Remedy for Unprofitable Orchards. 173 



If one wants to raise hay or grain, it is cheapest to 

 grow it where there are no trees to bother. If he 

 wants to grow apples or grapes, he had better choose 

 some other place than a meadow or grain field. The 

 use of clover and other temporary cover crops as a 

 means of fertilizing the land is another matter, and 

 is discussed in the next chapter. 



Most apple orchards are in sod, and growers are 

 always asking if they shall be plowed up. If the 

 growers of apples are satisfied with the crops, let the 

 orchards alone ; but if it is thought that better crops 

 are desirable, do not hesitate to make an effort to 

 obtain them. It is surprising that the disastrous fail- 

 ures of recent years have not awakened farmers to 

 the necessity of really doing something for their 

 orchards. Now and then an enterprising man makes 

 an energetic attempt and is rewarded, but the greater 

 number continue to exercise the most thoroughgoing 

 neglect and to bewail the failure of the crop. Yes, 

 plow the old apple orchard ; then fertilize and spray 

 it. Or, if the roots are too near the surface to allow 

 of plowing, harrow it thoroughly when the turf is 

 soft in spring, and continue to work it during the 

 season. If this is not feasible, then pasture it closely 

 with sheep or hogs, feeding the stock at the same 

 time. If this cannot be done, and the orchard is 

 unprofitable, cut it down. 



When orchards begin to bear well, the crops 

 should be discontinued. Young orchards may some- 

 times be summer -fallowed with the very best results 

 if the land is hard and intractable. This fallowing 



