Establishing the Apple Orchard 153 



root system. Not only does this maintain the proper bal- 

 ance between root and top, but it permits the proper head- 

 ing of the tree. While no definite height is given for 

 heading, it is suggested that one-year apple whips should 

 be cut to about 24 inches at time of planting in order that 

 the proper shaped trees may be developed. Emphasis is 

 laid on the advantages of low-headed trees. Such opera- 

 tions as spraying, pruning, thinning and harvesting can 

 be done more economically and effectively when the bear- 

 ing surface is close to the ground. 



USE OF FILLEBS AND INTEK-CEOPS 



The practice of planting " fillers " to utilize the land 

 between young trees is common and may have the advant- 

 age of bringing early returns before the permanent orchard 

 attains bearing. Peaches or early bearing varieties of 

 apples such as the Yellow Transparent are used most com- 

 monly as fillers. The grower usually makes the mistake 

 of allowing these temporary trees to remain too long, with 

 the result that the permanent trees are crowded and their 

 productivity jeopardized. If the orchard is favorably sit- 

 uated for the production of peaches, the grower will find 

 that this fruit lends itself well to a system of fillers. Va- 

 rieties of apples such as Mclntosh, Wealthy, Wagener, 

 Duchess and Yellow Transparent, which come into bear- 

 ing early, are adapted for use as fillers. 



The growing of small-fruits between the rows,' such as 

 strawberries, blackberries and raspberries, has been very- 

 profitable in some regions. Notable among such instances 

 is the Hood River Valley, well known for its strawberries 

 produced as an inter-crop in the young apple orchards. 



