Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-04-29
Orchard Renovation.

Orchard Renovation.
Lecture by Professor z. r. Hitchings, in tn
Farmers Week Course, Orono)
Friday morning in the Farmers Weel
Course Professor Hitchings gave an ex
ceedingly practical lecture on "Orchare
Renovation" subject often discussed
but not not sufficiently practised il
Maine. According to Professor Hitch
ings, a large percentage of Maine or
chards need renovating, and his lecture
| was full of Information concerning tht
time and methods for renovating. Thin
ming, trimming, tree surgery, dehorning
top working, cultivating, and fertilizine
received specific attention. Professor
Hitchings said:
The subject of Orchard Renovation ia
at present the most important phase ol
the fruit industry in Maine. Hardly an
orchard in the state is in fit condition
for fruit growing, and one must take the
initiative in order to gain success. This
first step is to renovate the old orchard.
The question of how best to accomplish
this result will be fully covered in this
lecture.
/. Time. Much of the work can be
done at any season: best time to begin
work would be In the early spring,
March and April. Length of time re-
quirsd for the completed renovation.
from three to four years, depending
upon condition of trees at start.
2. Removing Trees. In most old or
chards trees were set so close together
that thinning Is imperative for success.
II trees are from Is to 20 feet apart, cut
out every other one. This work should
be done with care. Make a rough
sketch of the orchard, locating each
tree. Study this plan, and mark the
trees to be removed. For example, the
following plan might be adopted, nc"
Indicating the ones to be cut, and "R"
the ones to remain:
RCRCR
RCRC
RCRCRCR
8. Trimming. After removal, the re
naming trees should be trim med. Re-
move all dead and decaying wood, cut
ting back to live growth in each case;
canker growth; twig, limb; bark on
trunk or limb, and edge of cavity to be
filled; etc. Every portion OF this dis
eased material to be burned at once, so
as not to spread disease or insect pests.
4. Tree Surgery. All cavities to be
cleaned to solid wood, disinfected, and
filled to prevent further decay.
5. Dehorning. In the majority OF
cases closely set trees have formed e1-
ceedingly high tops. These large limbs
should be cut back severely, 80 as to
allow for the formation OF low down
umbrella shaped top.
6. Topworking. For a commercial
orchard it is very essential that but few
different varieties are grown. As rule,
old orchards are made up Of large
number of varieties. This difficulty can
only be remedied by topworkiDg. Dif.
terent methods to accomplish this end
will be given.
I. Spraying. One important factor
in the process of renovation is the reju-
venaton process due to spraying. This
must be done in order to secure healthy
condition in general; both from the
attack of insects, and the different fun
gus troubles that might infest wood,
leaf and fruit.
s. Cultivation. Most orchards are
located where they have had but little, If
any cultivation. They need an incentive
to growth. Cultivation is the initial
step to success. Different methods will
be presented, and recommendations
given to secure best results.
9. Fertilization. 1t is highly impor-
tant that these neglected, rundown trees
shall receive the right kind of food:
1st, for wood building to secure
good thrifty tops.
End, for fruit production, to obtain
a good yield, and secure we'll developed
fruit Of high quality and good color.