146 POMOLOGY 



retains moisture, is cooler in summer and freezes less in 

 winter, and nitrates may be more abundant than when 

 trees are grown in sod, but this latter is not always true. 

 The growth of the trees is usually vigorous, the foliage 

 abundant, and the yield much improved as compared with 

 sod-grown trees. Under most conditions, it is desirable to 

 add artificial fertilizers or animal manures, but somethnes 

 this does not appear necessary. 



It is usually desirable to plow the land before setting the 

 trees. It may then be seeded down and the mulch system 

 put in operation. When conditions will permit, it is still 

 better to cultivate the orchard for four to six years. How- 

 ever, some very successful orchards have been planted in 

 grass land that had not been previously plowed for a nvunber 

 of years and no ill effects appeared after the system had been 

 followed for a long period of time. Its success under such 

 conditions may be largely attributed to an abundant supply 

 of moisture. The great difficulty is that neglect may result 

 .and the orchard soon show ill effects, as indicated by sparser 

 foliage, smaller and yellowish leaves, and small fruits. If 

 faithfully prosecuted, however, it is a practical system of 

 orchard management, and well adapted to many conditions. 



On hillsides that wash badly it is not desirable to plow 

 much and yet the sod system is not desirable; hence the 

 mulch finds a very desirable use. The same may be said 

 of rocky land. Under many such conditions, it is not a 

 question whether grass mulch is as good as cultivation but 

 whether it is better than nothing. 



The mulch system is perhaps better adapted to the apple 

 than other fruits, although the pear, quince, and small-fruits 

 may be grown in this way. Under few conditions should 

 the peach, cherry, or plum be so treated, as the results of 

 tillage methods produce much better results and longer-lived 

 trees. 



