FEB 16 1903 



-8- 



After plowing, the ground should be thoroughly 

 disced and then finished oflp with a smoothing harrow. 

 All later cultivation for the season may be with this latter 

 implement. Once each week and after each rain, when 

 the ground has become dry enough for working, the sur- 

 face should be gone over with the smoothing harrow. 



It should be borne in mind that soil so treated is in 

 bad condition for winter for the rains and melting snows 

 will wash the fertility from the soil and the roots of the 

 trees will be more surely injured by exposure to changes 

 of temperature. In July, or early August, a crop of rye, 

 oats or vetch should be sown in the orchard— something 

 that will make a blanket of vegetation. This protection 

 is well named a cover crop, and when plowed under in 

 the spring time adds organic matter to the soil. 



The most serious mistake an orchardist can make is 

 to allow a grain or hay crop to be grown in his orchard 

 to steal moisture and plant food from the trees' store- 

 house. During the entire life of the tree after it has 

 commenced bearing this plan of clean cultivation should 

 never be given up. 



Pruning, spraying, and other important matters con- 

 nected with the orchard, will be treated in some of the 

 lessons next spring. ^ 



REFEEENCE EEADINGS. 



Bulletin No. 52— Orchard Cultivation, Illinois Agricultural Ex- 

 periment Station. 



Bulletin No. 59 — Orchard Management, Illinois Agricultural 

 Experiment Station. 



In connection with this lesson it would be well to memorize the 

 ''Planting of the Apple Tree", by Bryant, a poem familiar to the 

 most of the older generation. 



