1080 THE FRUIT INDUSTRY IN NEW YORK STATE 



if no other crop is grown. This will add vegetable matter and 

 nitrogen to the soil. The cover crop should be plowed under the 

 following spring before it has grown enough to dry out the soil. 

 Hoed crops may also be grown among the trees the second year. 

 The third summer any cultivated crop can be grown, but gen- 

 erally the trees need all the space. Cultivation, should start early 

 and cease in midsummer, care being taken not to break any large 

 roots. On steep sidehills, strips of grass may be left to prevent 

 soil washing. 



PROTECTION FROM ANIMALS 



Before winter sets in, the young tree should be banked up to 

 prevent damage by mice and rabbits ; also to prevent wind from 

 loosening the young trees. A mound of earth around the tree 

 prevent water from freezing around the tree collar. In northern 

 sections, at least, it is desirable to bank the trees up for the 

 second winter, at the end of the second season's growth. 



FERTILIZERS 



Early in spring, if the land is poor, manure or commercial 

 fertilizer may be applied to the tree so as to secure an early, rapid 

 growth. If the soil is rich, fertilizers may not be necessary, and 

 may even be harmful by forcing too great a growth ; they should 

 be applied to produce a good growth. Fertilizers should be ap- 

 plied early, preferably before plowing, it being our aim not to 

 force too great a growth and yet keep the tree thrifty. The trees 

 should be well cultivated in the third summer, and a leguminous 

 crop should be sown in midseason. 



To fertilize a bearing orchard properly is a difficult problem, 

 and, because of variable soils and conditions, one which each 

 individual must work out for himself. 



BORERS SHOULD BE REMOVED 



The trees should be examined regularly once each year fc 

 borers. They are generally more prevalent in sandy soil ai 

 gravelly knolls and near woods. The presence of borers is indi- 

 cated by the gum and shavings around the base of the tree, 

 any are found they should be dug out with a knife ; or, if deep ii 



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