-3-. 



COIISERVING THE ORCHARD SOIL 



Since good orchards are almost invariably found on sloping areas 

 of fairly high elevation, the problem of erosion is of real concern to the 

 fruit grower. In one such orchard, sheet erosion over a period of thirty 

 years has raised at least tvro feet the layer of loimy, surface soil above 

 a stone v/all at the base of the slope. At the top of the hill one is con- 

 scious of walking on a compact, cement-like material, the subsoil of years 

 past. But sheet erosion, or a downward shift of the surface layer is only 

 one of the problems involved. Gullied roadways, unequal stimulation of 

 trees through a movement of nitrates, exposure of roots to winter injury 

 and a disrupting of new seedings are also of concern to anyone interested 

 in orchard management . 



The writer has often wished that a particular hilltop orchard which 

 towers above an extensive marsh, might be the recipient of an "upward shift." 

 Its response to a layer, one foot in depth, of fertile loam crammed full of 

 organic matter, challenges the imagination. The only hitch in this vision- 

 ary project is that a loamy soil, once shifted to a lov/er level seldom if 

 ever moves back to its original position. Our job is to prevent this soil 

 movement, so far an possible, and here's where the principles of soil con- 

 servation should be applied. 



Are all soil types and all kinds of topography suited to contour 

 planting? The answer is definitely "No." A hummocky area or one with 

 abrupt, irregular slopes is not suitable because they involve either rows 

 with drastic curves, or short rows. But if we make a study of the various 

 soil types, v;e will find that those best suited to the grOF/ing of tree 

 fruits such as the Paxton, Charlton, Colrain, and Gloucester series are 

 generally of a slope well suited to contour planting. Anyone contemplating 

 the setting of a new orchard should become familiar with the available soil 

 types and plant only on those rating at least lQi%. He should also seek the 

 council of a skilled soil conservationist. This service may be arranged 

 through the county extension office. 



Keeping the soil where it is, making water penetrate where it falls, 

 and preventing gullies are easier of accomplishment than most folks realize. 

 They do not entail the same practices in every orchard. But in every case 

 one must cooperate with nature. If harrowing is to be done, the driver 

 should travel as nearly on a level as possible. Alternate strips may be 

 more safely harrowed than the entire orchard. And it should be borne in 

 mind -that a heavy cover of vegetation, either growing or in the form of a 

 mulch is an excellent means of encouraging the penetration of rainfall. 

 Water, soaking into the soil where it falls, comes into contact with roots 

 which need it, while that which flows to the foot of the slope is merely 

 added to an already existing surplus. Soil conservation halts the loss of 

 water, soluble mineral elements, and the finer soil particles, processes 

 which tend to make a poor soil poorer. Post war agriculture must of neces- 

 sity team up vath soil conservation. 



