482 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



CON-EB CROPS. 



The importance of cover crops in the orchard can hardly be over-estimated, 

 especially in the peach orchards that are situated on light, sandy soils, and 

 particularly upon elevations where the snow is likely to blow off during the 

 winter months. The cover crops not only catch and hold the snow and foliage, 

 but absorb moisture and soluble plant food, which might otherwise be washed 

 away. The growing plants help to ripen up the new growth and buds, which is 

 especially desirable in young, thrifty growing orchards. When turned under in 

 the spring, they add appreciably to the supply of humus. 



Special Bulletin Number 27 gives the observations up to the time winter set 

 in, upon ten different plots of one-fourth acre each, that were planted in August, 

 1903, upon the Station grounds and on the premises of Mr. Frank Warner of 

 Geneva township, who kindly consented to co-operate w'ith us in testing different 

 cover crops in his peach orchard. Mr. Warner chose a high, rolling, sandy por- 

 tion of hisgorchard for the test. 



The crops used were: Plot 1, barley one-half bushel; plot 2. barley one-fourth 

 bushel and field peas, eight quarts; plot 3, barley one-fourth bushel, crimson 

 clover two quarts; plot 4, oats one-half bushel; plot 5, oats one-fourth bushel, 

 crimson clover, two quarts; plot 6, cow peas broadcast ten quarts; plot 7, cow 

 peas drilled five quarts: plot 8, sand vetch eight quarts; plot 9, mammoth clover 

 two quarts; plot 10, crimson clover two quarts. 



Up to the time the snow came, Mr. Warner reported results practically the 

 same as those on the Station grounds, that is, plots 1. 2, 3, 4 and 5, made an 

 excellent growth and a fine covering for the ground. Plots 6 and 7 (cow peas) 

 made a better growth at Mr. Warner's than at the Station, but the first frost 

 cut them to the ground and he considered this crop practically worthless for the 

 purpose. 



In the 1903 report, it was said that there would be a good crop of clover to- 

 turn under the next spring; this, however, proved to be a mistake, except with 

 the plot of mammoth clover, which came through the winter in fine shape, and 

 gave a thick, heavy stand for plowing under. There was scarcely a live plant 

 of crimson clover either at the station or at Mr. Warner's. At the latter place, 

 the plots of sand vetch and mammoth clover were the only green crops to turn 

 under. The barley, oats and field peas made a vigorous growth and held the 

 leaves from blowing away. They formed a fairly good mulch and when plowed 

 under would add materially to the humus in the soil. Barley makes a coarser 

 and heavier growth than oats, and from two seasons' test, has proved superior 

 to oats sown at the same rate per acre. The seed, however, is nearly double in 

 price per bushel and it is a question as to whether it is enough more valuable 

 for cover crop purposes to make up the difference in the price of the seed. 



The long continued cold of last winter did much damage in orchards without 

 cover crops, and the cover crops sown on the highest points and lightest soils 

 in Mr. Warner's orchard failed to save all the trees from winter-killing, but he 

 states that he believes the loss of trees would have been much greater had 

 there been no cover crops in the orchard. On the Station grounds seven four- 

 year old peach trees were winter-killed out of seventy-five, and these were frozen 

 around the collar and in the trunk of the trees. 



The roots were not brown or discolored. The foliage and blossoms came out 

 on all of the winter-killed trees, showing that the circulation of the sap was 

 cut off and the tops of the trees died from lack of nourishment. 



The fact that the crimson clover was killed out, and that the mammoth clover 

 came through the winter in fine condition is also worthy of note. The latter 

 also makes a stronger growth of both top and root in the fall and is proving 

 more satisfactory for cover crop purposes and for a green crop to turn under in 

 the spring. Sowing oats or barley with the clover is better than clover alone, as 

 the former makes a tall, rank growth and holds the snow and leaves better. The 

 sand vetch is hardy and can be relied upon for cover crop purposes in an orchard 

 but the seed is expensive, which will no doubt prohibit its use except in a small 

 way. 



When 4 green crop is not wanted for turning under, oats or barley will give 

 very good satisfaction as a winter covering in the orchard. 



A number of plots were a.gain planted in August, 1904, and duplicate lots of 

 seeds were taken by Mr. Warner and also by Mr. Geo. Chatfield, whichT will be 

 reported the coming season. 



