Renovation  of  Old  Ovrhards  and  Plautationa. 
Wo 
they  are  cutting  the  trees.  Each  variety  of  tree  siiould  be 
placed  in  sej)arate  rows,  not  only  for  facility  in  picking, 
but  because  some  kinds  require  to  be  pruned  before  others, 
and  also  spraved  to  rid  them  of  insects  or  fungi.  A few 
varieties  of  choice  kinds  are  preferable  to  a medley  of  inferior 
sorts.  The  cultivation  consists  in  digging  the  land  with  a 
three-pronged  spud — a s])ade  must  never  l>e  em])loyed — and 
after  this  operation  frequent  stirrings  and  hoeings  are  giv<‘n 
throughout  the  season.  The  cost  of  planting  depends  on  tin* 
locality  and  the  nature  of  the  soil  chiefly,  but  a rough  estimate 
for  a plantation  of  apples  with  bush  fruit  below  would  be  from 
251.  to  30/.  an  acre,  and  the  annual  cultivation  and  marketing- 
after  the  plantation  is  established  from  1.5/.  to  17/.  per  acre. 
If  pyramids  are  substituted  for  standards  the  cost  would  be 
greater  b}'  from  10/.  to  20/.  Orchards  planted  direct  on  grass 
would  cost  from  14/.  to  18/.  an  acre.  An  acre  of  raspberries 
woidd  cost  from  14/.  to  15/.;  of  strawberries,  HI.  to  10/.;  of 
red  currants,  91. ; and  black  currants,  12/.  per  acre,  exclusiv<‘ 
of  manure  in  each  case.  Standard  trees  if  planted  early  may 
be  pruned  the  same  season,  but  if  the  planting  has  been  delayed 
they  are  better  left  uncut  till  the  following  autumn.  The 
pruning  of  trees  will  be  treated  of  later  on. 
Manuring. — The  staple  manure  amongst  fruit  growers  is 
dung,  as  with  other  farmers.  This  is  dug  in  at  the  rate  of 
fifteen  to  twenty-five  loads  to  the  acre.  Manure  from  stables 
and  cowhouses  from  large  towns  is  largeh'  used.  The  refuse 
from  factories,  such  as  shoddies,  fur  waste,  leather  dust, 
cartridge  ])aper,  is  also  employed,  together  with  fish. 
Peruvian  and  fish  guanos  are  favourite  manures  for  bush 
trees  and  strawberries.  Soot  is  also  in  great  recjuisition  for 
the  latter.  Lime  is  beneficial  where  its  ]>resence  is  wanting 
in  the  soil.  Before  using  artificial  manures  to  any  great 
e.xtent  it  is  advisable  to  obtain  an  analysis  of  the  soil  and  to 
manure  accordingly,  so  that  such  manures  as  superphosphate, 
potash,  nitrate  of  soda,  and  kainit  may  not  be  unconsciouslv 
wasted.  The  fruit  grower’s  manure  bill  is  a heavy  item,  often 
amounting  to  8/.  or  more  per  acre,  and  great  circumspection 
should  be  used  in  applying  stimulants,  es])ecially  in  the  case 
of  artificial  manures. 
Renovation  of  Old  Orchards  and  Planta'Tions. 
The  renovation  of  old  and  neglected  oi’chards  and  planta- 
tions is  scarcely  less  important  than  the  proper  and  pidmarv 
