Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-11-18
For the Oxford Democrat.
FRUIT CULTURE.
Namber 10.
RENEWING OLD ORCHARDS.

To grow old and die seems to be the
way Of all the earth, and it is not sup
posed that fruit trees are an exception to
this general rule. Yet thousands of or
chards have become prematurely old,
fruitleSS and unsightly upon the land
scape, that can be made to put on a new
lease of life and yield golden returns.
The natural life of a tree is much longer
than a majority attain. Our orchards re-
quire the cultivation of several genera
tons Of men, and it is not surprising that
they often fall into decadency through
want Of care One neglect follows an
other, till the tops, of what were once
promising aud fruitful trees, show little
but suckers and protruding dead branches.
Some of the trees may continue to pre-
serve a strong foliage and Others to pro
duce a little inferior fruit; but on the
whole the orchard is considered worthless
and left to run wild Nearly all owners
Of such orchards have seen the wonderful
restoring effects of cultivation IN some
trees where a garden patch has been taken
up among them, or, in some instances,
where the land has been turned out 70 the
paSturage of sheep, The trees soon show
new vigor in growth and foliage, and be-
GIN TO Weld fruit double the size they for
merly did These Incidental examples
indicate Just what reStoratives are needed.
The neglected soil, having nourished the
trees for years, at length becomes eN-
hausted of It's life and fruit giving prop
critics and simply needs TO be refumiShed
with what it has lost, and then kept In a
good condition. Manuring, cultivation,
pruning and draining are the principal
requisites. which should be used inteliI-
gently. Different orchards require some
what different treatment, dependent on
the nature and condition of the sod. The
object in view should be to bring the soil
into q condition sufficiently fertile TO stIm-
ulate a good healthy growth, rather than
a forced one. as the latter would absorb
so much of the vitalizing powers Of the
tree that the anticipated fruit might not
follow. In all cases the cree should Toe
thoroughly puned Of all suckers and
dead and dccaying branches. If trees
have fallen into decay in deep strong soil
there Is likely TO be less trouble az the
roots than at the top, and the latter should
be severely pruned, while the ground Is
moderately enriched If the soil Is hgh,
a more liberal amount of manure should
be supplied and spaded or plowed IN.
while with orchard land that has become
hard, cold and soggy, draining is indIS-
penSable Frequently orchards become
50 barren Of al vegetation that a good
grass crop turned under viii meet oil is
wants in addition 10 pruning. The ground
should first be made rich and mellow and
the crop sowed in early spring. The IN
crease of fertility generally produces q
strong growth of suckers on the body OF
the tree. which should be removed AS
soon as they appear Grating good
growing varieties into old trees is often
attended with gratifying results. \ me-"
top Is soon formed that viii WELD a good
iruitagc for many years.
Mos, Of our old apple orchards are
very tenacious of life, and numerous IN
stances are on record Of their restoration
at the age of from forty years 20 lease
OF tuittulneSs of nearly as many years
more. Ii /; pays TO plant young trees
and wal, patiently for their fruit, it GER
tainiy pays 20 restore old orchards which
require httle expense and directly yield
returns.
A good time 20 commence the work Is
after harvesting, when there is ample
time.