CHAPTER XI 



SOME HINTS ON RENOVATING OLD ORCHARDS 



NEARLY every general farm in the 

 humid part of the United States has its 

 small, old apple orchard. For the 

 most part these orchards were planted in order 

 to have a home source of supply of this 

 popular fruit. In fact, but few orchards have 

 been planted on a commercial scale with a view 

 of selling the fruit, until recently and outside 

 of a few sections. Therefore, as a rule we find 

 these old farm orchards to consist of a few 

 acres containing from twenty-five to two hun- 

 dred trees. These trees are usually good stand- 

 ard varieties which have been the source of 

 much apple " sass," many an apple pie, and 

 many a barrel of cider-vinegar. 



Not having been set for profit, these trees 

 received little care. Orchards were cropped 

 In the regular rotation, or with hay, or pas- 

 tured. Farmers then knew little of modern 

 methods of orchard management. The or- 

 chard was regarded as an Incumbrance to the 

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