CULTURE, ETC. 243 



to think that this was to be sufficient for them ; but it 

 ought rather to be inferred that any crop for which these 

 preliminary labors were recommended, should receive con- 

 tinuous attentions of a similar character. It is with the 

 desire that these views should obtain, and to indicate and 

 specify, some of the most suitable modes of procedure, 

 that the following remarks are presented in this place. 



If the ground, which has been appropriated to the orch- 

 ard, be also occupied as farming land, as is usually done 

 for a few years after planting, while the trees are small, it 

 should be exclusively devoted to hoed crops; by which is 

 meant those that require constant cultivation and stirring 

 of the soil. Indian corn is a favorite on account of the 

 thorough culture which is bestowed upon it, but there 

 are some objectors to its use ; by such it is considered too 

 rank a grower; it is thought to absorb too much of the 

 moisture of the soil, and too greatly to over-shadow the 

 young trees if they be so small as has been recommended 

 under the head of Selection and Planting. To this objec- 

 tion, however, it is urged by others that the partial shade 

 during the latter part of summer is a benefit rather than 

 an injury. If the stalks be left standing upon the ground 

 during the winter, they modify the force of the winds, and 

 may even be of benefit, by the protection they furnish to 

 the stems of the young trees ; and when they fall to the 

 ground, with their abundant foliage, these materials con- 

 stitute a winter mulching of considerable value. Even if 

 the fodder has been cut up, as is usually done by prudent 

 farmers, the shocks scattered through the fields must ex- 

 ercise a considerable protecting influence. 



Melons, cucumbers, cabbages, v potatoes, turnips, and 



