Filler Trees 



Formerly filler trees in apple orchards viere planted in the ron and between 

 the rows of permanent trees. For example, the trees on many farms vrere planted 

 on a 20' by 20' basis with a plan to remove every other diagonal row v;hen the 

 trees began to crowd. The so called "semi-permanent" apple trees which vrere 

 left were removed later when the trees again began to crowd. It is now recom- 

 mended that the filler trees should be planted in the center of the square or 

 rectangle or between the permanent trees in the row but not both . In this system 

 there is but one filler tree to each permanent tree as compared to the old system 

 in which 3 A of the trees trers fillers, 



VJ"ith the prospects of a snow-ball bloom in many orchards next spring this 

 should be the year for fi:roirrers to get up their courage and do something about the 

 filler trees that have begun to crovvd the permanent trees or to interfere with 

 orchard operations. If croTirding isn't too severe , the filler trees may be "fan- 

 pruned" which merely means that they are pruned heavily on the sides adjacent to 

 the permanent trees. On the other hand, the grovrer might do one of the following^ 

 remove all filler trees in the crowded block or remove the most objectionable 

 filler trees from the standpoint of crowding and fan-prune the rest in anticipation 

 of removing the remajjiing filler trees in the near future, 



Y'l. J. Lord 



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MODERNIZING YOUR BLUEBERRY PLANT ING 



The question has been asked, "Shall I pull out the older blueberry varieties 

 and plant new ones?" This question of variety is as old as fruit grotidng. It 

 has had to be faced by practically every fruit grovrer, no matter v;hat kind of 

 fruit he grows. Few blueberry growers in Massachusetts have had to face it yet. 

 The asking of the question indicates an awareness that the problem must be faced 

 sooner or later. What then should be considered in making such an important 

 decision? 



First, the grower is a business man vAo must make a profit to survive like 

 every other business man. 



Second, the means at hand must be such that a profit is possible for the con- 

 ditions under which the grower is operating. 



Third, if no profit is obtained, a change is necessary. If no profit is 

 possible, a basic change is mandatory, 



NoYJ- let's examine the blueberry replant problem. V'/e'll assume that grovrer 

 Smith has a field of an older variety — say Rubel, Should he pull out the Rubel 

 and plant one of the nevfer varieties? First, let's ask that basic question. Is 

 the field yielding a satisfactory return? If it is. v:hy disturb it? If it isn't 

 why not? Can anything be done to make it profitable vdthout going to all the 

 expense in tine and money of replantin-^ it? V/ill a change in soil management, 

 pruning, fertilization, spray^jrig or any other practice result in a sufficient 

 increase in return to make the field profitable? II not; then replanting or elimin- 

 ation must be considered. 



