244 BULLETIN 226. 



In Macedon township, which extends from Walworth to the 

 southern boundary of the county, every orchard as large as ten acres 

 and nearly all of those as large as five acres were examined. Practically 

 all the other orchards of this town were examined sufficiently to be able 

 to make comparisons with those recorded. 



These three townships gave a representative north and south section 

 of the county. The differences in going north and south are very 

 much greater than those from east to west. 



The degree of accuracy of the reports. The results are based on all 

 the orchards of Walworth as large as one acre, or 443 orchards con- 

 taining 1,773^ acres ; and on ^31 orchards of the remainder of the county 

 containing 1,987^ acres. This is between one-fifth and one-sixth of the 

 orchards of the county. Probably at least one-third of the orchards were 

 examined more or less carefully. The careful records were made of the 

 above number. 



The location, site, aspect, area, distance between trees, present treat- 

 ment, pruning, present condition, present troubles, soil and soil condi- 

 tions were determined by the observer, aided by any suggestions that the 

 owner might give. 



The ages are a question of memory and sometimes of hearsay. The 

 appearance of the trees would usually enable the inspector to avoid 

 any large error. The past troubles except canker-worm, tent cater- 

 pillar and scab or "fungus" are not often given, as they are not 

 recognized by many growers. This does not by any means indicate 

 that no other important enemies have been present. Some have left 

 their effects so apparent that the observer could, without difficulty, 

 fill in the past troubles. The varieties, methods of former treatment, 

 spraying, fertilization, etc., are fairly accurate, except that the amount 

 of fertilization is not often known. The market and price per bushel 

 are quite accurate. The farmers are practically all glad to be able to 

 help in the work of the Experiment Station. They understand that 

 the reports are confidential, and therefore have no incentive to give 

 too high yields. The only limit to the accuracy is the memory of the 

 grower. The apple crop is, however, the chief crop and is therefore well 

 remembered. The yields are usually the result of measurement, as 

 the people remember the number of bushels, or the number of pounds, 

 or remember the income and price, from which the yield can be 

 computed. 



