left indicates proper angle
for cute

Fig. 14, Result in the final downfall of the tres.

Fig.

Fig. 16. ‘The cavity extends from the snag to
the hole at the root,

Fig. 17. The apple tree makes a noble effort
to cover up long snags.

Fig. 18. But often falls,

10.

TREE SURGERY.

In reality the removal of large branches might prop-
erly come under this heading. The principal decay that
we find in old orchards has originated through the leav-
ing of long stubs. The pruning is usually turned over
to the cheapest help on the place. Even the owners
themeelves, when ignorant of the vital principles of the
tree, cut off the branches at the place most convenient;
often leaving stubs six or eight inohes long. One ex-
perienced farmer explained his method of pruning by say-
ing that the wood was going to die back anyway, and by cut-
ting a long stub, it took that much longer for the decay
to get back to the trunk. Sample illustrations of his
methods and results are shown in figures 13 to 16.

All cuts should be made rather close to the main
branch, and in topping back a limb, as shown in figure
13, the slanting cut, indicated by the line, heals much
quicker and surer than the one shown. All the cuts, and
in fact , all scars in the bark are a constant menace to
the life of the tree if left exposed to the attacks of
insects and fungi. The inseot burrows are well shown
in the exposed side cuts of figures 13 and 14.

A brief knowledge of the movements of the sap in
the tree will show clearly the folloy in leaving long
stubs. The golil water passes upward through the sap

wood to the leaves, where it is used in the manufacture

il.

of building sap. This sweet material, paseing downward
in the inner bark, stimulates and builds up only those
parts that lie in the direct path between the leaves and
the roots. Hence, it will be seen that the sap in de-
scending from the branch at the left of figure 13, will
flow along the slanting line, the wood above this line
reosiving no nourishment, soon dies and decay begins.
All fresh wounds should be sterilized with bichloride

of mercury (1-1000), made by placing one tablet in each
pint of water. After this is dry, all cuts should be
covered with some good waterproofing. Pure lead paint,
without turpentine, is usually recommended, but we have
had excellent results from the use of the following mix-
ture: Rosin 1 part

Pine tar 1 part

Boiled linseed o11 1 part.
These should be heated together, using care to keep away
from the flame, for the mixture burns readily. Also,
it is dangerous to drop water into the hot mixture, for
it causes a violent spattering and foaminz, that goon
runs over the sides of the kettle and catches fire.
When the mixture, tested in water, has the consistenoy
of taffy, it is ready to apply to the cuts while warm.
This coating leaves no opening for the entrance of water

or insects, which carry spores of the fungi and cause de-

Cay es

19.

Cavities prepared for the

filling.

Pig. 22. A bad crotch that required special bracing.

Fig. 23. Was a bad wreck Fig. 24.
but ia now msk-
ing good.

A nearer view of the
game showing how it is
rapidly covering the
fill.

| || |

Fig. 20. A bad decay cleaned out,

Fig. 21. Putting in the bracing.

the r youth.

Old timers, which are renewing

Fig. 25.

12.

The treatment of cavities, to be euccessful, requires
considerable training. Thic process will be best under-
stood by a comparison with the filline of teeth by a den-
tist. The three important processes in each case are:

(1) To remove all decay and sterilize to prevent
further decay,

(2) To prepare the cavity (Fig. 19) so that it will
hold the filling.

(3) To exclude all foreign substances.

If this work is carefully done the results are much
petter, even than those of dentistry, for a new tree
grows up in a few years, surrounding the filling (Figs.
24 and 25). Since new living layers are annually added
to the outgside of the wood, the life of the tree, it
would appear, is only limited by disease or starvation.

Olid orchards have many trees with weak upright
crotches, due to poor training in youth. These should be
braced (Figs. 21 and 22) before the trees are loaded with
fruit. This may be easily done by tying a cable, or
chaining to lag-hooks screwed into opposite branches.
Where three branches can be tied together, forming a
triangle between the hooks, the greatest strength is se-
cured.

A further bracing in the crotch itself (Fig. 21)
may be done by boring one or more holes through the trunk

and securely bolting the parts together. The heads of

A poor way to support a weak crotch.

Pig. 26,

A perfect result.

Fig. 286

Healing well
started,

Fig. 276

is.

the bolts sheuld be set into the bark (Figs. 24 and. 25)
and the wounds treated as for other outs, so that they
soon heal over. In no case should these bolte be used
without cables above to retard the strain of the branches,
for many trees have broken off at the point where the bolt
passed through them. Neither should bande be used to
hold a weak crotch for the increase in size soon cuts
these into the bark and the roots are starved, since the
descending sap is retarded, or cut off altozether (Fig.
26).

SCRAPING.

The bark of old neglected orcharde ig often very
rough and covered with lichens and moas. This rough
covering acts as a hiding place for innumerable insect
pests and egg masses, and should be removed, using care
not to scrape into living layers. Any exposed or broken
places in the bark will lay the tree open to an attack
of any one of the numerous fungous diseases and rote
which destroy the life of the apple.

We would only advocate scraping when the trunk be-
comes very scabby, or in some varieties only in the first
treatment of renovation, Trees in a good healthy condi-
tion may do just as well without it,, and in fact many

growere are atrongly against the practice.

14.

SPRAYING.

There was a time, apparently, when fruit could be
grown without the many troubles that we now experience.
At present, however, there are few if any parts of the
country where perfect apples can be grown without spraying.

It is a common practice in commercial orcharde to
make about four applications. These may differ as to
the fungicide used but the most up to date orchardists,
follow a program as here indicated.

First Treatment. After the work of pruning and
scraping has been finished, and the bude are beginning
to swell, the trees should be given a thorough cleaning
up, spray with lime-sulphur. The commercial lime-
sulphur tests about 32 or 33 degrees Baume and should
be diluted with eight parte of water before applying.

If the weather has been comparatively warm for a few days
and the buds are rapidly awelling, arsenate of lead
should be added to this spray at the rate of about two
pounds to each fifty gallons. This will aid materially
in the control of the bud-moth, the caterpillars of which
begin to emerge from their winter cases preparatory to
wntering the newly opening bude. Hence, 1f the buds

are well coated with poison, the first meal eaten from

the surface destroys the pests before they can get in-
Bide, After the caterpillars have once gained an en-

trance, further spraying appears to have no effect on

15.

them, for they feed entirely upon the newly developing
tissues,

The arsenate of lead acts ae a poison for all leaf
and bud eating insects, and also increases the fungicidal
value of the epray, as shown recently in Cornell Bulletin
290. Hence, the evident value of using this poison in
every spray that we apply.

Second Treatment. Since the neglected orchard is

usually so infested with pests, both fungi and insects,
it is best to apply this spray just when the flower buds
appear red, before they open. In clean commercial or-
chards, this application may not be neceasary, in sections
where there is no trouble with scab. This, and all suc-
ceeding sprays, while the leaves are on the trees, must
be more dilute or the foliage will be burned. It is
best to use about 40 parts of water to each part of the
commerétal lime-sulphur. The arsenate of lead is always
added to hold in check the hords of caterpillars and
other chewing insects.

Third Treatment, This may be called the first
codlins moth spray. It should be applied at the same
strength ae the preceding and within ten days after the
petals fall. The application should be with considerable
force, the idea being to get the poison into the flower
end of each developing fruit before the calyx lobes close.

The importance of this treatment can not be over estimated

for if this spray does not poigonthe inner calyx oup, it
1s imposeible to get clean fruit. The young usually
enter between the closed calyx lobes, and if they find no
poison in the cavity, their further entrance into the
fruit ia assured.

Fourth Treatment. This is usually called the second

oodling moth spray and should be applied about three weeks
after the petals fall. It is at about this time that

the majority of the codling moth caterpillars are hatoh-
inp. This spray is to coat the fruit with a fresh layer
of poieon, and supplement the preceding spray. If all

of these treatments have been thoroughly applied, the

best orchards may be fairly free from pests during the
reet of the essagon, Badly run-down orchards will require
at least one more application to save the fruit from sec-
ond brood oodling moth and fruit rote,

Fifth Treatment. Since Bitter rot and some of the

other late developing fruit-destroying fungi are not eas~
ily controlled with lime-sulphur, we would use for this
treatment, bordeaux of the usual 4-4-50 strength, and add
the two pounds of arsenate of lead. The application
ghould be about the last of July, to head off the newly
hatched, second brood larvae of the endling mth. These
are what are known as the “gide worms" in the orchard,
from their habit of entering through the side of the apple.

Since they must eat their way through the skin of the eruste

17.

poison properly applied will destroy them at their firat
meal,

CULTIVATION,

If the trees are to make renewed growth, rapid heal-
ing of the wounds, etc., it ig necessary that the soil
be broken up, Thie may be accomplished in any way that
will give the hest results. In ordinary cases where the
e011 is of a fairly loose texture, a shallow plowing will
accomplish best results. If care is used the root system
need not be severely injured by this process, for it is
only necessary to break up the sod covering.

Where the trees are badly root bound in a heavy soil,
or where the "hard pan“ comes close to the surface, the
use of dynamite proves effective. In many of the Western
orchards, even the young trees are planted only in holes
which have been “shot", By this treatment the soil is
loosened up and the roots find an ideal condition for
absorption, it being not only easier to grow out into new
food supplies, but the loosened soil is also more reten-
tive of moisture.

The shooting of an old orchard requires about four
aticks of powder per tree. Bight holes should be made
around the tree in a cirole, under the tips of the branches
This may be done by forcing a bar down two or three feet
into the soi] before it dries out in the epring. A half

18.

stick of powder ig commonly used in each hole, with fuse to
reach the surface of the soil, All the holes are pre-
pared and moist soil well tamped in on the powder before
any of the fuses are lighted, The effect of the combined
explosion showe little on the surface, but the soil is
thoroughly loosened between the holes, as one can easily
demonstrate by dissing down.

Exteneive experiment at Geneva station (Bulletin 314)
has demonstrated the value of keeping a surface mulch of
loose soil in the orchard throughout the dry season. It is
@ recognized fact, that under the arid conditions of the
Waat the production of fruit would be impossible without
this thorough cultivation. The spring-tooth or cut-away
harrow may be used for the purpose. The eround should be
gone over every ten days or two weeks, and at least after
each rain so that a surface orust is never allowed to
form, In this way the maximum amount of moisture is con-
served and sent out through the leaves, where it does its

work toward plant building.

THINNING.

This, also, is now of recngnized value in the com
mercial orchard. (Geneva Bulletin 239) Frequently the
heavy pruning of the renovated orchard forces an Over load
of fruit, and this muet be thinned if we wovld conserve

the trees and have first class apples. The cost of thin+

19.

ning, if done soon after the "Tune drop", is about fifty
cents for each large tree.

Unthinned apples are not only smaller, and of poorer
shape and color, but they also have many more worms.
The seoond brood oodling moth larvae usually enter be-
tween the crowded apples, - #9 by thinning we secure better
spraying results, and relieve the tree of developing the

inferior fruit.

COVER CROPS,

No cultivation should be done in the orchard after
July, as it has a tendency to stimulate the growth too
late into the fall. hig not only hindere the hardening
of the tender wood, to withstand the winter, but algo
results in a poor oolorineg of the fruit.

Gover crope should be planted abnut the middle of
July and left on the ground until the following spring.
They have been divided into two kinda: (1) nitrogenous,
and (2) nonenitrozenous. To the first group belong all
Plants of the pea family, such as clover, vetches etc.;
to the seoond, other plants which produce no nitrogen
nodules on their reots, such as buck-wheat, rye, eta.

Both of these groups are valuable in protecting the soil
during the winter and in supplyine humus when plowed under
in the epring,

Rye and buckwheat will make a so0d growth on even the

poor soil of the run-down orchard, and are better to plant
for the first crop, ainee the clovers never do well on
solls poor in lime. After this mineral has been supplied,
either in the form of basic slag or pure lime stone, and
worked into the soil during the first seagon, a legumenous
crop may be tried. If clovers will grow they are the
cheapest source of nitrogen. The vetchss3 make san abundant
growth on limed eotls, but the price of seed practically
prohibite their use on lands of low value.

Gover crope which make a good growth in the fall may
be rolled down just before the fruit is to be picked, and

thus form a carvet coverines the ground,

RESULTS OF RENOVATION,

Rhode Island State Board of Agriculture estimates the
value of old Baldwin and Greening apple trees based upon
their earning capacity. They decided that a tree forty
years old was worth $150.00 and at sixty years of age,
$250.00,

Thie looks like a hich valuation at first sisht, but
when we look at the results of Mr. Drew (1911) in Connecti-~
cut, we gain some notion of the real value cf our old neg-
leoted apple trees, He produced from twenty-five year old
Raldwine, nine barrels of choice fruit per tree, three
years after renovation, Such profits would pay a high

rate of interest on a valuation of a thousand dollars or

al.

more per acre.

Good old apple trees, that might be zsaved for many
years, are ecattered throughout the oountry, and are per-
mitted to gradually succumb to the attack of their many
erlesdes, Even in the nezleoted condition that we find the

everage farm orchard of this State, the owner usually ad-«

Mits that it is the best paying part of his place.

Don't results like thie pay ?

22.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

We include here references to all papers that have
been found useful to us in working up the subject of
apple orchard renovation. Published accounts on the
subject are mostly of recent date, and many of the
shorter articles appear in various farm papers. There
has been no attempt to include those which are not read-
jly available. We include after each reference anno-

tations which we have found of value.

1894 Bailey, L. He The cultivation of orchards.
293-314 p. illus. (New York Cornell Agr. Exp.
Sta. Bul. 72.)

This bulletin takes up the renewing of
orchards by thorough cultivation, cover crops
and fertilizers. Shows ideal harness for or-
chard work.

1895 Bailey, Il. H. Recent apple failures in Western
New York. 34 p. col. pl. illus. (New York
(Cornell) Agr. Bxp. Sta. Bul. 84)

Describee methods of bringing up old or-
chards, some of them planted in 1860, Reports
of various growers in the Ontario Lake region ag

to the beneficial effects of sapraying, etc.
Pescribes renovation of old orchard in Michigan,

that at firet seemed hopeless task. Trees
made to produce a heavy crop even though the
year Was very dry.

1896 Waugh, F. A. Apple growing in Grand Isle County.
81-95 p. illus. Vermont Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 55.

General consideration of varieties and other
factore for successful apple production in this

1897

1897.

1899

1899

1900

256

region, Of value to one gecuring orchards for
renovation,

Corbett, L. C. Apples. 199-215 p. 5 pl. (In

Dept. Agre and Hort. in West Vircinia Agr.
Exp. Sta. 9th Ann. Rept. for 1896.)

Method of pruning differs with varieties.
King and Willow varieties - heading in; Ben
Davis and Baldwin varieties - thinning the
branches.

Top-worked trees last mich longer than
root-grafted.

Card, F. We Notes on pruning. 10 p. illus.

Nebraska Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 504

Experimente with various coatings to de-
termine the effect upon healing and permanency.
lead paint and coal-tar were found to last best.
Coal-tar had a tendency to hinder healing.
Shellac and pine-tar did not laat.

Aldrich, H. Ae An experiment in pruning old

trees. 48-54 pe. (In Illinois St. Hort. Soc.
Trans. for 1899.)

Qld trees which had been subject to non-
pearing for years, were given over to thorough
pruning, the whole top being headed in from il -
3 feet. A yteld of 20-30 bushels of applea
per tree was obtained the first season, besides
a good growth of wood.

Alwood, W, B. Spraying the orchard. 83-104 p.

illus. (Virginia Agr. Exp, Sta. Bul. }00,)

General notes on spraying, showing a neg-
lected orchard, and two years after treatment.

Blair, 7 ©, Orchard management. 371-396 pe

illus. (Illinoia Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 59.)

Treats of some of the reasons that apple
orchards fail in Illinois. General notes on
ranovation,

1901

1902

1902

1902

1903

1903

24,

Waugh, F. A. and Cummings, M. B. Apple growing
in Addison County. 29-36 p. illus. (Vermont
Agr. Bxp. Sta. Bul. 90.)

General factors of renovation of Apple
Orchards of the County diecussed.

Card, F. ¥. Improving an Orehard. 141-152 p.
illus. (Rhode Island Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 83.)

Gives the methode of renovation of an old
orchard of about one acre.

Powell, G. H. Top working orchard trees, 243-
258 p. iv pl. fllus. (In U. S. Dept. Agr. Year—
book for 1902.)

Detaile of different methods of grafting,
etc., that may be of use in the renovation of
apple trees.

Walker, BE. Why apple trees fail. 32 9. illus.
(Arkansas Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 71.

Consideration of the reasons that old
apple orchards fail. 1. Poor soil, 2. close
planting, 3. lack of culture, 4. ponr care of
trees, 5. poor nursery stook, 6. Sun-scald,

7, disease, & insects, 9. bad pruning, 10. ovaer-
bearing, 11. Root rot, etc.

Mungon, W. M. Experimente in Orchard Culture,

24 p. illus, (Maine Agr. Exp. Sta, Bul. 89,

Relative merits of different treatments of
orchards, including cultivation and mulching;
orchard renovation and top grafting, etc.

Beach, S. A. Thinning apples. 195-224 p. illus.
New York (Geneva) Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 239,

Of use in the renovation of orchards. Ex-

periments to demonstrate the increase in value
of fruit by thinning.

256

1904 Powell, G. He. Relation of cold sinrage to com-
mercial apple culture. 225-238 p,. 7 pl.,
4 col. (In U. S. Dept. Agr. Yearbook, 1903.)

Approximately 15 million apple tresa in
4. VY. an piven in th. census fnr 1°00, Takes
up the cauges and eontrs) of glutted fruit mar-
ket.

1904 Rane, F. ¥, Experimente in orchard management,
ata. BH-1065 p. illue, (New Hemoshire Agr.
Exp. Sta. Bul. 1100

General factors of orchard practice,
renovation notes, etc.

1905 Buez, C. Renovating an apple orchard in Western
New York Chap. VI, 295-298 p. (In New York
‘Cornell. Agr. Bxp. Sta. Bul. 226,

Describes the renovation of a nine acre
orchard of 32 year old treea, Trees suffering
from “wet Feet*, Canker had destroyed many of
the limhe. In a3 bed a utate as it could well
bee

Treatment. “ater drained, dead wood re-
moved, land plowed, eprxyed with Bordeaux and
arsenic, Plent fond suvplied to supply new
woode

The Kires, treeniness and Russete grew new
tops, the Buldwing doing so at a slower rate.
Ole cankers cvergrorn,

From a business standpoint. The 54 acre
farm oret #2200 in tases Groge returns fol-
lowing renovation: 1896-$250. 1897-$12. 1896-
$200, 18a99-5°09, 1900-$1200, 1901-8300,
1902-$2000, 1903-$1400, 1904-$2722.50,

1905 Macoun, ¥, T. Apples. 108-127 p. illus.
(ln Rept. Hort. In Canada Exp. Farme Repts. for
1904,

Top working 91d trees with hardy varieties.
Cover orops. Horse beans lived through winter.

1905

1005

1906

1906

1906

Muneon, W,

266

Vairy Vetch hard to turn under. Engliigh horse
bean and rape an ideal cever crop; hold the
snow well and easily broken up by dise harrow,
The beane furnish nitrocen and humus, rape
envere the geil

Exnerimerits in orchard ciiture.
Sec., 1905, 181-204 o. illus. 22 1/2 om,
(Maine Aur. Exp, Sta. Bul, 122.)

Pruninc, cultivation, fertilizing in
orchard renovation (fd rept.) (See Bul.89
for first rant.)

Paddock, W. Prunins fruit trees, 15 p. illus.

(Celorady Agr. Ixy. Sta. Bul, 106)

Thie bulletin treats of youns trees pri-
marily but echowe old trees well headed.

Hedrick, U. P., Bocth, N. O., and Taylor, 0. M.

Arrle districts °f New York with varieties for
each, 61 p. (New York ‘Geneva’ Agr. Exp.

Sta. Bul, 275.)

Vary useful information, when aelecting an
old orcherd in the State for renovation,

Munson, W. Orchard Notes, 61-80 p. illus.

(Maine Agr. Hxp. Sta. Bul. 126)

General notes on orchard treatment; ingect
ani funtouze peste, Bridaza-grafting to save
girdl-d trees.

Walker, HB. Suggestions upon the care of apple

orchards. 159-210 p. illue. (Arkansas Agr.
Exp. Sta. Bul, 91).

Rejuvenation of an orchard of 27 acres of
old bearing tress. Work begun in 1904; in 1905
thare were 534 barrels off Now 1 apples, value

1907,

1907

1908

1908

1908

2077.57 wid $240.00 worth of No. 2, Expense,
883.50,
Many food points on orchard renovation.

Munson, W. Mo Orchard Notes, 1906, 49-64 p.

ilius. (“eine Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 139.)

Orchard experiments in Keneteco Co., oulti-
vation, mulehing, fertilizing, orchard renova~
tion, top grafting anc the use of cover crops.

Ballou, F. H. Renewal of old orchards. 87-110

P. illue. (Ohio Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 180.)

Specific reeults of renewal of orchard
trees. Porty years old neglected apple trees
Were soverely headed in, trimmed and sprayed,
with a result of about 30 bushels of apples to
the tree the firet year. Aleo experiments in
renovation of peach orchards.

Lewic, C. I., Bennett, “. L., and Vincent, C, C.

Orchard gurvey of Jackson Gounty. 65 p.
dllus. (Oregon Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 102.)

Notes on thorough orchard practice. Show
what modern methods will do with even very old
trees (20-50 years in some cases) that had been
neglected. Rxcellent notes on preparation of
fruit and marketin=-.

Munson, ¥. MM. Orchard Notes, 1907, 123-156 p.

diagr. (Meine Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 155,

General discuesion of orchard management.
Under orchard renovation, p. 155, it is shown
that old neglected orchards may be made very
profitable.

Parrott, P. J. Remediee for the Sen Joge scale

and directions for their use, 124 p. illus.
(New York (Geneva) Agr. Exp. Sta. Cir. 9,

Thorough treatment of San Jose cecale in old
orchards. Brief notes on thinning out and prun-

ing of old apple orchards.

1908

1908

1909

1909

1909

1909

28.

Parrott, FP. J,, Hodgkias, H. %.and Schoene, W. 8.
Sontrol of acale in old atple orchards, 50 p.
illua. New York (Ganeva) Aer. Bxp. Sta. Bul.
296,

Gives reeavlts of axperiments treating tress,
30 to 5Q years of age, which were badly infested.
Beat resavlte with lime-sulphur or home made oil
emul sions, Scale oontrolled by first lowering
heads of the tall trees 10 ft. by pruning, and
thorough spraying. Cogt per tree, 32 ¢,

Sears, F. 0, Renovating old orchards. 406-414,
dllus. (In Mass. Bd. of Agr., Pub. Doe. No. 4.

Shows the kind of treea that can be profit-
ably renovated. Gensral treatment, cultivation,

' fertilization and cover-orops.

Gossard, Hz Ae Apple spraying in 1908. 8B Pe
illus. Ohio Agr, Exp. Sta. Gir. 95.

Records the wonderful results of thorough
spraying alone On a 12 acre orchard of trees
12-14 years old. Return for fruit $7400.00
for the year.

Stuart, . Apple culture in Vermont. 61-100 p.
LIDVUes Vermont Agr. Expe Sta. Eul. 141.

Ceneral ecnsideration of the factors neces-
ary for apple production, with a final chapter
on marketing the crops,

Gummings, M. B. Apple orchard survey of Niagera
Gounty, 279-320 p. illus. New York (Cornell)
Ar. Exp. She Puli. £625

Discusses conditiona of o14 orchards and
factors of their productiveness.

Hedrick, U. P. How Sod affected an apple orchard.
79-13% pe. illus. diagr. New York (Geneva) Agr.

1909

1909

1909

1909

1910

29.

Hup. Sta, Bul, 314.

A comparison of tillage end sod mulch in
old apple orchard, Resulta very favorable to
rlllage.

Waugh, Fe. Ac Renovetion of eld orchards. Chap.
XVIII, 188-191 p. (In The American Apple
Orchard -- New Yorks: Orancee Judd Company, 1909.)

1. The physical condition of the soil
mugt be imrroved, £. Plent foud provided.

3. Trees pruned. 4 Trunks scraped. 5. Spraye

Whipple, 0. 3. Pruning mature fruit trees. 20 p.
iilus. Colorad. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 139,

Discusses the treatment of wounds, thin-
ning apples, etc. Phvsielogy of pruning:
during growing season increases fruitfulness;
during dormant season, increased growth of wood.

Hartman, S. B. and Bustace, H. S. Can the gen-
eral farmer afford to grow apples ? and sugges-
tiona on improving and spraying apple orchards.
33-48 p. illus. Michigan Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul.
2536

General directions for improving nezlected
avple orchards. Fisures given of specific re-
gulte.

Woodbury, C. Ce The Parmer's Orchard. 42 Pe
illus. Indiana (Purdus) Agr. Exp. Sta. Gir. 17.

The latter part of thie bulletin takes up
the methods to be employed in the renovation
of the neglected home orchard.

Jarvis, C. D. Apple growing in New England.

I. The apple industry. II.,Renovation of old

apple orchards. 59-89 p. illus, Coun. Storrs

SC.

Agr. Bxup. Sta. Bul. G1,

Le History of commercial apple-crowing.
Neglected erchards a hindrance to the apple in-
duetry. “Low grade fruit put on market. Care-
jess and dichenest packing. Favorable soil,
climate anc market, Arple production of U. 5S.
diminiehine; export inoreasing. Arplee profit-
eble inveectment,

Els The nerlected orchard the usual thing
in New Sneland. A consideration of onnditions
in ola orchardr, Method of procedure - prun-
ing, ‘hinning and shaping the trees. Caring
for wounds. Treatine the enll, by cultivation,
enver crope, fertilization atc. Changine warie-
ties, by cleft grafting. Spraying. Mr. Drew's
work of renovation at Conyers Manor, Greenwich,
Conn.

1910 Ballou, F. H. Apple culture in Ohio, 525-5596
illue. Ohio Agr. Bxp. Sta, Bul.217,

History of the apple industry in Ohio.
There is a rapid awakening. Conditicens favor-
ine apple growine, Renewal of orchards, prun-
ing, eprayine, thinning, ete.

1910 Hitchings, E. fF, Orchard renovation, 5-1] p.
filus. (in Better fruit for Maine. In Maine
Buls Tht. Apres Vol. 1%, NOs De

Wore than ninety per cent of tne orchards
of the State sare euffering for want of care.
Resin renovation by removing dead wood and all
cankers, sterilize with a solution of copper
evulphate and paint all cuts. Open up tops,
spray thoreuchly with dermant lime-sulphur.
Cultivate, fertilize, and in the case of poor.
treaa, top wore ate.

19170 Jervis, C. Tr Apniea erowvine in New @neland,
III. Plantine the apple orchard. 91-139 p.

dllua. Conn. Storre Agr. Exp. Sta, Bul. 62.
Notes of value t9 one getting an orchard

to renovate. Selecting the land; varieties;
care of the orchard, etc,

31.

1911 Abraham, 0. R. Renewing old Orchards. The Fruit
Grower, St. Joseph, Mo., Decs, 1911, pe 6.
Indiana.

Desoribes the renewing of some old Milam
apple trees (75 years old), which had not pro-
duced a crop for years and were badly decayed.
They were thoroughly pruned and sprayed with
lime-sulphur and arsenate of lead. A good
crop the first year.

1911 Drew, G. Aw Reclaiming old apple orchards.
44-52 p. (In 56 Ann. Proc. West New York Hort.
Soc.

Pruning. Low heading for easy spraying,
picking and lesg danger from winds. Good re-
sults in 2 years after topping.

Surgery. Put in cement, bolta and cable-
wire. thee tar in cavities and on all cuts.

Spraying. Oils for acale on rough trees.
iiue-aul enue to clean up old trees in epring.

Cultivation. Use disc or cutaway harrow
and follow w spring tooth. Seed down to
clover and let trees lay in sod until they
show that it should be broken up again. Better
color on sod, Cut and leave clover on ground.

Fertilization. Use chemicals. Sul phate
and nitrate of potash, ground-bone, wood-ashes,
nitrate of soda and basic slag for the phos-
phoric acid and lime. Muriate of potash re-
moves lime from soil. 100 pounds nitrate of
soda, 200 pounds sulphate of potash, 500 pounds
basic slag. Later less nitrogen, but a dress-
ing of basic slag, 300 or 400 pounds each year
with 150 pounds of sulphate of potash.

. Thinning. Costs 50 ¢ per tree, but pays

well,

Cost of Renovation. One to five dollars
rer tree.

Results of Renovation. 30 year old RBald-
win and Greenings.

100 barrels of poor fruit before from 200
trees.

800 barrels of choice fruit after from 200
trees,

Another 25 year old orchard. Baldwin.
9 barrels per tree three years after treating -

52.6

all eee Fruit.

alue of Apple trees. Rhode Island State
Bd. of Ter cat mated value of Baldwin and Green-
ing apple trees, 40 years old, $150.00 each,
S@ years old, $250.00 each.

1911 F » He We Making new trees out of old ones

in Pennsylvania. The Fruit Grower. (Missouri)
Jane, 1911, 48-49 Pe
Describes work of Div. of Zool. of the
Penn. Dept. of Agr. in redeeming old orchards.
One or more orchards taken in each county.
1911 Hedrick, U. P. Renovation of Wornout Orchards.
New York Dept. Agr. Cir. 43. (Also published
in Bul. 28.)
Brief discussion of orchard conditions
in the State. Factors in renovation. (1) Re-
moving surplus trees. (2) Prune thoroughly.
(3) $041 treatment-drain and treat sour spots.
(4) Fertilizers. (5) Seraping. (6) Spraying.
(7) Gultivation. (8) Cover crops.
1911 Jarvis, ©. D. Apple growing in New ungland.
Iv. Orchard management. March, 1911.
211-263 p. illus.. 23 om. Gonn,. Storrs Agr.
Bxp. Sta. Bul. 65.
Notes of value to one getting an orchard
to renovate. Cultural systems; soil managementy.
pruning; spraying; thinning apples; etc.
1911 Moore, J. Ge The management of a bearing orchard.
34 p. illus. Wisconsin Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 207.
General consideration of orchard practice
with excellent notes on the pruning ete. of
neglected orchards.
19112 Sage, H. High pressure orcharding in New England.

Garden Magazine, V. 23, 270-273 p., illus.

336

100 acre orchard in Vermont, with a
$20,000.00 crop in 1909.

1911 Watt, G A. Reclaiming an old apple orohard in
Ohio, The Fruit Grower. (Missouri) Jan.,
1911, 49-50p.

720 Trees, 40 years old, in very bad shape
were sprayed, pruned, repaired and made to bear
a profitadle orop.

1912 Ballou, F. 8. Improvement of farm orchards.
The Ohio Farmer, Maree, 1912, pe il.

Compares infested trees with scabby stock;
the latter would never be tolerated on the farm.
Varieties for Ohio - Wealthy, Grimes, Spy, Jona-
than, Sutton, Stayman, ete. Trouble in old
ercherds due to pruning up and consequent decay.

The general principles of renovation are
considered - removine tall branches, scraping,
spreading manure generously, out under the
branches, straw mulch tn conserve moisture or
flow, application of complete fertilizers as
follows: 100 lbs. nitrate of soda, 100 lbs.
acid phosphate or ground bone and 50 lbs. muri-
ate of potash, per acre, good results in due
season, Apply at beginning of growing season.
Thoroueh epraying. lst, just as the buds are
@welling, 2d, juet after tha blossoms fall, ird,
same two weeks later, 4th, the latter part of
July spray with lime sulphur or Bordeaux with
arsenate.

1912 Cole, E. F. Open head pruning. The Fruit
Grower (Missourt) Mareh, 1912, 32-33 p.

Tall trees should ba lowered by removing
the central or vertical branches at the crotch
or as near the crotch aa possible, As mush as
possible the cutting should be done on the in-
aide of the tree, so ac to push out the side
branches to broaden the top.

The objections - non-healing, sunscald, etc.
are proved to be false theories by practice,
when the trees were well cared for, even though
the cute are left untreated.

340

Objects of low-heading: (1) To bring the
trees doxyn to where they can be handled econom-
ieally. (2) Gives greater bearing surface. By
removing the top the strength is thrown ton the
side branches. Also, the center of the tree
being light will produce fruit spurs on the
larger wood,

By this method five boxes of choice fruit
produced within reach, in place of a single box
produced near the tips of the upright limbe.

qontrary to common opinion, heavy pruning
out of the upright growth during dormant period,
forees a heavy fruit crop,

1912 Fraser, S. Grower's experience with orchard
fertilizers, WN. ¥. Tribune Farmer Jan. 18, pe 4%

Six and one half acres neglected, in sod,
1906 = 33 x 33 ft. Land plowed. Half of the
trees removed diazonallvy in 1907, Land manured
twice 1908, nitrate of soda applied. Encouraged
srowth, In 1910 basic slag 800 lbs. per acre,
save results in growth, color and finieh of
fruit. 1900 lbs. ver acre in 1912 to all trees.

froag results for orchard. 1905 - $900.00;
1997 ~ $639.00; 1908 ~ $1320.00; 1906 - $1340.00;
1910 - $1280.00; 1913 - 130 bbls. per acre not
gold, § vear average from time of renovation =
$158.30 per acre vrogs,.

One ton basic slag has about 360 lbs. phos-
pPhoric acid and 900 lbe. lime, both of value to
the soil,

1912. Lattin, F. ¥. My experience in reclaiming old
apple orchards. 149-165 p. (In New York St,
fruit growers assn. Proceedings, V. XI.) (Same
in Fruit Grower (Missouri) Feb., 1912.)

This article describes moat excellent re-
sults obtained by Dr. Lattin by the renovation

of old orchards in Orleans and Oswego Counties,
NY. Y,

Rese

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