The Site and the Soil 7 



limited experience shows that they are decidedly advan- 

 tageous. What the particular cover-crop shall be will 

 always be determined by conditions. Where crimson 

 clover thrives it is undoubtedly one of the best. For 

 northern latitudes hairy vetch is more dependable. Rye 

 should be avoided for, unless uprooted at just the right 

 moment in spring, it so quickly saps moisture from the 

 ground that the crop may suffer much. Its growth in 

 spring is so rapid that a very little delay caused by un- 

 favorable weather or any one of the many things which are 

 always hindering in farm work may cause serious injury. 1 



Soil acidity may have considerable influence on results. 

 Its effects differ greatly with the different types of fruit. 

 The red raspberry is impatient with an acid soil and will 

 respond well to an application of lime. The black-cap is 

 not sensitive to acidity. It may even object to too heavy 

 applications of lime. Blackberries are comparatively in- 

 different, but may be helped some by lime if the soil is 

 very sour. Currants and gooseberries appear to behave 

 in much the same way, being somewhat benefited when 

 the soil is very sour. Huckleberries, on the other hand, 

 demand a sour soil and will only thrive when it is present. 



Thorough preparation of the soil is essential, especially 

 deep plowing, with a good plow which will thoroughly 

 pulverize the soil. One should remember that he is to 

 plow but once and the crop lasts long; therefore, the work 

 should be thorough. Subsoiling may be advantageous 

 under exceptional conditions, but under those conditions 

 underdraining will probably be better. Dynamiting, de- 



1 For a fuller discussion of cover-crops in their relation to fruit- 

 growing, see Bailey's "Principles of Fruit-growing," Revised Ed. 



