CHAPTER X. 

 ORCHARD MANAGEMENT. 



125. Culture After Planting. — As soon as orchard trees 

 are planted the ground should be cultivated to conserve 

 moisture. Even if no weeds start keep the surface earth 

 mellow by frequent stirring. It is the best possible mulch 

 for newly planted trees. In the arid States watering may 

 be needed of the whole surface, but as soon as the top 

 begins to dry the stirring should be continued, and in the 

 rain-belt it should follow each rain to prevent soil-baking 

 and hardening. It is specially desirable to get as much 

 growth as possible in the growing season of the first year. 

 If we secure growth of top we will also secure growth of 

 feeding-roots and the extension of water-feeding roots 

 downward. If the plough is used at first turn the furrows 

 toward the trees and follow with small-toothed cultivator 

 to pulverize the soil and level the surface. The well- 

 pulverized soil the first season is more important than after 

 the trees become well established and deeply rooted. In 

 orcliard culture tlie use of the rotary- disk harrow is to be 

 recommended, but only to break up the surface for the 

 after use of a Thomas harrow or even a good steel-tooth 

 harrow. The disk without the after use of the harrow 

 leaves ridges and increases rather than retards evaporation. 



126. Shading of Orchard Soils. — During recent years 

 the continued culture of orchards has been advocated in 



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