STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. I7 



seeding, in July, that a light growth only of the clover has been 

 obtained. The past season, to make more certain a larger 

 humus crop, we sowed buckwheat over nearly one hundred 

 acres of orchards. Much of it reached five to five and a half 

 feet high, some of which was plowed in, in September, before 

 the seed forme<l. but as large crops of fruit had to be handled, 

 the balance was cut and left on the ground. This large growth 

 together with the mass of roots in their decomposition will add 

 much humus to the soil. 



A NEW LESSON SUGGESTED. 



We have long been an advocate of clean cultivation, allowing 

 no sod about the trees. We also advocate low headed trees for 

 the first six years of a young orchard. We are still in favor of 

 that culture. 



We are now going to adopt a different method after seven 

 years of cultivation, which will be not to plow or cultivate 

 nearer than seven feet from the trees, or such distance as will 

 avoid crowding against the trees by the teams. 



HIGHER COLOR DESIRED. 



With continued cultivation and with the leguminous crops 

 plowed in for several years, while good size in the fruit is 

 obtained, it requires a longer time in which to have the high 

 color so desirable brought out. 



It is known that on the trees that stand in sod the apples are 

 more highly colored, though they are smaller in size and yield. 



Without doubt the grass takes up moisture and checks the 

 development sooner, which brings out the color better and 

 earlier. 



If in the highly cultivated orchards the apples are left on 

 the trees until all get good color, there will be a large loss from 

 the dropping of the fruit and from storms that are liable to 

 reduce the crop. The suggestion is sometimes made that the 

 earlier maturing apples be picked, going over the trees two or 

 three times. This is impracticable on any large scale. Very 

 few men can be employed wdio will select the mature fruits. 

 They will pick as many of the uncolored as colored apples, 

 while they will knock off many more in moving and placing 



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