Orchard and Garden Management 271 



spring plowing should be given as soon as the ground 

 can be worked to advantage, and, though it need 

 not be deep, should be as thorough as the conditions 

 will permit. 



The summer surface culture is important. For 

 this purpose a sharp-toothed harrow is the most use- 

 ful tool. I know one man, who is very successful in 

 the garden culture of plums, who uses a garden rake 

 by hand. Another friend tells of visiting this plum 

 grower one day, and of seeing the cat run through the 

 garden, whereupon the plum man seized the garden 

 rake and followed after to rake up the cat tracks. 

 This man makes money from his plums. 



Soil and locality determine which is the best cover 

 crop. For sandy soils in the south, cowpeas and 

 crimson clover are best. For northern states and 

 heavier soils, mammoth clover, peas, rye or buckwheat 

 are to be preferred, about in the order named. These 

 cover crops should be sown about July I5th to 

 August ist, when the w r eather is most favorable. An 

 abundance of seed should be provided. A scant 

 cover is a much more frequent mistake than a too 

 heavy cover. 



On the general subject of cultivation I wish to 

 quote a letter from the well-known plum specialist, 

 Professor E. S. Goff of Wisconsin. He says: "The 

 orchard should not be seeded to grass, but an occa- 

 sional crop of clover will be beneficial for most soils. 

 I prefer to cultivate the ground till midsummer at 

 least, without growing a crop. Then I would sow 

 oats, clover, or cowpeas. If the trees are too close to 

 admit of horse cultivation, the whole ground may be 

 mulched with good results." 



J. W. Kerr recommends for Maryland "thorough 

 tillage from May ist to August ist; then seed to crim- 

 son clover to plow in first of May subsequent." 



