THK iiLLLETIX 



27 



evaporation of moisture, and to control weeds. The orcliard should be 

 tilled as soon as possible after each rain, for if a crust forms, or if the 

 surface becomes compacted, serious loss of moisture from the soil will 

 result — moisture that may be badly needed to make the crop. 



The soil should be stirred a.s often as necessary to preserve the mulch. 

 Tn the Sand Hill Section, where the soil is easily handled, subsequent 

 cultivations after the initial plowing may be made satisfactorily with 

 either a Planet Junior cultivator or spike-tooth harroAv or a smoothing 

 harrow. In the western part of the State it may be found advisable 

 to use a disk harrow to loosen the soil after a packing rain. Tillage 



Fig. 18. Young orchard with co\vi>eus grown between the rows ns a cover crop. 



should be discontinued after the last of July or the first of August. 

 By this time wood growth has been largely made, and the fruit bud.- 

 have started to form. Old trees may be tilled slightly longer than 

 young, vigorous trees. 



In old, closely planted orchards it may be found necessary to dis- 

 continue tillage rather early during seasons of heavy crop if the limbs 

 bend to the ground under the load of fruit and interfere with cultiva- 

 tion. 



COVER CltOPS 



The surface of the orchard should be protected with some kind of 

 a cover crop during fall and winter. A cover crop is one tluit is 

 grown for the bfucfit of tlir- ovhard soil and is plowfd undtM- oitlier 

 in the fall or early spring. 



