652 



THE FRUIT INDUSTRY IN XEW YOKK STATE 



depth ranging from thirty inches to three feet. The underdrain- 

 jige of the land frequently costs from forty to fifty dollars per 

 acre, or even more. 



PREPARATION OF THE LAND 



As already mentioned, the fields should be thoroughly under- 

 drained if this be needed, and it is advisable that the land should 

 have been used for the production of a good hay crop. If man- 



FIG. 164. CLOSE VIEW OF ONE TYPE OF DIGGER A STOUT, U-SHAPED BLADE 

 ON A STRONG FRAME, EQUIPPED WITH LEVERS FOR REGULATING THE DEPTH 



ured for the hay crop, and the land thoroughly supplied with 

 organic matter, the field should be in good condition for the 

 growing of trees. The plowing is usually done in the fall ; there 

 is some difference of opinion as to whether subsoiling is profitable 

 or not. In some instances the Spaulding deep-tilling tool is used, 

 and the land is plowed fifteen inches deep; in others the first 

 plowing eight inches deep is given, and the subsoiler is run in the 

 bottom of the furrow with another team. In still other cases the 

 land is plowed at a depth of nine to ten inches and appears to give 

 satisfactory results. Undoubtedly, the local conditions and the 

 experience of the person with the particular land in question 

 are important factors. 



