358 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



mended a continued succession of clover, stimulated by plaster and barn-yard 

 manure for peach orchards, on sandy soil. On clay land simply clover was all 

 that was necessary for apples. For grapes it was a very poor soil that needed 

 fertilizing. The old plan of making deep rich borders affected badly the flavor 

 of the grape, Avith those who regard fine quality. The purest fertilizers were 

 the best. Clover well followed up was the best for fruit, and the most economi- 

 cal. He would sow in March, and plaster in June ; especially sow plaster on 

 clay in dry weather, as it needed more moisture when not cultivated than sand 

 would. Sow no other crop with clover, nor raise any other in the orchard. 

 Would ploAV under as soon as the clover got its full growth the next season- 

 Then the next spring sow clover again and plaster. 



Mr. H. E, Bidwell inquired if it would not injure the crop of an old peach 

 orchard to leave it in clover a year or two. 



Answer. — Not if followed up, as the trees would gain much vigor from the fer- 

 tilizing and cultivating at intervals. The worms should be looked after, and. 

 a small space hoed about the base of the trees for this purpose. 



Mr. E. M. Cook asked if it would not be uncertain about the clover catching, 

 if sowed alone ? 



Answer. — Not if well plastered. 



Mr. Cook said he had been studying on this matter, and questioned whether 

 an orchard would grow as well when kept in clover a part of the time, as when 

 constantly cultivated. He had experienced much benefit to grapes by applying 

 bones to the vines. For apple trees he would collect all kinds of litter. Chip 

 manure was good, but there was one objection to it, — it harbored insects. 



If clover would catch readily when sown alone, and would not injure the 

 trees or crop of fruit, it would certainly be the thing. He would by all means 

 harrow in clover, as he had no success when it was sown on snow. 



Mr. Bidwell said he should think that buckwheat would be better than clover, 

 as you would get three crops while you could get one of clover. 



There is a great deal of our soil which does not need manuring for fruit. 

 Sow buckwheat about the time you plant corn, and turn under just before it 

 goes to seed. He hopes some will experiment with it, as we have much to learn 



Question. — Has it any fertilizing matter ? 



Mr. Bidwell said it had considerable nitrogen. 



Mr. Loveday said it just occurred to him that fall rye would be an excellent 

 fertilizer, as it would be fit to plow under the next season earlier than clover 

 Sow it when cultivating the orchard the last time. 



Mr. D. Howard advocated fertilizing with clover. He had seen a farm which 

 had been run down by successive cropping for thirty years, made rich again by 

 one good crop of clover turned under. He had had much experience with 

 clover. If barn-yard manure was given to him he would not haul it for it, 

 because, admitting its good effects, he could put the same qualities in the soil 

 by clover, with one-tenth the expense it would take to haul and spread the 

 manure. He would sow about the middle of May, clean clover seed alone, 

 plaster freely in June, and plow under the next June, when the clover would 

 be knee high. 



Mr. A. S. Dyckman asked would clover do well sowed alone in August ? 



Mr. Howard said there was no better time, about the 25th of August. It 

 would be heavy enough to plow under by the 15th of June next. Clover 

 always did best when sown alone. One crop at a time was always the best. 



Mr. Voorhees asked if it would not winter kill ? 



