FRUIT-GROWING IN THE UNITED STATES 449 



thorough cultivation until the middle or last of July. Crimson 

 clover or covvpeas are sowed for a cover crop at this time. 



In the mountain orchards, where the land is rough and irregular 

 and the rows are not straight, cultivation is difficult and sometimes 

 impossible. Many times, even when cultivation could be given, it 

 is not advisable to do so because of the resulting loss by erosion. 

 Sometimes the odd and even rows are given culture in alternate 

 years, care being taken to cultivate along the contour lines. 

 Mulches are used where cultivation is impracticable or impossible. 



The young orchards are headed low, from 2 to 3 feet being 

 the average height. The method of pruning differs from that in 

 the North — the closed-center or central-leader system being used 

 almost entirely in order to prevent sunscald. 



Many insects and diseases are found in this region, the worst 

 insect being the round-headed apple-tree borer, while cedar rust 

 and bitter rot seem to be the most troublesome diseases. Spraying 

 is becoming more common, and power sprayers are in evidence 

 where the size of the orchard warrants. Low-power outfits of the 

 lightest weight are used on the hills. 



Some of the most modern orchardists use commercial fertilizer, 

 while others do not regard it of great value. 



Cheap labor is abundant. The mountain valleys are well sup- 

 plied with people of primitive ways of living, who are good, willing 

 workers, easily taught, and are content with low wages. 



The box is not common, although certain growers prefer it 

 to other packs. The barrel is the most common carrier for the 

 apples. Transportation facilities are very good in this region, 

 some parts being nearer the large cities of the East than western 

 New York, while small markets, such as mining towns, lumber 

 camps, and small manufacturing centers, are near at hand. For 

 export trade the region is very well situated, being near important 

 tidewater ports. 



There seem to be ample facilities for the storage of the best 

 apples, and the near-by large cities offer cold-storage room. The 

 pressing need is for some means of utilizing profitably the drops 

 and bulk fruit. Very few evaporators or canning factories are now 

 available, but there are good opportunities for investment along 

 these two lines. 



