228 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



and the lack of clean and thorough cultivation previous to planting the 

 trees makes it much more difficult and expensive after the trees are 

 planted. Not only should the preparation of soil be clean and thorough, 

 but it should be deep. The soil should be loosened up as deeply as pos- 

 sible with the plow. On some soils it is highly desirable to use the suIj- 

 soil plow, running it to a depth of from 16 to 20 inches. Soils which 

 are naturally loose and subject to leaching w^ould be possible exceptions, 

 and should be treated in a way to avoid leaching. 



While it is not desirable to select for an orchard, soils which need 

 artificial drainage, yet if such is chosen, it should be underdrained with 

 tile. Since trees are intended to occupy the land for a longer period 

 of time than ordinary crops, the grower can afford to give the soil better 

 [)reparation than for ordinary annual crops. 



In most cases it will be a decided advantage to devote the land to hoed 

 crops, such as potatoes, corn or beans for one or two years, before plant- 

 ing the orchard, so that all weeds can be subdued and the soil worked 

 into a good condition. At the same time, any poor portions of the field 

 can be easily located and improved. If the soil is badly depleted, it 

 would be advisable to seed it to clover and turn under the sod before 

 planting. If the trees are to be planted in the spring, it is better to plow 

 the soil in the fall, unless the slope is such as to wash badly. The alter- 

 nate freezing and thawing during the winter will assist greatly in pul- 

 verizing and mellowing the soil. 



FALL OR SPRING PLANTING. 



The advisability of fall or spring planting depends upon several con- 

 ditions. Fall planting has the advantage over spring planting in that 

 the trees become firmly established in the soil before winter sets in, and 

 are able to start growth in the spring before the ground can be marked 

 and put into condition for planting. This is important because the trees 

 get a good growth in the early part of the season, before the summer 

 drouths occur. On the other hand, there is more or less danger from 

 winter injury during a severe winter or from the drying out of the trees 

 if the winter is long and dry. Fall planting is much more successful 

 Avith the hardy apples and pears than it is with the tender plums, 

 cherries and peaches. In Michigan, it is seldom safe to plant peaches 

 sweet cherries, or apricots in the fall. 



The convenience of the season will determine in a majority of cases 

 whether or not the planting shall be done in the fall or spring. Very 

 often the rush of spring work induces the grower to hurry his planting, 

 or to do it carelessly, and as a result a poor stand is secured, with 

 crooked rows. Others have large crops to harvest in the fall, and would 

 find it more convenient to do the planting in the spring. If there is any 

 doubt as to the host time to j)lant, lot it bo done in the spring, and as 

 early as the ground can be gotten into proiMjr condition. 



