Preparation Of Soil

The previous condition and treatment of a soil

for an orchard are important. If the soil has been in a good rotation

of field crops, including some cultivated crops, it should be in prime

condition for the trees. Old pastures and meadows should be plowed up,

cropped, and cultivated for a year or two before setting to obtain the

best and quickest results. If one is in a hurry, however, this may be

done after setting the trees. Good results are sometimes obtained by

setting trees right among the stumps on recently cleared timberland.

Where no stiff sod has formed the trees start quickly in the rich

soil.



The best immediate treatment of land preparatory to setting the trees

should be such as to place the soil in good tilth. Deep plowing,

thorough cultivation, and the application of liberal amounts of

manure--twelve to fifteen loads per acre--are the most effective means

of doing this. The best crop immediately to precede trees is clover.

Sometimes an application of one thousand five hundred to two thousand

pounds of lime will help to insure a stand of clover and at the same

time improve the physical condition of the soil. Fall plowing is a

good practice on the medium loams and more open soils, but on the

heavy clays spring plowing is to be preferred, as when plowed in the

fall these soils puddle and become hard to handle. Care should always

be taken to keep the orchard well furrowed out as standing water is

decidedly inimical to satisfactory tree-growth. Tile draining is

frequently advisable.