Secretary's Budget. 285 



have been frequently given to readers of The Tribune aud I only 

 allude to them again because people seem to forget the few simple 

 rules that appear necessary to promote health, vigor and produc- 

 tiveness in trees. 



As regards the question of sod or tilled surface I do not feel 

 inclined to take positive grounds in favor of either. Each has its 

 advocates, and under both systems of culture I have seen admirable 

 results. It is plausible reasoning that the top soil when protected 

 by turf or grass is rendered cool and even in temperature ; and the 

 small fibres of the tree beneath can just as readily extract nourish- 

 ment and moisture from the air as if culti\'ated. The sod if kept 

 mown forms as good a bed for fertilizers as mellow soil, but the cut 

 grass should never be removed. 



It is not reasonable to suppose that the cultivator and 2>lougli 

 do not injure the roots to any extent, and when we consider tliat 

 the smaller fibrous roots are instrumental in nourishing the tree, 

 their loss must necessarily impair vitality. When the tree is young, 

 the soil should be constantly cultivated, but so so soon as the soil 

 becomes filled with roots it should not be disturbed. Such is my 

 method of reasoning, but I know the opposite course is pursued 

 by good careful orchardists, who claim that applying fertilizers to 

 the surface, without breaking the soil, is no cultivation at all. 



The advocates of the latter theory claim that no harm ensues 

 from thus dislocating the fibres, and that in practice the tree at 

 once starts into active growth by such a stimulus. That a tree 

 standing either in sod or mellow ground will make a vigorous 

 growth after receiving a liberal amount of fertilizers, is well-known 

 to every orc'iardist, so that the only question of real importance to 

 be decided is in regard to the extent of the injury to the roots 

 which breaking up of the sod" will inflict. 



Trees enjoy a fair mulch over their roots, not only to keep them 

 moist but cool and even in temperature, and just here is where the 

 advocates of the so-called "non-cultivation" theory claim their 

 practice is superior. Experiments with the thermometer beneath 

 the sod have shown very gratifying results, especially when the cut 

 grass is allowed to remain on the surface to decompose and furnish 

 additional shade as well as plant-food. — Josiah Hoopes, iti New 

 York Tribune. 



ROOT FEEDING. 



There is in no case a doubt but that a tree has need of all its 

 roots, and more if it could get them : so some people would say, 

 we will sow the orchard in grass, and thus avoid ploughing, which 



