-6- 



was tried • On the remainder, or 121 trees, the tillage 

 and ejinuel cover-crop method wee practiced. The trees in 

 the two e^qperinients received the eeme care and treatment 

 as to spraying, pruning and all orcherd operations except 

 soil treatment. 



Result s of the two_ methods employed . The average yield 

 on the Bod-plot for five years was 72.9 barrels per acre, 

 while that of the tilled plot was 109.2 barrels, or a dif- 

 ference of 36.3 bble. in favor of the tilled plot. It is 

 also interesting to note that the tilled trees yearly in- 

 creased their bearing capacity; and that on the other hand 

 the sod-mulch trees gradually decreased in yield of fruit. 



During the entire experiment the fruit on the sod- 

 mulch plot matured one to three weeks earlier theji on the 

 tilled plot. 



The keeping quality of the tilled apples was much sup- 

 erior to that of the sod-mulched apples, those from the 

 tilled plot keeping 4 weeks longer than from the eod-plot. 



The fruit from the sod-mulch plot was more highly 

 colored. However, in eating quality, the tilled apples 

 were superior to the sod-mulched product. The tissues of 

 fruit from the tilled plot was turgid end crisp while in 

 the epplee from the sod-mulch plat there was a tendency to 

 dryness and meatiness. 



Trees in sod showed abnormalities in foliage, branches 

 and roots. The foliage on the tilled trees was a dark, 

 rich green color while on sod it was a yellow color. The 



