BULLETIN 249 



SIX YEARS OF EXPERIMENTAL APPLE SPRAYING 

 AT HIGHMOOR FARM. 



W. J". Morss. 



Highmoor Farm was purchased by the State for the use of 

 the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station in carrying out 

 investigation work, more especially in connection with orchard- 

 ing. Since it is located in one of the best apple producing sec- 

 tions of the State, conditions are favorable for this purpose. The 

 farm came under the control of the Station in July. 1909. 



The orchards at Highmoor originally consisted of about 5,000 

 apple trees set about 25 years previous to the time of purchase, 

 but no data were available giving exact records as to the dates 

 of planting. The farm had been in the hands of different own- 

 ers in the meantime, and certain of these had given the trees 

 some attention. At times they apparently received very in- 

 different care and at others none at all except to pick what 

 apples were produced and to harvest the grass which was al- 

 lowed to grow between the trees. 



In the fall of 1909 the number of trees in the orchards proper 

 was a little over 3,100, set 25 x 25 feet. Many of these through 

 winter injury and neglect were in very poor condition. Later 

 removal of those whose condition made it apparent that they 

 were past all hope of profitable renovation reduced the number 

 to some over 2,300, including scattering trees. Of these the 

 greatest number were of the Ben Davis variety. Baldwins 

 came next, followed by limited numbers of several other varie- 

 ties. 



The experimental spraying work has always been located in 

 the orchard which has been designated as the Ben Davis No. --. 

 When the farm was purchased this orchard was by far the most 

 thrifty of all. The trees were well headed, averaged about 20 



