1 82 State Horticultural Society. 



apple lands in Southern Indiana are a heavy clay, rich in potash and a 

 goodly amount of phosphoric acid, both largely in unavailable form. 

 Nitrogen is present in very moderate quantities. 



The land is hilly, and clean culture means the washing away of the 

 soil. I don't believe the All Wise One made this, the best of all apple 

 soils, and then for best results, require the operator to do something that 

 will ruin 'the soil. True, we may plow the orchard in the spring, culti- 

 vate during the summer, and grow a cover crop for winter that will pre- 

 vent washing during the winter, but there is no protection during the sum- 

 mer. 



To make the potash and phosphorous available, it is necessary to in- 

 corporate humus with the soil. This is done more readily by keeping the 

 vegetable matter on top, or near the surface, than by turning under. With 

 a cover crop on the land, whatever it be instead of plowing under, we 

 grind it up with the surface soil by the use of the rolling harrow. We 

 use tw^o harrows, one throws in, the other out. One follows the other, 

 thus always keeping the land level. We go both ways. If we have one 

 inch of cover crop, and mix it with two inches of soil, we have a mulch 

 of four to five inches. Tliis will effectualy prevent any washing, and 

 will remain a mulch until we grow another crop. It is, in fact, a kind of 

 sponge that will drink up a two or three-inch rain before there is any 

 surplus water to run off. This harrowing can be done as often as de- 

 sired, or as the health of the land requires. 



Our orchard is fairly rich and we never harrow more than twice, 

 and never later than June 15. For a cover crop we grow crab grass and 

 think it ideal. It is cheap for seed, being already sown, makes a nice 

 carpet to work on, retains moisture, never giving up its dew until in the 

 afternoon. If the land was poor, we would grow some nitrogenous crop. 



Now a word about labor. The hired man loves to ride. This mode 

 of culture pleases him, and he keeps in a good humor. But put him 

 to plowing in the orchard and it is just the reverse. Is there any other 

 work as disagreeable? He must lift and throw his plow twice every 33 

 feet ; at the same time he must keep the horses and single-tree off the 

 trees. He is sure to bark some trees, then he will get mad and abuse the 

 horses, when they are not to blame at all. They will get mad, and in the 

 excitement, skin lots of trees. Then you must keep the children away, lest 

 they hear something not in the Sunday school lesson. The poor hired 

 man? Will St. Peter charge those ugly words up against him? I rather 

 think not, many times, but will put a goodly number in the bill of the 

 easily duped orchardist, but by far the larger part will have to be settled 

 for by the professor who taught such culture was necessary. 



That fine apples can be grown by my methods is evidenced by my 



