Benefits of Tillage. 139 
which is sought. For practical purposes, however, it 
is unnecessary to keep this distinction in mind, and 
we may classify the benefits of tillage under three 
general heads, arranging them approximately in their 
order of importance to the fruit-grower - 
1. Tillage improves the physical condition of the 
land, 
(a) By fining the soil, and thereby presenting 
greater feeding surface to the roots; 
(b) By increasing the depth of the soil, and 
thereby giving a greater foraging and root- 
hold area to the plant; 
(c) By warming and drying the soil in 
spring; 
(d) By reducing the extremes of temperature 
and moisture. 
2. Tillage may save moisture, . 
(e) By increasing the water-holding capacity of 
the soil; 
(f) By checking evaporation. 
8. Tillage may augment chemical activities, 
(g) By aiding in setting free plant-food; 
(h) By promoting nitrification; 
(i) By hastening the decomposition of organic 
matter; 
(j) By extending these agencies (g, h, i) to 
greater depths of the soil. 
The simple statements of these offices of tillage is 
sufficient for the present occasion, except, perhaps, 
in respect to the improving of the texture of the 
