The Cultivation of Orchards. 299 



it often starts the trees too early in the spring. I know per- 

 sons who plow vineyards late in the fall for the express purpose 

 of starting an early growth and of securing an early crop ; but 

 this is safe only in those favored localities where late spring 

 frosts are practically unknown. Fall plowing may be advisable 

 as a preparation for many farm crops, but it is not generally 

 best for orchards. Cultivation should also generally stop late in 

 summer or early in fall, as explained further on (page 305). 



If the above propositions are true, it follows that the best results 

 are obtained only when this treatment is applied from the start. 

 It is in the first two or three years of the life of the orchard that 

 the roots are strongly defected downwards under the influence of 

 cultivation. Orchards should never be put into sowed crops or 

 into grass for the first five years of their life, and grain crops 

 should always be withheld. Everywhere one may see young or- 

 chards in wheat-fields or oat-fields, and the short growth, knotty 

 bodies and yellow leaves tell the story of shallow roots, dry soil, 

 borers, and all the ills which every farmer who follows such meth- 

 ods deserves to have fastened to his trees. A useful lesson upon 

 the value of cultivation in conserving moisture is given upon a 

 following page (306), under the discussion of green manures. 

 I am convinced that many of the apple orchards of New York 

 state were ruined in their youth by just such methods, and that no 

 amount of subsequent cultivation can send the roots down where 

 they belong. The best treatment for many orchards in the state is 

 extermination. If there is any profit in them, it is for fire- wood. 



Cultivate the orchard from the first and begin the cultivation 

 early. "But I don't have time; there is too much farm work to 

 be done, ' ' I hear everywhere. Then do not plant the orchard ! 

 It is strange that farmers feel that if anything is to be neglected it 

 must be the orchard. Perhaps it would be well to put the most 

 attention upon the most profitable part of the farm, and as likely 

 as not this part will turn out to be the orchard. This dialogue 

 occurred in Niagara county this year : 



" You should cultivate your peach orchard better and get into 

 it earlier." 



' ' Yes, I know ; but farm work was too pressing, and I couldn't, ' ' 

 replied the owner. 



