304 
order to fill these spaces it would be nec- 
essary to set new trees, but new trees 
do not grow as well in these spaces as 
they would in ground that had not form- 
erly been occupied by trees. Consider- 
able difference of opinion exists as to 
why this is true. Among the reasons 
assigned are that the old trees have ab- 
sorbed a large proportion of the soil fer- 
tility, and that insect pests or diseases 
will attack the new tree in large num- 
bers and with considerable vigor. These 
pests or diseases may be on the old roots 
where the new tree is planted. 
Fourth: The fruit grown in these old 
orchards can not be marketed success- 
fully in competition with fruit grown un- 
der other conditions. 
Fifth: The life of a rejuvenated or- 
chard, counting from the time of rejuve- 
nation, is not long. In the nature of 
things it could not live to bear profitably 
for very many years, while the young or- 
chard when it comes into bearing would 
naturally have a long life. 
Sixth: These old orchards are gener- 
ally not the best selections of fruit. The 
experiences of the past generation have 
taught us very many things, in regard 
to the best market varieties, which could 
not have been known when the old or- 
chards were planted. Therefore the new 
orchards are much more profitable than 
the old. 
I think, ordinarily, it would pay to 
plant a new orchard, perhaps letting the 
old one stand until the new one comes 
into bearing, and certainly not planting 
the new on the land of the old one. 
However, there may be circumstances 
where it would pay, and where it is for 
other reasons desirable. The views of sev- 
eral experienced and observant men are 
therefore given. 
GRANVILLE LOWTHER 
An Indiana View 
Nearly every farmer in Indiana has 
been or is now interested to some degree 
in fruit growing. Many have been inter- 
ested enough to set out a home orchard 
and then on account of the demands of 
the other farm work have neglected the 
orchard and have allowed it to degener- 
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 
ate until it presents an appearance which 
the fruit tree lover is pained to see. 
Many an orchard, set by the passing gen 
eration, during its earlier years a source 
of pleasure and profit, is now apparently 
in the “downhill of life’ and to all ap- 
pearances good for little. A large propor- 
tion of these orchards might, by proper 
methods, be so rejuvenated and have their 
youth so renewed that they would again 
bear good crops of sound fruit. Where 
this can be done, it is surely much better 
than to set a young orchard and wait sev- 
eral years for it to begin to bear. 
At the present time a revival of inter- 
est is taking place in the question of home 
fruit growing, and many who own ne- 
glected orchards are seeking information 
as to the right thing to be done to restore 
them to usefulness and how to set about 
doing it. J. Troop 
C. G. Woopsury, 
Lalfayette, Ind 
An Qhio View 
Nearly every Ohio homestead has a 
greater or lesser number of old apple trees 
—usually of desirable varieties. As a 
rule they have attained such extreme size 
and height that it is with great difficulty 
that the all-important work of spraying 
can be accomplished. If these trees were 
originally headed quite low and yet retain 
their lower branches in fairly vigorous 
condition, the topmost branches may be 
cut back severely, lowering the height of 
the trees materially and rendering the 
work of spraying, gathering fruit, etc., 
much more readily done. The type of 
trees which cannot be successfully headed 
down are those which have long, naked 
branches extending to a considerable 
height before diverging into smaller 
branches. In heading back an old tree it 
is well to make the cuts just above diverg- 
ing branches, if possible, as the wounds 
thus made will heal much more easily 
than if made midway between diverging 
branches. All wounds should be well 
painted with a thick lead and oil paint. 
Heading back large trees will result in 
a vigorous growth of young shoots spring- 
ing up from the upper branches, and in 
the entire tree taking on new life. The 
