14 



The Bulletin 



At the end of a year's growth there is marked difference in size and 

 vigor between trees planted on freshly cleared land and trees planted 

 on land that has been in a cultivated crop before the peaches were 

 planted. The difference is in favor of the trees on the land that was 

 first planted to a cultivated crop. 



Fig. 7. One-year-old orchard planted on freshly cleared laud that has not been in a culti- 

 vated crop. Compare with Fig. 8. Note the rolling character of the site. 



On all soils deep plowing is essential before planting. Deep plowing 

 increases the moisture-holding capacity of the soil and causes the tree 

 roots to go deeper, which is a decided advantage during summers of 

 drouth. After plowing, the soil should be well pulverized by disking 

 or harrowing or both. A site in good surface condition can be more 

 easily and neatly planted than one which is rough and full of roots. 

 The trees should not be planted when the soil is either too dry or too 

 wet. 



PLANTING ON OLD PEACH LAND 



The question as to the advisability of planting a peach orchard on 

 land where peaclios had formerly been grown often arises. In most 

 sections of this State it is not advisable unle.ss a number of years have 

 elapsed since the land was in poaches. Before planting on such land, a 

 coat of manure or a green in.iimro crop sliould bo turned under. In a 

 few isolated cases, peach orchards have been grown on old peach land; 

 but this is the exception rather than tlie rule. 



