Time and the Tree 7 



able tree. Gradually the wise fruit-grower works 

 his entire farm over into only the best varieties, 

 the most profitable kinds for his farm. A fruit- 

 farm cannot be made in a day, though it may be 

 seriously injured in less time. Every experienced 

 orchardist or vineyardist sooner or later has had 

 to face the problem of remaking his fruit-farm. 

 The vineyards planted a generation ago are poor 

 in variety; the rows are too close to permit use of 

 modem tools and, notably, entrance of the sprayer. 

 The expense of working this old-fashioned part 

 of the plantation is out of all proportion to the 

 returns from it. What shall he do? If he does 

 the right thing he will make a clean sweep of the old 

 vines and set the vineyard entirely new. Within 

 five years he will have received profits more than 

 sufficient to compensate him for temporary loss, 

 and his new vineyard will serve him his lifetime. 

 The old vineyard could become only worse as the 

 years pass. Clearly the ledger account shows what 

 should be done in such a case. Likewise with an 

 orchard. Old, dying, neglected trees of poor 

 variety cimiber the ground. Cut them down; 

 root out the stimips; plow deep; set new stock. 

 Even though you may not gather fruit from your 

 new orchard, it is a new orchard; it improves the 

 value of your farm. As an asset, you have the 

 new orchard even if it may not bear for several 

 years. The purchaser prefers to buy a new or- 

 chard to an old and unprofitable one. And doubt- 

 less you will be the owner when the trees begin to 



