January, 1919.] SOD, TILLAGE AND FERTILIZERS. 25 



have been returned to the soil, and yet this plot has averaged next 

 to the highest in yield in the series. Furthermore the difference 

 in yield between this plot and the highest jdelding one is negli- 

 gible. This is practical^ the system of soil culture followed in 

 many places in the Western States but which has recently proven 

 to be a deficient system. During the first few years of the ex- 

 periment the trees in this plot made a growth which compared 

 favorably with the fertilized plots but the past five years the 

 growth of these trees has been less than forjnerly, in fact they have 

 steadily declined as compared with the fertilized plots. This is 

 perhaps to be expected for obviously such a system is contrary 

 to all agricultural teachings and it could be but a matter of time 

 until a deficiency appeared. In yield this plot has produced on 

 the average 262 pounds of fruit per tree or 191.26 bushels per 

 -acre, which is an 84 per cent increase over Plot 1. In growth it 

 has averaged 7.31 inches twig growth per year or a 43 per cent 

 increase over Plot 1. In size of fruit it ranks low averaging 55 

 per cent of No. 1 apples, which is only 1 per cent higher than 

 Plot 1 and is 16 per cent less than Plot 10. This could doubtless 

 be corrected somewhat by thinning but should not be considered 

 lightly for it is likely that it could be bettered by an increase of 

 fertihty to the soil. However Plots 2 and 3 which receive no 

 fertilization have averaged as high in percentage of No. 1 fruits 

 as the average of all the fertilized plots thus indicating that the 

 size of the crop borne by the trees is a large factor in the matter. 

 In general we must conclude from the tendencies of this plot that 

 for a long-time consideration of this orchard soil either vegeta- 

 tion or fertilizers would be necessary to maintain and increase its 

 efficiency although tillage alone for a period of years will benefit 

 the orchard in a most striking manner, increasing its yield and 

 general vigor almost as greatly as would result from the addition 

 of applications of commercial fertilizers. But under all cir- 

 cumstances, so far as we now know, we would recommend the 

 treatment of the next plot (Plot 5) in preference to this one to all 

 those who expect to till their orchards. 



Plot 5. 



The practice followed in this plot is a standard one thoughout 

 the country, that is, simply tillage early in the season followed by 



