AN APPLE ORCHARD SURVEY OF ORLEANS COUNTY, NEW YORK. 473 



may be somewhat checked in growth so that the fruit will color better, 



and a good floor can usually be secured by picking time. If buckwheat 



is sown, it should be harrowed down before picking time. If clover is 



sown, it may need to be mowed. Some very successful orchards are 



tilled until early in 



July, then seeded to 



clover. The next year 



this clover is mowed. 



and left as a mulch to 



be plowed under the 



following spring. This 



gives an alternation of 



tillage and light clover 



sod. 



From the results ob- 

 tained in the few 

 orchards where it has 

 been systematically 

 tried, it seems safe to 

 strongly recommend 

 to those who wish to 

 continue sod treatment 

 that they go through 

 the orchard once each 

 with a disc or 



FIG. i63.Belinoiver. 



An old-time favorite of good 

 quality. 



way witn a 



cutaway harrow early 



in every spring. This 



does much to prevent the formation of a compact soil and a tough sod. 



It may be advisable to sow a little clover at the time of discing. 



FERTILIZATION. 



Fertilizers used, -Formerly large numbers of orchards were neglected, 

 and received little fertilization of any kind, but now 93 per cent are 

 reported as receiving some kind of fertilization. Not all of these receive 

 adequate applications, for this area includes all that are reported as having 

 received any, regardless of the amount and frequency. The most striking 

 feature is the liberal use of barnyard manure by the majority of the grow- 

 ers. It is used by 91 per cent. A very large number report that all the 

 manure produced on the farm is used in the orchard. 



