266 



BULLETIN 226. 



rating. Cover-crops will, to some extent, take the place of sod, but it is 

 difficult to get a good cover-crop under large trees. Apples usually color 

 better on sod and are said to keep better, but are not so large. Some 

 experiments are now being conducted on these points. 



FIG. 42. One year's growth zvhen set in timothy sod. A i$-acre orchard in Orleans 

 county. (Compare wit!i Fig. 41.) Here the trees are of secondary importance. 



Tillage, fertilization, pruning and spraying are the chief factors that 

 enter into good care of an orchard. One or more of these may some- 

 times be omitted without seriously affecting the trees. Tillage may 



, lessen the need for 



fertilization. Fertili- 

 zation may help to 

 make up for lack of 

 tillage. Some years 

 few insects or fungi 

 attack the trees, so 

 that spraying is not 

 much needed. Very 

 frequently a grower 

 becomes impressed 



with the importance 

 FIG. 43. A few farrows plowed along each tree row r ,, 



i ; a t j TT/ u , i, * of on e of these fac- 



lessen the evil effects of sod. n onld it not pay better 



to raise only tilled crops? tors and makes a 



hobby of it to the ex- 

 clusion of all the others ; but the most successful man is the one who 

 keeps a proper balance between all four, and who does not expect spraying 

 to replace manure, tillage or pruning, or vice versa. 



