GRADING LAND AFTER CLEARING 63 



sion from the State Forester at Sacramento before starting field fires 

 in the dry season. After the rain, clean up the ground perfectly. 



First Crop on a Clearing. It is the opinion of some cleurers 

 in the redwood region that the soil is not fit for fruit trees the first 

 year after the original growth is removed, and they grow a field crop 

 the first year. They claim that peas are the best corrective of "red- 

 wood poisoning," and fortunately in the upper redwood district they 

 have a climate well suited to the pea. Whether their theory is right 

 or not, their practice is of advantage, because they get a better cultiva- 

 tion and aeration of the soil, and kill out much of the sprouting from 

 the old roots, which is usually quite persistent in the moister parts of 

 the State. 



Surface Leveling and Draining. There is often occasion to clear 

 the land of stone and rocks. The latter should be blasted out of the 

 way so that the land may be clear for the plow and cultivator. Once 

 in a while one will come upon a stone wall inclosing an orchard in this 

 State, as trim and true a wall as the most thrifty New England farmer 

 can boast, but walls are not common. Our valley orchard lands are, 

 as a rule, naturally as free from stone as they are from underbrush, 

 but on the hills it is different. Probably the best wav to dispose of 

 much of the stone is to dig trenches in the natural water runs, put in 

 stone, cover with small brush, and then with soil deep enough so 

 the plow will not reach the brush. This disposes of the stone for all 

 time, and at the same time helps to drain the soil. Concerning other 

 treatment of the land after the rubbish is removed, P. W. Butler 

 writes as follows: 



When water runs are wide, lateral ditches should be cut extending entirely 

 through the moist areas. If during the rainy season a sun is likely to have more 

 water than can be conveyed properly through a covered trench, it should be left 

 open and graded, so that a team can cross it, and for fifteen feet on each side 

 sow to alfalfa, which will take the place of unsightly weeds, that would otherwise 

 grow at the point that cannot be cultivated. 



To distribute the work more evenly through the first year buildings can be 

 erected, a well dug, and the trenches done in the dry season, while all the grub- 

 bing, leveling, plowing and planting must be done the following season, as soon 

 as the ground is sufficiently moistened. All depressions where water would stand 

 should be filled, and all flat places should be graded until water will readily flow 

 off, and not be retained so near the surface of the ground as to cause it to 

 become soured. This leveling can be best done by one man and a pair of horses. 

 Plow the adjacent elevated land and scrape into the places to be filled. The land 

 is now ready for plowing, and should be done thoroughly, subsoiling to as great 

 a depth as the removal of the stumps will allow. It is now well to go over the 

 ground again with the scraper and level all the most elevated points so they can 

 be readily reached by water in irrigating. Then cross-plow as deeply as possible 

 without again subsoiling, harrow and drag, and the ground will be ready to plant. 



Mr. Butler writes with reference to the foothills of the Sierra 

 Nevada, where irrigation must be practiced. Where irrigation is not 

 used, leveling, or rather grading, may be unnecessary, but it is often 

 quite desirable that there may be no depressions to retain surplus water. 

 The life of the trees and ease of cultivation may demand this unless 

 the soil should be light and deep enough to allow free drainage. 



