WORK OF THE UMATILLA EXPERIMENT FARM IN 1012. 31 



rapid early growth the next spring, and can be turned under about 

 May 1. The succulent green material when mcorporated m the soil 

 adds a large amount of fertility and greatly mcreases the water- 

 holding capacity of the soil. A decided improvement can be seen 

 in land where three crops of vetch have been grown and plowed 

 under. The present high price of seed almost prohibits the use of 

 this crop, but it can be effectively used in orchards by allowmg a 

 strip to go to seed between the tree rows each year. Sprmg vetch 

 winteikills, and can not be used for fall seeding.- 



Red clover and sweet clover (Melilotus alba) are valuable cover 

 crops, but are more difficult to gix)W than vetch. When they are 

 sown in early sprmg a fair crop of forage can be turned under the 

 followmg November, and when planted in August a good crop can be 

 grown to plow in the followiug May or June. 



Alfalfa is not desirable as a crop to grow m orchards, on account of 

 the difficulty of its eradication. 



Canada field peas when sown m early spring make a rapid growth, 

 and can be plowed under to advantage about June 1. On account 

 of its rapid growth this is the best spring-planted green-manure crop 

 that has been tried. 



It is good practice to sow all available land to clover or vetch early 

 in the fall with a view to plowmg under a crop of green manure the 

 following spring. The seeding can be done on land producmg garden 

 crops, and m orchards at the tune of the last cultivation. 



TREES AND SHRUBS. 



A test, mcludmg 34 varieties of 20 hardy slu-ubs, is being conducted 

 to detcrmme which shrubs are best suited for use in beautifymg 

 home grounds in the locality. Some attention is given to trees for 

 shade and for wmdbrcak purposes, and 39 different kinds of trees 

 are being tested m nursery rows m cooperation with the Forest Ser- 

 vice. About one-half of an acre is devoted to this nursery work. 



For wmdbreaks, where space can be given for only one row of 

 trees, the black locust and Carolina poplar are desirable. The trees 

 should be planted from 5 to 7 feet apart. If liberally irrigated they 

 will afford considerable protection m three years. The Lombardy 

 poplar may also be used as a wuidbreak. It should be planted m 

 double rows, on account of its slender habit of growth. These trees 

 should be placed where the roots will not be disturbed, or suckermg 

 will result. European larch, Scotch pine, western yellow pme, and 

 Russian oleaster can be expected to grow if good care is given them. 

 They are ornamental, and also effective as wmdbreaks. Tamarisk, 

 red cedar, privet, and hardy hydrangeas can be successfully grown 

 for ornamental purposes. 



[Cii-. 129] 



