CHAPTER VII 

 CULTIVATION OF THE ORCHARD 



IN this chapter will be discussed methods of tillage and 

 systems involving the use of cover-crops and sod-mulch, and 

 the use of the tractor in orchard cultivation. 



No hard and fast rules can be laid down for soil man- 

 agement since conditions vary greatly in different regions, 

 but a number of principles should be followed everywhere. 

 Usually the correct system is worked out eventually by the 

 most successful grower in any community and it is by 

 following in a general way methods which by demonstra- 

 tion have established their efficiency that one may hope 

 for the best results. 



In reacting from the neglectful practices of soil man- 

 agement which prevailed in many eastern orchards, the 

 western apple-growers for a period of years adopted a pro- 

 gram of intensive and absolutely clean cultivation. (See 

 Plate VII.) Conservation of moisture and stimulation of 

 tree growth were the two principal reasons for such a pro- 

 gram. Until 1915 absolutely clean cultivation was the 

 practice in all of the leading apple regions of the Pacific 

 Northwest. As the trees grew older, greater demands 

 were made on the soil and it became apparent that this 

 system of soil management led to a depletion of fertility 

 and failed particularly in maintaining the necessary hu- 

 mus-content. A rapid change occurred in the system of 

 soil management and at present a cover- or shade-crop sys- 



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