78 Teach'Gr owing 



crop which has been turned under. For a similar reason, 

 in part at least, newly cleared land, which in some sections 

 is used for peach orchards, gives excellent results. It has 

 not been depleted of its supply of humus. 



Because the trees occupy but a very small portion of the 

 ground space, when first planted, there is always a tempta- 

 tion to set the trees with a minimum of preparation of the 

 soil, but it is doubtful economy to slight this operation. On 

 the other hand, some degrees of compromise may be resorted 

 to in this matter of the preparation of the soil and still not 

 defeat the end in view. For example, the removal of stumps 

 from newly cleared land is generally costly, except as it 

 can be done with the regular force employed in the orchard 

 and at times when other routine operations do not require 

 attention. ^Miere such land is to be devoted to peaches, 

 it is practicable to remove the stumps from a narrow strip 

 along the line of each row of trees. This course admits 

 of a good preparation of the soil in the strips before the trees 

 are planted and thorough tillage throughout the following 

 season. Each season thereafter, the strip freed from stumps 

 should be widened with a view to extending the cultivation 

 accordingly. By the time the trees come into bearing, 

 the stumps should be fairly well cleared from the entire 

 area. 



A thorough preparation of the soil before planting will 

 tend not only to make conditions favorable subsequently 

 for a good growth of tree, but the operation of planting will 

 be materially aided thereby. The holes can be dug better, 

 and the refilling, after the trees have been put in position, 

 can be done to better advantage when the soil has been 

 thoroughly and deeply pulverized than when less attention 

 has been given to its preparation. For a similar reason 



