RENOVATING OLD ORCHARDS 



sure a thorough cleaning up. It is usually a 

 pretty good plan to scrape old trees as high 

 up as the rough, shaggy bark extends, destroy- 

 ing the scrapings. For this purpose an old and 

 dull hoe does very well. This treatment will 

 get rid of many Insects by destroying them and 

 their winter quarters. 



Patching Old Trees. — A few suggestions 

 on patching up the weak places In an old tree 

 may not be entirely out of place. The ques- 

 tion is often asked, will it pay to fill up the 

 decayed centers or sides of old trees? If the 

 tree Is otherwise desirable to save, It usually 

 will. Scrape out all the dead and rotten mate- 

 rial, cleaning down to the sound heart wood. 

 Then fill up the cavity with a rough cement, 

 being careful to exclude all air and finishing 

 with a smooth, sloping surface so as to drain 

 away all moisture. This treatment will prob- 

 ably prevent further decay and often acts as 

 a substantial mechanical support. 



Trees which are badly split or which have 

 so grown that a heavy crop is likely to break 

 them over should be braced with wires or bolts. 

 Where the limbs are close together a bolt 

 driven right through them with wide, strong 

 washers at the ends is very effective In strength- 

 i6i 



