204 Bulletin 307 



The orchards that are level have the highest yield, 68 barrels per acre, 

 with an income of $133. Those sloping to the west are the lowest in the 

 scale. 



Elevation. — The elevation of the orchards of Ontario county varies 

 from 500 to 1 100 feet. Most of the orchards are between 800 and 900 

 feet in elevation. 



There is apparently no relation between elevation and yield or income 

 for the orchards studied. 



Age of trees. — Orchards between 30 and 34 years of age are most fre- 

 quently met in Ontario county. Seventy-nine per cent of the orchards 

 are 30 years old or more, and 14 per cent are 50 years old or more. Or- 

 chards of young trees are comparatively few. 



The greatest yield per acre is produced by the orchards between 25 

 and 29 years old, and by those between 50 and 59 years old, both groups 

 producing practically 65 barrels per acre. The largest income is produced 

 by orchards between 40 and 44 years old. 



Varieties.— The chief commercial varieties planted in the county are 

 Baldwin, Rhode Island, Northern Spy, Tompkins King, and Roxbury. 



Planting plan. — Practically all of the orchards are planted either on 

 the square or rectangular plan. The typical distance is 33 x 33 feet. 



Pruning. — The general practice is to prune every year, yet the general 

 character of the pruning is only fair. Less than 24 per cent of the orchards 

 are well pruned. The chief method of pruning is to thin out the trees a 

 Httle. 



Soil types. — The chief soil types are the gravelly and sandy loams, 

 which produce the highest yields and incomes. The highest yield, 63 

 barrels, is produced on sandy loam. 



Drainage. — Sixty-four per cent of the orchards are either wholly or 

 partly tile-drained, yet only 49 per cent are reported as having good 

 drainage. Natural drainage produces the highest yield and income (67 

 barrels per acre being the four-year average yield, and the income $121). 

 The essential point, however, is that the drainage, whether natural, 

 artificial, or both, must be good; otherwise the orchards are below the 

 average. 



Soil management. — Orchards in sod are the general rule. Fourteen per 

 cent have been tilled 5 years or more. 



The highest yield and income are produced by orchards tilled 5 years 

 or more; the yield for such orchards is 61 barrels, and the income $133 

 on the average for four years. 



Management of sod orchards. — As a rule, sod orchards are not pastured. 

 In orchards which are pastured, hogs are the chief animals used, although 

 sheep are pastured to a considerable extent. 



