20 MAINE AGRICULTURAIv EXPERIMENT STATION. I903. 



I fruit as the muriate plot next to it, gave 1 1 per cent less perfect 

 fruit. On the other hand, the check trees gave 12 per cent more 

 No. I fruit, and 19 per cent more fruit absolutely free from scab, 

 than did the adjacent trees receiving an excess of sulphate of 

 potash. The kainite plot gave the lowest percentage of both 

 perfect specimens and commercially graded No. i fruit. As 

 before noted, this plot is at the upper part of a very slight slope, 

 and is perhaps a little dryer, though the trees were all making 

 a very satisfactory growth and, during the present season, there 

 was no lack of moisture. It may be said, however, that through- 

 out our experience with this orchard, the worst cases of scab 

 have invariably occurred upon the high gravelly knolls. 



The results obtained agree, in the main, with those published 

 elsewhere and it appears, from the figures gfiven. that an excess 

 of potash, in whatever form applied, has no effect whatever in 

 warding off attacks of apple scab. 



III. Orchard Renovation. 



The work thus far detailed was conducted in young and vigor- 

 ous orchards. As a further object lesson in the management or 

 fruit plantations, an old Baldwin orchard, planted about thirty- 

 five years, was selected in 1902. This orchard should be in prime 

 fruiting condition, but through neglect and as a result of repeated 

 attacks of caterpillars and leaf rollers, it has for several years 

 been unprofitable. Since the work nas been in progress only one 

 season, no conclusions can be drawn ; but an outline of the plan 

 of the experiment, together with a brief report of progress, is 

 given herewith. 



The orchard is located upon the western slope of a high grav- 

 elly hill. The soil is a light sandy loam, 6-8 inches deep, with 

 gravelly or sandy subsoil. The trees were set in 1866-70 in a 

 cultivated field which had previously produced corn, wheat, and 

 general farm crops ; but after a very few years the orchard was 

 used as a sheep pasture, the trees being frequently mulched while 

 young. No further attention was given the trees, save an occa- 

 sional slight pruning, until May, 1892, when the whole orchard 

 received an application of bone and muriate of potash. The same 

 summer hogs were turned in, and they thoroughly stirred the 

 soil and started the trees into vigorous growth. A very large 

 crop of fruit was produced in 1893 and again in 1896, but since 



