VII 



METHODS OF CULTIVATION 



IT is difficult to speak in any general way of the 

 tools used in orchard cultivation. They vary greatly 

 from year to year and in different localities. There are 

 several distinct types in use, however, and these may 

 be briefly described. 



Plows The ordinary turning plows are commonly 

 employed in the cultivation of tree plantations. Usu- 

 ally the lighter forms are desirable, since very deep 

 and heavy plowing is impracticable. The plain, iron 

 beam, chilled steel plow best su'ts the taste of the 

 writer. For working up very close to trees a small 

 one-horse plow is desirable ; and if this has a set-over 

 beam a form which can be had in the market it is 

 all the better. Double or triple gangs of plows are 

 sometimes used in orchards, but they can hardly 

 be employed advantageously except where there is 

 more space between the rows than there ought to be. 



In an earlier paragraph we have spoken of subsoil 

 plows for preparing ground for planting. These may 

 be used also occasionally along the middle of the 

 orchard interspaces while the trees are young and the 

 roots are reaching out for new feeding grounds. Sub- 

 soil plows are not very popular, and are seldom seen 

 at the implement stores. They can always be had on 

 order, however. The very simplest forms are best. 

 Rigidity and strength are the requirements in a sub- 

 soil plow. 



