54 FIELD NOTES OK APPLE CULTURE. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



LONGEVITY OF APPLE TREES. 



** Why are apple trees shorter lived than they were 

 when I was a boy ?" asked an old N'ew England farmer. 

 **I know of orchards which were set before I was born, 

 and which are still in good condition, but my trees, set 

 forty years ago, begin to show signs of giving out." The 

 causes of this difference in the longevity of fruit trees 

 are obviously three : the nature of the varieties planted, 

 the kind of culture given, and the increased severity of 

 the winters. 1. Nearly all the old orchards are com- 

 posed of seedling trees. Seedlings are hardier than most 

 of the improved varieties. Westward, and esj)ecially on 

 the prairies, any particular variety is commonly shorter 

 lived than it is in New England. It is probable that the 

 varieties which have originated and have been long grown 

 eastward are not adapted to the West. 2. High cultiva- 

 tion, with consequent heavy crops, is a forcing process, 

 and no doubt tends to lessen the longevity of trees. 

 Trees which bear light crops of small apples approach 

 the wild state, and are not worn out so soon as highly 

 cultivated trees. High cultivation, judiciously applied, 

 is not to be discouraged, however, for a short life, with 

 an abundance of good fruit, is preferable to a long life 

 with less and inferior fruit. 3. As the country becomes 

 denuded of forests, the winter climate becomes more 

 rigorous. As a consequence, many varieties which were 

 formerly regarded as hardy are now destroyed. The 



