RENOVATING NEGLECTED ORCHARDS 393 



order in removing these trees, so as to retain the general shape 

 of the orchard. 



Where trees are planted in squares, as is commonly the case in 

 the East, every alternate tree in the row may be removed. If the 

 first tree of the first row is retained, the first tree of the second row 

 should be removed. This is done by taking out every second row 

 diagonally, which leaves the rows cornerwise of the orchard. For 

 instance, if the squares between the trees were originally 25 x 25 

 ft., they would now be 35.3 x 35.3 ft.; if originally they were 

 30 x 30 ft., they would now be 42.4 x 42.4 ft. It does not 

 follow, therefore, as is commonly supposed, that by removing half 

 the trees they will be twice as far apart as before. 



In order to make sure that the diagonal rows removed are those 

 containing the largest possible number of vacancies and inferior 

 trees, it is well to draw a diagram of the orchard, designating all 

 desirable trees by a certain sign, all weak trees and trees of unde- 

 sirable varieties by another sign, and all vacancies by another. 

 Whether one should start by removing the first diagonal row or 

 the second may readily be determined by referring to the diagram. 



An investigation by the Cornell Experiment Station shows that, 

 within certain limits, the more trees per acre the less the yield. 

 The figures are based on the records of hundreds of orchards and 

 cover a period of four years. 



Not over 30 x 30 ft 1 86 bushels per acre 



31 x 31 to 35 x 35 ft 222 bushels per acre 



36 x 36 to 40 x 40 ft 229 bushels per acre 



Pruning. The next operation will be that of pruning, provided 

 the trees are of suitable varieties and are not to be top-grafted. 



The trees that are very tall may be greatly improved by cutting 

 back the highest branches. A tree that is 30 feet or over in height 

 may often be shortened 10 or 15 feet, and one between 25 and 

 30 feet may be cut back to about 15 or 20 feet. The horizontal 

 branches, as well as the upright ones, may be cut back to advan- 

 tage, especially with trees seriously lacking in vitality, and also 

 those infested with scale. In heading back the upright branches 

 the cut is usually made just above a side branch that points out- 

 ward. This tends to make the tree more spreading. With trees 



