208 



THE PEACH ORCHARD 



may be cut out and the ground will be fairly well occupied with 

 apple trees. 



Inter-cropping.— The same principles regarding inter-cropping 

 mentioned for the apple orchard apply here (Fig. 135). If crops 

 which require thorough cultivation are grown between the trees, 

 then the trees will receive the cultivation they need. Do not 

 grow tall crops, such as corn or sorghum between the trees. This 

 tends to shade the trees too much unless wide spaces are between 

 the crops and the trees. Early varieties of Irish potatoes are 

 suitable, if the soil is favorable. It is well to let the orchard have 



Fig. 133. — Fruit trees should be heeled in as soon as received or when dug from the nursery. 

 Tramp the soil well about the roots. (Indiana Station.) 



very little if any cultivation during the latter part of the summer 

 and early fall. 



Cover Crops. — -It is more important, perhaps, with peaches than 

 with any other orchard trees to have a cover crop sown late in July 

 or early in August to remain during the fall and winter (Fig. 137). 

 The growth of this crop will tend to check the growth of the trees 

 in the fall, cause them to ripen their buds and bark in time for 

 winter and prevent some winter killing. The cover crop will also 

 take up and hold available plant food for the use of the trees the 

 next summer. It will prevent leaching and washing of the soil. 

 The cover crop also keeps a carpet over the ground which is much 

 appreciated during the winter pruning and spraying operations. 



For the cover crop sow rye, winter vetch and perhaps crimson 

 clover where the winters are not too severe. 



