SUBSEQUENT CARE OF THE PLANT 161 



16. In fruit plantations 



271. Tillage gives the same results in fruit 

 plantations as with annual crops, and it also has 

 particular advantages in such cases : it causes 

 the roots of the trees or bushes to strike deep 

 into the soil and thereby to find moisture in dry 

 times, and it has a decided effect in keeping down 

 the ravages of insects and the incursions of dis- 

 eases by destroying breeding-places and burying 

 diseased foliage and fruit. 



272. Since fruit trees and bushes send their 

 roots so deep into the soil, they are better able 

 to withstand neglect of tillage than annual crops 

 are. There has thus arisen a general belief that 

 orchards do best in sod ; but in most cases of 

 successful sod orchards the trees thrive in spite 

 of the sod, not because of it. 



273. It is particularly important to till fruit 

 plantations early in their life. Apples should 

 generally be tilled for at least the first ten years. 

 The plants thereby get a good start and come 

 into bearing early ; and the habit acquired in the 

 first years is apt to continue. The treatment 

 given in the early period usually determines the 

 success of the fruit plantation. 



274. The fruit plantation may need tillage 

 throughout all the years of its existence, and, as 

 a matter of fact, it usually does need it. But if 



