COVER CROPS 91 



though this preference refers chiefly to the northern 

 and northeastern states. It leaves the soil in ex- 

 cellent condition, and is to be especially recom- 

 mended on new^ land which has not been brought 

 into a good state of cultivation. 



7. Rye, oats, barley and other cereals are occa- 

 sionally used as cover crops, but are not to be 

 recommended. Oats are especially detrimental to 

 the land and should never be used. Rye may be 

 sown in emergencies. 



8. Corn and cotton are grown to a considerable 

 extent between the peach rows in young or-^hards 

 in the southern states. These do not constitute a 

 genuine cover crop, however. They are grown, not 

 primarily for the benefit of the trees, but for the 

 sake of producing a marketable product aside from 

 the peaches. They have scarcely any more value as 

 cover crops than cantaloupe, watermelons or pota- 

 toes. 



9. Rape is sometimes used as a cover crop, and 

 has two genuine advantages ; first, that the seed is 

 very cheap (about 20 cents an acre as compared 

 with $1.50 for buckwheat or $3 for soy beans) ; and, 

 second, that it lives over winter and comes on 

 promptly in the spring as good as new. It is sown 

 broadcast rather late, say August i to September 

 I. Turnips may also be used as a cover crop. 



10. Weeds are often allowed to come up in the 

 orchard after the end of cultivation and occupy the 

 soil until the beginning of tillage the following 

 spring. A good growth of weeds does constitute 

 a genuine cover crop, and is really considerably bet- 

 ter than nothing. 



The following table will show the usual amounts 

 of seed to be used on an acre when cover crops are 

 sown: 



