APPLE GROWING 



been in sod for a number of years, as is often 

 the case, It is usually best to plow it In the fall 

 about four Inches deep, just deep enough to 

 turn under the sod. By so doing a large num- 

 ber of roots will probably be broken, but such 

 injury will be much more than offset by the stim- 

 ulus to the trees the next season. It is a good 

 plan to apply the stable manure on the top of 

 this plowed ground early In the winter. Fall 

 plowing gives a better opportunity for rotting 

 the sod and exposes to the winter action of the 

 elements the soil, which Is usually stale and In- 

 active after lying so long unturned. In the 

 spring the regular treatment wkh springtooth 

 and spiketooth harrows should be followed as 

 outlined in Chapter V. 



(4) Spraying in the old orchard Is essen- 

 tially the same as elsewhere. It Is necessary, 

 however, to emphasize the first spray, the dor- 

 mant one, winter strength on the wood. This 

 is the most important spray for a neglected 

 orchard and It should be very thoroughly ap- 

 plied. It is a sort of cleaning-up spray for 

 scale, fungus, and insects which winter on the 

 bark. In orchards where the San Jose scale 

 Is bad a strong lime-sulphur spray should also 

 be used In the late fall In order to make doubly 

 160 



