342 The Principles of Fruit-growing. 



formed and the tree has re-established its equilibrium, 

 fruit -bearing may be expected to begin, if other con- 

 ditions are right. 



It will next be necessary to begin hunting for 

 borers and other squatters and campers. The trees 

 will very likely need to be thoroughly sprayed to 

 dislodge the army of hangers-on which has held 

 undisputed possession of the territory for a decade 

 or two. 



If the trees are of the wrong varieties and are 

 still vigorous, it will probably pay to top -graft 

 them, as already explained (page 298), if they are 

 apples, pears, oranges, or cherries. Old and poor 

 peach, apricot, plum and quince trees had better be 

 pulled out. 



Why are orchards barren ? It may be suggestive 

 if the matter of renovating old orchards be put in 

 the form of this question and categorical answers 

 be given. It will help the grower to diagnose the 

 trouble, and it will impress him with the fact that 

 he is the man to solve his own difficulties. The 

 commonest reason why old orchards are barren is 

 because they are in sod, that is, because they are 

 untilled and unfed. There are men enough in the 

 country although they have been greatly in the 

 minority who have boldly taught that sodded or- 

 chards are wrongly managed orchards. They have 

 been combatted by citations of orchards which are 

 in sod but are still productive. They have replied 

 that in some cases, for a combination of reasons, 

 orchards may do well in continuous sod, but they 



