ELEfEXTH ANNUAL MEETING. 47 



A Member: I was going to say that under the same condi- 

 tions I would use sod culture. If I had an orchard on my 

 farm, and it was on a piece of land that was heavy, and had more 

 moisture on it than I thought was absolutely needed at all times 

 of the year, then I might let that orchard go into sod, but I 

 believe nine times out of ten, the man who allows his orchard 

 to grow in sod, does it at the expense of the apples. I believe 

 under those conditions, such as have been described here, if I 

 had them on my place, I should certainly grow the orchard in 

 sod. As I say, under those conditions it might be a good thing, 

 but I should not want to recommend sod culture as a general 

 thing. 



Prof. Powell : If there is an excessive amount of water, 

 of course it might be well, but I would not by any means have it 

 understood here that I was here to recommend sod culture. 

 Under some conditions though, I am not saying but it may be 

 a good thing. 



Mr. Hale : Why wouldn't you drain the land first before 

 you undertook to raise an orchard on it, instead of practicing 

 sod culture after you got the orchard going, which most of us 

 believe is bad? 



Prof. Powell : It might not be necessary if there wasn't 

 an excessive amount of water. 



Mr. Hale : But you are talking about an excessive amount 

 of water. Why wouldn't you drain the land first? Then there 

 would not be a chance for a difficulty of that kind. 



Prof. Powell: It might not be necessary. Of course 

 you would have to be guided by the conditions that existed. If 

 I had a cover crop which I could use to regulate the amount of 

 water that might be sufficient. 



Mr. Hale: You don't answer the question. Don't try to 

 dodge now. 



Prof. Powell : Under those conditions, I believe I could 

 maintain my orchard cheaper by sowing once or twice a }ear 

 than I could by cultivating it. Under those conditions I might 

 be willing to do that. 



Mr. Hale: You think it would be cheaper, l)ut what would 

 be the final result? 



Prof. Powell : I would take my chances on the result. 

 I think probably when Mr. Hitchings talks he will show you 



