366 



STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



COVER CROPS FOR MICHIGAN ORCHARDS AND VINEYARDS. 



Circular No. 18. 



DY ir. J. EUSTACU. 



Trees and vines make most of tlieir neAv wi-owth from the time tlie buds 

 open in the spring until mid-summer. Durinc; tliis time, it is desirable 

 that the plant food in the soil be most available and this is secured by 

 the quite general practice of either plowing, harrowing or discing the 

 soil early in the spring and kee])ing it well cultivated until mid summer. 

 liy ceasing cultivation at this time, the new growth will ripen and harden 



Sod mulch system — Barnyard manure spread on the sod. 



so that it may not be injured by the low temperature of the winter, as 

 it might be if cultivation were continued until fall and tlie new wood, 

 thereby, kept soft and full of moisture. 



After cultivation is withheld, weeds will start and usually will cover 

 the land, in jtart at least. But a croj) of weeds is unsightly and may 



