202 Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



makes a good growth in any of the orchard districts of this 

 region. A few orchardists are experimenting with Can- 

 ada field peas. They have the advantage that they make 

 good feed if one wishes to combine hog-feeding with or- 

 charding. The pods will not fill nearly so well, however, 

 as they do in the higher altitudes where the climate is much 

 cooler. Pea seed should, therefore, be planted as early 

 in the season as possible. Cowpeas have been tried to a 

 limited extent, but the season in many parts of the arid 

 region seems to be rather short for them, and the young 

 plants are easily injured by overwatering. In one or- 

 chard where we were experimenting with this crop the 

 plants made almost no growth, possibly because the proper 

 bacteria were not present. 



Alfalfa has been tried by some persons, but at the mere 

 mention of the word most orchardists will raise strong 

 objection. If it were not so difficult to plow, it would 

 certainly be an ideal crop for the purpose. We do not 

 wish to give the impression of advocating the use of al- 

 falfa, but it is not impossible that a method of handling 

 may be devised that will make its use feasible, except in 

 stony land. Why not plant it in rows ? then tillage could 

 be given throughout the season if desired. Then if the 

 tops are mown off before the seed has set, there ought not 

 to be much trouble with its spreading. If the turning plow 

 is used when the plants are not over two years old, it is not 

 such a difficult matter to cut the roots, and the ground will 

 usually need to be plowed that often at least. But if one 

 wishes to continue to grow alfalfa in the orchard, it would 

 be an advantage not to kill it out, but to have it continue to 

 come up year after year. 



