38 MAINE AGRICtri^TURAI, E^XPERIMENT STATION. I912. 



to wood growth that would doubtless have delayed the produc- 

 tion of fruit for several years. It was, therefore, decided to 

 extend over a period of at least three seasons pruning that 

 might properly have been done at that time, thus gradually 

 shaping the trees to the desired form and at the same time 

 allowing greater opportunity for the formation of fruit buds by 

 avoiding undue vegetative stimulus. 



Re;novation Work 1910-11. 



It was not until the spring of 1910 that general renovation 

 work was started. This included thorough cultivation from 

 early spring until the end of July, the application at plowing 

 time of lime at the rate of 1000 lbs. per acre, followed shortly 

 thereafter by 1500 lbs. per acre of high grade complete chemical 

 fertilizer of 3.3-10-7 formula.* Applications of insecticides 

 and fungicides in the form of lead arsenate and bordeaux 

 mixture were made at the proper times. At the close of culti- 

 vation cover crops of vetch or rye were sown, except in one 

 orchard where weeds were allowed to form the winter cover. 

 Twice during this season each tree was carefully examined for 

 borers. 



Notable improvement was shown as the result of the first 

 year's work. The large Ben Davis No. i showed marked 

 response to treatment and gave promise of good fruit produc- 

 tion the next season. Ben Davis No. 2 was as a whole in good 

 condition and superior to all other blocks. Ben Davis No. 3 

 showed a scattering of thrifty trees; the remainder were 

 removed, as their size, condition and lack of response to treat- 

 ment rendered them useless for any future experimental work. 



For the same reasons it was necessary to remove the orchard 

 of mixed varieties almost in its entirety. So shallow rooted 

 were the trees in this block that practically all were pulled up 

 with their roots with one pair of horses. In many cases the 

 roots ran for 15 to 20 feet from the trunk within 8 inches of 

 the soil surface. 



The Baldwin orchard had been reserv'-ed in the spring of 

 1910 for a purely practical renovation experiment, and in the 

 fall of that year this block was squared up into definite shape 



* A fertilizer containing 3.3 percent of nitrogen, 10 percent of avail- 

 able phosphorjr acid and 7 percent of potash. 



