14 



established a year or more. However, we found that annual grasses 

 and broadleaf weeds were not as readily controlled by the resid- 

 ual simazine in the soil from the annual applications of a para- 

 qua t-plus-simaz ine in early-May, as by 2 applications of paraquat 

 annually in early-May and mid-July. 



Cultivation should cease by the middle of July in young 

 orchards where trees are vigorous, to help prevent excessive or 

 late growth which could make the trees more susceptible to cold 

 injury. Bearing trees should be cultivated late enough to pre- 

 vent grass and broad-leaf weed growth from affecting fruit size. 



(The critical period is that of rapid swell 30 to 35 days 



preceding harvest.) 



At completion of cultivation s 

 to help supply organic matter and p 

 monly used is "cover rye" sown in S 

 to 2 bushels per acre. Rye will de 

 over winter, and be easily killed b 

 principle objection to its use is t 

 "disk it under" when wet weather pr 

 the spring. Growers who prefer a c 

 can use buckwheat (50 to 75 lbs . /A) 

 lbs. /A), or oats (2 to 3 bu./A). T 

 late-August. Oats probably will pr 



ome growers sow a cover crop 

 revent erosion. Most com- 

 eptember at the rate of 1-1/2 

 velop a good stand, live 

 y disking in the spring. The 

 hat it may be difficult to 

 events early cultivation in 

 over crop that winter-kills 

 , Japanese millet (5 to 20 

 hese are sown in early to 

 ovide the best ground cover. 



Sod-plus-Herbicides 



The sod-plus-herbicide system of culture, besides being ec- 

 onomical and reducing soil erosion, has another advantage over 

 the trashy cultivation-plus-herbicide system of soil management; 

 it enables the grower to smooth the land and establish a sod in 

 the alley between the trees, which should help reduce bruising 

 when transporting fruit. The herbicides to use in conjunction 

 with the sod-plus-herbicide system of culture are discussed in 

 the previous section of this article. 



Concern has been expressed about complete elimination of grass 

 and broadleaf weed cover under peach trees with herbicides. With 

 no snow cover, a soil free of vegetation might expose the trees to 



