FRUIT GROWING 65 



power implements alone. A few years ago this 

 would not have been possible. The mainte- 

 nance of proper cultural conditions is less ex- 

 pensive of human effort nowadays than for- 

 merly. The disc harrow, the orchard culti- 

 vator, and the light gang plow have combined 

 to increase the efficiency of labor. 



While good cultivation is essential, clean cul- 

 ture is not the sole aim. Good cultivation con- 

 sists not only in stirring the soil to a proper 

 depth at the right time with implements suited 

 for the work, but also in practicing a system of 

 cover cropping which shall maintain the nitro- 

 gen and humus supply in the soil so that by the 

 addition of a small amount of mineral ferti- 

 lizer, in the form of phosphoric acid and pot- 

 ash, a normal plant ration can be maintained 

 in the soil. 



In planning the orchard the contour of the 

 land should be considered. If the area is hilly 

 the tree rows should be planned on contour lines 

 with a grade of not more than four inches in 

 one hundred feet. This will allow all cultiva- 

 tion to be done in such a manner as to prevent 

 erosion and with the least expenditure of en- 

 ergy. The slight grade in the rows will permit 

 of drainage without washing, and will permit 

 all cultivation to be performed with the same 



