section of the orchard yields. The use to be made of the land and pertinent facts 

 about it are combined in developing the conservation plan. With erosion well con- 

 trolled through close growing crops, major emphasis is placed on improvements in 

 drainage. 



When the District first started, it was common to hear growers say, "I can't 

 get through parts of my orchard as it is too muddy and wet." Many of these wet 

 conditions have been corrected. As the years have gone by, we have also heard 

 many owners say, "We get a better 'set' if the trees aren't in wet soil." It 

 seems to be common for trees in wet areas to fail to set a good crop of fruit. 

 Improvements in drainage result in a more vigorous growing tree and better pro- 

 duction. The importance of drainage has also increased somewhat with the use of 

 semi-dwarf trees because they will not tolerate wet conditions. 



We have generally been able to correct wet conditions in orchards. This 

 allows the owners to continue to grow trees on these acres thus increasing total 

 income. Through the years we have had a variety of experiences with the different 

 drainage conditions on cooperators' farms. Several years ago, Sulo Sulin in 

 Fitchburg had set a new orchard adjacent to an old one. A section of both of 

 these orchard areas was wet. Soil borings showed that a hardpan was holding water 

 in the soil. Since tile drains were installed, the trees in both sections of the 

 orchard began to improve. In fact, Sulo Sulin said, "The additional crop the 

 next year more than paid the cost of the installation." 



In some instances it has been possible to tie existing wells and other water 

 supplies into the tile lines for irrigation. Tieing into existing wells tends to 

 stabilize the water in them and often can provide additional spray water. Wher- 

 ever wells have been flowing on the surface of the ground and causing wet con- 

 ditions, efforts have been made to lower the water surface and tie them into 

 existing ground lines to ponds. This was done on the J. A. Davis and Son farm in 

 Bolton. 



Irrigation is not a common practice in the orchards in the District although 

 growers say there are times when additional water could be used. Dick Gilmore of 

 Westboro does irrigate his early Macs in July by trucking water. He has a 

 hydrant system that is conveniently placed for watering this early Mac crop. 

 Additional water supplies have been developed for several cooperators. This was 

 done for Mr. Howard Gilmore who enlarged his pond to hold 10 acre feet of water 

 which was sufficient to meet his requirements. 



The importance of having a conservation plan wherein soil and land use con- 

 ditions have been carefully studied has increased in importance with the years. 

 Growers are looking at all possible ways of producing high quality fruit. They 

 also are interested in high production per acre. 



The conservation practices, especially drainage, have been exceptionally 

 beneficial to orchardists. Many owners have told us how much their conservation 

 practices have paid off. 



Gayland E. Folley 



Work Unit Conservationist 

 Soil Conservation Service 



