55 



secured, some measuring eight feet in height at the time of planting. 

 In 1908 potatoes were again planted, but on account of severe drouth, 

 only 860 bushels were harvested. The growth of the peach trees 

 the second season was also satisfactory. I have not heard directly 

 from Mr. Suavely this, year, but I understand that he harvested a 

 fine crop of peaches. Mr. Suavely has told me repeatedly that he 

 never saw a finer young orchard. 



It is a pleasure to call attention to inter-cropping as practiced 

 by Horace Roberts, Moorestown, N. J. Mr. Roberts purchased his 

 first farm some years ago and was unable to make a single payment 

 on the place. He had barely enough capital to stock the farm with 

 tools and a few animals. The success of his operations is almost 

 phenomenal for he now owns nine farms and he is a comparatively 

 young man. Mr. Roberts is known as an orchardist as well as a 

 market gardener and his success must be attributed largely to inter- 

 cropping in the orchards. The general policy is to buy a farm when 

 the price is right and to plant all or part of it with fruit trees. 

 Peaches, apples, pears, plums and cherries are grown extensively 

 on the Roberts' farm, and inter-tillage crops are used in all the 

 plantations. In a number of instances it has been possible to pay 

 for the places from the profits of two seasons. Expenses of the 

 young orchards as well as of the entire farm are more than paid 

 from the outset, and it should also be noted that the farms become 

 more valuable because of the starting of young orchards and of the 

 improvement in soil fertility. Many other growers within easy 

 reach of Philadelphia markets have been practicing companion crop- 

 ping with success. The most common practice on the Roberts farms 

 is to plant peas as early as possible in the spring, following with such 

 crops as tomatoes, sweet corn, muskmelons, cucumbers, watermel- 

 ons, potatoes and other crops that may be sold to advantage in 

 Philadelphia. Most of the farms are about eleven miles from the 

 city and nearly all produce is marketed by wagon. 



Principles Involved. 



In deciding as to the kind of crop which is best adapted to any 

 particular location, the following points should be considered : 



( 1 ) The equipment and capital required. The growing of such 

 crops as peas, sweet corn and potatoes would require a very much 

 smaller outlay for equipment than early cabbage and early tomatoes 

 which must be started under glass. Practically all farms have the 

 tools necessary for the growing of potatoes, although if undertaken 

 on a large scale it would be necessary to secure planters and har- 

 vesters, while one "could not expect to grow early cabbage and early 

 tomatoes on a large scale without extensive areas devoted to hotbeds, 

 cold frames and perhaps greenhouses. 



(2) The natural bent or inclination of the grower should be 

 taken into account. Many people who are very fond of fruit culture 

 would not make a success in growing vegetables because these crops 

 do not appeal to them. This is a most important factor and should 

 not be ignored by the individual or the community. 



(3) Inter-cropping requires more labor than when no crops 

 are grown between the trees. This may or may not be a serious 



