APPLES 25 
not use Whether grown alone or in com- 
pination the greatest care should be exer- 
cised in using just the right quantity of 
seed. Those who have not had experi- 
ence in sowing turnips and rape are al- 
most sure to use too much seed. Not more 
than one pound of turnip seed should be 
used to the acre, except with the cow- 
horn type Six pounds of rape seed to 
the acre is sufficient. 
Buckwheat 
Buckwheat, like rye, is a dependable 
crop and is largely used by the apple 
growers of Western New York. It has 
a pulverizing influence upon the soil and 
is useful in “smothering” weeds. It does 
well on almost any kind of soil, and on 
account of its ability to grow on very poor 
soils is often called the “poor man’s 
crop.” The “poor farmer’s crop” would 
seem to be a more suitable appellation. 
It is not advisable to sow buckwheat in 
an orchard until August Ist, or later. If 
sown earlier it may mature its seed be- 
fore frost comes and such seed will cause 
trouble in the spring. Buckwheat con- 
tributes to the soil very little vegetable 
matter, for after the first frost it is diffi- 
cult to find the remains of the crops. 
Rye 
Rye is probably the most reliable of all 
cover crops and among those of the non- 
leguminous class it is the most satisfac- 
tory. The most important requirement of a 
cover crop is that it makes a cover and 
where other crops fail rye may usually 
be depended upon. The greatest objection 
to this crop is that it sometimes makes 
such a large growth in the spring that 
it is dificult to turn it under. This sel- 
dom happens except with the farmer 
who is habitually behind with his work. 
Legumes 
Canada peas, soy beans and horse beans 
are sometimes grown as cover crops. They 
are nitrogen-gatherers and belong to the 
fall group. For a Connecticut condition 
none of them is so well adapted as the 
cow peas. 
Cow Pea 
By many orchardists the cow pea is re- 
garded as one of the best plants for cover 
crop purposes. Of the autumn group it 
te 
is undoubtedly the most satisfactory. It 
is a hot weather plant and thrives re- 
markably well on light soils and in dry 
seasons. This is an important point in 
its favor, for it is a common occurrence 
to have very dry weather about the time 
the cover crop is expected to make its 
growth. The seed may be sown broad- 
cast, or it may be drilled in. The variety 
“Whippoorwill” is probably the best for 
cover crop purposes. A combination of 
cow peas and clover makes an ideal cover 
crop. The former should be sown in drills 
about two feet apart and not later than 
the middle of July. About the first of 
August the clover should be sown broad- 
cast between the rows and harrowed in. 
This harrowing will be of great benefit to 
the cow peas, giving them a good start. In 
very dry seasons the sowing of the clover 
may be deferred and cultivation may be 
continued between the rows. If deferred 
too long the clover is not likely to become 
well established before winter sets in and 
is likely to be killed before spring. Under 
such conditions rye would probably give 
best results. About one bushel of cow 
peas and 12 to 15 pounds of clover seed 
will probably be about the right quantity 
per acre. When trost comes the cow peas 
will be killed, leaving the clover in pos- 
session of the ground. 
Hairy Vetch 
Hairy or winter vetch in many sections 
is becoming a popular cover crop for or- 
chard purposes. It is an annual and 
thrives well at low temperatures. It be- 
longs to the nitrogen-gathering group and 
owing to its prostrate habit of growth and 
its habit of growing in late fall and early 
spring, is well suited to cover crop pur- 
poses. It is better adapted to heavy soil, 
but when sufficient attention is given to 
the preparation of the ground, will thrive 
remarkably well on the-lighter soils. The 
harvesting of the seed is a difficult opera- 
tion, especially in New England, and for 
this reason the seed is usually very high 
in price. Some orchardists have been 
able to grow their own seed by sowing 
rye and vetch together. The rye supports 
the vetch, facilitating the work of har- 
vesting. 
