Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 266, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 November 1911 — Preparing the Orchard. [ARTICLE]

Preparing the Orchard.

Deep plowing is by all means advisable for a year or two preceding the planting of an orchard. The turning under of green manures and the growing of hoed crops advisable on rich land or new land which needs subduing. Corn is a good crop to plant. It is the best index crop known for bringing out the inequalities of the land. It will show the poor spots which need extra fertility and frequently will develop the gravel spots which need humus. The best thing, however to Immediately precede the planting is some crop like Irish potatoes, or garden vegetables of some kind. Such crops bring the soil into practically a garden condition, for with them deep plowing, high manuring and fertilising and thorough cultivation are commonly practiced. Subsoiling is to be highly recommended on all lands underlaid by a more or less stiff subsoil. This should be done when necessary the fall preceding the planting of the trees.