APPLE GROWING 



crops In the spring, it makes a considerable 

 amount of growth before the land is fit to plow. 

 Especially in warmer climates rye should not 

 be sown too early In the fall — not usually be- 

 fore September ist — because of this too heavy 

 growth. Rye is also adapted to a great variety 

 of soils and hence will often grow where other 

 crops will not do well. About two bushels of 

 seed are required per acre. 



Buckwheat is probably about equally as good 

 as rye for an orchard cover crop, although it 

 does not produce quite as much organic matter. 

 It will germinate at almost any season of the 

 year even if it is very dry. It Is a great soil Im- 

 prover because of Its ability to feed and thrive 

 on soils too poor for other crops, due to Its 

 numerous shallow feeding rootlets. It grows 

 rapidly and covers the ground well, but like 

 rye does not thrive as well In shade. Buck- 

 wheat should not be used to excess on the 

 heavier types of soil as it is rather hard on the 

 land. One bushel of seed to an acre makes a 

 good seeding. 



Turnips or rape often make good pioneer 



cover or green manure crops. They are great 



soil improvement crops and It Is comparatively 



easy to secure a good stand of them even In 



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