-8- 



Pruning . 



In a majority of neglected orchards the trees are 

 too closely planted. The early growers failed to see the 

 importance of plenty of room in which the trees could 

 grow and develop, end as a result we of to-day see the 

 effect of their failure to recognize this very important 

 principle. When the greater pert of the orchards in New 

 York State were planted, about 40 years ago, there was a 

 universal tendency to plant too closely. On 43 per cent 

 of the aree planted before 1880, the trees are 30 x 30 feet 

 or less; 82 per cent are 35 x 35 feet or less. Only 18 

 per cent are over 35 x 35 feet. The larger growing vari- 

 eties like Baldwin, Rhode Island, and Northern ^y will 

 eventually require 40 feet between trees. V/ith the small- 

 er growing varieties, like Transparent, Oldenburg, Wealthy 

 and Mcintosh, 30 feet may be sufficient. If then the 

 trees in these old orchards are too closely planted, the 

 first and perhaps the most important factor in renovation 

 is to remove the excess of trees. 



The first step then is to determine if the trees are 

 properly spaced. If they ere too closely planted, the ef- 

 fect shows up in the healthfulness and productiveness of 

 the tree. According to data taken from Cornell bulletin 

 226, the greater the number of trees per tore, the less 

 the yield. 



