INTERCROPPING 



161 



Currants offer many advantages as a filler crop — both as to 

 growth and as to returns in money. They may be planted in the 

 row with the trees, — a very common method in the northeastern 

 states, — or they may be planted in rows between the rows of trees. 

 A good way is to plant a row of currants halfway between the rows 

 of trees, and on both sides of this, at a distance of 4 or 6 feet, 

 another row, spaced like the first, making in all three rows, which 



FlG. 75. Another profitable companion crop 



Cabbages as an intercrop used between young trees — a practical way of obtaining revenue 

 from an orchard before the trees begin to bear 



are far enough away from the young trees so that for several years 

 they will not interfere with the needs of the tree roots. The fruit 

 can be harvested, sometimes the second year, but usually the third 

 year ; it may even be later in some cases, the time depending on 

 the age of the plants, the care given them, and the resultant growth. 

 About $100.00 an acre would be a fair return from currants. 



Gooseberries may be substituted for the currants and should 

 be treated in the same manner as regards planting and culture. 



