1 42 Practical Orcharding On Rough Lands. 



best be done by constant cultivation. We call 

 this method of cultivation a Dust Mulch. 

 Where can we turn for a more strikmg ex- 

 ample than to the west, or irrigated sections, 

 for lessons in cultivation to retain moisture? 

 If these fruit growers who have it in their 

 power to apply water whenever their crops 

 need it, find it profitable to keep a dust mulch 

 by constant cultivation in order to get best re- 

 sults, how much more considerate of the reten- 

 tion of moisture should those growers be who 

 have to depend entirely upon the annual rain- 

 fall for their supply. How seldom it is that an 

 orchardist on the rough, rocky, dry, steep hill 

 sides ever seems to give this a passing thought 

 in connection with the methods of cultivation 

 being practiced. 



Cultivate to Hasten the Decomposition 



OF Plants. — This is one purpose of tillage that 

 is frequently overlooked. When crops are 

 grown for the improvement of soil and only 

 half ploughed down or buried (ploughed un- 

 der seems to express it better, as it carries with 

 it the idea of burying the material) — and that 

 is what must happen if we can hope for the 

 best results in the shortest time. This being 

 the case the matter of cultivation as a means of 

 hastening decomposition should receive the 



