144 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



win and Greening followed by Roxbury Russet, King, Northern Spy, and Twenty 

 Ounce. From 20 to 25 per cent of the orchards are rented. The average yield of 

 rented orchards for 4 years was 174 bu. per acre and from orchards managed by the 

 owner 210 bu. More attention is paid to orchard culture than formerly, 14 per cent 

 having been distinctly renovated during the past 10 years. 



Relative to tillage and yield, 44 per cent of the orchards have been in sod at least 

 5 years, 20 per cent have been tilled 5 years or more, and 36 per cent have been 

 tilled part of the time. In 1903, 30 per cent of the orchards were tilled. The aver- 

 age yields for 4 years in the orchards thus differently managed were as follows: 

 Tilled for preceding 5 years or more, 266 bu. per acre; tilled most years, 229 bu. ; in 

 sod most years, 202 bu. ; in sod at least 5 years, 148 bu. It is thus seen that the tilled 

 orchards have given an average yield 80 per cent higher than orchards regularly 

 in sod. 



Not all this difference, however, is due to tillage, since the men who till the 

 « .rchards usually also give better attention to manuring, spraying, and pruning. Tak- 

 ing these factors into account it was found that the increase in yield, due to tillage 

 alone, was about 35 per cent. A large number of the orchards in sod were pastured 

 with various kinds of stock. Orchards pastured with hogs or sheep gave better 

 results than those pastured with cattle or horses. A few orchards in sod were found 

 which were among the best producers. 



About one-third of the orchards examined received no fertilizers whatever. The 

 other two-thirds received more or less manure. Commercial fertilizers were used in 

 only about 12 per cent of the orchards. The average yield for 2 years in fertilized 

 orchards was 257 bu. per acre and in unfertilized 202 bu. 



Buckwheat is the cover crop most commonly grown. Bad pruning was frequently 

 ol (served. In 16 percent of the orchards stubs from 2 to 12 in. long were found. 

 Thirty-three per cent of the orchards was seldom or never sprayed. Forty-one per 

 cent was sprayed in 1903. The sprayed orchards in 1903 averaged 27 bu. more per 

 acre than the unsprayed orchards. Damage from insects and fungus diseases was 

 small during the year, and in some instances only one spraying was given. 



In 43 per cent of the mature orchards the trees were 30 by 30 or less ft. apart. 

 The average yield for 4 years where the trees were 30 by 30 ft. apart was 186 bu. 

 When 31 by 31 ft, to 35 by 35 ft. apart the average yield was 222 bu., and when 36 

 by •">♦> ft. to 40 by 40 ft, apart the average yield was 229 bu. per acre. Trees were 

 found to reach their maximum yield in Wayne County 44 years after planting. 



Eight per cent of the orchards examined needed drainage throughout, 30 per cent 

 needed drainage in part, Fifty-four orchards in Walworth Township which needed 

 drainage yielded 42 bu. per acre less fruit than the average of the township. Good 

 crops of apples were found on many different types of soils, but loam soils are con- 

 sidered best. The kind of treatment the orchard receives is believed to be of far 

 more importance than the kind of soil. Elevation above the surrounding country 

 did not appear to have any marked effect on the yield. Easterly slopes gave con- 

 siderably better yields than westerly slopes, which it is thought may be due to the 

 strong west winds. Scab fungus and the codling moth are the most serious enemies. 



About 75 per cent of the apple crop in Wayne County is used for evaporating. In 

 this work some growers pick off the best apples to barrel, but generally all the apples 

 are shaken from the tree. The average yields per acre for mature orchards in 1900 

 was 252 bu.; 1901, 34 bu.; and 1902, 222 bu. The gross average incomes for these 

 same orchards were $37.80 in 1900, $14.28 in 1901, and $48.18 in 1902. Mr. Christian 

 Bues gives a detailed account of the cost of renovating an apple orchard in Western 

 New York during the years 1896-1904, with an account of the returns received. It 

 was about 5 years after the work of renovation commenced before the orchard began 

 to produce paying crops. 



