STATIC I'O.MOl.OC.ICAL SOCIETY. 



87 



herbaceous crop whieh is sown in mid-suninier for the specific 

 purpose of covering- or protecting the land during the winter. 

 Its action is to utihze the moisture and check growth of the trees 

 in the fall ; to protect the roots, fix plant food and prevent leach- 

 ing and washing in winter ; to aid in warming and drying the 

 soil in spring; and to add organic matter to the soil. Several 

 crops have been recommended for this purpose but in general 

 practice I know of nothing better than winter rye. If sown 

 even as late as the middle of August, though the ground should 

 not be stirred so late as a late tender growth of the trees mav be 



Neglected trees lose their leaves early. 



induced, it will form a heav_\' mat over the whole surface of the 

 ground before winter. In the spring the rye should be turned 

 under early, before it begins to spindle, as it is liable to make 

 too much green material to be quickly decayed and thus may 

 cause injury if the season is very dry. Furthermore, if left too 

 long the drying of the soil by the cover crop may be too great 

 and cause actual injury to the trees. 



Oats are often used for a cover crop and they serve the pur- 

 pose of protection very well. They are of course killed in 

 winter, however, and do not assist in drying the soil in spring. 



