The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1916-08-31
COMMENT ON ORCH
ARD COVER CROPS

(By Gordon G. Brown, horticulturist
Of Hood River experiment station.)
The writer wishes to make brief ref
erence 10 the subject of cover crops
and to point out some Of the obvious
advantages Of them. This Ia matter
Of very great importance because the
grower should decide now whether or
not be will engage in such a practice.
By cover crops We mean those crops
which occupy the ground In the orch
ard during the late fall. winter and
early spring which are commonly grown
as protection to the soil and tree roots,
and are turned under for the purpose of
adding humus to the soil. This distinc-
ton is made in order to avoid confusing
cover with shade crops, such as clover
and alfalfa. which occupy the ground
during the growing season.
What are the advantages Of the cover
crop? The main features have already
been suggested. Let US make the ap-
piication, let US assume that we are
dealing with an orchard which for its
age is producing but small crop OF
apples. With this fact We may and
usually can associate decided lack of
vigor in the growth. A glance at the
foliage and annual growth will deter
mine this. Next, examine the soil.
1t may be depleted of organic matter
by long and continuous clean cutltiva-
tion. 1t probably bakes easily after
water has been applied and fails to bold
moisture as it should. If located on a
side hill probably it washes badly.
Next, consider the problem Of irriga-
tion. Has it been possible to get suffi-
cient amount during the dry season?
Again, what about 80 called winter in
jury. Have you had any and with
what physical conditions Of the soil
have you associated such injury? These
and many allied thoughts need careful
study in connection with cover crops.
Obviously such soil needs humus.
No further discussion regarding that
point need be considered necessary.
When added many of the undesirable
features cited disappear. The point at
issue then Is what crops shall SOW and
when? Answer to this can be made in
a general way only. The question must
be left open by the writer because 1t is
necessary for the grower to take we'll
established principles and work out the
application for his own conditions for
himself.
To the grower who cannot secure ir-
rigation water in sufficient quantity
during summer and who needs the
much desired humus, the winter cover
crop plan is obviously advantageous.
The cover crop may be grown to a
| hx, fall xuintar and
spring rains which on such depleted
soils 60 to waste. carrying soil fertility
with them. Such plan also permits
summer cultivation as the crop is
turned under in the spring. Where
humus is desired quickly and water Is
available both winter cover crops and
summer shade crops may be utilized to
advantage.
The relation Of cover crops to winter
injury is not so plain. However, the
writer has noted many cases this year
when badly injured trees had no such
cover crop protection last winter. Such
injury was also associated with ex-
treme dryness or moisture last summer
again the relation of cover crops, hu-
mus, and uniform moisture conditions
in the soil are apparent.
Assuming that 1t is desirable to SOW
cover crop. what crop shall we select.
Numerous experiments have been con-
Quoted by the local experiment station
bearing on this point. Such crops al
Canadian field peas. horse bean, Grim
son clover and four varieties OF vetch
: hairy vetch, spring or common vetch
woolly padded vetch. purple vetch ant
bitter vetch. have been tested. In 1911
only crimson clover and hairy vetcl
withstood the rigors of winter ant
made satisfactory growth.
The conclusions are: Canadian fell
peas should not be planted in sthe fall
This is also true of horse beans. Grim
: son clover does not make sufficien
growth in the early spring to be salts
factory. Hairy vetch, although ex
pensive, is extremely hardy and grow
we'll; 20 pounds per acre will insure
good stand. Common or spring veto
in ordinary years does very we'll. Th
seed Is less expensive than hairy vetch
For the average year it may be safel
recommended.
!. Try to secure a good early fall stand
! ! That means sowing seed now. Pre-
: vide a good seed bed, with sufficien
= moisture.