282 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



half per cent., according to our analyses. I should think it quite a safe 

 practice to use clovers. 



The President: Have you tried oats? 



Professor Craig: No, we have not tried oats. 



The President: The Professor failed to tell us when he plows his 

 clover. 



Professor Craig: Plow it under in the spring. Our plowing usually 

 takes place before the 15th of May; we are somewhat later than you are 

 here. 



Mr. Weed: Will any of these clovers grow in ground that is shaded 

 l)y the foliage of the tree? 



Professor Craig: This ground is not shaded. The trees are ten years 

 old and thirty feet apart, so that you can get an idea of the amount of 

 shade we had. 



Mr. Post: In our section of the country we find it necessary to con- 

 tinue cultivating, especially if the season is dry, and in an orchard of 

 late varieties of peach we consider it necessarj' to cultivate later than the 

 middle of July. How are you going to overcome this? If you seed 

 •down 3'ou will have to discontinue cultivation. I am talking about peach 

 orchards. 



Mr. Sherwood: I would like to ask if this question would apply to 

 seeding of peas sown in the spring; if you would get the same results, 

 that is, as much of the chemicals, in the soil? Of course, it would not act 

 as a cover crop. 



Professor Craig: Quite as much, probably more, because the season 

 would be longer, and these organisms work just as long as the season 

 allows them. At the same time, a crop sown in the spring would take 

 more moisture from the soil than you would want, and in sowing late I 

 would sow the variety that would make as rapid a growth as possible, 

 and in that way I would favor sowing peas. I have had no experience 

 with oats at all, but field peas, or perhaps soja beans, something that 

 would grow rapidly, would serve the same purpose, and have the same 

 function. I can see the force of Mr. Post's remarks, in localities that are 

 likeh" to suffer from lack of moisture. 



Professor Taft: I would sav that we have been trving a combination 

 that so far pleases me very well. We have for several years been grow- 

 ing Crimson clover, and I think it will, in ordinary years, stand very 

 well. Still, we have in some years lost the entire growth during the 

 winter, or perhaps I might say a great harm is done in March or April, 

 as a rule; and particularly where there is a slight ridge or knoll, any 

 inequality, we generally lose from the rounded surface of the land at 

 that point; and in a measure to do away with this trouble I have several 

 areas sown this way, with Crimson clover and oats, as well as the clover 

 alone, and from present appearances I look for good results, from the fact 

 that where we have a slight snow fall, as we have had an inch or two 

 once or twice this fall; at Lansing. I find that in the oats the snow is held 

 ■evenly over tlje surface and the little ridges are well covered, whereas 

 on the bare ground, or where there is only the Crimson clover, it has 

 Tjlown off a good deal more; and more than that, leaves fallen from the 

 trees are held upon the surface. The oats were sown at different 



