-7- 



leaves on the tilled trees were much larger, came out ear- 

 lier and remained on the trees later than on sodded trees. 

 The roots of sodded trees caiae to the surface of the ground; 

 in tilled trees there were more roots and they grew deeper. 



The average cost per acre, not including harvesting, 

 was $17,92 for the sod; end $24.47 for tillage giving a 

 difference of $6.55 in favor of the sod. 



In suaiming up the results of this e;q)eriinent. Professor 

 Hedrick of the Geneva Station says that 



Tillage is better than sod for the apple since there 

 is a larger moisture supply in the tilled plot and there- 

 fore a greater food supply. There is more humus in the 

 tilled plot and it is warmer and better aerated. Also 

 there are more beneficial micro-organisms in tilled than 

 in other soils. 



From these results it would seem that tillage amd cover- 

 crops were best for the average orchard and especially so 

 in case of old, neglected trees, since with neglected trees it 

 is important that they should maJce a large and rapid growth 

 of new wood. 



