CULTIVATION 



225 



headed low may be grown as close as sixteen feet each way. If the 

 trees are headed high, and if the soil is rich so that the growth 

 will be large the distance may be twenty to thirty-three feet 

 apart each way. 



The planting may be done either in late fall or early spring. In 

 the southern states winter planting may be also followed. 



Only a few trees are necessary for the home orchard, but if a sur- 

 plus can be easily marketed it is well to start a number of trees, as 

 the fruit usually brings a good price. 



Fig. 154. — Well pruned cherry trees fifteen years old in a commercial orchard. (U.S.D. A.) 



Pruning. — Cherry trees may be headed two to three feet above 

 ground, and sometimes lower heading is practiced. It is well to 

 thin the branches annually, but we seldom practice as close pruning 

 with the cherry as with the peach or apple. Cut away all injured or 

 diseased parts and make the tree well balanced throughout the 

 head. Figure 154. 



Cultivation. — Clean culture between the trees is recommended. 

 A winter cover crop may be sown in midsummmer to remain until 

 late spring. This, if plowed under may have enough plant food so 

 that fertilizer will not be necessary. The addition of manure or 

 other forms of fertilizer may be used on light soils. 

 15 



