TUK Jil I.I.KTIN 25 



CULTIVATION OR TILLAGE 



Cultivation or, more properly, tillage referii to tin- operation of 

 working the soil with such implements as the plow, cultivator, or har- 

 row, with the idea of forming and preserving a surfage mulch and to 

 control the weeds. To get the best results, clean culture must be the 



Fio. 16. Cutting back miiin brunches to one or 

 more strong buds. 



!-ule in both yuung and old orchards. No fruit tree is more responsive 

 to good tillage than the peach. It requires a lighter, looser condition 

 of the surface soil, better soil aeration, and consequently more thorough 

 tillage than other tree fruits. 



Fig. 17. Viewins the young tree from above. Note the distribution 

 of the stubbed branches. 



.V comprehensive summary of the principal objects of tillage has been 

 made as follows :* 



1. Tillage improves the physical condition or structure of the land: 



a. By fining the soil, and thereby presenting greater feeding 



surface to the root?. 

 h. By increasing the depth of the soil, and thereby givincr n 



greater foraging and roothold area to the plant. 



c. By supplying air to the roots. 



2. Tillage may save moisture: 



d. By increasing the water-holding capacity of the soil. 

 0. By checking evaporation. 



♦Bniley. L H., Principles of Fruit Growing, p. 76. Revised Edition. 1015. 



