6O THE AMERICAN APPLE ORCHARD 



these cereals are seldom the best crops that can be 

 sown. 



Cultivation of Bearing Orchards When the trees 

 have attained approximately their full dimensions the 

 problem is changed somewhat. No catch crops can be 

 grown between the trees, and perhaps even the tem- 

 porary trees, or fillers, in double-planted orchards have 

 to be removed. Possibly the trees shade the ground so 

 completely that no weeds can grow, although that will 

 hardly be the case in any well-managed plantation. 

 Under such circumstances the fruit grower is apt to 

 feel that cultivation is hardly necessary any longer. 



When we consider the fundamental objects of till- 

 age, however, it will be seen that the requirements of 

 the full-grown, mature, bearing orchard are the same 

 as those of the young orchard. Plant food is still be- 

 ing used in quantities as great as ever, perhaps 

 greater ; and to unlock the stores of plant food in the 

 soil requires continual cultivation. The physical con- 

 dition of the soil is as important now as it ever was, 

 and a good physical texture is preserved chiefly by the 

 stirring of the soil in cultivation. No, it is a great 

 mistake to suppose that when an orchard is fully 

 grown it no longer needs the cultivator, or that it 

 needs cultivation less than formerly. The work must 

 still go on. 



It is more difficult, of course, to plow and harrow an 

 old orchard than a young one. But it is less trouble 

 than is commonly supposed. If cultivation has been 

 frequent and deep from the very first there will be no 

 large roots to catch the plowshare or cultivator teeth. 

 As for the large branches which heavy bearing has 

 borne down to the ground, they are a difficulty, but 

 not a positive bar to further work. Suitable tools, 



