CHAPTER VI 



THE USE OF STABLE MANURE IN THE ORCHARD 



Before planting the orchard. After the location of the orchard 

 has been selected and before the trees have been set out, it is ad- 

 visable to treat the land for a few years by a systematic cropping and 

 manuring plan. The advantages of such a plan will be apparent in 

 the improved physical condition of the soil, which in turn will have 

 a marked influence for good on the growth of the orchard during 

 its early life. 



If manure is available, it would be well to apply to the soil from 

 i o to 40 tons per acre each year for two years or more previous to 

 the planting of the trees. If the land selected is in sod, the manure 

 may be spread broadcast upon this growth either during the winter 

 or early in the spring, whichever time is more convenient. Plowing 

 and fitting are then in order as soon as practicable in the spring. 

 Some hoed crop, such as corn or potatoes, should be used the first 

 year, and the second year a different crop, such as squash, beans, 

 etc., can be substituted. 



In the spring of the third year, after a heavy application of 

 manure has been spread broadcast, the trees may be set. There 

 is no good reason why some other crop or one of those already 

 mentioned should not be planted at the same time. 



Use of manure after the trees have been planted. Generally 

 speaking, after the trees have been planted it is not advisable to 

 use manure each year, especially during the early development of 

 the trees. It has been found that when heavy applications of manure 

 are made yearly for the first ten or twelve years, there is an over- 

 stimulation of wood growth throughout the growing season and 

 continuing into the fall. This is very injurious to the trees, for the 

 young wood is in too immature, tender a condition to withstand 

 severe cold, and the result is often the winter killing of the tender 

 shoots and sometimes the destruction of the whole tree. If manure 



