COST OF PRODUCING APPLES IN WENATCHEE VALLEY, WASH. 11 



This condition led to the introduction of alfalfa, clover, and vetch 

 as a shade or mulch crop, until to-day there are nearly 4,000 acres in 

 alfalfa, 500 acres in clover, and 500 acres in vetch in the orchards of 

 north central Washington. Obviously, with the introduction of 

 these crops the method of cultural management gradually changed. 

 At the time of this investigation this change was being made, but the 

 new method had not been in vogue long enough, when records were 

 secured, for the most reliable results. Nevertheless the subject of 

 the management of such orchards is discussed briefly so as to show a 

 comparison of the different methods and the possibility of decreasing 

 the cost of production of the apple where the yields remain the same. 

 There are factors which may tend to show the impracticability of 



Fig.2.— A 5-year-old Jonathan orchard near Wenatchee in which clean cultivation has always been 



practiced. 



introducing a mulch crop, but at present it seems that yields can be 

 kept normal by a resort to this expedient, and that at the same time 

 the amount of labor involved in the care of the orchard can be 

 decreased. 



However, this bulletin deals primarily with the cost of producing 

 apples in the bearing orchards studied where clean cultivation is prac- 

 ticed. 



CLEAN CULTIVATION. 



It is the common practice in all irrigated regions to begin the sea- 

 sonal preparation of the soil by plowing or disking in the fall or spring. 

 It is the purpose of these operations to put the soil in a condition to 

 facilitate the use of the spring-tooth and the spike-tooth harrow, 

 the cultivator, and the float. It is usually possible to begin the cul- 

 tural work on the soil before the middle of April. (See fig. 2.) 



