INDIANA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



257 



doubt, cut anj'how. Next time you come along you may see a reason 

 for cutting it. Your reason may be wrong, but when you do tlie best 

 you can, you are excusable. Don't ever trim up a tree so you can plow 

 under it. If you can not cultivate under a tree, it don't need it. If you 

 are going to cultivate your ground, leave your trees off. You are working 

 for the apple tree, not to cultivate tbe gi-ound. 



President Stevens: "Cultivation of the Apple Orchard" will next be 

 considered. 



CULTIVATION OF THE APPLE ORCHARD. 



BY WALTER S. RATLIFF, RICHMOND. 



The subject of the cultivation of the soil of the orchard is, and has 

 been of recent years, occupying considerable attention among fruit men 

 generally, and many interesting experiments have been in operation at 

 some of the experiment stations. It is conceded, however, that in any 

 event, the soil in the young orchard should be sown to oats during the 

 latter part of the summer. The early frosts following check the growth, 

 and the mat of unmatured oats dies and falls to the ground. This fur- 

 nishes a mulch that nut only prevents erosion of the soils on rolling lands, 

 but serves as a blanket in retaining moisture in the soil. When the soils 

 are exposed to the winter rains, they wash seriously, and much of the 

 water that should be retained by absorption is lost when a mat of this 

 chai'acter can not be secured. 



The oat hay has another significance, being of much value to turn 

 under as a recuperator to the soil the following spring. Where naught bun 

 summer cultivation of the orchard is desired, the cultivator is only used 

 between the times of plowing and sowing of another crop of oats. In 

 this way the soil is stirred at a period when the weeds would, be the most 

 troublesome, and when it is believed the trees will gain the most benefit 

 for such treatment. 



There is quite a diversity of opinion existing in the minds of our fruit 

 growers relative to the cultivation of the orchard, but from observation in 

 this tnd other States, one would infer that the young orchard is being 

 tilled with the crops of the farm. 



Usually the oix-hard is planted as conveniently to the residence as 

 possible, and is often used as the garden spot of the farm. And in con- 

 nection with the croiDS of the farm, the berry canes and bushes, together 

 with plants of other small fruits, are quite conspicuous, often claiming 

 the major part of the attention of the owner himself and his attendants, 

 to the detriment or neglect of the fruit trees themselves. 



17— Board of A. 



