"They are of no use," according to the verdict usually rendered as the axe is laid at the roots of the old time-honored trees. But is this really so? Why not help them to new life, new blood and a renewal of vigor not impossible to their old age ? We can not afford to do without them after all, for often they will bear us fruit equal to, if not exceeding in merit the much talked of new varieties. But how ?

In the first place, we want to break up the tough old sod about the roots and let in some of the blessed light and air so necessary to our own well-being. Then we want to give them plenty of enriching material - for they are well-nigh bloodless from long starvation - heaps and heaps of manure. You need not be afraid of over-doing that part of the treatment, for you can not if you try. Trim out all old and decayed branches, and give them a neat and tidy appearance. It will be like a miracle when, in a season or two, the great rosy apples hang gloriously, or lie in heaps once more - a sight much talked of but not seen before by the youngsters of the family - while the rich flavor of the old-time fruit is again enjoyed by the older heads.

It is a pity that so many of our old orchards have been almost denuded of their tenants by the hasty conclusion of some over-zealous wielder of the axe, who hated the sight of the decaying trees which bore no fruit "worth picking up," yet were starving from the grossest neglect. Some rare old kinds have been completely exterminated by this means, and those of a later planting, equally poor as to fruit bearing qualities, are languishing under the same vile treatment, or rather from lack of any treatment. It is a grave mistake to allow an orchard to become an old sod pasture, destroying the trees to gain a small amount of pasturage or of hay it may afford. The ground must be frequently stirred about the roots to insure ample crops and good fruitage, while full manuring is indispensable.

It is from high culture alone that we can ever hope for large, perfect fruit and plenty of it. We must not be over hasty in condemning our old apple orchards, because of decay or non-productiveness, until we have thoroughly assisted nature in reproducing such fruit as our fathers and mothers used to eat under these self-same trees, or some like them.

It is a plea for the old orchards that I am making - a plea for the new life, new vigor, and new yield which a little care, some expense, and not a little good common sense would bring out of the patriarchs of old, left yet standing, but half condemned. - H. K., Ohio.