THE EARTH'S BOUNTY 



soil, even in limitless quantities, could avail 

 nothing for the good of the crop. The ideal 

 tillage, then, is that which begins as early in 

 the season as the soil can be worked, while 

 there is still an abundance of moisture in it 

 and continues until mid-season. 



The special conditions under which grain 

 crops are allowed in the orchard are when soil 

 is very rich, and young trees are being forced 

 into abnormal growth. Then the grain crop 

 is used to eat the excess of plant food. 

 Healthy and vigorous trees, that have arrived 

 at bearing age, yet show no indication of 

 fruiting, can sometimes be awakened to their 

 duty by this means. At others, root pruning 

 has to be resorted to. This consists in dig- 

 ging a circular trench, from 3 to 6 feet from 

 the tree stem, to a depth of from 2 to 4 feet, 

 and cutting all the roots that are encountered. 

 As soon as the entire circle is accomplished 

 round the tree, replace the earth, being care- 

 ful to firm the soil round the roots. If this 

 process is accomplished late in July, or early 



156 



