44 THE APPLE-TREE 



the eastern country, the planting may be even less than 

 this of the upright-growing kinds. The spaces between 

 the trees may be utiUzed for a few years with other crops, 

 even with other fruits, as peaches or berries. Orchardists 

 sometimes plant smaller -growing and early-bearing vari- 

 eties of apples between the regular trees as "fillers," tak- 

 ing them out as the room is needed. Of course all kinds 

 of double cropping require that extra attention be given 

 to the tilling and fertilizing of the plantation. 



The general advice for the growing of strong apple- 

 trees is to give the land good tillage from the first and 

 to withhold other cropping after the trees come into 

 profitable bearing. Clean tillage for the first part of the 

 season and the raising of a cover-crop in the latter part; 

 to be plowed under, is a standard and dependable pro- 

 cedure. Trees live long in continuous sod and they may 

 thrive, but they may be expected to show gains under 

 tillage. Vast areas of apple plantings are in sod, but this 

 of itself does not demonstrate the desirability of the sod 

 practice. Allowing trees to remain in sod usually leads 

 to neglect. 



There is a modification of sod-practice in some parts 

 of the country that gives excellent results, under certain 

 conditions. The grass is cut and allowed to lie, not being 

 removed for hay. Manure and fertilizer are added as top- 

 dressing, as needed. This method is known as the "sod 

 mulch system." It is not a practice of partial neglect, 

 like the prevailing sod orchards, but a regular designed 

 method of producing results. Its application can hardly 

 be as widespread as clean tillage, on level lands. 



It is a common opinion that hillsides and more or 

 less inaccessible slopes should be planted to apples. This 



