No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 603 



made in the middle. This furrow is best filled by using a disk or 

 cutaway harrow, so set as to draw the soil from each side into the 

 furrow. After it is well tilled, by rimning about two rounds in each 

 middle with this implement, the operator should harrow across the 

 orchard Avith a spriug-tooth harrow, going at right angles to the 

 direction of the original plowing. He should next follow with a 

 spike harrow or smoothing harrow, thus putting the ground in good 

 condition for further cultivation or intercropping. If a cultivated 

 crop is to be planted it should be across the direction of the original 

 plowing, to thus further level any slight elevations and depressions 

 that were made as ridges or furrows. When breaking the soil next 

 year the plowing can be in a direction at right angles to that fol- 

 lowed this year, and thus avoid constantly throwing higher ridges 

 toward the trees. Even should the slope of the land prevent break- 

 ing across the direction of the previous year's the ridges can be 

 drawn down by tho use of the disk harrow or cutaway harrow, 

 which will be found th'^, most valuable implement in orchard work. 

 V>\ setting the disks of the two sides at ditferent angles, such as 

 nuist be learned by actual practice, the disk harrow can be used wdth 

 good advantage, even on hillside cultivation. 



It must be taken for granted that all young trees should be culti- 

 vated, excepting, perhaps, the cherry and pear. If one has any hill- 

 side land he wishes to put in fruit he should particularly avoid plant- 

 ing this in peaches or plums, as these need cultivation during their 

 entire life. Apple trees need cultivation wiiile young, but when 

 older can be grown by the sod mulch system. 



Mulching to a great extent takes the place of cultivation. If 

 one has all the leaves, straw, straw and manure, or other litter that 

 he can use he can get along without cultivation, especially on the 

 hillside. 



One plan of hillside cultivation that is very good is to bring 

 down the soil with a hand implement so that it will be built up like 

 a basin below the trees, with the lower edge higher than the upper, 

 and let the rain water settle in it and bring fertility and water the 

 tree, over this basin one can scatter straw or grow clover to prevent 

 it washing away. 



Spraying and pruning are subjects of special attention, which 

 are fully discussed in the Bulletins of the Bureau of Zoology of the 

 Department of Agriculture at Harrisburg. It is impressible at the 

 present time to elaborate upon these features of orchard management 

 further than to say that the young orchard is improved by spraying 

 once every dormant season with strong lime-sulphur solution either 

 commercial or home-boiled. Trees should be pruned from the be- 

 ginning with a view of making the tops low and open. The success- 

 ful orchardist of the future will be the man who grows his fruits 

 on very low-headed open trees, learns the business for himself, and 

 does the work or lets his shadow fall upon those who do it. 



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