Cultivation of the Orchard 163 



entire omission of tillage will be even more injurious than 

 too much cultivation. 



Plowing every year or every other year is highly recom- 

 mended for all orchards except those in shade-crops or on 

 land unsuited for cultivation. The operation may be per- 

 formed either in the fall or spring. The only danger in 

 plowing is too great disturbance of root systems. For that 

 reason regular plowing is more advisable than plowing at 

 intervals of several years. Most commercial apple-growers 

 plow from 4 to 6 inches deep. The general use of cover- 

 crops makes spring plowing more common. Very often 

 discing is the first operation in the spring since it may be 

 done earlier than plowing. When clover or alfalfa is 

 grown in the orchard, plowing may not be advisable of tener 

 than every three years. 



Early cultivation is essential to moisture conservation 

 and the soil should be worked as early in the spring as 

 possible. When water is not a critical factor and when a 

 cover-crop is grown, it is sometimes permissible to allow 

 the cover-crop to get a good start in the spring before turn- 

 ing it under. In plowing, the orchardist should plow 

 toward the tree one year and away from the tree in the 

 next in order to prevent the tendency toward ridging. As 

 stated above, when perennial shade-crops such as alfalfa 

 are being grown, plowing of course is not practiced. A 

 thorough discing in the spring is recommended, however, 

 for shade-crops and may take the place of plowing. (See 

 Plate VIII.) 



After the first discing or plowing, frequent cultivation, 

 preferably every two weeks, is the program followed by 

 most successful apple-growers. By preserving a soil- 

 mulch until August, the critical drought period usually 



