CURRENT ORCHARD WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20556, 6 May 1930, Page 3

CURRENT ORCHARD WORK.

PREPARING FOR THE WINTER Tho orchard requires to be prepared for the winter. Tho most efficient method consists of digging the. ground over thoroughly at present. Tho spade may he used carefully between the trees, but when working close to the trees tho fork must bo used. Even so, ono must be careful not to injure tho fibrous roots of the trees as these arc not so very far below the surface. These fibrous roots are probably tho most important part of the root system as they are the feeding roots and obtain the food for the production of the fruit. In some cases the fork cannot bo used more than oin. deep for this reasou. After tho whole orchard has been dug over the ground may be left in a rough slate until the spring, or elso it may be sown with a cover crop, i.e., a green manure crop. The practice of sowing cover crops in the orchard is not followed extensively by tho amateur orchardists, but this fact is to bo regretted. It is possibly due to the fact that the majority are not aware of the benefits that result from the practice. It is tho same as in the vegetable garden—when dug under in the spring the green crop provides a- portion of the food required by the trees. Another feature about the cover crop is that it helps to smother weeds. The cover crops should not be sown right up to the trunks of the trees as it cannot be dug in there. Oats or lupins will be the most suitable for the purpose.,'