OPERATING COSTS OF A NEW YOEK APPLE ORCHARD. 



PRUNING. 



Pruning is done during the dormant season, i. e., in the winter and 

 early spring, when weather conditions are favorable. Many factors 

 have their influence on the cost of this operation. The most im- 

 portant of these are the variety, age, and size of the trees, their char- 

 acteristic growth; physical condition, distance apart, the style of 

 pruning adopted by the grower, and, lastly, of greatest importance is 

 the expertness of the operator. 



In the orchard considered, between 20 and 25 trees are trimmed 

 in a 10-hour day. Attention is annually given to each tree, which is 

 pruned for an open head and cut well back, so that there will be suffi- 

 cient space for sunlight and air. All dead wood and interfering 

 branches are removed. It is the practice to thin out along the main 

 branches rather than to cut out the large limbs. These large limbs, 

 when cut, are trimmed up in the orchard and hauled to the house for 

 firewood. In all cases, care is taken to prune so that the spray ma- 

 terial may be thoroughly applied and picking may be done to the best 

 advantage. The cost of pruning in this orchard in 1912 was 8 cents 

 per tree. 



SPRAYING. 



Most western New York apple growers spray at least three times. 

 Some spray as many as six times. 



The gasoline power sprayer is most commonly used among the 

 growers in this section, although hand outfits and a few steam engines 

 are now and then found in use. A complete up-to-date gasoline 

 engine, pump, tank, and truck cost from .$200 to $350, depending 

 upon the make and the horsepower of the engine. The cost of the 

 operation will vary each year, being influenced largely by the number 

 of sprayings. 



The first application of spray is usually made when the trees are 

 dormant, a second when the buds are pink, a third at the time the petals 

 fall, and a fourth the latter part of July or the first part of August. 



Numerous factors influence the cost of spraying. The variety and 

 size of the trees and their distance apart have an influence on the time 

 required for the spraying operation. 



The amount of spray material used, as well as the thoroughness 

 with which it is applied, depends upon whether the trees are dormant 

 or partly or wholly in foliage. The condition and kind of material 

 used will also affect the amount of labor needed. 



Insect pests and diseases are sometimes more prevalent in one 

 season than in another, and often some orchards are affected while 

 others are not. The size and expertness of the crew used in spraying 

 are factors to be carefully considered. The kind of spray outfit, 

 together with its accessories, affects the cost of the operation. The 



