INTER-CROPPING IN ORCHARDS 131 



is made at the expense of the tree, and sometimes almost costs its life 

 and thrift. It has been amply shown by investigation that though shad- 

 ing ground by a leafy growth may make the surface layer of the soil 

 moister, the lower layers are invariably made drier, and it is in these 

 lower layers that the tree seeks its sustenance. The young tree should 

 be shaded as has been described in the chapter on planting, and not by 

 a growing plant. 



GROWING CROPS BETWEEN TREES AND VINES 



The possible advantage of a cover growth of clover in regions of 

 high heat and ample moisture has been noted at the opening of this 

 chapter. The rule, however, must be : Grow nothing whatever between 

 the trees if you desire the full success of the latter. As with all rules, 

 this one may admit of exceptions. 



Inter-cultures in orchard or vineyard may be allowed under certain 

 conditions of the soil and the purse of the grower. If the soil is deep 

 and moist and rich, the cost of planting and cultivation, and sometimes 

 more, may be made by growing a crop among your trees. Of course, 

 if irrigation is available, much more can be done in this direction than 

 if dependent upon natural supplies of water. 



There is much difference as to crops in amount of injury they may 

 do to the trees. Growing alfalfa, without irrigation, has been known to 

 kill out an orchard, and yet alfalfa growing in an orchard under condi- 

 tions may be a great advantage, as described in the next chapter. Grain 

 is less dangerous, but still is objectionable, both because of exhaus- 

 tion of soil and moisture, and because of danger to trees from heat 

 deflected from strow and stubble. The crops least injurious, because 

 of their requirements, and because of the constant cultivation of them, 

 checks the loss of moisture by evaporation are corn, beans, potatoes, 

 beets, carrots, etc., squashes, and other members of the melon family, 

 onions, and other shallow-rooting vegetables. In the growth of these, 

 however, there should be a width of several feet of well-cultured soil 

 on all sides of the tree, unoccupied. 



In soils exceptionally rich and deep, and where rainfall is abundant, 

 inter-cultures of small fruits or vegetables may be carried on for a 

 long series of years with profit both from the trees and the inter-culture. 

 In similar deep, rich soils, with irrigation, immense crops of small 

 fruits and vegetables, even as high as twelve to twenty-four tons of 

 tomatoes per acre have been taken from between orchard rows, and 

 one hundred and fifty sacks of onions per acre from between the rows 

 of a strawberry plantation. In Ventura county some fields of lima 

 beans, in favorable years, have paid over $70 per acre grown between 

 young trees. In other parts of the State considerable amounts of peas 

 for sale to canners are grown between the rows in young orchards. 

 This crop is especially desirable when good sale is assured, because the 

 plant is hardy and can make a good part of its growth during the rainy 

 season and the ground be cleaned up and well cultivated early in the 

 summer. As beans and peas are legumes, their roots enrich the soil,-* 

 as will be noted in the chapter on fertilization. 



