INTER-CROPPING 



179 



tion. It is necessary to have the soil well firmed against the main 

 trunk so that it will not be blown over by the wind. A little 

 manure may be used on top of the soil. It serves as a mulch, 

 and the nourishment will be leached into the soil gradually by 

 rains. 



Culture of the Young Orchard. — If the orchard is on a hillside 

 the soil may be plowed toward the rows so as to leave a terrace 

 for each row of trees. This will require a reversible, or hillside 

 plow. The soil between the rows should be thoroughly cultivated 

 at least during the first half of its growing season. If the land is 

 only slightly sloping a common turning plow may be used each 



Fig. 103. 



-Trees with high heads and long trunks need propping more than do low-headed 

 trees. Thinning the fruit would also save some of the propping. 



spring. Follow with a disk harrow and spiketooth harrow. The 

 latter may be used several times in the season. 



Inter-cropping. — The most economical plan is to have crops 

 growing between the rows, such as potatoes, beans, beets, or any 

 garden crop which requires frequent tillage. These crops will 

 make use of the land which the young trees do not cover, and their 

 presence will require the grower to cultivate the trees sufficiently. 



It is not good practice to plant young orchards on grass land 

 without thorough cultivation. After the trees have become older 

 and have produced a few good crops the plan of allowing a sod 

 to form in the orchard is more excusable. Clean cultivation has 

 proved to be the best method so far as yields and quality are 

 concerned. 



