ORCHARD MANAGEMENT. 6/ 



In regard to off years, it has been asserted that 

 this habit could in a measure be broken up by 

 proper feeding. The probable reason that trees do 

 not as a rule bear every year is that they cannot, 

 on account of exhausted vitality from the last year's 

 production. This granted it is evident that what- 

 ever will assist in maintaining this vitality will 

 assist the tree to produce fruit buds which are 

 formed in mid-summer and to develop them into 

 fruit the coming spring. The two things which will 

 do most to so aid the tree are, proper feeding, 

 and thinning out fruit before the seeds have 

 developed. 



Judgment must be used in applying stable manure 

 or it may do more harm than good. It should be 

 applied only to the surface and no attempt made to 

 plow it under. Neither should it be so thick as to 

 burn or to "fire fang," and should not be placed 

 against the trees, nor in contact with the roots. If 

 piled against the trees, roots are apt to be induced 

 to grow directly under it and in almost every 

 instance will be warty and covered with fungus 

 growth. 



Gathering fruit for market. The price will in 

 all cases be determined by the excellence of the 

 fruit, and the appearance it presents to the eye of 

 the purchaser. It is poor economy to try to send 

 out more baskets and to do so be compelled to 

 use a poorer quality. Fruit should be carefully 

 handled to prevent bruising, and then put up in 

 the neatest cases. 



