FRUIT GROWING 139 



ern tools run frequently, the work of cultivating an 

 orchard, killing all weeds, and keeping in the moisture 

 in dry weather, will be reduced to a very low figure. 



A Cover Crop. 



This 'cultivation should be kept up from the beginning 

 of growth in the spring until about August ist, when 

 peas and barley may be sown, which will lie on the 

 ground during the winter, to protect the land from 

 blowing and washing, and can be plowed under at any 

 time up to June. The advantage of this crop over 

 clovers, rye, or vetch, is that it makes no growth during 

 the spring to carry off moisture or plant food, which 

 might result in much injury in a severe drouth during 

 April or early May. Rye or crimson clover makes but 

 little growth at the North until the middle or last of' 

 May, and would produce a very small amount of organic 

 matter to turn under until later in the season. Red 

 clover makes a good growth in the fall and supplies a 

 large amount of organic matter in top and root for 

 turning under. With the above treatment no manure 

 and little fertilizers need be applied to the trees until 

 they begin to bear. 



Cost of an Orchard. 



The estimated cost of an apple orchard per acre may 

 be stated as follows: 



FIRST YEAR BEFORE PLANTING. 



Plowing $3.00 



Peas and oats (seed) 3 . oo 



Peas and barley (seed) 3 . 50 



Seeding 2.00 



$11.50 



