HORTICULTURAL DIVISION. 



S. T. Maynard and Geo. A. Drew. 



ORCHARD MANAGEMENT. 



The questions oftenest asked this division of the Hatch Experi- 

 ment Station are, " What is the best treatment for orchards as to 

 cultiv^ation, fertilization, pruning, training, cover crops," etc., etc. 

 In this bulletin an attempt will be made to answer some of the 

 above questions for the benefit of all. It is beyond question that 

 the possibilities of profitable fruit growing in Massachusetts are very 

 great for we have a population that consumes more of the comforts 

 and luxuries of life than any people in the world. 



The markets are at the very doors of the growers and there are to 

 be found all conditions of soil and exposure, though not in large 

 areas in any given tracts, that are favorable to the growth of the 

 hardy fruits of a quality not excelled by that grown in any other 

 section of the country. That most of our growers do not appreciate 

 this advantage is evident, but this may be accounted for perhaps by 

 the fact that there are more difficulties to contend with here, and 

 that more skill and more energy are needed to produce profitable 

 results than in other sections. It is my purpose in answering the 

 above questions to discuss some of these advantages and obstacles, 

 and to point out what will be the best practice to follow to produce 

 the quantity and quality of fruit that will be profitable and secure 

 the local markets for the local grower against those producing fruit 

 in more favorable sections. 



We may take it as an axiom or rule in fruit growing that " the 

 more good fruit put into a market the greater will be the consump- 

 tion and the better the prices in the end," for our people are not 

 supplied with all the fruit they need or would like, and the more poor 

 fruit put on the market the less the consumption and the lower 

 the price, for if people cannot get good apples there are other choice 

 kinds of fruits to be had, either in a fresh or a preserved condition 

 and they will purchase these in preference to poor apples. 



