CULTIVATION 



117 



condition of the tree. As proper environment is the prime essential 

 of cultivated plants, it seems justifiable to state that " cultivation 

 is one of the fundamental conditions for successful and profitable 

 production of apples." 



Tools for cultivation. Several types of tools used in cultiva- 

 tion are so common that definite mention can be made of them, 

 although particular advice for a particular location is impossible. 



Plows. Landside plows. The common landside plow is perhaps 

 more generally used than any other. With this the soil may one 



A tractor drawing double-action cutaway disk harrow and spring-tooth harrow - 

 cheap, practical way to fit or cultivate an orchard 



quick, 



year be turned toward the tree rows and close to them with a dead 

 furrow halfway between, and the next year be turned away from 

 the trees by the backfurrow method ; that is, by throwing the 

 furrows together where the dead furrow was left the year before, 

 which will leave dead furrows near the rows of trees. This method 

 may be followed year after year. However, if the lay of the land 

 permits, it may be better to plow east and west for two years and 

 change to north and south for the following two years, then east 

 and west again, and so on. By following this method the land 

 will be kept even, or " true." 



