FRUITS FUR THE HOME GROUNDS 



must be watched at sowing-time to make sure of a moist seed-bed. 

 Whatever the crop, it should be plowed or dug under in the fall or 

 early spring, and under no circumstances be permitted to stand late in 

 the spring to rob the trees of food and moisture. 



Clean cultivation produces a large ciop 



The Functions '^^^. i°^Portance of cultivating the orchard is better 

 of Cultivation realized when one considers the functions of that 

 operation. The benefits derived from stirring the 

 soil may be grouped under three heads: First, the physical condition 

 of the land is improved because the soil is made finer, giving greater 

 feeding surface to the plants; the depth of the soil is increased, thus 

 enlarging the root-run of the plant; and the soil is made warmer and 

 drier in the spring, when i)lant activities begin. Secoiui, tillage con- 

 serves moisture by checking evaporation and by increasing the 

 capacity of tlie soil to hold water. Third, tillage makes dormant plant- 

 food availal)le by decomposing organic matter, by promoting nitrifica- 

 tion, and by making coarse soils finer. 



An altogether secondary effect is the killing of weeds; but he 

 IS a sloven indeed who will permit weeds to disfigure the home orchard. 

 The working necessary to secure the first-uained conditions of the 

 orchard will take care of the weeds. 



It is true that very often the owner of the home orchard wants 

 his trees m grass that he may lietter enjov lixing under them and 

 he may not care to cultivate his small plantings. Almost every 



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