124 THE APPLE 



of this system, and Pennsylvania has placed itself on record to 

 the same effect. Other states may be working along the same 

 lines, but they have not had such marked results. In practically 

 all the apple-growing states varied sod conditions are to be found. 



Relative merits of the two systems. A comparison of the 

 relative merits of the two methods from the available data may 

 be helpful. 



The foliage of the trees under the different methods shows 

 marked differences, the color of the leaves on the trees under 

 sod cultivation being light and of a yellowish tinge, suggesting 

 drought or some other lack in the soil, while the "tillage" trees 

 have foliage of that dark, rich-green color which indicates an 

 abundance of moisture and food. The leaves show a difference 

 not only in color but also in size and number, the sodded trees 

 having fewer leaves and of smaller size than the clean-culture trees. 



In regard to the comparative growth of twig and stock, the 

 evidence seems to be slightly in favor of the clean-culture method. 

 However, under a heavy sod mulch, when conservation of mois- 

 ture would be very great, the growth of twigs and the increase in 

 the size of the leaves might compare favorably with the results 

 under clean-culture conditions. 



The sod system seems to gain favor as regards certain impor- 

 tant facts concerning the fruit. Young orchards grown under this 

 method have a tendency to come into bearing much earlier than 

 those grown under the clean-culture method. This is a decided 

 advantage, especially when trees have been purchased that may 

 not be exactly true to name. By reason of their early bearing, if 

 the variety is undesirable the orchardist may be able to graft it 

 over into some more valuable kind, thereby reducing his possible 

 loss to a minimum. 



The action of the grass in pumping the water out of the soil 

 has a tendency to cause the fruit on the sodded trees to mature 

 earlier, the difference sometimes being from seven to twenty or 

 more days in favor of the trees under sod culture. The color of 

 the fruit from the sodded trees is also generally better. Often this 

 increased color adds materially to the profits from the sale of the 

 fruit, especially in the markets where high-class dessert apples 

 are wanted. 



