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182 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. __ 
CULTIVATION VS. MULCHING IN THE ORCHARD. 
DEWAIN COOK, WINDOM. 
A newly set orchard should always be cultivated and never 
mulched, asa heavy mulch around atree recently set is liable to 
kill it, especially on our cold, black prairie soil. ‘ 
It is a fact that the more the orchard is cultivated in early sum- 
mer, the more air and warmth gets to the roots of the tree, produc- 
ing conditions that are favorable to a rapid growth. Mulching 
produces the opposite conditions and should never be used around 
small trees, unless it is done in the fall or early winter to prevent 
root killing,and even then it should be plowed under in the spring or 
hauledaway. Mulching should not take the place of cultivation in 
the apple orchard until after the trees have been set seven or eight 
years, or until it gets to bearing nicely; then perhaps it may be 
advisable to do some mulching in connection with cultivation, 
mulching in the rows and cultivating between the rows. 
I have had no experience caring for an old orchard and will not at- 
tempt to advise those that have, but from what I have observed, I 
am of the opinion that mulching, if properly done, is preferable to 
cultivation. Care should be taken not to mulch a tree so heavily 
that when it is in bloom the roots are encased in frozen earth, as 
such a condition will cause a failure of the crop. I know this to be 
so of the plum, but as the apple blooms considerable later such 
conditions are less liable to occur. 
Hay or straw makes a poor mulch; in fact, would not use it, 
Barnyard litter is best. The benefits to be derived from mulching 
come largely from the fertilizing material it contains. 
Mr. Van Houten, (Iowa): Our best horticulturists have come 
to the conclusion that shallow cultivation is the best thing for 
orchards. Running through with a disc both ways and culti- 
vating the ground thoroughly. 
Mr. Burnap, (Iowa): I want you to distinctly understand 
that that will not do in northern Iowa. It is all right to culti- 
vate up to July and then stop, but it will not do to keep the 
cultivator running right along in northern lowa. 
Mr. Dartt: I want to say that it will do in Minnesota. 
(laughter ). 
Mr. Bryant, (Illinois): I think it would depend much on the 
season. If itis moist and good growing weather, it is not neces- 
sary, but in adry spell you want to tide it over so as not to 
check the growth. ; 
Mr. Harris: My idea is that the cultivation should corres- 
pond to the season. If your trees have stopped growing in 
July, and there comes a spell of warm weather in the fall, and 
you cultivate up to September, and then you get some good 
heavy rains, as we had them in 1884, it starts a new growth in 
