1178 THE FRUIT INDUSTRY IN NEW YORK STATE 



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COVER CROPS 



The value of cover crops in orchards is very generally recog- 

 nized by plum growers. They protect the trees from cold by 

 holding the snow around the trunks and keeping the soil from 

 washing a reat advantage in hillside orchards. When turned 

 under, these cover crops add humus to the soil, together with 

 nitrogen, if of a leguminous nature, and change the physical 

 character of the soil. Prolonged cultivation in the fall fails to 

 allow the trees to mature the season's growth. Such a conditioi 

 is avoided by the use of cover crops. 



There is still another feature regarding the use of cover croj 

 which is often overlooked. Orchards in which they are 1 regularly 

 grown require less fertilizer than those in which no such crop i; 

 grown. Leguminous crops are not entirely necessary to brin^ 

 about such a result. By the simple modification of the physic 

 character of the soil, the availability of plant food is greatly i] 

 creased. Besides, the plants of the cover crops gather food froi 

 the soil and air, and this in turn is assimilated by the trees. The 

 most satisfactory cover crop depends upon the locality and the 

 character of the soil. For light soils, cowpeas and crimson 

 clover are good. Mammoth clover, peas, rye, oats, or barley are 

 best adapted to heavier soils. Heavy seeding is to be preferred 

 to light, inasmuch as the latter will establish but a scant cover, 

 which is little better than none at all. 



FERTILIZERS 



The ideas governing the use of fertilizers in plum orchards are 

 very diverse. No definite principles have ever been laid down, 

 and the results obtained have always been obscure. Too often, 

 fertilizer has been applied to soils not requiring it, or at most 

 in small amounts. It is unquestionably true that much has been 

 wasted, even though it is a well-known fact that plums and prun 

 require rich soils. In many orchards on heavy soil, good tilla 

 and the use of cover crops obviates much of the use of fertili 

 Plum trees grow during a long season, their roots penetrate 

 deeply and spread widely, their leaves transpire much water 

 and hence they thrive well on diluted solutions of plant f< 

 Most of the plum crop is water, and it therefore requires f< 



