New Land 17 



soil which has been cropped to death and worn out before 

 being planted to trees is not suitable for orchard land until 

 after it has undergone several years of soil improving 

 culture. 



New Land 



New land is very -desirable for an orchard, and especial- 

 ly land which has just been cleared of a heavy growth of 

 timber. The decaying foliage and roots of the forest 

 growth leaves the soil with a generous supply of humus, 

 and will produce a luxuriant growth of wood in the young 

 trees. However, the land should be freed from all stumps 

 and roots before the orchard is planted, as this work is 

 done more easily and cheaply while the entire area is open 

 and free for the movement of the teams necessary in clear- 

 ing the land. 



In lands that are covered with a growth of scrub oak 

 there is much danger from root rot becoming troublesome 

 and planting immediately after the timber is removed is 

 not advisable. In any land from which the timber has just 

 been removed it is always best to put the grotfnd into 

 some cultivated or soil building crop such as corn, pota- 

 toes, clover or cow peas for a couple of years before plant- 

 ing the trees. 



Stony land is not at all objectionable for orchards, as 

 on steep slopes the stones help in protecting the soil from 

 excessive washing, and no doubt help materially in warm- 

 ing up the soil in the spring. A stony soil is usually a 

 well drained soil. On lands which have a very steep slope 

 the stones can easily be made into terraces below the trees 

 or they may be placed in the form of terraces between 

 each two rows of trees. Unless the soil is very thin stones 

 may be considered as a benefit rather than otherwise, be- 

 cause of the value they are to the land in assisting in drain- 

 age and in protecting the soil from washing. 



Where virgin soil cannot be had for the orchard, only 

 rich land should be used. An orchard will occupy the land 

 for many years, and very thorough preparation should be 

 given before the trees are planted. Never set the trees 



