40 MASSACHUSETTvS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Avould \)SLy to till the average one. If a sod orchard is giving 

 good yields, and if the trees are making sufficient growth to keep 

 up their vitality, it may be desirable to keep it in sod. By the 

 liberal use of barnyard manure or straw mulch, an orchard may 

 be kept in good condition without tillage. The trouble is that so 

 many do not receive enough of either. The same results may be 

 accomplished with much less manure if the orchard is tilled. If 

 the orchard is in sod and is not yielding well, or if the trees are 

 losing their vitality, even if the yield is still good, it will probably 

 pay to till." 



Pasturing methods. The following table gives strong evi- 

 dence in favor of hogs over sheep or cattle in an orchard. Cattle 

 rub trees, break branches, and are generally injurious. 



Yields in bushels for 1902, with various methods of sod treatment. 

 Trees set before 1880. 



The necessity of fertihzing orchards received unequivocal sup- 

 l^ort, for 292 orchards representing 1200 acres yielded 257 bushels 

 per acre, while 111 orchards unfertilized yielded 202 bushels per 

 acre. 



Pruning. This is often badly done. Long stubs promote 

 decay and holloAv trees. Heav}^ pruning brings about an 

 unhealthy condition of tree. We can summarize as follows : 



" 1. Large limbs should not be removed unless it is absolutely 

 necessary. 



" 2. When such limbs must be removed, the pruning should 

 be so done as to favor ra})id healing of the wounds. 



" 3. Large wounds should be protected by paint till the tree 

 can seal them." 



Spraying. On this imi)ortant i)ractice our survey presents the 

 following conclusions : 



"The average price per l)arrel of the sprayed apples was 

 $2.02; of the unsprayed, $1.80. From the sjn-ayed orchards 15 



