WEEDS AND GRASSES IN ORCHARDS 



353 



killed by.winter. Crab grass (Fig. 248), tumble grass, and similar 

 annual grasses are of little benefit as winter cover crops. The 

 orchardist should not excuse himself from sowing a good winter 

 cover crop by thinking that the weeds will do as well. The amount 

 of plant food collected by the growth of orchard weeds will not 

 form a very valuable green manure crop the next spring. It is 



Fig. 252. 



Fig. 252. — Wild Buckwheat; 1, entire plant; 2, plant winding around a stalk of timothy; 



5, seedling somewhat older; 6, seed small and enlarged. (Minnesota Station.) 

 Fig. 253. — Pennsylvania Smartweed; 1, top of plant; 4, seed enlarged. (Minnesota Station.) 



far better to sow a crop of winter grain mixed with some winter 

 legume, such as vetch or perhaps crimson clover, which will make a 

 green carpet over the soil for pruning and spraying work of the 

 winter season. A cover crop which grows through the winter and 

 early spring will prevent leaching away of much plant food. It will 

 also prevent erosion. Best of all, it will form a valuable manure 

 crop when turned under the following spring. 

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