122 THE APPLE 



only 3 feet each side of the tree is given the young trees for 

 growth the first year, the remainder of the land being devoted to 

 some other crop. The second and following years, however, the 

 space given them is increased until finally all the land between 

 the trees is clean cultivated, which means a thorough cultivation 

 of the entire orchard. This policy of allowing ample space for the 

 growth of the trees will result in a thrifty development of each. 



The older trees. As the trees increase in age and size the 

 method of culture may change somewhat, but the principle is the 

 same. Generally there are fewer weeds to contend with, owing to 

 the shading of the soil by the trees, and for the same reason a 

 catch crop cannot be grown profitably. If the orchard has been 

 started properly, plowing may be continued quite close to the tree. 

 It has been noticed, however, that either the older trees have a 

 tendency to produce roots nearer the surface or the older roots 

 grow upward, making the close plowing and harrowing somewhat 

 difficult. In the author's experience this lack of close cultivation 

 has not injured the trees, for the near-by soil is not being used 

 by the feeding roots so much as the soil farther away. However, 

 plowing or disking should be given early in the spring, and a 

 good soil mulch should be maintained, as stated previously. 



