FIELD, ORCHARD, AND GARDEN CROPS 173 



Care should be taken that neither teams nor tools break or scar 

 the trees, and that the plow does not go close and deep enough to 

 break their roots. After a few years the orchard may be * put 

 down ' in grass, such as blue grass or orchard grass, though 



SPRAYING FRUIT TREES 



a compact sod should not be allowed to form around the 

 trees. 



Fertilizers. The best fertilizers for fruits are those containing 

 potash which improves the. quality of the fruit. There is no better 

 fertilizer than wood ashes. 



Spraying. Trees sometimes need medicine as well as food. 

 Fungous diseases and insects often attack fruit trees and, if un- 

 checked, cause death. Some of these diseases are very contagious 

 and widespread. It requires care and watchfulness to keep them 



