268 



A YEAR IN AGRICULTURE 



RENOVATION OF OLD ORCHARDS 



Pruning old trees. It is interesting and proper to buy 

 and set out young fruit trees and to care for them properly, 

 but it is well to look to the old apple trees and peach trees 

 on the farm. These old trees perhaps have done good service 

 to our fathers and mothers, and are now being shamefully 



FIG. 35. A WELL TRIMMED APPLE TREE 



neglected, though they still try to renew their life with 

 each coming season. Let us turn to these old trees with the 

 same skill and labor which we are willing to bestow upon 

 young trees, and they will repay us by abundant yields before 

 our young trees have blossomed. 



The first step in the rejuvenation of an old orchard is to 

 cut down the tops of the old trees from one-third to one- 

 half. The guiding principle in this rather severe operation 



