CULTIVATING AND CROPPING 



attain good size and maturity, and at the same 

 time enable the tree properly to mature Its 

 fruit and leaf buds for the following year. On 

 the other hand, in a year when there Is not a full 

 crop of fruit cultivation should be stopped early 

 so as to avoid forcing a too rank growth of 

 wood and foliage and continuing the growth of 

 the next season's buds so late that they may not 

 mature and therefore may be In danger of win- 

 ter killing. 



The different kinds of cover crops which may 

 be used In the apple orchard will be considered 

 In the next chapter as they are so closely asso- 

 ciated with fertilization. Strictly speaking, 

 however, a cover crop Is used principally to 

 secure Its mulching and physical effects on the 

 soil In the Intervals between the seasons of till- 

 age. In addition to Its physical and feeding 

 effects the cover crop serves to check the growth 

 of trees In the latter part of the season by taking 

 up the nitrates and a part of the moisture, 

 thus helping to ripen the wood. 



Sod Mulch. — The ordinary sod culture 

 which Is practiced In so many orchards should 

 not be confused with the sod mulch system. 

 The one Is a system of neglect, the other of 

 intention. In the sod mulch system the grass 



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