HOW TO PLOW AN ORCHARD. 2"? 



and the crop is harvested early, no possible harm can re- 

 sult. The best apple orchards I have ever seen yield 

 remunerative crops of annual produce until the trees be- 

 gin to bear heavily. The trees, however, are the primary 

 care. I have no faith, as a rule, in the statements that 

 fruit trees do not profit by cultivation. A farmer would 

 not attempt to raise corn by planting it in sod and then 

 mulching it, but many undertake to grow apple trees in 

 this manner. The man who treats his orchard as he 

 ■would his corn-field is bound to succeed. 



Returning now to the particular kind of crops for an 

 orchard, we will select first those which demand good 

 culture throughout their growing season. Among such 

 crops are potatoes, corn and garden vegetables. I know 

 of no better crop than early potatoes. The overturning 

 of the ground at digging time destroys the late weeds and 

 furnis.hes a good late summer stirring of the soil. In 

 many places, especially at the West, corn is regarded as 

 the best crop for a young orchard, as it protects the trees 

 from winds and keeps the ground cool. The protection 

 from winds is rather an imaginary benefit, as the heaviest 

 winds occur when the corn cannot afford protection. 

 All the garden vegetables which are harvested by the 

 first or the middle of August are excellent orchard crops, 

 and in many parts of New England, at least, they are 

 profitable when grown in large quantities. 



