IIO THE AMERICAN APPLE ORCHARD 



shell from old apple trees this preliminary work is in- 

 dispensable. Old shaggy bark must be scraped off. 

 For this purpose a tool may be made of an old hoe. 

 The handle should be shortened to 16 inches and the 

 blade sharpened. A better tool, which can be bought 

 ready made or made by any handy blacksmith, has a 

 triangular blade, about 3^ inches on each edge, with 

 a 14-inch handle in the center. After scraping the 

 trees should be well pruned. This subject is discussed 

 in detail under the renovation of old orchards, which 

 see. 



