APPLES 
is in alfalfa, and one-sixth of it plowed 
and cultivated for the growth of trees. 
With each succeeding year the plowed 
strip will be a little wider and the alfalfa 
will be a little narrower, inasmuch as we 
would endeavor to plow the land about 
as rapidly as the roots of the tree would 
extend out in the direction of the center 
of the row. This plan seemed to work 
well, except for the difficulty of irrigation, 
where irrigation is practiced, but there is 
no question that the soil is improved by 
the growth of alfalfa, and that it will 
yield a profitable crop while the trees are 
coming into bearing. That which is true 
of alfalfa is also true of clover, insofar 
as improving the soil is concerned, but as 
a hay crop the clover is perhaps not so 
profitable. 
Profits from Vegetables 
Mr. Alexander Miller, a gardener at 
North Yakima, Washington, gives the fol- 
lowing figures as possible net profits per 
acre from various crops: 
Cucumbers. ground heavily ma- 
nured, per acre, per annum............ $1,000 
TOMATOES ooo. .cececcceeeeseecce ences ceeteenereemeceeeees 1,000 
ASPATALUS  .o..eee cee ec cece eeeee cece ewan eeeeetenenen anes 1,500 
RAUDArD ou... oc. eeeceeeece cece ence ecu e ec eeeceeeteeeeenenee 1,500 
COOL y oo. ceceeccceecacsneceeceeee ce ceeecneneceeseemeueneees 1,500 
Horse Radish oo... ee eee eeee ee eeee eee 1,500 
Early Potatoes 20.0... ceeceeeceseeeeseeeeseeees 500 
POAS cececcceeececcereeceeeeeceneeeenencannmenseseenesceecenes 500 
TUPTIPS .....ee ce ceecesecnte ee seeeeeeeaeceensectenenteeeeees 300 
Turnips may follow a crop of early po- 
tatoes or peas the same year, and that 
brings the productive value of the land 
up to $800 per acre. 
The rutabagas are about as profitable as 
turnips and either will yield large returns 
in proportion to the labor costs. 
These ylelds are exceptionaly large but 
knowing Mr. Miller to be an exceptionally 
good gardner we do not doubt the figures. 
How to Arrange the Rows 
The plan here given is merely sugges- 
tive, and may be varied to suit the condi- 
tions or the opinions of the planter. Sup- 
pose, however, we plant rhubarb, aspara- 
gus and strawberries midway between the 
rows of fruit trees, one-third of each. We 
will have to wait for them to bear, but 
they are very hardy and very profitable, 
if well fed. This places them one rod 
261 
apart and one-half rod from each tree row 
on either side. In spraying, the team and 
Wagon can be driven astride these rows, 
and will not injure them in the least. 
First Year 
We have now aranged for a profitable 
crop, one year from planting, but nothing 
the first year. Between the rows of veg- 
etables now planted, and the trees, may be 
planted onions, peas, cucumbers, tomatoes, 
cantaloupes or celery. Ten acres planted 
in this way ought to yield a living much 
larger than the average family of the 
United States receives and larger than 
the profits from the average farm. This 
is the critical period, for it is the first 
year and the one of the least income. 
The next year these crops may be va- 
ried, except that the rhubarb, asparagus 
and strawberries remain standing until 
such time as the trees need the land. 
Seeond Year 
The second year the same arrangement 
as the first may be followed or the crops 
may be varied. This year the asparagus 
will bear a little and the rhubarb and 
strawberries yield profitable returns. 
: Third Year 
The third year, any arrangement may 
be followed that suits the grower, because 
there are three crops, namely, asparagus, 
rhubarb and strawberries that will yield 
good returns. This year the 400 peach 
trees should yield $3 to $5 per tree. This 
will, in the aggregate, make a fair living. 
In this estimate of profits from peaches, 
I am presuming upon fair market condi- 
tions. During the seasons of 1912 and 
1913, we have had rather poor markets, 
not because peaches did not sell for good 
prices to the consumer, but because of 
poor systems of distribution. I have 
known peaches to yield $1,000 per acre; 
again they would not pay the costs of 
production and marketing. 
Fourth Year 
The fourth year we would not advise 
any vegetables between the trees except 
the three permanent crops of asparagus, 
rhubarb and strawberries. This year 
four-year-old peach trees will yield from 
$5 to $10 per tree and the pears will 
