Surface Tillage 97 



plantation was young. This is especially true in light 

 lands on which peaches are generally grown. If cover- 

 crops are to be plowed under, these remarks may not 

 apply. In the first few years, however, it is essential to 

 plow moderately deep to break up the earth and to send 

 the roots down. A world of trouble with the orchard 

 will be saved if the suggestions hi this paragraph are 

 fully understood. 



Specific advice on tillage. 



1. Begin to till when the orchard is planted, and till 

 the entire surface. If trees are properly set, and if tillage 

 is begun the first year, the roots will go deep enough to 

 escape the plow. The roots of trees spread much farther 

 than the tops. The illustrations give examples from trees 

 of which the tops and roots have been carefully measured. 

 Fig. 20 shows a standard Howell pear seven years after 

 planting. It grew on a hard clay knoll, but with tillage. 

 The full spread of the top was 7 feet. Two roots were laid 

 bare, and they ran off in one direction to a distance of 

 21 feet. Assuming that they ran an equal distance in the 

 other direction, the spread of roots was 42 feet, or six 

 times that of the top; and yet it is commonly said that 

 the spread of roots and tops is about equal. These roots 

 were long and whip-like. The soil was so poor that they 

 were obliged to run far and wide for pasture. Compare 

 the upper tree in Fig. 21. This is a Fall Orange apple, 

 of equal age, in rich well-tilled soil. Here the roots are in 

 good pasture, and they remain at home; yet their spread 

 is twice that of the top. The top of this tree had a diameter 

 of 8 feet, and the roots were followed 8 feet on one side. 

 These object-lessons enforce the importance of tilling all 

 the land between trees. 

 G 



