18. 
stick of powder ig commonly used in each hole, with fuse to 
reach the surface of the soil, All the holes are pre- 
pared and moist soil well tamped in on the powder before 
any of the fuses are lighted, The effect of the combined 
explosion showe little on the surface, but the soil is 
thoroughly loosened between the holes, as one can easily 
demonstrate by dissing down. 
Exteneive experiment at Geneva station (Bulletin 314) 
has demonstrated the value of keeping a surface mulch of 
loose soil in the orchard throughout the dry season. It is 
@ recognized fact, that under the arid conditions of the 
Waat the production of fruit would be impossible without 
this thorough cultivation. The spring-tooth or cut-away 
harrow may be used for the purpose. The eround should be 
gone over every ten days or two weeks, and at least after 
each rain so that a surface orust is never allowed to 
form, In this way the maximum amount of moisture is con- 
served and sent out through the leaves, where it does its 
work toward plant building. 
THINNING. 
This, also, is now of recngnized value in the com 
mercial orchard. (Geneva Bulletin 239) Frequently the 
heavy pruning of the renovated orchard forces an Over load 
of fruit, and this muet be thinned if we wovld conserve 
the trees and have first class apples. The cost of thin+ 
