200 The Principles of Fruit-growing. 
growth in a single season. When sown at midsea- 
son, therefore, it should not be expected to yield a 
very heavy crop. If it should arrive at that stage 
when it nearly or wholly covers the surface of the 
ground with a thin, close mat, it will have reached 
its most profitable condition. Neither is it necessary 
that the plant should stand the winter and grow in 
the spring. Turnips, maize, vetch, and other tender 
plants are known to be very useful as orchard cov- 
Fig. 21. <A good stand of crimson clover as it looks lcfore growth has begun 
in the spring. 
ers, although they pass the winter in the dead state. 
If the crimson clover passes the winter and grows 
in the spring, much will be gained; but if it should 
not pass the winter, nothing will be lost. In respect 
to the proper time for sowing crimson clover, it may 
be said that if it is sown very early in the season 
(that is, before the first of July), it is likely to be- 
come too large and ripe, and be killed by the win- 
ter; if it is sown too late (that is, after the middle 
