APPLE-ORCHARD CULTURE 



421 



sorghum, buckwheat, rape, and cowhorn turnips are non- 

 legumes. 



The choice of the cover crop will vary under different con- 

 ditions. In general, that crop should be selected which will 

 make the best growi^h at the lowest cost in the locality where 

 it is grown. If leguminous crops will thrive and produce 

 large amounts of organic matter, rich in nitrogen, they should 

 be used. But remember that a large amount of organic matter 

 is the important thing in order to improve the physical condi- 



FiG. 165. A cover crop of buckwheat. 



tion of the soil and especially its moisture-holding capacity. 

 As a result, if the non-legumes will thrive better under certain 

 local conditions and thus produce more organic matter, they 

 should be used, as additional nitrogen can easily and cheaply 

 be added in the form of some quickly available nitrogen 

 carrier. 



In the old orchard a cover crop which is least affected by 

 shade should be given preference. It is usually advisable also 

 to grow a crop which is not killed by the first frost in the fall 

 Thus such crops as rye and vetch will continue growth after 

 the leaves of the trees have fallen in the autmn and will make 



