138 THE CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



feeding- surface and large storage capacity for moisture and 

 available plant-food materials. 



"(3) To increase the humus of the soil through a deep 

 and extensive incorporation of organic matter, so that there 

 may be a strong growth of soil micro-organisms and the 

 maintenance of a high content of water-soluble plant-food 

 materials. 



"(4) To improve the tilth and maintain the best struc- 

 tural condition in the soil, so that the roots of the crop and 

 the soil organisms may spread readily and widely to place 

 themselves in the closest contact with the largest amotmt of 

 food materials. 



"(5) To control the amount, to regulate the movement, 

 and to determine the availability of soil-moisture, so that 

 there shall never be an excess or deficiency of this indispen- 

 sable carrier of food materials to and through the plant. 



"(6) To determine the amount, movement and avail- 

 ability of the water-soluble, plant-food materials present in 

 the soil, so that growth may be both rapid, normal and con- 

 tinuous to the end of the season. 



"(7) To convert the entire root zone of the soil into 

 a commodious, sanitary living and feeding place, perfectly 

 adapted to the needs of the roots of the crop and to the soil 

 organisms — adequately drained, perfectly ventilated and suffi- 

 ciently warm. 



"(8) To reduce the waste of plant-food materials 

 through the destruction of weeds and the prevention of their 

 growth, through prevention of surface washing, and drifting 

 by winds." 



It is impossible by any other means than tillage to obtain 

 for the apple the conditions enumerated above ; soil uniform- 

 ity ; soil depth or a commodious living room ; an increase of 

 humus ; improved physical condition of the soil ; conservation 

 and regulation of moisture ; greater availability of plant-food ; 

 a sanitary living place, clean drained, ventilated and suffi- 

 ciently warm ; and the destruction of weeds. Are not these 

 objects y^^orth striving for with any cultivated plant? 



T am fortunate, too. in being able to give the philosophy 



