PLANT FOOD 93 



tree roots. The expense of cultivation, which is the heaviest 

 outlay under the clean culture method, is eliminated. One 

 person can cut the hay and mulch the trees at little expense, 

 while to cultivate the orchard at frequent intervals throughout 

 the growing season is quite an outlay. 



The good effects from cover crops in preventing washing or 

 gullying out of the soils, etc., already discussed, apply with 

 equal force here. The young orchards set by Mr. White with- 

 stood the very severe dry season of last year as well as any 

 cultivated orchard. Trees set on land that had not been cul- 

 tivated for many years and simply fertilized with ashes and 

 mulched, made growths of from nine to twelve inches. I am 

 not prepared to say that the Hitchings method is the one to 

 follow, but it does seem to have many advantages that look 

 reasonable if judiciously handled. It is, at least, worthy of 

 further consideration. If it proves to be practical, it is likely 

 to revolutionize our whole idea of apple growing in New 

 England. 



The writer in concluding this discussion of tillage, desires to 

 emphasize the remark made at the beginning: — the object of 

 the orchard is to produce fruit. 



(2) Plant Food (Fertilizers}. 



No prescription can be written for feeding all fruit trees, as 

 there are so many varying conditions. About all that can be 

 done is to review the subject, in order that the reader may com- 

 prehend the main principles and thereby mould them into their 

 practical application. The feeding of plants is not unlike the 

 feeding of animals. We do not feed horses and swine on the 

 same diet; each is known to do best under its own particular 

 treatment. We must first become acquainted with the plants 

 we are to feed, and when their habits and needs are understood, 

 any one with good judgment can husband them. A good florist 

 understands his plants and knows their wants; a good fruit 

 grower needs a similar knowledge of the plants he is to depend 

 upon for success. 



To feed fruit trees intelligently we must ascertain what the 

 soil in which they are growing is capable of doing for them, and 

 if it needs assistance, supply it. The three elements liable to 

 be deficient are potash, phosphoric acid, and nitrogen. If the 

 trees are making rapid growth, have deep green foliage and 



