New York Agricultural Experiment Station. 511 



shape it became more and more apparent that small opportunity 

 was offered for determining fundamental facts regarding the effects 

 of sod mulch and tillage on trees for, beside the defects in the material 

 mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, mishaps of various kinds, 

 as the death of trees, began to occur. 



For the reasons given it was early decided that crop perform- 

 ance and tree growth were to be the chief tests in the comparison 

 of the two methods of culture as being the most satisfactory gauges 

 under the conditions. After all, yield of fruit and growth of tree 

 are the ultimate criteria of methods of management and if extended 

 over sufficient time should be satisfactory to fruit-growers and ought 

 to convince experimenters of the relative values in practice of the 

 methods. These gauges may tell which is the better method, but 

 they tell practically nothing as to why one method is better than 

 another. The work in hand, then, is more demonstrational than 

 experimental. 



In this discussion of results, then, yield of fruit and growth of 

 tree are to furnish chief evidence. Since cheapness is one of the 

 great merits of the Hitchings method, statements of expenses must 

 be compared. The writer feels that to attempt to go further is to 

 raise more questions than can be answered — to stir up more hares 

 than can be run down. 



It remains to be said, before taking up the data, that while the 

 care of the experimental plats had been directed from the Station, 

 the work has been in the hands of Mr. Hitchings — done in his 

 way and at his discretion. The records of yields and expenses were 

 kept by him, being turned over to the Station at the end of each 

 season. Perhaps this is the best place to express appreciation of 

 the zeal and enthusiasm which Mr. Hitchings has shown in carry- 

 ing on these experiments. If the work at any time has suffered, it 

 is because a very busy man could do no more. If in places the data 

 lack fullness, the same reason stands. 



PROGRESS AND RESULTS OF EXPERIMENT. 



TREATMENT of plats. 



The trees in the several plats under comparison have received 

 identical care in all orchard operations excepting soil treatment, 

 which has been as follows: 



