AN APPLE ORCHARD SURVEY OF WAYNE COUNTY, NEW YORK. 357 



gave better yields than not pasturing or pasturing with cattle or horses ; 

 but none of the methods of sod treatment equalled tillage in average 

 yields. A few sod orchards are among the best producers, but the 

 average is much below that of the tilled ones. Liberal applications of 

 barnyard manure reduce the need of tillage. 



Very many orchards are in need of more growth in order to place the 

 trees in a vigorous condition. Tillage is usually the cheapest and most 

 effective way of producing this. Barnyard manure may also be needed. 



Fertilization and yields. One-third of the orchards received no fer- 

 tilization of any kind. The other two-thirds received more or less manure. 

 Probably less than half received enough of anything so as to be classed as 

 fertilized. Commercial fertilizers have been used in about twelve per 

 cent and green manure (cover-crops) in about the same area. 



The average yield for 1902 and 1903 of fertilized orchards was 257 

 bushels; for unfertilized it was 202 bushels. 



A few men have shipped in manure from Buffalo. Some have found 

 that they can profitably buy cattle for winter-feeding, and thus secure 

 manure. . 



Cover-crops. On most of the soils, humus is needed more than mere 

 plant-food. Barnyard manure or cover-crops usually give better results 

 than commercial fertilizers. 



Cover-crops were grown in eight per cent of the orchards in 1903. 

 Buckwheat is the most commonly used. Crimson clover, red clover, rye, 

 large clover, alfalfa, peas and oats, and vetch are also grown. 



Pruning. The ultimate death of most trees is due to neglect of pruning 

 coupled with a type of pruning that is worse than neglect. In sixteen 

 per cent of the orchards, stubs from two to twelve inches long were left. 

 Paint is rarely used on wounds. This treatment causes the trunks to 

 decay and results in a broken tree. 



The important points in pruning are: (i) The limbs should be cut 

 close to the trunk. (2) Large limbs should not be removed without 

 cause. (3) Paint should be used on large wounds. (4) Pruning should 

 be done every year rather than give the occasional "thorough trimming." 



Spraying. Thirty-three per cent of the orchards are seldom or never 

 sprayed; 41 per cent were sprayed in 1903. 



Spraying gives less profit when fruit is grown for evaporating than 

 when grown to barrel. In 1903 the damages from insects and fungi were 

 small, but in this year the sprayed orchards averaged 27 bushels per acre 



