103 



After cultivation ceases and the cover-crop is sown nothing 

 further is done to the soil until the following spring, when 

 the cover-crop is plowed under, and the programme begins 

 again. Where a good growth of one of the nitrogenous cover- 

 crops can be secured it is often possible to obtain all the ni- 

 trogen needed for the orchard in this way. 



I should feel inclined to begin with buckwheat as a cover- 

 crop in starting an old orchard because it is peculiarly effect- 

 ive in rotting down sod and putting the soil in fine physical 

 condition. This might be followed in a year or two mth 

 either soy beans or summer vetch. 



As to amounts of seed per acre of the different crops sug- 

 gested the following will be found right for ordinary con- 

 ditions : — 



Buckwheat, . 

 Rye, . 

 Soy beans, . 

 Summer vetch, 

 Winter vetch, 



1 bushel. 



V/o bushels. 



IY2 bushels broadcast; Yo bushel in drills. 

 iy2 bushels broadcast ; 1 bushel in drills. 

 1 bushel broadcast; {A bushel in drills. 



x\nd lastly there is the question of top-grafting the trees. 

 I have already said that I should consider the necessity of 

 this a strong factor against the orchard, for it requires con- 

 siderable time, two to four years, and not a little expense, 

 to work over the trees into other varieties. But it frequently 

 happens that odd trees in an orchard are of unsatisfactory 

 varieties, and it is sometimes worth while to graft over an 

 entire orchard where the trees are relatively young and other- 

 wise in good condition. "\^Tiere this is to be done I believe 

 it is generally advisable to employ an expert grafter or 

 srrafter guarantee the scions to live.- Of course in such a case 

 will undertake the operation, or, if the orchard is of sufficient 

 size to warrant it, a professional grafter can be secured from 

 a distance. In either case it is better business, and more 

 satisfactory^ generally, to pay by the stub, and to have the 

 grafter guarantee the scions to live. Of course in such a case 

 one must have confidence enough in the man to insure that 



