42 



The Fruit-Growers Guide-Book 



It is best in most instances to put the young orchard into 

 a crop of some sort which will necessitate the cultivation 

 of the land. Crops like corn, cotton, potatoes, strawber- 

 ries, cantaloupes, or other crops of that nature make ex- 

 cellent crops in a newly planted orchard. These crops are 

 temporary, and are planted for the profit that can be ob- 

 tained from them. Their culture is intensive and requires 



An Orchard in Clean Cultivation. 



a frequent stirring of the soil, and these are just the con- 

 ditions which are needed for the young trees. During the 

 first few years of an orchard the effort should be directed 

 along the line of promoting as much wood growth as pos- 

 sible, in order to get a large framework for the future pro- 

 duction of fruit. A tree that is starved and stunted in its 

 early life will not make a productive tree when it comes 

 into bearing. 



