450 Report oF THE HortTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT OF THE 
been given the care usually given to other cultivated plants. The 
orchard, too often, is cared for as a whole; consideration is given 
to tree and tree alike, rather than to the individual in accordance 
with particular needs. To keep trees from wearing out requires 
that they be cared for assiduously in many particulars and as in- 
dividuals rather than in mass. ‘Trees respond to good care just 
as corn, potatoes, strawberries or any of the highly tilled crops do. 
Depletion of soil fertility The food account in many orchards 
has been overdrawn. Proofs are: Plant a young tree in the place 
of an old one and it dies or suffers from starvation; well-fed 
orchards are more fruitful, the trees are larger, more vigorous, the 
fruit of better quality, and the trees are longer-lived; feed a worn- 
out orchard and the trees revive and approximate their former vigor. 
Soil exhaustion is the most potent cause of orchard deterioration. 
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II. RENEWING WORN-OUT ORCHARDS. 
Reduce the number of trees if they stand too thickly.— There 1s 
always a tendency to plant too many trees to the acre, with the 
result that the orchard deteriorates from overcrowding. Usually 
the first step in renovating a worn-out orchard is to cut down a 
part of the trees. Before branches begin to touch, trees should 
be thinned. 
Prune thoroughly.— But few worn-out orchards have been well 
pruned, a condition manifested by unsymmetrical heads, decay- 
ing branches, too many branches and a great growth of water 
sprouts. Such orchards should be pruned to correct the defects 
mentioned; to let in light and air; to facilitate orchard opera- 
tions; and, with an additonal cutting back of some good wood, 
to increase the vigor of the tree. Prune in late winter; make 
the wound as near the tree trunk as possible and parallel with 
it; cover large wounds with lead paint; have an ideal in mind 
as to the shape of the tree desired and prune strong growing 
varieties lightly and weak growing ones severely. 
Drain wet lands.— Many orchards are on soils too wet to grow 
good trees. Such soils should be drained and all wet, sour spots 
so commonly found in old orchards should receive attention. 
Enrich the soil— Nearly all worn-out orchards imperatively 
demand more food. Stable manure or cover crops and potash 
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