126 THE APPLE 



The experiment is divided into two five-year periods. During 

 the first period the orchard was divided in halves by a north- 

 and-south line, during the second period by an east-and-west 

 line. One quarter of the orchard, then, has been tilled ten years ; 

 another tilled five years and then left in sod five years ; the 

 third quarter has been in sod ten years ; and the fourth quarter in 

 sod five years, then tilled five years. 



The following .is a statement of results : 



The average yield on the plat left in sod for ten years was 69.16 

 barrels per acre ; on the plat tilled ten years, 1 16.8 barrels — dif- 

 ference in favor of tilled plats, 47.64 barrels per acre per year. 



The fruit from the sod-mulch plats is more highly colored than 

 that from the tilled land and matures from one to three weeks 

 earlier than the tilled fruit. 



The tilled fruit keeps from two to four weeks longer than the 

 sodded fruit ; it is also better in quality, being crisper, juicier, and 

 of better flavor. 



The average gain in diameter of the trunks for the trees in 

 sod for the ten years was 2.39 inches ; for the trees under tillage 

 3.90 inches — gain in favor of tillage, 1.5 1 inches. 



The trees in sod lacked uniformity in every organ and function 

 of which note could be taken. The uniformity of the trees under 

 tillage in all particulars was in striking contrast. 



The grass had a decided effect on the wood of the trees, there 

 being many more dead branches on the sodded trees, and the new 

 wood was not so plump or as bright in color. 



The leaves of the tilled trees came out three or four days earlier 

 and remained on the trees several days longer than on the sodded 

 trees. They were a darker, richer green, indicating greater vigor, 

 and were larger and more numerous than on the sodded trees. 



The average cost per acre of growing and harvesting apples in 

 sod was $5173 ; under tillage, $83.48 ; difference in favor of sod, 

 $3 1 75- Subtracting these figures from the gross return leaves 

 a balance of $74.31 per acre for the sodded plats and of $140.67 

 for the tilled plats — an increase of $66.36 in favor of tillage. 

 For every dollar taken from the sodded trees, after deducting 

 growing and harvesting expenses, the tilled trees gave $1.89. The 

 results here given are quite convincing in favor of tilled orchards. 



