202 MAIND AGRICULTURAI. ^XPERIMIiNT STATION. I905. 



(3) Protects roots during- winter, and holds the snow. 



(4) Helps to dr\' out the soil in spring, thus permitting 

 earlier working of the land. 



(5) In some cases adds directly to the store of nitrogen in 

 the soil, — as when leguminous crops are used. 



(6) Growth of trees late in the season is checked. 



KIND OF COVER CROP. 



What to sow for a cover crop depends largely upon soil and 

 location. On good strong land, which is not specially in need 

 of additional nitrogen, winter rye has proved the most satisfac- 

 tory of anything tried at the Station. It germinates quickly, 

 and even in cold seasons, when frosts come early, will form a 

 very satisfactory mat before winter. On " thin " soils, however, 

 rye does not stool freely and fails to make a good cover. Such 

 soils also are usually in need of more nitrogen and will be 

 benefited by the use of some leguminous crop like the vetches 

 or mammoth clover. The ideal cover crop on such soils is 

 winter vetch (Vicia villosa) , sown as early as July 15. Within 

 six weeks this plant develops nitrogen accumulating nodules 

 and contributes directly to the fertility of the land. It is hardy 

 and usually makes a good growth the following spring before 

 time for plowing. 



Spring vetch (Vicia sativa) , is another nitrogen gathering 

 cover crop which makes a very vigorous growth in the fall, often 

 forming a perfect mat a foot thick, when sown August i. 

 It is apparently even more efficient than the winter vetch as 

 a nitrogen gatherer, but it does not survive the winter ; hence is 

 not as valuable in preventing washing by the spring rains, and 

 does not help dry out the land in spring. 



Alammoth clover must be sown as early as July 15 to produce 

 sufficient growth to be of much value. As a rule the vetches 

 are to be preferred. 



Other crops used at the Station for this purpose are peas, oats, 

 and these two combined. All things considered, however, the 

 first three mentioned are the most satisfactory. 



A WORD OF CAUTION. 



While in general the use of a cover crop in cultivated orchards 

 is advantageous, there are cases where, if used injudiciously, it 



