Practical Orcharding On Rough Lands. 1 79 



is frequently used as a growing mulch. In this 

 case it will be found profitable to pasture it 

 with a mowing machine, (that is, clip the clover 

 frequently,) never allowing it to blossom. In 

 this way the trees receive a great benefit the 

 same season from the cuttings, as it forms a 

 mulch over the entire surface and decays 

 quickly, increasing the growth of the next 

 cutting. If this is continued throughout the 

 season, the clover will be found to root much 

 deeper than when allowed to make its entire 

 growth as when cut for hay. Besides the 

 clover will make a stronger growth if not al- 

 lowed to seed, as it like other plants, attempts 

 to reproduce itself, and when this is accom- 

 plished it is ready to give place to the next 

 growth of plants. Other plants may be used as 

 growing mulches, but the common red clover 

 has been most satisfactory. 



Sod Mulch. — ^The subject of orcharding 

 can hardly be mentioned now that the practice 

 of sod mulch does not come in for its share 

 of pros and cons. Many condemn the sod 

 mulch system before they have given it a fair 

 trial. That is, they plant an orchard, scatter 

 a little grass seed around over it, then when 

 it makes its appearance a bunch here and there, 

 with a greater part of the ground bare and 



