416 MANAGING ORCHARD SOILS AND FERTILIZING TREES 



in the center of the rows with nitrogen, phosphorus, and pos- 

 sibly potash in order to keep up the mulch supply. 



Some disadvantages of the additional mulch system: A 

 sufficient amount of cheap additional mulch may not be avail- 

 able, and if this has to be purchased, the system may be more 

 expensive than clean cultivation and cover crops. There is 

 great danger of fire in orchards where so much mulch is used, 



(U. S. D. A.) 



Fig. 163. Beans make a good intercrop in the young orchard. 



and it is necessary to take extra precautions against root and 

 trunk injury from mice and other rodents. 



It should be said that this system of orchard management 

 is gaining in favor, especially since low returns in recent years 

 have compelled growers to decrease costs where possible and 

 to improve the color of their fruit. They grow their own 

 mulching material on adjoining areas. Sudan grass is promis- 

 ing for this purpose. 



(5) Clean Cultivation and Intercrops While the Trees Are 

 Young: While the orchard is young and non-bearing, the trees 

 will not need all the ground, and so intercrops may sometimes 



