Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-10
Orchard Notes.


BulIeiin 1919 lust issued by the Maine
Agricultural Experiment Station IS one
of a series which has been pubnsheo
under this title from 1891 to date. fre-
vious to 1909 these publications We're
concerned with genealogical data ae-
.cumplated through cooperative ex-
periments with individuals in different
parts of the state. While of much
value In certain respects the problems
undertaken were of necessity not those
of a Fundamental nature, the solution
of which may require a series of years.
The purchase by the state in 1903 OF
Highmoor Farm in Monmouth for the
use of the station removed these dill
eulties.
the farm itself was we'll adapted to
experimental work of this kind and the
orchards originally contained 5000 apple
trees. on account OF neglect and mis-
management of previous owners this
number had been reduced in 1909 10
bout 800. A survey made i'll the ian
Of this year indicated that 10 per cent.
of these were in such poor condition
that they should be removed. Later 1t
was found necessary to remove some
what more than this, reducing the
| nunDpT To ABOUT Z0tV III lilC ian Va ASAA.
IT is evident that orchard renovation
was the first problem to be faced before
the trees. could be used for experiment
al work. Bulletin 1873 is concerned
largely with a report of progress in this
line and contains much of immediate
practical value to the orchardist. The
conditions at Highmoor were no worse
in 1909 than on many farms in various
parts of the State. The orchards,
which were then looked upon by the
owner as an actual handicap on the
farm, are now rapidly assuming a
healthy condition and are beginning to
pay a handsome dividend. although the
real work of renovation was only be-
gun In 1910. Hence this publication
should be in the hands of every owner
or prospective owner of an Improbable
or neglected orchard who is interested
in converting it into a profitable asset,
The bulletin contains a description OF
the orchards when purchased followed
by a discussion of the methods, man
ner, and times of pruning, spraying.
fertilization and cultivation. Without
seeing the trees before and after it is
hardly possible to comprehend the in
crease in health and vigor which has
resulted from the treatment given.
One Baldwin orchard In particular
which appeared in a hopeless condition
when purchased has made remarkable
progress. This and other features are
shown by several full-page illustra
lions. One block of unthrifty, unproiit-
able Ben Davis has already been trans
formed into a vigorous bearing orchard
in condition for experimental purposes.
The changes which have taken place
are well illustrated by statement of
annual yields. In 1909, 3100 trees pro-
duced 200 barrels of fruit, of which
only 80 were marketable In 1910
1900 trees yielded $50 barrels. of which
275 were marketable. and in 1911 the
same number of trees gave 2459 barrels.
of which 1886 were marketable. In
this connection il is significant to note
that zoos barrels of these were oiassed
rs Fancy and No. !, and only $50 bar
rels were placed in the No 2 grade. 1t
will be seen, therefore that not only
has the yield been largely increased
during the three years. but the charac-
ter OF the. fruit produced has shown a
| much more decided gain both in APP
pearance and value.
In addition to the above, an outline
of come OF the experimental work
underway is given. among which may
be mentioned spraying experiments
with fungicides and insecticides, pas
turing with sheep and with hogs. sod
plots versus cultivated plots, fertilizer
experiments, etc.
A copy of Bulletin 1923 will be sent to
any resident of Maine upon request to
Director Chas ID. Woods OrOro.
Maine. To non-residents of Maine the
price is 10 cents which must be sent in
| coin or other currency. Postage