CULTIVATION 225 



throughout its entire length, as it is also well known that trees 

 will do wlien conditions are favorable. The result is that the 

 trees are worse off than trees accustomed to good care from the 

 start. They ' ' over-eat, ' ' over-grow and are not able to withstand 

 the cold of winter. Therefore, if you are tempted to use nitrogen 

 in a renovated orchard resist the temptation, under most condi- 

 tions. At least give the orcliard one season's treatment to see 

 how the trees respond. 



Damage from this source is usually first shown by the trees 

 having a sickly appearance as they leaf out in the spring. An 

 examination of the bark about the base of the trunk will fre- 

 quently show that it is loose and separates readily from the wood 

 over considerable areas. In severe cases ijractically the entire 

 cambium layer is killed and the bark may be pulled off in long 

 strips. When the cambium laj-er is killed all around the trunk 

 there is nothing to do but cut the tree down. But Avhere the 

 damage is less severe we may cut away the injured bark and 

 paint over the wound and the tree will probably recover. 



On the potash and phosphoric acid side, the case is quite dif- 

 ferent. There is certainly no danger of damaging the trees and 

 if the soil is poor they wall probably be beneficial. The phosphoric 

 acid may probably best be applied when the cover crop is sown, 

 since its greatest value is likely to be in that crop. All things 

 considered, acid phosphate is probably the best form in which 

 to apply it, and from 200 to 300 pounds per acre may be used. 

 The question of the use of potasli is more problematical but on 

 sandy soils an application of 100 to 200 pounds per acre may Avell 

 be tried out, and this too is probably best applied at the time 

 the cover crop is sOAvn. 



4. Cultivation. — It is assumed tliat the orcliard is not going 

 to be kept in sod. Most of these old orchards of the type under 

 consideration have long been in sod and occasionally it may be 

 possible to renovate them by sod culture, but usually not. If 

 they are to be cultivated the first problem is to get them plowed, 

 and sometimes it is a very difficult problem. A steady team is 

 needed, a very strong plow, and a man who has a good grip on 

 his temper. With these essentials and with plenty of time and 

 15 



