19 



Cultivation destroys the weeds that would absorb plant food at the critical season 

 of the year; it conserves the moisture that dissolves the fertilizer, it prepares the 

 soil for the covercrop, the seed of which is to be sown in what is usually a dry 

 season of the year. 



We talk covercrops, fertilizer and soil moisture and I repeat, each is im- 

 portant, but the lion's share of their possible values is dependent on thorough 

 cultivation. Cultivate repeatedly during the season for cultivation and the mois- 

 ture problem will partly be solved; cultivate repeatedly to break down the cover 

 ,crop you have plowed under, and it will work for you; cultivate to incorporate 

 the humus with the soil, to make it sufficiently open to admit air freely and plant 

 food will be liberated fronf the clay and made available to the plant. Cultivate 

 to make available the fertilizer you have applied. 



.:? 





Niagara or Bradshaw at the end of the third 

 summer, showing what is possible from a one-year 

 whip very low headed. 



The cover crop should be placed second in importance. 'Just as it is import- 

 ant that the trees be given all opportunity in the spring and early summer to 

 grow, so is it important that in late summer and fall that they ripen their wood 

 and buds for the following season. Sow the cover-crop in July or August depending 

 on moisture and the quantity of fruit on the tree. Crimson Clover, 18 lbs. per 

 acre. Rye, l^/^ bushels per acre, Buckwheat, 40 lbs. per acre, Red Clover, 15 lbs. 

 per acre, Vetch, 30 lbs. per acre or oats 51 lbs. per acre, may be used. Or if 

 chickweed (so popular with many growers) is plentiful and wants to grow tnere 

 is no objection to it in the orchard. There is objection if it spreads to other 

 fields — especially strawberry plantations. 



Little attention has been paid to scientific fertilization of plums. Even the 

 best growers do not fertilize regularly. Some have tried commercial fertilizers. 



