Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1906-06-22
MAKING THE ORCHARD PAY
1t Is Only as the Trees Are Properly
Trimmed, Sprayed and
Nurtured.

w nat SnOulu De done WIN an OLD or
chard? 1t looks rs though the an
swer could be easily made. Either
cut down or spray, II profit is desired.
In this case there would be some use,
full timber for the stove or factory, in
the other there may be a neglected OPP
portunity for profit.
Here is the experience of one man:
He rented an orchard which had been
neglected for many years. After two
years it gave a profit, which contin-
ued to increase for some time The
trees were no better than many others
which are now looked upon as of no
value. AS a result of spraying, prun-
ing and fertilizing there are now fine
apples to show for the labor, yielded
by an orchard moro than 60 years old.
But it must be admitted that it is
not every orchard that can be made
productive. Half-dead trees, poor va
rieties and unsuited localities are fac
tors to be considered. A good top can
not be grown on rotten trunk, old
trees are not profitahly grated, neither
Will a barren or a cold, wet soil pro-
duce a valuable orchard. There are
many considerations which make it adj
visable to cut down the trees as the
pes. solution of the orchard problem
in some instances.
SO much has been said about the
San Jose scale that mention of the
subject is likely to cause feeling OF
WEAKNESS. Nevertheless, it has come
to stay, so the sooner that is recog.
nizeG the better. Currants, gooseber.
ries, and some other small fruits are
attacked by it as we'll as the orchards
But IT all these were blotted out the
scale would still remain, as it has
taken to some of the forest trees and
shrubs. However, there is consola.
ton in knowing that it is comparative
ly harmless when it takes to the
for complaint if it would only stay
there. 1t can exist on many wilC
trees, but it is now claimed that il
does not increase in numbers unless
in favorable place, which is, unfor
tunately, on some cultivated fruit.
But the scale is not so difficult tt
control as was once supposed. The
lime and sulphur solution is panacea
for the evil, but as The scale will hide
in crevices where the spray does no
reach it, there are almost certain t
be some of the insects left after the
most careful application, so that ex
termination is not to be expected a
present. One thorough spraying {
year will keep the insect from beins
injurious, and will also clear the tree!
from several of the fungi.
II did not spray this spring" re
marked a man last year who had ex
tensive orchards under his manage
ment. THE trees did not blossom
much this spring. There would no
be fruit enough anyhow TO pay for tn,
material, so we thought it poor econ
omy to spend more than it was wortl
iii trying to save it."
Was there economy in not spraying
What is the other side of the ques
ton? The fruit destroying insects
and fungi do not always depend alon,
upon one kind of food for living. In
vestigation has shown that many o
them, perhaps all, are capable o
subsisting on something besides fruit
The apple scab does not depend upol
the apple, can get along quite wei
without it, in fact, so long as there il
green bark. There is reason to thinl
thai the codling moth lays three
fourths of her eggs upon leaves, AM
that the larvae can develop there
no apple is within reach How ia
this may apply in regard to other in
sects and diseases is a matter for con
lecture, but certain 1t is that the pest
do not seem to be starved out whel
fruit is lacking. The curculio
around in full numbers when there /
large crop of plums, though Their
may have been none the year before
and the various kinds OF rot are OF
hand, regardless OF last seasons de
ticiency.
All things considered, declares tn
Prairie Farmer, it would seem Xix
poor economy TO neglect spraying
When there is fruit spraying is need
ed to protect it, and when there i
none spraying is useful to insure tn
next years crop. 1t is the stitch il
time which may save more than min
| for the future.