144 



CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



moisture supply is equalized by this storage in the soil, and a 

 surplus from the liberal rainfall of one year is held over to supply 

 the lack of the next. Of course, the well-cultivated surface is also 

 well calculated to catch water. While from a hard surface much 

 of a heavy rainfall flows off quickly to a lower level before it 

 can penetrate, a loose soil, if sufficiently deep, retains all that falls 

 upon it, except the excess, which disappears by drainage. 



It has sometimes been held by California orchardists that plant- 

 ing some tall-growing crop, like corn, so as to shade the young 

 tree and the ground around it, is an advantage. This is a great 

 mistake. Though some rich, moist soils may afford moisture 

 enough to grow both the tree and the corn, it is a fact that in most 

 cases the growth of the corn is made at the expense of the tree, 

 and sometimes almost costs its life and thrift. It has been amply 

 shown by investigation that though shading ground by a leafy 

 growth may make the surface layer of the soil moister, the lower 

 layers are invariably made drier, and it is in these lower layers 

 that the tree seeks its sustenance. The young tree should be 

 shaded as has been described in the chapter on planting, and not 

 by a growing plant. 



GROWING CROPS BETWEEN TREES AND VINES 



The possible advantage of a cover growth of clover in regions 

 of high heat and ample moisture has been noted at the opening of 

 this chapter. The rule, however, must be : Grow nothing what- 

 ever between the trees if you desire the full success of the latter. 

 As with all rules, this one may admit of exceptions. 



Inter-cultures in orchard or vineyard may be allowed under 

 certain conditions of the soil and the purse of the grower. If 

 the soil is deep and moist and rich, the cost of planting and culti- 

 vation, and sometimes more, may be made by growing a crop 

 among young trees. Of course, if irrigation is available, much 

 more can be done in this direction than if dependent upon natural 

 supplies of water. 



There is much difference as to crops in amount of injury they 

 may do to the trees. Growing alfalfa, without irrigation, has 

 been known to kill out an orchard. Grain is less dangerous, but 

 still is objectionable, both because of exhaustion of soil and 

 moisture, and because of danger to trees from heat deflected from 

 straw and stubble. The crops least injurious, because of their 

 requirements, and because of the constant cultivation of them, 

 checks the loss of moisture by evaporation, are corn, beans, pota- 

 toes, beets, carrots, etc., squashes, and other members of the melon 

 family, onions, and other shallow-rooting vegetables. In the 

 growth of these, however, there should be a width of several feet 

 of well-cultured soil on all sides of the tree, unoccupied. 



