The Delta independent., 1909-04-16
Professors of
Che State College
Inpart Useful
IT. s. 81 Information
Shade Crops.

All 1nCelllgent lTulI SToWeIS hhoW
that Colorado soil is deficient IN decay
ing organic matter. The effects of
this condition are seen in the compact,
puddled soils, which are almost univer-
sally present in the orchard districts,
except where sandy land is found.
Then, too, in the older orchards we
find that the fruit is running small in
size, so that it is becoming more and
more difficult to get satisfactory prices
for the product.
The necessity for maintaining ferti-
ity in our orchard soils for consider
able time, at least, seems largely to be
a question of maintaining the soil in
proper physical condition. The effects
of our climate are such that when
vegetable matter of any description is
plowed into the land it is soon ex-
hausted 1t seems to be burned out by
the intens, sun and the dry air. We
are dependent upon organic matter for
the degree of fibre and tith that is
desirable in our soils. The soil is life
less without decaying matter. We need
this material to aid in setting plant
food free, to provide a home for the
various forms of germ life which per-
form many important functions, and to
give fibre and tilth to the soil.
Since organic matter seems to be
dissipated by the action of the sun, it
stands to reason that if the soil could
be shaded during the heat of the sum-
mer, much of this valuable material
could be saved. We are therefore
advocating the use of a crop in the
orchard during the growing season,
thus shading and protecting the land
from the intense heat of the sun. AS
this crop has somewhat different use
from the cover crop of the East, we
have coined the phrase 'shade CROP
to distinguish it from the former. 1t
performs all the functions of cover
crop, and has the added usefulness of
shading and protecting the land during
the heat of the summer.
The system of shade crop manage
ment and the plants to use has not
been thoroughly worked out; but a
great many orchard men are giving it
trial, so it is probable that within
few years we shall have a definite
Colorado system of orchard culture. In
the meantime it is permissible to pre-
dict that the management will be
somewhat as follows:
Plant the seed in the spring of the
ovl v,lo ho ,1nlor tho fol.
lowing fall, or, in some instances, al
low it to remain two years before
blowing, depending upon the condition
of the land and of the trees. Fruit
growers have now generally come to
the conclusion that orchard land should
be frequently plowed and preferably in
the fall of the year. for the reason
that If plowed in the spring, particular
ly if large amount of green manure
or stable manure is to be turned under
difficulty will be experienced in irrigat-
ing This mass of material turned
under in the spring prevents the
spreading of water to such an extent
that the trees nearest the main ditch
are often injured before the water can
be forced to the lower end of the rows.
The kinds of crops to grow will de-
pend upon the condition of the or
chard. Usually leguminous plant
such as red clover may be used to
start with. for the reason that it is
able to take nitrogen from the air. If,
after plowing under one or two years,
it is found that the trees are making
two vigorous growth, some other
plant may be used, such as rye, oats.
or buckwheat.
w. PADDOCK,
Colorado Agricultural College, Fort
CnIl;pg