WH AT PLACE HAS GRASS IN THE ORCHARD? 3809 
WHAT PLACE HAS GRASS IN AN ORCHARD? 
A. K. BUSH, DOVER. 
This question is asked with the express understanding that grass 
has a legitimate and recognized place in the orchard, and I am 
asked to locate the position it should occupy. Now, that depends 
very much on the age of the trees, the soil, the lay of the land, &c.; 
also, if your object is to grow an orchard with the least amount of 
labor and expense, regardless of results—sort of a lazy man’s 
orchard—then turn it out to grass as quickly as possible after plant- 
ing; but if you desire the best results, keep the grass away from the 
trees. If the land is too steep to cultivate without danger of the soil 
washing away, then grass must be allowed in order to retain the 
soil, otherwise we should not give ita place until the orchard comes 
in bearing and then limit its position. 
Grass as a “catch crop” recommends itself to many fruit growers 
and most farmers as one easily and cheaply managed, saving the 
expense of hoeing and cultivation and is not regarded by them the 
best, as experience with other crops which require clean culture 
prove them much superior and more profitable. 
The tillage they require is just what the trees need to insurea 
healthy, rapid and well developed growth, also to conserve moist- 
ure in soil and to protect trees from ravages of mice, vermin and 
the thousand and one enemies of successful orcharding in the form 
of germ and parasite life which are at homein the grass, These 
pests, which make fruit growing a constant and expensive warfare 
in some sections of the east and south, are coming to us with nur- 
sery stock from those infested districts, being sold to our planters 
in large quantities annually by those swindling fruit tree pirates 
from abroad, who buy anything which can be bought cheap and 
sell everything regardless of name, quality or past history. They 
come and go in gangs; most of us know them to our sorrow and 
loss. We should treat those fellows, having failed in securing de- 
sired protective legislation, as Will Carleton’s “lightning rod dis- 
penser” was entertained. After being swindled, that famous poet 
said: “If any of those fellows want a dinner dialogue with the res- 
taurant department of an enterprising dog, let him set his mouth 
a-running just inside my outside gate, and I’ll bet two hundred dol- 
lars that he don’t have long to wait.” These robber “tree sharks,” 
with their worthless, infected, lousy stock, are pulling down the 
horticultural interests of this state nearly as fast as our society can 
builditup. (Weadmire and respect a conscientious tree peddler.) 
A few suggestions as to how I control grass in the orchard: 
With young plantings, cultivate on either side of the row of trees 
about once a week from early spring until June 15th, when beans can 
be planted on each side of the row, also one row in line with the 
trees, planting thickly in drills and using plenty of seed. Near the 
trees rows should not be more than two or three feet apart. The 
beans will germinate quickly and grow veryrapidly,and soonshade 
the ground entirely, keeping the same cool and moist; also will 
twine about the stocks of the trees, protecting them from the in- 
