26 N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION. [Bulletin 190i 



a seeding to a cover crop. The general response of the trees in 

 this plot is so similar to those in Plot 4 that they can well be com- 

 pared. The difference in treatment is that in Plot 4 the tillage 

 continues every two weeks until September 1 and no cover crop 

 is sown, while in Plot 5 the tillage ceases July 10 and a cover crop 

 is sown. The appearance of the trees in these two plots is much 

 the same, also the type of fruit produced is much the same. The 

 actual yield has not varied markedly throughout the ten years, 

 the average being but 6 pounds of fruit per tree. The growth is a 

 little better in this plot, averaging 12 per cent greater for the ten 

 years. This is the only tangible or practical advantage which can 

 by any interpretation be credited to the cover crop. Probably 

 this difference in growth is not incidental since our study of 

 nitrification in the two soils shows a markedly higher content 

 in Plot 5 than Plot 4 (nearly 100 per cent), and also 2 per cent 

 higher moisture content, hence we would expect a better vege- 

 tative growth as a result. This must be said, however, that re- 

 cently the cover crop on this plot is meagre, scarcely enough to 

 make much vegetable matter in the soil, and where fertilization 

 is used in subsequent plots the cover crop is very much heavier. 

 This difference did not obtain the first five or six years. In at- 

 tempting to draw conclusions as to the value of a cover crop in 

 an orchard from these two plots the above stated conditions must 

 be recognized. 



The actual jdeld of this plot for the period is 268 pounds per 

 tree per year or 195.56 bushels per acre. The size of the fruit 

 runs about the same as for Plots 4, 6, and 7, being 56 per cent of 

 No. 1 apples. The actual growth as indicated by the terminal 

 twig growth is 8.21 inches per year which is a fairly satisfactory 

 growth for mature, bearing Baldwin trees in this section. The 

 foliage is of good size, and a healthy green color. In general 

 it must be said that the treatment of this plot has made a re- 

 markable showing and gives good evidence that the unplowed 

 Baldwin orchards in this state would make a notable improve- 

 ment if such a treatment were given them. 



Plot 6. 



Beginning with this plot we take up the five plots which have 

 received annual applications of a complete fertilizer which are to 



