FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL NURSERY STOCK 11 



Apple orchard, with strawberries as intercrop, first and second years. All the space between the trees is used for the intercrop, 



with the exception of 4 feet each side of the tree-rows 



Intercrops. Up to the time trees are six or seven 

 years old, their roots will not occupy all the space, 

 and cultivated double crops can be used. Even 

 when filler trees are planted as close as 15 or 20 feet, 

 the ground between can be made to yield a profit 

 while the trees are small; and at the same time, if 

 proper fertilizers are supplied, the orchards will be 

 benefited by the cultivation given to these double 

 crops. 



When a man wants to start an orchard and does 

 not have the money, he often can do it by growing 

 four or five crops of strawberries, tomatoes, aspara- 

 gus, or something similar between his trees. Do not 

 plant potatoes or any crops requiring digging after 

 August 1, or this will act the same as late cultiva- 

 tion and force fall growth of trees. The May and 

 June cultivation given these crops is just the thing 

 required by young trees. We advise sowing a cover- 

 crop with any intercrop, at the last cultivation, 

 and let it come on. Rye, or rye and vetch are good, 

 and will make a cover-crop to carry through fall 

 and winter. This will give ample protection, and be 

 beneficial when plowed under in the spring. 



Cross-Pollination. Cross-polhnation is a sub- 

 ject too little understood. The only safe way is to 

 alternate different varieties to a certain extent. 



Put a row of a different kind every three, four or 

 five rows. About 150 feet is far enough to depend 

 on pollen carrying. 



Soils. Select the location for your orchard with 

 reference to exposure, to air-drainage and other 

 frost-damage factors, to the character of the soil, 

 and particularly the nature of the subsoil. Roots 

 have to go down 3 to 4 feet. If there is close and 

 underlying slate or hardpan, avoid that land 

 unless you break up this hardpan thoroughly and 

 permanently. The section of the country is of 

 little real importance. Delaware orchardists are 

 near markets and their soil is worked easily. West 

 Virginia and Pennsylvania lands are high and grow 

 an extra-fine quality of fruit; New England is 

 farther north and claims superior flavor and keeping 

 qualities; Oregon is far west and claims superior 

 color. Whether much or little is in these claims, 

 what is best in one place is balanced by a gain in 

 another place. So, plant your trees where you can 

 do it best. Almost any soil will do for apples, but 

 they succeed best on clay loam. Light or sandy 

 soils are not so good for pears as heavy loams or 

 clay. The kind of soil for peaches makes httle 

 difference so long as it is well drained — a light clay 

 loam is best. 



Apple orchard, showing intercrop, third and fourth years. Note that the trees of this age are using most of the space 



TO EVERYONE WHO QROWS FRUIT FOR MARKET OR HOME USE 



