The Reasons Why 75 



do not hesitate to make an effort to secure them. If it is a 

 question of varieties, it may be worth while to top-graft 

 the trees. If the roots are too near the surface to allow of 

 plowing, harrow the land thoroughly when the turf is soft 

 in spring, and continue to work it in the growing season. 

 If this is not feasible, then pasture it closely with sheep or 

 hogs, feeding the stock at the same time. If all this cannot 

 be done, and the orchard is unprofitable, cut it down. 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF TILLAGE 



Tillage may be defined as the stirring of the soil for 

 the direct purpose of making plants thrive. Its immediate 

 effect is to ameliorate and modify the soil itself, but its 

 secondary effects are those desired and which are also 

 intimately concerned in the welfare of the plant. For ex- 

 ample, tillage is capable of lessening the capillarity of the 

 surface soil, and from this there may result a saving of 

 moisture from evaporation, and it is the moisture that is 

 sought. For practical purposes, however, it is unnecessary 



FIG. 10. Good tillage and good care. Loganberries in Oregon. 



