42 BIGGIE ORCHARD BOOK 



is to make a detailed plan of the orchard as advised in 

 Chapter I. The map should show the proper name, 

 place and age of each tree. The next best way is to 

 label the trees. Whatever you do, don't trust to 

 memory. 



A good tree label : Procure a thin piece of sheet 

 zinc, six inches wide, from which cut strips crosswise 

 three-quarters of an inch wide at one end, and taper- 

 ing to one-eighth inch at the other end. Odd pieces 

 of old zinc, stove boards, etc., may thus be utilized. 

 After being cut, the pieces should be put in vinegar to 

 allow them to corrode, after which an ordinary lead 

 pencil will complete the business. Either or both 

 sides can be written upon. And the writing will last 

 , for years, too, so that ' ' he who 



\BM.DWIN-MAH. 1906 1 , ,, , , , f 



- 1 runs may read ; as hundreds ot 

 labels in this vicinity can testify. The diagram ex- 

 plains the idea. Simply wrap the small end of label 

 loosely around a limb of the tree rather than around 

 the trunk. As the limb grows, loosen the label some- 

 what, or change it to a smaller limb. On the reverse 

 side of the label it might be well to write the name 

 of the agent or nurseryman who furnished the tree ; 

 then, later, if the variety proves untrue to name, you 

 will know whom to blame. 



LOOK OuT FOR CUMBING CUT-WORMS. Thou- 

 sands of newly-set fruit trees die every spring 

 ' ' unaccountably. ' ' Usually, too, the nurseryman who 

 furnished the stock is blamed; when, in reality, the 

 trouble is often a climbing cut-worm that comes, like 

 a thief in the night, to feast on the swelling, luscious 

 buds. And, when daylight appears, he crawls down 



