The Tillage of Orchards 181 



If we were to follow our own inclination, we would close 

 this chapter at this point and refer all who are interested 

 to the subject of fertilizers and shade-crops. But an un- 

 derstanding of the subject will help us to correct mistakes, 

 and for this reason, at least, a discussion will be desirable. 



Bailey * has summarized the benefits of tillage as 

 follows : 



1 . Tillage improves the physical condition of the land 

 (a) By fining the soil, and thereby presenting 



greater feeding surface to the roots; 



(6) By increasing the depth of the soil, and thereby 



giving a greater foraging and roothold area to 

 the plant; 



(c) By warming and drying the soil in spring; 



(d) By reducing the extremes of temperature and 



moisture. 



2. Tillage may save moisture 



(e) By increasing the water-holding capacity of the 



soil; 

 (/) By checking evaporation. 



3. Tillage may augment chemical activities 

 (g) By aiding in setting free plant-food; 

 (h) By promoting nitrification; 



(i) By hastening the decomposition of organic 

 matter; 



(7) By extending these agencies (g, h, i) to greater 



depths of the soil. 



A composite of the practices of a number of the most 

 successful fruit-growers results as follows: Use the 



1 Bailey, L. H., "The Principles of Fruit-growing," p. 139. 



