182 State Horticultural Society. 



never had a total failure in twenty years. The largest crop sold for $200 

 an acre. I never had an orchard since that that made as good a record, 

 because I have not been treating them the same way. So, I think in 

 passing this that you have observed that experiences given here, are 

 certainly in favor of a reasonable amount of root plowing. 



RENEWING OLD ORCHARDS. 



(By J. J. Bartram, Maryville.) 



My observations thus far have been that whenever it becomes 

 necessary to renews an orchard, the first thing to be done is to 

 thoroughly prepare the soil, which must be done by cultivation, for 

 if trees are transplanted in grass land the surface soon becomes baked 

 hard and dry, or if weeds are allowed to grow% the trees will be of feeble 

 growth ; consequently the fruit will partake of the same feeble nature, 

 for feeble trees bear feeble fruit ; therefore, we readily see that cultiva- 

 tion will not only change size, but quality as w-ell ; therefore, I say 

 thoroughly cultivate. You will be doubl}^ repaid, both in quantity, 

 qualit}^ and price. Cultivation is of vast importance, is not finished in 

 a da}-, but requires years of steady work to accomplish w^hat is neces- 

 sary for the upbuilding or renewing of orchards. 



iSIany trees are transplanted every year in all parts of the countr}', 

 which die. I may safely say, that this is caused b}^ or from neglect 

 to after-culture more than from all other causes put together. The 

 soil and climate affords unequaled facilities for fruit culture. The 

 treasure lies within our reach in horticultural productions, and this 

 lesson suggests to us to plant or renew without hesitation. The man- 

 agement should be done with intelligence, m assorting and planting 

 or replanting, as the case may be, and every owner of land may have 

 fruit at his own door and for his own table in which he incurs little or 

 no risk, because he can easily plant a fruit tree in his vard or garden, 

 or along his fence, which will grow and bear for many years ; he does 

 not even miss the ground on which it stands, and in cultivating the 

 trees keep down all weeds, and the farm yard presents a cheerful and 

 pleasing appearance. Then, too, it becomes a very important means 

 of economy which produces not only fruit, but aids to soften the bleak- 

 ness of w^inter, and gives shade in the hot summer. ]\Iany new and 

 large orchards (mainl}- apples) have been planted, many have been 

 renewed, and will amply repav for all the time labor and expense that 

 has accrued, but in this peculiar season of drought I notice some fruits 

 are nearly wiped out of existence caused by the extreme heat and the 

 work of insects which thev had to undergo made life hard to endure. 



