PLANTING AND GROWING 



cropped this must be judiciously done with the 

 trees primarily in mind. 



The best crops to grow in a young apple 

 orchard are those requiring cultivation, or 

 which permit the cultivation of the land early 

 In the season. Field beans, potatoes, and gar- 

 den truck of all kinds, as small vegetables, 

 melons, etc., are among the very best crops to 

 grow in the young orchard. Corn will do If 

 it does not shade the trees too much. Small 

 grain and grass should not be used, especially 

 where they come up close to the trees. These 

 crops form too stiff a sod and use up too much 

 moisture. A mulch of straw, cut grass, or 

 coarse manure will help to correct this condition 

 somewhat when these crops must be used. 

 After cultivation until midsummer buckwheat 

 makes a satisfactory orchard crop In some 

 cases. 



A regular rotation may be used In the young 

 orchard to advantage when a space Is left next 

 the trees to receive cultivation. This space 

 should be at least two feet on each side of the 

 tree the first year and should be widened each 

 year as the tree grows older and larger, to four, 

 six, and eight feet. This method has been used 

 by the author very successfully for a number of 



45 



