No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 523 



give them proper treatment throughout the year, but we shall uot 

 assume the most difficult and in many cases impossible task of the 

 horticulturist in attempting to renovate or restore an old worn-out 

 orchard of very tall, badly infested trees. In such cases it would be 

 cheaper and much more advisable to remove the old trees and plant 

 new ones. 



We shall also demonstrate the planting and care of some young 

 orchards from the preparation of the soil, the selection of varieties, 

 setting and pruning the trees, and care in their later development as 

 long as the demonstrations are continued. 



It is our purpose to have charge of these demonstration orchards 

 throughout the entire year and continue the demonstrations during 

 next year and doubtless as long as legislative provision be made for 

 this kind of work. The longer the demonstration orchard is con- 

 tinued as such the more profitable to the community it should be- 

 come. In consideration of the fact that in many parts of the State 

 this will be "off year" in apple production, it is not to be expected 

 that a demonstration orchard can by any manipulation given it a\ 

 present, be made to bear as much fruit as it did last year, which was 

 the season for a full crop. However, we hope in these orchards to 

 demonstrate means of aiding to reduce excessive production every 

 other year and increase the fruit crop in alternate years, when 

 locally it would be more valuable. 



The details of the requirements of the orchardist or owner are 

 not yet settled, but the probable offer from this office will be to 

 furnish all spraying materials needed, and also apparatus if the 

 owner does not have an outfit, and send an expert to assume in- 

 telligent control of the orchard methods and direct the work and 

 assist with it. Our representative will render service in the orchard 

 without charge to the owner further than his own board and lodging 

 where he is not near a hotel, and the owner will be permitted to 

 make such use of the fruit as he may desire after our superinten- 

 dent has had opportunity to make notes and measurements of 

 yield. 



This is an opportunity to obtain intelligent guidance in modern 

 methods of orchard culture without expense to the owner or com- 

 munity, and should result very beneficially in those regions where 

 there is no expert orchardist immediately available for observation 

 and consultation. Where there is an expert in orcharding, there is 

 no need of establishing a demonstration orchard, for the reason that 

 ours would probably not differ greatly from his, and he would no 

 doubt be willing to permit persons to see his methods if they should 

 so desire. In other words, we propose a campaign of education, 

 and upon the principle that it is not necessary to teach rudiments 

 to persons who are already educated, it may not be found most profi- 

 table to establish demonstration orchards at the premises of expert 

 and successful fruit growers. 



Inspectors will be sent to investigate conditions in orchards offer- 

 ed for this work, and will make a report to us concerning the avail- 

 ability of the orchard, number and kinds of trees, etc., there grown, 

 their age and condition, and other data, that will help in arriving at 

 a decision in making a selection of the orchard for demonstration 



