COVER CROPS. 295 



be disposed of in autumn by cutting with a mower 

 and allowing it to remain on the surface until 

 it becomes dry and brittle, when it may be worked 

 into the soil. If it has not been cut during the 

 summer and has become dry while still standing, it may 

 be broken down with a corn stalk smasher. This followed 

 by a cutaway harrow will incorporate it fairly well with 

 the soil. 



If, for any reason, it is deemed advisable to get rid 

 of the beggar weed in a grove, it may be done by cutting 

 frequently to prevent seeding and by prolonging spring 

 cultivation well into the rainy season, when the rapid 

 growth of crab-grass and other native plants will choke 

 it out. 



OTHER COVER CROPS. 



A crop of sand-spurs, crab-grass and other plants 

 may also be allowed to grow in the grove after cultiva- 

 tion ceases. This plan is adopted by some Florida grow- 

 ers who prefer to apply the nitrogen required, instead of 

 depending upon a leguminous cover crop for the supply. 

 Seeding for these crops is not necessary as they spring up 

 spontaneously. Some people object to these plants as 

 cover crops, but better by far to have them than to have 

 bare, exposed ground. 



COVER CROPS IN CALIFORNIA. 



In California and Arizona, where recourse has to 

 be made to irrigation to keep up the water supply, the 

 growing of cover crops does not receive the same atten- 

 tion as it does in the eastern sections. Whether they are 

 planted or not depends largely upon the amount of water 

 available. If a supply sufficient for both cover crop and 



