FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL NURSERY STOCK 
11 
—s* 
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 
roper fertilizers are supplied, the orchards will be 
enefited 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-pollination 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 little 
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 GROWS FRUIT FOR MARKET OR HOMeTse’ "* 
