APPLE-ORCHAED CULTURE 



423 



unevenly (Fig. 166) and are a source of spreading obnoxious 

 weeds about the farm. This last objection would not be as 

 serious on a specialized fruit farm as it would be on a general 

 farm. 



Winter Vetch, Winter vetch often makes an ideal leguminous cover 

 crop, and good stands are not difficult to obtain. It will usually grow in a 

 season too dry for clover, and on soils too acid for good stands of clover 

 and alfalfa. It grows in cool weather and makes a heavy mat upon the 

 ground. In combination with rye or oats, it makes an excellent cover 

 crop. Its main disadvantage in some years is the high price of seed. 



Crimson Clover and Red Clover. Crimson clover makes an excellent 

 cover crop where good stands can be obtained. Many orchardists, how- 

 ever, have difficulty in getting a good stand. It is rather exacting in its 

 moisture requirements at seeding time and winter-kills badly in some of 

 the Northern fruit sections. It will not do well on acid soils. 



Red clover and mammoth clover are also popular cover crops where 

 good stands can be secured. The cost of seed is likely to be high. 



Alfalfa and Sweet Clover, Alfalfa is used occasionally as a cover 

 crop by some fruit growers. Where soil and climatic conditions are 

 favorable for a good stand and quick growth, it should be a satisfactory 

 cover crop. In many orchard sections it is very difficult, however, to 

 obtain a desirable stand and growth during the period when the crop 

 must be grown. The soil should be well drained, fertile, and limed if 

 acid. Inoculation is important. Growers usually have much better 

 success in using alfalfa as a permanent orchard sod than as a cover crop. 



The biennial white sweet clover, like alfalfa, gives promise of being 

 satisfactory as a permanent sod in orchards. It will thrive on poorer soils 

 than alfalfa. It is quite possible that this clover, and in addition the 

 white annual variety, may be suitable as cover crops in some orchard 

 sections. 



Soy Beans and Cow Peas. Soy beans and cow peas make good cover ' 

 crops in the South, but are not so popular in the North. The fact that 

 they are killed at the first frost is an objection. In the South these crops 

 need to be fertilized on most soils if a sufficient bulk of organic matter 

 is to be produced. 



Rye and Other Grains, Rye is a very satisfactory non-legume cover 

 crop. It grows well in cool weather and lives over winter. It should be 

 plowed under in the winter where possible or early in the spring, or it 

 will compete with the trees for both moisture and nitrates. The fact that 

 it grows well even on poor and acid soils where a little fertilizer is used, 

 and produces a large amount of organic matter, makes it a very valuable 



